K. Victoria Chase's Blog, page 19

MARKETING MONDAY: GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!

One marketing strategy every published author seems to agree on is doing a giveaway. It earns fans, readers (possibly), and hopefully positive book reviews. This is the second giveaway I've done since the release of SERIAL GAMES , and I'm about to do a third one on another blogger's website -- details to come. Thank you all for participating in last week's giveaway. It has generated some interesting conversations. I was away at a wedding from Thursday through Sunday so I wasn't able to comment much, but I'll be responding this week. 

So, without further a-do (is that spelled right? lol)

The winner of a PDF copy of 

LOL, isn't that a large image?

Is:

DESPOINA!!!!!

Congratulations!!! I'll be emailing you soon (if I have your address). If not, you can email me at kvchase(at)gmail(dot)com.

SERIAL GAMES CHARACTER INTERVIEW: US MARSHAL BERNIE ERIN

Marshal Erin, welcome to the Lounge!

Thank you for having me. Good to be here.

Can you answer a few questions for us?

Absolutely. It would be my pleasure.

Great! Can you tell us how you came to be a Marshal?

I was a Sheriff's deputy for five years before I decided to try my hand at the US Marshals. As a Marshal, I've worked on the prisoner transfer detail but my favorite assignment has been retrieval (smiles).



Do criminals escape often?



No, not often, but frequent enough for the Marshals to have specialized teams to capture them. We usually pick up most runners in forty-eight hours, due in large part to our team leader, Marshal Worth.



So the job isn't at all like Justified, or is it?



(Laughs) That's Hollywood, as you know. We're a lot less like cowboys and more like -- Tommy Lee Jones (laughs). Justified has been great for recruitment, though (smiles).



What's your favorite part about the job?





I get a real sense of fulfillment, after being constantly on the go for the first forty-eight hours, to be able to snap the cuffs on the runner. Knowing we help keep the streets safe from one more, possibly violent offender, I know I'm doing what God has called me to do.



What is the hardest part of the job?





The waiting. We are mostly on the go -- hot on a runner's trail -- but sometimes there is a space of time where we don't know exactly where he is. We have to wait for an update, maybe from the local police, or perhaps from another law enforcement unit. In that time, you don't know what the runner is doing, or if he is hurting someone.



We heard you were on the case of that escaped serial killer. What can you tell us about that?



That's a pretty broad question. We can't discuss the particulars of the case, but I will say it was one of the best cases I've worked on both personally and professionally. It's always a fantastic challenge going up against the smartest criminals; how long they can stay on the run, what do the Marshals have to do to outsmart them. Personally? I was happy to mentor a good friend of mine on what is near and dear to my heart.



And what might that be?





Love, of course! (Laughs) I can't say anything more -- Worth would kill me.



Okay. Thank you, Marshal, for visiting the Lounge.





Thank you for having me.



Remember to comment for a chance to win a FREE COPY of SERIAL GAMES . Today is the LAST DAY!!!

THE 'AMY GRANT' SYNDROME

Even though I was much younger, I still remember the outcry, the outrage, the humanity, when Amy Grant did the unthinkable: crossed over.

I've been considering doing the same.

What? With only one book released?

Yes. Even before Serial Games was released, I was considering the state of interracial Christian romance (or lack thereof) and wondering if my writing could be better served by expanding my nonexistent niche to the masses. Then I read this little gem and I knew it was time.

Publishers Weekly's article about the changing trends in Christian fiction can be summed up in a few short words: Barn-raisin' is here to stay and if it ain't a cowboy or a servant at Downton, don't even bother. Okay, maybe that's a harsh summary, but it's nevertheless true. Now, I love Downton Abbey and I can't wait for ACFW's Conference in Dallas this year so I can spy me a large belt buckle, but I don't write what publishers are acquiring these days.

Granted, I do have a couple of stories in mind for those time periods, but they're interracial romances and we all know who ain't hookin' up by the looks of the Christian bookshelves (Firethorn excluded).

