Looking back on last year, I can see so many changes, and not too many good ones. I lost my father, my brother-in-law had a heart attack, my mother-in-law found out some distressing health news, and I discovered I had diabetes, which had apparently been going on for some time. Other things have happened to friends and their families, not to mention the deaths of church members. But life happens the way it happens, and I trust God to sort things out, because I’m sure not qualified to do it. Through all the bad things, though, there are so many ways I’m blessed…way too many to list. As an optimist by nature, I believe 2013 will be a great year, full of blessings and happiness.
I hope that this year will be the year book sales will take off. There are so many strikes against us now since the market is glutted with SO many ebooks. It’s much different than it was in 2009, when e-publishing was still shiny and new, and there wasn’t as much competition. The key is to write good books, but you always have to find ways to help people find your books. This year, I need to focus a little more on marketing. I don’t believe in the kind of marketing that annoys people, but I need a plan. There’s a saying, “build it and they will come”. But you have to let people know you built it. I’m terrible at marketing. My cover artist, Anya Kelleye, has found a nice group of friends on Facebook, and she’s gotten some extra business because of it. I’ve been saying how much I DON’T like FB, but many people are finding it’s a good way to market without being pushy. Just getting yourself out there. I’m going to focus on it a little more and hope people will stop sending me requests to do this or that or play this game. LOL.
This post got a little long-winded, but it’s my first of the year. I wish so many good things to all of my online friends. And there’s a special place in my heart for my fellow ROWers. I feel so privileged to have met you all, even if it’s only a virtual meeting. Happy New Year to all of you, and best of luck for 2013.
lauralynnelliott.com 
Happy New Year, Lauralynn!!
You were my top commenter in 2012 and I hope you know just how much I appreciate it!
HUGS
Seriously? That’s awesome! I was someone else’s third top commenter, and I was surprised at that, too. I didn’t realize I “got around” so much. Hahahahaha. I always enjoy your posts. I haven’t commented as much lately because I haven’t felt well, but now that I know why, that will change. 🙂
2012 has been quite eventful hasn’t it? Hopefully 2013 will be filled with lots of good stuff (after all there is the convention in August and that will be a good thing).
Facebook is a good marketing/social site. Yes, I agree some do over abuse their marketing on it but it’s still good. Like you said, I have made lots of new friends that are part of the writing industry and it has helped that’s for sure. We have lots of fun online but at the same time if I have a new cover for Facebook banner out there my friends comment and their friends comment which then leads to more people contacting me to do their covers and banners. I in return then help them to promote their books and businesses as well as much as I can. This community helps each other and that’s what it’s all about!!!!
You and I my friend are going to do great things this year!!
Oh, yeah, the RNConvention in Las Vegas is gonna be great! I can’t wait. 🙂
I need to work on getting back to FB and communicating with everyone. Since I haven’t felt good for months, I haven’t done a lot of anything. Things are changing, though! Yes, we are going to do great things this year!
Way to stay positive LL. 2013 is nothing but an expanse of 363 days (and counting down, oh man I better start Christmas shopping) waiting for you to make your mark and blaze your path. Good luck.
Gotta stay positive, Hubbard. Yeah, maybe if I start my shopping now, I can get done early and enjoy the holidays. 🙂
Happy New Year! 2012 sure had dark days for a lot of people. Like you said, remembering our blessings is key to moving on. This year, I’m also trying to remember the ripple effect of putting positive energy out there in the universe. I’m with you on the marketing challenges. I like to write, not sell. Plus, I’ve been so inundated with other authors’ PR on Twitter, Goodreads, etc., it’s just scroll, scroll, DELETE. I’m happy that people are finally free to pursue their writing dreams, but the market is definitely saturated. How do you stand out from the crowd? Especially when you don’t have that flashy “used car salesman” gene and are basically introverted to begin with? I dunno yet. But, in 2013 I’ve vowed to keep an open mind to all new opportunities that come along.
Michelle, I think most writers would rather write. Unfortunately, most of us can’t afford PR people. We have to do everything ourselves. I need to learn to market better.
Keep sending out that positive energy!
I don’t exactly love the marketing aspect. It’s so time consuming: organising blog tours, contacting bloggers, cover reveals, sending out ebooks for review, writing guest posts, doing interviews, posting on twitter and facebook…. But it’s necessary to get the word out there about your book.
Wishing you lots of success in 2013 both at home and in your writing career. Happy New Year, Emma.
I don’t love the marketing aspect, either. That’s why I’m so bad at it. I have 13 books out there, so I should be doing more than what I’m doing to get the word out. I want to really work on that this year. If I didn’t have a full time job, it would be a lot easier, but I have to work with what I have.
Thanks, Emma, I hope 2013 is good for you as well. 🙂
13 books in 2013….
Happy New Year, Lauralynn! I’m right (write) there with you about the marketing aspect. I’ve decided not to worry too much about it until I have more books out. So…back to the keyboard! 🙂
Any time I spend on Facebook or Twitter, I try to just have fun. I promote things that look interesting to me, “share” beauty and humor, and offer support to other writers or others who seem to be struggling. I mostly ignore author promotions on either site, because they’re easy to scroll through and they’re CONSTANT. I don’t believe that’s a good way to actually make sales. However, you do want people to be able to find the info on your books. Interesting balance.
Hi, J. R.! Writing the books is more important than anything else. But there has to be some promotion. I think on FB and Twitter, it’s ok to say “check out my book”. Just don’t say it ALL the time. And don’t say JUST that. You have to be a real person on social networks, someone others can relate to. You’re right…it’s a balance. I’ve actually found some good books by checking out books mentioned on Twitter.
I remember 2009 fondly. Back then the big debate was ebook or paperback, and over and over, I kept hearing the “you can smell and hold a paperback.” I haven’t heard that debate in a long time. Now everyone is getting into ebooks. I think 2013 might be the year that starts separating the serious authors from the ones who thought they could make a quick buck because (as you said) there are tons of books out there.
You had a rough year. 😦 I hope this one is much better. 🙂
I hope you’re right about 2013 separating the serious authors from those who are not. We have to be serious enough to treat writing as a business instead of a hobby.
Yep, it’s been a rough year. But there are those who have had much worse, so I’m grateful for my blessings 🙂