Ideas for New Author’s to Promote Your Work

As a new author it’s not always easy to know what to do to promote your work. The article below does a great job in giving some guidance. The most profound part of this article is the end. He says support other on their big day and they will support you.

How to Support an Author’s New Book: 11 Ideas For You

Chuck Sambuchino on Jan 28 2013 

photo by darkmatter

GIVEAWAY: I am very excited to again give away a copy of my newest book,CREATE YOUR WRITER PLATFORM. It’s a book all about how to build your visibility, brand, network and discoverability so you can better market yourself and your books. I’m giving away 1 copy to a random commenter based in the U.S. or Canada; comment within one week to win. Good luck!

My screenwriting partner and WD coworker, Brian A. Klems, is gearing up for the April release of his first book — a humorous guide for fathers called OH BOY, YOU’RE HAVING A GIRL: A DAD’S SURVIVAL GUIDE TO RAISING DAUGHTERS (Adams Media). On top of that, my coworker Robert Brewer (editor ofWriter’s Market) recently got a publishing deal for a book of his poetry. (This is big because getting a book of poems traditionally published is next to impossible.) So I find myself as a cheerleader for my writing buddies — trying to do what I can to help as their 2013 release dates approach. I help in two ways: 1) I use my own experience of writing & publishing books to share advice on what they can expect and plan for; and 2) I simply do whatever little things I can that help in any way.

This last part brings up an important point: Anyone can support an author’s book release by doing different things to help the book sell and get noticed. So, in no particular order, here are 11 things — some big, some small — that you can do to support a writer friend when their book comes out:

1. Buy their book. An obvious point, sure, but important nonetheless. Naturally, we must buy new copies of books, not used copies, for the sale to “count” and the author to get a royalty. So buy new. Heck, consider pre-ordering the book. Publishers pay attention to pre-orders to help get a sense of what titles are getting buzz and attention. Impressive pre-orders help the author.

2. Buy their book for others as a gift. Think of which friends and relatives would enjoy the book/novel. Buy it for them as either a birthday gift or holiday gift. You get to support your author friend and give cool gifts at the same time! Get copies signed if possible to make gifts special. Even people who don’t read many novels will still take note if a gifted book is personalized and autographed.

3. Face the book out at bookstores. Simply rearrange a bookstore shelf so that your friend’s book faces out to make it much more noticeable. (The theme begins: It’s all about getting noticed.)

4. When you actually read the book, read it where people can see it. Read it in public. Read it on the subway. Read it in the aisle seat of a plane. Read it on the deck of a cruise ship. After all, don’t you find yourself looking at what others are reading when you pass by? I do! And if I see 3 different people in 3 different places reading the same book, will I start to investigate it out of curiosity? Yes. It’s all about building public knowledge of something to the point where people are curious and discuss it.

5. Ask a bookstore employee where the book is located. When entering a bookstore, do not look for the book, even if you know exactly where it is. Go to the bookstore customer service clerk and ask them about the book. They will find it in their system and lead you to the book. My hope is that if several people do this at the same bookstore, then the employee(s) will begin to take notice of the title, wondering what all the buzz is about. If you’re lucky enough that an employee finally picks it up and reads it, then they might put it in the “Employee Picks” section or refer it to people who come in and ask “What’s something good I probably don’t know about?” or “What book makes a good gift?” Let bookstore employees help sell copies!

6. Leave a review on Amazon or BN.com or Goodreads or all. Reviews are still very important. Think about it. If you come by a new book and see it has 2.0 stars on Amazon, would you buy it? On some level, that silly rating does affect me and my decision — and my guess is that it affects you, too. So it’s crucial that, when you read a book and enjoy it, you leave a review on Amazon or BN.com or Goodreads or all. Those first 10-20 reviews really matter and can set a book on the right path. (Note: You can leave the same review on all sites to save time.)

7. “Like” the book on Amazon, or “Like” the author’s Facebook Fan page, or both. I heard from a literary agent once that the more “Likes” a book had on its Amazon page, the more frequent it turned up in Amazon’s comparable titles elsewhere. Getting your personal friends to “Like” another friend’s page is an easy favor to ask, as it requires no money. (Heck, go do some good right now: Open this separate page and “Like” Brian’s Facebook page if you have a second.)

