I know. I'm late to the game. Everyone and their house plants have a blog these days. But screw it. I need as much exposure as possible.
So I've counted this week. Including the six rejections I received, I think six people have read my short stories. I figure at this rate, maybe one hundred people will have read my work before I die.
Now before I get the objections that you, as my friend, read my writing (because let's face it, only my friends will read this blog), I have to say you're dropping the ball. When I write something and post it on social media or message you somehow, share it with people.
I know you feel that shifting the burden to you is all wrong, but hear me out. Here are the advantages to sharing the links to my short stories and books. This applies to all independent artists. When you share links for independent and new artists, you make a big difference.
1) You will help the artist achieve their dreams. Personally, I want to have some kind of following before I die. I'm crappy at politicizing and networking. By doing this, you are helping the socially inept gain some acceptance.
2) In case the artist does hit it, you will be able to say that you not only knew them in the beginning, but you actively helped them succeed. This will add exponentially to your geek cred.
3) Every time you're mean to an independent artist, a newbie abuses a comma.
4) Those famous authors you repost and praise don't need the help. It's like tears in the rain. It's huge if you repost an independent, like that big tank of water at the splash park. Everybody is getting drenched.
5) Speaking for myself, I will try my best to plug anything you, as an artist, have done. If I neglect to do so, call me on it.
6) If you don't, I'll tell you five-thousand more bird stories. I know how much you love to hear about how Pikachu sleeps on me.
7) It would just be cool of you.
I will end this with a picture of Tori, because she is cute and because nobody has plugged my writing yet.
Current stories available online:
"Technicolor Peace Joy" won Honorable Mention in Bards and Sages Annual Writing Competition.
"Petting Zoo" in The Dirty Pool.
"The Good Samaritan" in SPANK the CARP.
"The Crap Whisperer" in The Dirty Pool.