Take a Chance on a Newbie

Have you ever thought about how the well-known and famous writers, musicians, and other creative types came to be famous? Promotion aside, someone had to pick up their book or recording and take a chance on their work. As a semi-new writer, I’ve noticed how hard it is to get people to take a chance on my book and pick it up to read. Being a self-published writer is even worse, because I can’t possibly be any good if I don’t have a traditional publisher, right? Since I am an author, I will focus on writers, but the same can be said for musicians, artists, and photographers.

Many well-known writers got their start as a self-published author. Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice, was self-published with iUniverse before her book was picked up by Simon and Schuster. James Redfield, author of The Celestine Prophecy, sold books out of the back of his Honda before Warner Books agreed to publish it. Beatrix Potter was self-published, and of course, we all know the story of E.L. James and Fifty Shades of Grey.

Reviews help authors and musicians get recognized, either on Amazon or Goodreads or anywhere you can leave a review of the work. With Amazon’s algorithm, the more reviews, the higher visibility of the work on the website. That's why authors beg for reviews.

I have read some wonderful books from unknown or not very well-known authors. The Gaia Effect by Claire Buss is a very well-written science fiction. Though not self-published, the work is with a publisher I have never heard of, and the author herself is not well-known. Christa Yelich-Koth is an award-winning author who most have never heard of. Her book Illusion, another sci-fi, is the first in a series (Identity being the second, and a third is slated for release in 2017). Christine Whitmarsh's book Canyon Road is a very thought-provoking book about two friends--"bad guys"--who are trying to change the world for Caesar's son. Every chance I get, I recommend these books to friends (along with my own books).

There are some wonderful Groups on Facebook where you can find new authors. Book Promotion, Aspiring Authors, Novelspot Readers, Promote Your Book—do a search for books and a bunch of groups and pages will turn up where you may find your next future best-selling author. I’m sure there are many groups and pages for musicians as well, and photographers, artists, anything you are interested in, you can find on Facebook or Pinterest. A bookstore in Lomita, California called Pipe & Thimble, is all books and CDs from unknown, self-published, self-released, or small press authors and artists. The best thing about the store is all the books and CDs are faced with the covers out, so books will catch the eye of the reader. Explore any bookstore or browse through Amazon the next time you’re looking for something new to read, and take a chance on a newbie!

Save