Have I mentioned how much I love to write? It never ceases
to amaze me how, at this point in my life, I have found a new passion. After a
lifetime as a musician, stage director, and teacher, I am actively creating. I
loved what I did (and still do, I continue to have a private voice studio), but
that was developing other people’s talent, organizing other people’s talent,
recreating the original works of composers, lyricists, and writers. This work
is from me—heart, mind, and soul.
Marketing is something else entirely. It’s time-consuming, requires
some expenditure of money I don’t really have (if you want to write, do not do it with the idea you will become
rich and famous!), and just plain tedious. I still don’t “get” Twitter and now
I’ve established an Instagram account and really don’t know how to use it
effectively either.
A very helpful tool in marketing is reader reviews that appear
on Amazon. I have some reviews, and I’m happy that some of my readers have
enthusiastically shared their appreciation for my books. I wish more would do
so, but I can’t seem to find the magic formula to make that happen. Reviews are
like a standing ovation for a writer. They don’t need to be lengthy, but if
they are positive and encouraging, they may inspire a potential reader to buy a
book!
One thing I am very grateful for are those readers who,
while not posting a review, send me one. Readers who take the time to write an
email, or a message on Facebook, or a note they put in an envelope and put a
stamp on to tell me they appreciated one of my books. Here are a few I received
recently, and these truly are music to my ears and a great encouragement.
From a neighbor:
“Finished Eli's Heart last night. It was beautifully written
and so very emotional. It touched my heart and made me cry. Just thinking about
it makes me tear up. I can see why some people might think it would be good as
a series, but I prefer being able to get to the next part immediately! I
actually like longer stories when they are good ones, because I don't want them
to end. You can be very proud of that book!”
From a fellow
musician (who was reading while she was part of a pit orchestra during an
extended run of a musical theater production):
“Oh no! I've finished all your books and I still have 4 shows
left!! They were absolutely magnificent. I'm glad I waited till they were all
published to read them straight through. I'm horribly impatient when it comes
to wonderful writing! Thank you for sharing your ‘new’ gift with the world!!”
From
a local resident who participated in some of the shows I directed:
“I recently read your book, ‘More Fog, Please’ and enjoyed it
thoroughly. I remember so many of those wonderful plays you directed over the
years and participated in several. You have enriched our community with your
gifts. Best wishes on your writing career now!”
Thank you, readers, for making the
time to respond to my work. It’s appreciated more than you know!
Please visit my website www.susanmoorejordan.com
for links to all my books
