Midwest Mary

An author works years writing and rewriting a book and then waits another year or more for it to be published. But this is only the beginning. A book has little value if no one knows it exists.

In 2023, it is estimated that somewhere between 500,000 and 1 million new titles were released from traditional publishers plus millions more from self-publishers. These books compete with all the millions already out from previous years.

Getting our new book into the hands of readers amid this multitude of books can be daunting. The book needs to be promoted, and to the author’s surprise, much of this promotion is up to them, not the publisher. Publishers package books and set up distribution. They don’t typically do much marketing.

Recently, I was invited to attend an event called Author Fest at my local library honoring local authors. Author Fest was an opportunity for local authors to meet, network, and briefly speak. There were about 16 of us who were given a table to display our books and allowed up to five minutes to introduce ourselves and our works.

Most of the authors were part of the library’s writing club and had written their first or second book. This also was the first time some of them spoke in public, which understandably rattled their nerves, even though the small audience consisted of family and neighbors.

However, it pays to push ourselves to tell our stories in person. Public speaking offers an excellent opportunity to sell books. We also gain important feedback. Audience members attend presentations because the topic is of interest to them, and therefore, the book is too. Many people also enjoy owning signed copies.

Seeking appropriate audiences for a book is an important consideration in promotion. My first book, Mentoring Heroes. 52 Fabulous Women’s Paths to Success and the Mentors Who Empowered Them, which was published in 2000, drew interest at universities offering Women’s Studies courses. I also presented at women’s clubs and entrepreneurial gatherings.

Several of my books are spiritual (The Rosary Prayer by Prayer, Seven Principles of Sainthood, Young in the Spirit, Saint Theodora and Her Promise to God, Fatima at 100, Grieving with Mary, Hans Christian Anderson Illuminated by The Message Bible). For these books, I spoke at churches, faith groups, and diocesan conventions.

Three of my later books are on caregiving with a particular slant toward families caring for loved ones with dementia (Navigating Alzheimer’s, The Alzheimer’s Spouse, and Inspired Caregiving). I offered several different presentations on topics targeting audiences at memory care homes, senior homes, and Alzheimer’s Association events. I traveled extensively and often for these presentations.

In contrast, I haven’t spoken since the COVID pandemic, so my newest book, Tranquility. Transformation. Transcendence hasn’t had anywhere near the attention of my other books. Keep in mind that organizations promote the event which adds to the promotion of a book.

Interestingly, audience size isn’t necessarily a predictor of potential sales. I’ve sold more books to some of the smaller audiences than ones that filled auditoriums. My best sales opportunity was with the memory care homes. The facilities ordered books by the hundreds to give to their guests and visitors. I didn’t have to do any selling or transporting of books. Nor were there any returns.

We write books for different reasons. We have a message, a story to tell, and a need to share what we learned. We want to help others in similar situations, or we want to promote a belief or passion.

Many of us also want to earn a living, or at least, regain some expenses. But making a great profit on a book isn’t easy. Public speaking not only increases book sales, it also earns a fee for presenting, which can be substantial for experienced speakers.

After all the time and passion an author invests in a book, it is of little value if no one knows about it. We have to do our best to let the world know our books are available.

©2024, Mary K. Doyle

(I write books with you in mind. Please consider them when looking for a book for yourself or a gift.)