Fatima Koise's Blog, page 2
November 11, 2017
Effective tips for book marketing/promotion
Hello there,
You have finally completed writing. You have the editing and re-editing. You feel relieved that you have unleashed the book within and you feel happy. Good! But, then, you will realise that the publishing journey is just about to commence. As a newbie author, you are going to need to market or promote your book to the target audience. This can be a daunting task with over a million books published every year,
You have two route to this, you either go through the process by printing brochures, contacting bookstores, and doing it online or you look for people who specialise in the profession (publicists).
You have to start on a budget and plan for the promotion first. Below are some tips for you to promote your books:
1.Set a Pre-order for your book-This allows readers to know about the book even before it gets published.Amazon allows you to do that.
2.Book launch-You can choose a date to launch your book, invite target readers, media, and others and create the necessary publicity for your book or books.
3.Set up a blog or a website to promote your books: This depends on your budget. But, it is good for readers to be able to find your books.
4.Giveaways-You can give some copies of your books to readers as a giveaway either on Goodreads or Amazon. This creates publicity for your book and lets your name and book get the attention it deserves
5-Social Media Presence: You can develop a social media page on twitter, facebook, and Instagram to promote and link your page so that readers can find your books. Don’t forget to leave a buynow button
[image error]Pic by Freepik.com
6-Social media marketing-Facebook , twitter, instagram and goodreads provide ample opportunity for you to market your books depending on your budget
7.Join bookclubs-There are many book clubs in existence both online and offline that you can join, learn, get noticed and promote your books. Join discussion groups on linkedin, goodreads etc
8.Author Shows-Get on tv,radio or online author shows. You can set up your own podcast, online radio or web tv, develop content e.g.invite other authors to talk about books
9.Offer a service: You can decide to offer a service for others either for a fee or for free to get your name out there. Services such as book reviews, author interviews etc.
10.Learn and re-learn the whole process.
Hope you have learnt a thing or two from the above tips for getting your books promoted.
Please share with us your experiences along your publishing journey.
Thanks and see you at the other side
BECOMING AN AUTHOR
Becoming an author is an interesting yet a daunting task. It takes a lot of sweat, hard work, patience and talent. Although many people dream of writing a book and having it published, however, only a few successfully have their books published.
Many times, when you inquire about becoming an author, they tell you to google various directories, find a literary agent, send query letters, and wait only to be rejected like I have experienced. You send a letter with a short bio about yourself and your book, telling them how you found them, etc . You continue searching various directories while waiting for a response from the agent. Many times, you might get rejected. And if you are so lucky to get an agent, they will have to help you find a publisher to agree to publish your book. Within this period, the agent will insist that you might not have published your book elsewhere.
I differ on this and find this process very, very cumbersome and out of vogue for a writer in this 21st century and digital world. As a newbie writer, you face a lot of difficulties, rejections, and frustrations. You have to find a good cover, get an ISBN, a reviewer and an almighty publisher.
As a newbie author, I have been through it all. And I can tell you that it is a daunting task. I was very happy when in 2010, I came across Amazon Stores, Kindle Publishing and Create-Space. That was when I knew that the road to getting published has been made easier for me and many other authors in similar shoes. All I needed to do was to dedicate my time to writing, follow my passion and have my story out there and my voice heard.
This is one of the beauties of being in a digital world and the difference between analog and digital. At that time, I had faced a lot of frustrations, looking for people to review my books, and getting frustrated all the time.
As soon as I migrated to the digital platform, I became a self-published author with access to even the print copies (hybrid publishing). And also various writing communities, book clubs, blogs, and other platforms. I became in charge of my career as a writer and the driver behind the wheel. I have 17 self-published books and still writing.
Whatever choice you make in your journey as an author or an aspiring one, good luck and have fun!
What is your own publishing journey? What are the pitfalls you have encountered? What advice do you have for other writers?
Please do keep me posted on your journey.
November 10, 2017
12 Cybersmart Skills For Kids
Hello there,
We are in the 21st century, and a truly digital world, thus the need for kids to learn digital skills can never be over-emphasized. Below are the ten digital skills today’s children need to face the challenges/ demands of a digital world and become digitally savvy or intelligent. These skills are divided into eight interconnected areas as follows:
1.Digital Citizenship-Is the child’s ability to use technology responsibly, ethically and with humilty, turn ideas into real-life scenarious.
