In navigation,
the wind at your back is both a blessing and a given. That’s not to say you
shouldn’t keep a pair of oars handy for when staid
market trends have your book drifting lifelessly toward the beach like a 500-page
whale. If something – the same old thing – isn’t working, change direction. Keep
rowing.
If you find
yourself wondering which direction to row, you’re not alone. You might even say
we’re all in luck because IWSG
has ideas, solutions and resources for everybody! In addition to monthly meetings like this,
conducted every first Wednesday; when we’re all encouraged to join the
conversation, IWSG shares golden nuggets of wisdom like this
one by guest-blogger Michael Sullivan via IWSG’s own Susan Gourley/Kelley.
Michael makes getting reviews seem like rolling into Paradise Island on a
custom-made wave - I might just learn to
surf! And his advice on flexibility probably can’t be stressed enough.
For
instance, at a recent (local) writer’s meeting, an author lamented the “lifeless”
summer months when schools are closed,
and readings and signings can’t be scheduled. Another author quickly offered
that since most kids (these days) have to go somewhere, go where they are. Many summer programs are actually
conducted at school facilities. Others, such as YMCA offer courses and/or
reading events to which author/writers are largely
welcome as guests or for research.
I love research.
Sometimes, I even get carried away. I learned all I’d ever want to know about
the “Father of the Sunday Comic Strip,” Richard Felton Outcault, and his iconic
Buster Brown strip by researching the
timeless classic Mary Jane shoes that
Flamenco dancers wear! True, I ended up way off course, but it was
fascinating. And what better way to stay afloat than by researching for your
next project while you’re ah, drifting?
And speaking
of drifting, according to the Association of American Publishers (AAP) there’s
a reason we might feel that way; as recent data shows Audiobooks sailing easily
passed E-books and hardbacks (Paperbacks are holding their own) in sales from
all of the ‘Big Five’ publishers. However,
this data is collected from traditional publishing houses, and doesn’t pertain
to Indie-authors; whose sales (Quartz)
are actually flourishing!
Lastly, though
certainly not least (wink), is the engaging new element added to our monthly
IWSG postings is to answer one question. The question this month is:
What is the best thing
someone has ever said about your writing?
That I “paint beautiful word pictures”. Gosh, coming from an author I deeply respect,
that really made my day week year!
Just one
more thing:
What do you
suppose your favorite author reads? What if it’s your book?
