New Year…New Goals
January 5, 2022 by Tracy Reed in category WritingHappy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season.
I have a very important question for you. Are you ready to make this year your best writing year? I hope you answered, yes. If so, then I challenge you to take this year long journey with me.
I spent a good portion of last year getting schooled in self-publishing. I have been a self-published author since December 2014, but there are some things I didn’t know. Like some authors, I have yet to reach all of my writing goals. Today, I’m going out on a limb announcing this is the year I work on making some those goals a reality. I know it sounds like a resolution, but it isn’t. It’s a statement of faith and a declaration that I’m ready to take my writing to the next level.
So what are the self-publishing goals I’m going to attack this year?
Get my letters (make a list)…I know it really doesn’t matter to readers if their favorite author is a bestseller, but it means a lot to the author. At least it does to me. In the past, I didn’t care if I ever made a list or had the title of Best Selling Author. Over the course of time I realized, I did. It’s not an ego thing, it’s a validation thing. I know I’m not Nora Roberts, Terry McMillian, E L James or Sylvia Day, but it sure would be nice to be known as a best seller like them.
Triple my income…This is a big one. I’m not sharing numbers yet. We’ll see how this year long challenge ends before discussing numbers. All I’ll say on the matter is if I fulfill this goal, it will be the first time I’ve earned that much money. Last year I did two major conferences, gained a lot of knowledge and some tools on how to push my sales and exposure up a few levels. This is the year I put all of those tools to work.
Triple my mailing list…This is almost as daunting as tripling my income. I have a decent mailing list of 3200+. However, I want to push that number up. A larger list will allow me or make me more attractive for swaps with other writers. I was surprised how many authors are open to swaps, but size matters and I can understand. You don’t want your swaps to be one sided. Swaps will allow me to increase my list. It will also allow give me some clout when seeking out anthologies to join. Bringing more readers to the table makes me an asset and not a liability.
Master Facebook ads…I did Skye Warren’s Facebook ads class last year and saw significant growth in my sales. I’m doing it again this year and expect the results to be even better. Here’s what I learned about Facebook ads…the system is constantly changing so you always need a refresher. I did Mark Dawson’s class, which was good. However, Skye’s class was a lot easier to understand. Within the first month I saw results. I was surprised how much could be achieved with five dollars a day. This year, I’m going to kick it up a few dollars and see what happens. FYI, this will also help with me tripling my income goal.
Update Covers…This is one of those areas I think is constantly changing. I am about to embark on the third iteration of covers for my series A Southern Gentleman. Why you ask? Because I didn’t know manchest equaled or implied sex. I thought you used a shirtless guy to sell a book. I didn’t realize it implied a certain heat level. Book one in the series is sex free. Book two is a completely different story.
I learned a little about covers which has caused me to review all of my books and see if the covers match the heat content. Unfortunately there are a few that need to be changed. The other reason for the cover change is, Facebook. They don’t like manchest…it’s too hot. I hear you saying, “how is that possible when manchest covers are constantly popping up in my Facebook feed.” Simple answer…the bot. The Facebook bot randomly picks and chooses covers it likes. Unfortunately for me, the bot doesn’t like my manchest cover making it impossible to use in ads. I found a work around, but I don’t want to have to use it constantly. The real solution is new covers. To prove their dislike for my cover, they shut my account down for a moment. Lesson learned. So now I’m working on new covers with a clothed man. The other thing I learned about covers in my genres (African American Contemporary and Billionaire Romance) is a woman only cover doesn’t sell as well as a man only or a couple cover.
Learn how to write a sellable blurb…What is it about authors and blurbs? We can write a hundred thousand word book, but can’t sum it up in three short lines. I’m not going to stress about this. I was introduced to a service that could help me. But first I really need to figure this out.
Use Ingram Spark…I did a little experiment last year. I ordered a set of proofs from Ingram Spark and a set from KDP. I loved the proofs from Ingram. Everything I heard about Ingram was true, the quality was far superior. I loved the books. As much as I want to use Ingram exclusively, I can’t. KDP doesn’t really like to share, so here’s my work around. Set up ebook, print, large print and hardcover at KDP and likewise at Ingram. This move with will allow expanded distribution. More outlets…more money. Another step towards that increased income goal. Another added pro to use Ingram, the proofs don’t have that ugly proof strip on the cover like KDP.
Direct Distribution…I’m a wide author, but I use a third party for Nook and some international outlets. I just found out doing this, has kept me from participating in Nook promotions. Going direct will allow me to participate in some NOOK promos. More promotions equals more exposure…more sales…increased income.
Increase my prices…I was at a conference a few months ago and this came up. I was a little hesitant about doing this, because some of my books are less than ten thousand words. So in a bold move…except for a couple of preorders, I made all of my books the same price $4.99. Amazon still hasn’t updated all of the prices, but I’ve seen sales at the other outlets with the new prices. This move taught me to get out of my way.
