Making yourself known by Patricia Lee

I’d finally done it.

After several years of writing, editing, and submitting manuscripts, a publisher had offered me a contract. Forgotten in the moment were the tears I’d shed over a rejection, or the nail biting while I polished my story, or the weariness I’d endured attending one writing conference after another.

I had arrived. Nothing could stop me now.

Except for one small problem. Nobody knew me.

Oh, I had all the social media accounts in place. I had a website. I blogged. I twittered with the best of them. Would that be enough? I doubted it would be.

A bigger hurdle loomed. How would I make myself known in the community where my books would be sold? Do bookstores automatically put my books on their shelves?

My first reality check. No. They don’t.  I would have to introduce myself.

I started small. I took bookmarks and business cards with me as I visited local venues. I always left my contact information and asked for the name of the manager. When I didn’t hear anything, I returned a week later to meet him (or her) and to ask if he’d order my book. One prominent bookseller agreed. Ecstatic, I offered to sign copies. Sure, he said—all two of them.

Yep. Two.  That ought to boost me to the Best Seller’s list—posthumously.

Here’s where my social media kicked in. I let my Facebook family know those books were there. And they sold.  So the  manager ordered two more. They sold. Then five more. Progress! When he ordered fifteen, I was ready to ask him for a book signing date.

He agreed—any time.

Now I’m not stupid. I knew advertising a book signing for little-old-me might interest my family and maybe one true friend. But to get enough people to make a splash, I needed a strategy.

I thought about concerts I’d attended. The main attraction always came with opening acts to entertain the crowd until the headliner group was ready. Those opening acts were usually a group no one had ever heard of, but because they were billed alongside the main attraction they were getting exposure.

Smart.

I decided to do the same. I would be like the concert’s opening act. After I’d prayed about who to ask, I invited two other published authors to join me for the book signing. Would they suggest another? One did—a well-known author who lived two and a half hours away. I doubted she would make the trip, but I asked anyway.

This is where God gets in the picture. James 4:2 tells us we have not because we ask not. I asked.

The author said she would ALREADY be in my city mid-September (isn’t God wonderful?). If she could do the book signing the day before or a day after she’d be happy to come. All of us were excited.

I scheduled the event with the bookstore and prepared posters. Each author sent   ISBN numbers to the manager. Orders were placed. Store publicity posted. The newspaper printed a full page spread about the well-known author and her attendance at the event. But my name was there, too, along with the other two panelists—exposure I might not have gotten otherwise. The radio aired news information spots—again with ALL our names.. Prayers were sent up—not for numbers, but for impact. Our community needed inspirational authors.   

The night of the panel, people arrived thirty minutes early. The bookstore manager set up all his chairs. Still they came. He emptied the coffee shop of seats. Still they came. At the meeting’s opening, every chair was filled and a standing room only crowd stood at the back. Ideas were discussed, laughter shared, books sold for all of us.

I had successfully launched my book. I made a name for myself. I’d gained a friend in the bookstore manager. I’d debuted as a new author.

New York Times, here I come!

Well, I can dream, can’t I?

 

A Kite on the Wind 

 

Is love strong enough to overcome the walls they hide behind?

Left waiting at the altar, Claire Simpson has buried her past and moved on, carving out a life for herself as a teacher on the Oregon coast. When her former fiance appears, he threatens to unravel the peaceful independence she has worked so hard to achieve after their relationship failed. 

Montgomery Chandler has moved to NOAA headquarters in Newport, Oregon to make new, happier memories for his children after his wife died of a lingering illness. Their home in Seattle held nothing but the whispers of their earlier lives. Starting over will help all of them heal, but Monty is resolved not to risk love again. 

When the handsome widower enrolls his hurting children at the school where Claire teaches, her resolve to remain uninvolved vanishes at the whim of a snowstorm. This family needs her expertise. Can she help them without losing her heart again?

 

Amazon Buy Link

 

Patricia Lee is a published author, having written since she first learned what words could do at the age of six. She holds a BA in journalism from the University of Oregon. Articles to her credit have appeared in Moody Monthly, Power for Living, Expecting and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse as well as in two anthologies— Cup of Comfort Bible Promises and In the Company of Angels. She is part of a team of bloggers who submit short devotionals for FaithHappenings.com.

