Robin Murphy's Blog, page 6
May 25, 2017
Virtual Book/Blog Tours
A virtual book tour is just that, doing an online book/blog tour. It’s when an author visits blogs and websites during a specific time period to promote their book. Site visits can include book excerpts, author interviews, book reviews, podcasts, or guest blogger posts. Authors get to share their work with new audiences. The host gets to bring fun new content to their visitors, everyone wins.
There are two sides to doing a virtual book tour. You can do a search and find dozens of paid businesses who offer virtual book tour packages to have your book hosted, or to be a host yourself for a cost. The costs vary and it’s up to you on whether you want to pay the fee because some of the prices are hefty.
Another option is for free, I like this option. What I did, and again this is just my journey, was a search with the phrase pertaining to the genre of my book and included “virtual book tour”. You can use the best phrase that suits you and your book. As you peruse the results, search through to see the different people offering virtual book tours and carefully read their posts, etc. You will find information on how to contact them to host you. You will also want to choose someone who has many followers, that’s what gets your name out to new readers. You can either do an interview, have them read your book to do a book review (but you need that thick skin, remember), or whatever they offer. Most of the time the process and the people are kind and generous. I’ve done quite a few interviews, and as I said earlier, these posts remain out there forever, unless the host physically removes the post, which normally doesn’t happen because they are trying to get followers as well. Once you are finished and the online product has been posted, be sure to send a thank you, this is a must for anything you do, it goes a long way to setting up your reputation. Oh and don’t forget to promote the post on all of your social media.
If you choose to host a virtual book tour, please know there is a great deal of work involved in creating a successful tour. I have not had the opportunity to host one myself, but I can give you some steps on how you would go about creating the tour.
First, you want to be sure you know your audience. For me, it would involve anything paranormal, psychic mediums, mystery, ghost investigations, spirit guides, etc. Then you will want to start reading the blogs that target your audience just as I said earlier by doing a search. Begin to follow their blog, read their posts, see how many followers they have, do they post often or offer any giveaways. If they fit the bill, jot down their information or save their blog to your favorites so you can contact them to be a part of your tour.
Now you will want to create an invitation. An average tour lasts two weeks, but it’s up to you if you prefer to do a quick blast and only have it last four or five days. If you go with the two weeks, then that’s fourteen bloggers chatting about your book, which is great exposure.
Design an invitation that includes a synopsis of your work, the cover image of your book, the dates of the tour, your contact information and an explanation of what a virtual book tour is. Be clear that you would like them to participate. List a few ideas of posts that they can participate in and ask them to respond with their preference. Here are a few examples of posts: a review of your book, highlighting your book trailer, posting an excerpt from your book, an interview Q&A style between you and the blogger or a character interview, a spotlight on you as the author, offer to be a guest writer on their blog that day and sponsor a giveaway. You can offer a giveaway of an autographed copy of your book for anyone participating. That means they get a free hard copy of your autographed book and they can give it away on their blog.
Send out your invitation to at least 20 bloggers. If you get more than 14 that will be on your tour, double up two blogs on one day or extend your tour for a few extra days.
Be sure to schedule bloggers on specific dates and email them their date and the information they will need for the post which would include your author biography, a synopsis of your book and a jpeg image of your book cover and yourself, make sure it’s a professional headshot. Provide all of your links to social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, your blog, your website, and where to purchase your book to be included in their blog post. You’ll also want to double check that you are following everyone on their social media sites participating in your blog tour.
If your tech savvy you can create a button to give to your participants to include in a sidebar of their blog with a link that takes them directly back to your blog. Then you can mail a hard copy of your book to the participants if they are hosting a giveaway of your book. You can suggest to them that in order for readers to sign up for the giveaway, they need to follow your links on your social media, etc. Then you should send out email reminders a week before of the participant’s date of their post.
On the day of the tour be sure to post a link of that participant’s website/blog on your blog and they will post about you on their blog. Advertise everywhere on your social media author platform and remember to post a comment on their blog, which shows your appreciation for them participating.
