Tia Silverthorne Bach's Blog, page 61
March 10, 2013
Heaven = GoodReads + A Dessert: WABC Day 10 & ROW80
Oops, I was a bad girl and missed Day 9 of the
Winter Author Blog Challenge
(WABC).
What's my excuse?
First, it was Saturday. I promised myself I'd focus on family during the weekends. That's even more important now that my husband is working in San Francisco, and I'm in Maryland getting the kids through the school year (mid-June).
Second, the topic was Foursquare. From the prompt, For those unaware, FourSquare is a location tracking platform. Its users “check in” at various locations with a mobile device and are able to find out (track?) where their friends are. Location is based on GPS hardware in the mobile device or a network location provided by the app itself.
Quite frankly, way too many people find me as it is. No interest in announcing my whereabouts to the few who don't.
Today's prompt...
Are you on GoodReads? It seems a pretty obvious place for authors to hang out, yet I’m not sure authors are using it to quite the maximal benefit. If you are on GoodReads, how often do you visit/use the site? How often do you update your reading list? What other kinds of things do you post? Are you finding yourself using it the way social media was intended: to create a community?
I ♥♥♥♥ GoodReads! You can find me here.
Even if I wasn't an author, you would find me on GoodReads. Book cover, book summary, reviews... all in one convenient place. If it just allowed me to order a dessert and a Diet Coke while sitting in my bed reading, it would be my version of Heaven.
Plus, it's easy to sign up as a GoodReads author and add your book. In addition to being an easy place to find and leave reviews, I can go and mark books as "want to read" when I hear about them. Gone are the days of writing a book title on a piece of paper, one I would inevitably lose.
On average, I read two books a week, so I'm constantly on GoodReads and updating.
I have also joined several groups there, but I'm still looking for one that I feel is a great fit. Have any suggestions?
I highly recommend GoodReads to readers and authors alike. It's a great resource, marketing platform (giveaways & sharing your book's link and blog entries), and book lover's delight.
*****
Now it's time for my Sunday A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update...
Writing: As I was working on Chasing Memories, my YA book, last week, Book Two started forming in my mind. Although I'm excited about continuing the series, I find writing a follow up even more challenging than the original. I plan to do a post on this idea after WABC.
Editing: Waiting to hear from my editor so I can get to work on Round 2 of Chasing Memories.
Blogging: Missed one day of the WABC (see above), but overall I am rejuvenated on blogging. Not too long ago, I was wondering if I could even keep up with MWF. My plan is to write a MINIMUM of 4 Blogging from A to Z Challenge posts this week.
Reading: Just finished an interesting book about Medusa. Review should be up early this week on Mom in Love with Fiction .
Speaking of my review blog, hop over today to find out more about this gorgeous book...
What's my excuse?
First, it was Saturday. I promised myself I'd focus on family during the weekends. That's even more important now that my husband is working in San Francisco, and I'm in Maryland getting the kids through the school year (mid-June).
Second, the topic was Foursquare. From the prompt, For those unaware, FourSquare is a location tracking platform. Its users “check in” at various locations with a mobile device and are able to find out (track?) where their friends are. Location is based on GPS hardware in the mobile device or a network location provided by the app itself.
Quite frankly, way too many people find me as it is. No interest in announcing my whereabouts to the few who don't.
Today's prompt...
Are you on GoodReads? It seems a pretty obvious place for authors to hang out, yet I’m not sure authors are using it to quite the maximal benefit. If you are on GoodReads, how often do you visit/use the site? How often do you update your reading list? What other kinds of things do you post? Are you finding yourself using it the way social media was intended: to create a community?I ♥♥♥♥ GoodReads! You can find me here.
Even if I wasn't an author, you would find me on GoodReads. Book cover, book summary, reviews... all in one convenient place. If it just allowed me to order a dessert and a Diet Coke while sitting in my bed reading, it would be my version of Heaven.
Plus, it's easy to sign up as a GoodReads author and add your book. In addition to being an easy place to find and leave reviews, I can go and mark books as "want to read" when I hear about them. Gone are the days of writing a book title on a piece of paper, one I would inevitably lose.
On average, I read two books a week, so I'm constantly on GoodReads and updating.
I have also joined several groups there, but I'm still looking for one that I feel is a great fit. Have any suggestions?
I highly recommend GoodReads to readers and authors alike. It's a great resource, marketing platform (giveaways & sharing your book's link and blog entries), and book lover's delight.
*****
Now it's time for my Sunday A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update...
Writing: As I was working on Chasing Memories, my YA book, last week, Book Two started forming in my mind. Although I'm excited about continuing the series, I find writing a follow up even more challenging than the original. I plan to do a post on this idea after WABC.
Editing: Waiting to hear from my editor so I can get to work on Round 2 of Chasing Memories.
Blogging: Missed one day of the WABC (see above), but overall I am rejuvenated on blogging. Not too long ago, I was wondering if I could even keep up with MWF. My plan is to write a MINIMUM of 4 Blogging from A to Z Challenge posts this week.
Reading: Just finished an interesting book about Medusa. Review should be up early this week on Mom in Love with Fiction .
Speaking of my review blog, hop over today to find out more about this gorgeous book...
March 8, 2013
Quora for Questions: WABC, Day 8
It's day 8 of the
Winter Author Blog Challenge
, and I can't wait to see what our lovely host, Laura Orsini (aka Marcie Brock) comes up with next.
