Award-winning author. I’m still trying to wrap my head around that. I certainly don’t feel like an award-winning author, but then how are you supposed to feel? Yet, here’s the proof — the silver badge.
In the beginning, the cover didn’t fit the genre, so I tarted it up on the ebook version because it was the easiest. The plan was to wait until closer to the next print run before putting the full cover wrap on it (which has been done with the award gracing the front – same as the ebook).
And further proof that I’m an award-winning author. Bang, right there on the cover. So why don’t I feel comfortable shouting it out to the world that I’m an award-winning author? Why do I feel like a fraud?
Ah, that’s the dreaded imposter syndrome.
I was so excited when the announcement I was a recipient of a silver badge. I shouted out the fact my book was a silver medalist – not me. But, if I didn’t write the book, it wouldn’t have received the award.
It’s a bit of a Catch-22 situation, don’t you think?
Maybe, I’m merely feeling sorry for myself because my book sales have been flat thus far in 2020. Flat to the point of being non-existent. More fuel to the imposter syndrome feelings.
Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? If so, how did you overcome it?
Dear Melanie,
I know from reading your books that you are really a great author. You write wonder-filled stories that touch the heart of those who read them. They touched my heart.
I think one of the problems we have as authors today is the advertising of our books so that people know about them.
Sometimes we are shy and don’t promote as much as we could, but then advertising is sometimes expensive. There is an English saying I’ve heard, “To Make Money, You’ve Got to Spend Money.” Phrase mix.com says it means that it’s hard to make money in a business without investing some money in supplies, products, advertisement, or other business expenses. The thing to me seems that many ads are overpriced and are not profitable. They don’t seem to bring in sales. I guess I’m saying that I haven’t found the right way to advertise my books. Still searching and I know I’ll try again this year with another advertisement. I’ll get closer to finding the one that works when I find one that I truly believe in. Belief is a magnet.
Enjoy your day!
Celebrate you!
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
Thanks so much, Joan. Your kind words mean a lot to me.
I don’t do a lot of online advertising for my books, which is the crux of the problem. For events and markets, I take postcards with me which have the book cover on one side and the back cover material on the other, along with my website. I also have laminated pages with reviews for my books, too. Those seem to work well.
I have a “free” account at BookBrush for creating posters, Facebook cover images, as well as other social media. Currently, the one I created for my award-winning book was made with Corel’s Paint Shop Pro 7.0X. Maybe because I’ve had the software so long, I find it easier to use than some of the other platforms for creating pleasing images.
I’ve heard the phrase ‘to accumulate, you’ve got to speculate’ or something similar. I’m currently signed up for a 5-day amazon ads challenge, so we’ll see if I learn anything through it – that is if I get through it. I’ll likely be 5 days behind and end up playing catch up to everyone else who signed up for the training and challenge.
Dear Melissa,
I’m glad that my words meant a lot to you. Thanks for sharing that you’re doing the 5 day challenge with Amazon! I know you are going to learn a bunch and benefit from it. You are smart, creative, and fun.
Never Give Up
Joan