I just attended a reading by a writer in my field who I respect. The event was a big success, and the place was packed, mainly by people who seemed to be lifetime friends or fans or colleagues of the writer.
With my own new book due out in September, I've been telling myself that this time I'm going to do everything in my power to promote it: readings like the one I went to last night, for instance.
The only thing is, when I pictured myself up there instead of the other writer, I was terrified. For instance, I'm not sure I have any friends or fans or colleagues (none who'd show up at an event in New York City anyway).
The last time I had a book signing (in 1992) no one came.
How do I get over the fear of great humiliation and numbing failure.
On other threads it seems the consensus here is that these things don't sell books anyway, so forget about them and just continue writing. But I've been doing that for years. And sitting home doesn't sell books either.
With my own new book due out in September, I've been telling myself that this time I'm going to do everything in my power to promote it: readings like the one I went to last night, for instance.
The only thing is, when I pictured myself up there instead of the other writer, I was terrified. For instance, I'm not sure I have any friends or fans or colleagues (none who'd show up at an event in New York City anyway).
The last time I had a book signing (in 1992) no one came.
How do I get over the fear of great humiliation and numbing failure.
On other threads it seems the consensus here is that these things don't sell books anyway, so forget about them and just continue writing. But I've been doing that for years. And sitting home doesn't sell books either.
