Most authors struggle with self promotion. Few are comfortable with touting their books and feel every kind of awkward, no matter how much they believe in their work or how much they want it to be read. Reviews help enormously, as does word of mouth and support from fellow writers can be invaluable. Some writers seem to have a fabulous gift for marketing, but the quality of a writer’s promotional skills does not always guarantee a good read.
When you get a rash of enthusiastic reviews that all seem to share the same theme, you might start to wonder… especially when you realise that you recognise some of the more respected names of the blogosphere. If Story Reading Apes like Chris Graham aver that,“to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book would be a gross understatement.” and Rosie Amber describes it as “…adult British humour at its driest, full of classic clichés, innuendos and mirth,” then you have to be curious…
…especially when one reviewer writes, “Oh good God It’s hilarious! Bear in mind that I am reading it out loud to my wife who’s eyesight prevents reading at speed. There are times when I have had difficulty grabbing breath to speak, or actually being able to see the print for the tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks! And at that point I’d only got to page 5!!“
I first read this book a long time ago, prior to its release… the author happens to be a dear friend of mine. You do that for a friend… and hope you can find something nice to say… I needn’t have worried. I laughed and cried my way through the book. She has a rare turn of phrase and had me on the first page… nay, by the end of the first line. I enjoyed it so much that I bought a copy to re-read.
Geraldine Dolan is a newly qualified teacher whose first job lands her in a school that sits somewhere between St Trinian’s and Bedlam… a view shared by Chris Graham who continued, “The story is strong, the characters are priceless, the scenes painted in words drew me into them and provided me with so many laughs throughout, but particularly in the closing chapters, I had to take breaks to recover so I could carry on reading. If this were a movie it would be like ‘St. Trinians’ scripted by the cleverness of ‘The Two Ronnies’ and the characters perfectly portrayed by the ‘Carry On’ Actors and Actresses.“
But don’t take my word for it… or even the reviewers… read the buy a copy of Long Leggety Beasties by Alienora Taylor on Amazon and see for yourself.
Disclaimer: I have not written this on request (she won’t know about it unless she reads it)… nor because Alienora is indeed a friend of mine… but because she is trying to promote her work and I really enjoyed this book.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Thank you 🙂
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Welcome to you and Alienora, Sue 😀
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😀
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Bless you, lovely Sue: Your generosity of spirit has touched me to tears. xxx
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Daft thing… ❤ just spreading the word 😉 xxx
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Reblogged this on Chronicles of an Orange-Haired Woman! and commented:
Lovely Sue Vincent has just shared this with me. So supportive. Thanks, Sue – and read her on https://scvincent.com/, if you are not already doing so. She is always wroth reading.
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Pingback: When you believe in a book… | Annette Rochelle Aben
Oh yes, it’s difficult to promote your own book. You just put it out there and hope it gets some buzz.
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When we are raised not to ‘blow our own trumpets’ it does become very difficult to shout about our own work, doesn’t it?
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You hit a nerve there because if anyone is really garbage at marketing their writing it is probably the man I see everyday when I look in the mirror. I’ve done a bit, but not successfully. I think to get people to move from praising your writing to actually clicking on a link to your books is a special skill, and I certainly don’t have it 😦
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I think many of us are made to feel we are lacking at this stuff when we see slick campaigns.. but there is no guarantee such things actually get people as far as a sale.
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From what I have read on your blog you have a great writing style and gift. Be proud, it is your right!!
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Just a wonderful Post, Sue.
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Thank you… it’s a really good read 🙂
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Sounds like a really funny read, Sue, which means my tbr pile totters a little more precariously 🙂
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This one is well worth curling up with. Preferably armed with chocolate and tissues 🙂
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I took a peek inside and have added to my long TBR list. 😀 😀 Wonderful review, Sue.
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I’m fairly certain she’ll have you chuckling, Tess.
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I don’t doubt it.
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
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sounds like a fun story!
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It is 🙂
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I’ve never been good at self-promotion, but I have a hard time letting go of that indie author chore.
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It has to be done… I’m not good with it either, but I can do it for others, oddly enough.
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