C.J. Ives Lopez's Blog, page 19

Books, Big Screens, Hardcovers, and more.

Manuscript Writing

Books, Big Screens, Hardcovers, and more starting out with writing your first screenplay. A couple of author friends are finding themselves writing screenplays for their books right now. How FUN. WRONG, they will have great movies/TV shows in the end, but you heard it on THE BOMBSHELL BOOK REVIEW last night from Nicole Paquin herself. Screenplay writing differs completely from manuscript writing. If you’re thinking about taking your books to the big screen, you have to do the research, and who better than to ask to seek out other than LOLO Paige and Nicole to see what it all entails and get some terrific advice from. These two fantastic authors are extremely busy, so make sure you’re ready to do the work before dropping into their DMs.

Hardcovers

There are options for hardcovers out there, but many people don’t realize that. Amazon has a beta program, and LULU is another option as well. Some of those other options will leave you to print upfront, then sell on your website and have to ship yourself, but for most, this option is too time-consuming and involved, so we pick the dropship methods. Amazon’s program is currently In Beta Mode and doesn’t allow it for everyone, but there is an excellent article in Medium that you can check out.

Blub matching book

Your blurb has to match your text. As a reader, there is nothing worse than reading a fantastic blurb, then diving into the book, and it has nothing to do with what I just read. Sure, as an author, you just did your job and had someone read your book, but you will never get me as a reader to read another one of your books. I will have a foul taste in my mouth for what you write. As an author, I hate writing blurbs; therefore, we have someone write them for us sometimes. We get all giddy when the blurb sounds fantastic, but make sure it matches the book, or you will lose readers.

Book Plates

Some people do it, and some don’t. I think it is a great idea personally. Bookplates allow you to sell your books through Amazon. Yet, you can sell a bookplate through your website for people to get a signed (whatever you think is appropriate, sticker, bookmark, etc.) to insert into their book, so they have something personalized from you. Selling those items also gives you a little extra income. This will gain you some different reader experiences and get your readers closer to you.

SWAG

As an author, if you can find something reasonable, you should have some swag for your brand. You want your readers not just to love your book but to love your brand. There are many small businesses, along with veteran-owned ones, that offer these options. We at The Authors Porch go through veteran-owned business Really Designs? as we just started offering t-shirts for all writers. They do niche down into specific branded items, and you can reach out to them via Facebook if need be or through their website, which is on their Facebook page. They are freaking fantastic.

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SciFi & Fantasy Author – Joyce Reynolds-Ward

1.  Tell us a little about yourself      

 SciFi & Fantasy Author – Joyce Reynolds-Ward brings us into her world by sharing a little about her life.

I have always loved mountains, especially high desert mountains. So it’s not surprising that mountains and wide-open spaces often show up in my work, whether it’s on Earth or a different world. Horses have been a lifelong passion and I’m aging along with my twenty-one-year-old Quarter Horse mare, Mocha. She’s been the horse of my heart and I’ve worked out a lot of issues while riding her. Besides horses, I enjoy reading, being outside, and quilting.

2.  Why Do you write?

I like to tell stories. When I was younger, I used to tell them just to myself. Now I like to share them with others.

3.  What genre do you write and Why did you pick this genre?

I write science fiction and fantasy. I bring a regional perspective to the genre as well as an awareness that just about anything you write with a contemporary setting can be reworked and set either in the future or in a created world of my own. Deep conflicts, mysteries, relationships, comedy, tragedy–it all can fit into something besides the here and now. People still love in alternative settings. Mysteries, heists, and murders still happen in alternative settings. I like to look at the world as it is and wonder–“what if?”

4.  Tell us about your book

Broken Angel: The Lost Years of Gabriel Martiniere is, first and foremost, one of those books that grabbed my heart while writing it. It is my heart book, in part because Gabe as a character was so skittish about revealing his hidden history. We get some hints of what happened to Gabe before the opening of Inheritance, the first book of the core trilogy in The Martiniere Legacy, throughout the trilogy. But it isn’t until Broken Angel that we really learn about the thirty years between the time that he goes into witness protection as a result of his testimony about abuses done by the family corporation, the Martiniere Group, and when he finally manages to challenge his nemesis, Philip Martiniere. Gabe lives, loves, and loses during those thirty years. But he never gives up. He keeps fighting for what is right, and for his family. Sometimes that focus causes problems for him, and his greatest mistakes have come about because he’s trying to protect those he loves.

5.  How much time do you dedicate to your author career?

Pretty much full-time.

Scifi & Fantasy Author – Joyce Reynolds-Ward wrote a fantastic piece to help authors learn about her writing process in Issue #1 of The Authors Porch Magazine. Available now on Amazon.

6.  How long on average does it take you to write your books?

First drafts usually take me 2-3 months. I then spend another 1-2 months on revisions and corrections, longer if I’m working on multiple projects.

