Very well put, Bradly. I completely agree.

Wm

I met a very famous architect and author a couple of years ago who has been receiving much notice of late for his ideas. He has been invited to speak all over the world and at some of the most prestigious conferences like TED, for example. He is considered a huge success because he is a master self-promoter.

I am not going to act the apologist for the actual merits of his work, but I believe that his success is largely due to his ability to “sell” his ideas. He has a keen talent for telling stories and drawing people into his world, creating a relevance and a kind of urgency for his particular brand of work. It was fascinating to watch him work a room and build his own “brand.”

I think any LDS artist should follow in the same suit, build your brand wherever it is appropriate by drawing people into your world and creating a human connection with your potential audience. I see no reason why this cannot be accomplished through personal contacts with other members of the church, as long as one does not use the artifacts of the faith as the means for the selling.

I would definitely contact your newspaper, or several in the area, and see if they’ll do an article. I contacted my community newspaper (I don’t live in Utah) but was told our community was not interested in a religious book, so I contacted an area newspaper and the editor was more than happy to do an article. She read my book in a few days and though she is not LDS, she really liked it and it showed in the article she wrote (with a big image of my book cover).

You never know until you ask.

I believe we must overcome both sides of this major problem.

It is ridiculous to not promote something that has been created for others. As LDS people, we often create something under the direction of the Spirit, or at least under the direction or drive of talents and gifts bestowed by the Creator.

Somehow using the concept of humility to stop promotion is wrong. Don’t hide it under a bushel. It is not priestcraft if that is not the intent. You can be in the spotlight and still be humble.

The second issue is when natural boundaries exist, such as lack of money or channels of promotion. Of course we shouldn’t promote at Church. I am uncomfortable signing autographs in the chapel, so I always try to move quickly to the foyer after a fireside. But there are other ways, and we have to be smart and creative and work with others to find those ways. A lot of this has to do with educating ourselves and our audience.

People need what the artists of the Church can give them. Apostles and prophets have called for such over and over. Years ago, I was told by a BYU entity that authors are not to help promote their work. Ridiculous. I am glad to see that things are changing albeit slowly. We need to be bold, but righteous.

I’ve told my friends in my ward about our book because I’m really excited about it. And our book club (which is not officially affiliated with our ward) is going to discuss it this year as well. But they’re my friends, and I think they are happy for me, and hopefully not irritated at my self-promotion.

I’m interested in reading about what other LDS authors do to promote their work without crossing an ethical line.

Blog book tours can be effective.

I designed a perfume to go along with my LDS novel, “Heaven Scent,” because perfume plays a pivotal role. I’ve given away samples with my bookmarks.

I’ve also given away personalized pencils with “Heaven Scent by Rebecca Talley” imprinted on them.

I’ve also sent out email and snail mail announcements.

I think it’s inappropriate to use church lists or try to promote at church meetings. I know I don’t want anyone to try to sell me something at church.

I’d like to do book signings, but that’s difficult to do unless you have a big name and/or publish with a larger publisher.

I’d sure rather write than promote, but promotion is part of the process.