Louise Wise (also writes as T E Kessler): social media

From Louise Wise

Showing posts with label social media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social media. Show all posts

Friday, 5 December 2014

Sound Off Time: Why Social Media's Da Bomb!

VBT

by
Millenia Black

A
s we all know, times are ever changing, ever improving. When I was a kid growing up in the 80s, I had no clue the Internet was on its way in with a vengeance! And in the early 90s when I discovered and fell in love with Sidney Sheldon books, I couldn't have imagined that one day I'd have the ability to simply boot up a laptop and shoot him a hero-worshipping e-mail—which I did many years later and nearly keeled over when he actually replied personally!



So connecting, bonding and sharing our passions with each other has never been easier—or more fun—than it is today. I remember when you actually had to sit down, write letters, lick their envelopes, then stamp and mail them off to New York publishing houses c/o of your favorite authors to let them know just how much you loved their books, or even to invite them to a conference call with your book club.



Amazon
And as a writer, it's amazing to be able to get a kick in the proverbial butt from your readership when you've spent a little too much time in the procrastination currents and not enough in the flow of inspiration and creativity. As such, RAINDROPS ON ROSES is my first novel in eight years! The Great Betrayal came out in late 2006, and since then there've been several dedicated fans who've found me on Goodreads, Facebook, or on my website asking whether or not I was still writing and when the next book would be coming out. I can't tell you how much those pings inspired me to pick up my pen, get back in the game and reacquaint myself with my trusty old muse.



Currently, I'm enjoying the heck out of Pinterest! It's too bad the site wasn't around when I published my earlier novels because creating a board for the Favorite Things Trilogy has been loads and loads of fun! Visual aids never go out of style, do they? And so my readers get to check out the characters' sense of style, the cars they drive, the music they listen to and of course—lots more of their favorite things! It's pretty neat!



Now I know there are those who say social media's dumbed us down or made us lazy, but to that I say we need to accentuate the positives and eliminate the negatives! The pluses far outweigh the minuses when it comes to the convenience and ease of connecting and sharing with others, whether they be long time friends, family members, or a new reader who's discovering your books for the very first time...



Cheers to socializing! Let's connect, bond and be merry!


 From the #1 Bestselling Author of THE GREAT PRETENDER comes a highly anticipated new trilogy! Love, Loss, Jealousy and Vengeance — A Razor-Sharp Love Triangle For the History Books! 

Book One of the sizzling new FAVORITE  THINGS Trilogy  
What happens when the man you love, falls in love with someone else?

Buy now! Amazon
Mayfair Island, Florida. Grief-stricken after the sudden loss of her beloved grandmother, an enduring but reclusive Hollywood icon, young Priscilla Bauer finds herself adrift and looking to find solace in the arms of her vast inheritance, when she meets the kind and considerate corporate brand designer, Michael Frost—a drop dead gorgeous beacon of light in her all too dark night.

Falling hard and falling fast, Priscilla has no idea she’s stepped into dangerous territory...Because someone else has already branded Michael Frost her very own—and she has no intention of ever letting him go.

Passions are high, but bitter vengeance gets even higher!


With RAINDROPS ON ROSES, the captivating Favorite Things Novella Trilogy—takes flight!


About Millenia Black:
Millenia is the bestselling author of the novels THE GREAT PRETENDER and THE GREAT BETRAYAL. She loves to tell a compelling story and is an avid reader. Heralded as a double life and relationship expert, she's been a featured guest on radio shows across the country discussing the 7 SMOKE SIGNALS YOUR MAN IS LIVING A DOUBLE LIFE, a nifty e-book guide everyone should have!

Millenia is an alumni of Keiser University and was born and raised in Florida where she still resides today. She is currently working on BLUE SATIN SASHES, book two of the sizzling FAVORITE THINGS trilogy!

Currently unmarried, Millenia has never dated anyone living a double life...she thinks.