Patricia is a member of the Oregon Christian Writers and of American Christian Fiction Writers. She and her husband have two adult children and live in the Pacific Northwest with two sleepy cats.

Social Links:
Website: https://authorpatricialee.net/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Patricia-Lee/e/B076DR3FJ8/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17233880
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricialeebooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lee_patricia__

Living in a Virtual World by Mary Manners

Living in a Virtual World

by Mary Manners

Writers tend to be solitary creatures and I can certainly attest to that. Nearly a decade ago, when I first got 'the call' to enter the publishing world, all I knew about writing was exactly that--to write. Facebook was barely and entity, Twitter stood virtually non-existent, and other social media outlets that are so popular today were merely a vision. I actually wrote my books with pen and paper, then reluctantly transferred the words to my laptop. I had never (gasp) heard of blogs or book trailers (I thought they only applied to movies), Bookbub or Goodreads. Newsletters were something I sent home weekly to communicate with parents of the students in my classroom.

 

I've come a long way, baby! And coming this far has taught me one important thing--I still have a long way to go. Miles. An ultra marathon worth of miles.

 

Writers have to wear many hats, and besides actually writing the story, one of the most important is marketing. Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Intagram, newsletters, Website, street team, reviews, reviews, reviews...just to name a few. I don't know about you, but for me it's so easy to get swallowed up in marketing and, in the process, lose focus of what made me dream of becoming a writer in the first place--the joy of writing. The pleasure of sharing stories of my heart. Honestly, I'd rather put my energy into crafting the next story than planning Facebook parties, booking blog tours, or studying Amazon's logarithms. Yet, the hard truth is this: It's great to have a story, but unless you get the word out, you'll merely have a nice dust collector for your bookshelf.

 

So I did a little research (yes, I did) and found a knowledgeable virtual assistant that's a great fit for my needs. She's more valuable than gold and great at all of the things I am not. We work together like apples and cinnamon to spread the sweet word about my books. I am not ashamed to say she's taught me so much, and is patient with knowing I have so much more to learn. Hiring her is the best decision, writing wise, that I ever made. With a skilled virtual assistant to carry the bulk of the marketing load, my joy of writing has been restored.

 

Whew...when it comes to the ins and out of the writing world I'll never stop learning and growing. The industry is simply too vast to ever learn everything out there. But it's nice to know I'm not alone in the journey.

 

Now, I'm off to write!

 

 

~~~~~

 

 



Fall in Love (Five Sweet Tales of Autumn Romance)

 

BE SWEPT AWAY IN FIVE HEARTWARMING ROMANCES FILLED WITH HOPE, FAITH, AND SECOND CHANCES...

CAPTIVE AT SEA
Claire Mulvaney’s benevolent spirit has her biting off more than she can chew when she spearheads a charity fishing event to raise funds for Winding Ridge’s overcrowded animal shelter and is forced to call on fishing expert Sean Maguire.

 

NEVER THE TWAIN
Hollywood agent Cass Townsend makes a more-than-satisfactory living helping talented “wannabe” actors become stars.

 

FULLY COMMITTED
Receiving a Dear Rand email while serving his country didn’t douse the fire in Rand Tenneson’s heart for his high school sweetheart.

 

WITHOUT A SONG
Still reeling from the loss of her husband, young widow Roni Marsden resolves to be strong for her precocious daughter.

 

AUTUMN LOVES
Two years after her husband’s tragic death, middle-aged widow Rylie Thornton struggles to raise her three sons while keeping the family business in the black.

 

~~~~

 

 

Mary Manners is a country girl at heart who has spent a lifetime sharing her joy of writing. She lives in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband Tim and their rescue dog Axel, mischievous cats Colby and Rascal, 8 rambunctious chickens, and 13 fish.

