While I Wait by Annette Dashofy

I’ve been solidly in the midst of WAITING for a while now. Waiting for the revised contract from a new publisher for a new series. Waiting (like a kid at Christmas!) for the cover art for my upcoming release. Waiting for inspiration on a topic for this blog. 

To be honest, I have several topics, but none that I’m at liberty to share just yet. The details about that new series. The reveal of that cover. Another potentially REALLY EXCITING event. 

Yes, I hate vaguebooking as much as the next person. What I hate more is announcing news that isn’t yet set in stone only to later have to say “Oops. Sorry. That fell through and isn’t going to happen.” Bad enough I have to live with the disappointment. 

So with a list of blog topics circling my mind like a fleet of airplanes circling the airfield, waiting for clearance to land, I find myself sitting in my office, twiddling my thumbs. 

And working on less exciting but necessary tasks. My marketing plan for example. 

Marketing plans. The bane of the existence of most authors. I know of a few who enjoy that side of publishing. I, for one, love meeting my readers and am especially eager to get back to in-person events this year. It’s the business side that makes me pull my hair out. How much am I going to budget for advertising and giveaways? Where will I get the best bang for my meager buck? How many bookmarks should I order? How many hours should I waste invest in creating graphics for social media? Do bookstore events translate to book sales? How about libraries and book clubs? 

This is my twelfth release, so it’s not my first rodeo. I have an idea of what works. Or do I? 

I’ve queried my readers about how they found me and, in general, where they find out about new books and authors. Clearly, I did something right with them. Yay! The question now becomes, how do I place my new book so that new readers discover it? Goodness knows there are multitudes of readers out there who have never heard of me or of Zoe Chambers. Where do they hang out? 

You were expecting me to have an answer? If I did, I wouldn’t be puzzling over my marketing plan. I’d simply pull out the one from previous books. Copy and paste. Wash, rinse, repeat. But no, I’m looking to branch out. 

It’s terrifying. 

Dear readers: Where do you find out about new-to-you authors? Where do you shop for new books? 

My dear fellow authors: What marketing tricks have worked well for you?