7.  What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

Good-quality computer equipment and software. Vellum for book formatting has saved me so much time and anguish. I love it. Scrivener for organizing my writing. I draft and edit in Word, but I’ve moved a lot of my note-taking to Scrivener. I use Apple hardware...yes, I could find less-expensive computers, but over the years I’ve found that it fits my methods so much better. And that’s the thing. I take my writing seriously, which means I need to have the appropriate tools to do it without making my tools a challenge.

8.  What is the most difficult part of being an author?

Marketing and promotion. I have met very few authors who really enjoy that aspect of the work.

Scifi & Fantasy Author – Joyce Reynolds-Ward understands that marketing is hard, she seeks out opportunities to get her books in front of people. She was a guest on The Authors Porch Livecast and shared her fantastic books with us.
9.  What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

Keep writing, and manage your writing like a business.

10.  What is your favorite book?

Oh, I don’t know. I have so many that I really love!

Follow Joyce:

https://books2read.com/u/b5vl81

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09256Q4FW

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Young Adult Dystopian Author – Tanya Ross

1.  Tell us a little about yourself: 

I am a retired teacher who taught middle and high school for over thirty years. Generations of students were taught how to write well by me and I and also presented an abundance of motivational lessons about following dreams, advice which I’m now navigating myself as a Young Adult Dystopian author.

Having two kids has been a blessing, one an excellent teacher herself of high school students, and my son, who is adorable but has special needs. He was born with a disability known as Fragile X Syndrome, which is characterized by mental challenges and mood swings.

My husband is also retired but spends time visiting people with illness and being a Notary Public. He’s my biggest cheerleader and supporter. I’m also blessed to have an adorable golden retriever!  Reading, writing, walking, listening to music and swimming bring me joy as I’m very much still young at heart, probably thanks to all the kids I taught for so long. 

2.  Why Do you write Young Adult Dystopian? 

Escaping into another world, the ones that I create astonishes me. Choosing the right words to convey a feeling and inventing characters that are fascinating because of their own pasts and human frailties puts me in deep thought. I want to inspire people to read and think, especially about human emotions and what they represent in our lives. It has given me a purpose, now that I no longer have a daily job. And, being a “creative,” I couldn’t thrive without it!

3.  What genre do you write and why did you pick this genre? 

As a Young Adult Dystopian author, I like to throw some romance into the story. I chose this genre because I already had an idea for a book long ago and wanted to construct a story around it. Also, because my son’s disability is characterized by mood swings, I have had to do a lot of controlling, counseling, and work with him to keep him on an even keel.

My subconscious is always working overtime both on my own emotional stability, but also on my son’s so that he can control his own emotions and not be carried away with anger, frustration, or sadness. That carries over into my work because the city I created in my series is also focused on the control of emotions so that they can remain free of dissent, crime, war, and sadness.

I am also a hopeless romantic, so I had to add a big chunk of romance into my novels. I was also very enamored with other works in this genre, such as The Giver, Wool, and The Hunger Games. 

4.  Tell us about your book.

My first book is entitled Rising Up. I created a teen character who has many characteristics similar to what I experienced as a teen—shyness and not knowing quite how to fit in. But this teen, Ember, is also an empath. She deeply feels the emotions of others. Since there is so much emphasis on emotion in the city of Tranquility, this causes Ember to be reclusive.

She lives with her mother and keeps her emotional power secret. When her mother dies, she is devastated. And her mother’s death is mysterious. In a disease-free domed metropolis where happiness is electronically monitored and enforced, she cannot express her grief. If she does, it could mean exile to The Outside. 

Out of desperation, she finds one person willing to take the risk to help her: a smoking-hot government agent. When her dreams help her determine the source of the fatal illness, Ember is stunned to discover the perfect city in which she lives is nothing like it seems. And when her new boyfriend is torn between seeking justice and remaining loyal to his oaths, there is no one she can trust…or would her world be rocked by a criminal from The Outside? Ember’s quest for the truth could set her free – or make her a captive pawn.

I finished my second book also, which continues this series. Called Facing Off, it picks up immediately after book 1, and the characters must hide from the city leader because he is pursuing them due to their dissent. This book recently won Honorable Mention at the New York Book Festival for Indie Authors in the Young Adult category.

5.  How much time do you dedicate to your author career.

Typically I will write for at least two hours a day, although sometimes marketing or blogging takes time away from that.  I have learned that it is pretty much a full-time job because it’s not just about writing books. It’s about networking on social media, going to book events, entering contests, speaking to students at schools, editing and revising, writing blurbs, attending a Read and Critique group twice monthly, and ordering swag. All total, I’m sure I spend about twenty hours a week, minimum, on this career.

6.  How long on average does it take you to write your books? 

My first book took me three years to write because I was so unsure of myself and how the story was going to go. Because I’m not a plotter, I’d often box myself into corners in the story and have to figure out how to get out. I’m sure I revised every page at least ten times. My second took 15 months, my project during the pandemic. It got easier with book two.

7.  What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career? 

The money I spent on my book covers. I started off with a premade cover, which was quite inexpensive, and then when I didn’t get enough traction, I found a designer and completely changed the cover. I didn’t settle for just anyone.

