And this week I have someone whom I met years ago on Google+ (remember that thing that was supposed to beat down Facebook?) book group and someone who knows what she talking about when it comes to book marketing.
So let me introduce you all to Susan Barton!
Say hi to Susan, people!
Susan is an avid reader, book reviewer and author with seven published non-fiction, children’s and YA books. She is also a marketer, copywriter and editor/proofreader with over three decades of professional experience.
From Author to Marketer
So you’ve published your first book. Congratulations! Sitting in front of your computer for several months or more, plugging away, planning, strategizing, editing and rewriting is A LOT of work. That’s a wonderful accomplishment and something to be proud of.
But guess what? Your work is just beginning. I can hear your groans already. I’m sorry… I really am, but I’m here to tell you that this is no time to relax. Instead, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and turn your attention to marketing your book.
Even if you are an introvert!
Many, MANY authors struggle with book marketing. After all, writing is often a solitary, isolating business. Writers enjoy an introverted life of quiet introspection. We’re often not comfortable tooting our own horns. Yet that’s exactly what book marketing is. It’s about letting potential readers know how much they need to read our books.
Like it or not, if you want to sell your book, you’re going to have to put yourself out there for all to see. Fear not, however, there are still some effective ways to quietly, subtly promote your book. The great thing is that these techniques are perfect for all of us introverts!
Here are four SUPER simple ways to do just that:
1. Schedule a Freebie
Promoting your eBook with a free download for one or two days is probably one of the best ways to get people to have a look at your book, and then download and review it.
Many authors are worried about giving away their books, but I’ve personally seen freebie downloads result in dozens of book reviews. This is a valuable book marketing technique that’s definitely worth doing.
Add a newsletter signup form on your author website and send out a monthly (or quarterly, or whatever works best for you) newsletter to let readers know what you’ve been up to.
Add other book-related news and discounts for added value to your readers. Just remember, you can only add newsletter subscribers to your list if they’ve specifically signed up to receive your newsletter. Otherwise, it’s considered spam.
3. Create a Giveaway
Giveaways are excellent ways to generate book buzz. You can give away copies of your book, along with a curated book swag package. Most giveaway participants are excited to enter for a chance to receive these goodies.
Bookmarks, original book illustrations, novelty items and more can be included in your swag. Be original and creative! Add your giveaway to your website and share, share, share via social media.
I told you these four tips would be super simple and I left the simplest technique of all for last. Your email signature should always include information about you and your book. That means adding the links to your book purchase page, your author website and your social media platforms at the end of your email signature.
Every time you email someone they’ll see your info and have the opportunity to click, click and click. Simple!
I hope you’ve enjoyed these four simple book marketing tips and use them soon. If you do, please let me know how they work for you.
If you’re overwhelmed with the idea of marketing your book contact me and I’ll be happy to help!
Thanks Susan!
I am back! I am just here to thank her for taking time off her busy schedule to write us a guest post. You can follow and contact her through these links.
Do you ever find book marketing overwhelming as an independent author? What is your constant challenge? Is there something that we as book bloggers can do to help you? Let us chat.
I am here as promised with the piece of news that I have been talking about excitedly for almost a month now. Yes, the series of guest posts from indie authors and relevant people from the independent publishing community is here!
For the first edition we have Kathleen Jowitt talking about the highs and lows of writing as she sees as an author herself and ways to keep yourself motivated through the whole process. So let me hand it over to her and get out of the away after a round of introduction.
Say hi to Kathleen!
Kathleen Jowitt is an author and trade union officer. Her first novel, Speak Its Name, was the first self-published work ever shortlisted for the prestigious Betty Trask Prize.
Again, I am so pumped with the posts I have scheduled already in this series guys. Okay, I am off and K Jo is here!
The highs and lows of writing
Self-publishing can be a lonely business. Writing can be a lonely business even if you’re conventionally published – there are long stretches when it’s just you and the keyboard – but when you don’t have an agent checking in with you, or a publisher checking up on you, you’ve only got yourself to keep you going.
And it can be dispiriting. When you’re at the early stage of a new book and are reluctant to show your work to anyone else, you end up without talking to anyone about your writing, and there’s nobody to counter the negative voice that suggests maybe this one isn’t very good. If it’s been a while since you last published something, and you haven’t had an Amazon or Goodreads review in ages, it can start to feel as if nobody’s reading any of your work at all.
I’ve had a reasonable amount of success with self-publishing. In 2017 I was the first – and, so far, the only – self-published author to be shortlisted for the Betty Trask Prize, which is awarded to the best debut by an author under the age of 35.
