- Joined
- May 13, 2013
- Messages
- 334
- Reaction score
- 31
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Website
- www.rlkingwriting.com
So, I'm making a big push this year to get my self-published urban fantasy series off the ground: pro editor, pro covers, etc. I'm not really in it for the money--this is a labor of love for me, and my primary aim is to get my books out there where readers can see them. If I make money, fantastic! But if I get good reviews and people enjoy the books--even better!
Here's my problem, though--I'm an introvert, and get really anxious when it's time to promote myself. I've never been good at getting in people's faces and saying "Look at MEEEE!" but it seems like that's what you have to do to get anywhere. What really makes me feel insecure is when I see other authors who are good at it, but whose books...well...aren't good. I ran into a guy at SDCC last year who had a table and was selling his series. He was a nice guy, really engaging, funny, friendly...he gave me a free copy of his first book because I pointed out a typo on the cover. I took the book home and tried to read it, but it was so full of typos, bad writing, and general amateurishness that I had to stop. But people were buying it, and he had a lot of good reviews on Amazon.
I don't think my books are bad. People I respect (not just friends, but people I interact with in my freelance writing job) tell me that my stuff is good, and everybody who's read it loves my MC. I know the books aren't full of typos. I just completed my first contracted-for novel in the game universe I write for, which is due to be published next year. In other words, I think I've got a decent product to sell. But every time I get ready to jump into the arena, I'm plagued with self-doubt and anxiety, and I end up sounding like an idiot when I try to talk to anyone about it. I'm good at expressing myself with the written word, but not so much in person.
Ideally, I'd love to hire somebody to publicize my series for me, but it seems like there are a lot of scam outfits out there. And in any case, I need to be able to project confidence--if I'm not confident in myself, how can I expect anyone to take a chance on me?
Anybody else have this problem? Anyone have any advice?
Thanks!
Here's my problem, though--I'm an introvert, and get really anxious when it's time to promote myself. I've never been good at getting in people's faces and saying "Look at MEEEE!" but it seems like that's what you have to do to get anywhere. What really makes me feel insecure is when I see other authors who are good at it, but whose books...well...aren't good. I ran into a guy at SDCC last year who had a table and was selling his series. He was a nice guy, really engaging, funny, friendly...he gave me a free copy of his first book because I pointed out a typo on the cover. I took the book home and tried to read it, but it was so full of typos, bad writing, and general amateurishness that I had to stop. But people were buying it, and he had a lot of good reviews on Amazon.
I don't think my books are bad. People I respect (not just friends, but people I interact with in my freelance writing job) tell me that my stuff is good, and everybody who's read it loves my MC. I know the books aren't full of typos. I just completed my first contracted-for novel in the game universe I write for, which is due to be published next year. In other words, I think I've got a decent product to sell. But every time I get ready to jump into the arena, I'm plagued with self-doubt and anxiety, and I end up sounding like an idiot when I try to talk to anyone about it. I'm good at expressing myself with the written word, but not so much in person.
Ideally, I'd love to hire somebody to publicize my series for me, but it seems like there are a lot of scam outfits out there. And in any case, I need to be able to project confidence--if I'm not confident in myself, how can I expect anyone to take a chance on me?
Anybody else have this problem? Anyone have any advice?
Thanks!