Author Events

On October 18th, I attended my third “Author Meet & Greet” hosted by Baldwinsville Public Library. At those three events combined, I have sold two copies of War Sonnets.

Several of the authors at the event this October got to discussing this fact and pondering the question: Is it worth the time, money, and effort authors put into events like this? The two October events drew quite a few visitors; the one in April hardly any. We wondered if the April event might have needed more publicity.

We decided that perhaps the benefit of these events might not be public exposure, but rather the chance to network with fellow Central New York authors. There is always something new to learn, new books to discover, connections to make. I even met a fellow author who is an acquaintance of my partner, Charlie, and they have since reconnected.

This leaves me contemplating my marketing plan for Nostalgia. I’d like to have it ready for distribution before Christmas–but then what? Marketing campaigns on Amazon and other author platforms proved costly and yielded few sales.

I know being a successful indie author is a hard slog. No “query trenches,” but so many other perils and pitfalls. It’s not a venture you want to take on if you hope to make a profit. When I look at my costs vs. profits it’s hard not to choke on the dollars I’ve invested with little return.

One friend suggested I look at writing like golf: a very expensive hobby that takes up a lot of one’s time.

Yep–writing is like golf.

FORE!