Authors: Do You Believe in Yourself & Your Book? by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Over the years I've talked to several authors about book
promotion, and many expressed that shyness, or a lack of self-confidence or
belief hindered their success. Some authors expressed that they find marketing
to be difficult, embarrassing, nerve-wracking experiences. They don't like or
don't want to do events or interviews. Others felt it was a necessary part of a
writer's life. I agree with the latter.
You cannot expect to put a book out into the world and
then abandon it. Yet, many authors do just this. Often it's fear that gets in
their way. Fear of failing…or fear of success. They don't believe they can
succeed. They don't believe they know how to promote. Or that they can learn how to promote. So they don't.
I understand where these authors are coming from. It's
true that some people are more natural at selling, some can learn how easily,
and some are just overly pushy. We all know the arrogant salesman or
telemarketer who won't let us hang up. And no author wants to be that person.
As an adult, I've always been good at sales. I can sell
something—if I believe in it. Of
course when it comes to my books, I've believed in them from day one; otherwise
I wouldn't have put them out into the world. I believe my books are worth
reading, that they are entertaining, that many (not all) will enjoy them.
That's what gets me the sales—not shoving a book in someone's face saying 'Buy
this! It's the best book you'll ever read!"
People pick up on your attitude. That's why it's key to
LOVE those doing events, especially online ones. Remember, you never know who
you will meet, whether in person or online. Building relationships with people
can lead to exciting possibilities. I've been interviewed on TV, radio, in
newspapers and magazines; invited to participate in major events; asked to speak
at conferences; and invited to be a beta tester for many new advertising
companies because I was visible online.
Now consider that all I've said above is coming from the
shyest kid there ever was, the kid who sat in the back row at school, who had
zero self-esteem. Sure I became very good at sales, but that took time—and a
lot of practice. I learned how to be
good at promoting my books and myself through trial and error, and through
taking risks.
I want be the best at everything I do, and since writing
has always been my intense passion and I want to be very successful at it, I
overcame my nervousness of book signings and meeting people online because there
was no other choice. I had to—and I wanted to.
We choose our
success; it doesn't choose us. And we all have different
definitions of what success is. So for those who are happy with the odd book signing,
a bit of advertising, and a few sales a month, that's great. For those who want
more, choose more. Then find ways to
get it. Are you happy with your success?
Satisfied with your sales? Want more?
It all boils down, I think, to one key question: How
badly do you want success? If writing is your passion and you want New York Times bestseller's status or you
want to catch the attention of a highly motivated traditional publisher, you
have to put yourself out there, step out of your comfort zone and grab onto the
belief that you CAN do it. If you want it badly enough, you'll make it happen.
BELIEVE in yourself! BELIEVE that your book is good
enough to be read, that it will find its audience as long as you are actively
seeking it. Once you truly believe, great things will happen. BELIEVE it!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cheryl Kaye Tardif is an international bestselling Canadian author,
who is best known for Submerged, a psychological
thriller that had over 49,000 downloads on Amazon in March 2013, Children of the Fog, a
supernatural suspense thriller that has sold over 50,000 copies (Sept 2012) and
made Amazon’s Top 100 bestsellers list (overall list) multiple times out of nearly 2 million ebooks; and Whale Song, a much-loved, inspiring family tale with a hint of
mystery, which is now available in its third edition–plus a school edition with
a discussion guide.
Cheryl has not
only held hundreds of book signings, she has organized multi-author signings,
held a virtual book tour and taught others how to do their own, and she has
presented at conferences in Canada and the US. Cheryl is known amongst her
peers for her creativity and knowledge regarding book marketing, and has worked
as a Book Marketing Coach. She
is a member of various social networks, including Twitter, Facebook, MySpace,
Goodreads, Shelfari, LibraryThing, AmazonConnect and Chapters Online Community.
Cheryl has
been interviewed by numerous TV and radio stations in Canada and the US, and
she has been featured in a variety of newspapers and magazines in both
countries. According to photojournalist, Heather Andrews Miller, who
interviewed the author for a Real Estate
Weekly article, Cheryl is a “gem in the literary world”. And according to
Graham Hicks of the Edmonton Sun,
“Cheryl Kaye Tardif specializes in mile-a-minute pot-boiler mysteries, usually
set in Western Canadian locales.”
Cheryl is also
the publisher at Imajin Books, a venture that is dear to her
heart. Imajin Books publishes quality international fiction at affordable
prices, with a focus on ebooks.
Born in Vancouver, BC, Cheryl Kaye Tardif was a “military
brat” and a “military wife” who has lived all across Canada and in Bermuda. She
now resides in Edmonton, AB, with her husband Marc and the family dog.
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From Cheryl Kaye Tardif, the international bestselling author that
brought you CHILDREN OF THE FOG,
comes a terrifying new thriller that will leave you breathless…
SUBMERGED
"Submerged reads like an approaching
storm, full of darkness, dread and electricity. Prepare for your skin to
crawl."
—Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author of 15 Seconds
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