When the news broke, I had most of the second one done, and I was able to use the momentum from the excitement of the shortlisting to carry me through the final round of editing all the way through to the publication and launch.
And now what?
Seven months on, with another cycle of awards passed and gone, nothing very exciting in the way of sales, and a measly 10,000 words down on the next novel, I have to admit that I’m feeling a bit flat. I know that this is a temporary state of affairs.
There’s a reason why my work in progress doesn’t seem like it’s going to be very good, and it’s this: it isn’t finished yet. I know that the only way out of this patch of the doldrums is through it. There’s just one problem: I’ve got to keep writing, when the very thought of writing is getting me down.
“[…] the only way out of this patch of the doldrums is through it. There’s just one problem: I’ve got to keep writing, when the very thought of writing is getting me down.” says Jowitt on “the highs and lows of writing”.Click to Tweet
There are two ways to approach this conundrum, and I tend to apply both at once.
Remember that you’re not alone
Firstly, keep reaching out. If nobody’s talking to me, then I’m going to have to be the one to talk to them. Here are some ways that I do that:
Talk to other writers. Do it on Twitter, or in a writing group, or anywhere else that you can have a sensible, encouraging conversation. You might feel like you’re alone, but you’re not the only one.
And remember that even a self-published author shouldn’t be doing everything on their own. At the very least, you need a beta reader. Find the right one, and you might find that they’re a staunch ally and cheerleader for years to come.
Keep asking for reviews. If your book is still available, then it’s still worth looking for people to review it. Earlier this year I found a list of reviewers who specialise in F/F fiction, and I contacted all those that I hadn’t come across before.
And three of them were entirely happy to review my first novel, even though it was over two years old at that point. Meanwhile, a reviewer who has just finished my newest book has come back to me with a set of thought-provoking interview questions, which has cheered me right up. The prospect of having an intelligent conversation about my writing has done wonders.
While I’m on the subject, there’s nothing wrong with reading your old reviews. They tell you that you have produced something that other people have enjoyed reading, and, therefore, that you can do it again. It’s a useful reminder.
“[..]there’s nothing wrong with reading your old reviews. They tell you that you have produced something that other people have enjoyed reading, and, therefore, that you can do it again.” Hear more from Kathleen Jowitt!Click to Tweet
Remember to please yourself
Secondly, look after yourself. Remember why you started doing this in the first place. If you’ve chosen to write, and particularly if you’ve chosen to go it alone, it may well be that you’re doing it because nobody else is writing the kind of books that you want to read.
In short, you’re writing to please yourself. So please yourself. Put in the silly plots, the jokes that only you and two other people will get, the cheesy pop culture references – whatever makes you smile and keeps you writing. You can always take it out again later.
Take a break if you need to. You don’t have to write every day. Personally, I always find that going for a walk helps. There’s something about being out in the open air, away from my desk, and with nothing to do but put one foot in front in the other, that seems to shake the ideas loose.
And enjoy other people’s work – books, films, art, music, whatever makes you feel refreshed, curious, or inspired. You can only put so much out into the world before you need to replenish your own resources. If you honestly don’t feel like writing at the moment, then there’s probably a good reason for that. Take care of your own needs.
Give yourself time. Give yourself company. But don’t give up. There’s a way through this, I promise.
Kathleen Jowitt talks on the highs and lows of writing “Give yourself time. Give yourself company. But don’t give up. There’s a way through this, I promise.”Click to Tweet
Thanks K Jo!
I am back! I am just here to thank her for taking time off her busy schedule to write us a guest post. You can follow and contact her through these links. I am adding a Goodreads link to her latest book!
Do you ever feel that writing is a lonely business? And how far does being in writer’s group, physically or virtually help you out when the lows hit you? What do you do to celebrate your highs and get out off your lows? Let us talk.
If you are an indie author or a publicist, agent, illustrator, editor or anyone else working for and in the independent and self publishing world, then this is a call for your guest post.
Do you have a tip or a story related to indie books, authors or the indie publishing world that you want to share with the bookish blogging world? Why not be featured as a guest on Elgee Writes?
I would love to receive guest posts related to indie publishing world from indie authors. Let us talk about everything from your writing process to formatting and designing the book to promoting it.
As much as I would love to, I won’t be accepting promotional posts to your specific projects or books. We all love discussion posts more, don’t we?
What is in it for you?
The posts will be published with your name, a bio and links to your website or Amazon book page.
Make your byline short and crisp and in theme with the post.
You can add a few or all of your social profiles.
I will promote it as much as I do for my other posts, which means your post will be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Guest posts submission guidelines:
Here are some quick guidelines for making this work for both of us.
