Effective Marketing

 

I always feel very self absorbed when I write a post as I seem to be saying, look at me, here I am. And I suppose I am in a way. I have had a bit of ‘look at me’ moment over the last month as I have been trying to get my name out there. I’ve had blog tours, book blasts and a nice big giveaway all in an attempt to get noticed. It’s not all about the book, people need to know about the author, to be able to reach out and touch them. Okay take a step back, I mean through social media and not in person.

What I would love to know is if these giveaways and tours are worth the money? I realise you have to speculate to accumulate but where does it stop and where is it most effective? That’s the question, isn’t it? One we would all love to know, well I know I would. I read a great book, Building Your Fan base by Shannon O’Neil and Toni Tesori, which tried to identify fans. That’s everyone right? But they go on to add that it’s not just about finding readers. I am one of those readers that look at recommendations from friends and it’s very rare that I follow a specific author; I follow three if anyone is interested. What an author wants is a fan, the one who tells all their friends and stalks them on Facebook and Twitter for any glimpse into their world. The fan comes to signings, buys and downloads all the little extras and can’t wait for your next book. And of course you want a few of these, a million or so will do, I’m not greedy. Maybe I am getting a little ahead of myself here; a handful of fans would be nice around about now.

I may have gone off on a tangent just now but it’s hard to answer the question about effective marketing. If you really know who your fan is, or hopefully are, and can concentrate your efforts on them, then maybe all that effort and cost will pay off.

Joy of Joys!!

Oh what joy, editing! Can you feel the sarcasm weaving through every word? Editing as far as I can see diverts my attention from what I love, writing. But I have to admit that it is a necessary evil for all authors. If you wish to publish you have to get your work edited.

Its okay for you, I here you shout, you already have an editor; I on the other hand can't afford to shell out all that cash. You are right to an extent, I did have the great fortune to find a great editor but there are lots of things to do before you get to that stage.

·         Don’t edit while you’re writing. Of course changing the odd typo is fine but to start

reconstructing whole sentences or paragraphs will only distract you.

·         Once you finish your book put it to one side for a few days. Give yourself some room and maybe a drink, one drink, I’m watching and I can see that housework piling up over your shoulder.

·         Change its format, for example put it on an e-reader. A different look can make mistakes stand out.

·         One I always use much to the annoyance of my family, is to read it out loud. If it doesn’t seem to make sense when you read it aloud, then it’s likely that it needs amending.

·         Think about the bigger picture first – work on chapters and whole sections before looking at the typos and grammar. There will be sections that don’t have the necessary information, it might still be in your head but doesn’t help the reader.

·         This one is something that was passed down to me and I’m not sure if it always works but the mysterious ‘they’ say you should be looking at cutting 10% off your word count as most writers overwrite on their first draft.

·         Look out for repeating the same point several times. Using 300 words when 20 will do. Passive phrases and unnecessary adjectives.

·         Please use spell check but you have to realise that it will only spot typos and nothing more. It WILL NOT identify words that are in the wrong context or words that are used too often.

·         It is so hard to proof read your own work. Find that kind soul who will be honest but constructive. They will tell you when you need to redo a chapter; I have one and believe me she lets me know when something isn’t working.

·         And the last thing to mention is know when to stop. If you continue to edit your work, over and over it will suffer.

 

If you are serious about letting others see your work, letting it out in the big bad world, then check the editors out there, ask other authors and get the best deal you can with a reputable editor.

This is so Amazeballs!

Let's Chillax, grab a cup of Jo and enjoy this little post!

Annoying isn't it? I recently read a book by a well known author where it revolved around a group of teenagers and she threw in a good few swear words, together with words that are trendy at this moment in time. Why?

This type of witing soon becomes out dated and if we are honest, it never sounds right. I hope as a young adult author that I have captured the right voice without dragging myself down to that level. I understand that if I was thrown into a conversation with a group of teenagers, I would get lost very quickly, and quite right too. I'm afraid to say that I am not the youth I used to be, who'd have known it. Don't smirk people.

As a writer you want to tell your story as you envisioned it in your head and to do that you have to open up, put a lot of yourself in it. I have visited emotional places to write some scenes but isn't that what the reader wants. They need to feel what its like to struggle, to hate, to love, to survive and its down to the writer to make them feel every emotion.Of course its scary, what will people think, will they appreciate that you have shown them your scars to get to this place?