I have a few more goals, but these are the ones I’m going to focus on this year. What about you? What are your author goals for the year?
1 0 Read more‘TIS THE SEASON: Gifts for Readers and Writers
December 15, 2021 by Rebecca Forster in category The Write Life by Rebecca Forster, Writing tagged as #amreading, #amwriting, #Holiday, #HolidayHomeRun, gifts
I adore the holidays. Trees. Decorations. Carols. Searching for the perfect gifts. Okay, maybe I’m not so crazy about the last one. Finding the perfect gift can be crazy-making—until now. Here are a few of my favorite out-of-the-ordinary ideas that will please the readers and writers in your life.
THE ASPIRING WRITER
What better way to say “I believe in your dream” than a gift certificate for a writing class or conference, or a no-cost-to-you offer to read their manuscript for typos?
THE SUPER FAN
Scan the cover of their favorite book, photoshop them into it, print, and frame. (Make sure this is personal use only because covers are copyrighted). How about genre bling? I give thriller-loving fans and friends a Morse Code bead bracelet that spells out Partners in Crime.
THE TRAVEL-READING-WRITING FANATIC
If money’s no object, send your reader/writer to a favorite literary destination. Include a map with places mentioned in the book and marked them with a big heart. You will be the best Santa ever.
THE BEST GIFT OF ALL
Contact your reader/writer’s favorite author for a signed copy of a book, request a personalized Christmas card, or invite the author to have a cup of coffee with their fan if the author is local. (If you’re asking for a book or coffee make sure you offer to pay). They can only say no, and if they say yes you will have hit the gift ball out of the park.
So ’tis the season to think outside the box because there’s nothing a reader/writer loves more than a happy ending.
Happy Virtual Holiday! by Carol L. Wright
December 13, 2021 by Bethlehem Writers Group in category Writing
Each year, until 2020, our writers’ group has enjoyed getting together toward the end of every year to simply enjoy food, games, and each other’s company. But of course, that hasn’t been possible during the pandemic. What’s more, several of our members have moved to be closer to family in other parts of the country since Covid-19 made it harder to travel.
Fortunately, technology has allowed our group to continue to hold our regular meetings virtually. There’s very little we cannot do on Zoom that we could do in person. We still read each other’s work and offer critiques. We still root for each other as we submit our work. We still plan group projects and publish our quarterly literary journal, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. We still run our annual Short Story Award competition. (In fact, our 2022 contest opens on January 1 with the theme “An Element of Mystery.” Get your stories of 2000 words or fewer ready to win cash and publication.)
But these are all things we can do from our separate locations without having to be face-to-face. Can we really have a fun holiday party that way? How would we play games? How could we exchange gifts?
There’s a reason holiday parties are so popular. Neighbors, businesses, and yes, writers’ groups have them for much the same reasons. They are a way of marking the progress of time. Another year has passed, and we can take a moment to sit back and relax, socialize, and reflect on all we have accomplished over the past twelve months. Friendship, loyalty, and trust are important for productive and fruitful relationships, and each is enhanced by having social relationships—not just work relationships. We rejoice with each other when things go well, help each other where we can, and care for each other during the tougher days when just being there is all we can do.
So, this year, we’re going to have our holiday party again—despite being spread over eight states and four time zones. How? you ask. Well, we’ve figured out a way.
We will meet on Zoom, but each wear our party clothes—or ugly sweaters—and instead of bringing food to share, we’ll bring snacks to enjoy.
We have traditionally had a game or two at our parties. One has usually been a trivia game, but that’s hard in a virtual setting. Fortunately, I found a PowerPoint or Google Slides template for a Jeopardy-style game at: https://www.slidescarnival.com/jeopardy-free-presentation-template/11277. You can easily create the categories that are right for your group. A reading group might want questions about literature—or even the books read over the previous year. A writers’ group might have columns such as Grammar Goofs or Copyeditor’s Marks. A knitters’ group could include Tell Me a Yarn. (Actually, a storytellers’ group could do that, too.) For a group with members who observe many different holidays this time of year, there can be a category for each one. All the emcee needs to do is run an internet search for trivia about needlework or grammar or Shakespeare or Kwanzaa and write the questions. Then, with a shared screen, everyone should have a chance to play along. No buzzers—especially for a large group, but each person who comes up with the right “question” can credit themselves with the appropriate number of points. Then whoever amasses the most points can win the honor of going first in the gift exchange. (Here’s where that mutual trust thing kicks in.)
