This week I plan to focus on finishing my creative projects I had to put aside until the L.A. Black Book Expo was over. Currently I’m working on a novel, a crime drama I wrote several years ago along with my completed but unpublished third book of poetry and my short story/novella collection that has yet to see print but finished. First, my thoughts and prayers go out to those in the midst of the wildfires back home in Southern California. I hope the blazes are contained soon.

Now that my professional profile’s lifted somewhat, I tend to keep track of all the literary trends by purchasing magazines like Writer’s Digest, Poets and Writers, and Writers’ Journal. I used to browse Black Issues Book Review but since they’ve been out of circulation, I tend to check out various websites for information about authors, publishers and booksellers of my same race. One of the issues discussed on these magazines and websites is the need for online social sites. I have to admit, I’m a junkie when it comes to online sites. Ask my AOL friends from back in the day, they’ll tell you.

When The Depths of My Soul was released, I tried to advertise the book on one social site, which didn’t go so well. It wasn’t really a place to sell books, so I had to find other places online to publicize. I went for three years without a website and if you’re going to write and publish books, having your own page is essential. Eventually I wound up with my own spot on the web, which helped the sales of the Depths and the next book, The Voices of South Central. Then MySpace popped up and now it’s Facebook that is the prominent online social gathering if you want publicity for your book, online show, product, you name it. Thanks to my webmistress, I’ve added video content on my page and a new online payment system that has helped in making sure I receive full payments of my books instead of taking a percentage from publishers.

These online social sites are a great way to meet and network with other writers in the business, including friends who are planning to write their own books. I’m discovering as I’m trying to build up the book events I run, finding an audience online is key in promotion, plus it saves time and money when trying to get people to come out for a festival or expo. Since I’ve taken over the L.A. Black Book Expo, most of our guests have either come from email mailings or postings on various pages. The trick is to find ways to get the public to come out besides the panels, authors, and other activities planned. For me, having Lionsgate promote an upcoming movie (Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself) was what I felt we needed for the book expo. It didn’t hurt to have them there.

What these social sites also do is it encourages networking. You can’t resist staring at one author’s calendar and notice the four or five book signings or speaking engagements coming up. If you’re a new writer, it’s best to connect with that author and see if there’s an opportunity for you as well. I believe networking isn’t about meeting and greeting someone in the same industry; it’s a chance to see what works for them in promotion and apply it to your literary growth. If the author is willing to help you along, then who knows how many doors could open for you? That’s the power of online sites, not only building an audience of friends and family who haven’t purchased your book.

The web can be a useful place, if your focus is squarely on building up your professional portfolio as a writer. So the trade magazines are correct when they suggest networking online. It never hurts to mention your website if you have one, that’s the point the experts mention often when it comes to this subject. I agree with that and if you’re a new writer without your own website, there are dozens of places where you can create your own for free. The magazines have lists that should help you out.

Alright, better finish this up and relax before I start working on my projects this week. See you on one of these websites soon!

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