Today's prompt...
Are you using Quora? If you aren’t familiar with it, Quora enables users to ask questions and receive answers from those who allegedly know something about the topic. This is a phenomenal way to demonstrate your expertise – and even if you’re a novelist, you have an area of expertise – perhaps it’s simply “publishing your novel.”
Unfortunately, it seems you’re required to have an account before you can dig around – UNLESS you know a person’s profile link. Here are two you can check out:
http://www.quora.com/Seth-Godin http://www.quora.com/Laura-Orsini
Until I saw this prompt, I had never heard of Quora. Now, I'm registered and even following people. Time will tell how much I'll use it, but I constantly have writing, publishing, and marketing questions. Maybe I've found a go-to spot for answers.
Then, I started wondering... what areas would I consider my input valuable?
I came up with more answers than I thought I would.
After all, I have published a book, moved all over the country (and about to move to San Francisco, CA--a place I've never even been!), am mom to three daughters and the oldest of three sisters, am a grammar geek...
Those were just the first few that came to mind.
But just as importantly, I am full of questions on many different subjects, and I've never been ashamed of asking for help. A teacher once told me, "The only stupid question is the one left unasked."
Have you ever heard of Quora? If so, how have you used it?
Although I'm brand new, check me out on Quora here .
Today's prompt...Are you using Quora? If you aren’t familiar with it, Quora enables users to ask questions and receive answers from those who allegedly know something about the topic. This is a phenomenal way to demonstrate your expertise – and even if you’re a novelist, you have an area of expertise – perhaps it’s simply “publishing your novel.”
Unfortunately, it seems you’re required to have an account before you can dig around – UNLESS you know a person’s profile link. Here are two you can check out:
http://www.quora.com/Seth-Godin http://www.quora.com/Laura-Orsini
Until I saw this prompt, I had never heard of Quora. Now, I'm registered and even following people. Time will tell how much I'll use it, but I constantly have writing, publishing, and marketing questions. Maybe I've found a go-to spot for answers.
Then, I started wondering... what areas would I consider my input valuable?
I came up with more answers than I thought I would.
After all, I have published a book, moved all over the country (and about to move to San Francisco, CA--a place I've never even been!), am mom to three daughters and the oldest of three sisters, am a grammar geek...
Those were just the first few that came to mind.
But just as importantly, I am full of questions on many different subjects, and I've never been ashamed of asking for help. A teacher once told me, "The only stupid question is the one left unasked."
Have you ever heard of Quora? If so, how have you used it?
Although I'm brand new, check me out on Quora here .
March 7, 2013
Good Google-y Moogle-y: WABC, Day 7
Welcome to Day 7 of the
Winter Author Blog Challenge
(WABC).
Today's prompt...
Have you jumped into Google+ yet? If you are a regular user, you are still considered an early adopter, and that’s a great place to be in order to make a name for yourself while few others are – especially if men are among your target market, as most users right now are male. As marketing pro Linda Sherman puts it, “GooglePlus can give you access to influencers (i.e., other early adopters) who might not notice you elsewhere.” This is a CHALLENGE, so here’s my challenge with this prompt: If you’re USING Google+, tell us about your experience. What I've loved most about these social media-themed prompts is how much I've learned. I had NO clue that men used Google+ more. Good to know, since I write women's fiction and my YA book will be appeal more to females as well. I joined Google+ fairly early, but I haven't found it to be overly active. I have my blog tied to it, so I post there daily. However, I get a lot more responses from my Twitter and Facebook posts than Google+. Both for Twitter and Google+, I use it only for promoting my writing and books. Facebook, I use both on a personal and business level. If I could only keep one social media outlet for strictly business, Twitter would win hands down. Not much more to say on Google+. I'm interested to see what my other WABC friends have to say on the matter. Do you use Google+ to promote your business?
Today's prompt...
Have you jumped into Google+ yet? If you are a regular user, you are still considered an early adopter, and that’s a great place to be in order to make a name for yourself while few others are – especially if men are among your target market, as most users right now are male. As marketing pro Linda Sherman puts it, “GooglePlus can give you access to influencers (i.e., other early adopters) who might not notice you elsewhere.” This is a CHALLENGE, so here’s my challenge with this prompt: If you’re USING Google+, tell us about your experience. What I've loved most about these social media-themed prompts is how much I've learned. I had NO clue that men used Google+ more. Good to know, since I write women's fiction and my YA book will be appeal more to females as well. I joined Google+ fairly early, but I haven't found it to be overly active. I have my blog tied to it, so I post there daily. However, I get a lot more responses from my Twitter and Facebook posts than Google+. Both for Twitter and Google+, I use it only for promoting my writing and books. Facebook, I use both on a personal and business level. If I could only keep one social media outlet for strictly business, Twitter would win hands down. Not much more to say on Google+. I'm interested to see what my other WABC friends have to say on the matter. Do you use Google+ to promote your business?
March 6, 2013
Painting an Image: IWSG & ROW80
It's the first Wednesday of the month and time for my Insecure Writer's Support Group post. A huge thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for putting together this group. I appreciate the opportunity to share my insecurities on the #IWSG therapy couch.
When I set out to write a book, I thought the hardest part would be over once I held the finished copy in my hands. Little did I know how much time and effort I would put into marketing my book.
