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Thursday, April 23, 2020

Celebrating World Book Day, Promo Tips and Webinars


It's World Book Day!!! 


And nope, we're not going to let the COVID-19 get us down.  For authors...especially those who need to actively promote right now (don't we always need to promote?)... this means difficult times. PR by the Book's Author to Influencer Accelerator reached out to me with 5-Tips they have for authors during this time.

So, I thought I'd help them spread the word and share.


5 Tips for Authors to Promote during COVID-19 

  1. Pitch to media strategically
Despite the total saturation of the media, there are still ways that you can break through the noise with your pitches. People are looking for distractions from the scary hard news and many will spend extra time at home reading books, getting caught up on their wishlist of titles, so play to this need.
  1. Engage with your fans on social media
People are spending much more time on social media. This creates an opportunity for social media promotions with lots of “lives” since people at home will be scrolling through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 
  1. Audit content that you have put out in the past
Most people have never heard of a social media audit. But, how can you know what content to post if you don’t know how your content is performing? Most social media platforms make it easy to look at metrics, so you shouldn’t have to spend too much time tracking down numbers. 
Once you know which types of content are performing the best, then you can tailor your future content and post more of what resonates with your audience. 
  1. Take time to develop new content
When you have extra time on your hands – like now, one of the best things you can do is create content that you can release in the future. Consider breaking down your book’s major points into bite size pieces. You shouldn’t give away all your book’s secrets, but you can share important bits of information to entice readers into wanting more and positioning yourself as an authority in those areas.
  1. Build out a content calendar
Once you have content ready to go, it’s best to organize it by using a content calendar. If you plan out what you are posting in advance, releasing content on a daily basis won’t be nearly as overwhelming.


 Are you in Texas? Ah, neither am I... BUT if you are...
You can join in celebrating Texas Writers Month this May. Texas Writer’s Month began in 1994 as an effort to get Texas bookstores and media outlets to feature their local authors more prominently and a way for the community at large to celebrate the craft of writing and the work that goes into publishing books. 


They've also launched the Author to Influencer Accelerator, a DIY membership community for authors who don’t have the budget to hire a professional to take them from preparation through promotion on their book journey. The Author to Influencer Accelerator offers an ideal way for authors to tap into what they need to do during this time of quarantine. These tips are based on lessons that our members are learning in the accelerator to promote their books. 

About the Author to Influencer Accelerator:  
Doing their part to promote a digital learning platform and community during this time of sheltering-in-place, PR by the Book has launched a DIY membership community for authors who don’t have the budget to hire a professional to take them from preparation through promotion on their book journey. Due to folks being at home, able to spend more time online, learning and applying those skills, PR by the Book cut the price in half for the month of April.  

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AND THERE'S MORE...

My publisher, Dancing Lemur Press LLC's own Diane L. Wolfe, is offering a How To Publish Your Book Now Webinar!


You can find out more information about this one here!


So, how's this entire 'stay-at-home' period treating you and your writing? I hope you're getting more done that I am (I've written an entire 500 words in 3 weeks.) Are you trying to promote right now? Have you heard any great tips lately or had a few ideas yourself?


Wednesday, April 1, 2020

IWSG - Always Positive!


The first Wednesday of every month is when this group of awesome writers comes together to offer support, advice, encouragement or simply to let  frustrations and woes flow. Writing is a tough journey, and we don't have to go it alone.

Thanks goes to the brain behind this group, Alex J. Cavanaugh! If you want to join in or find out more (because there is so much more to this group), then head on over here.

Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG. They can also be found on Facebook or on the IWSG blog.


Special thanks to this month's co-hosts:



How is everyone hanging in there???

That's just happens to run along the theme of today's question too.




How are things in your world?

As many of you know, we live in our own little valley, with no other houses in sight. The tiny dirt road leading to our house is pretty rough...to put it lightly. So, we're isolated year around. (Well, if you count my chickens and cows, we do have quite the party going on here)

 The kids are home from school, but then, they had so many snow days this year, it felt like they were home most of the time anyway. And we're very blessed in so far that my husband's job is essential even when many others should still fall away or close their doors. 

Of course, when the virus hits our area, it will be harsh. The population hangs toward the older end, and medical facilities aren't exactly huge or plentiful. 

But then, the small town near us is suffering already. Unlike 'city folk', office jobs that can be done from home are far and few between in small towns. Most people live pay check to pay check, and few earn over minimum wage. (Even bank tellers earn only around $10-$12 an hour here.) So, the closures have hit super hard, and I'm not sure how many will survive holding out for another entire month. Luckily, people wear quite a tough skin and tend to keep a positive attitude. This isn't the first hard time they've weathered.



SALE!!!

On a happy note, my publisher informed me yesterday that Music Boxes is going on sale on Amazon!

The Kindle version is now available for....

*drum roll*

$2.99 !!!!

Here - Amazon!

Add the fact that Amazon's been keeping the paperback at a low price around $6 too (I just peeked in to make sure), and it's a great time to pick up a copy!  It's been getting lots of wonderful reviews and still is. So, if you know of some kids stuck at home, this might make a lovely treat.

Oh, and the audio book version is also available...nice and cheap when purchased along with the paperback. (So, I'm told)

There's a lovely, new image too! (Tons going on!)




Stay safe and healthy!!!