I recently celebrated the release of my second middle-grade novel, Trex, a sci-fi mystery which also touches on my personal experience as an introvert. Like me, my main character, Mellie, needs plenty of quiet and solitude in order to thrive. Yet, ironically, I marked the book’s release with a series of public events. What gives?
When I envisioned life as an author, I imagined solitary hours spent scribbling in my notebook, dreaming up stories. But publishing – as opposed to writing – had other ideas. Even before making a sale, writers are encouraged to develop a social media presence. Then, after getting a book deal, the pressure to “put ourselves out there” cranks up significantly. We’re thrust into a whirl of launch parties, interviews, conference panels, podcasts, and various other events in which to shine a spotlight on our books – and, by extension, ourselves. So much for the dream of being a reclusive writer.
So what’s an introverted author to do?
Underlying that question are several others: Is it really necessary for authors to promote our own books? Do our actions move the needle in terms of sales? Shouldn’t the publisher – with its wealth of contacts and resources – be responsible for the marketing side of things? I don’t have enough inside information to know the answers (though I have my suspicions). Needless to say, I’ve concluded that some amount of promotion is inevitable, and I’ve resolved to do it on my own terms and within my comfort levels. Here are some tips that have helped this introvert survive – even enjoy – book promotion:
- Read Quiet. First of all, every introvert should read Quiet by Susan Cain. It’s an empowering book that will make you think differently about being an introvert. Above all, it hammers home the message that the world is built for extroverts, but that doesn’t mean introverts can’t successfully navigate it without contorting ourselves into something we’re not.
- Prepare. One interesting takeaway from Quiet is the revelation that introversion isn’t a fear of people – it’s a discomfort with novelty. It stands to reason, then, that being prepared reduces an introvert’s stress level by eliminating as much uncertainty as possible. For a book event, this could mean chatting with the moderator before a panel, preparing answers to frequently asked questions, researching an interviewer, scoping out the site of a presentation, or even asking for interview questions in advance.
- Stick to “Core Projects.” Another nugget from Quiet is the concept of “core projects,” which I tend to think of as passion projects. The theory is that introverts can more easily overcome their innate fears of public speaking and interaction when they are passionate about a specific topic or goal. So instead of a generic “conversation” for a panel or event, introverted authors might gravitate toward focused topics about which they feel particularly knowledgeable or interested.
- Schedule Recovery Time. For an introvert, social activities – even fun ones – can be exhausting! To account for that, I always give myself plenty of time in between events to recover and psych myself up for the next one. I also try to keep my book release days free of events, so I can enjoy the big day and soak up all the congratulations!
- Redirect the Spotlight. Promotional activities don’t have to revolve around the author. Instead, keep the focus on the book – the world, the characters, the language, etc. When planning my launch event for Trex, I cringed at the idea of talking about myself for an hour (potentially in an empty room). Instead, I planned a scavenger hunt, which catered to the interests of my target audience (8-12 year olds) and highlighted a unique element of the book (my main character loves to solve mysteries). Best of all, with kids running around searching for clues, I didn’t have to be the center of attention.
- Leave Your Comfort Zone (in Order to Find It). My first book came out during the pandemic, which meant in-person events were off the table. I was secretly relieved, because the thought of facing a room full of kids made me break out in a cold sweat. But when I was invited to my first in-person visit, I anxiously agreed – the opportunity was just too good to pass up. And guess what? I loved it! The energy, the engagement, the questions…. and I never would’ve known if I hadn’t swallowed my fear and given it a shot. Now, I prioritize in-person visits over virtual ones, instead of the other way around.
- Yes, You Can Say No: As a counterpoint to the bullet above, once I figured out what kinds of promotion I truly enjoy, I gave myself permission to turn down the rest. I began my publishing career desperately seeking out promotional opportunities – practically begging bloggers and bookstores to let me sing for my supper – but I quickly began to feel drained and dissatisfied with the entire process. Imagine my relief when it dawned on me that I didn’t have to say “yes” to every opportunity that came my way. Book promotion may be an important and necessary part of this publishing journey, but it shouldn’t take priority over the author’s wellbeing. Plus, we need to protect our solitude if we’re going to write the next book!
Following this approach, I had a less stressful book launch for my second book than I did with my first. And I’m confident that future events will be even better as I come to further understand what works for me and what doesn’t.