Purpose of Promotion
Current mood: busy
Category: Writing and Poetry

As an author, the purpose of promotion is the keep book fans. It has been suggested that if your "fans" don’t give you their email address then you have failed. I don’t like to hear that because I’m not the type that necessarily likes to follow "steps to success" rules or guidelines. My favorite form of promotion is face to face, but there’s only one of me and truth be told, I’d like to see the sales of my books increase.

When I attended the Inspired Author chat on becoming famous, it was pointed out that at tradeshows "amateurs give out information and brochures. The professionals TAKE business cards and contact information." This is so they can build relationships. When I look at it that way it goes back to my favorite form of promotion—face to face. That’s because I know the people. Getting email info and staying in touch is really virtual face to face. I’ve established relationships all over the world via email. So stepping back from my own fears and introvert tendencies I see that this idea holds merit after all. Now just to learn how to implement it.

Suggestions include websites and blogs. Well, I currently have five blogs and must confess, I haven’t been collecting contact information. The idea is to offer something people want and to have them sign up for a mailing list and here in lies my problem. According to what I learned, the only purpose a blog serves is to try and get people to sign up on your mailing list. Can you hear me sigh? I mean I get it, but I just can’t quite go there. I started the Losing Weight from a Writer’s POV to encourage others to lose weight, and the Pumping Your Muse Writer’s Prompts Blog to help writers find ideas and to keep them writing, and the Anthology News and Reviews blog is designed to promote anthologies and share markets. Now that one in a way collects contacts as people provide the information about the anthology they want to promote. My other two blogs are rather sporadic or unfocused. One is on writing and can be found at Inspired Author. The other is at Communati which is a great place to network with other writers. So it’s time to put the thinking cap on and analyze what I’ve learned. If any of you have suggestions, I’d love to hear from you.

12:25 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Promotion and the Writer’s Website
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Writing and Poetry

One of my goals each week is promotion. I have a creative writing book titled Pumping Your Museand a fantasy novel titled Windwalker, and a slew of anthologies as far as my published work goes, but again I ask. Does promotion mean selling my books or does it mean promoting my career? There's a difference. The point I learned over at the Inspired Author chat is that the key is to make yourself look famous.

Of course my first inner response was something like, Yeah right. Me? But the more we chatted, my muse kicked into promo gear and I started to see possible ways I could try and accomplish this. Today what we'll look at is the need for an author website. I recently added a media room to mine in an effort to promote myself, but how do I make myself look famous. Here are a few ideas:

I received the key to the city in Heflin, Al when I took part a Moveable Feast with the Authors. I have a photo with the mayor. And this month I have an article in Writer's Magazine about the even. I should be able to bring all that together and make it an interesting blurb on my website.

I also contacted a local reporter about this same item as we're hoping to find a sponsor to hold another Feast with the Author fundraiser.

The thing is, I haven't done anything new. The Heflin event happened a year ago, but the article in The Writer just came out—April issue. I can use this to add to my "famous" persona. But that's not the end of it. I've met another hurdle when it comes to my website. Because according to the chat, if I don't have a "member feature" it is a waste of time. A member feature would include things like offering a newsletter and having a place to sign up.

The positive: I know what I need to do next with my website and I hope you do too. Next we'll look at the Purpose of Promotion.

12:51 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

What’s the Difference Between Promoting Your Career and Selling Your Books?
Current mood: thoughtful
Category: Writing and Poetry

Last night someone asked , "What's the difference between promoting your career and selling your books?" Good question. It gave me pause.

Writing is a dream come true for me. My third book is due out this year, and this month (April issue) I have an article in The Writer Magazine. I'm thrilled, but I am aware that I lack the skills needed to promote my work--and herein lies the the reason for my pause to the question put to me last night. And I'm not alone. The more writers I talk to, the more I realize that in today's world if a writer wants to truely be successful, they can't be content to sit behind their computers and write and not expect to also work at selling themselves. I attended a chat for writers over at Inspired Author last night, and it was not only informative, but helpful. If you're looking for a place to grow your knowledge of how the world of writing works from a PR standpoint, I invite you to join the chats held every Thursday evening at 7:00 EST. One valuable tool I learned about is a book called Book Promo 101: Learn the basics of Book Promotion (Paperback). The author, Nikki Leigh, was present at the chat and freely offered all kinds of helpful tidbits. So if you're a serious inkslinger, but lack the Chutzpah or the knowhow to promote yourself, you can't beat the information found here.

If you're a writer or author and have read this far, ask yourself this question one more time: What's the difference between promoting your career and selling your books? Over the next week I hope to pass on to you what I'm learning in this area in an effort to help us learn together. Take a moment to subscribe to my blog and you won't miss a thing!

au

12:22 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Fantasy Basics
Current mood: stressed
Category: Writing and Poetry

Fantasy Basics

6:11 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Author Donna Sundblad’s Latest News
Current mood: bouncy
Category: Writing and Poetry

Life is rich and full these days. I've got all kinds of news to share.  Two insiprational stories will be coming out any time now in Tyndale's inspirational anthology Life Savors. If you pick up a copy look for my two stories, She's Only 14! and Room for One More.