8. Reserve a copy at the library. An employee here at Writer’s Digest Books once told me that if all copies of a book are reserved from our county library before the title came out, the system has a way of noticing this popularity and marking the book as one for “more orders.” (Also: Use the bookstore method above and ask librarians about the book — simply to draw attention to it and get the title on the mind of staff.)

9. Attend the book release party (if there is one) and bring a warm body or two. This task isn’t so much to help the author as it is to help the author’s self-esteem. It’s lonely to have a book release party or local signing with low attendance. If you already bought a copy, bring that book to be signed.

10. Spread news of the book through your social media channels. When the author mentions it on Facebook, share the news with your social circles and include a small note about what the book is and why they should buy it. In other words, spreading the word by saying “My friend got published!” is nice — but it’s better to say, “This new book by my hilarious friend is a great gift for dads who are raising daughters. Laugh-out-loud-funny stuff for all fathers to enjoy!” See how the second one targets people in a simple-yet-specific way? Do this kind of targeting when you spread the word via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, or blogs.

11. If you have media contacts or know people of influence, arrange a connection. This is one of the best things you can do and probably the biggest way you can truly influence the life of the book and the success of the author. If you’re married to the cousin of a local news personality, it’s exactly that kind of connection that serves as a great introduction between author and TV host. If you know a book reviewer at a newspaper in Boston, say so. If your old college buddy now runs the biggest reading club in all of Central California, try and help your author friend’s book be a future choice in that club. Utilize your network!

My own example of Point #11: When Brian’s parenting book was being edited, he was told to seek out blurbs for the cover. The top two people on his list were humorist Dave Barry and 8 SIMPLE RULES FOR DATING MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER author Bruce Cameron. Brian got the Dave Barry blurb, but not Cameron. Then I remembered: Hey. Didn’t I teach with Bruce Cameron at awriters’ conference in 2010? Yes I did. Maybe that will be enough to help. So I wrote Cameron personally and mentioned our past meeting and how he and we shared a hobby because we both authored dog books, etc., etc. And then at the end of the e-mail, I nicely asked if he would blurb Brian’s book. I was careful to explain that Brian’s work would be worth his time, and that the title was not some kind of small book that would only sell 17 copies in its lifetime. “This book has buzz,” I told him. Cameron replied back a few weeks later with a tremendous blurb. Success!

This last, large point touches on something very important. When you do approach someone of influence and ask them for a favor or suggest a book to them, have all your ducks in a row. Tout the book’s accolades or blurbs or interesting aspects to quickly convey that this connection/suggestion is worth their time. Don’t just say, “My friend has a new novel — check it out!” Say, “My friend has a new murder mystery novel and the Vanity Fair review comes out soon. She also just got a cover blurb from Michael Connelly.” Now you’ve got their attention…

Help writers sell books. It’s that simple. Just help them and support the publishing industry. Good karma will befall you, and the hope is that others will help you in return as your big release day comes.

Questions or comments on this article we would love to get some

This Week’s Writing Prompt!!!

What does this picture say to you? Tell me in 250 words or less email me at mechirenee@gmail.com and your story may be in next weeks blog!!!

 

Questions and comments are always appreciated!!!

How To Research a Novel in 7 easy steps

Written by Chuck Sambuchino

Ernest Hemingway said writers should develop a built-in bullshit detector. I imagine one reason he said that is because readers have their own BS indicators. They can tell when we writers are winging it. We have to know well the worlds in which our characters act. Readers don’t have to believe the story really happened, but they need to believe it could have happened. So with that in mind, I offer a few thoughts on research for fiction.

1) You can’t do too much research.  In the military, we often say time spent gathering intelligence is seldom wasted. The same concept applies in writing a novel. You never know what little detail will give a scene the ring of authenticity. In a college creative writing class, I wrote about how a scuba diver got cut underwater, and in the filtered light at depth, the blood appeared green. Though the professor didn’t think much of that particular story, he did concede he liked that detail. In fact, he said, “The author must have seen that.” And indeed, I had.

2) You can write what you know. We’ve all heard it before. Experience may be a cruel teacher, but it is a thorough one, and experience is the purest form of research. Things you’ve done in life (like scuba diving) can inform your writing in surprising ways, even if your characters aren’t doing those same things. When I watch the old Star Trek shows, I can tell the creator of those stories knew something about how a military flight crew works together. He understood the dynamics of a chain of command, how a commander learns the strengths and weaknesses of his team, how those team members communicate and work together. Turns out that Gene Roddenberry flew B-17 bombers in World War II. Roddenberry, of course, never flew a starship. But he knew from experience how the crew of a starship might interact.

