Every author writes out of narcissism. They want to be read, understood, and loved. Denying it feels hypocritical to me. Authors expect people to eagerly pick up their book, hoping to be enlightened by the light of truth. This holds true for both novelists and essayists. While novelists must pour something deeply personal into their writing—injecting a piece of their soul into the characters they create—essayists don’t face that same demand. At most, they might indulge in a bit of sarcasm or a touch of polemical wit.
When I was told I should join Goodreads to promote my book and increase my visibility, I was highly skeptical. They gave me a to-do list, tried to get me to answer some standard questions, and encouraged me to join forum discussions, slyly weaving in topics covered in my book. This rigidly structured approach to self-promotion left me feeling irritated.
I’m not immune to the narcissistic tendencies that all writers share, and I confess that, at times, I’ve thought my book might change the future of humanity. Thankfully, such grandiose delusions are fleeting, and I settle for the more realistic goal of having written a good book. I understand that books, like any other product, need promotion and that every market has its rules. Answering a few questions, for example, evidently works.
They also tell me that writing reviews or reading other authors’ books while promoting your own doesn’t work. But honestly, I’ve had enough of these rules. If someone asks me to read their book, I consider it a privilege. I see it as a significant gesture to share a work into which so many hopes have been poured. I also don’t want to lose the joy of picking up a book simply because its title intrigues me or because the author presents it in a captivating way. I refuse to let anyone dictate how I should behave.
My book is out, and I think it’s perfectly reasonable to try to sell it. So, if you’re interested in philosophy and social sciences, Zombies of Marx is free for Kindle Unlimited users. It’s also available in paperback and hardcover. If you’re not a Kindle Unlimited user, I suggest signing up—even if you don’t want to read my book. You’ll gain access to the great masterpieces of the past and countless hidden gems of the present.
When I was told I should join Goodreads to promote my book and increase my visibility, I was highly skeptical. They gave me a to-do list, tried to get me to answer some standard questions, and encouraged me to join forum discussions, slyly weaving in topics covered in my book. This rigidly structured approach to self-promotion left me feeling irritated.
I’m not immune to the narcissistic tendencies that all writers share, and I confess that, at times, I’ve thought my book might change the future of humanity. Thankfully, such grandiose delusions are fleeting, and I settle for the more realistic goal of having written a good book. I understand that books, like any other product, need promotion and that every market has its rules. Answering a few questions, for example, evidently works.
They also tell me that writing reviews or reading other authors’ books while promoting your own doesn’t work. But honestly, I’ve had enough of these rules. If someone asks me to read their book, I consider it a privilege. I see it as a significant gesture to share a work into which so many hopes have been poured. I also don’t want to lose the joy of picking up a book simply because its title intrigues me or because the author presents it in a captivating way. I refuse to let anyone dictate how I should behave.
My book is out, and I think it’s perfectly reasonable to try to sell it. So, if you’re interested in philosophy and social sciences, Zombies of Marx is free for Kindle Unlimited users. It’s also available in paperback and hardcover. If you’re not a Kindle Unlimited user, I suggest signing up—even if you don’t want to read my book. You’ll gain access to the great masterpieces of the past and countless hidden gems of the present.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.