What would be the most important advice you could give an up and coming writer trying to break into the business?
Make your book your business.
Maximize free advertisement. I post daily relationship questions to my facebook page under HONEYB HONEST… My facebook page feeds my Twitter page so I don’t have to post twice.
Writers who think their only job is to write the great American novel will never be successful. Never. Why should anyone invest more than a person is willing to invest himself/herself?
I’ve been in the business, and it is a business, for ten years. For the past decade I’ve invested my money into my career. I started an online boutique selling T-shirts, boy shorts, and vaginal exercise items for women. That’s my business but it relates directly to my books.
For years, I added cities to the tour my publisher paid for. I decided I wanted people in my area, the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area to hear my name every month. So two years ago I started hosting monthly relationship venues and advertising them on KBLX-FM.
I started offering free admission until I gained a loyal following. Now I charge a cover. Sixty percent of the attendees never read one of my books. But forty-percent of my fans rave about my books to the point that I gain new readers every month.
Those that don’t attend Macho Madness Mondays hear about it on the radio. They say, “I have to go to one of those.” When they visit the bookstore or travel through the airport, they see my books. “Oh, that’s the author who host that venue. I’ll checkout her book.”
My venues started out as Tasty Tuesdays, then I switched up the location and called it Tell It Thursdays, now it’s Macho Madness Mondays: Men Speak Women Listen. Stop taking relationship advice from your girlfriends and hear what men are saying.
I’ve hosted pajama parties (including a PJ party for Michael Baisden). I recently did Bedtime Stories at the National Book Club Conference in Atlanta. It was a nighttime event with a DJ and two male exotic dancers that took it ALL off. It was the most raved about event of the conference. If you want to standout, you have to be creative because readers no long flock to book signings.
I, like most writers, want my books to become novels. Nine months ago, I told my family and friends, “I’m going to Los Angeles for the entire month of June. I’m going to meet as many film agents, producers, and directors as I can. Someone is going to option one of my books for a film.”
Six months ago I was approached by two individuals from two theaters. Both of them asked me to do a stage play. I wasn’t planning on doing a play. No, way. I was on my way to Hollywood. But I am doing a play. Single Husbands is coming to the stage November 5, 6, and 7, 2010, in Oakland, California. I have an amazing cast, director, and producer.
The producer is my 23-year-old son who recently graduated from UC Santa Barbara. In addition to co-writing the play, Jesse is apply to grad school to write for film and television.
As a result of doing the play, I met somebody who knew someone that knew the director Leslie Small. The director loves my novels. August 13, 2010, we signed a deal for seven (7) of my novels to become seven (7) motion pictures.
With faith, determination, and direction, all things are possible. Set a goal; achieve a goal. In life, as long as we are breathing, each of us should always have something to strive for.
What’s on your list?
Special Thanks to Mary “Honey B” Morrison for giving me this opportunity. We wish you wonderful success and hope to read more from you in the years to come. You can follow Mary B. Morrison on FB facebook.com/mary.b.morrison and you can also check out her website marymorrison.com/