3) You can do research on the cheap. If you can’t visit an exotic location, you can pick up the phone and ask questions. The worst that can happen is somebody thinks you’re crazy and they hang up. Then you just call somebody else. (Believe me; I used to be a reporter, and I’ve learned a lot by asking questions.) You can visit a museum, or a museum’s website. Develop an eye for small details.

4) You can find anything on YouTube. Seriously. But you have to know your topic well enough to know how to search for it. In The Renegades, I have a character whose lungs collapse from a bullet wound. I wanted to find out how a medic would treat that condition. Sure enough, someone had posted on YouTube a video with detailed instructions on how to perform a needle decompression.

5) You can find things anywhere. You’re a writer, so keep pen and paper within reach during all waking hours. You might get an idea from a news story on television, a song on the radio, or a Tweet from a friend. About a year ago, I was driving along on a warm day, listening to the radio with the windows down. An oldies station played “Wind of Change,” the Scorpions’ 1990 ballad hailing the end of the Cold War. I hadn’t heard that song in a long time, and I cranked it up loud. The power chords brought back memories of flying relief missions to Bosnia while based at a disused Cold War alert facility in Germany. Not really a pleasant memory–for Bosnia, the end of the Cold War brought something worse. But that flashback from early in my military career inspired a scene in the novel I’m working on now.

6) You can use all your senses. Find out what things taste like, smell like, feel like. Say, for example, you set your novel in Warsaw. Maybe you can’t afford to go to Warsaw, but you can go to a Polish restaurant. (See item number three above, about doing research on the cheap.) As you write one of your scenes, include a line about the texture and flavor of something your character eats. You’ve just made your writing more alive and authentic.

(Learn more about How to Start Your Novel.)

7) You can leave some things out. If you do thorough research, you’ll find more material than you need, and no reader likes a data dump. In my own writing, I could bore you to death with the details of aircraft and weapons. But a very good creative writing professor once advised me to let the reader “overhear” the tech talk. Say, if my character punches off a HARM missile, that might sound authentic and pretty scary. But scary would turn to dull if I stopped the action to tell you that HARM stands for High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile, which homes in on anti-aircraft missile radars. Who cares? The damn thing goes boom.

Since I began this discussion with a quote from a literary heavyweight of the twentieth century, I’ll end it with another: Ezra Pound said literature is news that stays news. And a novelist has nearly the same obligation for accuracy as a news writer. Your made-up world must ring true. Not even fantasy writers can completely escape reality; the old Star Trek episodes sometimes referred to real science, which made them more believable within their context. Though we invent tales that didn’t really happen, we drape them over a framework of real-life facts.

 

 

Getting Good Feedback On Your Manuscript!!!

This article is from authonomy blog site, which is sponsored by Harper Collins.

We wanted to start the week with more insight from the fantastic authoright team – how to get the most out of that vital editing process.

 

Ernest Hemingway once proclaimed that “all first drafts are s*!#”. Not even the greatest of writers can expect to produce a masterpiece in one attempt: rewriting is simply an essential part of creating a book to be proud of. In order to redraft your work effectively, you’ll need some feedback to guide you. That’s why a community like authonomy is such a huge support. So here’s what to look for when you’re looking for feedback.

 

The most important consideration when it comes to getting someone to give their opinion on your writing is who to ask. Rule Number One: don’t ask friends and family. Youmight have a close friend who won’t pull their punches when it comes to critiquing your writing, but for the most part, loved ones don’t exactly relish being given such a huge responsibility and can balk at having to play such a crucial role. Most also don’t feel qualified to advise and will be terrified of telling you the wrong thing. Usually those close to you will withhold their harshest comments, thinking they’re doing you a favour by being encouraging. They may also stray into the jealousy department, and their feedback may be coloured by the fact that they’re just a little bit resentful that you’ve managed to write an entire book by yourself. It’s a huge achievement in itself and even those who appear to be – and should be – supportive, may not actually be naturally interested or genuinely pleased by your creative efforts. Whenever a good friend of mine asked his mother to read the first draft of his novel she would immediately start droning on about the marvels of her own writing. She wasn’t even working on a book, she was just being competitive! You want to look for four key qualities in the person charged with reviewing your work; distance, time, experience and respect. The best kind of person to ask for feedback is someone who is well-read, who has plenty of time to devote to the task, who knows you formally but not intimately and who you respect intellectually. Someone with the time and inclination to take your book seriously and earnestly and who might even have some relevant experience in providing feedback. And someone who is able to put their own ego to one side really helps.

