Stonger than the Struggle

On Father’s Day, I spent time thinking about my dad. He’s been gone for three years now—some days it seems like it’s been much longer, other days it seems like a fresh wound. Either way, he’s not here and didn’t get to see my first book, 2012: The Rising, published.

Speaking of that first book, I started writing it in 2009. It should have been out to agents and publishing houses in 2010. But when my dad died in May 2010, my life stopped. I didn’t run well that year and I didn’t write much that year. 2010 was the only year since I started NANO that I failed to make my fifty thousand words.

I kick myself for not persevering. Since my book is specifically about whether or not Earth would end on December 21, 2012 (which it obviously didn’t), I should have given it the attention it needed so it could have been published earlier and not on December 14, 2012. I often wonder if sales would have been better, had I not shut down.

I remember all the times in my life when I wanted to quit. My dad told me that the Hirase mind is stronger than the struggle, so I must keep going. That’s why I kept taking swimming lessons,  that’s why I’ve never had a DNF (did not finish) in a race, that’s why I finished law school, that’s why I completed my book in 2011.

Thanks to my dad’s advice, I am a strong athlete, I have a satisfying career, and I am a published author.

“Stronger than the struggle” is a great mantra that lifts my spirits when I’m ready to quit, and keeps me driving forward.

Thanks, Dad.

Promotion

You’ve written your book, have your publication date, and now need to sell. How can you maximize your sales creatively?

I’m sure you’ve heard it before: authors are largely responsible for their own marketing. Some people struggle with self-promotion, while others aren’t sure where to begin. Some people don’t have much money to spend, while others don’t know where to spend it.

What is right for one author isn’t necessarily right for another. To successfully promote your book, you have to be comfortable with the way you’re doing it. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t stretch yourself if the right opportunity comes along, but you also shouldn’t try a method that makes you feel like your integrity is going to be called into question.

If you’re looking for ideas on how to market your book and yourself, take a look at Sell Your Book Like Wildfire, by Rob Eagar (read my review here: http://www.readablewriter.com/Reviews.html).

To me, the book is a comprehensive view of several ideas that you can try, modify, or ignore. I believe every author can find at least one tool to utilize, and many more to mull over. Mr. Eagar shares stories that illustrate how his marketing suggestions have worked, and they bring his concepts to life.

For my novel , 2012: The Rising, I was on a short timeline from the date of publication to the December 21, 2012 event that my book is about. I wish I would have read Mr. Eagar’s book earlier in the year because there were so many ideas that I could have put into motion.

I will return to this book over and over again, as well as Mr. Eagar’s website, because I believe that with patience and the right promotional tools, I can market myself like wildfire.

Musings on MusaPublishing

 

After I wrote my novel, 2012: The Rising, I started sending queries to agents. I had some requests for chapters and full manuscripts, but because time was so short, I thought I should entertain small presses as well.

Another search ensued, and I sent more queries out. One evening in March 2012, I was surprised by an e-mail I received. It was from Matt at Musa Publishing. He said he was intrigued by my story, and wanted to offer me a contract.

I sat in disbelief. Could this be real? Was I finally getting the opportunity to publish my novel?

When I got the contract, I reviewed it, signed it, and did the few things that Musa asked me to do. Then I was introduced to an incredible group of writers at the Musa family. They are supportive of each other, and share a lot of helpful information. The staff is approachable, and that makes for a wonderful environment.

I feel blessed to be part of Musa and to be surrounded by such talent. Musa is growing, and they have already shown in the short time they have been around, what a mighty force they are.

I wasn't completely sold on e-books before Musa, but e-books are here to stay. I have joined the revolution, and even ordered a Kindle Fire!

If you are an author, I would encourage you to submit to Musa. If you are a reader, I would encourage you to browse their books and see the quality of work they produce. You'll never meet a harder working group of people, who really care about authors and readers.

 
It's hard to be an author, but the journey is easier and more enjoyable when you belong to a community as wonderful as Musa.