I see that in the assignment today there is an article about defining yourself. You have to build your brand. I got thinking about that. The little city I live in, Roundup, Montana, is trying to do that very thing right now. We are trying to define our town. We want to revitalize our dying downtown area, nothing new about that in rural Montana. Lots of little places are dying. Especially those that are off the beaten path, so to speak. We are not off the interstate. You have to want to come here.

We want to become a place where people will stop for more than a gas fill-up, a quick snack pick-up. A fun little funky town with shops and restaurants. What a big task. We've been working on this for a few years now.

So as a writer trying to market your work you need to become someone people will stop and read. Someone they will spend some time with. They will want to come and visit, not just read the jacket of your book and then run on to some other book on the shelf. Your novel needs to be different enough, your brand needs to be different enough from the rest of the pack.

Roundup is searching for their niche. Millions of small towns in the world, but only one Roundup, Montana. Now you need to search for one as well. There are billions of people out there, but only one you.


Queen Norma Jean is cheering for you!