EMERGING turns one & the magic of the reader/writer connection

Here's what I've learned, and what it means for YOU.

My third book, Emerging: Stories from the Other Side of a Cancer Diagnosis, Loss, and a Pandemic is one year old! Woohoo! The year since publishing this little book has gone by quickly, and I’ve learned a lot.

Today’s post is to celebrate the connection you and I have, share some things I’ve learned, and get your input on what’s next.

First, allow me to tell you about a few things I’ve learned in the past year about book marketing.

As you know, EMERGING is my third book, and it’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but it’s the first one I’ve tried to seriously market.

The most important thing I’ve learned about marketing is that I need to reframe that word “marketing” itself. Instead of thinking of it as self-promotion (which is hard for introverts, or anyone, really), I now look at it instead as meaning providing a service.

What in the world am I talking about?

Well, if readers never find my book(s), they will never hear the stories within the pages. No one will benefit from the experiences I share. Therefore, this means I have to talk about my books. A lot. And often. After all, different people are tuned in and listening at different times and in different places/platforms.

Now, maybe it sounds presumptuous on my part to think folks will benefit at all by reading about my experiences with cancer, survivorship, DIEP flap surgery, loss, grief, pet loss, the pandemic, life as an introvert and a Baby Boomer, and so on. But maybe not.

As you know, I believe deeply in the power of our shared stories, and this is still my primary motivation to write anything at all, including this article.

Another big thing I’ve learned this year is that marketing (still using the word for simplicity) can be both challenging and enjoyable.

Two things (or more) can be true at the same time.

Like a lot of things in life, right?

One of the hardest things to learn or internalize, is learning to let go of the numbers game. I wrote a post about that here. (Yes, my blog is still there!)

When you publish a book or create any piece of creative content, it’s natural to want the world to notice, shower it with praise, share about it, and yes, purchase your product — whether it be a book, piece of art, musical composition, carefully hand-crafted item, or whatever.

My first year as a student of marketing has taught me to stop chasing the algorithms and to stop stressing about how many followers I have or do not have on Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok.

I mean, who really cares? (no one.)

I’ve also stopped listening to the steady stream of “experts” on those platforms who claim to know what to post, how often to post, how to grow my accounts in X number of days (usually this involves purchasing something from them), and so on.

I might not have thousands of followers on any social account or here on Substack, but I do have the ones I have, and I am grateful for each and every one of them. These are the people I intend to focus on.

Yes, this means I’m grateful for and will always try to focus on YOU.

When you stop looking at readers and followers on social media as your audience or a whole group, but instead focus on each one as an individual person, and not just a reader — a person with a story of her own who is looking for connection — a transformation happens. Well, in my mind anyway.

It’s why I love this quote from Dan Blank, writer of “The Creative Shift” on Substack.

There is no “audience.” There are only individuals. The perception we see of an “audience” is simply some data about those individuals collected onto a list. And that information is so thin compared to the depth of what it means when we consider each individual.

Each person receives your writing in a manner that is completely unique to them…When someone reads what you write, they bring in their own perspective, experiences, goals, and challenges.

When your intention as a writer and the perspective of the reader meet, magic can happen.”

Those words speak to me so deeply and convey what I’ve always believed and tried to do in my writing. Connect with you, Dear Reader.

Connection is what writing is always about — or should be. The connections you and I have are real, unique, and precious because you are as well.

Think about the connections you have with your favorite authors. Why do you read their books in the first place and what keeps you going back for more?

Besides good writing skills, it’s probably also things like relatability. Integrity. Authenticity. A good story that needs telling AND receiving (reading). And, yes, above all — connection. When you feel it, you know. You just know.

Maybe about now, you’re thinking, Nancy, get on with it. Wrap this ramble up.

So…

A couple things to let you in on…

To celebrate one year, EMERGING will be available at a reduced price for a bit. I don’t know for how long. I haven’t decided. This is one nice thing about being an indie author. I’m in control of all that stuff.

So, if you haven’t yet read EMERGING, this is a good time. If you have, thank you! I hope you’ll consider leaving a review or telling someone about it. That’d be awesome and so appreciated.

Also, I’d love your input on something.

I’m contemplating my next book and thinking about two possible directions to take. One would be a book of “hair stories” — some cancer related and some not. This would be a combination of my stories and also some stories collected from readers and other folks.

Hair is always a big deal, right?

The other direction I’m thinking about is a book about pet loss — all kinds of pets would be included, and again, it’d be some of my stories as well as some collected from folks like you.

Another thing I’ve learned this past year is the enormous interest and need for sharing our pet loss journeys. Pets truly are family, and when we say that final goodbye, it’s excruciatingly painful. Society is slow to acknowledge and make space for this type of loss and grief.

So, what do you think?

Which route interests you the most?

Your input is very much wanted and will be considered. I’ll keep you posted on which way I decide to go.

Thank you for being part of this priceless writer/reader connection we share. I’m so grateful you’re here with me.

Paraphrasing Dan’s words a bit:

When my intention as a writer and your perspective meet, magic does indeed happen.

Thank you for reading. Here’s to more magic!

As always, I hear you. I see you, and I care about what you have to say.

Until next time,

Nancy

P.S. If you’re confused by the “pledge your support” options, I have no plans to turn on any paid subscription options at this time. Regardless, you can choose the “no pledge” circle. I’m just grateful you’re here to read my ramblings.

If you like this post, please consider clicking the “like heart” and/or sharing it with someone should you feel like it. Thank you!

Who is one of your favorite authors and why?

What makes you feel connected to an author?

How do you react to the word “marketing” — positively or negatively?

Click on the image above to grab your copy of EMERGING!

In case you missed my last post, find it right here. Or click on the image below.

Thank you again for reading. I’m so grateful for the connection we share.