It's reassuring that I'm not the only one who finds self-promotion a daunting and uncomfortable proposition. One that, I might add, carries the penalty of an enormous drain on creative energies. I have to be careful not to listen to the (loud-mouthed, opinionated) self-promoters or I'll start feeling guilty and inadequate because I don't spend every waking moment on it.
Alas, one of the reasons that my internet presence is light is that I have only so much time my eyes and my back can stand being at the computer (and three novel projects I ache to be working on), so that doesn't often leave a lot of time for other writing.
I suppose that going to cons is a form of promotion. A small number of readers get to hear me enthuse about the project of the moment, or the latest thing to come out. But mostly, I do them (and rarely away from the West Coast) because I find it nourishing and energizing to hang out with like minded people, talking about writing. When I lived in LA, I had more local writer friends, so now the cons provide a partial antidote to sfnal writerly isolation. I don't expect to sell any books as a result, and am always surprised and delighted when asked to autograph something. This, of course, makes the reader feel good, so two people are happy. That's always a good thing
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-02-26 11:17 pm (UTC)It's reassuring that I'm not the only one who finds self-promotion a daunting and uncomfortable proposition. One that, I might add, carries the penalty of an enormous drain on creative energies. I have to be careful not to listen to the (loud-mouthed, opinionated) self-promoters or I'll start feeling guilty and inadequate because I don't spend every waking moment on it.
Alas, one of the reasons that my internet presence is light is that I have only so much time my eyes and my back can stand being at the computer (and three novel projects I ache to be working on), so that doesn't often leave a lot of time for other writing.
I suppose that going to cons is a form of promotion. A small number of readers get to hear me enthuse about the project of the moment, or the latest thing to come out. But mostly, I do them (and rarely away from the West Coast) because I find it nourishing and energizing to hang out with like minded people, talking about writing. When I lived in LA, I had more local writer friends, so now the cons provide a partial antidote to sfnal writerly isolation. I don't expect to sell any books as a result, and am always surprised and delighted when asked to autograph something. This, of course, makes the reader feel good, so two people are happy. That's always a good thing