Promotions – Navigating Murky Waters

Like so many, I’ve spent some time trying to promote my books, but afford-ability is a limiting factor, sometimes, time is limited as well. After all, we can’t all afford to hire the best services and PR, but we also can’t spend all our free time trying to find every single free and low cost opportunity. So what can a person do?

I’ve started joining reader/writer groups on facebook, hoping that might help. It seems even shelling out a bit of money elsewhere does little in the way of getting sales. It’s important to try and find new avenues, new ways to get noticed. If you’re shy or an introvert, the idea of trying to put yourself in social settings both online and off can sometimes be frightening.

As writers, let’s remember to support and encourage each other. We all get scared, but let’s all go ahead, join groups, share information and resources, and uplift each other. We’re not just writers, we’re also readers, so be honest, be kind, and get creative, especially with the limited time you have.

Writer’s Block – A Writer’s Dilemma

It happens from time to time, the dreaded problem, writer’s block. I’ve read tips on how to overcome it, not many, but a few. How does one overcome this issue? Some suggest starting a new story, reading, watching movies, etc. No one solution is guaranteed to work. How do you deal with writers block? Suggestions in comments are welcome so that anyone who reads them can try.

Review of Emily Baker’s ‘The Erotica Handbook’

On my quest to improve on both my writing and marketing efforts, I have decided to seek what advice I can from several sources, including many great ebooks on Amazon. One that I’ve read, The Erotica Handbook – by Emily Baker, is a good start for romance writers who want to add sizzle to their books. While aimed at encouraging short story erotica, I find there is useful information to assist the novel writer as well. Equipped with advice for those interested in rapid experimentation of writing different genres without negatively affecting your customer base, it also includes a thesaurus section to help the writer who struggles with replacement words for those spicy scenes. I recommend this book for anyone interested in either writing erotica or simply spicing up their romance novels.

The ebook can be found here:

Erotica Handbook – Emily Baker

New Release

I have recently released my latest book A Dangerous Liaison – Phoenix Rising, which is now available at online retailers such as Smashwords, Amazon, KOBO, NOOK, IBook, and Lulu. With that comes the task of trying to promote and market, all which can feel quite overwhelming and discouraging. I still want to go back and go over the first book in the series too, just because I want to make sure it looks right.

Knowing I’m not alone in feeling the weight of the task ahead doesn’t take away the anxiety and the many insecurities associated with putting one’s work out there, but I count myself fortunate to have friends who’ll put me in my place if they feel I’m slacking in my duties as an author, and giving me a nudge when they see I need it.

The road to success is often a shared venture and I’m happy to share mine with those who support me, even when my fears are most stubborn. So thank you to my most supportive friends for giving me a kick in the butt when I need it. In this holiday season I wish everyone happy holidays and a joyous new year.

Writing

I know it’s been a while. Honestly, blogging is not my forte. I have finished the first draft of Phoenix Rising, the second book of my A Dangerous Liaison series. Now for editing and revising. Is it just me, or can you revise and edit a book twenty times and still find something wrong with it?

I like the idea of having a professional editor, but all us independent authors are not able to afford such extravagance. It takes a long time and a lot of work for any chance at success. When you don’t have the capital to put on things like editing, marketing, and publicity, it can get somewhat disheartening.

I read an article a while back about this kind of thing. It can take a minimum of three years of full time work and dedication to see any fruit to your labor.
As I begin the process of editing and revising this book, I may just go back and do the same to my last. After all, perfection takes time but it’s worth it. So, to everyone who is in the same boat as me, don’t give up. You can do it. 🙂