Mary writes stories full of faith and hope. Her books have earned multiple accolades including two Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, the Aspen Gold, the Heart of Excellence, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

 

If you’d like to receive information on new releases, please follow Mary here: Author Page

 

Subscribe to Mary's newsletter and receive a free story. This is also where she shares exciting contests, upcoming releases, and special deals: Newsletter Subscribe

 

Want to join Mary's street team and help spread the word about her books? Find information here: Mary Manners Page Turners

A Surefire Way for Writers to Fail at Social Media by DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills

A writer focuses his efforts on every task of this wonderful world of publishing. It’s a mix of the craft, social media, marketing, promotion, and meeting reader needs. For many, Social Media is met with groans, excuses, and do-I-have-to?

This blog post is to help you succeed not fail at social media.

Non-responsive is the biggest culprit that contributes to social media failure. The list below is short and simple. But if you’re guilty of any of the following, now is the time to mend your ways.

Writers who don’t take the time to thank, address, or value those who comment on our blog. These people are the ones who support us. They’ve taken the time to read our blog and type a response.

Writers who don’t respond to e-mails. I’m not talking about junk and spam. But I am referring to readers who contact you with a question. If the message is critical, then form a gracious response. If the sender is requesting for you to perform a service, then respond appropriately.

Writers who ignore comments on Facebook. No matter what is posted on your personal or author page, the sender deserves a “like” at a minimum. Be creative and allow that person to know you appreciate the time spent in composing a message.

Writers who don’t check Goodreads. If your blog is linked to your Goodreads Page, are you responding to those who comment?

Writers who ignore new Twitter followers. When you receive a new follower, do you take time to address them personally and thank them for the follow? Do you search for a post on the follower’s page that you can like or share? Do you read the new follower’s bio and make a comment?

Writers who fail to message and thank new followers on Instagram.

The one way to end your social media success is to do nothing when others are curious and inquisitive. Let’s help each other.

How do you manage your social media comments?

About the Author

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

Deep Extraction
by DiAnn Mills

Deep Extraction

A SUSPICIOUS DEATH, A SECRET PLOT, A BUDDING ROMANCE. 

A pacemaker should have saved oil and gas magnate Nathan Moore’s life. Instead, it provided his killer with a perfect means of execution. Special Agent Tori Templeton teams up with US Marshall Cole Jeffers to investigate Nathan’s murder and whether it’s connected to a recent bombing at one of Nathan’s oil rigs. The closer they get to finding the killer, and to each other, the more intent someone is in silencing them for good.

How (not) to Build Your Social Media Platform by Susan Tuttle

Susan and I switched Thursdays this month. She normally posts on the first Thursday of each month, but in March she is graciously visiting with us on the fourth Thursday.

 

I’m in a couple different groups that are giving some great advice about social media platforms. The need for consistency and clarity across all devices is imperative. Your numbers and constant growth is even a larger concern. And as writers, we are brainstorming ways to reach the broadest audience in the most effective way. As I’ve listened to everyone chime in, I’ve learned a lot about what to do. More importantly, I’ve learned what not to do. Today I want to chat about that.

See, publishers want to see big numbers. We’ve heard that repeatedly. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s been rubber stamped across my forehead. But when you are unpublished, it feels like you’re peddling air and asking for gold. How do you market a product that is as-of-yet invisible? But it’s a necessary in this world, and so the work for numbers begins.
We:

• Push “friend request” on Facebook a hundred times and when someone accepts, our first message to them is, please like my author page.
• We blindly follow on Twitter and when we receive a “follow” back, we send an automated reply to their inbox saying, if you follow me here, like my author page too!
• We stalk hashtags on Instagram and blanket the popular users with requests so that they will follow us back.
• We pay a source to increase our numbers for us.

I know there are far more ways people gain a skyrocketing number across their social media platforms, but do you know what is missing when it’s done this way? Authenticity. Without it, you’ve gained numbers but no relationship.

If we are not interacting with people, it doesn’t matter our numbers because they aren’t going to care what we have to say when we finally have a stage to say it on. Readers want to trust the voice that spins the story they are reading. They want to connect not only to our characters but to us. And as Christian writers, isn’t connecting what it’s all about? Because to share our message of faith, we first need their ear.