My first book, Depression Cookies , was women's fiction. I wanted to present an authentic version of myself, as a woman, in order to gain readers' trust and create an online writing community. To that end, I often post pictures of my kids and talk about women's issues. It's been very fulfilling to connect with women.
However, my second release will be a young adult novel. Creating an author platform for younger teenagers to young adults feels like a completely different challenge, leaving me with several perplexing considerations.
Will young adult readers be turned off by too much of a mother image/older woman?
Although it pains me to say older as a new 40 year old! I know my teenager, and avid YA reader, would be completely unimpressed with an author talking about women's issues and posting quips from her kids.
Should I use a pen name to differentiate between the two genres I write?
My mom and I are currently writing the follow up to Depression Cookies, so I will continue to have a presence in women's fiction.
My author name for that series is Tia Silverthorne Bach, since my mom is also listed as a co-author. I want readers to immediately see our connection. For my YA series, I had planned to use Tia Bach. But should I go for something completely different?
Does all of this leave me creating two distinct blogs?
Here, I often admit what an out of touch dork I am. Wouldn't YA readers want to think I'm at least an in touch dork, with little emphasis on the dork?
Here I talk about insecurity, writing dilemmas, etc. Heck, look at my color scheme. I've noticed almost all YA authors have dark backgrounds, and mine is just screaming wholesome, clean cut writer.
It's not like the time fairy will visit to bless me with more hours in a day just because I have two books out in two different genres.
What's a confused author to do?
*****
It's Wednesday, and time for another A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update...
Writing: Slow progress here, because most of my time has been spent on edits. Plus, the kids are home for a snow day today. First real snow in the last two years. Sometimes, Mama comes first.
Editing: Waist-deep in edits on Chasing Memories. Off to Jo Michaels for editing on Friday. So excited to hit send and get on the road to publishing.
Blogging: Currently posting daily for the Winter Author Blog Challenge (WABC), then it's back to my MWF schedule until the Blogging from A to Z Challenge starts April 1. Who's joining me for that one?
@@@ And thanks to some things I'm learning with the WABC, I created an author Facebook page (before I had a Depression Cookies page). Please go and like if you are so inclined. Thanks! @@@
Reading: Posting reviews at least twice a week on Mom in Love with Fiction , but my TBR list grows daily. Maybe I'll convince the girls that a snow day is an excellent Family Read Day.
Wishing all my author friends countless words and minimal insecurities today!
When I set out to write a book, I thought the hardest part would be over once I held the finished copy in my hands. Little did I know how much time and effort I would put into marketing my book. My first book, Depression Cookies , was women's fiction. I wanted to present an authentic version of myself, as a woman, in order to gain readers' trust and create an online writing community. To that end, I often post pictures of my kids and talk about women's issues. It's been very fulfilling to connect with women.
However, my second release will be a young adult novel. Creating an author platform for younger teenagers to young adults feels like a completely different challenge, leaving me with several perplexing considerations.
Will young adult readers be turned off by too much of a mother image/older woman?
Although it pains me to say older as a new 40 year old! I know my teenager, and avid YA reader, would be completely unimpressed with an author talking about women's issues and posting quips from her kids.
Should I use a pen name to differentiate between the two genres I write?
My mom and I are currently writing the follow up to Depression Cookies, so I will continue to have a presence in women's fiction.
My author name for that series is Tia Silverthorne Bach, since my mom is also listed as a co-author. I want readers to immediately see our connection. For my YA series, I had planned to use Tia Bach. But should I go for something completely different?
Does all of this leave me creating two distinct blogs?
Here, I often admit what an out of touch dork I am. Wouldn't YA readers want to think I'm at least an in touch dork, with little emphasis on the dork?
Here I talk about insecurity, writing dilemmas, etc. Heck, look at my color scheme. I've noticed almost all YA authors have dark backgrounds, and mine is just screaming wholesome, clean cut writer.
It's not like the time fairy will visit to bless me with more hours in a day just because I have two books out in two different genres.
What's a confused author to do?
*****
It's Wednesday, and time for another A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update...
Writing: Slow progress here, because most of my time has been spent on edits. Plus, the kids are home for a snow day today. First real snow in the last two years. Sometimes, Mama comes first.
Editing: Waist-deep in edits on Chasing Memories. Off to Jo Michaels for editing on Friday. So excited to hit send and get on the road to publishing.
Blogging: Currently posting daily for the Winter Author Blog Challenge (WABC), then it's back to my MWF schedule until the Blogging from A to Z Challenge starts April 1. Who's joining me for that one?
@@@ And thanks to some things I'm learning with the WABC, I created an author Facebook page (before I had a Depression Cookies page). Please go and like if you are so inclined. Thanks! @@@
Reading: Posting reviews at least twice a week on Mom in Love with Fiction , but my TBR list grows daily. Maybe I'll convince the girls that a snow day is an excellent Family Read Day.
Wishing all my author friends countless words and minimal insecurities today!
Is Visual Marketing Key?: WABC, Day 6
Day 6 of the Winter Author Blog Challenge (WABC), and I have a to do list a mile long.
I set up my blog in late 2010 and after my first book was published. I didn't know anything about an author platform, had never heard of Twitter, had a Facebook account to post pictures of my too-cute children, and occasionally visited YouTube to watch a video of other people's too-cute children.
