Vicky Dreiling's Blog, page 16

I'm back from the Cave

The cave is actually a mythic place where writers go hide while on deadline. My 'cave' turned out to be the Omni Hotel three weekends in a row as I worked almost round the clock on finishing edits for my third book HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE, which will publish on April 1st. I'm really excited about Will's and Amy's story. I love the cover!

During my short break from writing, I decided to see some movies. I went to Breaking Dawn Part 1. The acting was much better in this latest installment. I also went to see Immortals, because Henry Cavill starred in it LOL. Here's a photo of Henry:

Lastly, I spent money. After finishing a grueling deadline, I decided to gift myself by purchasing a Kindle Fire. The first photo shows my Twitter stream.

The next view shows my bookshelf:

If you're considering purchasing one, you should know that it is wireless connected only – no 3G or 4G capability. Also, there is no keyboard for this particular tablet. But I like the 7 inch size and you can order movies on it from Amazon, too.

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone. I'll be working on proofreading HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE the week of Nov. 30th, but will post some upcoming fun blogs + giveaways soon. Cheers!

Guest Blogging: Thank You Thursday

Just a quick heads up. Today I'm doing a guest blog on my friend Laurie London's blog. Stop by and leave a comment for a chance to win 1 copy of HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL (US & CA only). http://bit.ly/pefPYy Hurry, contest ends 10/19.

Cheers!

The Way Overdue Story of My First Sale

While Tweeting away tonight, I realized I had never blogged about my first sale – properly that is. I went back to investigate the archives of my blog to see if I had told the story. Apparently, I was so excited about selling my book that I wrote one paragraph about it and went off to celebrate. So here is the cover of the book that I sold.

Let's rewind to 2009 when I was in Submission Land. This is an interesting place where all sort of things can happen. Just because you have an agent is no guarantee that your book will sell. You should know that this happens frequently. I will tell you not to freak out or compare yourself to others, but you probably will anyway. At least if you anticipate it in advance, you'll be somewhat better prepared (I'm lying through my teeth.). OK, so back to Submission Land. I'd gotten some rejections and one close call. I started feeling low. I felt so low that I told two published author friends of mine that I did not think my book, then titled HOW TO COURT A DUKE, would sell. Also, I was sorry I'd signed up to go to the RWA conference as I felt I would be wasting time and money. My friends gave me some good advice. They told me to concentrate on writing the second book and get it finished before the conference, so I could discuss it with my agent. With their encouragement, I shut down the pity party and put all my energy into that second book.

There's a strange phenomenon that occurs when you push yourself to do what you think you cannot do. Suddenly windows and doors start to open. About one week after that conversation with my published friends, my agent called. I cannot tell you the details about what we did, but it was smart. Not long after, an offer came in from Publisher A, and then the whirlwind started. I had some close calls. In one, the publisher took it to acquisitions, but they had to pass because something in my book was similar to two books they had acquired.

The next afternoon, an offer came in from Publisher C. This was on a Thursday. My agent told me that I needed to be at my desk at 9 EDT Friday morning. I realized that I was going to sell a book the next day. I just didn't know to which publisher. Can you imagine trying to sleep after that news? I don't remember that night very well, but I doubt I slept much.

On Friday morning, I was super excited and naturally nervous. I'm pretty sure I said some weird things to my agent such as, "I guess I'll have to cancel my lunch plans if this runs past noon." No, I'm not joking, but please cut me some slack. You only sell your first book once, right? So it's a momentous experience, and if you haven't slept the night before, you may, like me, say some strange things to your agent. I sort of hope she's forgotten some of the stupid things I said, but she's been in this business a long time and has probably heard authors say many odd things in this situation. At least that's what I tell myself. Snort.

Meanwhile I was looking over information from one publisher & talking to my agent about every 20 minutes or so about the latest change. There were numerous factors involved, but I was definitely leaning toward Publisher C. After I spoke with the editor at Publisher C, I was positive I wanted to work with her. So I called my agent, and after a brief discussion, we both agreed to go with Publisher C. Squeee! My agent congratulated me, and I called my friend Karen to meet me at the Mexican food restaurant where I had a celebratory Chambord Swirl margarita.

