Eden Baylee's Blog, page 77

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

I’ve been changing some of my backlist as part of the promotion for my current book, Stranger at Sunset. With thirteen titles under my name, it’s not unheard of to use an existing book to help sell a new release, but it’s been tricky. I’ve changed genres from erotica to mystery/thriller. For many reasons, I didn’t write my new book under a different author name, so it’s required some re-branding on my part. A combination of research, luck, dogged determination, and sleepless nights has gotten me to this point.

This should say: Trust me, I’m NO social media expert.

Many of you have kindly commented on how good I am with social media. It may appear that way, but I’ll let you in on a secret. I follow the successful people and find out what they’re doing and then I copy them! It’s that simple. I don’t listen to “so-called” experts because they change their tune as often as I change my underwear (probably more so). I follow those whose teachings resonate with me. I’m not afraid to put in the hours, and my method of learning has always been to jump in and “do it.” It’s my impatient nature. I’ll make lots of mistakes along the way, but I’ll usually only make the same mistake once.

Go to YouTube and listen to the song. It’s terrific.

I take a lot of inspiration from people who’ve constantly reinvented themselves. David Bowie is one of them. Since the release of Stranger at Sunset end of June, I’ve sent out close to 600 emails to potential reviewers. I’ve contacted over 100 sites for interviews, guest blogs, etc. Along the way, I’ve made some excellent connections. I have a pipeline of guest blogs and interviews I still need to write. I believe I’m doing all the right things to get my books out there, but it’s a matter of connecting to the right people—the readers. That’s always the challenge.

Relieve some pressure with “Under Pressure” on YouTube. Great song.

There’s a lot of pressure to succeed. I consider myself a good writer, but I also know that bad writing soars to the bestseller lists, and good writing languishes in the rankings. Life isn’t fair, so I don’t measure myself against anyone else’s successess or failures. I can only gauge my own progress.

Having said this … here are some changes I’ve made over the past months.

(1) I’ve published many of my books to Smashwords for wider distribution. Through it, my titles will be pushed out to Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple iBooks, Sony, Kobo, and other retailers. When those new links are available, I will update my sales sites. For now, all my books are available via Amazon.

(2) I’ve updated the cover of Seeking Sexy Sadie

This short story is a psychological mystery with an erotic bent, exploring desire and the genesis of fantasy. I’m offering it FREE—forever and ever. You can find reviews from Amazon (where it remains 99 cents because I can’t change it to ZERO just yet). My recommendation is to get it FREE HERE. I mean, why not? That way, you’re saving money and might consider buying another one of my books :D.

(3) I’ve updated the cover of Hot Flash. As you’ve noticed with the two cover changes, I’ve scaled back the “so-called” revealing nature of my covers. This is because certain distributors don’t want dangly bits, nipples, cracks, and other bodily parts. I mean, really. I’ve always considered my covers quite tame as compared to others in the erotica genre, but … I’m not going to fight that battle.

You can pick up Hot Flash on Amazon and Smashwords for 2.99. It’s a collection of flash fiction. Some are sexy, and some are written with an irreverent sense of humor, because you know … I never take myself too seriously. ;)

(4) Over the next while, I’ll write on other ways I’m trying to sell my books, but of course, we all know that nothing can sell a book more than getting out the next book. It’s a fine balance, so I must return to the writing of A Fragile Truce, the book following Stranger at Sunset.

A final message to readers, commenters, and those who’ve been so kind to share my posts across their networks, THANK YOU for all you do. Sometimes, your kind words are all that keep me going. Your support means the world to me AND you can definitely trust me when I say that.

♥

eden

x

Filed under: Revelations & Humor, Stranger at Sunset

Music Monday ~ Free Fallin’ by @TomPetty

This is one of my favorite Tom Petty songs and describes a bit of how I’m feeling at the moment. Sometimes it’s not a bad thing to just let go … As well, I’ll be doing some FREEBIES of my books this month, so this song sums it up. Stay tuned.

Have a wonderful week,

eden

Filed under: Musical Mondays

Chatting with Casey Ryan of @CuttingRoomMRB on @TheMixxRadio

I’ve had the great pleasure of chatting with AND meeting Casey Ryan in the past, and I will have a chance to talk to him once again.

Join us Sunday, Sept 7, 2014. I’ll be on his show THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR at 2:30 PM EST. This time, he’ll be broadcasting from The Mixx Radio.

Here is how you can tune in:

~ Listen to my interview via a Live stream.

~ Join the Chat room on The Mixx Talk.

Recordings and replays of the show will be posted on Talkshoe if you miss it or are unable to listen to it live.

Don’t forget to connect to Casey via his blog and on Twitter @cuttingroommrb. He’s a wonderful advocate for all indies!

The Cutting Room Floor w/ Casey Ryan

I look forward to speaking with Casey again, and I hope you’ll  join us.

eden

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Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

Author D.A. Bale (@DABale1) Interviews Me

Website | Facebook | Amazon page | Twitter @DABale1

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I had the pleasure of being interviewed by suspense/thriller author, D.A. Bale. Her book Running into the Darkness is FREE on Amazon, so I’d suggest you grab it while you can!

