I have had several calls recently with authors who have been marketing on their own and are really concerned about the deafening silence they’ve been getting in response to the work they’re doing. Are you feeling this way? If you’re nodding your head you aren’t alone. Marketing is tough, silence is tougher.

Last year I launched a book under a pseudonym, not at all connected with me or AME. Why did I do that? Because I wanted to test the system — I wanted to see first-hand how tough it was to be out there. Often authors say “Well, but you’re a marketing person and people know you.” True that. So now with this book I’m not. I’m just another author, out there trying to get noticed and you know what I found? The silence is hell.

Read more: The Silent Treatment