“Self-promoting” Writers

I’ve always held self-promoting writers in scorn. Clowns, prima donnas, narcissists, people who like to shove their way to the front of every group and say, “Look at me.” The fact that for two years, I’ve been participating in a playwriting workshop, where every would-be author seems totally full of him(her)self and not very talented, has only fueled my dislike of motor-mouthed self-promoters.

But of course, I’m always looking for ways to promote my work. Aren’t all all authors? Who’s kidding who? I’ve tried giving lectures at local libraries on the history behind my novels. The people who show up enjoy my lectures, but very few go to the nearby table where they can handle, and hopefully buy, my book. People like me, it seems, but they’re not entranced by my scintillating personality.

In their books and advice columns, experts on social media tell you that authors need more “star quality,” that they need to sell themselves, that the reading public buys the author, not the book. I’m about to meet with a social media expert, and perhaps she’ll give me the same advice. Will she be able to succeed at making me into a “personality?” Perhaps she’ll see me and decide to take another approach, which would suit me fine.

I dearly want to sell books. I would not mind at all being considered a “self-promoting” author if I could find a way that will sell books and not make me feel like an undignified clown.