2.Digital Creativity-Children need be able to create useful content
3.Digital Intelligence-Kids need the ability to manage their identity, persona, and online presence
5.Digital Use-This refers to the kid’s ability to learn, and master the use of digital tools, and to also maintain a good balance being online and offline.
6.Digital Security-A child’s ability to identify risky contents such as spam, malware, and use safe digital tools online is what this term refers to.
7.Digital Safety-This refers to the kids ability to identify risks such as cyberbullying; pornographic materials; and radical ideologies.
8.Digital literacy: This refers to competency/knowledge in identifying, assessing, and sharing good content
9.Digital Communication: Kids require the need to communicate with others and also share content using digital tools and media
10-Digital emotional intelligence-Refers to the ability of a kid to show empathy, kindness and also build rapport with others
11.Digital rights-When children lack knowledge of their digital rights, digital privacy and safety, then they become more prone to abuse by others and also the risk of being bullied online
12:Digital entrepreneurship: Innovativeness is a watchword for children to enable children bring about positive change technologically, socially and in the business sense.
Mastering the above skills will enable kids become better leaders of the future and to also imbibe values of respect, humility, and integrity. Children will also learn to be masters of technology and not victims of same.
Thanks for your time. See you next time
Quote of the day
Hello There,
I will be sharing with you some of my favourite writing quotes on a daily and or a weekly basis. Today’s favorite quote of the day is:
“Writing is something you do alone. It is a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don’t want to make eye contact while doing it.” ― John Green
As an introvert passionate about story-telling, this quote strikes a chord in me and speaks volumes. This is because:
1.As an introvert sometimes, talking seems a daunting task and highly intimidating
2.For introverted people, listening is much more fun and easier than speaking. Therefore, introverts gather tons of information
3.Introverts are more emotionally aware of their surrounding, their emotions, and its effect on the life of others.
4.Introverts are fountains of creativity. And the best way to unleash the creativity is through writing.
5.Introverts spend more time alone than with others. And have a constant need for monologue.
6.Introverts often have a small circle of friends. Their best friends may be their books.
7.Introverts are comfortable in their silence.
8.They feel isolate and often misunderstood by others
9.They are often warm and able to easily create intimacy
10.They make good leaders
11.They are like onions, have so many layers. It takes time for an introvert to fully reveal themselves
Have you ever been told that you are an introvert, too “shy”, “too quiet,” “arrogant,” or “detached from the world”? Are you constantly being challenged, your habits and comfort zones put under question mark by a society that does not seem to understand the real you? If so, you might be an introvert.
Or are you an extroverted person raisin an introverted child or vice versa?
Please comment and answer some of the questions above.
Thanks and see you at the other side
Book Club for Kids
Hello there and welcome,
We are launching a book club for kid (BCFK), a virtual club where young readers, parents, teachers, librarians and others meet to talk about a book, m ake a book recommendation
How to Be on the Book Club for Kids?
The easiest way to get involved on the Book Club for Kids is to:
Send us an email at koise2017@gmail.com with details:
Hi, my name is – (first and second name only please)
I live in – (City,State and Country please)
My favorite book is – (Tell us the name of your favorite book)
This is because – (Give us the reason why you love this book)
Keep it short and brief please.
And please, kindly include your contact information!
Authors are welcome to join and upload their upcoming books details here.
Other kids book clubs are also invited to join by sending us an emaill on koise2017@gmail.com and make their book recommendations
Thanks for being here. See you at the other side
November 9, 2017
Bella and the eleven pigmies-5
The Queen fooled Bella into taking a bite from the poisoned cocoa under the guise that the fruit has a magic touch to it and can bring many wonders to Bella and make her wishes all come true.
Bella wished that the pygmies regain their independence while she finds the love of her life to whisk her away and rescue her from her stepmother’s clutches. Bella quickly fell asleep while the Queen now looked at her self in the mirage rejoicing that she is now the most beautiful in the land.
The pygmies returned with the animals as the Queen leaves the cottage and give chase, trapping her on a cliff. She tries to roll a boulder over them, but before she can do so, lightning strikes the cliff, causing her to fall to her death.
The pygmies returned to their home just to find Bella in a state of coma and almost died due to the poison.
The pygmies surrounded Bella and prayed upon her body refusing to bury her. Together with the Rhino, they keep watch over Bella. Unknown to the pygmies, the Rhino was once a prince also cursed by his stepmother. As Bella slept like a baby, the Rhino tearfully, lifted her and hugged her o provide some warmth to her entirely cold body.
Bella’s finger moved. Then her eyes also blinked. She opened her eyes. Thus, the curse became broken.