Once the tour is over, you can sit back and relax and know that you just created a buzz about your book and hopefully gained a readership following.
There are two sides to doing a virtual book tour. You can do a search and find dozens of paid businesses who offer virtual book tour packages to have your book hosted, or to be a host yourself for a cost. The costs vary and it’s up to you on whether you want to pay the fee because some of the prices are hefty.
Another option is for free, I like this option. What I did, and again this is just my journey, was a search with the phrase pertaining to the genre of my book and included “virtual book tour”. You can use the best phrase that suits you and your book. As you peruse the results, search through to see the different people offering virtual book tours and carefully read their posts, etc. You will find information on how to contact them to host you. You will also want to choose someone who has many followers, that’s what gets your name out to new readers. You can either do an interview, have them read your book to do a book review (but you need that thick skin, remember), or whatever they offer. Most of the time the process and the people are kind and generous. I’ve done quite a few interviews, and as I said earlier, these posts remain out there forever, unless the host physically removes the post, which normally doesn’t happen because they are trying to get followers as well. Once you are finished and the online product has been posted, be sure to send a thank you, this is a must for anything you do, it goes a long way to setting up your reputation. Oh and don’t forget to promote the post on all of your social media.
If you choose to host a virtual book tour, please know there is a great deal of work involved in creating a successful tour. I have not had the opportunity to host one myself, but I can give you some steps on how you would go about creating the tour.
First, you want to be sure you know your audience. For me, it would involve anything paranormal, psychic mediums, mystery, ghost investigations, spirit guides, etc. Then you will want to start reading the blogs that target your audience just as I said earlier by doing a search. Begin to follow their blog, read their posts, see how many followers they have, do they post often or offer any giveaways. If they fit the bill, jot down their information or save their blog to your favorites so you can contact them to be a part of your tour.
Now you will want to create an invitation. An average tour lasts two weeks, but it’s up to you if you prefer to do a quick blast and only have it last four or five days. If you go with the two weeks, then that’s fourteen bloggers chatting about your book, which is great exposure.
Design an invitation that includes a synopsis of your work, the cover image of your book, the dates of the tour, your contact information and an explanation of what a virtual book tour is. Be clear that you would like them to participate. List a few ideas of posts that they can participate in and ask them to respond with their preference. Here are a few examples of posts: a review of your book, highlighting your book trailer, posting an excerpt from your book, an interview Q&A style between you and the blogger or a character interview, a spotlight on you as the author, offer to be a guest writer on their blog that day and sponsor a giveaway. You can offer a giveaway of an autographed copy of your book for anyone participating. That means they get a free hard copy of your autographed book and they can give it away on their blog.
Send out your invitation to at least 20 bloggers. If you get more than 14 that will be on your tour, double up two blogs on one day or extend your tour for a few extra days.
Be sure to schedule bloggers on specific dates and email them their date and the information they will need for the post which would include your author biography, a synopsis of your book and a jpeg image of your book cover and yourself, make sure it’s a professional headshot. Provide all of your links to social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, your blog, your website, and where to purchase your book to be included in their blog post. You’ll also want to double check that you are following everyone on their social media sites participating in your blog tour.
If your tech savvy you can create a button to give to your participants to include in a sidebar of their blog with a link that takes them directly back to your blog. Then you can mail a hard copy of your book to the participants if they are hosting a giveaway of your book. You can suggest to them that in order for readers to sign up for the giveaway, they need to follow your links on your social media, etc. Then you should send out email reminders a week before of the participant’s date of their post.
On the day of the tour be sure to post a link of that participant’s website/blog on your blog and they will post about you on their blog. Advertise everywhere on your social media author platform and remember to post a comment on their blog, which shows your appreciation for them participating.
Once the tour is over, you can sit back and relax and know that you just created a buzz about your book and hopefully gained a readership following.