Although I know I've come a long way since then, I realize (especially with the prompts this week) how much more I can utilize social media.
Today's prompt...
With more than 800 million unique visitors a month, YouTube is one of the most popular search engines. Do you have a YouTube channel?
Have you made a book trailer for your book? If not, what kind of book trailer would you like to make for your book? Do you have a video camera? If you do and you’re not posting short videos, you’re missing out on a huge marketing opportunity.
It’s especially useful if you’re trying to reach a global audience, as 70 percent of YouTube viewers are in countries other than the U.S.
I don't even like to take pictures, much less subject myself to being on video. Do I realize the importance of book trailers? Yes. I plan to do one for my YA release this year, and maybe one of these days I'll go back and do one for Depression Cookies . However, I think certain genres (YA for instance) do better as book trailers than others.
Do I think readers want to see every facial expression an author possesses shown on a less than flattering screen? No.
Early in my Depression Cookies marketing, I did an interview via a You Tube video. It took me several, thanks to nerves and never knowing exactly where to look. But in the end I was pretty happy with it.
Check it out...
If there were more hours in the day, I would love to play with book trailer ideas. The ones that are done well are an asset, but I've seen some that actually turned me off the book.
The second part of today's prompt...
If regular video posts are still on your To-Do list, what are some of the most clever video posts you’ve seen, and how might you do something similar to promote your books or yourself as an author?
Honesty is the best policy, right?
I go to YouTube for entertainment. Often I hop over from someone's FB post touting the "funniest thing I've ever seen." Typically, there's a baby or animal involved.
Again, it comes down to time limits. If an author has a video embedded in a post, I often skip it and only read the content. I'm a fast reader, and I have a lot of blogs I like to get to. If I see that a video is short (less than a minute), I'm more apt to watch than longer ones. Feel free to ignore that last bit and watch the 3 minute video above. *smiles*
After all, I don't think anyone wants a bunch of authors doing the Harlem shake. (And I only know about things like this thanks to having a teenager.)
What videos do you watch on YouTube?
I set up my blog in late 2010 and after my first book was published. I didn't know anything about an author platform, had never heard of Twitter, had a Facebook account to post pictures of my too-cute children, and occasionally visited YouTube to watch a video of other people's too-cute children.
Although I know I've come a long way since then, I realize (especially with the prompts this week) how much more I can utilize social media.
Today's prompt...
With more than 800 million unique visitors a month, YouTube is one of the most popular search engines. Do you have a YouTube channel? Have you made a book trailer for your book? If not, what kind of book trailer would you like to make for your book? Do you have a video camera? If you do and you’re not posting short videos, you’re missing out on a huge marketing opportunity.
It’s especially useful if you’re trying to reach a global audience, as 70 percent of YouTube viewers are in countries other than the U.S.
I don't even like to take pictures, much less subject myself to being on video. Do I realize the importance of book trailers? Yes. I plan to do one for my YA release this year, and maybe one of these days I'll go back and do one for Depression Cookies . However, I think certain genres (YA for instance) do better as book trailers than others.
Do I think readers want to see every facial expression an author possesses shown on a less than flattering screen? No.
Early in my Depression Cookies marketing, I did an interview via a You Tube video. It took me several, thanks to nerves and never knowing exactly where to look. But in the end I was pretty happy with it.
Check it out...
If there were more hours in the day, I would love to play with book trailer ideas. The ones that are done well are an asset, but I've seen some that actually turned me off the book.
The second part of today's prompt...
If regular video posts are still on your To-Do list, what are some of the most clever video posts you’ve seen, and how might you do something similar to promote your books or yourself as an author?
Honesty is the best policy, right?
I go to YouTube for entertainment. Often I hop over from someone's FB post touting the "funniest thing I've ever seen." Typically, there's a baby or animal involved.
Again, it comes down to time limits. If an author has a video embedded in a post, I often skip it and only read the content. I'm a fast reader, and I have a lot of blogs I like to get to. If I see that a video is short (less than a minute), I'm more apt to watch than longer ones. Feel free to ignore that last bit and watch the 3 minute video above. *smiles*
After all, I don't think anyone wants a bunch of authors doing the Harlem shake. (And I only know about things like this thanks to having a teenager.)
What videos do you watch on YouTube?
March 5, 2013
Pretty To Look At: Author Blog Challenge, Day 5
Welcome to Day 5 of the
Winter Author Blog Challenge
.
Social media has certainly changed how all of us think about our connections and our businesses. As writers, we aren't just responsible for writing. Now we are responsible for all aspects of our business, whether it's marketing, promotion, sales taxes, income taxes, and so on.
Today's prompt...
One of the newest and fastest growing social media platforms is Pinterest? Have you jumped onboard? What kinds of images do (or could) you post that are related to your book or the topic of your book? What other kinds of images do you post? Are you linking each post back to your blog, website, or Amazon page?
Take a look at book marketer extraordinaire John Kremer’s Pinterest Boards. After perusing them, how MIGHT you use Pinterest to brand yourself and your book? Is it something you’re considering?
Ah, Pinterest... the magazine of social media. Is it Pin-interest or Pin-trest? I don't know, but it's pretty. I love it, but I love it for recipes, school projects, arts and crafts, and such. As far as marketing my own book, I haven't spent the time I should exploring the possibilities.
