Time to share our doubts, fears, and triumphs at The Insecure Writers Support Group–author Alex Cavanaugh’s brainchild.
THANK YOU to this month’s co-hosts: Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!
July 1 question – Is there anything you’d like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?
As a self-published author, I understand that all marketing falls on me (more on this later). But before moving to self-publishing, I signed with a small publisher, where I was still largely responsible for promoting my books. I also hear that authors with the Big Five publishers have to spend a lot of time on marketing. If I could change one thing, it would be more help with promotion so that authors could focus on what they do best: writing.
Speaking of marketing, I had a fun time at Books in Charleston on June 20. I bonded with readers and authors who are also from Ohio (I’m holding Ohio State University’s mascot, Brutus Buckeye, in the photo.)
I experienced a small-world moment upon discovering that the author next to me, Kirsten Pursell, is also a swimmer. Even weirder, we unknowingly raced each other in May! Though I hadn’t competed since 2018, I decided to attend master’s nationals this year at nearby Greensboro, NC. Kirsten bested me in the longer race (200 I.M.) and I prevailed in the shorter one (100 I.M.)
I also scored a Book Bub free deal for Blocked, book one of my sports romance trilogy, in June. There were 7,900 downloads that I hope will translate to reviews and sales for the series.
Jennifer Lane Books 
I wish there were more reputable options for hiring marketing help. There are so many scammers! And marketing doesn’t come naturally to most of us.
Your display looks great! Congrats on the Bookbub deal too. I hope it works out well for you. Seems like sports romance should do better in the wake of Heated Rivalry’s success.
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Thanks, Janet. Heated Rivalry was a big reason I tried Book Bub again for my sports romance. I’ve had so many deals rejected over the years, but I’ve been lucky to have Blocked featured twice (in 2015 and 2026).
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How cool that you found a connection with an author near your display. I totally agree with you that publishers expect authors to spend too much time and energy marketing their books. It’s one reason I don’t want to get published anymore.
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Kirsten is lovely, Natalie! You do much to support the publishing industry with your blog.
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Small world!
That is amazing to score a free ad from Book Bub. They are otherwise so expensive.
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I should clarify that the Book Bub deal was not free for me, but for readers! I hope to recoup the costs, but so far I’m in the red.
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So true about the marketing. I agree! Too often marketing help is more fluff than substance.
Amazing you two swimmers ended up next to each other.
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Marketing help as more fluff than substance, so true. Especially with all the scammers lately. I always enjoy getting to know swimmers. We can geek out over the sport. 🙂
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Congrats!
It would be nice if publishers had a tricks-and-tips page to help with marketing. If it were kept up to date, we could be more efficient and effective. Because, like you, I’d rather be writing.
I don’t have a bad attitude about marketing; I just don’t have a clue how to approach it in today’s world.
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Yeah, the rate at which marketing evolves is too fast for me to keep up with! Thanks, Anna.
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I’ve heard that about authors working with the big five publishers, that they still have to do all the marketing on their own. Makes me wonder what’s the point of going with one of the big five?
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I guess the big five is more likely to get authors in bookstores (at least the ones still remaining), but with all the competitiveness, delays, and lack of creative control involved with getting published with one of them, it doesn’t seem attractive.
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