My cover artist is Natasha MacKenzie, through Reedsy, and she is an award-winning artist. I’m so glad that I had her create the cover for Rising Up, book one because what she created for book two is consistent with the series and is so beautiful! She captured the Young Adult Dystopian vibe and as an author, that is needed. Book covers are one of the most important purchases an author can make and are worth every penny. I love my covers!

8.  What is the most difficult part of being an author? 

Marketing is the hardest part. I can write a sensational book, but finding readers is challenging. Tailoring ads to those who like your genre is a science in and of itself. I haven’t come close to mastering this. Also, social media and ad campaigns take so much time. It kills me when I have to use my energy and minutes in the day working on that instead of writing.

9.  What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors? 

Be persistent. It takes a lot of dedication and perseverance to stay in the game. I have found it helps to read about other authors’ experiences as they work on publishing and promoting their work. The success stories keep me motivated to stay focused, even when I feel like giving up.

10.  What is your favorite book? 

How can I name only one favorite book?  I have a list!  I love the Wool series, Pillars of the Earth, Outlander, The Giver, The Hunger Games, and of course, all the Harry Potter books. I’ve been known to read thrillers, too.  I appreciate worlds that are unusual so that I can escape my typical life. I have a very diverse interest in books, and I credit my parents for bringing me up to read in my spare time.

Follow Tanya:

http://youtube.com/channel/UCLTPi6Q_Z5JoGczLir12pyQ

www.goodreads.com/author/show/1091295.Tanya_Ross

www.instagram.com/tjross_author

www.facebook.com/fictionauthor54

WEBSITE:

Tanya Ross

LINKS FOR PURCHASE:

https://books2read.com/u/mdDXoR – Rising Up

https://books2read.com/u/47OWaA – Facing Off

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What if you could sell more books.

Friday Five

1 Finding the gap in your market

When writing, you need to know your market very well. Whether it’s non-fiction (business, self-help, etc.) or fiction (romance, fantasy, crime, children, etc.), who buys the book is important. I want to point to business and children for this post expressly.

Children’s books. Most people believe they are selling a book to the child. Understand you are selling the book to the parent. Children do not have money. They cannot go to the book store and buy your book. While you write the book for the child, you target your sales to the parent. 

Know the patterns of parents as they buy for their child. What do they want to teach their child? Go to the places these parents are and build relationships with these parents. Understand what hits them and compels them to buy a book for their child. Once you understand that, you have found that gap in the market, and you can sell your book and continue to sell. 

Business books. First and foremost, if you are going to write a business book, you need to know what you are talking about. You can write a book on a whim or by doing research, but if you want to sell it and be good at selling it and continue to be good at selling it, you need to understand your market and be inside that market.

When you are deep in that market and in the places where your market is, you will sell the book. If you are someone within the engineering career field and have written a book, you should be where engineers are. Groups, forums, businesses. You have to understand why someone would want to read your book. 

Are you solving a problem? What does your book offer them? Is it career advancement? Does your book increase their knowledge within their particular field? Are you talking at conferences in this field? You have to become a part of the solution within the area that they seek out. Once you do that, you have found the gap in the market, and you can sell and continue to sell your book.

2 Amazon Keywords

When adding keywords in KDP, think about how you would search for something on Amazon. Think about the search patterns. First, start with searching for something yourself and see what pops up. 

This is basically what is going to pop up when another person searches as well. While you can’t put random stuff in there, but what relates to your book. 

I was writing a book that had a ballerina in it, so I put ballerina. If you are writing a book that has a college student in it, you can put college. 

Basically, the keywords are indicators of how people will search for items and then be directed to your book. 

Need more help?

https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/kdp/amazon-keywords/.

3 Something nice to do for authors

I saw this feed on Reddit, and I thought it would be nice to share here. What can you do for your author friend? I loved the comments. You can buy a book and leave a review, or better yet, if you have a good following, or family and friends, you can buy a book and give it as a gift. If you have a YouTube channel, you can host a giveaway, so many people enter, which helps you get more views and likes, and the person getting it will leave a review. 

It gets more eyes on you and the author. 

Either way, just showing you care and support is an excellent thing you can do for an author. Did you know that unless a book has at least 50 reviews on Amazon, it gets buried in the Amazon algorithm, which means it’s almost impossible to search for unless you know the book name and author name, and then sometimes the author must send you a direct link to find it? Ouch, that makes their books hard to find and basically invisible. GET THOSE REVIEWS IN PEOPLE.

4 Burnout

So you’ve been at this writing, authoring, publishing gig for a while, and you feel like your running through the mud with no destination insight? Burnout is a real thing. Not to mention with the pandemic and everyone stuck inside now, you are glued to your computer, and everyone expects that you can crank out books like nobody’s business. 

Take a break if you need to, but don’t give up on your passion. I talked to a fabulous author the other day on The Authors Porch Live Cast Melissa Sercia. 

And we both agreed. If you write for a passion, you feel a compelling need to register. You will get burned out if you write because it’s a business, and you have no desire for it. Basically, if you feel burnt out, you have lost your passion for it, and at some point, you have made it become business only.

Take a moment and find your passion again. 

Step back from the business side for a moment so you can get your spark back. Find what lights your fire so you can create your masterpieces.

5. ………

There is no 5; I’m taking a break to find my spark (see what I did here)

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Joanne Macgregor – Shares her author career path

Tell us a little about yourself and your author career path.

When not writing books, Joanne Macgregor is a Counselling Psychologist in private practice and deals mainly with victims of crime and trauma. She consults and writes on alternate days, and in completely different head-spaces and physical environments.

She started her professional life as a high school English Teacher but has also worked as an IT trainer, a theatre dogsbody, and a management consultant. Also as a waitress, an in-store frozen vegetable demonstrator, and make-up artist before moving to her found passion of the author career path.

Although she lives in the frenetic adrenaline-rush that is the city of Joburg, Joanne has always been in love with nature and escapes into the mountains and the bush whenever she can. She’s a pretty good cook, grows vegetables, and is addicted to chilies and bulletproof coffee.

Joanne is a bird of many feathers and enjoys writing for both teens and adults. She is the author of sixteen books across several genres and pen names. Writing fiction gives her a creative escape from heavy responsibilities and helps her write about mental illness and issues more realistically and deepens her character. She loves traveling, cooking, Harry Potter, and playing with her Beagle puppy!

Why do you write?

The stories in my head want out, LOL! I started writing for teens because the kinds of books I wanted my children to read didn’t seem available. Then all sorts of ideas, some of which were more suited to be written as novels for adults, started demanding attention.

What genre do you write, and why did you pick this genre?

I can’t pick a single genre; I blame it on being a Gemini! 

Under the name Joanne Macgregor, I write Young Adult contemporary romances and dystopian fiction. I love writing YA (which is mainly read by adults) because the stories are fast-moving, edgy, full of raw emotion, and don’t have too much waffle.

As Jo Macgregor, I write for adults (psychological thrillers and crime mysteries). Crime, mysteries, and psychological thrillers are my favorite genres to read, so perhaps it’s not a surprise that I enjoy writing these, too. In the Garnet McGee series (The First Time I Died, The First Time I Fell, and The First Time I Hunted), I’m able to explore two sides of my personality — the uber rational, scientifically trained, skeptical part, and the slightly eccentric, open-minded and woo woo part. It’s huge fun! Being an author you can choose your career path.

Under the name J. Macgregor, I also have one non-fiction book — Self Help Stories — which is a collection of some of the best therapeutic stories I use in my practice. My clients tell me that the parts of therapy they remember best and touch them most profoundly are my stories (fables, metaphors, and real-life accounts), so I decided to save them and make them available to all.

Tell us about your books.

Generally speaking, I write the books I’d like to read — quality fiction that hooks your head, heart, and funny bone. I won’t recap all my books, but here’s a teaser about two of them.

In The Law of Tall Girls (my best-selling book so far), tall girl Peyton Lane accepts a bet to prove she can be as attractive and desirable as other girls. She needs to go on four dates (including the prom) with one of the guys on her very short list of very tall boys, only one of whom she likes. The only problem is that he’s already taken, plus he wants to find out the secret she tries so hard to hide from the world. Funny and romantic, The Law of Tall Girls is a feel-good, heart-warming read for anyone who’s ever felt too different to belong.

My Garnet McGee series (which starts with The First Time I Died) is about an all-but-dissertation postgraduate psychology student who returns to her small hometown in rural Vermont for the holidays. After a near-death experience, she begins having troubling symptoms — hearing voices and having visions. Unsure whether she’s becoming psychic or losing her mind, she sets out to solve the mystery of the murder that shattered her life ten years ago with a bit of help from the victim! It’s a dangerous investigation because, in a town full of secrets, everybody has a motive for murder.

 How much time do you dedicate to your author career?

I spend about two-thirds of my working life in my day job and about a third writing. I find that after doing therapy, I’m physically and emotionally tapped out and not capable of being creative enough to write. So I set aside two to three mornings a week for writing first. Of course, the marketing, promotion, and business side of writing and publishing takes up as much time as I’ll allow it. 

How long, on average, does it take you to write your books?

I’ve been a bit quicker on some and longer on others, but on average, I’d say it probably takes me around a year from first plotting to hitting the publish button on the fully revised, polished, edited, and proofed version.

What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

I think the money I’ve spent on professional editing and proofreading services, as well as my covers. Neither has come cheaply, but I write (or like to think I do!) quality books. I’m proud of them, and I wouldn’t be if they were shoddy, filled with errors, and had amateur-looking covers.

What is the tough part of being an author?

Writing the wretched books! Honestly, it’s hard work, especially the first drafts. The second most challenging part is trying to stand out against the sea of titles out there so that readers can find my stories.