I called my mom at the noisy restaurant and tried to tell her my news, but she kept saying, "I can't understand you." Oh, well. Then my daughter came home from college. I suddenly remembered one of the two published friends who had helped me was having a book signing that night. So Amber drove me to the book signing. Afterward, we went to that Mexican restaurant where I had lunch. Yes, I drank another Chambord margarita since my daughter was driving and hey, I'd sold a book. I figured this was worthy of more tequila.

I don't know if it was the tequila or the lack of sleep, but at some point, I jackknifed up in bed and gasped. All of a sudden, I realized that this was no longer a dream. It was real. I had sold my book in a 3-book contract. The very thing I'd worked so hard to achieve scared me out of a sound sleep. I really can't say why I found it frightening at that moment, but an author friend told me it's not unusual to have that "I'm an impostor" feeling. By the next morning, I felt like I was walking on air. And I'm very glad I went to the RWA conference, because I got to wear a first sale ribbon, and some of my friends toasted me with champagne.

Before I sold, I used to imagine how I would feel the day I sold. I always pictured myself sniffling with happy tears, but that didn't happen. I think I was too shell-shocked to be honest. But you only make that first sale once, and it's one of those very special moments in your life that you never forget. To all the authors working toward that first sale, May the Magic Romance Fairies be with You!

Many thanks to Sophie & Tera for encouraging me that day when I so needed it. To Karen for the margarita! To Lucienne for being awesome. And to Michele for being such a fabulous editor. Cheers!

Regency England Fashions

Fun Video Newsletter

Many thanks to Delilah Marvelle for sharing her video newsletter. Yes, yours truly has a cameo at the RWA conference in New York City this past summer.

My latest find: BBC's Desperate Romantics Series

Bright Star

I love, love, love this movie.

Marketing: Installment 3: Twitter Doesn't Sell Books & Other Misguided Marketing Myths

In 2009, I joined Twitter because I'm a Gossip Ho. Say what? Anyone remember #QueryFail? Unless you were hiding under a rock or on deadline (same difference), you couldn't miss the viral controversy that infected the web. But just in case here's a link to catch you up: http://bit.ly/mXMoZJ.

At first, I was a bit puzzled about Twitter. I even blogged about my addiction to blogs and other social media sites after admitting that my pet rabbit had her own Social Networking site: Bun Space. You can read my amusing take in 2009 here: http://www.vickydreiling.com/blog/?p=18. In 2009, folks were still uncertain what purpose Twitter and other Social Networking sites might have for writers when marketing books. Two years later, we have a better idea of what Twitter, Facebook, and possibly other emerging Social Networking sites can/can't do for individuals and companies that are marketing products (e.g., books) and/or services.

I have data courtesy of Social Media Examiner's 2011 Social Media Marketing Industry Report: How Marketers are Using Social Media to Grow Their Businesses. This quantitative research study surveyed over 3,300 marketers to discover how marketers were using Social Media to grow their businesses. Hang on to your @UserName while I take you for a data ride.

90% of marketers believe that Social Media is crucial to their business
Interestingly, 67% of self-employed and 66% of small business marketers indicated social media was of high importance.

One-third of Social Media marketers are trying to figure out how to monitor and measure Return on Investment (ROI) of Social Networking.

A whopping 58% are investing 6+ hours per week on Social Media and over one-third are spending 11+ hours weekly. (Sound familiar?)

77% of marketers plan to increase use of YouTube and other video marketing efforts. This is the top social networking marketing investment area!
This data surprised both Social Media Examiner and me. Notably 82% of responding businesses with 1000 or more employees indicated this was a key growth area (these are considered Large businesses). I may be rethinking the importance of book trailers.

70% of marketers want to better understand Facebook and 69% indicate they want to learn more about blogging.

The top social media sites for marketers in order of precedence are: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blogs. According to this study, Facebook has eclipsed Twitter.

Only 28% of businesses are outsourcing all or part of their Social Media marketing.

