by Greg Strandberg, @gpstberg
Authors come in two types: whales and mermaids.
Whales have been at this game called publishing for some time and know the tips and tricks. Mermaids, however, are new to these waters, and often feeling like they’ll drown in them.
So which of these creatures are you, and what can be done about it? Let’s explore both, as well as how you can master your publishing long-tail.
Mermaids
Mermaids flit about. When they’re not sitting alone on a rock, often doing nothing more than sunning themselves and showing off for the rest of the world, they’re moving this way and that, typically without any real purpose.
You can see Mermaids’ disdain and confusion just in their basic anatomy. They’ve got the head and body of a person, but below they’re a fish.
See, they’re just getting into the current trends of self-publishing, just making that transition. It’s hard to become something fully when you first dip your tail in the water, and that’s why we have to expect mistakes and often annoyances from mermaids.
This can be in the form of talking of your book so much it becomes spam to the very audience you’re trying to reach, all the way to focusing on one book and its promotion solely, nearly always at the expense of the more important work of writing more books.
Really, it’s a cross between two worlds with a mermaid. On the one hand they have the human characteristics so indicative of those who know nothing of self-publishing (think readers here – yeah, they buy eBooks, but how many know what the Amazon publishing screen looks like?), and on the other you’ve got the fish who’s learning to swim.
It’s no surprise they’re sunning themselves on rocks all day – publishing is a hard business, and even finding a helpful blog like The Book Designer, Joe Konrath’s Blog, or Elizabeth Spann Craig’s here, can make you just want to give up before you get started.
There’s an ocean of information out there, and when you’re on the edge of the beach looking out it can seem impossible, the idea of swimming across it, and yet that’s what whales do, and they do it a little bit each day.
Whales
Mermaids flit about quickly from one fad to the next. Whales on the other hand move slowly, purposefully, and have a final destination in mind.
Each year whales migrate, setting themselves up for a long and arduous journey. Sure, it has its perils, like attacks from sharks or even the deprivations of man, but in the end they reach their goal.
They do this together. Rarely if ever will you find a whale making the trek on their own. Oh sure, it happens, but we all know it’s the exception to the norm. And the only time you’ll see a whale on a beach sunning itself is when there’s a problem.
That’s probably the biggest obstacle to overcome for mermaids – their penchant for sunning themselves and getting nothing done. Sure, 500 words here and 250 there will add up, but not compared to the monumental distances whales are charting each day. They know how to move, and they do so slowly, methodically, and with firm goals and targets in mind.
Whales, Mermaids and Your Publishing Long-Tail
Mermaids are smaller creatures, measuring on average just 2 to 3 feet in length. Their tail, therefore, is rather short.
Whales are much larger, often reaching lengths of 30 to 50 feet or more. The tails they command are long, mighty, and make waves.
When it comes to self-publishing, it’s all about the long-tail. Sure, sites like BookBub and other promotional boosts will give you a short-term shot in the tail, but it’s sustained exposure more than short bursts, continual movement onto the market rather than brief splashes, that really leave a high-water mark.
So how can you ensure your tail is making waves long after you’ve passed by? By jumping off the rocks and moving away from the safety of shore.
Turning Mermaids into Whales
The thing with mermaids is deep down they want to be whales. This is quite possible as they’re already halfway through the transformation.
So how do they get rid of that hideous and worrisome upper-half, you know, the one that doubts, procrastinate, and does just about everything imaginable to keeps them from getting onto that long trek enjoyed by whales everywhere?
With blogs.
Yes, it’s that simple.
The only real difference I can see between mermaids and whales (besides appearance of course) is their level of knowledge. Commitment and longevity come later.
And that knowledge comes from blogs. In the old days, before self-publishing took off, you had quite the limited options when it came to educating yourself about publishing.
First of all, what resources did you have? The library and maybe some books on publishing from Waldenbooks? Give me a break.
Not only were those resource controlled by the major publishers – ensuring your view would be skewed toward their way of thinking – but they were often so general as to be of little use when it came to the things we really know are important today – genre, targeting your audience, and developing your own unique author brand.
Second, the knowledge was so static. Well, what can you expect? They were print books, perhaps with one or two coming out a year, choreographed and staged so no toes would be stepped on come launch day. And if the knowledge isn’t updating more than once or twice a year, even quarterly, what good is it?
I guess it’s good if you’re living in the dark ages, but few are anymore. And that’s why blogs can make mermaids into whales.
The depths of knowledge you’ll find on self-publishing blogs ensures you’ll never have to pay a dime to get onto the bestseller charts. Take a deep breath and dive down deep, immersing yourself into all that you find.
I bet you’ll charge back up into the bright light with purpose, smacking your publishing long-tail down not on some cold and uncaring rock, but on shimmering waters for all to see.
Greg Strandberg was born and raised in Helena, Montana. He graduated from the University of Montana in 2008 with a BA in History.
When the American economy began to collapse Greg quickly moved to China, where he became a slave for the English language industry. After five years of that nonsense he returned to Montana in June, 2013.
