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This is something authors discuss on the regular. ÌýAt least the ones I know; the ones self-published or signed with an Indie publisher. ÌýUpon putting your book into the world, the focus isn't on the writing, it's all about marketing. Ìý

What is marketing?Ìý

According to Google, it's the action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising. Ìý

You guys know what my degree is in? ÌýDental hygiene. ÌýNot marketing. Ìý

Want to know what my life experience is? ÌýStaying home with my kids. ÌýThis makes me good at time management and multi-tasking, but not marketing. Ìý

(My childhood best friend got her degree in marketing, which has been helpful). Ìý

The action or business of promoting. ÌýAh, yes, putting yourself and your work out there. Ìý

Promotion is defined as activity that supports or provides active encouragement for the furtherance of a cause, venture, or aim. Ìý

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My first step, back in December, when I signed my publishing contract but had no clue when my book would be out, was to create an online presence. ÌýFacebook author page. ÌýTwitter profile. ÌýInstagram profile. ÌýThen to post across all three on a regular basis. ÌýAbout what? ÌýThis is tricky in the beginning when you don't have a book cover, a release date, or anything of substance to share. ÌýPlus which people don't want to be bogged down with an author constantly begging you to buy her book. ÌýAn element of your personal life must exist, or the persona you've created to sell your books - probably some mix of these. Ìý

Now I'm six months into the process, my book comes out in less than two weeks, and I'm floundering. ÌýI've run Facebook ads - which were not helpful in the least. ÌýAn Instagram ad - which got a lot of likes, but didn't sell any books. ÌýI'm active on Twitter and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. ÌýI've joined author groups (where we help promote one another), reader groups (where I can promote my own books), and tried to put myself out there.Ìý

I'm an introvert. ÌýA true introvert. ÌýDoing all this online isn't as horrible as it will be in person. ÌýI've been sitting on a box of bookmarks for ages, too timid to bring them to local stores and ask to leave a stack. Ìý

I have two signings happening in less than a month. ÌýAdmittedly, I have NO clue what I'll do at either. ÌýI imagine myself sitting there being awkward and counting the minutes until I can leave. ÌýAlthough I'd rather have a hoardÌýof fans, sign dozens of books, have the guts to read a portion of The Guilt of a Sparrow out loud, and walk away feeling a success. Ìý(Maybe I'll strike a balance somewhere in the middle!!)Ìý

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I love Canva. ÌýIt's such a fun website, and I've had a good time creating all sorts of promotional images. ÌýI like combining colors, fonts, and pictures to share. ÌýIs it enough? ÌýI don't know. Ìý

If you have any ideas on marketing/promotion, please let me know. ÌýI'm open to ideas - in fact I'm starved for them. Ìý

With love, Jess B. MooreÌý

Have you seen the new movie, I Feel Pretty? Ìý

I went with friends to see it last night. ÌýWow. ÌýI can not recommended enough that you go watch this movie. ÌýMy husband wants to see it too - he sees how important it is. Ìý

If you haven't seen it, the premise is that Renee doesn't consider herself beautiful. ÌýShe struggles with self-esteem and confidence. ÌýNot approaching the bar to order drinks. ÌýNot applying for her dream job. ÌýSure that no one will like her. ÌýThen she hits her head - during spin class - and wakes up stunned by herself. ÌýShe hasn't changed. ÌýThe actress playing the part admits that she didn't look in that mirror and pretend she was thin, or any different than she actually looks, that she saw herself for who she was and fell in love. ÌýYou see how different it is for her to interact with people, putting herself out there. ÌýThe way she wears her clothes, without tugging and adjusting. ÌýThe way she carries herself. ÌýIncluding applying for and getting the job. ÌýI won't say more as not to include spoilers. Ìý

Nothing changed except the way she saw herself. ÌýNothing changed except her confidence. Ìý

Sounds simple, no? Ìý

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I've started looking at myself and not seeking out flaws, instead loving the soft tummy, loving the crooked smile, loving every inch of myself. ÌýI've started wearing the clothes I like without worrying if the shorts are too short or if my arms are too flabby. ÌýI've bought a two piece swim suit - modest because that is my preference - but quirky and not matronly. ÌýI don't look at food and think good/bad in terms of what will make me fat, but instead thinking good/bad in terms of health and taste. Ìý

I'm weird. ÌýA nerdy introvert. ÌýA tattooed liberal. ÌýAn over-thinking overly-cautious careful type. ÌýNice. ÌýI try to be thoughtful. ÌýI crack myself up sometimes with my goofy hilarity. ÌýI paint. ÌýI write. ÌýI knit. ÌýMostly I mother, and if my kids can't come, I don't want to go. ÌýI'm open minded and forgiving. Ìý

I am so much more than my weight, my clothing size, my face. ÌýI don't have to dress a certain way. ÌýI don't owe you a smile. Ìý
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ÌýIf you like what you've read and want a monthly dose plus all my updates:

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To find out more about my upcoming debut novel, The Guilt of a Sparrow, check it out on . Ìý

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I love bees. ÌýI love the easy play on words they provide. ÌýThey pollinate the world and our lives depend on them. Ìý

Bee Yourself! Ìý

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With love,Ìý

Jess BÌý

I won't pretend that I'll be a successful blogger, though that depends how I personally define success. ÌýI plan to update weekly, which will likely never happen, as I'm swamped with other obligations. ÌýThe best case scenario is I'll update when I feel like it, which might be multiple times a day, or not at all. Ìý

When I sat down to write yesterday, it was to find I didn't want to do it. ÌýNot that I didn't want to write, but that I didn't want to work on what I was supposed to be writing. Ìý

Let's break that down, shall we. ÌýSupposed to. ÌýSays who? ÌýMe, I guess. ÌýI'm the one running the show and making the decisions. ÌýSuch is the life of a writer. ÌýYes, I have a wonderful publisher, but they haven't asked me to write anything specific. ÌýOr to write at all. ÌýThey're pleased with the two books they've gotten from me, both of which will be released this year. ÌýIt's all me. ÌýI said I would write sequels to these books, make them series, trilogies what have you.

It feels forced. ÌýI've been trying for months to shape it into something I want to do, but end up flailing around and procrastinating. Ìý

Yesterday I sat down at my laptop - in our sunroom, so I was nearly outside enjoying the birds and squirrels and pollen laden breeze - and I told myself, "there are no rules." ÌýThen I wrote what I wanted. ÌýI crafted a new story about a girl/woman hiking on her own, going off the trail following a bunny, getting lost, then being found by a man who takes her to his residence hidden deep never to be found. ÌýThis isn't a horror, don't worry. ÌýIt's a sort of maybe romance. ÌýBut mostly it's a forest and a girl and a family that is both good and bad. Ìý

What are you working on? ÌýAre you following the rules?Ìý