Allie Boniface's Blog, page 29
July 26, 2013
Friday Fun Facts: Can You Tweet Your Book?
Well, we all know social media is one of the biggest, if not THE biggest way to reach an audience, communicate with others, sell a product...you name it, Blogger/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Pinterest/ Instagram/ Google Plus can do it. One of the latest uses of these tools is the pitch - that is, pitching your book to an agent or editor online, instead of the old-fashioned way, in person.
I've attended a few pitch events that are blog-based. You pitch a sentence or two (sometimes the first couple hundred words) as a blog comment, and then the pitch-holder reads and makes his/her choice. This has extended to pitching via Twitter - which, if you Tweet, you know can get a little tricky, since a Tweet can only be 140 characters.
How am I supposed to pitch MY ENTIRE BOOK in 140 characters, you might ask?? Well, here's a blog post that shares some of the successful (i.e., requested) Twitter pitches from a recent event. Also, there's another Twitter pitch event for all you YA authors coming up on the 31st - details here.
All this made me think: could I pitch my books in 140 characters? Hmm. I don't know. Here are a couple of my attempts:
Woman changes her name when she moves to a small town, only to meet a man who sweeps her off her feet. Can love trump lies in Paradise? (The Promise of Paradise)
Haunted lighthouse+big-city reporter+hunky hometown handyman = steam and lots of small-town secrets revealed. Peyton Place on the beach! (Beacon of Love)
What do you think? Can an author convey enough interest in a book in just 140 characters? What about YOUR books? If you're a writer, I'd love to see you post your book in a Tweet in the comments section today :)
Happy Friday!
I've attended a few pitch events that are blog-based. You pitch a sentence or two (sometimes the first couple hundred words) as a blog comment, and then the pitch-holder reads and makes his/her choice. This has extended to pitching via Twitter - which, if you Tweet, you know can get a little tricky, since a Tweet can only be 140 characters.
How am I supposed to pitch MY ENTIRE BOOK in 140 characters, you might ask?? Well, here's a blog post that shares some of the successful (i.e., requested) Twitter pitches from a recent event. Also, there's another Twitter pitch event for all you YA authors coming up on the 31st - details here.
All this made me think: could I pitch my books in 140 characters? Hmm. I don't know. Here are a couple of my attempts:
Woman changes her name when she moves to a small town, only to meet a man who sweeps her off her feet. Can love trump lies in Paradise? (The Promise of Paradise)
Haunted lighthouse+big-city reporter+hunky hometown handyman = steam and lots of small-town secrets revealed. Peyton Place on the beach! (Beacon of Love)
What do you think? Can an author convey enough interest in a book in just 140 characters? What about YOUR books? If you're a writer, I'd love to see you post your book in a Tweet in the comments section today :)
Happy Friday!
July 24, 2013
Writers' Wednesday: What's in a Name? Everything!
By now you've probably heard the news about J.K. Rowling writing a mystery novel under a different name: The Cuckoo's Calling. It was released back in the spring, got good reviews, but sold poorly. Then the news leaked that Rowling had in fact written it, and POW! People talked, sales rocketed, and now it sits at the top of best-seller lists.
Lesson: a great book with great reviews can still see lousy sales without a Name to back it up.
Stephanie Evanovich's debut novel, on the other hand (Big Girl Panties) got a review in the recent People magazine. This author is, of course, related to the uber-famous author Janet Evanovich. The review called the book "fun and fluffy, if somewhat predictable" that uses a "tried-and-true storyline" with a "plot that sometimes strains credulity." But it's written by the relative of a best-seller, it's featured in a major magazine, and according to Amazon lists, it's seeing the kind of sales and rankings that most debut authors never do.
Lesson: a debut novel that's not particularly outstanding or original can get notice and sales simply because of the Name attached to it.
I'm not writing this blog post today to sound bitter or resentful, but simply to point out one of the realities of the publishing world. Name and brand is everything. Authors have to find a way to establish themselves, to set themselves apart, so that their Name will instantly call up a certain image, a certain promise to be found in the pages, and readers will want to buy that book simply because of the Name on the cover.
So....if you're a writer, are you actively doing that? That is our challenge, each and every day. Good luck, and happy writing!
Lesson: a great book with great reviews can still see lousy sales without a Name to back it up.
Stephanie Evanovich's debut novel, on the other hand (Big Girl Panties) got a review in the recent People magazine. This author is, of course, related to the uber-famous author Janet Evanovich. The review called the book "fun and fluffy, if somewhat predictable" that uses a "tried-and-true storyline" with a "plot that sometimes strains credulity." But it's written by the relative of a best-seller, it's featured in a major magazine, and according to Amazon lists, it's seeing the kind of sales and rankings that most debut authors never do.