Greg is currently running for the Montana House of Representatives, House District 98.
When not writing his blogs, novels, or web content for others, Greg enjoys reading, hiking, biking, and spending time with his wife and young son.
http://www.bigskywords.com
http://www.esladventure.com
Notes
Berk, Ari. The Secret History of Mermaids and Creatures of the Deep. The Templar Company, Ltd.: Somerville, 2009.
Buffington, Kath, et al. Learn All About Whales: A Learning Bank of Information and Irresistible Activities That Teach About This Fascinating Nonfiction Topic. Scholastic, Inc.: New York, 1992.
Conway, D.J. Magickal Mermaids and Water Creatures: Invoke the Magick of the Waters. The Career Press, Inc.: Franklin Lakes, 2005.
Thanks for hosting me today, Elizabeth. Oh, and sorry for the typos, everyone – I must have been sunning myself again :)
I am just entering these treacherous waters….how does one go about establishing a blog? Getting people to look at it?
I remember my early writing years, mid-90’s, when I read books about publishing, one after the other, from the public library. The publishing world seemed so difficult and far away back then. Thanks to blogs and social media, everything seems more accessible and doable. I even got info from my in-person critique group by finding the leader online.
Thanks for posting today, Greg!
I absolutely agree with you about the incredible amount of relevant and up-to-date knowledge we get from bloggers. I was one of the ones in the library trying to find dusty information and…might even have been Bookland bookstore…remember that one? Not sure we were fancy enough in Anderson to have Walden. :) Things have changed for the better and–to quote Bacon…or Schoolhouse Rock…Knowledge is Power.
Great post. I have learned so much from blogs and Agent Query Connect. I know enough now to know I’m not yet ready to publish, but I’m inching closer every single day! :)
Well I don’t know anything about Agent Query Connect. I think you’re more ready than you think, Jemi.
Elizabeth – Thanks for hosting Greg.
Greg – Thanks for your views. I couldn’t possibly agree more about the value of blogs. I’ve kept a daily blog for about four and a half years, and I would never go back. Blogging gives you unmatched exposure but more importantly, it’s a way to connect with other writers and readers.
4 years is a long time to blog, good job! I hope I can say the same in a couple years.
Wow, this is such a fun analogy. Never did I think I’d want to be called a whale :)
I had fun writing it. I wouldn’t mind being called a whale in Las Vegas, since that would imply I have tons of money.
I learn something new every day from reading blogs plus meeting and getting to know other writers–better. Blogging is also a way to NOT FEEL like you’re on an island alone. Camaraderie is important.
Thanks
Excellent post. I never thought the day would come when being called a whale would make me feel good. I have spent my days dreaming in the sun, but eventually reality splashed me over the head too. I’ve studied those print books too, but you’re totally right, I’ve learned the most from blogs.
So glad Greg didn’t stay in China!
Thanks, I certainly don’t miss that place much!
Excellent post, Greg! At this point in my writing career, I identify more with the mermaids. (I also write about them) But I am working on my inner whale. :)
Keep working – I don’t think I’m all the way there yet myself.
The internet has opened countless opportunities for sharing information – the challenge, of course, is knowing what information to trust. But it’s out there, and I’ve found it ever so much better than the books on publishing I can’t seem to part with (probably because I don’t think they’ll do anyone else any good and I don’t toss books into the trash). Thanks for this great post!
If I went to the library now I’d probably find a lot of dated books on publishing, kind of like those you have. Does that mean they’re useless? No, I bet they have lots of good ideas that you could work around and apply to self-publishing.
Last fall I found a whole box of old fantasy paperbacks in our back dumpster. A neighbor had thrown them there, and it was just sad I thought. I mean, two blocks away is Goodwill!
Thanks for reading, Terry!
Glad to find I’m not a mermaid anymore, though I’m still working on getting published.
Well, just keep working on it a little each day and you’ll get there.
Blogs can be å good source of information, but its important to be aware of the agenda of the author. There are many conspiracy theories out there.
When I was a kid whale meat was on our dinner table about once aweek. It tastes very good. It used to be the cheapest meat, but now it’s become very expensive >:)
I agree. I think we’ve all seen lots of trad vs. self-pubbing posts lately and that might tend to drown out more useful information. I think I need more posts about copy-editing with track-changes examples, for instance. Golly, I used to teach English, it shouldn’t be too hard.
Hi Elizabeth – what a great guest .. I have to say I’d have never thought of you as a whale – but I can see from Greg’s description .. you most definitely are!! – one of the slim elegant thoughtful caring ones!
Greg – great analogy .. and I love how you used it to show us – I hope to dip my nose below the waterline this year and give the diving a go … cheers and excellent to read you here ..
Thanks Elizabeth – Hilary
Thanks for reading. I’m not sure I would have come up with this post if it hadn’t been for this groundbreaking 1959 book:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Whales-Can-Read-Myself/dp/0394800095
Well, my son likes it a lot :)