I used to write books as a kid and sell them to the neighbors, I wrote during the Marines, I've wrote most of the time I've dealt with hardship and I do it well. Now I can't seem to get up everyday without feeling like a failure since moving into civilian life from the military. Over the past few years, I dabbled the stock market, lost ~70% of everything I had and then finished off with the rest in idiotic gambling. I can't seem to get out of this rut, a feeling of rock bottom. I'm 25 years old and it's sad to say I felt more successful when I was 19.
OK, No more snowflake bull shit, into the meat of it:
Through thoughts of my strengths and what I enjoy, I know I can write stories. Recently, books and short stories I write always come out really dark and depressing, books that I don't like to read but I like to write. I like to write dark is the best way to describe it. For example, when I was 11 I wrote a book about a kid who came from a good family and got into drug dealing, the fast life (not fast lane
), murder and the like until he eventually got shot to death (to put it as an 11 year plot, so subtle). The moral of the story was, don't become a gangster, it's not worth it.
On a level of marketing, what are ways to market a book especially if it isn't a "how to" or "self help" kind of book. If it really could appeal to more masses? I feel like if I wrote a book I discredit my own strengths, like the thousands of books that just litter amazon or a book shelf I feel it would be another cog in a cluttered machine.. how do you really separate yourself? How do you really gain leads with not much money to begin with? I will admit, I'm ignorant and these are personal beliefs, maybe it's easier than I think? I know it's not going to be take some cardboard paper as a book binding with computer paper and sell them to my neighbors for 25 cents I did as a kid, we're talking bigger... haha
Edit: Current Situation: Own an online apparel/decal business that generates minimal income. Marketing student ~1 year left.
Questions I would like to understand:
1.) What are tools to becoming a successful author? (i.e. ways to market fictional books) (Is it worth it or is it littered with hope to be authors?)
2.) Where are good places to begin if you want to upload a copy, how much is an investment? How do you reduce uncertainty before a brand new author spends 1000s$ on publishing?
Thanks y'all. I appreciate any feedback/comments/critiques.
-Dylan
OK, No more snowflake bull shit, into the meat of it:
Through thoughts of my strengths and what I enjoy, I know I can write stories. Recently, books and short stories I write always come out really dark and depressing, books that I don't like to read but I like to write. I like to write dark is the best way to describe it. For example, when I was 11 I wrote a book about a kid who came from a good family and got into drug dealing, the fast life (not fast lane
), murder and the like until he eventually got shot to death (to put it as an 11 year plot, so subtle). The moral of the story was, don't become a gangster, it's not worth it.On a level of marketing, what are ways to market a book especially if it isn't a "how to" or "self help" kind of book. If it really could appeal to more masses? I feel like if I wrote a book I discredit my own strengths, like the thousands of books that just litter amazon or a book shelf I feel it would be another cog in a cluttered machine.. how do you really separate yourself? How do you really gain leads with not much money to begin with? I will admit, I'm ignorant and these are personal beliefs, maybe it's easier than I think? I know it's not going to be take some cardboard paper as a book binding with computer paper and sell them to my neighbors for 25 cents I did as a kid, we're talking bigger... haha
Edit: Current Situation: Own an online apparel/decal business that generates minimal income. Marketing student ~1 year left.
Questions I would like to understand:
1.) What are tools to becoming a successful author? (i.e. ways to market fictional books) (Is it worth it or is it littered with hope to be authors?)
2.) Where are good places to begin if you want to upload a copy, how much is an investment? How do you reduce uncertainty before a brand new author spends 1000s$ on publishing?
Thanks y'all. I appreciate any feedback/comments/critiques.
-Dylan
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