Lesson: a debut novel that's not particularly outstanding or original can get notice and sales simply because of the Name attached to it.
I'm not writing this blog post today to sound bitter or resentful, but simply to point out one of the realities of the publishing world. Name and brand is everything. Authors have to find a way to establish themselves, to set themselves apart, so that their Name will instantly call up a certain image, a certain promise to be found in the pages, and readers will want to buy that book simply because of the Name on the cover.
So....if you're a writer, are you actively doing that? That is our challenge, each and every day. Good luck, and happy writing!
July 22, 2013
Monday Mentionables: Your Chance to Win a Copy of Beacon of Love!
Happy Monday, everyone! Yesterday I was the featured author over at Tracy's Place, and for the next 10 days, you'll have a chance to win a FREE e-copy of Beacon of Love! Here's the link to enter.
And if you're not sure whether it's your kind of book or not, here's a newly made trailer (not by me!) that might give you a better idea:
And if you're not sure whether it's your kind of book or not, here's a newly made trailer (not by me!) that might give you a better idea:
July 19, 2013
Friday Fun Facts: The Promise of Paradise is Available in Print!
TGIF!! And I'm super-happy to share today's news with you all: my contemporary romance novel The Promise of Paradise is now available in print! So for all you non-ebook readers, this is your chance to buy the book that I've been yakking about for the last 5 months :) It's only $7.99 from Amazon, a steal for a 200+ page book, and as always, if you'd like an autographed book plate for inside the front cover, just email me (allieb@allieboniface.com) with your snail mail address and I'll send you one!
"This book had secrets, romance, great characters with issues, steam, a kitten, and a slew of emotional scenes all wrapped up with a wonderfully fantastic ending." —Crazy Four Books
"I'm a sucker for opposites attract stories and this one is no disappointment." — 4 Winks from Flirting with Romance
"I highly recommend this book if you enjoy some delicious torture with the sexual tension, that is well worth the wait in the end!" —Romance Addict Book Blog
"This book had secrets, romance, great characters with issues, steam, a kitten, and a slew of emotional scenes all wrapped up with a wonderfully fantastic ending." —Crazy Four Books "I'm a sucker for opposites attract stories and this one is no disappointment." — 4 Winks from Flirting with Romance
"I highly recommend this book if you enjoy some delicious torture with the sexual tension, that is well worth the wait in the end!" —Romance Addict Book Blog
July 17, 2013
Writers' Wednesday: Do You Use GoodReads Giveaways? You Should
Happy Wednesday, everyone! Are you on GoodReads? Do you use it to post reviews, to see what others are reading, to follow your favorite authors, or to promote yourself? GoodReads is a great and growing resource that you SHOULD be using as an author (disclaimer: I don't use it nearly as often or as completely as I should. But I'm trying to remedy that...)
One of the best tools they have for writers is the chance to give away a copy of your book. Anyone can enter, and you choose the length of the giveaway & how many books you'll give away, and GoodReads does the rest for you! The best part about this is the exposure - and I've found that people will add your book to their "To Read" list just from seeing it on a giveaway. Others, I hear (tough to prove for certain) will purchase your book after they don't win it, just because they're tantalized enough to enter the giveaway and then bummed enough to want to get it for themselves anyway.
So what's the skinny on getting the highest number of entries and reaching the highest number of potential readers? Here's a great post I found a while back that gives some great, concrete advice. Good luck!
One of the best tools they have for writers is the chance to give away a copy of your book. Anyone can enter, and you choose the length of the giveaway & how many books you'll give away, and GoodReads does the rest for you! The best part about this is the exposure - and I've found that people will add your book to their "To Read" list just from seeing it on a giveaway. Others, I hear (tough to prove for certain) will purchase your book after they don't win it, just because they're tantalized enough to enter the giveaway and then bummed enough to want to get it for themselves anyway.
So what's the skinny on getting the highest number of entries and reaching the highest number of potential readers? Here's a great post I found a while back that gives some great, concrete advice. Good luck!
July 15, 2013
Monday Mentionables: Will I See You Next Weekend?
Happy Monday, everyone! First off, very important to mention: my upcoming appearance at the annual Holiday in Homer craft fair on Saturday, July 20, in wonderful, small town, Homer, New York. I'll be there all day long, with all my current print releases INCLUDING the brand new The Promise of Paradise, which is releasing in print this week! Details to follow on how/where you can order it :)
Hope to see you in Homer!
In other news, I blogged last week at The Romance Studio about digital books vs. print books, and I'd love your input! The link is right here.
