Showing posts with label social networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social networking. Show all posts

Monday, October 21, 2013

Marketing Your Book on a Budget 2013: A Review By Paula Hrbacek

provided by author
Marketing Your Book on a Budget 2013, by Kathryn Jones
Pages: 46

Reading level:  General
Genre: Non-iction
Content Rating: General
Publisher: Idea Creations Press; 2013 edition (March 15, 2013)
ASIN: B0094XV6MA
Format: ebook (also available in paperback)

A quick guide for indie authors, Four Stars, 5-29-13

I received a copy of “Marketing Your Book on a Budget 2013” as a free Kindle download when I responded to a discussion posted on Linked In.  The author, Kathryn Jones, is a published author who shares some of the avenues she has found for marketing a fiction book. 
It is a good start for someone who doesn’t have a clue about what to do about marketing a book.  Many self-published authors jump into the fire not realizing just how much promotion they will have to do in order to make their book successful.  This booklet is a quick overview of some of the things they need to consider and do, such as set up a web site, engage in social media, and have promotional materials available.
Each chapter lists a few of the resources the author has found for promoting her book.  It lists a few blogs and web sites that will run promotional copy.  But it is not an exhaustive list, nor does it include every avenue possible.  It talks about requesting reviews and how to write a cover letter, but it didn’t mention press releases and how to write one.  It mentioned post cards, but not business cards, bookmarks or magnets.  It didn’t say what companies will print these items inexpensively, or how to make your own on a computer.  It listed web sites that promote fiction, but not nonfiction.
The book ends with information about a publishing company and the services they offer.  That means that this book is a promotional item, just like the free pens and coffee cups you get at the bank.  So, if you have the chance to get a copy for free, take it.
I was given a Kindle version, but would have liked a paper copy better.  If it had blank pages where I could add my own resources, then it might become a useful tool that I could turn to every time I publish a book.  I turned to taking notes, and wrote down a full page of web sites to check out.  But, format is in the eyes of the beholder, and ease of use depends on how many computer skills you have.  It is available in paperback, so that choice needs to be made at the time it is ordered. Amazon, Kindle.

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Paula Hrbacek is the author of five books including: Stars Shine After Dark, a sweet Christian romance, available in paperback, Kindle and Nook, and Day Camp in Hawaii, a complete program guide for summer camp or summer school, available in paperback, Nook and Kindle.  For more information see http://paulahrbacek.weebly.com or her author page at https://www.amazon.com/author/paulahrbacek. She also writes two columns for The Examiner, a free online newspaper; Children’s Artsand Crafts, and Book Reviews.



Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken

Monday, September 9, 2013

My Friend, Uzo by Darlene Jones

provided by D. Jones

Let me introduce you to Uzo

I don’t remember how we met. Uzo reminds me that he was surfing Wordpress looking for authors, found my blog, and read some of the posts about Mali. He made a comment, I responded and a new friendship was born.

Uzo is a young Nigerian with a blog. He lives in Asaba, Delta State (South-South Nigeria), one of the oil producing states in his country. I’m an older Canadian with a blog. I live a world away (in so many respects) on Vancouver Island, Canada.

Uzo writes novels. I write novels. Uzo writes in English, which is not his first language. As he says, “English is quite a vast language. Every day is a learning process for me.”

We begin by talking about books. We both like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I’d read Half a Yellow Sun. He told me about Purple Hibiscus. Here’s what he had to say about that book. “Purple Hibiscus is a wonderful story. Adichie did a marvelous job there from the first person pov. Kambili's account is so real and reflects the life of a rich, caged Igbo child-woman during one of the military regimes in Nigeria.”  We’re both anxious to read Americanah.

Uzo says, “I’m a no-good writer. I'm just a wannabe like you guys call it.” On the contrary, Uzo is a powerful writer. Here’s a sample.

Although the Liberian war is now over, I cannot wish away the memories. There are nights in my sleep when I still find myself dressed in army uniform, AK-47 ready. On these nights I hear the voices of parents calling their children; others joking, shouting: “Where’s your bunker?” The air cracks and I hear the sounds of diving jets and stuttering LMGs. Fire, blood, bullets and bodies everywhere. Things soon simmer to normal as danger passes. People fill the streets, young boys and girls going on various errands. Then he appears in a blood-stained enemy uniform. His oily dark face is teased with abandon. He’s about to aim his rifle at me. In my dreams, he dies in different ways. I’m his killer. Something tells me that he is my son. But I’m too afraid to believe it.

