Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop for writers interested in how to market their work. It was done through one of my local writing groups via Skype and was led by Jacksonville based author, Valerie Bowman.
Valerie writes Regency Historical Romance novels but also knows a lot about marketing due to her recent obsession for the topic. Her lecture covered most of the points that can be found in her e-book, “Painless Marketing for Busy Authors”. I also ordered this 99 cent book to gain even more background and insight.
In the beginning of this year, I was seriously considering getting a second Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing so I was pretty amped to attend this workshop. I’ve also become slightly inquisitive about it and Valerie hit on many points that I’d already read about. However, her insight into the details and specifics is what made her presentation invaluable to me.
In her e-book especially, you can find a long list of exact things to do to increase your discoverability as an emerging author, some of which I seriously plan on implementing in the future. Plus, her humor was worth it alone.
And I fully agree: Purple pens with your book’s title on them may never get you an added sale, but come on, how awesome is that to see on your desk every day? Very awesome indeed :)
You can check out more on Valerie Bowman on her website: http://www.valeriebowmanbooks.com
-M.McKnight
M. McKnight - Author 
Hi Ms. McKnight,
I don’t think going back to school for marketing is necessary. Keep buying books and reading blogs, keep writing, keep going to workshops, and you’ll find that you’ll save heaps of money and years of time to obtain all the same information as you would in a Master’s program.
Have you talked to every area library, bookstore, church, junior college, and community group about writer’s workshops, author signings, poetry slams, and book clubs? Show interest in other people’s programs and they’ll reciprocate by joining your mailing list and reading your blogs and helping to promote your material. Check Meetup.com occasionally for other like-minded clubs and individuals.
I got a theater job by taking a chance on a church, and a high school job by trying theater, and met my closest collaborator, a brilliant jazz saxophonist, by volunteering at a senior home. Cast a wide net!