Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Book Promotion and Marketing: I'm Whining - So Sue Me! by Margot Finke

I met children's author, Margot Finke online early on in my writing career and I'm delighted that we have kept our connection through cyber-space. We are on opposite coasts of the United States and it's my desire to one day meet this wonderful Aussie from down under in person some day. Keeping my fingers crossed that at our next Guardian Angel Publishing gathering this will happen. Hey Lynda....hint, hint. Isn't it time for another grand GAP gathering?!

Margot Finke writes rhyming picture books and young teen adventures. She has a Manuscript Critique Service, and her website ( http://www.margotfinke.com ) offers lots of help for writers.


*****

“I’m Whining – So Sue Me!”

Donna invited me to write a column for Write What Inspires You, and my mind instantly went blank – that ever happen to you? So I am going to do a scatter-shot take on some of the things that I hate about being a published author. WHAT? You think I’m crazy? Who hates being published?

Okay, put away the butterfly nets and relax. I am not frothing at the mouth. Let’s clear up one thing at the get-go – I love writing books for kids. The child in me loves running rampant with ideas, plots, and wacky characters. The sort of stuff I loved when I was a kid. No mates, it’s what happens AFTER the darn thing is written, contracted, and actually published that gets my goat – my cat and my dog too, if truth be told.

There’s one dirty little word that sums it all up. Dare I whisper it? Oh, what the hey! I’ll risk it. . . PROMOTION! Like most children’s writers, I’m still a kid at heart. And kids believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy and Leprechauns too – right? So I want a Promotion Fairy, or Guru, or Kingpin I can call on to do all the dreary and time consuming “stuff.” Like constantly updating Facebook, Twitter, Googlex, Linkedin and JacketFlap. Like creating witty, reader grabbing tid-bits that would make my blogs go viral. Like researching on the internet to dig up mountains of possible niche markets for my various books – and then creating sharp Press Releases to send to all those niche markets. And don’t get me started on the time it takes to research and tee up newspaper interviews, school visits, book reviews, and nice bloggers willing to interview me about my books and my writing ideas. I’ll bet even promotion Fairies or Gurus would need a second string of helpers to deal with all this. Am I whining? YOU BET!

I want to spend my time writing new books, or polishing several I have already written. Neglected book files cry out piteously every time I open my PC. As a late bloomer ( that’s code for an older woman whose lush red hair mysteriously went white overnight, and whose mirror warned her, “Don’t even think about that old bikini in the bottom drawer!”), I do not have an infinite amount of time to stun the children of the world with my literary offerings. I love meeting kids and talking to them about books and writing. I get a kick out of book signings in stores. It’s the RESEARCH time needed to tee it all up that has me frustrated and frazzled. And to think a few thousand dollars would BUY me someone to do it all! Sigh. . .

So, with all this wonderful technology we have thrown at us every day, what I want to know is, which techno genius will come up with my Promo Fairy/Guru, first – Bill Gates, Facebook’s Founder, or some new fount of technological wonder? Who’s gonna stop me whining, and make me a happy full time writer once more – for a reasonable fee? And who gets to say what amount is “reasonable?”

I know! I Know! I’m whining again.

Meanwhile, looks like I’m stuck blowing my own trumpet for the coming holiday season.

So, stand back while I BLAST you with my terrific

3x BOOK GIVEAWAY.

+ a BONUS!

EVERYONE who leaves an ANSWER or a COMMENT

also WINS a FREE copy of my fun, eBook adventure for kids.


Leave your comments and answers on Margot’s Magic Carpet http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

If you haven’t read Taconi and Claude just GOOGLE for answers

*********************

And if you’d like to HEAR me READ from Taconi and Claude, link to the VIDEO on YouTube: http://youtu.be/eD8DblIxnHk





http://www.margotfinke.com/  


(Kindle – soft cover – eBook)

These + 8 other books on my website.

Guardian Angel Publishing http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/

Margot,

It's been a true pleasure having you join me today. I'm sure many writer's are in the same boat.