I’m not a professional editor, but I’ve offered to help Uzo with his English as he’d be drained if he had to pay an editor, so files are sent back and forth. I’m careful not to tamper with the uniqueness of his voice.

Only the eyes that moved swiftly would see the legs that desperately sprinted across the farms and pathways. Thereafter thoughts would arise if the runner was after something, or rather, was the prey.

Beautiful, right? And yes, my life, as a person and as a writer, is richer for having met him. That’s the beauty of the Internet.

Here’s what Uzo has to say about himself on his blog. (I don’t like the harmattan season either when the West African trade winds blow incessantly from the Sahara.)

  1. I love the game of Scrabble a lot. And I’ve won a big-money competition in that regard lately.
  2. I love the smell of the air immediately after a cold, long rain. It’s so refreshing!
  3. I don’t like the harmattan season.
  4. Music. Highlife music takes me to a different place entirely. It’s a gift to W. Africa.
  5. I want to learn how to speak Hausa and after that Swahili.
  6. I usually write with my right hand. But can also do so with my left…and it’s legible too.
  7. I still watch a lot of cartoons and can’t do without my PS3!
  8. Biscuits–I’m addicted.
  9. My favorite time of the day is very early in the morning for all the right reasons.
  10. I’ll get my dog friend a partner once I publish my first book. Well, that’s more like a promise.   In the meantime, he can woo those around him.
  11. I still have most of my childhood toys and comics with me.

For more from Darlene Jones, check out these links: www.emandyves.com and Amazon Author Central.


Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Blogdom August 2013

Oh boy, do I have loads to share from my Blogdom!
You may want to bookmark this and come back to it a few times. Good stuff here.
(August, 2013)
Book Reviews
-From JeanzBookReadNReview, UNDONE - UNRAVELING BY ELIZABETH NORRIS: http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/2013/07/undone-unraveling-by-elizabeth-norris.html
-From Tyngas Reviews, The Trouble with Fate by Leigh Evans: http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2013/07/the-trouble-with-fate-by-leigh-evans.html
-From Silk Screen Views, Going Postal ~ Terry Pratchett: http://silkscreenviews.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/going-postal-terry-pratchett/
-From Paranormal Reads, Today Only by D. Love (not paranormal): http://paranormalreadsreviews.blogspot.com/2013/07/today-only-review.html
-From Blogging for a Good Book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz- graphic novel: http://bfgb.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz-by-l-frank-baum-eric-shanower-and-skottie-young/
-From Starships & Dragonwings, 5 Stars: Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness: http://www.onstarshipsanddragonwings.com/2013/08/19/shadow-of-night-by-deborah-harkness/
-From Shelf Awareness, Review: The Childhood of Jesus (not what you think): http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=2053#m20928
Movie Reviews
-From ZanyZach’s Blog, Up In The Air Review: http://zanyzacreviews.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/up-in-the-air-review/
-From Alex J. Cavanaugh, Blogging Rules and The Wolverine Review! Plus Ninja News, New Covers, Video Game Trivia, and an Interview With Byron’s Son : http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/2013/07/blogging-rules-and-wolverine-review.html
-From Romance That Rocks Your World!, Smurfs2: http://nickywellsklippert.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/smurfs-2/
-From  Adopting James, My Top 10 Movies, No.2 [Moneyball] : http://adoptingjames.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/my-top-10-movies-no-2/
Interviews
-From The Wizard’s Cauldron, Orange County Musings with Brenda Perlin: http://greenwizard62.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-year-ago-i-met-brenda-perlin-writer.html
-From Authors to Watch, Interview with Christine Elaine Black: http://www.authorstowatch.com/2013/07/interview-with-christine-elaine-black.html
- From JeanzBookReadNReview, PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT & AUTHOR INTERVIEW - BURN IT BY JENNIFER CIE: http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/2013/07/promotional-spotlight-author-interview.html
- From The Beautiful Room, Exceptional Horsemanship from Lauren Woodard: Guest Blog Post: http://janeayres.blogspot.com/2013/07/exceptional-horsemanship-from-lauren.html
- From JeanzBookReadNReview, AUTHOR INTERVIEW - MEGAN CURD: http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/2013/08/author-interview-megan-curd.html
-From JeanzBookReadNReview, AUTHOR INTERVIEW - ANTIOCH - THE CIRCLE BY WILLIAM HARLAN: http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/2013/08/promotional-spotlight-author-interview_4.html
Writing
-From Creative Writing with the Crimson League, Authors: a warning about classifying and categorizing your characters: http://crimsonleague.com/2013/07/25/authors-a-warning-about-classifying-and-categorizing-your-characters/
- From Myriad Spheres, 101 Thoughts on Self-Publishing -- 010: Write Everything Down: http://myriadspheres.blogspot.com/2013/07/101-thoughts-on-self-publishing-010.html
-From Writerland, 7 Things I take to writer’s conferences: http://meghanward.com/blog/2013/07/25/7-things-i-take-to-writers-conferences/
-From Live Write Thrive, Are you a who or that? : http://www.livewritethrive.com/2013/07/26/are-you-a-who-or-a-what/
-From Masquerade Crew, Multiple POVs: Why I Love 'Em: http://masqueradecrew.blogspot.com/2013/08/multiple-povs-why-i-love-em.html
Blogging
- From the examiner.com, Author blogs and the art of fishing:  http://www.examiner.com/article/author-blogs-and-the-art-of-fishing?CID=examiner_alerts_article
- From LogAllot, The Danger of Using Photo Images and What it Will Cost You:  http://www.logallot.com/the-danger-of-using-photo-images-and-what-it-will-cost-you/?goback=%2Egde_66325_member_258845345
-From Larry Neilson Blog, How to Use Short URLs: http://larryneilson.com/how-to-use-short-urls
Entertainment
-From inspirationenergy, Its Friday, Take 2: Stephen Colbert’s Answer to Racial Harmony: http://inspirationenergy.wordpress.com/
-From LoadingDocProcution, A Tap on the Window Promotional Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXk0ADZ70cc
-From Chronicle Books, CARNIVORES By Aaron Reynolds, Illustrated by Dan Santat : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgt8k8Dle-Q&feature=youtu.be
-From TRISTA DIGIUSEPPI, Look At Me-chapter one: http://tristadigiuseppi.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/look-at-me-chapter-one/
-From Chronicle Book, Dead Mountain -- Book Trailer : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCOTZTdUEAw&feature=em-uploademail
-From TheNoseBleed.com , Ashton Kutcher reveals real name, gives incredible speech at Teen Choice Awards: http://thenosebleeds.com/ashton-kutcher-reveals-real-name-gives-incredible-speech-at-teen-choice-awards/
Other
-From  The Masquerade Crew, Introducing Masquerade Book Tours. A new site, a new service: http://masqueradecrew.blogspot.com/2013/08/introducing-masquerade-book-tours-new.html
-From LiveWriteThrive, Words of Advice from Famous Authors That Are Just Wrong: http://www.livewritethrive.com/2013/07/29/words-of-advice-from-famous-authors-that-are-just-wrong/
-From Faerie Book Loft, Clean Up Bookmarks and Favorites FREE: http://sunni-faeriebookloft.blogspot.com/2013/07/clean-up-bookmarks-and-favorites-free.html
-From Rob On Writing, Come on over and conversate a little (content advisory): http://robonwriting.com/2013/07/26/come-on-over-and-conversate-a-little/
- From Christmas All Year Long, Don’t Procrastinate! Here’s Why...: http://christmaswithbrenda.blogspot.com/2013/08/dont-procrastinate-heres-why.html
-From A Curious Girl, Rain Rain Go Away: http://acuriousgal.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/rain-rain-go-away/
-From Eli Bishop, 10 Myths About Introverts: http://elibishop.com/2011/07/27/10-myths-about-introverts/
By including links to these articles, reviews, interviews, etc…I am not endorsing the opinions of these bloggers and writers, but am simply sharing the highlights of my blog reading experience.

If you happen to stop by any of these post and want to leave a nice comment, please tell them I sent you. (Copy this => I came upon this post via Toi Thomas.)

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken


Sunday, August 4, 2013

Do You Know About the Fab 5 Share Fest?


It’s a Facebook share event of readers, authors, books, prizes, and fun.
Saturday, August 24, '13 will be the next Fab 5 Share Fest date.
The Topic will be the Last Fab 5 Books you’ve read. See Notes for detail.
Author Prizes
(1) Mini Twitter campaign
(1) Mini Facebook campaign
(1) Mini Author Spotlight

Reader Prizes
(1) Amazon gift card
(1) Choice of digital or paperback copy of my book
(1) A reader's goodie bag surprise :)
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken