Well, that didn’t go as planned; but it may have come out better. Don and I decided to book ourselves for the last interview of the year. Gaps in our schedules coincided, Coupeville Library was nice enough to let us use their meeting room, and the two of us sat down to talk about Don’s books and projects, and my books and projects. We did that, but the conversation drifted over to what life is like for authors in the shopping and selling season. 

We also talked about the value of talking to other members of our writing community. Writing does not have to be a solo venture. Fellow writers can provide insights into how readers perceive a book. The author may have one intent, but readers may find something else that is not obvious to someone who wrote, edited, and repeatedly read the book before it was published. Bicycling books may appeal to RV owners. Travel books may appeal to people from countries that weren’t visited or even mentioned. 

This podcast has become an unplanned, informal, yet possibly useful resource built from the contributions and interviews of dozens of members of Whidbey Island’s writing community. Book store owners can bring some reality to expectations. Librarians can point to overlooked resources for research or even funding. Writers from your genre undoubtedly have encountered surprises, the good ones the bad ones and the weird ones. Successful and failed campaigns are useful as long as we learn from them. And, of course, writers can support writers simply by listening to frustrations or understanding otherwise obscure celebrations. (You finally found the right font!)

Thanks to everyone who participates by listening, being interviewed, and sharing.

I hope you enjoy the podcast, and I hope your sales treat you well.

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Writing on Whidbey Island (WOWI) episode 42 – Don And Tom And Marketing

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Some self-promotion which should have no shame involved (because each completed work is a celebration):

Don Scoby

Websites
Whidbey Island Baking Company
BagpiperDon.com

Books

• The Patriotic Piper Just the military & patriotic Highland bagpipe sheet music Scot-Irish recipe and history book you were looking for — it’s also a FUNdraiser item for his veterans’ Post!
• Make Your Own Darn Good Cookies Don’s debut book — featuring 50+ proven recipes, including beverages and comfort food.
• Let’s Bake Cookie Squares and Biscotti! Would you like a FREE sample recipe e-book? … did I mention it’s FREE?

• Just Keep Pedaling, a bicycle ride across America (one man’s failed attempt to lose weight, really)
• Twelve Months at Barclay Lake – from the wet side of Washington’s Cascades (party party)
• Twelve Months at Lake Valhalla – from the cold crest of the Cascades (frozen more than thawed)
• Twelve Months at Merritt Lake – from the dry side of the Cascades (with more than a whiff of smoke)
• Dream. Invest. Live. – personal finance for frugal folks (by request)
  Walking Thinking Drinking Across Scotland – but could’ve used more drinking
• Kettle Pot Cup – a light-hearted look at the way we really drink tea
• Firewatcher – book one of the Exodus/Genesis sci-fi series

Photo essays – Blurb https://www.blurb.com/user/tetrimbath

• Twelve Months at Cultus Bay
• Twelve Months at Deception Pass
• Twelve Months at Admiralty Head
• Twelve Months at Penn Cove
• Twelve Months at Double Bluff
• Twelve Months at Maxwelton Beach
• Twelve Months at Possession Beach
• Twelve Months at Possession Preserve
• Twelve Months at Dugualla Bay