What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

Do what works for you along with your author career path. There’s so much advice on plotting, writing, and revising, but no one way works for everybody or every book. I approach each new project with whatever process works for that idea and genre and fits that time in my life. Combine different approaches, or create your own, but you do it. Be sure to finish writing your books.

What is your favorite book?

There are honestly too many to pick only one, but some novels which I have loved are East of Eden (by John Steinbeck); Flight Behavior (Barbara Kingsolver); Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix (JK Rowling); The Good Soldier (Ford Maddox Ford); Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen), and The Scorpio Races (Maggie Stiefvater). 

Follow Joanne:

www.joannemacgregor.com/

www.facebook.com/JoanneMacg

www.twitter.com/joannemacg

www.instagram.com/joannemacgregor_author/

The post Joanne Macgregor – Shares her author career path appeared first on The Authors Porch.

Dr. Dawn Menge

Tell us a little about yourself.

I write a children’s book series based on my real-life adventures and friends titled Queen Vernita’s Visitors Educational adventures. It is Pre-k -6th grade, and I have just sent my thirteenth book to print. I am super excited about that.

The book’s format follows the calendar skills, days of the week, months, and seasons. In each month, the Queen meets a new friend and a new subject. She learns seven additional facts about each topic. She has traveled throughout her Kingdom to hold baby alligators, swim with sharks, seals, manta rays, and had a baby sea horse wrap its tail around her finger.

I also have a new book titled Dragon’s Breath. “Join King Teddy Bear as he seeks the answer to his Kingdom’s mysterious black smoke. It is his job to protect his villagers and help them thrive. The once beautiful gardens and crops are now withering, and his precious villagers are saddened and fearful. How can the mighty King solve this for those he loves?”

Dr. Dawn Menge has won forty-one international awards as the published author of the Queen Vernita’s Educational Series including the Special Recognition Champion Award from Conquering Disabilities with the film festival. 

Her newest release is a real-life fairy tale titled, Dragon’s Breath. Her published works also include THE SIX FEDERAL INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN GOALS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN PREPARING FOR TRANSITION.

Why do you write?

My books began as an assignment in a math class I was taking to receive my credential and Master’s degree in Special Education. I have been teaching students with severe cognitive delays for over twenty years.

I published Queen Vernita’s Visitors and began receiving awards and interviews. The Queen now travels around her Kingdom exploring different regions of the area. She has been to the glaciers, bayou, coastline, has met HeathyBean The Astronomer, camped along the sandy shores, rode a train with Santa, visits the Islands of Enchantment and the Volcanic Islands. She will soon be visiting the land of little rain.

What genre do you write, and why did you pick this genre?

I write children’s literature. I am a teacher and therefore gravitate towards Children’s educational needs, including reading fluency. I am also a member of the United States Board on Books for Young Children and sit on their committee to choose the best books for/about disabilities. I also have a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Special Education.   

Tell us about your book.

My newest Queen Vernita book that I have just sent to the printer is based on our yearly camping trips to Jalama Beach on the coast of California. It is PreK-6th grade, and the Queen learns to Paraglide, make S’mores, fly kites, fish, raccoons, Ostrich and Emu, and body surf. It is a fun adventure that teaches about the outdoors, exploring, trying new things, and friendships.

How much time do you dedicate to your author career?

My author career is developing from one book a year to publishing and researching five new books this year. I have dedicated a lot of my time during the pandemic to building my network, increasing visibility, and entering the film festival networks. It’s been very exciting.

I also write children’s reviews for Story Monster Magazine, judge their literary contests, and judge for the RONE awards for INDI Tale magazine. It is fun to read the Indi romance books during my summer break.

How long, on average, does it take you to write your books?

After I have researched a book, it only takes a few weeks to write the rough draft. All the Queen Vernita’s adventures follow the same format as repetition is an excellent way to learn new materials.

My illustrator takes actual pictures from my adventures and friends and creates a montage for the illustration. These illustrations could take up to one year to complete.

What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

The best money I have spent as an author is researching my books, traveling with my family and friends, learning about different areas and cultures. I also invest a lot of time traveling around the country to reach out to children.

My books are being read in classrooms in Africa, the Philippines, the UK, and, of course, all around the US. I recently interviewed with a man from St. Louis. He told me that his friend had been checking my books out at the library, and she had taken a second job so that she could take her son traveling.

It was so wonderful to hear that my books and family were positively impacting this child’s life. Authors rarely hear how their books affect others. 

What is the most challenging part of being an author?

The most challenging part about being an author is being in the spotlight. When I first began, I was at a book event at the local library. The local tv station was interviewing the authors, and I tried to hide in the other room.

The two writers next to me encouraged me to stay and be interviewed. I am glad that I did. We are our own worst critics and sometimes limit ourselves in our progress. 

I did not start writing my books to actually become an author. It has just developed into a bigger and bigger part of my life. One opportunity leads to another.

I saw a wonderful speech by Kwame Alexander called “YESS” It gave me hope and motivation to pursue new avenues in the publishing world.  

What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

To remember that the primary goal is not to become rich but to enhance positively other’s lives. Everyone has a message they would like to bring to the world.