April 18, 2017
Seven Strategies For Revising Your Novel
Here are some interesting tips from Writer's Digest. Do you agree or disagree? Do you have any tips? If so, share them in the comments below. I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!
February 12, 2017
Writing is Good for your Health
Here's a great article from Baihley Grandison at Writer's Digest. Did you know that our mind, body, and spirit could benefit from writing? What are your thoughts?
December 22, 2016
Read Free.ly 50 Best Indie Books of 2016
I am honored to announce that Point and Shoot for Your Life was voted #28 in Read FREE.ly's list of The 50 Best Indie Books of 2016.
The 50 Best Indie Books of the Year award is one of the most popular and prestigious prizes available to indie authors. It recognises the very best self-published fiction and, as winners are chosen by popular vote, the best-loved too. 10,000 votes were cast in a world-wide search for the very best indie books.
The 50 Best Indie Books of the Year award is one of the most popular and prestigious prizes available to indie authors. It recognises the very best self-published fiction and, as winners are chosen by popular vote, the best-loved too. 10,000 votes were cast in a world-wide search for the very best indie books.
November 16, 2016
Goodreads Introduces Kindle Ebook Giveaways Beta Program (U.S. market)
I find this article interesting. I’m not quite sure about the cost of $119 to list an e-book giveaway, when the print giveaways on Goodreads are free.
What are your thoughts?
What are your thoughts?
October 17, 2016
rws interviews author Jacquelyn Wiles
What genre/s do you write in, and why?
I write non-fiction, thriller, and horror. I think that is the most interesting genre's to read, it's always been my favorite.
When did you begin writing, and was it something you’ve always wanted to do?
I began writing at the age of 10, I would write poetry all the time in my bedroom. But, writing a book was always one of my biggest dreams since I was a kid, and I finally made it a reality.
What type of research goes into your writing?
When I am writing, I like to go outside and really look at the world in a different perspective.
How do you develop your characters, plot, and setting?
I develop the characters, plot, and setting by really putting myself in their shoes, and where I would want certain situations to take place. For example with my book Don't Trust A Stranger, she is looking for love online which I spend a lot of time on the internet. I like to write real life situations, part of this book I have actually went through personally. I think it's best to develop situations that way.
What is your creative process (i.e. inspiration, where do you write)?
I like to write in the quiet so I can really think about where I am going in my story. If I am not by a computer I am writing it down in a notebook so I don't lose any amazing ideas I have.
Have you ever dealt with writer’s block? If so, how do you find your creative flow again?
I had writer's block all the time, that's why it took me two years to write my first book. I was in a book store one day, and let it sink in that I would love to have a book sitting on their shelf then realized it would never happen unless I sat down and got down to business with my writing.
Are you self-published or traditionally published?
I am self-published. I would eventually like to try and get traditionally published in the future.
Can you give us your experience in either or both of these types of publishing?
I think it's a lot harder to get traditionally published these days so self-publishing is sort of the "easy" way out. I love being self-published and it's been a great experience so far. I have been self-published since June 10th 2016.
Do you market your own books? If so, how easy or difficult is this for an author?
I market my own books on twitter, facebook, instagram, snapchat, friends and family, word of mouth. It is easy to do it on social media because you can reach out to so many people at once. It's harder to do it in person.
What advice would you give other writers/authors about receiving negative reviews?
Receiving negative reviews is part of the process. I think you just need to take it with a grain of salt and help it build your next book.
What advice would you give to wanna-be writers who are trying to get a book published?
You need to really market your book ahead of time, that will help you build a following, that way whether you go self-publishing or traditional your name is already out there.
If you had a chance to meet one of your favorite authors, alive or dead, who would it be? And what questions would you ask?
I have two that I really want to meet, my first is Stephen King. He is the reason I began writing in the first place. I would love to sit down and ask him how he came up with all these great ideas for his books and sold every single one of them. My second is Andrea Hintz, I would love to sit down and ask her how she began the journey of her tesoro series.