Well look at my scars people and enjoy.

The Bones of Others

Bones of Others – Vickie McKeehan

Type: Thriller

Release date: 27^th January 2013

Story:  At the age of twelve Skye Cree was kidnapped by a paedophile. But Skye managed to get away. Now as an adult, a survivor, she’s on the prowl for monsters like the one who took her that day from the park, putting an end to her childhood.

Josh Ander is the geeky, wealthy owner of a gaming company. The night he crosses paths with Skye Cree, changes his life forever, putting him on a different path entirely than the one he’d planned.

Once Josh and Skye join forces, they’ll venture into the dark side of Seattle where human trafficking thrives and kids are bought and sold every day. With girls disappearing off the streets in alarming numbers, with young lives hanging in the balance, they’ll do whatever it takes to hunt down the ones preying on kids. But not all can be saved. It will take a wolf’s instincts to find the monsters burying—the bones of others.

As soon as you start reading this book you are drawn into a deadly game and at first, through the eyes of the predator. The idea of a young girl going through a horrendous ordeal and then making it her lives mission to track down these monsters is a great one. You see her how she lives, how she keeps everyone at a distance, afraid to let anyone close. Once Josh becomes part of life she finally opens up and in doing so they both grow and help one another. Within the thriller Vickie McKeehan also brings in the Native American mythology which works well initially, as her wolf instincts help her track down the girls but I found it grew out of control, I understand why Josh had to change and help Skye in more than just searching the internet but for me it went a little too far.

The characters are written with great care and are very believable and the whole book moves at a really nice pace that keeps you captivated but not too fast that you lose track of the individuals and their needs. This is a great book and well worth the read.

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.

 

Time, what time!

It's here!

As authors isn't this what we have been working for, a book out there for all the world to see. Well here is my time, my debut novel which at the exact same time is totally thrilling, a true high, yet also terrifying.

The problem is that I have spent so much time trying to get organized for the launch that I have forgotten, well not forgotten but ignored the most important element, the reader. It has been so long since I have posted anything on my blog that I am ashamed I tell you, ashamed. If you could see me now I have my head held low.

As this is my first novel I am unaware of how things have changed over the years but even though I knew it would be hard work and if I want my book noticed I have to get out into the world, the on-line world it would seem, it still has taken up so much more of my time than I expected.

I love writting; in fact I decided to write a book, just for myself to keep me sane when the boys went into full time education. I still love writing, I can't get enough, but this side to it makes it a little harder to enjoy. What I need is a balance and while I am still learning the ropes I haven't found it, yet. Though I will if I keep at it. Won't I? Please tell me I will, someone? Anyone.

Time management! I hear you shouting 'what!' but that's what I need to do. We all do it, thinking I just need to have a look at my Facebook page or email accounts just in case someone needs me, then an hour or two have disappeared and you have done nothing to either promote your work or hey any actually work. So as well as keeping up with reading and reviewing on here, I will keep you informed of my weekly rant. I will of course try and add something educational from time to time and if any of you out there would like to know anything specific just holler or better still email me and I'll do my best to oblige.

Destine - Katherine Polillo

Type: Fantasy

Release date: 5^th August 2012

Story: Michelle Cross is a seventeen year old living in small town America. Life has been uneventful until now. She has little in the way of friends so when her best friend Cassi falls hard for a boy in school. Her home life consists of a mentally withdrawn mother and a mainly absent father so when a new boy turns up in her class she can’t help letting her curiosity get the better of her. The problem is he is no ordinary boy, he claims to be the angel Gabriel and he is there to help Michelle save humanity. In order to do so she needs to fight the antichrist and the four horses of the apocalypse

Katherine writes this story at a nice pace that flows well throughout the book. She captures the voice of the teenagers and the dialogue is great. We are quickly drawn into the growing relationship between Michelle and Gabriel and the trails they have to undertake to fight against the coming apocalypse. Katherine did a fantastic job at capturing my imagination, her varied vocabulary and adjectives painted the scene beautifully.

This is an entertaining read with plenty of action and left them ready to begin the fight in earnest.

My First interview

Interview - Lindsay and janes views and reviews