Saturday, 10 August 2013

Authors It’s Time To Plug In

Your Readers Are Waiting

by
Judy Ann McCole

There is one obvious universal truth for writers. We want to write. The only relationship status we want to update is the one with Microsoft Word or if you’re feeling old-school a typewriter. Sadly, the world has changed. Authors can no longer just write a novel, send it, and publish… or not, unless you’re J. K Rowling, at least.

The truth is you absolutely need to social network. You need to be so in touch with your network you know what time zones your friends and fans are in just by their response times.

Judy Ann McCole
WHY?

Because there are seven billion people on this earth and of those 7 billion, 1.2 billion of them are Facebook alone. 1.2 billion people! You, from your desk, have the capability to speak with millions of people on a daily basis just by clicking 'log in'. Now, before I jump ahead of myself I should explain how you, as an author, should begin to social network.

FACEBOOK

Chances are you already have Facebook. But make a second one with your pen name or your regular name with ‘author’ attached.

Make sure your profile image you use for your author account is the one your fans will notice.

With your new account, make a fan page for your book. That way if you ever want to run ads people will be driven straight to your book and then, if they want, look you up.

WHY?

Your family and friends have already heard you talk about your books dozens of times. You don’t want your personal account to be flooded with comments nor do you want those close to you to hide your post because all you ever do is talk about your book.

Also, with your author account you can join groups (and there are a lot of groups) for writers and authors.

TWITTER

Twitter is difficult for authors; well it was for me, because a 140-character limit just felt ridiculous and I had no idea what to tweet. I did not want to be one of those people who tweeted “it’s raining” or “I’m going to the mall”.

Twitter is a great way to let people know about your books and anything else you may doing. Because many people tweet almost hourly they don’t mind sharing your tweets or even commenting back.

More people are more like to read your post on twitter then on Facebook because they know it will be short and sweet.

Twitter gets easier the more you use it. One Tweet a day keeps the fans coming your way.

Lastly, you don’t want anyone pretending to be you if you don’t have one.

BLOGS

THIS IS HUGE!! All writers need one! Believe me. Trust me. Listen to me. If you’re a writer you need a blog.

Not only did blogging help Amanda Hocking (a self-published novelist) get attention but it has also helped writers express creative ideas.

The very first thing my publishers told me to do when I signed with them was publish a blog and link it to my website.

If you go to any recent author’s website, you will notice they have a blog. People want to follow you but you have to give them a chance.

Can you sell books without all of this? Yes. It’s possible, in fact some authors do. However, if there is a chance for you to get more readers why not do so?

Why not try and be social?

All I ask is DO NOT insult any of your fans/readers.

Some people are idiots and will friend/follow you just to post stupid things. Ignore and delete but NEVER RESPOND!

DO NOT trash other authors! Your readers may take that personally if they happen to like them.

It’s a lot to juggle I know. However, since starting my blog I’ve gained 1000+ twitter and blog followers… and my books aren’t even out yet.

Sunday, 4 August 2013

Alison Neuman on how social media is important to her

For us authors, social media is important. Not only are we able to keep readers and friends up-to-date with our writing but also with the life events of others. Currently, it is impossible for me to travel so social media allows me to reach my destinations from the comfort of home, and I love that opportunity it's given me.

In the past few years, there has been a huge shift to the Internet. Blog tours are a great example of this and an excellent way to promote your books. How it works is that the author visits several blogs and they are introduced to a new audience.

I have heard of authors who have been made into bestsellers just because of social media.It’s a tool in the authors’ promotional toolkit that should not be overlooked. Although, we have to be careful. When I get continuing posts from individuals trying to sell me products, I must admit, I tune out. When that happens, we are losing a potential relationship. For myself, I plug Ice Rose during the holiday buying season and for blog tours or events. Just enough to keep my book out there, but not enough to cause offence.

Like most authors worldwide, I like to share activities and events that are going on with my career, but my blog isn't only focused on writing, it's also about the arts and crafts. A writer once advised me to post a new blog every two weeks, but I find this challenging. Finding fresh topics can be difficult and I wonder how other bloggers manage it.