When the prompt mentioned "book marketer extraordinaire" John Kremer, I was intrigued. I went to his page. It's AMAZING. In particular, I was drawn to the Blogging and Internet Marketing Tips tab. There I found everything from Blueprint for the Perfect LinkedIn Status Update to 21 Rules for Effective Social Media Marketing Strategies . I plan to spend a good portion of today on his Pinterest board.
As alluring as Pinterest is, I'm not sure how to best use it to market my book. Do readers really go there to find books? And if they do, it seems the cover is your best marketing tool to draw them in. As an avid book reader, I appreciate a good cover but I make my final decision based on the book summary and word of mouth. To that end, I find GoodReads the better tool for book decisions. It's aesthetically pleasing and offers book reviews and summaries all in one spot.
I use Pinterest more as a tool to find services or ideas than I do to market. But I'm looking forward to hopping around and seeing what other challenge participants have to say.
Thanks to Laura Orsini/Marcie Brock for another thought-provoking prompt!
Social media has certainly changed how all of us think about our connections and our businesses. As writers, we aren't just responsible for writing. Now we are responsible for all aspects of our business, whether it's marketing, promotion, sales taxes, income taxes, and so on.
Today's prompt...
One of the newest and fastest growing social media platforms is Pinterest? Have you jumped onboard? What kinds of images do (or could) you post that are related to your book or the topic of your book? What other kinds of images do you post? Are you linking each post back to your blog, website, or Amazon page?Take a look at book marketer extraordinaire John Kremer’s Pinterest Boards. After perusing them, how MIGHT you use Pinterest to brand yourself and your book? Is it something you’re considering?
Ah, Pinterest... the magazine of social media. Is it Pin-interest or Pin-trest? I don't know, but it's pretty. I love it, but I love it for recipes, school projects, arts and crafts, and such. As far as marketing my own book, I haven't spent the time I should exploring the possibilities.
When the prompt mentioned "book marketer extraordinaire" John Kremer, I was intrigued. I went to his page. It's AMAZING. In particular, I was drawn to the Blogging and Internet Marketing Tips tab. There I found everything from Blueprint for the Perfect LinkedIn Status Update to 21 Rules for Effective Social Media Marketing Strategies . I plan to spend a good portion of today on his Pinterest board.
As alluring as Pinterest is, I'm not sure how to best use it to market my book. Do readers really go there to find books? And if they do, it seems the cover is your best marketing tool to draw them in. As an avid book reader, I appreciate a good cover but I make my final decision based on the book summary and word of mouth. To that end, I find GoodReads the better tool for book decisions. It's aesthetically pleasing and offers book reviews and summaries all in one spot.
I use Pinterest more as a tool to find services or ideas than I do to market. But I'm looking forward to hopping around and seeing what other challenge participants have to say.
Thanks to Laura Orsini/Marcie Brock for another thought-provoking prompt!
March 4, 2013
Weak Link: Author Blog Challenge, Day 4
Welcome to Day 4 of the
Winter Author Blog Challenge
.
In the last two days, we have talked about Facebook and Twitter . Today's prompt is all about Linked In...
LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site. Launched in May 2003, it has undergone many metamorphoses – the most recent of which involved retiring two of its most popular features, LinkedIn Events and LinkedIn Answers.
Are you using LinkedIn to promote yourself as an author? Does your professional profile include or feature your writing? What is the best connection you’ve made through your involvement on LinkedIn? With whom would you still like to connect? Might LinkedIn be a good vehicle for making such a connection? What is your biggest question, frustration, or suggestion regarding LinkedIn?
My husband loves LinkedIn, and he's the one who originally suggested I join. I understand and appreciate the business side of writing, so it seemed a great fit.
I have joined several groups, but I find myself more drawn to individual blogs than LinkedIn groups. Initially, I was a group lurker. But LinkedIn groups don't like lurkers and drop your group status if you don't comment or interact often enough. Since I follow a lot of blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter profiles, it's hard to stay as active on LinkedIn as I should.
Regarding connections, I'd like to connect with Hugh Jackman... wait, I think the question meant on LinkedIn. Okay, I'd still say Hugh Jackman, but I'm assuming that wouldn't help with my writing. Well, except I do daydream about him a lot, so that helps with creativity. But I digress... I'm always looking to connect with more readers, but I do not see LinkedIn as the best method to do that.
Quite frankly, I find LinkedIn less personal than blogging and other social media outlets. As a writer, I like making personal connections. However, I can see using it to connect with editors, cover artists, book formatters, book reviewers, and other writing professionals who have services I will need throughout my writing journey.
I'm sure LinkedIn is a valuable tool, but there are only so many hours in a day. If you consider my writing journey a chain, LinkedIn is surely one of my weak links.
Anyone out there found great resources on LinkedIn? Any advice on how to better utilize it?
My LinkedIn Profile
In the last two days, we have talked about Facebook and Twitter . Today's prompt is all about Linked In...
LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site. Launched in May 2003, it has undergone many metamorphoses – the most recent of which involved retiring two of its most popular features, LinkedIn Events and LinkedIn Answers. Are you using LinkedIn to promote yourself as an author? Does your professional profile include or feature your writing? What is the best connection you’ve made through your involvement on LinkedIn? With whom would you still like to connect? Might LinkedIn be a good vehicle for making such a connection? What is your biggest question, frustration, or suggestion regarding LinkedIn?
