Writing is the easy part

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Writing is the easy part

by Mark Oetjens
(Indianapolis, IN)

The Staff of Rahgorra

Genre: Science Fiction

I finished my science fiction masterpiece, The Staff of Rahgorra, in 2007. I did not shop it around. My plan right from the beginning was to form my own publishing company and self-publish.

In 2009 I started Conquer Publishing and The Staff of Rahgorra came out June 16, 2010. All that was easy.

Now I'm killing myself trying to promote and market my novel. My big mistake was not starting earlier. I should have had all my marketing set up beforehand. So now I'm 3 steps behind and I'm trying to play catch up. I want to start on my next novel, but right now it's just not feasible.

I hope this helps.

Mark Oetjens
The Staff of Rahgorra
Conquer Publishing

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Writing is the easy part

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Jul 13, 2010
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Thank for the Comments
by: Mark Oetjens

Thank you everyone for your encouraging comments. I would just like to say that I was never "down" on myself for not setting up my marketing before publication. Actually, I was trying to let people know my self publishing experiences so they won't make the same mistakes. I'm behind. I accept that. Now I'm trying to catch up. I'm on every author & book listing site I can find. I'm on Facebook, dabbling in Twitter (though I still don't really "get" it) and I'm on Linked In. I put out press releases on a bunch of PR sites just last night. I am trying and I am learning. I know I'll get this sooner or later.

Thanks again for the comments.

Mark
The Staff of Rahgorra
Conquer Publishing

Jul 12, 2010
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Climbing the learning curve
by: Anonymous

Hi Mark,

First of all, congratulations on publishing your new book and on your new publishing company. You have done exceedingly well in two years! Most folk take a lifetime to get to the point you are at and you should be over the moon with happiness.

Calm down, take one step at a time and enjoy the experience, otherwise the 'joy' of achieving great things will be lost. I am 62 and started writing ten years ago. I started off like you, simply writing my book. After I finished I found all the road-blocks. Slowly, slowly, I have climbed over those roadblocks and self-published my children's books, The Gum Tree Gang series.

I really enjoyed writing and that is my passion.
Unfortunately marketing is the biggest stumbling block for writers and biggest challenge for a spirited, inspirational person who just wants to write.

If your desire is to write, do that for one hour every day no matter what else happens. Prioritize your writing, which is what you love best right now. After writing you will feel satisfied and you can devote more quality time to your promotional work. (You will not be plagued by 'I haven't been writing... syndrome.)

When I say this, I must also confess that I try to write in this way but alas, I get interrupted, but if I can do this at least a few times a week (creative writing for one hour) I feel happier inside, so it does work for me.

Good luck and may God bless you.
Marie
aussieoibooks.com.au/

Jul 12, 2010
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blog
by: john schulz

I guess I also needed to tell you that one of the best things I have done is my blog, Johntheplantman.wordpress.com

I write about plants, but I also get a good number of hits on my website and thereby sell enough books to make it worth the trouble.

Jul 12, 2010
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Persevere and succeed with marketing
by: Anonymous

Publishing the book is creating a product. The product must then be sold. My personal plan was to write and produce a book, learn how to sell it, and then write and produce another one using what I learned.

My first book, Requiem for a Redneck has done rather well, won an IPPY gold medal and so far sold about half of my 3,000 original printing.

I'm happy, and I'm learning that it's not all in selling the books, there are a lot of other percs related to being a "published author"

No discouragement here, I'm about ready for part two of my plan.
John P. Schulz--www.requiemforaredneck.com

Jul 12, 2010
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Paraphrasing some famous person...
by: Steve B. (webmaster)

The first step in catching up is knowing you're behind!

What kind of marketing stuff are you doing now?

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