When an author begins the path of publication, there are so many unknowns. How will people find my work in the vast amount of options available now? Between physical books and e-readers, there are thousands of books produced each year. How does one make a ripple in the huge ocean of publishing?
I have barely released my first book, so I am very much still navigating my own path Thankfully, my novel Launch hit a #1 new release on Amazon in the teen Christian fantasy category. Jean asked me to talk about author engagement and how to get the word out.
So far I have found that the groundwork I’ve laid in my relationships at home and online have made the difference in my small amount of success. My town is fairly small and I grew up here, so many people know me and have been intrigued when they hear of my journey. By trying to be a faithful man, whether on the soccer field coaching or as I serve at church, I hope people trust me.
A bigger difference has been the community I’ve built up online. I’ve found where fans of fantasy and science fiction gather on Facebook and other social media and I’ve gotten involved. I help with a Christian speculative fiction writers conference called Realm Makers. We have over 1400 members of our Facebook group, and I stay active in helping run the group.
I’ve also gone to various conferences. There is always that one person who’s there to market and they usually come across obnoxious in always pushing themselves in your face. I have found that if I look to serve others by helping, individuals or volunteering for needs in the conference, I make better connections. These people are friends that are there when I need advice. We promote each other. I’m thrilled when a friend has a cool new book coming out, and I love to shout about it all over the place.
Writing is so often a solitary hobby. We dream up worlds, characters, plots that tell entertaining stories and share themes dear to our hearts. My opinion is that unless we write solely for our own pleasure, then we are best served by building relationships, at home and where fans of your genre are online. It’s not just for promotion, not only for selfish purposes. But when a writer is authentic and builds community, then they will find their audience.
Launch-Jason C. Joyner Sixteen-year-olds Demarcus Bartlett and Lily Beausoliel are among a select group of youth invited to an exclusive, all-expenses-paid conference at social media giant Alturas’ California headquarters. Led by charismatic founder Simon Mazor, the world’s youngest billionaire, this isn’t the typical honors society. It seems that everyone here has some secret, untapped potential, some power that may not be entirely of this world. An ancient prophecy suggests that if these teens combine their abilities, they could change the course of history. The only question is: Will it be for better or for worse?
Buy Link: Amazon Barnes and Noble
Jason C. Joyner is a physician assistant, a writer, a Jesus-lover, and a Star Wars geek. He’s traveled from the jungles of Thailand to the cities of Australia and the Bavarian Alps of Germany. He lives in Idaho with his lovely wife, three boys, and daughter managing the chaos of sports and superheroes in his own home. Launch, a YA superhero story, is his first published novel.
You can find and join Jason at: His Facebook group, The Heroes’ Hangout
Comments