My husband loves LinkedIn, and he's the one who originally suggested I join. I understand and appreciate the business side of writing, so it seemed a great fit.
I have joined several groups, but I find myself more drawn to individual blogs than LinkedIn groups. Initially, I was a group lurker. But LinkedIn groups don't like lurkers and drop your group status if you don't comment or interact often enough. Since I follow a lot of blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter profiles, it's hard to stay as active on LinkedIn as I should.
Regarding connections, I'd like to connect with Hugh Jackman... wait, I think the question meant on LinkedIn. Okay, I'd still say Hugh Jackman, but I'm assuming that wouldn't help with my writing. Well, except I do daydream about him a lot, so that helps with creativity. But I digress... I'm always looking to connect with more readers, but I do not see LinkedIn as the best method to do that.
Quite frankly, I find LinkedIn less personal than blogging and other social media outlets. As a writer, I like making personal connections. However, I can see using it to connect with editors, cover artists, book formatters, book reviewers, and other writing professionals who have services I will need throughout my writing journey.
I'm sure LinkedIn is a valuable tool, but there are only so many hours in a day. If you consider my writing journey a chain, LinkedIn is surely one of my weak links.
Anyone out there found great resources on LinkedIn? Any advice on how to better utilize it?
My LinkedIn Profile
Submerge Yourself in the World of Cheryl Kaye Tardif, Guest Post
Today we are having more fun as part of the World Literary Cafe's
Killer Thriller Book Launch
.
I'm thrilled to host Cheryl Kaye Tardif today.
*****
Submerge Yourself in the World of Cheryl Kaye Tardif
When people ask me what I do, I like to tell them: "I kill people off for a living." You can imagine the looks I get. Sometimes I'll follow with: "Fictitiously, of course. I'm a suspense writer." Sometimes I won't say anything else. Yeah, I'm bad that way.
Writing thriller, suspense, mystery and/or crime novels has always been my passion—especially if I throw a pinch of supernatural or paranormal into the mix. I've always been drawn to dark stories, ones that raise the hairs on the back of my neck or make me glance over my shoulder. The two greatest influences in my writing life have been Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Need I say more?
So what can I offer you if you choose to read my books? I hope and strive to give you a satisfying read, once that will impact you emotionally. If I can make you shudder or tremble or wince or even cry, then I've done my job.
In SUBMERGED, I share with you a very personal fear of mine—the fear of being in a car that's underwater and not being able to get out. I have traveled long distances by car hundreds of times during my life, twice from one coast of Canada to the other. Whenever we're along a stretch of highway with a body of water beside me, my fear kicks in. And I hold my breath…waiting…praying…
I want you to relate to this fear. But even more, I want my characters to come to life. I want you to feel for Marcus Taylor, a struggling recovering addict who has had his fair share of grief and guilt. I want you to admire his strength, even in the midst of his weaknesses. I want you, dear reader, to feel compassion for this man who has lost his wife and son in a terrible accident, who blames himself for their deaths, and who is searching for redemption, though he doesn't really know he is.
I want you to cheer on Rebecca Kingston, a mother on the verge of divorce who has left an abusive husband. I want you to feel empathy for her because this decision, no matter what others think, is not an easy one to make. I want you to cry with her when she realizes she is physically unable to help her children who are trapped with her in a sinking vehicle. And I want you to be holding your breath every time Rebecca does.
Marcus and Rebecca (and the others in SUBMERGED) may only be characters on paper, but they feel real to me. I gave "birth" to them and watched them grow. With every step they took, I wiped away their tears, hugged them and loved them. And, dear reader, I sincerely hope you'll love them just as much.
Happy reading…with the lights on…
Cheryl Kaye Tardif, international bestselling author
PS: The Kindle edition of SUBMERGED is available on Amazon from March 5th – 7th for a special price during the Killer Thriller Book Launch.
Learn more about me and connect at:http://www.cherylktardif.comhttp://www.twitter.com/cherylktardifhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheryl-Kaye-Tardif-novels/29769736630
Thanks, Cheryl! I am looking forward to reading Submerged.
Don't forget to check out the event starting tomorrow, March 5th.
I'm thrilled to host Cheryl Kaye Tardif today.
*****
Submerge Yourself in the World of Cheryl Kaye Tardif
When people ask me what I do, I like to tell them: "I kill people off for a living." You can imagine the looks I get. Sometimes I'll follow with: "Fictitiously, of course. I'm a suspense writer." Sometimes I won't say anything else. Yeah, I'm bad that way.
Writing thriller, suspense, mystery and/or crime novels has always been my passion—especially if I throw a pinch of supernatural or paranormal into the mix. I've always been drawn to dark stories, ones that raise the hairs on the back of my neck or make me glance over my shoulder. The two greatest influences in my writing life have been Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Need I say more?
So what can I offer you if you choose to read my books? I hope and strive to give you a satisfying read, once that will impact you emotionally. If I can make you shudder or tremble or wince or even cry, then I've done my job.
In SUBMERGED, I share with you a very personal fear of mine—the fear of being in a car that's underwater and not being able to get out. I have traveled long distances by car hundreds of times during my life, twice from one coast of Canada to the other. Whenever we're along a stretch of highway with a body of water beside me, my fear kicks in. And I hold my breath…waiting…praying…
I want you to relate to this fear. But even more, I want my characters to come to life. I want you to feel for Marcus Taylor, a struggling recovering addict who has had his fair share of grief and guilt. I want you to admire his strength, even in the midst of his weaknesses. I want you, dear reader, to feel compassion for this man who has lost his wife and son in a terrible accident, who blames himself for their deaths, and who is searching for redemption, though he doesn't really know he is.