Is your post relevant to indie authors or other people who work in the book industry?
Is your article useful or thought provoking and not just a marketing tool for your book or product? You can however add relevant links to your website or the Amazon book page.
Does your post have practical and actionable tips for the reader? Add in a lot sub headings and bullet points to make it easier for the reader to take action and restrict the post to 800-1500 words, unless we agree upon something else specifically.
Does your article have a personal voice and matches the tone of my blog? Feel free to add in relevant images, funny or not to make the post more interesting.
Do you accept to not reuse the content from your blog or elsewhere? It has to be new and original. However, you can repost it after 30 days with the note that it was published originally for Elgee Writes.
The final editorial control lies with me. I might edit your article or headline to fit my site’s theme and I will discuss with you if there is any major change. I might ask for revisions rarely, if need be.
If you think you have what it takes please contact me right away. Send me your guest post pitch through the contact form and we will work on it.
You know don’t always read that children or middle grade books. But then I didn’t have access to many of those growing up. But of late I have been sent quite a number of them for review and it has been an adventure.
They make up for a great change in scenario between adult and young adult books, don’t you think?
Here is a list of books that I enjoyed reading in the past few days. There might be more to come.
My Raccoon Family by Margaret Churchill
The book about a woman who encounters a raccoon that later occupies her basement with her litter. It has 47 pages filled with adorable illustrations that would keep your young one or even yourself engrossed.
The book helps the younger kids to learn about raccoons and their life style. It also teaches how important it is to be kind to animals in general, even wild ones.
Trouble in the Chicken House by Jim Snyderd
This small book of 42 pages teaches a big lesson on bullying. The story is about three mean dogs that bully smaller dogs and scare them into stealing chickens from a farm for them.
The farm’s watch dog and his chicken-allergic fox capture them and teaches them a good lesson with the help of a bullied dog.
It has its funny moments and has drawings illustrating the story. This book is perfect for a read aloud for your little ones.
The Trotters of Tweeville: Zavis Damavis by Shirin Zarqa-Lederman
This 35 page book shares a day in the life of Zavis who tries to follow his mother’s advice of ‘Treating others like how you want to be treated’. I liked how the book teaches its young readers about the importance of being kind to everyone else.
The pictures are simple and fits to the narration. There are a number of other books with other characters in The Trotters of Tweeville series as well.
What do you think about these books? Do you, as an adult, enjoy reading the books with illustrations? Are there any recommendations for others? Let me know in the comment section.
Have you ever wished that you got a sign from the universe regarding a decision or how the things would go? I know I have. While you might believe in astrology and zodiac signs or not, but I am sure getting these signs would make life lot more simpler right? Kalyani gets such a foresighted friend to guide her through the turbulent times of her life, in Bend Your Knees Do Your Best. Intrigued? Read on.
Disclaimer: The review was commissioned by the author and it has not changed my opinion on the book any manner.
Plot
Kalyani has almost everything that the woman of her age can only dream of from her life – financial security, parents who have finally made peace with her idea of being single for live and more than all a good career. She has a long standing friendship with the demon king Hiranyakashyap, a mentor and a guide to her God less life. Bend Your Knees Do Your Best follows Kalyani’s quest to attain her dream, flavored with office drama and politics.
Her life plan goes for a toss when she was handed over the list of people she has to lay off. She faces the prospect of being laid off, her stomach cramps that threatens to be cancerous and her goal to buy a house in Bangalore seems more distant than ever. And to top it all, she suspects ‘a friend’ is sending her daily psychic gyans to solve her mid life crisis.
Bend Your Knees Do Your Best deals with a plot that any person who has worked in the corporate world would relate to. Despite the lighter and snarky note that the writer has chosen to tread through, Bend Your Knees Do Your Best delves into serious topics and asks the reader several soul searching questions.
Things that worked for me
I loved the nick names Kalyani had for her colleagues based on their characteristics and how they all tied up at the end.
I totally dug the relationship between Kalyani, Hiranya and God. I think most of my favorite quotes from this part.
Things that didn’t work for me
While I loved the writing in most places and it had me chuckling or rolling my eyes at the typical Indian mentality, getting through the 500+ pages was hard especially the parts where the protagonist seemed to over think and ramble on.
Of course the witty lines helped greatly but on the whole a stricter editing would have made Bend Your Knees Do Your Best so much better than what it is already.
Bottom – line
If you are one is us who have ‘Monday Blues’ and dread walking into your work place every morning, then Bend Your Knees Do Your Best is a book that will get you to chuckle out aloud.
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Let us chat!
Do you suffer from Monday Blues? How do you chase them off? Have you read any such books? Let us chat!
