According to Blake Atwood, “Defining success for your book upfront can help you actually finish your work and serve to temper your higher—and sometimes unrealistic—aspirations.” This statement struck a chord with me.
In 2005, I began writing a story about my maternal grandfather who died a year before I
was born. I had only a handful of facts about him, but I wanted to share him with
my children and grandchildren.
I had written non-fiction most of my adult life, but ninety percent of this story would be fiction.
As the story progressed, Barbara, my wife—an avid reader, encouraged me to continue writing.
I began to think I might have something worthwhile.
I went online and found a group of published writers. I corresponded privately with one who
encouraged me to find a local critique group. In turn, this group taught me about publishing and
inspired me to consider finding a publisher.
Prior to publishing, I contacted family, friends, business associates and started online social networking in hopes of selling two or three hundred copies.
As the book sold, I began to consider speaking to various groups about writing. Although this was my first fiction work, I had self-published one book, written magazine articles and co-written a book for Barbour Publishing. I had spoken as a financial planner for a number of years so this was not a new thing to me.
One of the radio interviewers was Tony Marino of Alive in Christ Radio. Tony is also a Marketing Consultant. We became friends and I hired him to design my website and do a book trailer for my novel.
- Original goal—print a few copies and pass them on to my heirs.
- Goal two—Night of the Cossack was published in April, 2011.
- Goal three—I sold the three hundred and went on to sell over a thousand.
- Goal four—I spoke to associations, church groups, school groups, service organizations, writing groups and did some radio interviews.
- Goal five—Tony Marino and I partnered and started the Google+ Christian Authors Community.
- Goal six—I became a Literary Strategist and I am mentoring ‘wannabe’ authors and consulting new authors in book marketing strategies.
It doesn’t matter how small your goal may be—if you stick with it and keep your eye on the future—you will see the shadow of your next goal emerging from the unknown.
Can you see it?
Change something today to make your tomorrow better.
Tom Blubaugh
Literary Strategist, LLC
TomBlubaugh.net
tom@tomblubaugh.net
417-812-6110
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References:
Atwood, B. (17 February, 2014). What is Success for a Self-Publisher. Retrieved April 16, 2014 from website: http://www.blakeatwood.com/what-is-success-for-a-self-publisher/