Saddened by numerous writers whose basements were flooded with unsold, self-published books, Winchester wanted to write a book that not only answered the questions facing inexperienced authors, but to answer these questions in a way that was informative yet easy to understand. Stress-Free Marketing accomplishes just that. With marketing advice so practical it should be commonsense such as, “The first step is to get out from behind the computer, unplug from Facebook and get into [book]stores,” to a precise breakdown of publishing acronyms like LCCN (Library of Congress Catalog Number), which allows libraries to identify books in their systems, Stress-Free Marketing is an entertaining instruction manual that places the power of book sales back into hardworking authors’ hands.
“Every author has a choice when faced with rejection: give up, or continue pressing forward,” Stress-Free Marketing says. “Only those who continue to press are rewarded with publication.” Winchester does not hold back when sharing her own struggle to break into the strongbox of the publishing industry. After sending independent booksellers e-mails including blurbs for her book, a synopsis, website links, and a PDF of the book’s cover, Winchester believed that her professional stance would incite their response.
Rather than being setback when nothing happened, Winchester surged forward and — while armed with business attire and a warm smile — personally visited each buyer of these local bookstores. It only took two minutes for Winchester to convey her determination to make her book a success, and after following up this face-to-face interaction with a “snail mail” thank you note that included pertinent book information including the ISBN number and retail price, each bookseller eventually responded and now keeps her book in stock.
Renea Winchester’s candid suggestion when faced with a bad book review, “Don’t call your mother in search of sympathy. What’s done is done. Instead, grab a container of double chocolate chip ice cream and a large spoon. Enter the closet and lock yourself inside,” is just the kind of kick-in-the-pants advice a fledgling author needs, yet the closing chapter of the book asks the reader to repeat:
I am ready.
I am ready to invest time developing a marketing plan.
I am ready to incorporate ideas and create a niche market and platform.
I am ready to introduce myself to strangers then cultivate and nurture these newfound friendships.
I am ready to step into the unknown with courage and confidence.
I am ready to be the next fresh new voice of the publishing world.
I am ready.
Through the suggestions and encouragement provided in Winchester’s Stress-Free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author, I feel like I am ready to climb another rung on the ladder of writing success.
Now, writer, the question is: Are you?
To learn more about Renea Winchester or to order her book, click here.