I'm presently on the Master Cleanse detox diet and feeling great while losing weight. If you want to learn more, I'm journaling the experience over at Losing Weight From a Writer's POV. It's the first time I've tried something like this and I'd recommend it for anyone who is feeling sluggish or foregetful.

And for those who are suffering from writer's block or are looking for a little creative fun, be sure to check out daily writer's prompts at Pumping Your Muse Writer's Prompts.

6:19 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Nor Iron Bars a Cage: Part of the Legends of Byntar
Current mood: nostalgic
Category: Writing and Poetry

Nor Iron Bars a Cage: Part of the Legends of Byntar
Book two of the Ascendancy Trilogy
By Caprice Hokstad
Vici Publishing
ISBN: 978-0615163604 (Paperback)
ISBN: B0011UBWIW (Kindle ASIN (Amazon eBook version)
 
Author Caprice Hokstad's easy-to-read style ushers readers into the medieval-like world of Byntar where twin suns shine by day and twin moons guard the sky by night. Characters are not only believable, but the caste system in which they live adds interesting twists to the plot. kee, a young slave owned by Duke Vahn Rebono lives a secret life as the Duke's wife during stolen private moments and nights in his chamber. Staff and others think little of her providing this service for their master since the Duke's self-serving wife left him and stole their only child, a son, before going into hiding. In public, kee's role as optimess presents her with responsibilities of overseeing day-to-day operations at Robono Keep, but the title also gives her the honor of sitting at the Duke's feet regularly, offering the blessing over his cup and tasting his drink before he partakes.
 
Duke Vahn is the twin of the man currently reigning as king; the result of a father's unfair decision but a consequence Vahn accepts with dutiful compliance and proper respect. However, his undeserving brother repays his kindness with suspicion and insolence which carries beyond their personal relationship to threaten peace and safety within the land.
 
Hokstad's Byntar is believable, her characters three-dimensional and complex, and her well-defined plot and rife with conflict, a touch of mystery and an undercurrent of romance. This is one of the best fantasies of read by a new author, and as the second book of a trilogy, Nor Iron Bars a Cage stands very well on its own. This well-crafted fantasy will enchant both casual readers and hardcore fantasy enthusiasts. In my opinion it's a must have for any fantasy collection.
 

3:10 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

A New Day to Write
Current mood: focused
Category: Writing and Poetry

You never know what tomorrow will bring. My life as a writer reminds me of this fact every day. When you sit down to write, the blank page offers vast possibilities...what you write will depend on the parameters you set. Are you following guidelines...writing for a specific market, or creating fiction that won't let you sleep at night as the characters fight within your imagination to come to life.

The thing to remember is that if you want to be a writer--you must write. Think of how excited you were at the first of the year when you determined to write. What have you done since? It's still January...and instead of a New Year's resolution, make a new day resoution...or a new week. Make a plan to write and then follow through and do it! You won't regret it.

Currently reading : Nor Iron Bars a Cage By Caprice Hokstad Release date: 18 October, 2007

4:29 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Couch Potato Contest
Current mood: lethargic
Category: Life

At this time of year where so many resolve to lose weight, did you hear the story of the couch potato contest ? It's a competition  kicked off at the ESPN Zone restaurant in Times Square . Each of the four participant had their own comfy recliner and had a dozen 42-inch high-definition plasma televisions to watch along with a couple of 14-foot HD projection TVs, I didn't know there was that much on TV to watch. Anyhow, while they sat there they could order all the food and drinks they wanted! I thought that sounded okay except for the fact that they weren't allowed to fall asleep or  even get up to go to the bathroom except once every eight hours! I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like a real couch potato. Authentic couch potatos may drink all they want, but they can certainly get up to go to the bathroom. That's the advantage to owning DVD players, TiVo, and even those antique contraptions known as VCR's. And not falling asleep! Come on now! What couch potato doesn't enjoy a good nap?
 
Not only are the participants trying to break the Guinness World Record for watching televised sports, but the winner will receive a prize package worth $5,000 which includes a high-definition TV and a cozy recliner.

11:16 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Searching the Family Tree
Current mood: mellow
Category: Writing and Poetry

Searching for your roots can certainly consume your time. Anyone who has ever worked at researching their family tree will understand how easy it is to lose themselves in the past. I've been trying to learn about my great-great grandmother who was Native American. The trick is that her name was Little Beetle until she took the white name Ida M. Biddle. She married a white trader and trying to find out more about her life before leaving her culture is quite challening.

If anyone has any tips on learning more I'd appreciate it. I'm fortunate enough to have oral history to help me. I'm hoping to write a story about her and in the process understand more of where I come from.

Currently reading : Hudson Taylors Spiritual Secret By Howard Taylor Release date: 30 September, 1955

5:33 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Is Your Muse on Holiday?
Current mood: creative
Category: Writing and Poetry

If your muse has taken a break over the holiday and you're looking for a way to jump start that thread of creativity, check out my creative writing book Pumping Your Muse. This book is full of creative writing exercises. You can use them individually to get you writing, or follow them to develop a fictional world and skeletal outline for a novel with a non-traditional approach.

The exercises in this writing manual will sharpen your writing skills and help you learn how to incorporate sensory information, maintain logic and consistency, create vibrant description and challenge your imagination to take new directions. As a bonus there are more writing prompts at the end of the book.

6:07 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment