How apropos! Today’s question from the Marketing for Romance Author’s blog challenge is The Difference Between Bragging and Marketing. If you have thoughts to share on this topic, join us here: http://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/
I was raised with a big, fat lie. If you grew up in the 50s or 60s, I’ll bet you were too. “Don’t call attention to yourself. Don’t brag. Just hush, follow the rules, be a good girl, and someone in power will eventually notice and bestow a reward.”
I’ve gotta call patriarchal BS on this one. Fortunately, by my early 20s I noticed that life’s goodies went to those who claimed them. No one was ever going to knock on my door and present the good life on a silver platter. That observation and some time spent in the theater world gave me the courage to admit–I’m an applause junkie.
That doesn’t mean I need/want to hog all the applause for myself. Goodness no! A play with a huge cast is much more interesting than a one-woman show. I’m glad to applaud creative types of all sorts.
Am I drifting from the topic? Perhaps. As writers who aren’t yet household names, we’ve gotta spread the word about our creations, and there’s a risk of overdoing it, especially when you only have one book out. I try to avoid that by blogging about other authors and non-book topics. That said, blogging and regular social media postings are pretty much required if a less-than-famous author is gonna bring her work to the attention of readers. I love how easy it is to forward someone’s good news on Twitter or Facebook, to give the author that little pat on the back that’s so motivating on days when the writing is like hacking through a jungle of wordy weeds with a rusty machete.
Speaking of–yesterday, I had my first-ever radio interview! A thousand thanks to Patricia W. Fischer and Readers Entertainment Radio for this opportunity. Take a listen, if you’re so inclined.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/circle-of-seven/2019/04/04/readers-entertainment-radio-presents-author-rhonda-gilmour
Until next week, happy writing! And go ahead, brag a little.
Congrats on the radio interview. And you’re right: if we don’t toot our own horns, then no one will do it for us.
I agree that it’s good to highlight others as well. Getting information out there isn’t really bragging. It’s offering what you have to potential readers. If no one knows it’s there, how can they try it?