When I set out to publish my Forged Series, I had a glimmer of an idea of what I was going to have to do. Little did I know that what I thought I knew was barely the tip of that iceberg. One of the advantages of going with either a small press, or one of the larger publishing companies, is their ability to spread the word about your book... They make money, you make money, and everybody is happy. When you're a self publishing author you do it all. I was lucky, I had friends who were already established and gave good advice.
One thing I've learned is that you have to be patient. And keep a sense of humor. So each month as I plug my work on my Facebook account, I try to do it with a touch of humor. It's not that I'm not taking this seriously, I am. However, I think a touch of humor goes a long way. I know that if people feel they are being pestered they will not be interested in even taking a look... but if you have a light touch of humor, people don't feel like they are being pushed.
When you are your own publisher, and your own adverting team you have to find ways to keep it fresh and fun. So I make a monthly plug for the book. If I were with a larger publisher, I would be doing the same thing, as well as going to book signings. (Hard to sign a tablet...ah the joys of E publishing.) I was already a member of Good Reads, so I set up an author page, and plug my book there as well. And now I'm doing a blog... who would have ever thought that I'd have my own blog? Not me... but then this magical carpet ride I'm on has been an amazing journey spurred on by luck and fate. And I know how lucky I am. I'm still learning, and still making mistakes. But this is my journey, the mistakes are mine and I own it all.
I hope as I grow as a writer, and self publisher, that I will continue to learn better ways of getting the word out there that a book has been released.