Romantic suspense is a hard sell, as one agent told me (easier with Love Inspired Suspense), and unless you have an agent (which I don't) then just try to get into the houses that are selling them (Revell, Tyndale). (Enter argument: well if your writing was better you would get an agent)

(Enter argument: publishers print what readers want to read) I know people want to read interracial -- clean interracial romance, but not Christian folk...maybe. Is it because readers are at the mercy of what publishers are printing? Well, who demanded Amish fiction BEFORE it was published? And if the story isn't the next best thing since The Help, good luck getting a major publisher to take a chance on you. (You know, The Help was turned down so many times...)

(Enter argument) Perhaps interracial Christian romance won't do well with the readers. Interracial erotic seems to work in the secular world. Maybe the readers of interracial romance don't necessarily frequent Lifeway. Yet, I can find a lot of interracial romance through small presses...

I've even read the author biographies of a few Christian authors who got their start in the secular world. (Enter argument: you are beholden to just write Christian stories) For me, I just want to write and I want readers to enjoy my books, so I have to consider the outlet for which I can distribute my stories.

I grew up reading Christian romance, and I love it, but I also see myself writing clean non-inspirational romance.

What say you? Is pulling an 'Amy Grant' a good thing (consider, I don't have a huge following so who is going to really care?)?

Will my 'witness' be tainted if I write anything but inspirational stories (consider, no one really knows me yada, yada, yada)?

Am I making a big bruhaha over nothing?

Remember to comment for a chance to win SERIAL GAMES!!!

MARKETING MONDAY: FREE GIVEAWAY!!!

Happy Monday!

The book is out! Now the fun begins. That's right, marketing. Remember my plan? I'd like to review how it's going. Yes, I know, my book has only technically been on virtual bookshelves for five days, but I was never one to sit back and wait for things to happen. I want to know what is working, what I can improve on, and what I need to drop.

1. Facebook-Since my account is linked to Twitter, anything I put on Twitter is automatically posted on Facebook. I find it's much easier to post to Twitter so I don't bother with the Facebook pages except to post a daily status update.-No advertising just yet--but I feel I'll have to soon. Why? See next bullet.

2. Goodreads-The two ads I created went live this afternoon around 3pmish. As of 5:30pm the ads have been viewed (posted on a specific page someone was reading) 410 times with 0 clicks (people actually clicking on the ad to read more about the book.) I'm a little bummed about this so far because I want people to be interested in my book. -Upside: I haven't run out of the $50 $75 dollars I spent. I goofed--I was trying to add money and thought I had to redo the whole ad so instead of just adding $25 to the $25 I had already spent, I added $50. Beware of this because if I was confused, others might be too...maybe.

3. Paid Advertising-The blurb is up on The Wordsmith Journal. Now, I read a testimonial from one author who attributed a nice bump in sales to her advertising with this publication, but since I have two ads, I guess I won't know where my readers came from.- The blurb is live on The Romance Studio. Left-hand side of the page, sixth book down. Another DBP author is the second from the top. Again, won't really know how effective this ad is since I'm doing other ads, BUT I did get an extra week free since they are renovating their site in early April, so $15 for 5 weeks isn't bad at all.

4. Blog-Thank you to all who attended my blog party!!! I enjoyed it and even went out and purchased some real cinnamon buns. :)-Character interviews start THIS WEEK!!! Tune in Friday for an interview with one of them.-Giveaways: THIS WEEK!!! We've had one lucky winner and now for another. Comment on any of this week's blog posts (the more the better) and you'll be entered in a drawing for a free PDF of SERIAL GAMES that can be emailed to your kindle (I imagine the nook as well--I own a kindle)

5. Twitter-I've been blasting away like nobody's business. Seriously, I'm surprised I haven't lost more friends on Facebook since they are seeing that neverending Twitter feed. -I figured out that making your tweets public is what actually gets them into those hashtag pages. So all this time I've been adding hashtags...I realized not too long ago that my tweets weren't on those pages, but I couldn't figure out why. -Once I made my tweets public, I gained about 10+ followers in two days. Hopefully, they retweet my tweets and buy my book. Who knows. -Read an article that polled Goodreads members and only 6% of them find books via Twitter. Maybe a few more will find my book. Great article.

