Thursday, November 11, 2010

This is The Fun Part?


This doesn't happen often, but I'm here to admit I was wrong.
Over the years, as I plodded along the path to Publication, up and over Rejection Mountain, partied a while in Agent Valley when I got The Call, then picked up my walking stick again and made my way through thick forests filled with prickly Revision trees and Thanks but No Thanks bushes, I heard the whispers.
Every now and then, ever so faint, but they were there.
"You think this is tough? Just you wait."
Wait for what? Surely they were not talking about when I got published? No way. That destination is Party Central and I'm going sit pretty, put my feet up and sip champagne while the crowds flock to buy my new release.
I might have been a little deluded. Dehydration will do that to a body, or so I've heard.

So here I sit, a couple of weeks into the reality that I really have reached that magical dreamlike place called Publication, and yes, it is beautiful. And yes, I certainly could put my feet up and sip champagne all day. As tempting as that may be, I don't think it bodes well for my future career.
So I've begun to explore the options. There are many different towns and cities in this land. Marketing. Promotion. Blog Tours. How do I generate The Buzz? What is that anyway??
To be honest, I feel like I've woken up in a foreign land where I'm the only one who doesn't speak the language.
I'm beginning to think those whispering voices back there in the forest were on to something.

But, as determined as I was to reach Publication Land, I'm equally if not more determined to make this book as big a success as possible. Of course that little voice inside my head telling me everyone's gong to hate it needs to quit and move someplace else, but that's beside the point.

So if you're reading this, can you help me out? Join my Facebook Fan Page and invite your friends to join too. Visit my Website and tell others about it.
If you have a Blog and do book reviews or author interviews, I would love to be featured if you'll have me. If you have any other ideas or can share your promotional expertise with me, please do.
And yes, all this is very, very hard for me to ask. I'm generally quite reserved (seriously!). If you ever come to a book signing, I'll be the one in sunglasses hiding behind the potted plant.
But I figure, with a little help from my friends, I can do this.
What do you think?

10 comments:

Parsley said...

Good luck! I can't imagine how frustrating getting published would be.

My daughter has the gift of writing and I cringe thinking of her future struggles if she goes that route.

Richard Mabry said...

Cath, why don't you do a guest post for my blog on your "journey" to publication--maybe even simply dress this one in a different outfit, color its hair and put a bow in it, and we'll use it? You can email me your response.

Meanwhile, congratulations are still in order, and I'm sending them.

Catherine West said...

Richard, the email I have for you bounced. you must have a new one. Can you email me and I'll respond? cathwest@logic.bm

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Hey, Cathy! It's great to meet you! That's for coming by my blog!

I actually know your daughter... I work for Adventures in Missions and was a part of the Ambassador staff who sent her out this summer. It was so great getting to know her and I hope to see her again. We had a lot of fun laughing!

Tana said...

You're an inspiration! How fun to watch your journey unfold. =)

Robyn Campbell said...

WAAAAAAHAAAAAAA This IS my life right now. I'm reworking my query. I thought it was SUPER, IRRESISTABLE, BUT ALAS, 'TWAS NOT.

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD--AGAIN!

Thanks for stopping by my place. :)

I'll join your fan page and tell other writers I know about you. I would love to interview you, but I write for kids. Still, my readers read big people stuff too.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Cathy -

I'd like to read your book. I'll send you an email. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Unknown said...

I'm right there with you! Being newly contracted is wonderful and scary! I'd love for you to write a guest blog for my blog. Email me at julie(at)juliejarnagin(dot)com

Kathryn Magendie said...

Cathy - oh I know what you are going through - I think a lot of people who want to write think once your book is published the hard work is over - and it's only just begun! The writing is the "easy" part -the fun and creative and frustrating and wonderful and ...all those things part, and the published part is when the little stresses can get to you if you don't learn to remember all the beauty of the work and what you have done...

I'll help all I can!

(sent you an email back, too)

Catherine West said...

Thanks everyone, so nice to know I am not in this alone!