I want you to cheer on Rebecca Kingston, a mother on the verge of divorce who has left an abusive husband. I want you to feel empathy for her because this decision, no matter what others think, is not an easy one to make. I want you to cry with her when she realizes she is physically unable to help her children who are trapped with her in a sinking vehicle. And I want you to be holding your breath every time Rebecca does.
Marcus and Rebecca (and the others in SUBMERGED) may only be characters on paper, but they feel real to me. I gave "birth" to them and watched them grow. With every step they took, I wiped away their tears, hugged them and loved them. And, dear reader, I sincerely hope you'll love them just as much.
Happy reading…with the lights on…
Cheryl Kaye Tardif, international bestselling author
PS: The Kindle edition of SUBMERGED is available on Amazon from March 5th – 7th for a special price during the Killer Thriller Book Launch.
Learn more about me and connect at:http://www.cherylktardif.comhttp://www.twitter.com/cherylktardifhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheryl-Kaye-Tardif-novels/29769736630
Thanks, Cheryl! I am looking forward to reading Submerged.
Don't forget to check out the event starting tomorrow, March 5th.
March 3, 2013
Rocking Writer, Tweet Tweet Tweet: Author Blog Challenge & ROW80 Update
Welcome to Day Three of my Winter Author Blog Challenge journey. Today's prompt...
Are you on Twitter? Perhaps more than any of the other social media platforms, Twitter has developed
its own language
. Tweets. Twitterverse. Retweet. Are you invested in the lingo? So how do you make a statement in 140 characters? Are you following more people or are more people following you? How do you decide whom to follow? Do you reciprocate and automatically follow back everyone who follows you? What kinds of things do you post? How often do you post? What advice do you have for those who are just getting started?
Admitting I'm a dork is nothing new, so it should come as no shock that I can't think of Twitter without humming Rocking Writer (makes more sense than robin for me), Tweet Tweet Tweet. Every time I go on Twitter this little ditty plays in my head.
When I first started on Twitter, which I did in May 2011 as part of the first blogathon I ever joined, I was lost. What would I tweet? Would anyone care?
I may not be hip with the lingo, but I like the format. It forces brevity and makes users rely on words... pictures aren't as easily shared on Twitter as they are on FB (unless I'm missing something). I'm more of a word girl than a picture girl, go figure.
Hating to hurt anyone's feelings, I initially followed EVERYONE who followed me. But I found this made my Twitter feed a mess of stuff I didn't want to read. So now I look into the people that follow me and follow back those I find interesting. As of today, I have 1088 followers and follow 1011. Clearly I find most people interesting!
My favorite part about Twitter are word sprints. My #ROW80 buddies do a #teamsprinty sprint weekdays at 2pmEST (or at least I hope they still do... I need to get back in the habbit). There's also #wordmongering (jump on and see who is writing). I LOVE these! And I just discovered #editmongering... hold me back!
For those just getting started, I would jump into these types of hashtags and get to know people. It'll make tweeting fun! Also, search for authors who have written books you love and see what their tweets are like. If you write a certain genre, follow authors in that genre. Now that I've started writing YA, I'm looking in to different YA authors and their followers.
Most of all, have fun with it, in 140 characters or less of course.
*****Now for my Sunday A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update (which is actually on Sunday this week because I have a guest post running tomorrow)...
Writing: Attended a writing conference this weekend. So stoked to get back to writing with a brain full of tips, strategies, and enthusiasm. I'll post more from the Pamlico Writer's Conference soon, but I had to share my wonderful news...
I won first place in the YA writing contest!! *jumping up and down*
Editing: I'm applying my editor's comments and suggestions from the prologue and chapter 1 to the rest of the book. These edits will be sent on Friday, so no excuses!
Blogging: Posting every day until March 15 for the Winter Author Blog Challenge , and then back to my MWF schedule until the Blogging from A to Z Challenge starts April 1.
Reading: Lots lately! Check out Mom in Love with Fiction for reviews.
Are you on Twitter? Perhaps more than any of the other social media platforms, Twitter has developed
its own language
. Tweets. Twitterverse. Retweet. Are you invested in the lingo? So how do you make a statement in 140 characters? Are you following more people or are more people following you? How do you decide whom to follow? Do you reciprocate and automatically follow back everyone who follows you? What kinds of things do you post? How often do you post? What advice do you have for those who are just getting started? Admitting I'm a dork is nothing new, so it should come as no shock that I can't think of Twitter without humming Rocking Writer (makes more sense than robin for me), Tweet Tweet Tweet. Every time I go on Twitter this little ditty plays in my head.
When I first started on Twitter, which I did in May 2011 as part of the first blogathon I ever joined, I was lost. What would I tweet? Would anyone care?
I may not be hip with the lingo, but I like the format. It forces brevity and makes users rely on words... pictures aren't as easily shared on Twitter as they are on FB (unless I'm missing something). I'm more of a word girl than a picture girl, go figure.
