I wanted to work outdoors today, but so far, the rain is making that impossible, so I’m sitting here thinking about my series.  Now that I’ve survived the fall semester, I want to get back to work on book four.  I’m a grinder, a slow-plodding writer who moves slowly through each scene.  In order for my process to flourish, I need to write at least 5-6 days a week.  Otherwise, the narrative becomes choppy and disharmonious.  With dual enrollment and the volume of grading involved, I simply can’t write on a book in the fall.  However, spring is more relaxed, so I plan on pouring a lot more energy into the book.

I’ve been thinking about success a lot lately.  My definition of success for me as a writer is to be able to earn a living solely from my books, and right now, I’m still a long way from achieving that goal.  My biggest frustration is feeling uncertain of how to expand my readership.  I’ve gotten a lot of support from the new publisher, and once they release their versions of books one and two, I’m confident there will be a boost in reviews and buzz, but right now, everything feels like limbo.  I don’t know what more I can do to get the word out there.

I feel like the books are solid, so I’ve got a reputable product.  Most of my readers respond with positive feedback, so I’m fairly certain the word-of-mouth is strong.  But I don’t know how to expand up to the next level.  I want to travel to more conventions, but right now, that’s not a viable option.  I feel like at this point, the internet is my most powerful ally, but how do I expand my readership through this medium?  How do I reach a broader audience?  I believe the central message of the series is compelling, that relationships and camaraderie should trump materialism and greed.  I believe the absence of profanity and adult content are strong selling points, but how do I get those messages out to more people?

I know my audience is out there.  I know there are people who have been craving the kind of adventure the series tells.  I know it because I feel it.  People still love to read, and people still love heroic tales.  I know there are readers out there who will love my books, but how do I reach them in this age?