Marketing your book is like making a pizza and other stories...

There have been some traces of spring in the air in Bristol this week and it's starting to feel like one chapter is coming to an end in my life and another is starting to bud. 

With still no concrete assurances of further funding for Outset Bristol, where I work as an Enterprise Coach with start ups, I'm willing March to be over so I can start making some future plans.

Operation Author - 

365 Actions to Succeed as an Author

I never grow tired of seeing my words in print, which is probably a good sign that I should focus my energies into carving some sort of a path for myself as a writer.

My career has always involved supporting others to find and nurture their skills and strengths, whether in finding work or starting a business, and I have always got a great deal of satisfaction out of enabling others. I'm working towards some blending of the these two aspects that I'm so passionate about. I am a great believer that strengthening communities and enabling people to support each other is the future.

My actions this week have been:

Action 1:

I ran a pilot 'Why Marketing your Book is Like Making a Pizza: A Workshop for Writers' session, which of course included pizza!

There were eight of us on the session and it was a great success. Loads of energy in the room and lots of great ideas flowing. The feedback was positive and I discussed some ideas with the group about running a session on Social Media for Writers and a follow up session to the marketing one where we share our progress and draw up future actions plans together. 

My work with Outset over the past few years has shown me the power of peer support and it's something I want to do more of.

Action 2:

I've agreed to be part of a blog tour so I will be posting my link in that chain next week but I am seeking 2 other writers who would like to participate...

Action 3:

Calling all writers! - Who'd like to be involved in a blog tour?

The idea is that on your blog you answer 4 questions about your own writing then post bios of 3 more writers and links to their blogs. They then do the same, posting answers to the same questions on their blog a week later and sharing 3 other writers blogs.

Tweet me if you'd like to be involved @TomCatDesigns and I'll send you more details.

Action 4:

I joined Authonomy and posted some chapters from the Bronze Box 

Action 5:

I've helped some other writers with their market research this week by answering their questions. Viv Oyolu, the fabulous lady who interviewed me recently, is researching some ways her Audiobyte business can support writers.

Here's the interview if you missed it. It's a really inspiring listen with lots of tips and friendly banter:

 http://www.audio-byte.co.uk/amy-morse/

Action 6:

I am now officially a columnist for Prowess Women in Business - http://www.prowess.org.uk/columnists - so I am committed to writing for them regularly. I've just submitted another article so look out for that one.

Action7:

I've submitted a guest blog to a fellow Bristol writer and friend of mine, Maggie James. Maggie is a very talented and prolific writer of psychological suspense fiction. 

Fingers crossed she likes my post and publishes it on her fascinating blog: http://www.maggiejamesfiction.com/blog.html


Update on the next book - Solomon's Secrets:

I've got two chapters to go on Solomon's Secrets so I'm hoping to get the first draft done this week.

I've been thinking about cover art for my books and have engaged the services of my brother who's a very talented artist and musician. I've been doodling myself too, looking ancient symbolism. 

Here's a snippet from the book and a doodle: