Shifting Roles for Authors

By Michael Drew - Sep 24 , 2008

I walked around in a state of euphoria for about a week after we found out Kelly was pregnant. I knew it was real, but at the same time, I felt as if I were dreaming. I guess maybe I was in shock. Yes, I had always envisioned myself as a parent, but I had also spent many an hour wondering if it would ever really happen for me.

It was 3AM on a Wednesday morning when the realization finally settled in. I woke out of a dead sleep, opened my eyes and exclaimed quietly to myself, “Holy $^!+! I’m going to be a father!” Then I broke out in a cold sweat as I laid there for the next three hours considering my role as a parent.

I have been around enough writers to know a similar panic occurs when you begin thinking about your role as a published author. Used to be, that role was encapsulated in the writing of the book. You handed your manuscript to your publisher, cracked a cold one, and toasted finishing your end of the bargain. Sadly, those days are over. In today’s publishing world, writing the book merely positions you for the shifting of your responsibility – marketing your own book.

Author and writing teacher Jacqueline Lichtenberg discusses the changes taking place for authors’ roles in her article, The Author’s Evolving Role.

It’s not an easy shift to make—kind of like transitioning from a parent to being a promoter. As uncomfortable as it may seem, you need to embrace your marketing effort with enthusiasm and realize you are not only doing it for yourself, you are also doing it for the rest of your book industry friends and associates. Would you not have trouble sleeping at night if you managed to claim some precious shelf-space for a book you didn’t promote, knowing that space could have gone to better-promoted books written by your fellow authors? Not to mention the financial pressure each unsold book puts on the bookstores, distributors, and sales reps.

We’re all in this thing together, and everybody needs to do their part for the betterment of the industry we love. The Book Industry Study Group seems to have figured this out. Maybe we can all take a cue from them.

All I’m saying is, I think the right thing to do is to be honest with yourself about your position in the grand scheme of things and work as hard as you can to improve that position. Develop a repertoire with your audience online. Stand at the front of the room and lead a seminar. And let people know you have a book out there! By doing these things, you are letting all the book industry professionals who supported you share in your success. Besides that, all the wisdom you gain on your promotional journey will only help you when it is time for your next book.

Author Astrid Cooper shares her journey from author to promoter in a Twilight Times Feature called Marketing and self-promotion. Check it out. I think she’s someone you’ll connect with.

Give it your best shot, and you’ll exceed your own expectations. Take it from me … the World’s Best Dad.

Questions about your role as an author may be directed to Michael R. Drew at the Austin, Texas, headquarters of Promote A Book: 512-858-0040. You can also contact Michael via email at michael@promoteabook.com.