Shameless Self-Promotion

Remember the commercial that shouted “Hey, Ma, look! No hands!” I was never one to call attention to myself or my achievements. I loved recognition as much as any other person. It was fine if someone else acknowledged my efforts at any one thing, but I couldn't brag on myself. In fact, I did all I could to fade into the woodwork, wanting to NOT be the center of attention.

I have gradually come to see that the world does not work that way. Let’s see, what is that saying? Oh yeah, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”! This has never been more true than in the writing arena right now. Publishing is changing so much, old ways are folding and now writers must push themselves forward through Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or whatever means they have.

I want to support my fellow writers whenever I can. I read their blogs, write them perky notes of appreciation, and buy their books as much as possible. DH knows when we go to the free poetry readings at the Pittsburg State University in the fall and spring, it means he has to dig in his wallet to get out of the place, as I bring home each writer’s work as a show of support. I have several books on my Kindle right now from lesser known writers or publishing houses  that I have not had time to read, but I put them there to read later… really, I bought them to support my fellow writers. It is a hard business and not getting any easier. A day job and slight hunger is no longer optional. Unless you are a Nicholas Sparks or James Patterson you won’t make a living at writing…you won’t even buy bread!

Patricia B. Smith, editor of the Fifty Shades of Santa and Cupid’s Quiver commented on the difficulty of publishing lately. “This is a long, slow  process of getting our name out there and building it to the point where readers automatically associate Welkin Press with good stories and are tempted to jump right in and buy. That doesn't happen overnight. And the good news is, that eBooks never go out of print!”

I had a story published in the latest Welkin Press book, Cupid’s Quiver. This is a delightful little book of tasteful romances, and it sells at Amazon.com as an e-book for a mere $3.99. I was paid royally with the pleasure of seeing my work not only printed, but it was printed with the likes of Donna Volkenannt, Linda O'Connell and Cindy Dagnan among others. I have met all these authors on the page and in person.

So here I am shameless self-promoting my work. But I am doing more than that, I am trying to support my writing community, other writers and editors and publishers out there trying to make it in a dog-eat-dog world of words. So if you are a writer, please support the publishing of other writers; if you are a reader, get the word out to other readers about good reads like Cupid’s Quiver. This e-book costs about the price of two average greeting cards these days, not including the postage.

We all will thank you!

“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.” 
― Joseph Brodsky