Finally, the top benefits of Social Media Marketing…. Drum roll….88% of marketers stated that the top benefit is generating more business exposure. What does that mean? It's an old marketing concept from the Purchase Process Funnel model called Awareness. See my previous marketing blog: http://www.vickydreiling.com/blog/?p=612. Increased traffic (72%) and improved search engine rankings (62%) made up the other primary advantages of Social Media Marketing.

Other interesting data from the survey:

72% of marketers who have used Social Media for 3+ years report it helped close business.

48% of Self-employed and small businesses reported Social Media helped close business.

45% of those surveyed who have only been involved in Social Media for 12 months or less reported new partnerships. 59% of self-employed and small businesses reported gaining new partnerships as a result of their Social Media marketing.

59% of self-employed and 58% of small businesses decreased their marketing costs by using Social Media Marketing.

Something else I'd like to share with you. Way back in 1999 when the Internet was taking off like lightning, I was taking a Consumer Marketing class at university. My prof said something about the Internet that I've never forgotten. Anything that is interactive will get more traction.

So what does all this mean for authors? I believe it means that smart use of Social Media can increase awareness of your brand if you are interacting with other authors, readers, bloggers, editors, agents, etc. If you provide useful content to others who in turn share with you, then those relationships can be beneficial to both sides. I think there are multiple ways to participate in Social Media. For me, there is camaraderie with other authors (e.g., writing #1K1Hour). I also engage with bloggers and readers on Twitter and Facebook (and now Google + the love child of Twitter & Facebook LOL). If your engagements reflect your brand, that also helps create awareness and/or reinforces awareness (the latter refers primarily to veteran authors).

I'll share this story to illustrate how something random (and Twitter is very random) led to a fun venture that increased awareness of my brand. My editor emailed me for descriptions of the hero and heroine for my third book. As usual, she indicated that photos of actors and actresses were welcome. I needed a photo of a redhead, so I went on Twitter and asked for recommendations for the heroine and the hero. Wow- you wouldn't believe all the wonderful photos people sent. It probably won't surprise you to learn that the ladies were mostly interest in the hero. As it does with in-person conversations, the tweet convos morphed into discussions of really hunky actors. Everyone started posting their favorites. This went on night after night. I knew I'd never get any writing done if I didn't do something. So I created #ManCandyMonday on Twitter. One of the ManCandy Maniacs (my friend Beth Yarnall) suggested we have weekly themes. Then I said let's create a blog. Every week, I ask for volunteers to guest blog. Monday night we gather at 8 CDT/9 EDT on #mancandymonday & post pics relevant to the theme. It's totally hilarious (some of the ManCandy Maniacs are a little naughty LOL) and fun, fun, fun. We've become friends. Some of the bloggers even drove into NYC for the RWA conference, so that was really great to meet them in person. Best of all, everyone is welcome (I'm anti-clique). BTW, if you're reading this, please feel free to join this Monday night – the theme is Sweaty Men. LOL.

The point of the above story is that I stumbled upon something, and with the suggestions of existing and new Twitter friends, we created a fun community. Even one of the editors at my publisher is joining in the fun. Am I benefiting? Probably, as it is one more opportunity to get my name out there, but note how everyone has an opportunity to be the star of the week when they blog and suggest the weekly theme. I want to make sure this is about everyone–not just me. In every sense, I think this illustrates the concept of Un-Marketing.

Twitter doesn't sell books in a 1-to-1 equation (e.g., Tweet=Sale). Any Social Networking tool is only as efficient and useful as the user. It's all about connections, sharing, and yes, it can be about friendship, too.

May the Magic Romance Fairies be with you!

Winner Gerry Bartlett's REAL VAMPIRES DON'T WEAR SIZE SIX

Thanks to all everyone who stopped by! Congratulations to Aislynn who won the copy of REAL VAMPIRES DON'T WEAR SIZE SIX. Aislynn, please send your snail mail address to Gerry at gerrybartlett@verizon.net & be sure to mention it was my blog (since she has other ongoing contests).

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Cheers!

Vicky

My Inspiration for Today's Writing – Henry Cavill in The Tudors

The actor Henry Cavill was the inspiration for Tristan in my debut novel HOW TO MARRY A DUKE. Enjoy!