Finally, if you read my blog last week, you'll know that I was visiting my sister in the great state of Idaho. Had a great time, and here's my favorite picture from the visit, in an over-sized chair on one of the main sidewalks in town (apparently things ARE bigger in the west, at least when it comes to furniture):
Hope to see you in Homer!
In other news, I blogged last week at The Romance Studio about digital books vs. print books, and I'd love your input! The link is right here.
Finally, if you read my blog last week, you'll know that I was visiting my sister in the great state of Idaho. Had a great time, and here's my favorite picture from the visit, in an over-sized chair on one of the main sidewalks in town (apparently things ARE bigger in the west, at least when it comes to furniture):
July 12, 2013
Friday Fun Facts: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Idaho
I know, I know, you're wondering: why on earth is she talking about Idaho today? Well, I happen to be here. Right now. Yes, I'm visiting my sister who lives in Sun Valley, a lovely, if remote, town in the southern part of the state. Maybe you've been here; maybe you haven't. It's beautiful in the summer and has amazing skiing in the winter, in case you're wondering. And here are 9 other things you might not have known about the great state of Idaho:
It's the 13th largest state in the Union.
It has 3100 miles of river, more than any other state.
Its state bird is the bluebird.
It's the largest producer of potatoes (okay, I'm pretty sure you might have guessed that one). Ernest Hemingway is buried here. Movie star Lana Turner was born here. The state dance is the square dance (bet you could have guessed that one too). Poet Ezra Pound was from Idaho. And finally... The amazing female force behind American explorers Lewis & Clark, Sacagawea, was also born in Idaho. Let's hear it for great women! And great states. Hey, visit Idaho if you ever have a chance. And enjoy your weekend :)
It's the 13th largest state in the Union.
It has 3100 miles of river, more than any other state.
Its state bird is the bluebird.
It's the largest producer of potatoes (okay, I'm pretty sure you might have guessed that one). Ernest Hemingway is buried here. Movie star Lana Turner was born here. The state dance is the square dance (bet you could have guessed that one too). Poet Ezra Pound was from Idaho. And finally... The amazing female force behind American explorers Lewis & Clark, Sacagawea, was also born in Idaho. Let's hear it for great women! And great states. Hey, visit Idaho if you ever have a chance. And enjoy your weekend :)
July 10, 2013
Writers' Wednesday: Welcome Lynn Cahoon!
Hi, folks! Today I'm happy to welcome fellow Lyrical Press author Lynn Cahoon, who's celebrating her July release of Return of the Fae. Check out this beautiful cover!
A witch in training, a hunter on the prowl, and a world in jeopardy.
Learning the rules of being a witch takes years, but Parris McCall needs to master them in only weeks. Ty Wallace is going mad with his desire for Parris, but she’s a distraction in his quest to find Coven X before they take The Council and everyone he knows down.
The couple searches for Ty’s mentor, but he’s disappeared. Their only clue comes from a banished witch. When they return, not only are their own lives threatened, but a new life hangs in the balance...
This ebook is on sale RIGHT NOW for only $2.99 at Amazon.
Want to know more about the author?
Lynn Cahoon is a contemporary romance author with a love of hot, sexy men, real and imagined. Her alpha heroes range from rogue witch hunters, modern cowboys, or hot doctors, sexy in scrubs. And her heroines all have one thing in common, their strong need for independence. Or at least that’s what they think they want. She blogs at her website www.lynncahoon.wordpress.com
A witch in training, a hunter on the prowl, and a world in jeopardy.
Learning the rules of being a witch takes years, but Parris McCall needs to master them in only weeks. Ty Wallace is going mad with his desire for Parris, but she’s a distraction in his quest to find Coven X before they take The Council and everyone he knows down.
The couple searches for Ty’s mentor, but he’s disappeared. Their only clue comes from a banished witch. When they return, not only are their own lives threatened, but a new life hangs in the balance...
This ebook is on sale RIGHT NOW for only $2.99 at Amazon.
Want to know more about the author?
Lynn Cahoon is a contemporary romance author with a love of hot, sexy men, real and imagined. Her alpha heroes range from rogue witch hunters, modern cowboys, or hot doctors, sexy in scrubs. And her heroines all have one thing in common, their strong need for independence. Or at least that’s what they think they want. She blogs at her website www.lynncahoon.wordpress.com
July 8, 2013
Monday Mentionables: After the Fourth
Happy Monday, everyone! What's worth mentioning today? Let's see...
