Rah! Rah! Zisboombah!

Today I’m taking on the role of cheerleader. We go through a lot when we write a book, and too often there’s someone on the sidelines going, “Tsk tsk. He/she is making an awful big deal out of nothing.” How many times has someone referred to your writing as your “hobby?” Couldn’t you just throw something? Don’t do it. Prove them wrong.

What you need is someone saying, “Go for it! You can do it!” That would be me.

Is your back hurting from sitting at a computer for so long? Do you have a headache? Have you been unable to take a deep breath and let it out while you wait to see what happens to your book?

Forget it! You’ve done the best you can and it’s time to bask in your accomplishment. If no one, other than family and friends, reads your book, at least you accomplished something that so many don’t. This is huge! You’ve honest-to-goodness written a book, and you’re an author. A real author!

When I finish a book, or even while I’m writing it, I often have thoughts about whether people will want to read it and whether they’ll enjoy it if they do read it. I know I’m not alone in this because authors talk amongst themselves. Surprise! Surprise! Yes, we do talk to each other.

So I’m here to say, quit worrying. Get out and promote your book any way you can. Don’t wait to see what happens. Stay busy.

I take a break between books. I clean house, run long overdue errands, and try to socialize a little. I have to admit that I’ll mention my books to anyone who’ll listen – the checker at the grocery store, the saleslady at the mall, the mailman, and even my doctor and his assistant.

Yesterday a woman sat next to me at a meeting (not book related). By the time we left she was on her way to buy one of my books. It was a casual conversation. I asked her if she enjoyed reading and that started the ball rolling.

Don’t be pushy. Keep it casual. If someone isn’t interested, don’t belabor the point. Move on to the next casual encounter.

I’ve read a number of good books lately and I’m sorry to say I haven’t put up reviews yet. I need to let readers know I’ve read a good book, and the author needs to know he or she was appreciated, too.

I can even be a cheerleader for readers. There are scads of new authors out there just waiting to be discovered. Give a few a try. If you find you’re not enjoying a book, set it aside and move on to another new author. You’ll probably find a few that make you want to read more of their work.

You’ve just written your first book? Or your third? Either one is a major accomplishment.

I don’t know about you, but the word promotion has almost become a dirty word to me. It can give a writer the shivers, although I know others who revel in it. Not all of us have a big budget to work with, so we have to do the best we can on little money. Word-of-mouth, talking to the delivery or repair guy, sucking it up and asking for a little help from our friends – these are ways to get the word out there and they don’t cost a cent.

Offer to help others, but don’t overextend yourself. You can only do so much before it takes its toll. Inviting someone to be a guest on your blog can’t hurt.

I honestly believe that we get back what we give out. In other words, what goes around, comes around. How many more ways can I say that?

So while I’m cheering for you, why don’t you cheer for someone else? Keep it going.

Rah! Rah! Zisboombah! Okay, I’m not dating myself. That’s from before my time. However, feel free to picture me waving pompoms in the air.

“Go for it! You can do it!”

Until next time, I wish both writers and readers the best. Go for it! Write a book. Read a book. And share through word-of-mouth.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website

CLICK HERE for a quick trip to Amazon.com

Coming soon – watch for it: Having a Great Crime – Wish You Were Here – A Sandi Webster Mystery.

  

Preview of the new book cover