If you’re trying to build your social media numbers, I challenge you today to start by interacting with the people who are already there. Begin to build your content and connections. Let God worry about how big your reach is while you worry about authentically following that which he’s called you to do.

Susan L. Tuttle lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her best friend and is a homeschooling mom of three. She’s firmly convinced that letters were meant for words, not math, and loves stringing them together into stories that inspire, encourage, and grow women into who God created them to be. Romance, laughter, and cookies are three of her favorite things, though not always in that order. You can connect with Susan at her blog, Steps, Facebook, or Twitter.

Social Media, Marketing & Branding Basics Part 2, Marketing Your Novel by DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills

We're so excited to have Edie Melson and DiAnn Mills on Seriously Write with this three-day series. Be sure to read yesterday's post by Edie Melson and come back tomorrow for a post by both ladies called (appropriately), The Experts Weigh In. - Angie

We writers embrace words, brainstorming sessions, hours to write, and constructive criticism, but there is one aspect of the writer’s life that shakes us to our core.

Marketing and Promotion

The nightmare of our career.

We think we have the notion.

But can’t move past the fear. 

Okay, I’m not a poet. But I know you understand writers must market and promote their books. Our goal is to successfully place our novels into the hearts and hands of readers.

I’m a firm believer in organization, and when I write a novel, spreadsheets keep me rooted in reality.

A writer gets ahead of the marketing and promotion stress by developing a Timeline Task. This is an indicator of what needs to be accomplished approximately a year before a book is released.

12 months out:

• Contact online and print publications to arrange for ad and banner placement. Make sure they are in place for the month of the book release. 
• Recruit your Street Team. Reach out to prominent authors in your genre for possible endorsements. This allows the endorser to schedule reading the novel. 
• Write blogs that connect to the novel. Stockpile them—you will be glad later.

9 months out:

• Order bookmarks and postcards.
• Arrange guest blogs and calendar when they will appear. 
• Remember, these have already been written. 
• Arrange production of your book trailer.
• Arrange production of author interview video.
• Announce to Street Team and brainstorm promo ideas.

6 months out:

• Contact TV and radio stations for interviews. 
• Create contest ideas with giveaways.
• Goodreads: update bio, headshot, ask-the-author section, add new release to books, link to blog posts, update page, be active! https://www.goodreads.com/author/guidelines.
• Design secret Pinterest Boards. 
• Use postcards to notify libraries of new book.

3 months out:

• Mail ARCS
• Keep Dream Team posted.
• Confirm all blog spots, ads, banners etc.
• Seek events to speak and sign.
• Check that all online platforms and retail stores have updated bio and photo.
• Arrange launch party or signing for the big day.

6 weeks out:

• Mail author copies or e-copies of book to Street Team. 
• Mail author copies or e-copies of book to reviewers.
• Encourage pre-orders.
• Post book trailer and author interviews.

Book release:

• E-mail blast.
• Blogs appear.
• Constant presence on social media platforms.
• Thank those who have helped make the release a success.
• Small tokens of thanks sent.
• Contests announced.

Follow up:

• Keep the momentum going by sharing deleted scenes, research, character insight, and behind the scenes action.
• Party time!

If you’d like a copy of my Marketing Timeline, e-mail me at diann@diannmills.com.

How do you approach marketing and promotion for your book?

About the Author

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.


DEADLY ENCOUNTER
DEADLY ENCOUNTER Discussion Questions
Watch the trailer
Airport Ranger volunteer Stacy Broussard expected a peaceful Saturday morning ride around the perimeter of Houston’s airport. What she encounters instead is a brutal homicide and a baffling mystery. Next to the body is an injured dog, the dead man’s motorcycle, and a drone armed with a laser capable of taking down a 747.
Though FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc sees a clear-cut case of terrorism, his past has taught him to be suspicious of everyone, even witnesses. Even bleeding-heart veterinarians like Stacy. But when her gruesome discovery is only the first in a string of incidences that throw her life into a tailspin, Alex begins to wonder if Stacy was targeted. As a health emergency endangers Stacy’s community, and the task force pulls in leads from all directions, Alex and Stacy must work together to prevent another deadly encounter.

