indie books

There’s Some Savvy to This Writing Thing

beer and writing

Big awesome day for this girl today…the great Kristen Lamb invited me over to write a piece about the importance of savvy marketing in writing!

I’ve been following Kristen Lamb’s blog since I started this whole indie author thing almost four years ago. She’s definitely an influencer in our world, and I have learned a lot from her over the years.

What I love about Kristen is that she keeps it real. She helps us struggling writers follow our dreams without blowing sunshine up our asses.

I ended up on Kristen’s blog, because quite simply, I took a chance and made an effort by reaching out to her. The introverted writers of the world are cringing at this idea, but the main point of my piece is something we cannot deny—that we writers are running our own businesses.

At the end of the day, we have to be savvy and we have to do some marketing if we ever want anyone to read our work. Otherwise, your family and friends might read your books…but that’s about it. Hey, I know, because it happened to me.

So, it’s a little tough love with a dose of inspiration. Can you handle it? 🙂

In all seriousness, I feel beyond honored to be a guest at Kristen’s place. I hope you all will stop by to read the full piece and help spread the word. She gave little me a HUGE opportunity, and I want to bring her some peeps to show my appreciation.

Here’s a teaser…

I’ll be completely candid with you guys and tell you I’m one of the most impatient people I know. Now perseverance is a very different thing. Perseverance will propel you forward, so you can finish the novel you’ve been working on for three years. Impatience will disappoint you, make you think you’re not good enough when people don’t come running to buy your book you worked so hard on.

Impatience doesn’t serve us in the self-publishing world. Perseverance does.

Here’s the piece…

Why Writing Isn’t Enough—The Savvy Writer’s Guide to Success

WWII thriller

38 thoughts on “There’s Some Savvy to This Writing Thing”

  4. Great article! And so true about perseverance – for every stage of the writing game (says the crazy person who’s been revising for years and years). 🙂

  6. I’ve followed Kristen for a while now so this is super exciting to see you over there, congratulations! I’ll head on over right now to read your post but before I do, I just wanted to say how much wisdom there is in doing what you did. So many of us (mostly the introverted types) often shoot ourselves in the foot by conjuring up ideas and assumptions about the horrible and terribly embarrassing things that could happen if we put ourselves out there. So we don’t. And then we sit around feeling bad about ourselves and wishing something miraculous would happen.
    I’ve been on both sides of the table, in that I’ve sat around and done nothing to help myself and I’ve also taken chances that paid off. It’s still a work in progress for me but like you said, most of the time the worst that could happen is that we get a “No, thanks” response so why the heck don’t we just take that chance, right? Sorry for getting on the pulpit about this but props to you for taking a chance that paid off big time!

    1. Thanks, love! I’ve tried the reach-out technique at work, so I thought I would give it a whirl with my personal endeavors as well.

      You are so right that the worst anyone can say is “no, thanks” and other times we will get ignored. There is no need to be embarrassed by either of these responses, and I certainly carried that fear around for a while. I think we have to be in a certain place to start making these moves—once we have reached a level of maturity and confidence. I would have never DM’d Kristen on Twitter two years ago! 😉

  7. Holy crap!!! This is HUGE!!!!!

    Kristen is big time, for sure, and I’ve probably been reading her right at four or five years myself. (Plus scooping up her writing/publishing books, as well.)

    You go, girl. You go…

    (Oh, and I just read your piece, and you killed it over there. And did you see all the re-blogs?!)

  8. So you know the title for your next novel, don’t you? Perseverance! 😉 Great article Britt. The digital world has made our lives so much easier in many ways but also so much harder. Tell me are there sites like Spotify, but for writers. Places where books can be uploaded or even chapters uploaded and then revenue given to writers on the basis of the number of times the book or pages are downloaded?

    1. Haha, Gallivanta! Think it’s gonna be a while before that “Perseverance” novel sees the light of day. It is a very exciting and crazy time for all of us, and half the time I’m working to find the balance between putting my art out there and saying to hell with it…I need to go outside for a bit.

      No idea about the Spotify for writers! Probably. I can’t keep up with everything myself. 😉

  9. Can’t wait to read the article. I follow her blog too — she does know how to kick our asses into gear. Good on you for making the big ask. As a fellow introvert, I’m quite impressed.

  10. You are fascinating! here, there and everwhere! I’m not a writer and will never be; but if I was, I’d be truly inspired by your words, your motivation and the soulness (am I inventing a word, here?!) you spread around you.
    Great piece on Kristen’s blog! Congrats!

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