Having just finished writing/editing/publishing my 7th book, I wonder what it takes to get people to purchase and read them? And when I'm talking about 'people', I'm not talking about the masses because, obviously, they know nothing about me. What I wonder about is family - the people who are related to me, who maybe grew up with me, who shared the same relatives, or who are related to my husband in some way.
Yes, a couple of them have bought one or two of my books over the years. And I guess maybe they don't want to start a collection of DJ Geribo books. But of course, there are some relatives who have never purchased one of my books, who have never even congratulated me for writing another book, much less buy a single one. And I'm sure they have never mentioned to a single friend that their relative is an author who has written 7 books. Which could possibly boost my sales! Did I do something to offend them or do they dislike me so much they aren't interested in anything I do?
So, I have to wonder, why is this? Why no support from family in sales? I recently made a new friend, local, and she immediately bought 2 of my books. When I shared my latest book news with my oldest friend (known her for over 50 years!) she immediately went online and purchased my latest book and plans to buy others. Every author wants support, whether from family or friends. Sales are the cherry on top. But I recently made a decision. One of goals this year is figuring out more about marketing. I would prefer to just write my books, but when you self-publish, you really have to do it all. This is something else that surprises me; these relatives have no idea how much energy and effort goes into putting a book out for people to purchase and read. From the first kernel of an idea to the bound finished book, so much work goes into it. But the decision I made is, I'm writing my myself, because that is what I have to do. It brings me great pleasure, especially when I complete another book. So, I'm moving forward, with or without the support of others. We don't know how many years or even months we may have left in this life. But I know my books will always be there, my legacy for all the world to read. My husband recently commented that his grandfather had a grocery store, worked hard to make it successful. But many years ago it was torn down and most people who might have remembered it are no longer here either. But my books, he said, will always be here, living on long after I'm gone.
In conclusion, what surprises me even more is that many of my relatives don't think twice about shelling out a couple hundred dollars to see Taylor Swift in concert, who I heard recently is now a billionaire (do we really need another one?) But to support a relative by buying a book she wrote that will cost them $17.95 or less, they just aren't interested. Maybe they aren't readers, or maybe if they purchased my book they might become readers. All I know is, if a close relative to me wrote a book or more than one book, I would have to purchase them all! But that's just me.
*WIHTSA - What I Have To Say About