Deadly Encounter is recommended for fans of the following:

• Christian Fiction
• Christian Mystery
• Romantic Suspense Books

If you enjoyed this novel, you may also be interested in the novella Trial By Fire!

Pinterest 101 for Writers by Dora Hiers

Last month, I introduced you to Pinterest. Have you checked it out yet? What do you think? Love it or leave it?

Today I’ll share some reasons why writers should love it. Lol.

Pinterest is viral. 
Here’s a quick example of the viral effect of Pinterest. Let’s say my sweet friend and fellow SW hostess, Sandy Ardoin pins several “late eighteenth century” gowns to showcase what her heroines might wear in her historical novels. Actually, take a second and check out this real board. Beautiful gowns, but aren’t you thankful that you don’t have to dress like that now? 

Let’s say Carla, a collector of vintage gowns and famous fashion designer, stumbles upon Sandy’s board. If Carla appreciates Sandy’s taste in late eighteenth century clothing, she can “follow” the board. Or, if Carla’s only impressed by a particular pin, she can “like” it using the little heart symbol, comment on it, “repin” it to one of her boards, or even “share” it on another social media site. Cool, huh? 

So Carla repins a gown to one of her boards, and her 20k followers see it in their feed. Also, because Carla’s board is categorized as “women’s fashion,” everybody who searches that category will see the pin. All these people have the same choice as Carla: like, comment, repin, or share. Similar to other social media sites, but more image centric.

You probably already knew all that, right? Here’s something you might not know. 

Pinterest is a popular hangout for females.

Courtesy of 2014 Media Bistro infogram

Out of 70 million total Pinterest users, 80% are women and 9 million connect their Pinterest accounts to Facebook*, doubling the value of a pin.

Surprising, huh? For those of you on the fence, did Pinterest just become a little more interesting?

We’re all writers here, and specifically, I’m a romance writer with a target female audience. Seems like Pinterest is a place I should hang out, right? Browsing Pinterest is something I enjoy in the evenings, more like a hobby than actual work, but I also use it as a marketing tool, which we’ll discuss more in length next month.

Pinterest offers analytics.
Did you know that Pinterest now offers the option of signing up as a business or converting? When I joined, a business account wasn’t an option (that I recall), so I just converted recently. During the conversion, I was also permitted to add “author” to my account name. That means that every time someone sees one of my pins, they will connect my name as a writer.

Also, converting to a business allows you to gather analytics, information such as most “repinned” pins, your audience’s interests, and what businesses they follow, and based on this data, they’ll offer strategic tips to reach more people.

If you’re already on Pinterest and would like to convert, the CONVERT HERE option is directly underneath the red JOIN US AS A BUSINESS button.

https://business.pinterest.com/en-gb

Although I converted, I haven’t uploaded the metatag to verify my website yet. Has anybody tried this already? What do you think? Positives? Negatives?

Make sure you stop by next month for Pinterest 101 for Writers, Take 2, and we’ll finish our Pinterest conversation. Until then, did I change your opinion about Pinterest? Any questions?

Oh, and if you love reading, writing and inspirational pins, check out my boards. Click the RED follow button upper right to follow all of them or the gray follow button under each board. Thanks! :)
*http://expandedramblings.com/index.php/pinterest-stats/#.U-PMpvl3J_8

****

Available by subscription

Police Officer Winter Evan and Navy SEAL Tanner Random are wrong for each other. Winter fears the water. Tanner skims through seas for a living. So four years ago, Winter convinced herself she’d be better off not worrying about his months at sea and his increased cajoling for physical intimacy.

But when she walked away, she lost a giant chunk of her heart.

Now Tanner’s back in town to care for his abandoned niece. No longer a SEAL, he’s sticking to the safety of the North Carolina mountains as a paramedic. Should Winter risk losing her heart all over again? Will God help them build what started years ago into something solid and secure? When love triumphs...

Dora Hiers is a multi-published author of Heart Racing, God-Gracing romances. She’s a member of RWA, and her local chapter, CRW. Connect with her on Seriously Write, her personal blog, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.