You can read my interview with DA on her site.

Enjoy and have a great weekend, 

eden

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Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

Author @RBwood and I chat on his Word Count Podcast

Website |  Twitter @rbwood |  Facebook 

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Good friend and fellow author, R.B. (Richard) Wood interviewed me for the 42nd episode of his Word Count Podcast, a show he regularly puts together for writers to expose their stories. I’ve written and read for many Word Count shows, and I’m a huge fan of the podcast.

That’s why it was an honour to be invited for a one-on-one chat. I was nervous, but Richard made it easy, and he made me laugh—a lot.

We had a great time talking about books, writing, and I also read an excerpt from Stranger at Sunset.

Tune in to the Word Count Podcast and have a listen … and a laugh. You’ll have a lot of fun. ;)

eden

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Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

Author @DahliaDonovan interviews me

Website | Facebook | Twitter @dahliadonovan | Google +

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I had the pleasure of being interviewed by paranormal erotic romance author, Dahlia Donovan. Her latest book in her Blackbird series, called Natasha is currently available.

You can read my interview with Dahlia on her terrific site.

Enjoy,

eden

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Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

Music Monday ~ The Revolution Will Not be Televised

It’s Labour Day today for Americans and Canadians. Enjoy your day off, or if you prefer to start a revolution … from Gil Scott-Heron,

eden

Filed under: Musical Mondays

I am interviewed for OMNIMYSTERY NEWS (@mysteries)

Website | Facebook | Twitter @mysteries | Google +

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I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Omnimystery News, a home for all things “mystery-related” including books, games, TV, and film. Connect to this terrific site and visit me as I reveal details of my writing along with the TOP 5 professions I wanted to be as a child.

You can read Omnimystery News’ interview of me here.

Enjoy,

eden

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Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

I am interviewed by author Bill Kirton Part 2 (@carver22)

Website | Twitter @carver22 | Facebook

Bill’s books on Amazon UK ~ Amazon US

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Last week, Scottish author and friend, Bill Kirton posted Part 1 of his interview with me called The Canadian Angle.

Now you can read Part 2 here.

Do come by and say hello ;)

~ eden

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Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

My Rant about the #ALS #IceBucketChallenge

I haven’t had a rant in a while. Perhaps nothing has rattled me that much lately, so I’ve let things roll off me like water off a duck’s back. Speaking of water …

By now, most of you are aware of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. ALS, (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) also known as “Lou Gehrig’s” disease or Motor Neurone Diseases in the UK has come up with an innovative way to raise money for its cause. The Challenge dares nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and challenging others to do the same. Recipients of the Challenge have 24 hours to comply or they are asked to make a donation (originally set at $100). The Challenge has gone viral with the participation of celebrities and other public figures. Facebook and Youtube are popular media outlets for sharing the videos.

As the movement has grown, people are choosing to both donate AND get water dumped on their heads. How much money people donate can range from $10 to $100, or even more.

All in good fun, but most importantly, all for a worthy cause that has raised record amounts of money for a disease that currently has no cure.

I recently did the Challenge and posted the video on Facebook. I have no connection to ALS and prior to my nomination, knew little about it. I now know a lot more because of the Ice Bucket Challenge.

So, why am I ranting?

For whatever reason, I’m suddenly seeing a lot of hostile comments interspersed with the videos of those participating in the Challenge. I don’t understand it.

The range of criticism is vast:

“Participants are posting videos only to get publicity and boost their own egos.”

“The Challenge is wasting water.”

“We’re dumping water on our heads when people all over the world are really suffering. It shows we are disconnected to the global community.”

“ALS is stealing funds from diseases like cancer, which affects more people.”

That last one was the final straw for me. Really? Are we now comparing diseases to see which is more worthy of funding? Exactly how do we measure the worthiness of one life against another?

For me, charity is very personal. Why we donate to some causes and not to others is no one else’s business. That also applies to how people choose to use social media. If they are posting videos of themselves for the Ice Bucket Challenge, then it’s their business. Don’t like it? Don’t watch the videos. Don’t comment. Don’t share. Unfollow the person if it offends you so much. It’s that simple.

If you think the Challenge is wasting water, consider how you can conserve water the next time you take a bath, a shower, or do your laundry. Water is everyone’s responsibility every time we use it.

I don’t disagree the world is in turmoil, and many people are suffering. We cannot possibly know the plight of those living through war, starvation, and poverty unless we’ve experienced it. We can help by donating money, time, and giving of ourselves in creative ways to make the world a better place. By being born in the west or a developed country, we are extremely fortunate, but we cannot help those less fortunate by apologizing for the way we live.

If you think your money is better served donating to PETA, cancer, or another cause, then DO IT. The Ice Bucket Challenge is certainly not dictating where your money should go. If anything, it has given visibility to other charitable organizations that need help.

Lastly, don’t rain on the parade of those who are trying to do good. They’ve already had ice water dumped on them. Negativity helps no one. Convert your judgement, scorn, and mockery into something useful or SHUT UP.

End rant.

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Filed under: Revelations & Humor