Most of us do not realize that what we have been through may connect with someone else’s experiences. Be brave and put yourself out there in the world. Do not let one or two negative people change how you feel about your dreams.

Follow Dr. Dawn Menge

http://www.drdawnmenge.com

http://www.facebook.com/dawn.menge1

http://www.instragram.com/dawnmenge

http://www.twitter.com/queenvernita

http://www.rushmorepress.com

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Build Your Author Business

1. Goodreads Giveaways

This little-known GEM can give you great publicity. They have packages starting at $119. This means you can get people entering the giveaway, and they deliver to the kindle device or paperback. Goodreads is also a HUGE reader’s hub, so if you don’t already have your author profile claimed there, go over there NOW and get ’em done.

Also, I attended a fantastic course from New York Times Best Seling Author Alessandra Torre on Good Reads and Good Reads giveaway that will blow your mind and have you ready to jump on this baby. I highly recommend it.

Our good friend LoLo Paige is currently giving away 100 copies of her new book on this platform. Ask her some questions, and you won’t be disappointed if you enter this giveaway and get a book in her series because it’s smoking hot.

2. Newsletter swaps

I know some people think this isn’t a good idea, and I can see why, but you have to partner up with a trusted person when building your author business. You can’t just swap with anyone. You cultivate your list, and Those people trust you. You also have to trust the person you allow to swap lists with and write to your people.

Whether it’s the same genre or they send out the same type of messages. The thing is to get them exposed to your audience and vice versa, but you could lose your audience if you try to sell them cake when they have diabetes. Catch my drift? Try Flodesk Today

I highly recommend Flodesk for email marketing. 3. TikTok
Who is on authorTOK? Well, it’s blowing up a little right now and here is one author who is doing it right. It’s a great new place to sell your book. Some authors are reading snippets on their videos, and some are acting out scenes. Some are doing follow parties. While I see the validity of the following parties, you only get other authors following you. I think it’s important to have readers follow you. I haven’t broken out in the Authortok AKA TIKOK world. Still, I’m watching a lot of smashing videos where the author is acting out particular scenes or having others do it and man. It makes me want to grab their book. Share some ideas you have for videos! https://www.tiktok.com/@theauthorsporch4. Author Website vs. Direct Links
We get it; you built your author’s website; you paid someone to create it, and you love it. It’s beautiful. Let people see it, share it with the world. The only thing is when you’re trying to sell your books, unless you are selling them directly from your site, don’t send people to your site, then have them click on a link that directs them to another site. You are losing sales this way. No one wants to click to click to another site. The more places they are directed, they lose interest. Send them to the direct site if someone wants to check out your book and asks to see it. If they want to know more about your writing, you, your journey, etc., then send them your website. Don’t lose the sale only because you love your website so much or want people to know more about you. Set up that author profile on Amazon if you have all your books on that platform and send them directly to the site that sells the books. If I’m clicking in multiple places to find the sale link, I’m leaving and finding my entertainment somewhere else.Need a killer website, here is where you go! https://carbondigital.us/5. Book Bloggers & Book Reviewers.
Do your homework. Well-known book bloggers and reviewers do this for a living. They are well known and have a HUGE following. Having a favorable review or blog written by them on your book could boost you, but you need to do your work and DO NOT harass them. Start on Instagram under the tag #bookstagrammer. Once you follow a few of them, understand the genre that they may prefer, then know how they receive their reviews. Most will have websites with their information as well. You can even interact with reviewers and bloggers and build a relationship first. DO this first before you even ask them for anything. Maybe read a book or two yourself before you ask for anything. You can interact with them in a recent book they read. You have to build relationships with people before you expect others to do things for you. Relationships will always be critical in every business, not just the book business.

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Kara Leigh Miller

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Kara Leigh Miller. I’m a wife, stay-at-home mom to 4 of 5 kids, pitbull lover, and cat hoarder. No joke—I have seven cats! I’m a writer and reader, and lover of all things books. I’m also the Editorial Director for Anaiah Press. When I’m not lost in all of that, I’m working out, binge-watching Netflix, and sometimes playing golf with my husband, though I suck at it. LOL.

Why Do you write?

So the voices in my head will be quiet. I know that sounds strange to anyone who isn’t a writer, but it’s the truth. I constantly have stories and characters developing in my mind. Sometimes, they are so loud that I can’t focus on anything else. I tell their story to help silence them. And also, because I find writing cathartic—I feel better on the days I write. So, I guess you could say I write not to be cranky. (My family thanks me for that ??)

What genre do you write, and why did you pick this genre?

Throughout my career, I’ve written various genres ranging from really steamy romance to Christian fiction. Currently, though, I’ve been focusing primarily on young adult paranormal romance. I love this age group and genre because the possibilities are endless. Teens are still learning to find their way in the world, and they’re allowed to fumble and make mistakes. Still, they’re also more open to exploring new relationships, which are so free. And within the paranormal world, I can make all the rules for my supernatural beings. Talk about fun!

