Aimee Horton

I have a book now, dontcha know? I think I might have mentioned it a few times. In fact, I think I might have mentioned that I think I might have mentioned it. The problem is, and this may come as a bit of a surprise, I’m shit at promoting it.

Yes I KNOW I have put it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Oh, and I may have even given Larry’s pre-school teacher a copy. But do you know what I feel like every time I tell somebody to buy/read/review/post a picture of my book?

 I feel like a dick.

That’s right. Every time I look at you with those puppy dog eyes willing you to buy into the concept that my book might actually be readable, I die a little bit inside. Or worse, when somebody I know in real actual life says they’ve bought it. That’s when I want the ground to open wide and swallow me up, because you see, I don’t like drawing attention to myself.

Sounds silly doesn’t it? Somebody who photographs most moments of their life. Somebody who tweets about their fake tan routine, and somebody who admits to being such a glut that she orders so much tapas it can’t fit on the table, doesn’t like to draw attention to themselves that much. But you know what, I don’t think I’m the only one. I think self-promotion is particularly difficult, especially for writers. You see, the process of publishing a book – whatever route you go down – is painful. In fact, it’s like taking a beating. But it’s worth it in the end. After all look – here I am holding my VERY OWN REAL LIFE BOOK.

Slightly over-excited-in-my-scruffs-but-these-are-my-books #selfie

And other people are too. The photos of you guys on Instagram and Facebook, they fill me with 99% elation 1% fear. WHAT IF YOU HATE IT?

But you know what, the point of writing a book, is kinda so people read it. So I really need to pull my finger out and get over myself.

That’s why, right now, I’m standing in the swirl of social media. Social media, which feels like I’m standing in the middle of Piccadilly circus. I’m jumping up and down shouting ME ME ME, and feeling like a twat, because I’m not the only one. In fact, I see so many other people, and think “BORING”, that I begin to retreat into myself and as I do I watch my rankings plummet.

How are people going to read my stuff, if I don’t tell them about it?

Obviously that’s when I think BUT IT’S SO EMBARASSING.

But then, today in fact, one of my favourite writers (cohost of this linky actually) announced how scary it was that she’d put ‘writer’ as her occupation – linking to her actual real life blog.

I was so proud. She was terrified, I told her to be proud. After all, she’s amazing. She’s clever, funny, intelligent, and real. And no, I’m not sucking up just because she did a wonderful author interview when I self-published Mothers Ruined last year before my publishers took a chance on The Survival Series. She really is. I started to get cross, tell her to believe in herself…then I realized it was a bit pot-calling-the-kettle-black.

So here I am, starting again at the beginning of my self-promotion journey. As I pre-load tweets (YES I DO THAT! If I don’t when am I going to fit the next blooming book in? Only the reviews and extracts though, I promise) I am determined to feel proud.

So if I ask you to take a photo when you’ve downloaded my book, or the paperback has arrived, it’s not because I’m a twat – it’s because it gives me confidence, and if I look at you with (virtual) puppy dog eyes and ask you to leave a review (on amazon.com and amazon.co.uk) please don’t think I’m being an egotistical moo. I’m just trying to use your comments to promote myself.

*salutes*

Over and out amazing writers, believe in yourself and pass the gin.