 

US author Allison Winn Scotch discusses this issue on her blog, giving advice about when a writer should ask someone to review their work. She notes that authors differ in their method, with some carefully planning ahead while others just write down whatever comes to mind and make sense of it later. If you belong to the latter category then it may be worth waiting until you have something fairly complete before showing it to anyone; you’re asking someone to spend a significant amount of time looking at your work, they won’t appreciate having to decode a series of half-baked ramblings. Authors who write more carefully might get halfway through a draft and worry that the book’s heading in the wrong direction. In this case, it could be useful to get some feedback before the first draft is complete; you might find inspiration if you’ve run out of ideas or – if it’s well-received – you’ll be given the confidence to carry on till the very last page.

 

Fellow writers can also be good people to give you feedback as they’re familiar with the writing process and will expect you to return the favour, making them more likely to offer substantial and thorough feedback, which is one of authonomy’s strengths  People you don’t know will always be your harshest critics but it’s important to take their feedback on the chin and use it constructively where relevant.

 

Wherever you go for feedback, make sure it’s from more than one source. Best-selling Australian author Max Barry warns us of the dangers of taking one person’s word as gospel: he showed a first draft to his agent who told him a novel should be about 90,000 words so he proceeded to ruthlessly cull 40,000 of them, the book went no further and it turned out the agent hadn’t read more than a couple of pages! But while one person’s advice alone can unduly influence you, too many people will give you too much feedback to cope with and leave you feeling deflated. Balance is key, but by assembling a group of discerning readers who are all passionate about literature and who will each take a slightly different approach to the written word, you’ll ensure you receive rounded feedback, which will really stand you in good stead to revise and redraft your work and build for a better, brighter book.

 

Start Writing Now!!!

For some of you it has been a long time since you have been in the mood or motivated to write anything. Each week we are going to have a writing prompt to stimulate your creative juices and get you back writing.

This weeks writing prompt will be ” What had happened was…”

After you write your piece submit it to mechirenee@gmail.com . All submissions should be less than 350 words, and must be received my Monday of the following week since the blog comes out on Wednesday. All pieces submitted will be featured on the blog.

 

Happy Writing!!!

 

Enhance Your Writing

I have often had times where I just thought I can’t come up with anything else. It’s almost like the deer in the headlight look. Sometimes you just need a fresh dose of creativity. I have just the medicine you need. Take a writing workshop!!!

Writing Workshop for Teens with Terra Elan McVoy

Monday, February 4th | 4:30 p.m.

Dates: Mondays, February 4, 11, 18 and 25, from 4:30-6:00 pm; Cost: $275 (Limit 10)
Have you been working on a creative story or project (maybe something for NaNoWriMo?), but haven’t been able to get the feedback you want on it? Now’s your chance! Reading and responding to other writers’ work is one of the best ways to help sharpen your own skills, and in this four-week workshop you’ll do just that, not to mention get feedback on your own piece. Writers ages 12-16 are welcome, so long as you already have written a story, poem collection, or play that is a max of 20 pages.

For registration, please email class instructor Terra Elan McVoy (author of four YA novels, including Pure and Being Friends with Boys) atterramcvoy@gmail.com. Both class will be capped, for the sake of giving everyone proper time, and both classes will meet at Little Shop of Stories.

Adult Writing Workshop with Terra Elan McVoy

Wednesday, February 6th | 6 p.m.

Dates: Wednesdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 from 6:00-7:45 pm; Cost: $300 (Limit 8)
Reading carefully and critically—watching how another writer constructs his or her story—is one of the best ways to become a better writer yourself. So in this four-week discussion-heavy workshop at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA you’ll share (and get feedback on) one 15-20 page (max) writing sample of your own, plus further sharpen your skills by responding to works of similar length by other class members. Time allowing, we’ll also do a short freewriting exercise every week, just for the continued exercise. By the end of the four-week session you’ll have a clearer sense of where to go next on your current project, improved critiquing and critical reading skills, more thoughts on story form, and maybe a new friend or two, too.

