In this profession, they say you've made it when you are on the NYTs Best Seller's list, or at least in the top 100 on that list. But what if you were to get your book or books as part of a book club discussion? Do you think that is "making it"?
I recently attended a "Reluctant YA Readers" book club (a group of adults who don't want to admit they read YA but do anyway - lol) at the local library. I really enjoyed the discussion, even though I hadn't read the selected read for the month. After the group left, I spent some time talking with the librarian who heads up the reading clubs. My book, FINALLY HOME, will be either the book selected for the October reading or I may end up on a different day just to have my own book event with the ability of being able to sell my book. The hope is that the second story in the series, THE TIES OF TIME, will be completed and published, so I can sell both books at the same time.
To me, it's not necessarily the NYTs best seller's list, but it means I have finally made it. I'm making a name for myself, starting locally and building a readership and hopefully that will lead to word of mouth sales, which in turn will eventually lead to NYTs Best Seller's list, not that that has really been goal since publishing my first story. It's a nice little perk.
Eight years from the first story being published online after taking a shared 2nd place to the present, putting my book out there for the librarian to put my books out in the face of the public. I've not pushed my books in the last couple of years as much as I did when I first got published, but now I feel it is time to really step it up and put more effort into getting my stories completed and published and maybe shoot for the stars - the NYTs Best Seller's List.
This is an encouragement note, as Heidi's was a couple of days ago. It doesn't matter the route you take to get there, just keep at it and persevere and you will get there. Reach for the top rung!!
Elysabeth Eldering
Author
Finally Home (A Kelly Watson, YA, paranormal mystery) - available in print, ebook, and as an audiobook
The Ties of Time (A Kelly Watson, YA, paranormal mystery - coming soon)
Elysabeth's Writing Blog
Beginning Writers Do Get Published
By Terry Whalin ( @terrywhalin ) Over the last 20 years Greg Stielstra, author of Pyromarketing , marketed hundreds of Christian books inc...
-
Contributed by Margot Conor I started looking for alternative platforms for my creative writing process. Moving all my projects is a dau... -
Contributed by Karen Cioffi You may be an author or writer who takes the time to comment on other websites. This is an effective online mark... -
by Suzanne Lieurance Many new freelance writers are confused or intimated by sidebars. But that’s usually because they just don’t understa...
9 comments:
Elysabeth, that's a great question. I think getting a book or books into book clubs is a mark of success. Being on the NYTs BSL offers lots more recognition with that success.
There are authors who are freelancers for book publishers and make a living writing - that's certainly success also. Other authors may be thrilled to have several books published the traditional route.
I guess we each have our own measure of success as an author.
Very good points, Karen. I'm just excited that I'll be doing something through the library and getting recognition somewhere - lol. E :)
What a great idea to contact librarians! I've struggled to get my books into book clubs.
It was kind of a fluke. I found out about the book club Wednesday evening and went to it on Thursday and took my proof copy with me, introduced myself to the librarian who was doing the book club and we talked afterwards about me either being a selected read for October of having my own event. I'm glad my friend invited me to the book club and since she doesn't have to go to work until 8 on Thursday evenings, we both get to attend the book club. I'll keep everyone posted on what takes place in the next few months. I'd love to have my book as part of the schools' book clubs too but that is another bridge and maybe the event in October will lead to that. Off to write discussion questions and work on the second in the series - lol - (really back to work for me right now). E :)
Congratulations Elysabeth - that's great work and a good example of the value of persistence (and of local libraries - mine has been amazing).
Thanks, Maggie. The problem is my library has carried my books for several years now (I've donated copies as I published them) and they have yet to ask me to do any kind of event, book club or otherwise. So maybe I'm on my way up and this will be the beginning of a new era for my books - E :)
Congratulations. Success is different for everyone...meeting or exceeding your own goals is success.
Good idea, Elysabeth to promote your book TO the librarian. I have to admit that I don't even know if my book, Strength Renewed, is even in our library! We have about six municipal libraries in Port Elizabeth but I no longer go to them, as I get my books from a Christian library and of course on Kindle.I can't believe I haven't thought of this avenue! This I will rectify! The libraries don't have readings or clubs as far as I know, but at least the book could be on the shelves! Thank you!
Dear Elysabeth,
Congratulations on being the book club's chosen author! Yee Haw! That fills you with joy, doesn't it? Celebrate! Hope the next book will be ready, but if not, the readers in the group will have something to look forward to.
Never Give Up
Joan
Post a Comment