Authors–most of them, anyway–work very hard to promote their books and enhance their sales. They go to events around their community, their region, and, sometimes, nationally, travelling cross-country in planes, trains, or cars, boxes of books in tow. They hold readings and book signings at stores, in their churches (if they belong to one), virtually, and at every “dog and pony” show they can get into. In short, they promote, promote, promote…for pennies on the dollar if one measures time as money, never mind the cost, which usually far outweighs the income gained…if any. This goes for both traditionally published authors and self-published authors, and, personally, I think it’s an exhausting, life-sapping set of activities: authors as sales-persons, marketers, and promoters.

Is this why authors began writing? Because they wanted to become a marketeer? I don’t think so. So why do they do it?

They do it, of course, because they want to be successful: every book sold is another feather in the cap and money in the royalty jar; every new reader is a potential fan (they hope).

Unfortunately, most good writers are not cut out to be salesmen/women, marketers, or promoters. They are gifted at writing, not persuasion. And, of course, devoting themselves to sales, marketing, and promotion takes time and energy away from life responsibilities to family, never mind writing and the required solitude needed to create a good book.

Perhaps the new definition of “author” is, in fact, marketeer. And, of course, the same can be said for artists, musicians…any creative endeavor.  It isn’t the talent or genius…except where it really matters now: genius and talent for promoting. So, the new definition of writer/author is? Successful marketeer and promotional maven.

Guess I don’t qualify. Oh, well.  Back to the keyboard.

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