Self-promotion does seem to be the key to success, that and a lot of luck, and maybe even just some common sense. I’m currently working on a mystery and even though it would be great to see it in print, I would also have no problem offering it for $.99 on Amazon.

I actually do have some marketing experience and it’s not hard to see that there’s a great opportunity for volume in e-book publishing that can make it worthwhile. That makes it very different than the vanity publishing of the past. The trick is to discover the pricepoint where you can optimize your earnings. Personally, I don’t mind taking a chance on a book that doesn’t cost that much – guess that’s why I also like Ukazoo! That’s a great bookstore in our area with lots of used books. So, kind of interesting!

In some of our local writing groups and some national conferences I’ve attended we’ve talked a lot about establishing a platform, that’s kind of a name-recognition, getting people to know you type of thing. Lots of folks suggest a blog like this one, a web-site, being involved in different groups. I had a story published in a local anthology a couple of years ago and volunteered to read at a bunch of different places. I was very surprised when a lady who was complimenting me on a story that I read at a craft festival (wasn’t even the story in the anthology) said that she’d heard of me! Guess that’s one way to get some name recognition. I’ve also belonged to the Maryland Writers Association for a long time and now I’m in AWP (Associated Writers Programs) and the SCBWI (Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators) in which I’ve been fairly active. All of these activities are something that you can do now instead of waiting for your book to be published by you or someone else.