Tell us about your book.

Eternal Curse is the first book in The Cursed Series, which is currently seven books with a new spinoff series in the works. Readers have called this “the new Twilight for the next generation.” Here’s the official blurb:

When a rash of unsolved murders leaves two of Chloe’s classmates dead, she begins to suffer from disturbing hallucinations that build to the horrifying image of Trent as a murderous vampire. To make it worse, he’s cursed—no, Halstead will ever know true love—and he’s desperate to break the curse. Could Chloe be the key?

How much time do you dedicate to your author’s career?

As much time as I can. Typically, I devote at least 2-4 hours per day; I spent most of those writing. I devoted the rest to admin tasks such as updating my website, uploading books to vendors, And then, of course, there’s the time spent on promoting my books.

How long, on average, does it take you to write your books?

This depends on the book and other commitments. Eternal curse took me about four years to write. Still, I started it as one thing, then scrapped it and rewrote it with vampires and witches, and I’d taken a solid year and a half away from it to write and publish a few other things. Book 2 took me about two months, while book 3 took me only 19 days. So, it depends on how clear the story is in my mind, how loud the characters are speaking to me, and how much time I have to devote to writing.

What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

There are three things I spend money on regularly that have been a game-changer for me and my career:

(1) Professional cover art. Even though we’re told not to judge a book by its cover, we all do, so having eye-catching cover art is a must!

(2) Hiring a personal publishing assistant (PA). Having someone in my corner to cheer me on and push my books has been invaluable. She handles my social media, readers’ group, finding and scheduling various online promotional events, making teasers, etc. While she’s doing all of that, I can focus more time and attention on writing.

(3) Paid ads. Right after my first book was released, I sort of adopted a “throw it at the wall and see what sticks” philosophy. Admittedly, I spent (and wasted) much money. Lol. I quickly learned that the best bang for my buck is with specific, targeted ads via select newsletter services. So far, the best two I’ve found are eReader café and Written Word Media.

What is the most challenging part of being an author?

Marketing! Ugh. I hate promoting my books. Not only is it very time-consuming, but I also find it very draining. It requires an entirely different mindset than writing, so it’s hard to switch back and forth between the two, and you have to be successful as an Indie author.

What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

Write for yourself. I cannot stress this enough. Don’t write for market trends or what you think an agent/publisher/reader wants. Because if you don’t love the story you’re telling, no one else will, either. So, enjoy the writing and tell yourself a story.

What is your favorite book?

The Twilight Saga. I know! I’m well aware of the issues and arguments surrounding this series. Still, I first read this back when my life wasn’t so great. It was truly a series that brought my daughter and I closer together when our relationship was less than stellar. The simplicity of The Twilight Saga is what I love the most, and it’s what inspired me to write The Cursed Series.

Follow Kara

https://linktr.ee/KaraLeighMiller

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Five Tips for Writing More Diverse Characters

By Dr. Tammy Bird

The best advice I ever received was: “Write to discover. Write to enter an imaginary world filled with diverse characters, a world that is ultimately fantastical AND familiar and believable to your readers—all of them.”

I offer that advice to you today along with five tips to get you started.

Tip One: Analyze what you know.

I am an 80s lesbian who was around when raids were a common occurrence and people backed into parking spaces to hide license plate numbers. Your own details will likely evoke different settings and characters. From them, you can begin to look for plot points that can be routed away from what you know and toward an engaging cast of diverse characters.

Tip two: Develop deep character sketches.

Ask each character about their worldview. Make notes about political stance, community involvement, family and work connections, and favorite social groups. Highlight areas where you will need to research to discover more about their worldview.

Tip three: Research. Read #OwnVoices work and autoethnographies.

If you are unfamiliar with either of these, pause and do a quick Google search. Join online groups. In Sandman, I have a teen with autism. He is central to uncovering a serial killer. I have a grandson with autism, so I have a tiny bit of knowledge. I found more knowledge in a Facebook group to which I was upfront with my purpose. They were inviting and I met amazing people who were open to my questions. I learned from a teen with autism who granted me an interview. His back-and-forth communication as my character developed, allowed me to write about autism with more authenticity.

Tip Four: Revise. Take what you are learning and weave it throughout your character’s backstory.

When you think you have characters who reflect the diversity of your little world, go back to those who have helped to inform your characterizations. Ask them if your character is accurate, informed, and authentic. Repeat this step as many times as necessary as you write your story.

Tip five: Use sensitivity readers.

When your story is complete, find readers who review unpublished manuscripts with the express purpose of spotting bias, stereotypes, cultural inaccuracies, representation issues, and problematic language. Make sure you choose someone who is fluent in the nuances of the culture you are writing about. Take their observations to heart and use what you learn to make your writing more genuine.

Filling your manuscripts with the diversity of society takes time and dedication to your craft. You will not always get it right—not even with the most thorough research. Still, with a true ethical dedication to your work, you will learn to portray diversity effectively. My final advice to you is this: Listen. Acknowledge mistakes. And keep trying to improve.