All the best,
Donna


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

22 comments:

  1. Great post, Margot! I want a fairy too:-) If you find him, send his sibling my way! While you're at it, I might need two...then one could handle the cleaning and laundry to allow for more writing time:-)

    Thanks for asking Margot to write articles, Donna. You both inspire me greatly!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Boy, can I ever identify with all those complaints! But, as writers, we have to grit our teeth and do what must be done.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh yes Margot! When you find the fairy society, please send one to South Africa - direct to my home address! I hate the proposal stage and the promotion stage. Hmm. Both p's. There's an article in that. I only need another 10 or so.
    Thanks for the article, Donna!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Donna, thanks for allowing Margot to whine. Seems we all feel the same way.

    ReplyDelete
  5. If the objective of "promotion" is "advancement", why do I feel like I'm always moving backward? Great article, Margot. You hit the nail on the head.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for hosting my 'whine" fest Donna. Seems I am not alone - YEA!!
    What we writers need is a whine society - with some good wine to wash it all down. YEAH!

    Give BOOKS this Holiday Season!
    http://www.margotfinke.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just love Margot! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello One and All:

    My apologies for not visiting sooner today and welcoming Margot. Her humor comes out and she usually has me in stitches. If you Skype take the time out to connect with her. It will be a pure delight.

    Great hosting you today Margot, it's been a true pleasure.

    All the best,
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are forgiven, Donna. You have so many pies with your fingers in them, it's no wonder you lose track of time and blog comments.

    Give BOOKS this Holiday Season!
    http://www.margotfinke.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. See didn't I tell you she is hysterical! Could you imagine actually having my fingers in real pies, my fingers would be sticking to the keyboard. It's bad enough I wear out the letters on the keyboard.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love your sense of humor! Every Christmas when I was a child I got a book from my Mom and Dad on my birthday and on Christmas morning. I can still see myself ripping the red Santa patterned paper off of the "special edition" Shirley Temple book. It included photos from all of the stories I watched with my Aunt Lil. I would pretend to be her and sing her songs and toss my straight hair as if I had Shirley's bouncy curls on my own head. Thanks for sharing with us!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love this post, you are the best Margot, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Terri, Donna, Nancy and Bill, thanks for your comments. Now PLEASE, go to Margot's Magic Carpet and take part in my FREE book giveaway. 3 people will win a copy of "Taconi and Claude" and EVERYONE gets a copy of my eBook adventure for kids.

    Those who don't go there ASAP will get one of Donna's pies in the face - minus the fingers of course!!

    http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Audrey, wonderful memories form Christmas past are indeed treasures. I have a few of my own from childhood Christmasses in Australia.

    Give BOOKS this Holiday Season!
    http://www.margotfinke.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi, Margot. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great, post Margot. Love your humor.

    ReplyDelete
  17. So here I am, late to the party again. What a great post, Margot. If you ever find your Promotion Fairy, let's clone it so i can use it too. I work in the business of book promotion and I still don't have enough time for it all.

    Wishing you the best,

    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  18. Cheryl, Marge and Susanne, thanks so much for the kind words.

    And HEY, I wasn't joking about going to Margot's Magic Carpet and trying to win one of 3 copies of "Taconi and Claude." It's a cool read for boys and tomboys, and you also get a FREE copy of my e-Book adventure.

    So WHAT'S HOLDING YOU ALL BACK?

    Give BOOKS this Holiday Season!
    http://www.margotfinke.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Margot:

    Ouch that hurt. Please stop with the virtual slap upside the head. I'm heading over right now.

    Best regards,
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  20. Donna, didn't mean to hurt you mate. Just can't understand why no one is willing to answer a fun question or two, to WIN one of 3 copies of my "Taconi and Claude." It is not as if I am unknown, so people know I will come through with their copies.

    So many are offering free books now, I think there might be a glut on the market. Guess people are FREEBIED out!! It's a bummer when you can't even give your books away.


    Give BOOKS this Holiday Season!
    http://www.margotfinke.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Margot, I'm with you on whining about book promotion. And, if you find a promotion fairy, please send her my way!

    You're an amazing children's writer - I love your books.

    I miss running into you at the CWCC.

    Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing

    ReplyDelete
  22. Karen, what a lovely comment. You have made my day, mate.

    Give BOOKS this Holiday Season!
    http://www.margotfinke.com

    ReplyDelete

Thank for you taking the time out to visit with me and to learn about my writing career.

Please be sure to leave your blog address so I can reciprocate.

I look forward to visiting you too.