The Rhino quickly transformed into a handsome prince while Bella regained her consciousness.
Bella and the eleven pigmies-4
The hut actually is home to eleven small natured beings each about 20-30mm tall. The pigmies namely Malos, Yanga, Kolo, Mwada, Kanye, Juwul, Madu, Hagu, Manya, Sauri, and Godiya all go to the farm to work and earn a stipend. They live as slaves with no rights as their fellow human counterparts and no access to any medical or health facilities.
The pigmies returned home and found that their home has a human element to it. They have been at war with their fellow humans for lack of freedom. They all brought out their knives, cutlasses, hoes, and sticks. But saw an innocent, young girl attending to a hurt Rhino.
She quickly introduced herself and her friend the Rhino. Her friend was fast asleep. One of the pigmies touched the Rhino’s head and felt that it has a high temperature beyond the room temperature.
The pigmies quickly disarmed and welcomed Bella into their home which now looks sparkingly clean. Evert day, Bella prepares food for the pigmies and cleans the house while the Rhino ensures their safety and security from any intruding force.
While the pigmies go out farming at day, they all sing and dance nice African rhythms at night until sleep finally overtakes them.
Back in the land, although the magicians have delivered a fake head of Bella, she refuses to have a restful mind. The gourds and the cowries always reveal to her that Bella is alive and is still the most beautiful of them all.
The human head brought to her by the magicians actually belongs to a goat that the magicians made to appear in the Queens eyes as that of Bella’s. the Queen disguised herself as an old woman, took a poisoned fruit (cocoa) and headed to the forrest.
She travelled far and wide looking for Bella and hoping to find her and make her to eat the poisoned fruit so that Bella will go into a Coma forever, a Death Sentence and a curse, one that can only be broken by a “hug” from a Prince also cursed to death by an old witch. The Queen was bent on burying Bella alive. She went to the hut, met Bella and pleaded for a place to rest her head. At that time, the pygmies were far from home deep in the forrest.
What happens to Bella, please find out in the next chapter
Bella and the eleven pigmies 3
Several hours later, Bella and the Rhino reached a dessert. The sun was at its peak, and the winds were blowing from the westward direction lifting her long beautiful Ankara gown. She observed that the Rhino looked away.
As they journeyed on towards a water-like body, Bella was thirsty but the closer they got the more distant the water-like body seemed.
It was actually a reflection of the rays from the sun disguised as water (mirage).
Bella and the Rhino found an isolated house deep in the shores of the land.
The house belongs to some short-natured creatures (pigmies). They found their way through the main entrance into the sitting room. There seems to be no one in the house.
In the house was a solar-powered refrigerator, inside which is a bread made of wheat, a cassava tuber, and neem leaves.
The house looked unkempt and empty. Suddenly, they heard the snoring sound of a human-like figure except for its dwarf-nature.
Bella and the eleven pigmies 1-2
Bella is an innocent princess orphaned at birth and living with her adopted mother, a very wicked and evil Queen.
The Queen secretly harbors the fear that Bella is going to be more beautiful than her. Thus, she decides to enquire from her magicians as to who is the “Most Beautiful of them all.
“Everytime, she throws the cowries and the gourds, they reveal to her that the person lives right under her roof.
The Queen decides to force Bella to work as a maid and asks her Magic Mirror daily “who is the most beautiful one of all”. For several years the magicians answer that the girl living with her as her daughter is the one.
One day, she invited all the magicians of the land to tell her about the most beautiful of them all.
The magicians afraid of the consequences of their revelations decided to say just the opposite that the Queen is the most beautiful of them all.
The Queen was so happy. She gave each magician, ten goats, twenty yam tubers and cassava.
As soon as the magicians depart the Queen, one of the magicians would rather be on the side of the truth and be at peace with the gods than pay lip service to the Queen. He said:
“Bella is the most beautiful of them all.” The envious Queen gave an order that the magician be stoned to death or banned from the land forever.
She also orders that Bella be taken into the faraway forrest and killed. Another command came that after killing Bella, Bella’s head be brought to her as a testimony that she has been killed.
The Kingsmen could not bring themselves to kill an innocent and orphaned child.
They adviced Bella to disappear into the forrest and to never return to the land informing her of the order that the Queen gave them.
They adviced Bella to: “Run into the dark forrest and never look back.”
Highly frightened, and confused, the princess ran into the thick rainforest.
The night was getting darker every moment and with every step.