List your book links and where we can find them to purchase.
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Trust-Stranger-Jacquelyn-Wiles/dp/153363243X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476654921&sr=8-1&keywords=dont+trust+a+stranger
Createspace- https://www.createspace.com/5666833
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-trust-a-stranger-jacquelyn-wiles/1123903266?ean=9781533632432
Thank you for chatting with us today at RWS, we appreciate your time.
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I write non-fiction, thriller, and horror. I think that is the most interesting genre's to read, it's always been my favorite.
When did you begin writing, and was it something you’ve always wanted to do?
I began writing at the age of 10, I would write poetry all the time in my bedroom. But, writing a book was always one of my biggest dreams since I was a kid, and I finally made it a reality.
What type of research goes into your writing?
When I am writing, I like to go outside and really look at the world in a different perspective.
How do you develop your characters, plot, and setting?
I develop the characters, plot, and setting by really putting myself in their shoes, and where I would want certain situations to take place. For example with my book Don't Trust A Stranger, she is looking for love online which I spend a lot of time on the internet. I like to write real life situations, part of this book I have actually went through personally. I think it's best to develop situations that way.
What is your creative process (i.e. inspiration, where do you write)?
I like to write in the quiet so I can really think about where I am going in my story. If I am not by a computer I am writing it down in a notebook so I don't lose any amazing ideas I have.
Have you ever dealt with writer’s block? If so, how do you find your creative flow again?
I had writer's block all the time, that's why it took me two years to write my first book. I was in a book store one day, and let it sink in that I would love to have a book sitting on their shelf then realized it would never happen unless I sat down and got down to business with my writing.
Are you self-published or traditionally published?
I am self-published. I would eventually like to try and get traditionally published in the future.
Can you give us your experience in either or both of these types of publishing?
I think it's a lot harder to get traditionally published these days so self-publishing is sort of the "easy" way out. I love being self-published and it's been a great experience so far. I have been self-published since June 10th 2016.
Do you market your own books? If so, how easy or difficult is this for an author?
I market my own books on twitter, facebook, instagram, snapchat, friends and family, word of mouth. It is easy to do it on social media because you can reach out to so many people at once. It's harder to do it in person.
What advice would you give other writers/authors about receiving negative reviews?
Receiving negative reviews is part of the process. I think you just need to take it with a grain of salt and help it build your next book.
What advice would you give to wanna-be writers who are trying to get a book published?
You need to really market your book ahead of time, that will help you build a following, that way whether you go self-publishing or traditional your name is already out there.
If you had a chance to meet one of your favorite authors, alive or dead, who would it be? And what questions would you ask?
I have two that I really want to meet, my first is Stephen King. He is the reason I began writing in the first place. I would love to sit down and ask him how he came up with all these great ideas for his books and sold every single one of them. My second is Andrea Hintz, I would love to sit down and ask her how she began the journey of her tesoro series.
List your book links and where we can find them to purchase.
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Trust-Stranger-Jacquelyn-Wiles/dp/153363243X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476654921&sr=8-1&keywords=dont+trust+a+stranger
Createspace- https://www.createspace.com/5666833
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-trust-a-stranger-jacquelyn-wiles/1123903266?ean=9781533632432
Thank you for chatting with us today at RWS, we appreciate your time.
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May 11, 2016
Goodreads Introduces Kindle Ebook Giveaways Beta Program (U.S. market)
I find this article interesting. I’m not quite sure about the cost of $119 to list an e-book giveaway, when the print giveaway on Goodreads are free.
What are your thoughts?
April 27, 2016
7 Surprising Things I Learned Self-Publishing a Book
Another great blog post from Writer’s Digest
February 3, 2016
How to Write Better Using Humor
Another great article from Writer’s Digest
January 19, 2016
Crafting Action for Thrillers
An interview with Nicholas Petrie found on the Writer’s Digest
