Wednesday, September 30, 2009


One of the members of my book club invited me to an event Saturday and I am extremely nervous. Her girlfriend is starting a publishing company and she's having a publishing party. It sounds like something I need to do and I know I should. I'm just not very good at networking.

I know I have to get over my issue if I want to get my book sold. This is what I wanted. I'm scared but i'll be okay. I'm not that good at selling myself but I believe in my novel. If it could speak for itself I know it would but that's not possible. I have to do the talking.

I'm a shy person. I work on it daily. Most people have no idea. It's not that easy for me to put myself out there. I think that's part of the reason I really wanted to self publish. Although it's a tough process I think it was my form of taking the easy way out. All of the work would be on me and I wouldn't have to do a lot of networking to get it done.

I've practiced the things I would say when I went to small book stores and asked them to sell my book. I was ready for that, or at least I would have been by the time the book was done. I'm glad my friend has extended this invitation to me. It forces me to challenge myself. I really need to do that more often. I'm very confident when doing things I like. It's the things that make me question myself that are the problem. I don't always go for the gusto in those situations. That has got to change if I want to be a successful author.

Things will work out one way or another. It's up to me to decide what the outcome of my journey to being published will be. I can either stay in the box I put myself in and tip toe through the process or jump out of that box and dance my way to success. I'm a music lover. Dancing is something I love to do. I choose the dance. It's time for me to get to moving.

Wish me luck....

7 comments:

Solomon said...

You get those dancing shoes on girl and do what you need to do. The hard part is already done. You have written the book. Now all you need to do is get out there and dance your way to success!

Strongblkwmn said...

Thanks Solomon. I'm going for it. I have no choice.

CareyCarey said...

My friend Tammy, the best product doesn't always sell the best, confidence does. Since you are a self publisher, "you" HAVE to sell YOU. Hype yourself and hype your book. You can't do nothing but fail.

Nobody follows a person that is not confident. If someone told me to follow them and they didn't know where they were going, or didn't "act" like it, I am not going anywhere with them.

Here's the game "business". Get in the role, emulate someone that you admire. Put your game face on, if only for a few hours. BE SOMEBODY! Remember how you used to play house. PLAY - play to win. They don't know you and you don't know them so show them a strong confident author. No one likes a wimp except a bully.

You can do it. Put on some nice clothes,nice hills, and some nice perfume. BE SOMEBODY and YOU'LL BE SOMEBODY.

It's a dog eat dog world out there. Be the big dog, if only for one night.

Practice makes perfect. Feel the part and it will become you. You can't give it away if you don't own it.

Solomon said...

@Carey: If I had a book to pimp I would be all over that. There would be confidence in the house! You know that.

I think Tammy is going to do just fine trying to sell her work. But you give some good advice as you always do. *smiles*

Glad you're back over at your place by the way.

Strongblkwmn said...

Thanks Carey. I needed that. I'm ready. I've been getting myself prepared and I know what I have to do. Everything happens for a reason. I've been hiding behind my keyboard long enough. I'm going to make it happen.

Real Queen of Horror said...

Wow, first let me just congratulate you for finishing a book that you're proud of. I know of someone who recently finished his book but he goes through the self publishing. He I think its a wonderful thing that you're going through this process of transformation. It is often hard putting yourself out but just like you said your novel speaks for itself. Your novel went through a transformation when you were writing it with the editing you were doing & now you will.

I hope everything goes well & wish you the best luck! :]

I know I'm just some RANDOM person who was reading your blog but I was looking around & could not help but reply to someone who has a talent that the world must know about.

Strongblkwmn said...

Lovely Z - Thanks for stopping by. Your words are definitely appreciated. You're definitely not some random person. It was meant for you to come here.