For registration, please email class instructor Terra Elan McVoy (author of four YA novels, including Pure and Being Friends with Boys) atterramcvoy@gmail.com. Both class will be capped, for the sake of giving everyone proper time, and both classes will meet at Little Shop of Stories.

 

Give Thanks

Writing talents come from a higher power that we have to give thanks to.  Wether you believe in God, Buddha  Allah, the Dali Lama or something else we will always start the blog with a spiritual lesson. Writing is not just about the plot, the setting, and word choice a good writer is able to connect with their audience based on emotion and feelings. We as writers have often complained about our writing in various stages of the process, which does not serve us to do what we need to do and that’s WRITE not complain. Today’s devotional will help us to channel our complaining elsewhere!!!

5 Things to Do Instead of Complain

By Jon Gordon 
This week’s topic: The Power Of The Tongue

 I’ve been speaking to a lot of organizations around the country and one thing I keep hearing from leaders and employees is that complaining is at an all time high. I’m not surprised. There are usually two main reasons why we complain. 1. We complain because we feel powerless. 2. We complain because it’s a habit. The economy has shaken a lot of people’s foundations and we feel powerless which leads to a rise in habitual complaining.

But complaining isn’t something new. Think about the Israelites who had spent years as captive slaves and within a short time of being freed they start complaining. They complained about being hungry. They complained about not having enough water. They complained about living in the wilderness. They even said it would be better to be back in Egypt as slaves rather than be free in the desert. Four hundred years of slavery, and they didn’t appreciate the freedom and blessing they have been given.

Here’s the thing, God doesn’t want us to be complainers, He wants us to live with a spirit of joy and thanksgiving.

“Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord…” – Numbers 11:1 (NKJV

“Do all things without complaining and disputing…” -Philippians 2:14 (NKJV)

So today I want to encourage you to adopt a No Complaining Rule and go on a complaining fast. Not because it will make everyone around you happier, although it will, but because it will help you experience more of the peace and joy that God wants for you, and it will help you build strong, positive relationships with others. 

Believe me; I know a lot about complaining. I use to be a professional complainer and found that it not only sabotages your happiness but the morale of your team and family. 

To help you break out of a “complaining” rut here are five things you can do instead of complain. These tips will help you realize you are not powerless. You have the power to choose your beliefs and actions. And in your focus on the positive instead of the negative you’ll find the faith, strength and confidence to take on life’s challenges and identify the solutions to your complaints.

1. Practice Gratitude. Research shows that when we count three blessings a day, we get a measurable boost in happiness that uplifts and energizes us. It’s also physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. If you are focusing on gratitude, you can’t be negative.  (Psalm 118:24) 

2. Praise Others. Instead of complaining about what others are doing wrong, start focusing on what they are doing right. Praise them and watch as they create more success as a result. Of course, point out their mistakes so they can learn and grow, but make sure you give three times as much praise as criticism. You can energize and engage your coworkers by encouraging  them and their work. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

3. Focus on Success. Start a success journal. Each night before you go to bed, write down the one great thing about your day. The one great conversation, accomplishment, or win that you are most proud of. Focus on your success, and you’ll look forward to creating more success tomorrow. (Philippians 4:8)

4. Let Go. Focus on the things that you have the power to change, and let go of the things that are beyond your control. Give it up to God and trust Him with the outcome. You’ll be amazed that when you stop trying to control everything, it all somehow works out. Surrender is the answer. (Proverbs 3:5)

5. Pray. God wants to hear from you. He wants to have a personal relationship with you on a daily basis. Take your worries to Him and He will help you. If you’re a skeptic, also know that scientific research shows that daily prayer reduces stress; boosts positive energy; and promotes health, vitality, and longevity. When you are faced with the urge to complain or you are feeling stressed to the max, stop, be still, plug-in to the ultimate power of God and recharge.  (Philippians 4:6)

Scripture of the Day: “Do all things without complaining and disputing…” -Philippians 2:14 (NKJV)

A Life-Application Devotional By Jon Gordon | http://www.JonGordon.com

Jon Gordon’s best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams. http://www.jongordon.com