Showing posts with label historical fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label historical fiction. Show all posts
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Social Networking for Authors
I started doing marketing research about a year before my historical fiction novel was published - and wish I would have had Michael Volkin's Social Networking for Authors to guide my way.
This book not only defines social networking to those new to its use, but thoroughly explains how it can help you sell books. For new authors trying to navigate the complex world of social networking and book marketing, this book is a resource that will help you focus your efforts.
Social Networking for Authors is divided into two parts. Part 1 discusses numerous tips and tricks you can use to enhance website traffic and increase sales, and Part 2 discusses how to sell books via social networking.
Most importantly, Volkin's book offers a host of free tools that literally took me years to stumble across. I was able to take my novel to a #1 spot in the historical/romance category using many of the suggestions in this book - but the hours I lost while stumbling blindly through the maze of social networking sites is incalculable.
I’ve been disappointed by many marketing books, but the amount of time this one will save you makes it well worth the price.
Jessica James
www.jessicajamesbooks.com
Thursday, July 16, 2009
10 mistakes first-time authors make
Finding that promoting your book is even harder than writing it? I certainly have. But luckily for me, my earlier career was in a newsroom where I learned the ins and outs of getting past the editor's desk and into print. As a result, I was able promote my historical fiction novel into the #1 spot on Amazon in the romance/historical/U.S. category.
There is more to book marketing than just press releases, so here are some of the mistakes I often see first-time authors make in book promotion.
1. They spend too much time chatting with other authors. Author groups are great for networking and commiserating, but you’re not selling books by chatting with other authors about how you’re not selling books.
2. They assume the store where they are signing books will advertise the event. Do your own publicity for every event. That could mean press releases to local papers, sending calendar items to publications, posters, postcards, radio interviews, etc.
3. They spend too much time on social networking sights that don’t produce results. It's easy to spend the better part of a day between twitter, facebook, linkedin and ning groups. They are an important part of marketing, but you should be wise with your time.
4. They don’t realize the power of the press release. You have a local paper, right? And there are tons of free Internet distribution sites out there. If you've sent less than four press releases in the last six months, you’re not effectively marketing your book.
5. They're not using key words and SEO effectively (which is why press releases and articles are so important). There is a learning curve to all this technology, but it’s necessary to know.
6. Back to the basics: They think their target market is "everybody."
7. They start trying to get reviews AFTER their book has been published. The big reviewers need the manuscript four to five months before the pub date. If you want the review to coincide with the launch, obviously you are going to have to get the book into reviewers hands early.
8. They rush their book to print before it's ready. It's hard to be patient, but hurrying the book into print will only cause headaches later.
9. They think they are going to be a guest on Oprah before they've even received an interview from their local paper. Start small, build buzz.
10. They're marketing plan (if they have one) is not multi-faceted. You can't rely on one type of marketing. Your plan should include print media, radio, blogs, websites and ezines, to name a few.
Good luck!
There is more to book marketing than just press releases, so here are some of the mistakes I often see first-time authors make in book promotion.
1. They spend too much time chatting with other authors. Author groups are great for networking and commiserating, but you’re not selling books by chatting with other authors about how you’re not selling books.
2. They assume the store where they are signing books will advertise the event. Do your own publicity for every event. That could mean press releases to local papers, sending calendar items to publications, posters, postcards, radio interviews, etc.
3. They spend too much time on social networking sights that don’t produce results. It's easy to spend the better part of a day between twitter, facebook, linkedin and ning groups. They are an important part of marketing, but you should be wise with your time.
4. They don’t realize the power of the press release. You have a local paper, right? And there are tons of free Internet distribution sites out there. If you've sent less than four press releases in the last six months, you’re not effectively marketing your book.
5. They're not using key words and SEO effectively (which is why press releases and articles are so important). There is a learning curve to all this technology, but it’s necessary to know.
6. Back to the basics: They think their target market is "everybody."
7. They start trying to get reviews AFTER their book has been published. The big reviewers need the manuscript four to five months before the pub date. If you want the review to coincide with the launch, obviously you are going to have to get the book into reviewers hands early.
8. They rush their book to print before it's ready. It's hard to be patient, but hurrying the book into print will only cause headaches later.
9. They think they are going to be a guest on Oprah before they've even received an interview from their local paper. Start small, build buzz.
10. They're marketing plan (if they have one) is not multi-faceted. You can't rely on one type of marketing. Your plan should include print media, radio, blogs, websites and ezines, to name a few.
Good luck!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Suspense and history in "Afternoon Tea"
Afternoon TeaBy J. R. LeGreca
Enter the fascinating Victorian Age in New England and witness a saga of forbidden love, the standards of high society and their paradox unfold in Afternoon Tea, an engaging tale.
Get a glimpse of a glittering, yet cruel world where image and status are everything. With a bundle of roses in one hand and a walking cane in the other, Lawrence Gray, an elderly gentleman, braves the cold Northeastern winter as he makes his way to Saint James Cemetery.
There, he offers the flowers to his wife who passed away forty years ago. Lawrence ’s devotion to his long-dead wife elicits curiosity from Meg Bailey, a neighbor who spies on him from her kitchen window every morning. Meg’s curiosity hits a peak when town historian, Fanny Brund, invites her for afternoon tea and reveals the mystery surrounding the Grays.
In a bid to uncover the truth behind Lawrence Gray’s guilt over his wife’s untimely death, Fanny warps back to the year 1895 — only to unravel a secret that will change Meg’s life forever. . .
Visit the author at her website J. R. LaGreca and read more about the book Afternoon Tea.
You can purchase Afternoon Tea on Amazon.
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