Bella became hungry and sat down hours later under a tree. She was too weak to walk nor run.
It started to rain. And the night got darker with the moon looking very tiny up in the sky.
Thunder and lightning struck just at the time Bella was about to be overtaken by sleep under a tall Baobab tree.
Suddenly, a Rhinoceros appeared out of blues. Bella highly unfamiliar with the forrest began to run.
However, she observed that the Rhino was bleeding and unable to run after her. She stooped running and stopped but she remembered what the magicians have told her not to ever look back.
Bella was between the devil and the deep blue-sea. Look back she must, Bella decides.
Bella brought out her head gear and tied the wound from where the Rhino was bleeding.
She rubbed the Rhino’s head to provide him with some comfort. Minutes later, the Rhino has fallen asleep. And dawn was approaching.
Bella quietly, lifted the Rhino’s hand from her shoulder and tried to run for her life for fear of being hunted by the Queen.
She heard the footsteps of some creatures. She tapped on the Rhino’s shoulder to waken him so they could flee to safety.
The Rhino bent down and gestured Bella to climb its back. She did cautious of touching its wounded leg. They started moving far into the dense forrest.
Several hours later, Bella and the Rhino reached a dessert. The sun was at its peak, and the winds were blowing from the westward direction lifting her long beautiful Ankara gown. She observed that the Rhino looked away.
As they journeyed on towards a water-like body, Bella was thirsty but the closer they got the more distant the water-like body seemed.
It was actually a reflection of the rays from the sun disguised as water (mirage).
Bella and the Rhino found an isolated house deep in the shores of the land.
The house belongs to some short-natured creatures (pigmies). They found their way through the main entrance into the sitting room. There seems to be no one in the house.
In the house was a solar-powered refrigerator, inside which is a bread made of wheat, a cassava tuber, and neem leaves.
The house looked unkempt and empty. Suddenly, they heard the snoring sound of a human like figure except for its dwarf-nature.
The hut actually is home to eleven small natured beings each about 20-30mm tall. The pigmies namely Malos, Yanga, Kolo, Mwada, Kanye, Juwul, Madu, Hagu, Manya, Sauri, and Godiya all go to the farm to work and earn a stipend. They live as slaves with no rights as their fellow human counterparts and no access to any medical or health facilities.
The pigmies returned home and found that their home has a human element to it. They have been at war with their fellow humans for lack of freedom. They all brought out their knives, cutlasses, hoes and sticks. But saw an innocent, younfg girl attending to a hurt Rhino.
She quickly introduced herself and her friend the Rhino. Her friend was fast asleep. One of the pigmies touched the Rhino’s head and felt that it has a high temperature beyond the room temperature.
The pigmies quickly disarmed and welcomed Bella into their home which now look sparkingly clean. Evert day, Bella prepares food for the pigmies and cleans the house while the Rhino ensures their safety and security from any intruding force.
While the pigmies go out farming at day, they all sing and dance nice African rhythms at night until sleep finally overtakes them.
Back in the land, although the magicians have delivered a fake head of Bella, she refuses to have a restful mind. The gourds and the cowries always reveal to her that Bella is alive and is still the most beautiful of them all.
Will the Queen find Bella? What will she do?
To find out, please buy the complete story at
https://www.amazon.com/BELLA-ELEVEN-P...
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The night was getting darker every moment and with every step.
Bella became hungry and sat down hours later under a tree. She was too weak to walk nor run.
It started to rain. And the night got darker with the moon looking very tiny up in the sky.
Thunder and lightning struck just at the time Bella was about to be overtaken by sleep under a tall Baobab tree.
Suddenly, a Rhinoceros appeared out of blues. Bella highly unfamiliar with the forrest began to run.
However, she observed that the Rhino was bleeding and unable to run after her. She stooped running and stopped but she remembered what the magicians have told her not to ever look back.
Bella was between the devil and the deep blue-sea. Look back she must, Bella decides.
Bella brought out her head gear and tied the wound from where the Rhino was bleeding.
She rubbed the Rhino’s head to provide him with some comfort. Minutes later, the Rhino has fallen asleep. And dawn was approaching.
Bella quietly, lifted the Rhino’s hand from her shoulder and tried to run for her life for fear of being hunted by the Queen.
She heard the footsteps of some creatures. She tapped on the Rhino’s shoulder to waken him so they could flee to safety.
The Rhino bent down and gestured Bella to climb its back. She did, cautious of touching its wounded leg. They started moving far into the dense forrest.