Hating to hurt anyone's feelings, I initially followed EVERYONE who followed me. But I found this made my Twitter feed a mess of stuff I didn't want to read. So now I look into the people that follow me and follow back those I find interesting. As of today, I have 1088 followers and follow 1011. Clearly I find most people interesting!
My favorite part about Twitter are word sprints. My #ROW80 buddies do a #teamsprinty sprint weekdays at 2pmEST (or at least I hope they still do... I need to get back in the habbit). There's also #wordmongering (jump on and see who is writing). I LOVE these! And I just discovered #editmongering... hold me back!
For those just getting started, I would jump into these types of hashtags and get to know people. It'll make tweeting fun! Also, search for authors who have written books you love and see what their tweets are like. If you write a certain genre, follow authors in that genre. Now that I've started writing YA, I'm looking in to different YA authors and their followers.
Most of all, have fun with it, in 140 characters or less of course.
*****Now for my Sunday A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update (which is actually on Sunday this week because I have a guest post running tomorrow)...
Writing: Attended a writing conference this weekend. So stoked to get back to writing with a brain full of tips, strategies, and enthusiasm. I'll post more from the Pamlico Writer's Conference soon, but I had to share my wonderful news...
I won first place in the YA writing contest!! *jumping up and down*
Editing: I'm applying my editor's comments and suggestions from the prologue and chapter 1 to the rest of the book. These edits will be sent on Friday, so no excuses!
Blogging: Posting every day until March 15 for the Winter Author Blog Challenge , and then back to my MWF schedule until the Blogging from A to Z Challenge starts April 1.
Reading: Lots lately! Check out Mom in Love with Fiction for reviews.
March 2, 2013
The Face of Facebook: Author Blog Challenge
It's Day Two of the
Winter Author Blog Challenge
. (I missed Day One due to a prescheduled
guest post by Russell Blake
, author of Blood of the Assassin.)
Each day for the next 15 days, Laura Orsini (aka, Marcie Brock -- Book Marketing Maven ) will post writer-related prompts.
Today's prompt...
Do you have a Facebook fan page for yourself/your book? How long ago did you start it? Did you do it yourself or have someone help you? Are you seeing lots of new people liking it? What kinds of things do you post? What have you found to be the most effective way to get fans/have people interact?
When Mom and I published our book, Depression Cookies, in late 2010, I knew nothing about an author platform. A book and no platform, what was an author to do?
I raced around the Internet, searching out my favorite authors. It quickly became apparent that social media was a huge component of book marketing, and Facebook was the place to be (or one of many places to be).
At the time, I wasn't sure there was another book in me, so I created a Depression Cookies page instead of a Tia Bach page. People interested in my book or blog who searched my name ended up sending friend requests to my personal Facebook page.
I'll just accept a few requests for now and then create an author page, I said to myself. Two and a half years later, my personal page is equal parts family, friends, and author connections (some of which have also become great friends).
So my dilemma about Facebook... Do I now create a Tia Bach fan page and start directing people there? What do I do for those I already connect with through either Depression Cookies or my personal page? Do you add a new fan page for each book?
Fortunately, I didn't rush into creating a Twitter account. By the time I did, I realized my rookie mistake with Facebook and set up an author twitter page. In so many ways, I find Twitter the better author tool. But I think it's because I started it with a better knowledge of how I wanted to represent myself as an author.
However, I think readers prefer Facebook interactions.
Do you find Twitter or Facebook a better platform builder? Which one do you think reaches more readers?
Wait, my prompt turned into a Q&A session. ;-)
I'm looking forward to reading what other challenges and successes others have found with Facebook.
(I will be checking out other ABC participants later today. I'm off to a Writer's Conference this morning.)
Each day for the next 15 days, Laura Orsini (aka, Marcie Brock -- Book Marketing Maven ) will post writer-related prompts.
Today's prompt...
Do you have a Facebook fan page for yourself/your book? How long ago did you start it? Did you do it yourself or have someone help you? Are you seeing lots of new people liking it? What kinds of things do you post? What have you found to be the most effective way to get fans/have people interact?
When Mom and I published our book, Depression Cookies, in late 2010, I knew nothing about an author platform. A book and no platform, what was an author to do?
I raced around the Internet, searching out my favorite authors. It quickly became apparent that social media was a huge component of book marketing, and Facebook was the place to be (or one of many places to be).
At the time, I wasn't sure there was another book in me, so I created a Depression Cookies page instead of a Tia Bach page. People interested in my book or blog who searched my name ended up sending friend requests to my personal Facebook page.
I'll just accept a few requests for now and then create an author page, I said to myself. Two and a half years later, my personal page is equal parts family, friends, and author connections (some of which have also become great friends).
So my dilemma about Facebook... Do I now create a Tia Bach fan page and start directing people there? What do I do for those I already connect with through either Depression Cookies or my personal page? Do you add a new fan page for each book?
Fortunately, I didn't rush into creating a Twitter account. By the time I did, I realized my rookie mistake with Facebook and set up an author twitter page. In so many ways, I find Twitter the better author tool. But I think it's because I started it with a better knowledge of how I wanted to represent myself as an author.
However, I think readers prefer Facebook interactions.
Do you find Twitter or Facebook a better platform builder? Which one do you think reaches more readers?
Wait, my prompt turned into a Q&A session. ;-)
I'm looking forward to reading what other challenges and successes others have found with Facebook.
(I will be checking out other ABC participants later today. I'm off to a Writer's Conference this morning.)
