turning point

Since my third novel, Dead Reckoning, launched in April it hasn’t exactly blasted off.  In fact, it’s barely off the ground. 

The novel’s launch date was April 24th and since then I’ve participated in 10 events in and selling books at each.  The Milwaukee Irish Fest was my most successful event, selling out of the books I brought to the event by 2:00 pm Sunday afternoon.

The advantage of in person events is that you get to meet readers and strike up a conversation with them.  As a writer it is also a great opportunity to observe some of the oddest behavior you will ever see.

A few of my favorite observations:  When a reader asks if your book is on Amazon –of course it is – but you don’t desire a signed copy?  Oh – I’ll just take your business card.  Why do they take a business card – my bet is it gets tossed in the next convenient trash.  The best – oh, I’m not buying today – just browsing – then they buy a book from the author next to me.  So why lie to my face?  I would rather a person say, I’m not interested in historical fiction.
The in person events are grueling on mind, body and soul.  I attended the LaCrosse Irish Fest and the Milwaukee Irish Fest back to back in 90 degree heat and so humid my book covers curled.

I have had a medical turn for the worse brought on mostly by stress that I’m working on reversing both with drugs and lifestyle changes.

Now is the time for a turning point.  I’m going to concentrate on social media promotions.  I’m running a promotion now on Books Go Social that runs through the end of December.  I’m worked with my marketing guru to explore BookBub, Amazon ads and Facebook ads.  I plan on utilizing all of them in 2019.  That will leave me time to begin my fourth novel.  The 4th novel will also be a turning point for me.  I’ll still write historical fiction but the story will be about brave women during the depression in America and how they provided for their families.
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When did you last have a turning point?