A light on self-promotion
“Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.” ~Anne Lamott
I’ve always been conflicted about self-promotion. As soon as Writing Home was published, I had to set aside any sense of modesty or humility to sell my book (and my brand) to a wider audience beyond my newspaper readership. It usually felt awkward.
Over time, I’ve learned to borrow a page from the authors and entrepreneurs who grew up on social media platforms and enjoy putting themselves out there.
But like most people my age, I was raised to think it’s not cool to toot your own horn, or talk about yourself so much. And I still struggle with that. Deep down, I want to believe that if you’re creating something that people will enjoy or need, they’ll spot your lighthouse. ~CL
Cindy La Ferle
Throughout my career, I've worked as a book production editor, travel magazine editor, features writer, and weekly newspaper columnist. My award-winning lifestyles features and essays have appeared in many national magazines and anthologies, including Newsweek, Reader's Digest, The Christian Science Monitor, Writer's Digest, Victoria, Better Homes & Gardens, Bella Grace, and more. My weekly Sunday "Life Lines" column ran for 14 years in The Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, MI) and won a First Place (Local Columns) award from the Michigan Press Association. My essay collection, Writing Home, includes 93 previously published columns and essays focusing on parenthood and family life.
