Hellish Hard Getting heard

It's hellish hard getting heard. That's one of the harshest realities authors face. Especially with the wealth of good advice out there on how to get your book noticed, because so sound is that advice that we all follow it. Which only adds to the din above which it is damn hard to be heard. Some beat back defeat by throwing coin--terrific, if you have sufficient to spare. Some shout and rely on the echo effect--book blogs and tours, the support of fans and friends to spread the word via Facebook shares, re-tweets, reviews. Others network their arses off at events and in groups, both in person and on line. Newsletters fly out, slumbering blogs get awoken; it's easy to get overwhelmed by the tsunami of 'must dos'. 

But does any of this fervent activity work? Well, it certainly does no harm--though cautions abound about doing too much shouting. And it's these helpful cautions that niggle me. Because what is 'too much'?Where's the line that should not be crossed? Does anyone really know what's right or wrong about about getting seen and heard? Nope, not with any certainty. When faced with a marketing opportunity note the marked hesitation and the shuffling retreat if you ask for absolute qualification of success. You won't get a answer, not a straight one anyway. 

Disheartened? Don't be, it a cacophonic world out there and the melody is discordant for most. So screw any mistakes you might make, screw whether you got the volume of your shout right, screw your own lack of harmony. Be brave. Whether by way of a serene whisper or an open throated bellow, embrace the need to be heard rather than the 'right' way of making your sound, because when it comes to getting noticed one certainty does exist: Silence isn't golden, its suicide!