Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Building an Audience and Release of Free Reads

by M. Pax

Like many writers, I had my free reads available up on my website. A writer friend, Lindsay Buroker [very talented and has been a most generous friend],  recently suggested I put them up on Smashwords for distribution instead. I don't know why I never thought of it, but it's a more sensible way for a writer to build an audience and let readers discover her/him.

Smashwords is one of the sites where readers hang out. Who do we want to reach? Readers. So, it made perfect sense. Readers are more likely to find us on a site like Smashwords than on our own blogs or websites. It goes back to marketing and promoting ourselves. The sooner we get started, the better. Waiting until you get an agent or a contract is starting late out of the gate. And truth is, over the next few years ebooks will begin to out sell traditional books.

For more information on self-publishing free reads, check out my articles at Wicked Writers and Wistful Nebulae. The same article appears on my website, www.mpaxauthor.com [version 2.0 is now out] under the 'Blog' tab. Want to know more? Send me an email, mpaxauthor@gmail.com

Help support a struggling writer by downloading my free reads from Smashwords. Available in all formats. Pick the one you want. You don't have to sign up for anything to do so. However, if you do sign up, you can help an aspiring writer out more by writing a review. Click on the title under the book cover to download that story.

3 comments:

Lindsay Buroker said...

Thanks for mentioning me in your write-up, Mary! I always wanted to be famous in Central Oregon! :)

Central Oregon Writers Guild said...

You're welcome, Lindsay. Thank you for all the generous help.

writers groups said...

You're welcome, Lindsay. Thank you for all the generous help.