How to Promote Your Next Book

My life has been hectic since late summer through the beginning of the new year.

In advance of the release of my debut book, I asked Angela James, and just about anyone who would listen, how do you promote an ebook? Some people told me create unique swag. Others suggested chapter books especially since I had no tangible book to sign. Still others told me blog tours and tweet three times a day for weeks. Angela said write the next book.

In August-September I created my marketing plan for my book, KNIGHT OF RUNES. It was to be released on November 14. I researched and developed the different pieces of swag, mapped out a blog tour, and planned the ad space I would buy. I realized that I needed to reach readers and reviewers. I hired a publicist to handle that aspect.

October was filled with the excitement of a leadership role (assistant chair) in the NJRW conference. I worked with some of the romance industries best-known authors. I read their stories but I never thought I would meet these authors. I had fan girl moments with Suz Brockmann (yep, she asked me to call her Suz!), Rachel Gibson, Eloisa James, and Victoria Alexander. Through it all, I remained diligent and worked my marketing plan. I wrote posts and was active on loops and blogs to keep my name in the forefront.

November was even more exciting, my book released and our family gathering for Thanksgiving was wonderful. Besides the cooking and prepping, I had a world wind blog tour that kept me very busy. I monitored the blogs and answered all the comments. I wrote more posts and read reviews.

December the madness continued with the holiday shopping and cooking. The blog tour continued but I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and it wasn’t an oncoming train! I took some days off at the end of the year and spent some quality time with my family. Our son spent his vacation with us which encouraged his sisters and their families to move in for a few days. It was wonderful.

Well, the holidays are over. My book is published. What have I learned? I should have listened to Angela and wrote the next book.    

Why I Was Almost 'Invited' To Leave The Train's Quiet Car

This week there were two blogs that made me laugh so hard the conductor on the train almost ‘invited’ me to leave the quiet car. One was by Jean Joachim, a friend and fellow author. Her post, Ten things not to say to a romance writer and the snappy answers you might get, is hysterical. I’ve added it below for your enjoyment. Thanks for letting me share this Jean.

J. Coleman

The second gem is from Joelene Coleman. We met in Eliza Knight’s virtual workshop, Edit Your Book in a Month, along with a dynamite sassy bunch of other writers. The group worked so well together that we created our own loop, Writing Divas, and continue providing support and friendship.

Each Wednesday, Joelene posts Wacky Wednesday. This week’s post was Skinny Jeans … when you’re not. I love Joelene’s easy banter and quick sense of humor. Who doesn’t have a pair of skinny jeans. Joelene will have you rolling on the floor. No, not trying to get your jeans on, from reading about her experience.

I strongly suggest you read both these posts in a busy noisy place so no one looks at you strangely when you laugh out loud. Thanks ladies for the wonderful laugh and for letting me post your work here.

10 Things Not To Say To a Romance Writer! and the Snappy Answers You May Get

1.  Did you model that character after me?

Ø   No, you’re too boring to be a character in my book.

2.  Did you get your plot from a TV program?

Ø                          No, that’s called theft of intellectual property.

3,  Are you going to put what I just said in a book?

Ø                         Maybe, but you’ll never know, will you?

4.  Who did you fashion your characters after?

Ø                        No one, they are fiction, remember?

5.  Did that really happen?

Ø   No, that’s called nonfiction.

6.  Where do you get your ideas?

Ø   I buy them at the corner store along with my crack, heroin and diet pills.

7.  Does your mother know you write this stuff?

Ø   Yes, and she’s buying copies for all her friends for Christmas.

8.  Do people actually buy your books?

Ø   Yes, I’ve got the royalty checks to prove it.

9.  I could write something like this…it isn’t hard.

Ø  Go ahead…I dare you!

10. This isn’t real literature, you know.

Ø  Really? That’s what it’s classified as by the government (when you file a copyright.) 

      

      A little about Jean. Jean Joachim is an RWA-NYC chapter mate and good friend. Her latest book, Sunny Days and Moonlit Nights, is now available on Amazon.