The climate for writers has changed drastically over the past couple of years. As the line between publisher, distributor, editor and writer blurs writers need to have a range of skills to succeed. I look back now on my 4 years of hard sales (I was a street charity fundraiser who got people to sign direct debits to charities on the street) and I am thankful for the experience I received. Never did I think my days of being taught how to handle rejection and better position myself to handle objections from people would come in so handy. I released my debut book Finding Me this year and I have been challenged in the area of marketing and advertising as well as simply being a writer. I have had to crawl out of my writer shell and find ways to brand and rebrand myself to reach my target audience.

The book is about being a woman and that seemingly never ending quest to really know oneself. I had written poems during my university years and on graduation looked back to see the development that had taken place. I saw that my writing had an authenticity and gentleness about it that could lead other women on a journey of self discovery and wanted to release my writings to the world. Despite my lovely intentions I still had to sell the idea of the book to people. That is when I saw that writing the book is only half the trouble.

Over the last couple of months I have learned that persistence, belief and clarity are needed to get people to see the vision. The word 'salesperson' is scary and daunting but as long as you are a writer who has the three words above - you can do it!

Nissi.

Nissi is a writer and editor at Words & Wells. She released her debut book Finding Me this year. Nissi is also the reigning Miss Southern Africa UK and enjoys writing about beauty, identity and womanhood.