Ode to Book Bloggers
Last June, a month or so after I began marketing In Leah’s Wake, an editor and former agent told me my novel has no redeeming qualities. ‘You’ll be lucky to sell 500 books,’ she said. A rookie, I had no idea what to expect. When I published ILW, I’d dreamed of selling a 3,000 – 5,000 books, hoping healthy sales numbers would attract the attention of an agent or traditional publishing house for my next novel.
The agent had left New York, but she’d been in the business for a long time, and her words stung. Surely she knew better than I! I hung up the phone, heartbroken, depressed. Had I not been in the midst of my first blog tour, I might have pulled my novel off the market that day.
The bloggers who’d signed up for my tour, many of whom I now proudly call friends, had taken the time to review my book or interview me. It would be selfish to quit. Determined to see the tour through, I soldiered on. The kindness of the wonderful, caring people, the book bloggers, on that Novel Publicity book tour buoyed and sustained me.
Over the next few months, In Leah’s Wake appeared on hundreds of blogs. Bloggers opened their hearts and generously spread the word about this quiet literary novel. Last August, In Leah’s Wake hit the Barnes & Noble and Amazon charts. Now, eleven months after my disheartening talk with that agent, the book has sold 110,000 copies.
Book bloggers rock! I don’t know how to say it any better. You are the fairy godmothers and godfathers of the literary world. For the love of books, you sprinkle your stardust. At your own personal expense, you invest your time, your energy and your talent into reviewing and promoting books – and, in so doing, you keep our dreams alive.
Even today, traditional media refuse to recognize or review indie books. John Locke, a megastar indie author recently inked a distribution deal with Simon & Schuster; he publishes his paperbacks under his own imprint and S&S distributes nationally to bookstores and retailers. Because traditional media refuse to cover him, John Locke, a member of the million+ e-book club, is virtually unknown outside the digital world-and his books languish on back-of-the-store shelves.
Bloggers fill that gap left by traditional media, by reviewing and sharing news about books. In this very real sense, bloggers are the heart and soul of the indie revolution. Without you, book bloggers, there would be no indie book sales. Your vision, your energy, and your determination powered and drive this amazing populist movement.
These days, readers have the great good fortune of hearing the funny, poignant, brilliant voices of talented new authors from around the world – voices that, just a few years ago, might have been silenced by the gatekeepers of the old guard. These voices reach into hearts and minds, forging connections, uniting us in a global community of readers and writers, reaching-through words-the better part of ourselves. For, at heart, this is what reading and writing are all about.
Today, finding a publisher is no longer my goal. This fall, I will publish my new novel, Nowhere to Run, on my own. Why? Because you, book bloggers, have shown me it can be done-and you’ve given me hope!
Here’s to you, book bloggers! You are and always will be my heroes!
In Leah’s Wake
The Tylers have a perfect life-beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. Their eldest daughter, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship. Their youngest, Justine, more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years, just wants her sister’s approval. With Leah nearing the end of high school and Justine a seemingly together kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life: until everything goes wrong.
As Leah’s parents fight to save their daughter from a world of drugs, sex, and wild parties, their divided approach drives their daughter out of their home and a wedge into their marriage. Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Justine observes her sister’s rebellion from the shadows of their fragmented family-leaving her to question whether anyone loves her and if God even knows she exists.
Can this family survive in Leah’s wake? What happens when love just isn’t enough?
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Lovely post Terri. Yours is an inspirational story and will give hope to so many indie authors out there.
Book bloggers are the salt of the earth for me. I've found nothing but patience, support and understanding from so many of them.
Writers considering self-publishing can take heart. Yes, it's scary going it alone but there are so many book bloggers and fellow indie authors willing to offer advice and the great thing is they are not hard to find.
Leah, I LOVE this post! I'm happy to say that I am one of the 110,000 who found your book. I've become almost a snob, in favor of indie books over big publishers. I guess that's not really fair either but those big names are not going to miss my little comments but I've found that indie authors are very, very grateful for reviews and comments about their books. That's the way to make a reader feel valued and validated and keep them engaged in your writing, in my opinion. Looking forward to your new book in the fall!!!