When you hit upon a second career in your later years, you attack it with a shameless desperation that comes from the realization that no one is promised tomorrow. So, if you are to do anything meaningful, don’t put it off. Do it now.
When it comes to writing, I find that the actual writing part is the easiest to handle. I basically just sit down and zone out and a few hours later there is material channeled from the Field onto my screen.
But that’s just where it all starts. Luckily, I have my inner circle of readers who handle the next step of making sure that those channelings from the Field are actually legible, coherent, and otherwise come close to fitting within the acceptable rules of spelling, punctuation and grammar. They turn my pig’s ear into a silk purse. They also help with the final editing process because they know that I hate to read my own writing. Thank you, my inner circle. I’d be lost without each and every one of you.
Then I must come up with a cool cover and then there’s getting cover blurbs from other authors. That’s actually kind of fun.
Trust me, I’m always terrified sending my manuscript to other writers because I hate the idea that they may not enjoy or appreciate my work. Each and every writer has their own taste and perspective forged by their personal experiences. Plus, I have to deal with chronic bouts of the Imposter Syndrome. But I have been blessed by a circle of writer-friends that have been incredibly supportive.
Once that’s all done, then one has to figure out how to market their work. The publisher, BRW, has been great about getting my work out there. But no writer worth his/her salt leaves marketing to others, alone. No one knows your work better than you do (or in my case, better than my inner circle) so, I have to always be out on social media shaking the trees and annoying friends, acquaintances and complete strangers with the hope of enticing them to read my books. Guerilla marketing 101.
Sometimes. the universe steps in to help out. For example, once I finished writing Spark of Faith, I came upon these old tapes I had hoarded and brought with me from NY, containing recordings of my sessions with a famous psychic/medium named Reverend John White in the Lily Dale Psychic Community in upstate NY.
When I listened to the tapes, I was blown away that thirty-six years ago this man basically predicted my present existence.
So, I took advantage of this marketing coup, and placed two snippets from the July 6, 1990 recording everywhere I could think of.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JUZxjnM2W/
Because you just cannot make this shit up.
Of course, I’m going to blog about it here because I’ve found that not everyone is everywhere on social media, and most do not follow me anyway, so I have to cast my fishing lines in as many ponds as possible. One needs to try and hit the constantly moving targets of doom scrollers to get the word out.
So, today’s blog is part of my writer’s hustle. The shameless marketing dance I must do every day, because there are always a pair of potential reader’s eyes I haven’t caught with my last Bo Jangles’ street corner performance. I’m hoping that some of my fantastic five readers will have not seen my other social media posts but will get hooked by this one. And if they haven’t read The Claire Saga, all five novels, just yet, that this post will inspire them to do so. That way, they’ll be primed in time for Free R.A.D.I.C.A.L. which drops in January 2027- on presale this fall – and then Spark of Faith which drops in May 2027 – on presale in the spring. And trust me, I make sure to make connections among all of the books, so read carefully.
Thank you my fine, five readers for indulging me once again. Feel free to share any of my blogs with any of your friends so they can appreciate just how desperate this old man is to capture his audience by any means possible. Have I mentioned I am shameless.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget to make today a great one.
3 Responses
I can’t stand promoting my books. Truly. As much as I do it, I see little in the way of positive results. Reviews languish far below 100, much to the displeasure of our publisher. No matter what I try, it doesn’t work. I read a recent article that encourages us (writers, authors, publishers) to spotlight a character, a setting, or the why of the book, instead of pushing the book itself. I’m guessing it can’t hurt, so I’ll try that next. We’ll see. Best of luck with your two new books, and I wish you continued success with your previous books. if they have your wit and wisdom, I’m sure they will attract a wide audience.
Joe, you rock!
I love that you saved those recordings from so many years ago. How cool is that?