All right, it's published, I've managed to shift a few copies where I work, but I need to move it further. Where do we begin with marketing self published works?

I'm still working on that one, David, but I think networking is the key. So how to network, and get your book out there? You could do a 'tour' through the blogs of friends and fellow writers, with an interview here and there  - and post links to your books wherever you can. Use 'walls' on Facebook - if you write it on The Pages wall, I'll copy it and send to all the members, and ask them to pass it on.

If you're brave, send a press release to your local paper, with a free copy of your book. Once you get your ISBN, what about a book signing in a local bookshop? 

And - don't forget the Writers' magazines. You've done that one before.

That's a start! 

Hello,

I've just joined the group and scrolled back to see some of the subjects under discussion.  This is the one that really separates the men from the boys (or the women from the girls).

Have you come across the excellent recently published book by Mary Cavanagh 'A seriously useful Author's Guide to Marketing and Publicising Books'?  It's £7.99 and took three weeks to get through Waterstones.  It's full of ideas, including using the several book review blogs that have sprung up.  One has given my first book (of a trilogy) a great review;  another was fairly rude about the lack of copy editing, but that prompted me to make sure I got the third one (coming out in March next year) properly checked.  Our village has an excellent Farmers' Market, and I've done very well selling copies there to people I know or who vaguely know I'm locally involved.  I'm having a go a blog on Google but haven't got far yet.  I also paid for a website - not cheap but hopefully there for all time and quite useful as a place to which to direct people when I'm trying to promote my books.

It's a real slog, but worth it to be able to do what you enjoy doing.

Good luck.

Sylvie

Thanks for your input, Sylvie. I've taken most of the steps you suggest, but it is a long, slow proces and a slog. I'm in the midle of building my website (between helping put the Writelinkers magazine together) and I blog all over the place, but it's bloody hard work, especially when you're also tied to a full time job.

I have started trying to get my first attempt sold through the web - I have managed a website and a blog page - I too have joined Facebook and MYspace and even Twitter - getting folks I know to place comments on these and to pass on the news to their friends - i know it will be a slow burn but ready for that - am working on the sequel now and hope to twitter and facebk that and discuss pros and cons on my blog and web sites - always looking for new ways to advertise it - and thats quite fun also - but I don't have a job - I feel for you trying to do it and work as well

I've just discovered a new outlet:  Country (as opposed to Farmers) Markets.  They have a website and markets all over the country.  You pay 5 pence (yes pence) to join and can display at any in the country.  They're run on a co-operative basis and you contribute 10% of your sales ( far less than any bookshop).  And you spend a couple of hours with friendly people also selling their wares - usually of the culinary or  market garden variety.  I attend my first tomorrow.  Will report.

Best, Sylvie