And, I admit, when I write my posts, I do not always focus on how worldwide social media can reach. So when, few years ago, I posted a blog on a cookie bouquet that I was making, and received a comment from a reader in Germany I was very shocked and pleased.



Saturday, 11 February 2012

Are you waiting too long to market your book?

guest post 
by 
Cindi Maciolek

Your fingers tingle as they touch the very first copy of your newly published book. Your heart races, your head spins. Excitement rushes through your body. 

“I’ve written a magnificent tome. It will go viral and sell itself!”

Really?

I’m amazed when I speak with authors awaiting the arrival of a new book. Some are lucky enough to not only have an agent, but a traditional publisher. Very often, the excitement wanes when they realize the book will be here shortly and their thoughts turn to marketing.

“I’m not quite sure what will happen once the books are out.”

Yikes!

Marketing is more than wishful thinking, tweeting or blogging. Fact is, it begins before you even write the first word. The characters, the location, the era, the breadth or depth of content, even the cover design play a role in attracting your target reader.

Here are a few thoughts to put you ahead of the game.
  •  Market far in advance of the release. Many authors, including myself, don’t like to share too much about their work until the first draft is complete. However, there must be something you can promote at least six months to two years ahead. If you don’t care to divulge too much, think of interesting teasers to keep your audience attentive.
  • Market to a broader audience. It’s possible to reach beyond your intended market simply by making a minor change to your book. Or, expand your thinking and recognize the book as-is will appeal to an additional market. When I wrote Divatiel: Reflections of a bird’s companion, most people assumed I was writing it for other bird lovers. In fact, I want everyone who loves animals to enjoy the read, a much broader market, and I adjusted the content accordingly.
  • Expand your circle of early readers to market your book. The novel I’m currently writing is clearly aimed at a female audience. Yet, I have a male reader who has provided valuable feedback. Not only has he helped to make it a better book, he will no doubt tell everyone he knows just how much he enjoyed it.
  • Utilize the book cover to your advantage. I had the cover of my book designed over a year before I held printed copies in my hand. It attracted a lot of attention. A cockatiel wearing a tiara certainly piques interest.
  • Forage for media contacts. It can sometimes take months to reach an editor, a celebrity or a producer. If you wait until your book arrives, you’re practically old news. Put together your media list far in advance, and work it, work it, work it!

 We writers are a passionate lot, but early marketing can lead to even greater success.

Monday, 6 February 2012

Join a campaign to join together writers/bloggers/and generally nice people


There are so many of us out there. Aspiring authors, bloggers (whether established or beginning), industry peeps, even published authors, all of whom want to build their online platforms. We write insightful posts and articles, actively blog within the blogosphere, take part in challenges, competitions, and contests galore. We have the passion and the drive to make it, but…we could all do with a bit of support. So I started thinking. What if we link all these people together? What if we create a way to meet people in a similar position, people who genuinely want to help build our online platform while at the same time building theirs? People who want to pay it forward in the spirit of writerly writerness and blogging beautificity (and see it come back to them in turn). And so, my Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign was born. 

What is the Campaign?

Well, to find out more and be taken to RACHAEL HARRIE's (the host) blog for instructions on how to join click below:

Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign

And in spirit of this campaign, mention in the comment section below that you're joining, follow my blog and I'll add you to my Writer's Directory (be sure to add your genre and blog/website link).

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Find Indie writers FAST on Amazon and


You'll want to read them for life!
Find an Indie/self-pubbed works and find yourself a fresh new voice.

With kind permission from Michael James who has allowed me to copy and paste his grouped lists of Indie authors' books, painstakingly put together, so readers don't have to wade through book after book to find their desired read.


Add your book, find a book to read, write a review, blog/tweet about it and someone may do the same for you.
  

