PROMOTION by Sherry Gloag

Promotion is the often unexpected bug-bear modern writers are faced with. There was a time when publishers shouldered the promotional banner as part of their author-contract. Now, only the authors who are guaranteed to bring in big bucks to the publishers’ coffers may expect such bonuses.
But where does promotion start, and where does it finish? I believe it would be easier to measure a length of string!
But let’s have a stab at it.
To do this we have to stroll into another maze. This one is called Marketing, or Branding. In today’s world image is everything so the first thing to promote is yourself. When readers search for a book to read, unless they know you, they may well skip over your online profile unless it is eye-catching. Study your writing style, genre and content and find a catchy buzz-line that describes your writing. I have chosen The Heart of Romance, so my buzz-line is ‘Sherry Gloag reaches into the heart of romance.’
When you have the answers then you have an ‘identity/Brand’- to promote to your targeted publisher, and your readers. Something you can use on flyers, business cards and other promotional gadgets.
The next question is ‘what does promotion cover’? The short and very unhelpful answer is too quick and easy-- ‘Everything’.
But the reality is nothing of the sort. For new authors, it is a case of creating a website, possibly a blog (or two, or three) and getting yourself ‘out there’.
“That’s it?”
Sadly not. That’s just the start :-)
Thinking of packing it in before you start? Don’t. It may be incredibly frustrating at times, it may test your new skills, and old ones to the limit, but the rewards are enormous.
The world of publishing has changed beyond recognition in a few short years with the introduction of online publishing, e-books and self-publishing. It continues to change at speeds that can leave you gasping. But, remember those rewards I mentioned earlier?
They are numerous and wonderful. They are the other authors and writers who offer help and encouragement to newcomers, and established authors alike.
The writing community is a wonderful and generous place to be.
The start of every New Year generates new resolutions, goals and dreams.
Follow your heart, and listen to your dreams. If you falter someone will be around to help you forward, give you the advice you are searching for, or point you in the right direction for that elusive piece of information.
So at the start of 2011, know your goals and go for them, tell everyone about them, go after them – and promote them.
May 2011 be a good year for you all.:-)

Watch out for DUTY CALLS, Sherry's new novel, published with Black Opal Books on 11 Feb 2011

BLURB

She’d saved his life…

Rafe Hawk refuses to accept the inheritance, of a large English estate, and the title that goes with it, after his birth father’s death because the man chose duty over the woman he loved and their son.

So when he finds himself temporarily living at Kinsale Hall, he’s not prepared to trust anyone associated with the place, including Trudi Delaney and her daughter.

So why, when he looks into their eyes, does he suddenly remember a woman who lost her life in a storm while saving his over a decade ago?

Now he could destroy hers.

Instinct warns Trudi Delaney the arrival of the contemptuous American architect at Kinsale Hall will change her life forever. Especially when she discovers he spends so much of his time in areas of Kinsale Hall off-limits to visitors.

Eleven years after escaping from her psychotic husband with a stranger, she’s still plagued by nightmares of events she can’t remember. Events such as, who fathered her beautiful daughter?

Now more than a decade later, she is confronted by another stranger. Will this one destroy everything she holds dear?

EXCERPT

“Stop the car!” Rafe Hawk swung round to face the driver. “I recognise this road. You never said the commission to build those retirement units was at Kinsale Hall. You know damn well I swore never set foot in the place again, eleven years ago.”

Rage hazed his vision. “You knew I’d refuse the commission if you’d revealed the location, and because you withheld that vital information, Arthur, this contract is null and void.” He shot forward in his seat when Arthur tramped on the brakes.

His friend from their Uni days skewed round in his seat. “How long have we known each other?”

Startled by Arthur Clifton’s question, Rafe hesitated. “What’s the length of our friendship got to do with anything? Other than the fact you’re stretching it very thin, if you think I’ll set foot on Kinsale territory again.” He swung open the car door and leaped out, his fingers tunnelling through his windswept hair.

Brilliant blue skies overhead offered a large playground for the early summer sunshine, and the fluffy white clouds sailing by. He saw the high chimney-tops through the trees.

“Do you really think I’d bring you here without a very good reason?” Arthur remained in his seat, his hands on the steering wheel, watching Rafe pace up and down the soft verge beside the open-topped car.

"I can't think of a single reason good enough that justifies you resurrecting events that nearly cost me my life, and possibly cost the life on an unknown woman."


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