Read more articles that were featured in the Issue #1 from July on Amazon Today. Issue #2 coming October 5th. https://www.amazon.com/Issue-Who-Authors-Porch-Magazine-ebook/dp/B09CV2TG5P/ref

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C.L. Tolbert

 Tell us a little about yourself.

 I’m a retired attorney living in Atlanta with my husband and schnauzer, Yoda. We have four adult children and three adorable grandchildren. I practiced law for over thirty years, and before my retirement, was actively licensed in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia. I traveled throughout the country in litigation as regional and national counsel for various corporations. I also have a Masters of Special Education, and before my years as an attorney, I taught learning disabled students. From 1993 through 1996, I also taught at Loyola University Law School as an Assistant Clinical Professor and served as the Director of Loyola’s Homeless Law Clinic. I learned much about poverty in New Orleans during those three years. I moved to Atlanta in 2001 when I accepted a job with a national law firm and have lived in the area ever since. 

 Why Do you write?

 I enjoyed writing when I was younger. I won a few contests and published professionally in several legal journals. Still, I didn’t seriously begin writing fiction until I was recovering from surgery and had some time on my hands. During that lengthy recovery period, I wrote the short story version of OUT FROM SILENCE, then entered the story in the Georgia Bar Journal’s Fiction Contest. It shocked me when I won. But, even more, surprising was how much I enjoyed the writing process.

 Writing isn’t easy. I find it necessary, important and I get better at it the more I do it. I write because I must. I’d be lost if I didn’t write. It’s the only thing I’ve ever done in my life that has ever made me feel whole.

What genre do you write, and why did you pick this genre?

I write mysteries. I begin by creating the plot and think of it much like a large jigsaw puzzle. Then I develop the characters, their backstories, concentrating on what makes them tick. I love weaving the plot and the character’s stories together. And since I write murder mysteries, I love exploring the emotional triggers that set the story into action and keep the pace going.

 I picked this genre because I enjoy setting up the mystery puzzle piece and am intrigued by exploring the emotional depths that any murder would trigger. In my series, Emma Thornton is an attorney who represents people that have been accused of murder. Invariably, others are murdered along the way. Emma is tenacious in her determination to prove her client’s innocence but occasionally rash and impulsive. Building character profiles into the plot always adds an interesting twist to the story!  

Tell us about your book.

 I’ve written two books in the THORNTON MYSTERY SERIES. OUT FROM SILENCE, published in December 2019, and THE REDEMPTION, published in February 2021, both were published by Level Best Books. A third book, which is yet unnamed, will be published in February 2022. 

OUT FROM SILENCE: Emma Thornton, a law student, and clerk for a local attorney in the small town of Jonesburg, Georgia, is asked to help defend Adam, a young deaf man accused of killing his girlfriend. The investigation sets her on a dangerous path which nearly costs her her life and forces Adam out of his world of silence.THE REDEMPTION: Emma Thornton is back in THE REDEMPTION. When two men are murdered one muggy September night in a New Orleans housing project, an eyewitness identified only one suspect–Louis Bishop- a homeless sixteen-year-old. Louis is arrested the next day and thrown into New Orleans Parish Prison. Emma Thornton, a law professor and director of the Homeless Law Clinic at St. Stanislaus Law School, agrees to represent him.

 When they take on the case, Emma and her students discover a tangle of corruption, intrigue, and more violence than they would have thought possible, even in New Orleans. They uncover secrets about the night of the murders and illegal dealings in the city and within Louis’s family. As the case progresses, Emma and her family are thrown into a series of life-threatening situations. But in the end, Emma gains Louis’s trust, which allows him to reveal his last and most vital secret.

How much time do you dedicate to your author’s career?

I try to write every day for about five hours. I like to, at the very least, get in three hours a day. But, daily life intervenes, and I cannot keep to that schedule.

 How long, on average, does it take you to write your books?

 One year, from the very beginning, through the editing process, to publication.

What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

Probably the attendance of the Malice Domestic Convention. I met my publishers there, as well as several authors. I also got some great ideas from several panel discussions.

What is the most challenging part of being an author?

 I find the balance between your “real” life and your writing life to be the most difficult. I prefer to write all day long and ignore everything else, but that’s impossible. Dinner must be cooked, laundry must be washed, and taxes must be paid. Life can’t be ignored. It never could be. I didn’t have a problem ignoring these daily routines when I was a practicing attorney. I even looked forward to them sometimes. But, when you write at home, the daily drudgeries of life seem to take over sometimes. I’ve put everything on a schedule. It works better that way.

What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

I was very lucky to have found Level Best Books as a publisher. My only advice to unpublished authors is to keep writing and offering your manuscript to agents and publishers. People love to read, especially now. Don’t lose hope. I revised OUT FROM SILENCE a million times before it was accepted. Keep the faith.

What is your favorite book?

LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Follow CL Tolbert

www.cltolbert.com
www.facebook.com/cltolbertwriter
www.instagram.com/cltolbertwrites

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