Action/Adventure @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx38TES6Q3FJN5X

Apocalyptic @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=TxQ3RAMIYS1O9P

Autobiography/Memoir @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx2UNIRDLX089JH

Children's Books @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=TxK4GE3KYOC5DC

Christian @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx3UDXHIZE1B8SG

Contemporary Romance @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2GWUTUJY3CAQS&cdMsgID=Mx7WJMT1W1GOXG#Mx7WJMT1W1GOXG

Cozy Mystery @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx38WPN4Q8ALI0N&cdMsgID=Mx3440X2V7QG6TC#Mx3440X2V7QG6TC

Dystopia @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx1OBC6KJZB0IIM

Fantasy @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxG0CTZ5QQDTF8&cdMsgID=Mx20WSMRHNOLLCF#Mx20WSMRHNOLLCF

Ghost @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx1ATXBDLDLALZ3&cdMsgID=Mx9TR93HIVSDZI#Mx9TR93HIVSDZI

Graphic Novel/Comic @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx14FSMWWO8QPNH&cdMsgID=Mx3FO2GF0N0W65G#Mx3FO2GF0N0W65G

Halloween @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxSHXA0PDT2PD3&cdMsgID=Mx1YNZ5VTRORCNG#Mx1YNZ5VTRORCNG

Historical Fiction @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx3APP0UUA9Y96O&cdMsgID=Mx64G8PX55JRJ2#Mx64G8PX55JRJ2

Historical Romance @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2ALCG0W1XWBY2&cdMsgID=Mx32RC25WGW2QDK#Mx32RC25WGW2QDK

Horror @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx3N5MWXQNLD8GI&cdMsgID=MxMEDBER2HWWSD#MxMEDBER2HWWSD

Humorous Fiction @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxY9YK1H4XDO5X&cdMsgID=Mx1C2B9VJISOJHB#Mx1C2B9VJISOJHB

Literary Fiction @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2QUPHM00ZN9NS&cdMsgID=MxG7RHX5XVHAKF#MxG7RHX5XVHAKF

Mystery/Hardboiled/Procedural @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx32QOBHER7D0RX&cdMsgID=Mx1K73GYJYJ962Y#Mx1K73GYJYJ962Y

Paranormal Romance @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx3OPNG2YFNLH4T&cdMsgID=MxSPSRTITZT594#MxSPSRTITZT594

Paranormal @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2LI6SSDHSSOX6&cdMsgID=Mx3LGLM8P8O1BPI#Mx3LGLM8P8O1BPI

Poetry @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=TxPEGXSRXSVYSH

Post-Apocalyptic @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx36ESB1ZVMIZMN

Science Fiction @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx1F00JO8AMTU25&cdMsgID=Mx106R0RMX1TXIL#Mx106R0RMX1TXIL

Short Stories @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxQ0G9EAI2KDGA&cdMsgID=Mx280BARWR84BO5#Mx280BARWR84BO5

Suspense @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx21M4A40YT7GY6&cdMsgID=Mx39RCVGFFPQNG5#Mx39RCVGFFPQNG5

Thriller @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx29NG9AICHZ0SU&cdMsgID=Mx2C4ISRFACLPFH#Mx2C4ISRFACLPFH

Time Travel @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2R5F3XZ3WLE4N&cdMsgID=Mx3D4YTF4FHNN7Y#Mx3D4YTF4FHNN7Y

Vampire Romance @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2R5F3XZ3WLE4N&cdMsgID=Mx3D4YTF4FHNN7Y#Mx3D4YTF4FHNN7Y

Western Romance @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2WP8RJIFC34TK&cdMsgID=Mx36LA6R9BEWMXT#Mx36LA6R9BEWMXT

Westerns @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxXO5XG8MR6GV7&cdMsgID=Mx1UY0L6XE6APP8#Mx1UY0L6XE6APP8

Young Adult @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx31AV7IW1I8KHU

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

52 Wonderful Twitter Chats for Writers


Writing is often a lonely endeavor for professionals and college students alike, but it doesn't have to be. There are many places for writers to find help and inspiration for every part of the writing process. One of the newest sources of support is on Twitter, through a wide variety of writing chats. Writers on Twitter only need to use and search for a given hashtag to participate, and most groups are very welcoming to those with different interests and levels of experience. Here, we've listed some of the most popular and potentially valuable chats on Twitter. Covering a wide range of topics, you're bound to find a chat that meets your personal needs as a writer, and you may just make a few new friends in the process.

