Recently I visited a site called www.write-and-publish-fiction.com. The owner of the site is Jason Moser, who has a very helpful site, for those of you who share my passion.
I came across this site quite by accident. I wanted to market my book, but I couldn’t afford the marketing agency I wanted (and I refuse to hire second-best), so I was left with marketing my book myself.
I write regularly for a local monthly publication, so I told my editor that I had published my first novel and that I wanted to know if they promoted any of their writers who have published something. She got all excited and wanted a copy of the book and a press release.
OK! Great! What’s a press release?
I didn’t ask her that. I didn’t want her to know that I don’t have a publisher doing those things for me and that I’m totally ignorant of the process. I am self-published, and that’s kind of a mark against me. All it takes for a self-published author is to find a program and publish the work, whether or not it has been edited or reviewed by a professional.
My work has been reviewed by a professional who has actually written a very nice review of my book. Also, I am not a novice writer. Although free-lance, my work is accepted regularly by this monthly publication. I have been published in other magazines as well. In addition, one of my short stories won an award through the Denver Women’s Press Club yearly contest.
All of that aside, I am still a self-published author, and I have no idea how to market myself.
Then I came across Moser’s website. His very helpful site gave me information not only on what is a press release, but what to include in one. He also has topics such as what is included in a press kit, writing reviews, writing query letters, what should be in your biography, and so on. He even has the basics for those just starting out.
I would recommend his site for anyone who wants to know the ins and outs of writing fiction.
Blessings
