Judi Fennell's Blog, page 8

Mermaid Sighting?

Talk about perfect timing! My first book, In Over Her Head, features an entire undersea world of Atlantis with Mer men and women. It's got talking fish. Grumpy starfish. Nasty sharks and a sea monster or two.

Turns out, I might not be that far off.

Some folks are claiming to have seen a "girl with a tail" smiling at them off the coast of Israel and it's giving tourism in the town quite a boost.

And for anyone who gets a picture of this mermaid, it'll give their bank account quite a boost: one...

First Official: Look at Wild Blue Under

At the Sourcebooks signing during the RWA National Conference this year, we didn't have a lot of copies of In Over Her Head (try 5) to sign and give away. Now, this was actually a good thing because In Over Her Head  has gone into a second printing. BUT it meant people wouldn't get my books – except that I found out that ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies) for Wild Blue Under were available.

It was the first time I got to hold that book in my hands and let me tell you, it was just as sweet as the...

Children of the Waters, by Carleen Brice

CHILDREN OF THE WATERS (A One World Trade Paperback Original; On Sale: June 23, 2009) by Carleen Brice—author of the #1 Denver Post bestseller and Essence Book Club Pick Orange Mint and Honey—explores the connection between love and race, and what it really means to be family.

Brice's compelling, eagerly anticipated new novel CHILDREN OF THE WATERS  strikes deep emotional chords and poses the intriguing question: Can two strangers become sisters?

Trish Taylor's white ancestry never got in the...

Sharing the Love!

I’ve been humbled, honored, thrilled, and grateful for everyone’s good wishes on the launch of book one in the Mer series, In Over Her Head, so I’d love to send some of the love your way!

To that end, I am able to offer a $150 gift voucher for your choice of a 2-night weekend stay at the Atlantis Inn Bed & Breakfast in Ocean City, NJ through May 10, 2009, OR a Couples Massage for Two during your 2-night weekend getaway, valid through May 10, 2009 or while supply lasts.

This is IN ADDITION TO the three drawings for the two complimentary weekend at the Atlantis Inn Bed & Breakfast, and the one at the Hibiscus House in West Palm Beach, FL advertised on my website.

So, what do you need to do?

Very simple. Go to: www.AtlantisInn.com and book your stay, using the online promotion code JF-IN OVER HER HEAD.

Only one gift voucher per one two-night room reservation. Gift voucher may not be combined with other gift certificates, discounts, or promotional offers. Double-discounts do not apply. Offer expires April 30, 2009, therefore booking your 2-night stay ASAP is strongly recommended as offer is strictly subject to availability. Official rules are on my website:

www.JudiFennell.com
and my blog: www.JudiFennell.wordpress.com

Debut Authors - Where do you focus?

As a debut author, you've written a book. Maybe more. Your editor loves you, you're thrilled and you're finally holding the galleys/ARC/copyedits/author copy of your book in your hand. You can't stop smiling.

And then you have to market it. Market it? Isn't there a marketing department for that? Well, yes, but these days, especially in this economy, authors have to sell their books. I don't mean out of the trunk of your car, but by generating interest. Social networks are good for that - case in point, 5900 + authors have author pages here on GoodReads alone. Blogs, other social networking sites, bookstore pages, book signings, etc. It can be overwhelming - especially when you've got other books due to your editor.

Then there's trying to go outside the normal marketing box. So many people are doing blogs that there's not enough time in a day to read all of them, let alone write some (notice I'm writing a blog here on GoodReads... ah, the irony!) So you have to try to maximize your time and generate interest.

I had some luck with a promotional contest I'm running - win a chance to win one of three romantic getaways to coincide with the release of my books. It hit a few sweepstakes sites and I got bombarded with entrants. Since I wasn't aware of sweepstakes sites (see paragraph above about lack of time to read everything on the internet!), this was a surprise and a welcome one. I've engaged in dialogue with several of the entrants, found out where they found my info, and several have expressed interest in the book. So, it's working.

What other marketing ideas have you found work for you?