Now, after publishing my latest science fiction Book, the second volume of The Grid Saga, the marketing starts. Marketing is the sort of work that I don't like, but more of that shortly.
You see, with the writing of novels I get tied up with my characters, that’s what I do enjoy . . . I'm there with them, sharing their space. I write about what I see them engaged with; I link in to their science and culture . . . their curiousness. And I link to the Grid, a central feature in this science fiction series. Sometimes the characters take me to one side and whisper stories in my ear. Often it is Jem Dearden who suggests what to write . . .

But I digress. Marketing self published books is not an easy thing; do you other authors agree that marketing your books is difficult? SEO and its attendant bits and pieces isn’t an exact science. Wouldn't it be good if it were?
Imagine the scenario where a formula you could work to would take your novel to the front page of Amazon, what a prize that would be!

However, what I have just published is the next book in The Grid Saga. It is called Second Pass. With Second Pass I do have another marketing strategy as well as my humble attempts at SEO. I have had some strut cards made, you know, the cardboard advertising stand-up things with nice artwork that you can sit on a shelf by your book to draw attention to it.

Solopress have printed the strut cards. They used the artwork that I provided that had design advice from son, David. One of these strut cards, along with another donated book, this time, Second Pass, will sit on a shelf alongside Leofwin's Hundred in our central library.
Strut cards are a good way af getting an author's name into the public arena, such in as the local library. The strut card artwork is very attractive, and will draw attention to the books on a shelf below.

This process will also work well on the bar of local pubs. One of my other posts was called 'A pint of Bass and a book', where I extolled the virtues of a pub being an ideal place for a book to be on sale. The atmosphere generally is relaxing. People are not wound up, so with the addition of a sticker showing the price of the books on the strut card, and a few of the books under the bar, it is a positive sales strategy. This outlet has been quite useful for sales of Leofwin's Hundred, the first book of The Grid Saga. I would recommend that you self-published authors out there consider trying this sales strategy.

Until next time,
Keep well,
JJ

posted by J.J. Overton on March, 28