I'm excited today to have Seattle author, Deborah Schneider, talk about her new western, Promise Me. There are many of us that have story ideas outside of the niche markets. Should we give up, and write what's popular? Deborah gives us hope, and tells us that it might just take some creative marketing ideas to get us to where we want to be:
"It’s difficult to be the kid who colors outside the lines, believe me, I know. As a child, I rejected coloring books because I always preferred my own drawings. As an adult, I’ve often done the same thing. I started my own child care business because I wanted to stay home with my children. I closed that child care after fifteen years because I needed to get out of the house and I write Western romance because I’m a former American History teacher who loves the story of our country.
It’s a great story, from Jamestown to the present; we’re a people who never gave up our dreams, ideals or search for a better life. That’s what makes a Western such a wonderful story, because the iconic characters of good guy (and gal) facing down the bad guy, maintaining their honor and believing in doing the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do -- resonates with all of us.
So why is a Western romance so difficult to sell to a New York publisher? Why do so many historical romances feature settings in England and Scotland? I wish I knew the answer to those questions. Many would say because readers prefer settings filled with royalty, gorgeous dresses and a glittering social life. I can’t argue with that, but could it also be that there’s a segment of the market editors don’t see?
My sister posed this question to me when I once whined about not being able to sell my book. “If country western music is so popular, and people love the cowboys who are singing those songs, why isn’t that connection made for books?” She was working at one of the biggest country radio stations in the country at the time. And I didn’t have an answer to that either.
But, I’ve recently started a marketing campaign for my new book, “Promise Me” by targeting this population of country music lovers. I had a friend create a song especially for my book and added it to a video with images from Montana and Wyoming. The results have been interesting, with nearly 200 new hits on my webpage and the YouTube video views climbing to nearly 400. All for less than $100.00 spent for the campaign.
I believe I’ve found a niche market for my book, and only the sales numbers will really tell for sure. I’ll be getting my first royalties in the next month, and then another statement in August. By then I’ll have followed up with several other promotional ideas.
We never really know what will work when promoting a book, but I’m happy to say that at least I’ve found an interesting way to discover just who might be interested in reading it. And, just like the song says, “I’m back in the saddle again!” "
Comments