I finally finished the sequel to Beacon of Love, another contemporary romance set in the coastal town of Lindsey Point, Connecticut - called Inferno of Love. If you've read Beacon of Love, I can tell you that this book is Finn the bartender's story. Here's part of the blurb/query, to give you an idea:
Aubrey Anderson is a pediatric occupational therapist from Boston who’s spent the last twelve years rebuilding her life, after a horrific car accident near Lindsey Point killed her boyfriend and crushed her legs. A series of strokes on the way to the hospital left her with no memory of either the accident or the days leading up to it, so when she starts having nightmares she can’t explain, she decides to return to the scene of the accident to see if she can piece together her past. Finn Cavallo is Lindsey Point’s resident playboy, owner of the popular bar the I leave for vacation tomorrow BUT I will be blogging the rest of this week, so make sure to stop in for Writers' Wednesday and Friday Fun Facts! I'm also blogging on Thursday this week over at The Romance Studio, all about ebooks vs. print books - and I'd love your thoughts.
Have a great day!
I finally finished the sequel to Beacon of Love, another contemporary romance set in the coastal town of Lindsey Point, Connecticut - called Inferno of Love. If you've read Beacon of Love, I can tell you that this book is Finn the bartender's story. Here's part of the blurb/query, to give you an idea:
Aubrey Anderson is a pediatric occupational therapist from Boston who’s spent the last twelve years rebuilding her life, after a horrific car accident near Lindsey Point killed her boyfriend and crushed her legs. A series of strokes on the way to the hospital left her with no memory of either the accident or the days leading up to it, so when she starts having nightmares she can’t explain, she decides to return to the scene of the accident to see if she can piece together her past. Finn Cavallo is Lindsey Point’s resident playboy, owner of the popular bar the I leave for vacation tomorrow BUT I will be blogging the rest of this week, so make sure to stop in for Writers' Wednesday and Friday Fun Facts! I'm also blogging on Thursday this week over at The Romance Studio, all about ebooks vs. print books - and I'd love your thoughts.
Have a great day!
July 3, 2013
Writers' Wednesday: All About Promotion
Hellloooo writers! Today's post is all about YOU. You know you have to promote yourself and your books, right? You know that even if you write the best story in the world, if people aren't reading and talking about it, then you won't sell more than a handful of copies, right? I'm sure you already do a lot of the typical: a Facebook and Twitter presence, blogging, maybe taking out ads on various sites. But check out these helpful links as well:
The Romance Studio is having a fantastic sale through July 7th: Buy 1, Get 9 Free. Yes, a total of 10 ads for the price of only 1! If you write in the romance genre, this is a great deal for you.
(I also want to mention that The Romance Studio is a great place for members to post news, because members' posts go straight onto the main page, which means as soon as you post, anyone clicking on TRS will see your news at once. That's great bang for your buck, esp. when membership costs only $15/year. Even if you only paid for that, and not a single other ad through them, you could still post announcements on their main page whenever you wanted to and hit a great target audience.)
Hercules Editing and Consulting will produce trailers for anything you want to sell, for only $35! That's a huge bargain - and you don't even have to do any of the work. They'll look over your product/book/blurb and reviews and then make the trailer for you. Any genre, any length - actually, any product at all. It doesn't even have to be a book you're selling! Check out their sample work right here.
Pay With a Tweet looks to be an interesting, non-traditional way of marketing your work. Using social media is a huge YES in today's world, and this website lets you "sell" your book to any consumer who tweets about it. Considering many people have Twitter followers numbering in the 1000s, news about your book could exponentially reach 10s of 1000s of people.
There are many other ways to promote yourself, but keep in mind to do what you're comfortable with and what you can afford. And always remember, above all, to keep writing! The best promotion of all is talking about your next book :)
The Romance Studio is having a fantastic sale through July 7th: Buy 1, Get 9 Free. Yes, a total of 10 ads for the price of only 1! If you write in the romance genre, this is a great deal for you.
(I also want to mention that The Romance Studio is a great place for members to post news, because members' posts go straight onto the main page, which means as soon as you post, anyone clicking on TRS will see your news at once. That's great bang for your buck, esp. when membership costs only $15/year. Even if you only paid for that, and not a single other ad through them, you could still post announcements on their main page whenever you wanted to and hit a great target audience.)
Hercules Editing and Consulting will produce trailers for anything you want to sell, for only $35! That's a huge bargain - and you don't even have to do any of the work. They'll look over your product/book/blurb and reviews and then make the trailer for you. Any genre, any length - actually, any product at all. It doesn't even have to be a book you're selling! Check out their sample work right here.
Pay With a Tweet looks to be an interesting, non-traditional way of marketing your work. Using social media is a huge YES in today's world, and this website lets you "sell" your book to any consumer who tweets about it. Considering many people have Twitter followers numbering in the 1000s, news about your book could exponentially reach 10s of 1000s of people.
There are many other ways to promote yourself, but keep in mind to do what you're comfortable with and what you can afford. And always remember, above all, to keep writing! The best promotion of all is talking about your next book :)