Slow Chats

These chats don't always have a set time or day that they meet. Writers and readers simply post to them whenever they come across something they'd like to share with the community.
  1. #litchatThis group is not only a great place to get inspired to write, it can also help hook you up with some great books to read. Chats are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but if you miss a meeting there are transcripts on the group's blog.
  2. Click below for more from this wonderful blog:


52 Wonderful Twitter Chats for Writers | Online College Tips - Online Colleges

Saturday, 10 December 2011

5 Ways to Kill Boring Posts

by
Mary Edwards

So you have a blog. Good for you. There’s only one thing I have to say to you. Either write well or delete it. I am so sick of flipping through boring, repetitive blog posts. Really, you’d be better off just letting the poor thing die. Shoot it and relive us all of your misery. No one wants to read about what you ate last night or what little Sally did that was just so cute. Or, worse yet, your sexual exploits. Unless you’re a Kardashian, no one cares, really. Oh, but you like your blog. Fine then. Read these five tips and try to improve it. If you can.


1.  You’re boring – Face it, you don’t have a passion for anything. You don’t care about your blog or what you write on it. Wait, you do? Well, that’s a shocker. I had no idea. From reading it I’d have thought you were about as enthusiastic as a wino on his fourth bottle. Don’t be afraid to show your passion then! Pour out your heart, get over-excited, may be sweat a bit as you type so furiously that the words get jumbled up on the page and grammar goes out the window because it’s just so exciting! That’s what I want to read. If you don’t love it, then why should I?



2.  You’re stupid – You know nothing, you see nothing, you hear nothing, nothing! Your name is Shultz. You live in a perpetual state of blank numbness where you experience nothing that goes on around you. Better yet, what you do see/hear/feel you have no input on. You get neither aggravated nor elated. That’s not you? Then you do know something! Don’t let pesky things like facts get in your way. You’re not writing for the New York Times. You have a blog. Unless you’re giving medical advice (please don’t) then your opinion won’t kill anyone. Share. Tell. Write.


Saturday, 5 November 2011

ALPHA ONE – THE JUMP PILOT by Chris Burton


What lies beyond the wormhole… is the devil incarnate



ALPHA ONE – THE JUMP PILOT
by
Chris Burton.


Jake is a trainee Jump Pilot and war is rife in the galaxy...


The Sentinels are very sensitive about a region of space, light years from their territorial boundaries. They are guided by the Betanica Sect, who seek to protect the galaxy and in particular the Tri Star Region from invasion by the Kryl. The Kryl are the devil incarnate…

Jake is a final year Alpha Academy student and he has chosen Jump Ship Command to launch his career. He and Steve are two of the brightest academy pilots. They are also vying for the affection of the same girl. Carla is looking for her sister, who left home 6 years before to join the Collective, led by the sinister and mysterious Professor Winterburn. Winterburn casts a spell over everyone he meets.

The Sentinels and the Betanica Sect lock horns with Alpha in a battle to assume control of the Tri Star System. Alpha's aim is to open the Blue Worm hole; a gateway to another galaxy. The gathering masses are joined by Winterburn and his flock and by Jake and Steve whose sole intention is to rescue Carla Stevenson from Winterburn’s clutches.



Monday, 19 September 2011

Heavy promoting is BLOODY annoying!



Learnt a new word the other day – shilling

It means ceaselessly promoting your book. Put it another way, do you get lots of spam from anonymous people trying to sell you Viagra? Escorts? Shilling is no different. In the end this “promotion” isn’t read, it’s just deleted or ignored.

