Sell Yourself, AKA Promotion...

Happy Monday All,

It's another week, you ready? Apparently whether we're ready or not, the week begins.

I don't mind my writing work, and generally the mommy-gig isn't too bad, but it's been a bit rough this week with Youngest, so it's a little tougher than usual--especially when migraines hit. So I'm sipping my coffee, wishing I got a little more sleep, and doing my best to get myself together for the day.

One of the topics that will be covered at the NWHRWA 2016 Lone Star Writer's Conference (for more information, click here) is PR--aka Promotion.

A lot of writers (including myself) are either shy or introverted (sometimes both). I have met some writers who weren't shy, and some extroverted writers, but I haven't met many. The one thing that is often on any writer's mind when they think of promotion and putting themselves out there is how? What can you do?

The short answer is--a lot. Almost everywhere you go there are opportunities for networking/promoting. In fact, I do it on a regular basis in spite of any shyness/introversion on my part.

Here's an example:  Last year, during the Christmas season (Christmas Eve to be precise), we decided to get a pizza. So I went into the pizza place and gave the checker my order. While waiting,

I sat down next to a lady and we got to chatting. We chatted about some things--Christmas, Church, and such. Finally, I asked if she liked to read. She talked about what she liked to read, and I said I was a Romance author, and pulled out my bookmarks (I keep them in my purse, so I have them whenever I get into a situation like this) and described my books and gave them to her (I often will even sign the Divine Love bookmarks for people).

This is a quick way to make yourself known (especially if you're not a big name). And even if THEY don't like the genre you write, they might know someone who does, and they can pass on your bookmarks to those people.

Now, I'm not saying it's easy to talk to people I don't know. But, you can assess the situation and decide whether or not it's an opportunity. And if the opportunity presents itself, then you've got one more person who knows about your work.

Promotion is a big topic, and most people have an opinion or ideas of what to do. Writers have to take this information and assess what's best for them.

Like I said, this topic will be covered at the Conference, and that's on Saturday, October 1, 2016. It's open to all writers, so get that registration in!

Have A Magnificently Marvelous Monday!

Word-Of-Mouth Magic

Happy Tuesday Everybody,

I'm going to put this out there. Other authors have posted about it on Facebook, and I've mentioned it from time to time:

Readers, you have tremendous power. YOU hold the key to an author's success. How does an author become a bestseller? He or she has readers getting and enjoying his or her work. Readers tell other readers, who tell other readers, and soon you have a hit. Word of mouth is terribly important to authors. I'm no different.

If you like a novel--if you like any of my novels--please consider leaving a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and any

Statue in the Botanical Gardens in Springdale, Arkansas

other website where the author's work appears. It doesn't cost you anything and it has the potential to help the author. (Including the potential of helping this author!)

However, the most important way you can help an author is by telling other readers about him or her. Talk about their work. Let others know what you enjoyed about it and why. I have gotten interested in two authors in particular from direct word-of-mouth:

When I was younger a friend of mine was a huge fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Phantom of The Opera. At the time, I heard my friend out, but wasn't really interested. Some time later,

another friend was talking about it, and answered several of my questions. I got interested in the music, and found out it was a book by French author, Gaston Leroux. I found an English translation of Leroux's book and read it. At first, the novel wasn't easy to read--Leroux throws you right into the action and it takes a minute to figure out what's going on. But I soon came to understand there was a particularly psychological element to Erik the Ghost (Leroux's Phantom) and even at times, sympathize with the character. I saw the movie (and I even own it on DVD) and finally saw the stage play with my husband. I enjoyed both the movie and the stage version, and don't mind seeing either one. The book is really good, too (I've read it probably 2-3 times). You really get an inside look into Erik and understand his personality better than either the movie or the play (in my own opinion, that is. But this doesn't mean I don't like the musical--I own the DVD, remember?)

Another example is getting into author Elizabeth Hunter's Elemental Mysteries. The credit for me getting into Hunter's novels goes to one of my cousins. She was ranting and raving about Hunter's work and I got curious. I don't like to be told "You HAVE to read this." or you "MUST read that." I got enough of that in high school being told what to read and when to read it. I like to make up my own mind about novels. However, my cousin said enough that made me want to look into the work. What I found was an

interesting vampire world with a strong historical element, filled with mystery, suspense, romance, and adventure. I read all 4 books, and am happy she's chosen to expand the world (Elemental World novels).

I'm sure there are other times word-of-mouth worked for me as a reader. This another reason as an author, I value word-of-mouth. I never know who will enjoy my work and sometimes the only way a reader finds out about me is through my readers telling other readers about me.

So please, do me and other authors a favor. Tell your friends, tell your peers, and family members about us. We really appreciate it.

Who is your favorite author you heard about from someone else?

Have A Tremendously Thrilling Tuesday!