The holidays are over, and it is the start of a new year. I have never seen the point of making resolutions simply because the calendar has changed to a new page. I believe that resolutions should be made as and when necessary. I have not made a New Year’s Resolution, but I have determined to put more time and effort into getting my work noticed. This is not a new issue for me. I think that it is the main obstacle for anyone who has artistic aspirations. Getting noticed is very difficult.

In the past I have tried the trusted methods of attracting attention, using social media being the best example. It works to a degree but, like so many other techniques, it has its limitations. The sheer number of people using social media makes it difficult. On the one hand that number contains a significant potential audience, on another it is also all white noise. I have to find a way of breaking through the barrier of everyday social media posts.

Previously, I have also tried approaching literary agents. It was a time consuming and ultimately unrewarding experience. However, I believe that my writing skills have significantly improved since my first submission. I am going to put together new versions of synopses for my books and start a new campaign of submitting them to likely agents. I will not be putting all of my eggs in one basket though. Traditional publishing is not a venture that promises high returns. I am well aware that even if I did get an agent who secured a publishing contract that most of the marketing work is going to land on my shoulders, just as it does with being an independent writer. It is an avenue worth exploring, however. I do not accept that turning away from any potential path to success is a positive step.

Traditional advertising is also another area that I will be looking into. I know that it can be expensive, but the fact is that advertising continues to be successful. My efforts in this area have been very limited, like my budget, but I feel that I need to take it more seriously.

Time is always the most precious commodity that we have. If I am to pursue any or all of the above seriously then my writing is going to have to take a backseat for a while. A part of me does not like that idea but another, perhaps more rational part, agrees that this is necessary. I have asked myself ‘what is the point of turning out another novel if the ones that preceded it are not being read?’ It is a good question. Clearly, the answer does not rest on the quality of work being produced alone. I write good books, I have no doubt about that, but they are not finding an audience. If I want to continue writing, then I think that I should put some time and imagination into finding suitable readers.