The most problematic aspect of a virtual party, of course is a long-distance gift exchange. In other years we did a round-robin exchange where each memer drew a number from a hat. The one with #1 selects a gift from the pile and opens it. Then #2 goes next and has the option of taking the gift #1 opened or opening a new one. If #2 takes the first gift, #1 gets to open a new gift. Then #3 can steal either of the opened gifts or unwrap one that is still in the pile. And so on. Then, after everyone has a gift, #1 has a last chance to swap with anyone they choose. It’s nice being #1.
Well, with no central location, no pile of gifts, this year we’re not only randomly handing out numbers, each gift is assigned a letter. This year, we lowered the total value of the gifts for the exchange to allow us to ship items to each other without it all costing more than previous years.
Our party is tomorrow, and we hope it will be a worthy substitute for our prior celebrations—just as we hope, whether you’re able to come together in person or just virtually with your friends, colleagues, and family, that you and yours have a festive and healthy holiday season and a productive and happy new year.
Carol L. Wright escaped a career in law and academia for one in writing. She loves creating her Gracie McIntyre mysteries where, unlike in life, justice always prevails. The first in the series, DEATH IN GLENVILLE FALLS, was a finalist for both a 2018 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award and a 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Award. She also writes short stories in many genres that have been published in a variety of literary journals and award-winning anthologies. She has compiled some of her favorites in A CHRISTMAS ON NANTUCKET and other stories, published in 2019. To find out more , visit her website at: http://CarolLWright.com.
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Step Back in Time Podcast with The Lost Girl in Paris by Jina Bacarr
December 11, 2021 by Jina Bacarr in category Jina’s Book Chat, WritingMadame de Cadieux has stepped back in time!
THE LOST GIRL IN PARIS is now available across all platforms.
Available in e-book, print and audio
The Lost Girl in Paris universal link: https://books2read.com/u/3LyrdN
It’s the story of woman who survived both Auschwitz and Dachau, but never spoke about it until she meets a young reporter named Emma Keane who touches a nerve in her that now is the time to speak about those times. Her memories are as vivid to this eighty-year-old as if she were the seventeen-year-old girl who ran away to Paris to become a parfumier after losing her mother to the Nazi war machine.
I was privileged to be on a panel with Boldwood BHooks authors Lizzie Lane and Rosie Clarke — we talk about all things historical!
I wrote THE LOST GIRL IN PARIS to pay tribute to the strong women who survived the Holocaust and willingly shared their stories with us. The horror of Nazi brutality, the loss of family, their dignity… but also about their strength just to ‘survive another day’. And the strong bonds with their sisters-in-arms they formed with fellow prisoners. How they learned to trust each other and stood up against the enemy to save each other.
We must never forget.
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Here is a short excerpt from THE LOST GIRL IN PARIS:
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Into the Lair of Paranormal Author, Lisa Kessler
December 2, 2021 by Jann Ryan in category Writing tagged as Paranormal Romance
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of passionate, page-turning paranormal fiction. She’s a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
When she’s not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.
You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Were here today with the fabulous, multi-talented author Lisa Kessler. Her award winning paranormal books have received wonderful reviews and are highly recommended by her readers. Let’s get a look into her lair!!
Jann: When did you decide to be a writer? Why paranormal romance?
Lisa: Music was my first love. I actually performed in operas and musicals and had a few callbacks to sing Disney voices, but I always wrote every night just for fun. During a trip to New Orleans for work, I got a palm reading and at the end, she asked me if I was a writer. I was quick to say no, but then I added that I did enjoy writing, but it was just for fun.
She smiled and told me I was going to be a famous writer someday. I was boggled to say the least, but I also couldn’t stop thinking about it and wondered if I really could write a book… Six months later my first draft of Night Walker was finished! She changed my life that day!
I’ve always written paranormal and horror because those are the genres I love to read.
Jann: A Winters Wish, your holiday fantasy romance novella made its debut in November as a part of the Tinsel, Wings and Fur: A Fae Worlds Holiday Storybook, with authors Linda Thomas-Sundstrom and PJ Mellor and now it’s a solo release with a never-before published epilogue. How did the anthology come about?
Lisa: My friend, Linda Thomas-Sundstrom invited me to be a part of the fae holiday anthology and I was eager to get back into my Summerland Stories so I was happy to team up with Linda and PJ.
Jann: Which character did you develop first in A Winters Wish—Darren Slater or Abriette? Tell us about their story and how they get their HEA?
Lisa: Abriette was first. My previous Summerland Stories novellas featured fae princesses and this time I wanted a warrior. So Abriette is a warrior elf for the Winter Realm. Since it was happening at Christmastime, I figured an elf that crossed the veil would be assumed to be one of Santa’s Elves.
That led me to Darren, a down and out songwriter in Los Angeles. He doesn’t have enough money to make his rent and he’s forced to make some extra money by being a mall Santa.
