I am close to finishing my new book and have been looking around for marketing help (as I have done many times before). There are plenty of offers... even plenty of FREE offers. But as it turns out FREE is never really FREE. You get some introductory information, even a video or webinar that promises so much. Shows you pics and bios plus stories of those that are alleged to have made it. After this there is the bombard of emails congratulating you on completing the webinar and asking you to take the next step towards your successful progression as a writer! Further clicks reveal the bottom line - often hundreds of dollars - sometimes as little as a hundred dollars a month! Wow! This is not a fun journey. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that people would lie to get money or stretch the truth as far as it will go for a few bucks.
Even legitimate book promotion agencies cost so much. I'm talking like in the thousands of dollars. About a year ago I posted my most recent book to an agent to pass on to a producer for a read and consideration, that was only after the agent suggested this option. I had no reply for seven months. I then started sending emails to get a reply - after the fifth email, and a year later, I received a reply that the person in question was too busy and would not be reading my novel. Hmm.... let's just add that to the hundred other rejections.
You probably sense my frustration here. I do this stupid annoying journey every couple of years. I enjoy the writing process and getting that a lovely, edited hardcopy in my hands is extremely rewarding. I need to focus on this, and on my loyal contingent of readers who love and always grab a copy of my latest book.
