I have over 3,000 followers on Twitter, some of whom are what is called influencers.
When I realized, today, that my new book came out well ahead of time — around 2 months, early — after I waited for over one year to see my first draft, I scrambled to get the word out!
Increasingly, book publishers —especially, small independent presses that publish poetry, etc…— rely on the author to help out with marketing.
And, while things have gotten better with Covid, it’s still not exactly easy launching a book in the middle of a stubborn global pandemic…
So, I rushed to posted of Facebook, first, where I have nearly 6000 followers (I know, I know, it’s a necessary evil). But on FB, even though you can see the numbers of likes you get, you don’t get a breakdown of the reach your posts have.
Something, thankfully, Twitter offers. Yet, it’s not all good news. Even though I have “reached” over 8000 souls with my book announcement, only a hundred or so have actually “engaged” with the post!
Now, I’m not great at math, but I think that’s around 1-2 % 😱
So, I’m reaching out to the kind, international crowd on Hive and asking you to help me share the word.
Please, consider reblogging this post, buying the book and/or leaving a review on Amazon. All of this would be a great help!
Learning to Pray as the title suggests is a spiritual book. But, it is not dogmatic and the poems and reflections in it should appeal to thinkers, dreamers and seekers of all types.
Don’t take my word for it, read these generous endorsements of my new book made by respected public figures from different backgrounds and disciplines:
UPDATE: Nearly doubled both the impressions as well as engagement this morning — a writer’s hustle is never done!
Thank you, for your time, interest and support ✌🏼
Thank you, Yahia, for a sneak preview (ARC) of the book - it allowed me to get my "review" posted today. Well, I sent one to Amazon, but that doesn't mean they'll accept it. I can't find a link to it on Goodreads. But here at Hive, I shared my impressions, and I really hope it isn't banned because of a "No Book Reviews" rule that I overlooked. Should we parse the definition of "Book Review" ---?
https://hive.blog/hive-148441/@carolkean/when-a-hive-blogger-is-also-a-published-author-how-blessed-can-we-be-yahia-lababidi-s-learning-to-pray
Love the book, love the cover, love the outlook on life, and hate the way I have left out a gazillion things I'd love to include.
That. I didn't include that. How many words must be left out in order for the words that remain to carry their own weight and keep readers from drifting away. My own mother won't read me ("Too many words!") unless I keep it short and include lots of pictures. (No, I'm not making this up.)
Thank you and good luck with getting your book into many hands - and minds!
You did include joie de vivre ... your own :D It leaps off the screen and I'm fortunate to be its beneficiary. Exciting to see your generous review up on Amazon, my first for this new book! Many thanks, for your good wishes and lovely words ♥️
Thank YOU, my friend!