It is often said that story trumps writing. I would add that ofttimes marketing trumps both. This is why we see mediocre tales become NY Times best sellers.
The hardest part of writing books is often selling them. We writers are typically not the best marketers. Writing is a solitary and insular profession, while marketing by its nature is gregarious and outgoing.
In my marketing endeavors, I try to do a little something every week. Social media posts here. A newsletter there. A library event somewhere else. One of my favorite marketing activities is appearing on podcasts.
Podcasts appeal to the ham actor in me and they can potentially reach hundreds to thousands of readers. I’m fortunate that my background is interesting enough to attract podcast hosts, so I am able to do a couple every month.
Yesterday, I appeared on the Hidden Gem podcast with writers Roland Hulme and Craig Tuch. We focused on how I’ve used “what if” to formulate plots and move them forward. It was a fun hour, and should be interesting for readers. I’ll post on social media when the podcast airs.
A few weeks ago, I had a nice chat with Virginia Grenier, one of the hosts for Language of the Souls. That interview is available now at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2267353/episodes/16203837. Meanwhile, here’s the promo:
“Thrills, chills, and storytelling skills! Listen as John Bukowski discusses his journey from science to suspense. Explore the therapeutic power of fiction and its role in facing existential threats on #LanguageOfTheSoul.”
I’ve also recently chatted with Robbie Ross on Conversations Ignite. You can check that one out at https://open.spotify.com/show/27U9FaNjBAnNplzSC6SksN
Two podcasts are currently slated for February. I’ll be speaking with Dr. Julio Caba on the Empowering Humans podcast, and with Corwin Johnson on the CJ Moneyway Show. I’ll let you know when those become available for viewing.
In the meantime, don’t forget to buy your copies of Checkout Time (www.checkouttimenovel.com) and Project Suicide (www.projectsuicidenovel.com). You can email me at johnb@thrillerjohnb.net if you would like a signed copy. Amazon reviews are always welcome.