Hello and how are you this Friday?

You Don’t Know Me is out in the world (please go get it at Lulu.com) and now is the challenge. You would think the writing is the largest challenge, it is; but I place getting the word out about the novel and getting people to read it runs neck-and-neck with the writing and often times surpasses it. I recently realized how much brainstorming and research must be done to try and figure out how to get the word out about the book; it’s a job in itself and with no guarantee of success.

Despite going in knowing your efforts to get people to buy your book may be a losing battle before you start, it’s not all bad. How can I say this when I lay it on so thick how hard selling your book can be? I say it for three reasons: one, the book's as done as its going to get so that worry is over and you can feel good about it. Two, I’m writing the next book in the trilogy and it feels great to dig into the characters and the new story taking my mind off for a while the business side of writing.

And third, there seems to be a template on how to try and sell your book; it doesn’t guarantee sells of course, but there are certain routes you can follow—most all writers follow I think—that can capture sells, for example: creating press kits introducing your book and yourself that may garner an interview about the book in print media, radio or television and can interest bookstores and libraries. You can do signings or have your novel read by a local book club where you can make an appearance to discuss it if they like. You can give talks about the writing process where your book can be featured; there is an endless number of resources that can help you create the best plan to get your book out to the public. Though I've said there is no guarantee you’ll sell one book (maybe to your mother if she likes you) I believe you can count on your novel selling if it has the right stuff: seamless writing, a great story readers feel they have not come across before and characters that stay with them long after the book is done and who they want to meet again.

Does my novel have this? I think so, but only the readers—I hope millions of readers—can tell me so.

If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com

Until next time, God willing,