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.


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“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

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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


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