Into the Fire

Marketing. We all recognize it when it stinks. All we notice when it’s good is the product. Most of the time. When it’s exceptionally clever, we might admire how it’s done even if we don’t particularly care for the product.

Donald Maass, agent extraordinaire and author of the two acclaimed instructional books Writing the Breakout Novel and the new The Fire in Fiction, is probably the only professional in the entire publishing industry who plays down marketing. (And all I can say is, “Give this man a high, high five, a slap on the back, and a hip hip hooray!”) You can read a recent interview with him on “Novel Journey” a few posts back.

Some authors wear their marketing enthusiasm in a bubbly prospectus while others make grandiose plans to launch their books into the universe with flair and drama. Others of us question the sanity of the aforementioned group.

Right out loud here and now, this is why I don’t like to discuss marketing. Number one, other than what might have inspired a particular event within or the story itself, I don’t really want to listen to an author make a “pitch” to me about his/her novel over and over again. As you’ve no doubt noticed, the publishing industry parades its authors around when a new book is released exactly like the particular stars of premiering films suddenly appear on Jay Leno and David Letterman, or on Oprah if they’ve managed to somehow at sometime tantalize her and gain her attention (i.e. Tom Cruise, Jennifer Anniston), or wherever else their publicists see fit to place them. Interviews, pictures, radio. Whatever. There they are. At least some of them are.

Secondly, I get weary of hearing the repetitive plugs for the same novels over and over again. “Look at my new book trailer.” “You can read an interview with me here.” Maybe that stuff doesn’t bother you. But it bothers me. It doesn’t sit right. Doesn’t feel right. Makes me twitch. And sometimes turn red in embarrassment for all the fingers pointing inward.

There are people who “should” read my second novel The Famous One. Why? Because they’re lost even in their faith. They think Christian fiction is candy-coated (they’re wrong). They need to see sexual relationships, loneliness, no direction, and the choice that exists between living without Jesus and living with Jesus addressed in a contemporary setting which involves a rather ordinary guy who becomes extraordinary for one reason only.

But beyond that, what can I say? And how many times can I say it in how many places before it’s redundant, annoying, and ignored?

If those individuals who liked or loved my novel would simply suggest it to others, buy it for others, or talk about it to others, eventually the book would gain exposure. What happens beyond that is, was, and will always be up to the Lord. If I think someone might like the book, I’ll tell them so. If not, I’m not mentioning it to them.

Those of you who write, what will you do about your marketing proposal? Surely I’m not alone in becoming nauseated by some of the efforts being made to sell one’s books.

And please don’t tell me the objective is to sell books, make a profit, etcetera. I’m fully aware of the objective. It’s the current methodology which doesn’t work for me. How about you?

Father, no one can out-create you. If you are for us, who can be against us? Thank you that you are always for us even when we cannot interpret the multiple ways based on the circumstances we encounter. We know you are faithful even when we’re not. Thank you for that, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.