In Case You Missed The Memo...

...I'm a sci-fi author! Though I am currently working on a non-fiction book on the subject of sickle cell, the only genre I have thus far catered for is science fiction. I state the obvious because for some reason when I introduce myself as an author, people seem to think it means I am available to pen the book they have always wanted to read (or write, but can't be can't be arsed to). No dear, I'm not interested in writing your autobiography, neither am I considering writing about the history of... matter o' fact, did I tell you I write SCIENCE FICTION - you know, pertaining to scientific, futuristic or even speculative possibilities? Where in that did you find history??

I've been approached about writing law, biographies, history, health and I've reached the point where I simply nod and smile on the outside whilst taking a quick snooze on the inside, when people start going into elaborate detail of the topics they would like me to cover or how the plot should play out.

Additionally as entertaining (I say that with as much sarcasm as I can muster), is all these amazing ideas people have for how I should further my career. "Promote yourself at universities, get people to pay this much, make every library in the UK buy your books, send a copy of your book to Obama..." I appreciate your advice, really I do, but if I can't get you oh grand vizier, to buy the book, why should all these people you are recommending me to be interested in making a purchase?

Self-Published Authors: US vs UK

I've been asked during radio interviews whether I felt that African American authors were saturating the market to the extent of lessening the chances of Black British authors. Wow! My response to that is, 'then do better!' If you see our across the pond counterparts as being a threat to you as an author, DO BETTER! Me personally I admire the effort AAs put into their craft. They hustle on a whole different level, that one can only respect. I have learnt so much from US authors that has really shown me how lazy some UK authors are. I had the editor of a magazine tell me that part of what drew her attention to me was my book trailers. She had never seen any by a black author before. Until she made that comment, I hadn't noticed that actually, I hadn't seen that many myself. At the time of the conversation, I could count them on one hand, 3 of them having been created by me.

US authors have on their websites, media kits, trailers, author pictures readily available for journalist who may be interested in writing about them. Only on the sites of US authors have I seen sell sheets, free sample chapters, regularly updated blogs, the list goes on. It didn't cost me anything but an investment of my time to teach myself how to create these things, but once it was done, it was done. I took it a step further by creating an audio trailer to play on my internet radio show and even put my whole media package on a convenient credit card sized cd, where I also stuff two business cards inside the wallet that holds them. I do this so that should I happen to meet someone who could further promote me, I can hand one over. This instantly gives me the upper hand, because of how unique my approach is.

The last time I heard black author complain about how JK Rowling was dominating the market and making it harder for them to gain recognition was er.... NEVER! The last time I heard of a UK black author going on tour in the US.... you guessed it, NEVER! Stop seeing competition where there is none! Do you! Make your work sell by investing in yourself. Investment does not have to be financial.