Seeing him fall for a real elf was magical, and I hope their story brings a little magic into the reader’s holiday season too.
Jann: Your Sedona Pack series is fabulous!! Book 8 in the series, Sedona Sanctuary, came out in October of this year. You write such amazing characters. What major conflicts do you have your leading characters, Miller Sloan and Rayne Lowry work through?
Lisa: Thanks so much! The Sedona Pack series evolved in an unexpected direction. Sedona Sanctuary hadn’t been on the series list, and I hadn’t been planning to give Miller Sloan a book! Book 8 was going to be Sedona Sentinel (Deacon’s book) but in Book 5 (Sedona Sacrifice) Miller Sloan was a side character and during one scene his backstory started to unfold. I realized this retired general had a story to tell. So suddenly I was writing my first silver fox werewolf!
Miller had to work through a lot of self-loathing for his past decisions and his road to redemption was rocky, plus I paired him up with a more free-spirited, newly retired FBI profiler made for lots of sparks and tension. Sedona Sanctuary was really a pleasure to write. I loved giving an older, battered hero a happily ever after!
Jann: How many books do you have planned for the Sedona Pack series?
Lisa: There will be 9 books. I’m working on the final installment, Sedona Salvation, right now. It’ll wrap up the series when it debuts in February 2022.
Jann: Do you find yourself returning to certain themes in your stories? What? Why?
Lisa: Most of my series involve “found family”. Characters who have been loners or lost or abandoned find a circle of friends who become family. I’m pretty sure I can trace that back to being an “only child”. We lived in the country too, so no playing on a cul-de-sac with friends for me. I spent lots of time playing make-believe all alone and I often imagined being from a large family that would have my back no matter what. I find many of my books carry that theme. Belonging, being loved, and even when they disagree, there’s always someone ready to stand at your side no matter what.
Jann: When did you develop an interest in tarot and oracle cards? I understand that you do readings.
Lisa: I’ve been interested I them since I was a teen, but I didn’t really connect with reading them until about 15 years ago. I’ve been reading tarot professionally for about 8 years. It’s a huge passion for me!
Jann: I see you have an upcoming Tarot for Writers online class available next year. What can you tell us about the class?
Lisa: It’s a four-week online class through zoom on Tuesday nights. I take everyone through all 78 cards with a focus on ways each card could impact characters and scenes. At the end, I share some different card spreads for character building and scenes. The cards work for both plotters and pantsers and you don’t have to know anything about tarot either. It’s very interactive, and inspiring for creative ideas. I love working with writers to teach them to use tarot cards to help them connect with their writer intuition. It brings my two passions together! 😊
You can find out more on my website: http://www.authorlisakessler.com/online-classes-book-coaching/
Jann: Are you still doing your Book Lights podcasts?
Lisa: Yes! Book Lights is live on Mondays at 1pm eastern/10am pacific every week. I get to chat with writers from all genres and backgrounds. You can find the podcast under the Readers Entertainment Radio umbrella on all podcasting sites.
Jann: You’re a professional vocalist. Are you still performing?
Lisa: I am! I actually recorded two audio CDs before I ever got my first book published! I gave up being in operas and musicals once I started signing book contracts. The rehearsal time took too many hours away from writing, but I still had my church job singing every week until the COVID lock down. Since then, things have been virtual, so I haven’t performed live since March of 2020.
Jann: Do you have a website, blog, twitter where fans might read more about you and your books?
Yes! I’m just about everywhere and I love to talk books!
Website – http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Kessler/e/B003V5RYVO/
Facebook – http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter
Twitter – http://twitter.com/LdyDisney
TikTok – https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPd2F3oLk/
Goodreads – http://goodreads.com/LisaKessler
Instagram – http://instagram.com/LdyDisney
Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/LdyDisney
Author Newsletter – https://goo.gl/56lDla
Follow Me on BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lisa-kessler
Facebook Reader Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/LisaKesslerNightAngels
Jann: What’s your favorite movie?
Lisa: Rocky! It was the first movie I ever saw that the hero didn’t win the battle/fight and it didn’t matter. Going the distance, getting up after being knocked down, that was the message, and I was hooked. Life didn’t have to be a competition. It was the journey. It takes heart and lots of it.
I have a signed movie poster of Rocky in my writing space. The tagline: His whole life was a million-to-one shot… has always reflected how I felt about my writing career. I’m so lucky and so blessed to get to share stories with readers from all over the world. I haven’t hit a list…yet, but someday? I’m definitely going the distance! Okay I promise no more lines from Rocky… for now!
Lisa, thank you for sharing with us a bit of your world. Wishing you the best for this holiday season!!
1 0 Read moreFeatured Books
HELLO SPAIN, GOODBYE HEART
Dayna hopes for a second chance at love . . . but . . .he wears a wedding band.
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