I've got a confession to make. I've become an online addict. I'm a jonesing for Twitter feed Facebook status junkie.
It began with the release of my first book in August. (Inserting shameless plug here- Blueberry Truth, available via Etopia Press and all fine e-book distributors. 5.99. Download instantly!) The brave new world of e-book publishing has been a boon to writers like me, newbies who'd like to be given a chance to break into the wild and wacky world of authorship. Unlike self-publishing, small presses give a writer the support of editors, cover artists and distribution. And some marketing, too.
But because they are small and have limited budgets, most e-book publishers expect writers to do a lot of stumping on their own. You've got to get your name out there, you've got to let the reading public know you have a book out (Blueberry Truth, 5.99) and that there will be more books to come (P-town Queen coming in June 2012) and more still in the works.
I'm a marketing neophyte. Before this summer, I knew next to nothing about guest blogging and book review sites. I didn't know a blog hop from a sock hop. I'm learning, though. I've got a website, a blog, a Facebook fan page and a growing list of followers on Twitter. I'm on Good Reads, Manic Readers, and Amazon Authors. I check in with the writers at SheWrites and Litopia.
I like being connected. It's been a joy to meet other writers online and to hear what readers are reading. I check in as often as I can.
I'm addicted. I'm worried that if I don't slow down, I may start shouting "hashtag am writing" and "status update" in my sleep. I may start forgetting to brush my teeth. I've heard it's a common malady among first-time authors. The antidote is simple: Don't think you have to be on every social site. Find what works best for you. And for the love of all that's holy, unplug once in while.
So this is what I'm going to do. For at least a few hours a day, I'm going to shut the laptop down. I'm going to go for a walk in the park. I'm going to pick up my pen and write. Just write. One sentence, then another.
I'm going to start right now. Right after I check my e-mail and update my Facebook status.