I joined Amazon forums for one reason and that is to promote, promote and promote some more. I thought it was an excellent tool for authors to promote their books. I mean, where else are you going to meet so many readers? But do book lovers really read these threads? I don’t, so why would I expect others to? 


I soon learnt that it was against Amazon’s regulations, and that actually it was BLOODY annoying! 

So what makes me buy a book from an unknown author? What makes you? Of course an excellent blurb and an interesting cover helps, but how do you find books by unknown writers? And what are they supposed to do to help you find them?

I’ve learnt that social media isn’t there for you to promote your book. It’s to meet, and join in discussions with other people.

So in short if you claim that social media isn’t working then it’s probably because you’re doing it wrong.

Are you sending Facebook messages or updates pleading to Like My Page – when these land in my inbox or media stream I, like many I imagine, delete or ignore them.  When I’m bombarded with messages from Twitter to “check out my website” I, again like many others, completely ignore them. Tweeters who continually push their book or yell Follow Me! at every opportunity are also ignored.

But, if by chance one of these en masse promotions provokes a visit to a blog what are we likely to find? Pictures of a stranger's latest trip up the Eiffel Tower? Photos of someone's pet cat or dog? Very likely! Similarly, if the blog focuses ONLY on self-promotion people aren’t going to be enchanted.

Promotion on Amazon, bombarding people with emails, tweeting primarily to promote yourself on Twitter and begging people to buy your book on Facebook and Linkedin aren’t going to work. You may get a trickle of sales, and if a trickle is all you want then carry on.

But if you want to sell SHIT LOADS *read on: 

*Don't expect a magic jangle. Building an author platform takes time and work. Like writing a book really.




You will need (at least) a blog, Twitter account and Facebook and join Amazon forums and Goodreads. There are others but these are my favourite, and all will work together and reinforce one another. You can’t stick to one source. You WILL need several. And you will HAVE to be consistent and professional at all times. NEVER stray from this. Most importantly it has to be more than selling books - it has to be about YOU (not to be confused with you and your boring life - believe me your life IS boring to others) as a HUMAN not a spammer.

Your author platform begins with many social sites. They aren’t something you can dip in and out at will, they are something you MUST become part of and WORK AT. This requires time, and if you’re working as well as writing it’s hard, but it CAN be done.

And do it NOW. Don’t wait until your book is published. It’s NEVER too early to begin a platform. The days of marketing your novel after it is published is long gone.

On your blog write something that others will be interested in reading. No one wants to read something unless it means something to them. Think about what makes YOU open a link or read a begging email. Can’t think of anything to write on your blog? Offer authors free space to write something.


Link share, write an article, entertain and write flash fiction, ask to interview someone, the list is endless really.

On Amazon forums be a human, not a spammer. Talk about books. Join the MOA  (Meet Our Authors) forum. DON’T PROMOTE. Write interesting discussions and you’ll find yourself looked up.

Twitter is a place to share links and information, and make sure you use hashtags well. If you don’t know the important of hashtags then find out now rather than later. Again don’t over promote yourself because people will notice and you’ll end up unfollowed. Join in on chats, write something funny or meaningful and above all TALK to people. Some people believe it’s impossible to chat on Twitter with only 140 characters but you’ll be wrong. It’s amazing what CAN be said in a sentence or two.

Facebook is more relaxed than Twitter. I use my FB account to connect with family and friends so I’m more "me" there. But here you also have the opportunity to join groups. Search for literary groups/writing groups etc

Goodreads is another tool where you can connect to groups, again treat this as an opportunity to meet and connect with people.

With all social media take time to write your profile and add your links to create a chain between you and your media sites. And ALWAYS stick with ONE name – preferably your author name. The web is a small world and you WILL be recognised. It takes time and patience, but it DOES pay off.


Only don't expect it within a month - or even six months. Sorry if that's NOT what you want to hear. There is no magic formula. If there was I'd be selling it at fifty quid a bottle!


Patience and perseverance is the golden key.


But think of it this way: you'll meet loads of writers in the same position as yourself and you'll make lots of friends.





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