Writing versus Selling

It’s hard writing a book, but selling it? Damn near impossible. Self-promotion is not my strength, never has been. “I am what I do, like it or not, take it or leave it.”

Reflection of a fragile ego? Not an accusation often leveled at me. I’m certainly not alone with the characteristic: Last summer I wrote for a man who found it impossible to use the first person pronoun “I,” though he is remarkable and has lived an amazing story.

Publicists advise to give the new book away, which I’m reluctant to do. Indecent Exposure sells for $2.99 on Amazon, less than a cheap burger, less than a latté. Took a year to write. What am I saying that’s worth if I make it free? Publicists say I need to read comments by all the readers of all the books like mine, and take their keywords for my own. That feels vaguely false, though I know it’s just playing the game.

I like the book. I think it’s an honest look at sexuality through fiction, I think it’s a fun read, and I get a little thrill every time somebody buys a copy. I’d rather leave the selling at that, or to others, at least for now.

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About Erik Dolson

Erik Dolson is a writer living in Oregon

One Response to Writing versus Selling

  1. Holly says:

    Sounds reasonable! I hope you are getting good productive comments.

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