6. Author/Reader websites-Still need to work on this, but I did shout it out to two Yahoo groups and the Absolute Write forum.

7. Amazon-Just found some non-indie kindle friendly threads today and I've posted my blurbs. Do any readers actually read those threads? Here's hoping...

8. Influencers-My book is in the hands of a couple of people who have agreed to be influencers. -I have had one amazing fan from Australia (a place I long to visit) who wrote my FIRST 5 STAR review! She even stayed up late to finish reading it AND she posted on Twitter that she was doing so. That just made my day.

UPDATE!!! 6pm: 572 views on Goodreads, 1 click!!! According to this post, Goodreads ads have about a 50% conversion rate, meaning half the clicks result in the book being put on the viewer's to-read list. I need another click...

In conclusion, everything seems to be going okay...I guess. A few more friends on Twitter may mean more retweets, Novelrank (tracking Amazon sales and rank feeds) is dead wrong on the number of sales I've had so I'll have to wait for the royalty statement in a few months, I may have a growing fan base in Australia, and I have no idea how my other paid ads are doing in converting viewers to sales--Goodreads is the only source I'll be able to see actual results.

Take it for what it's worth! I'll be updating periodically, especially after the Goodreads money runs out. :)

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

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A special thank you to all who celebrated my book launch yesterday! Using random.org's random number generator (not including the number of posts from myself, and my parents--we already have my book ;) ) the winner of a free copy of Serial Games is....

JESSICA R. PATCH

Congratulations!!! I'll be getting in touch with you today to send you your free copy!



Keep an eye on this blog for the next FREE giveaway!

DEBUT RELEASE PARTY!!!

Welcome to the party!!! My third complete manuscript, and first to be contracted, Serial Games: Virginia Justice Book One, is officially released! (See "My Books" for more buying options)

So far, it is ranked #26,250 in Kindle paid. Thank you to all those who have already purchased the book! I hope you enjoy the story.



I've already signed a kindlegraph to myself, teehee. In the immortal words of rapper, T-Pain, "All I do is win."



Please, enjoy the food! Don't worry, it won't show on the scale. ;)





And now for an excerpt! Enjoy. :)



EXCERPT



Maggie's eyes slowly traveled the width of the elevator door until they found Brandon's reflection in the mirrored panels lining the inside of the car. Broad shoulders rippled down to muscular biceps that contracted with the force he used to grip the rail behind him.



She needed to assert herself now.



"I'm going to go over some of the documentation the district attorney's office faxed us to see if I might be able to find the missing link enabling Burrows to escape custody."



Brandon's eyes narrowed. Obviously business wasn't what he wanted to hear, and how easily he could read her discomfort troubled her. He had an uncanny knack for interpreting her body language. What did that mean? Whatever it meant, she didn't have the time to analyze it now. She straightened her shoulders. "Knowing who helped him escape can perhaps shed some light on his next move."



Brandon's level stare remained.



Ok, he's not buying it. Regardless, I refuse to fall...



"Do you forgive me?"



"What?" The question about forgiveness startled her. He had apologized but she wasn't interested in discussing it. All she wanted to do was wash the smoke out of her hair and crash. It was going on midnight... or past it; she had lost track of time.



In one stride he was in front of her, one arm around her waist, the other guiding her chin up. His lips were warm and smooth as they glided over hers. He pulled back and disappointment filled Maggie at the loss of his heat. She stared into the dark thunderstorm whirling in his eyes.



"Do you forgive me?" His hoarse voice rumbled through to her inner core.



The elevator bell chimed. Startled, Maggie nearly jumped at the ring. She turned to the console. Her numbered floor illuminated.



"Saved by the bell." He released her.



Maggie couldn't resist looking at him. His eyes were veiled but the confident smirk returned. As the elevator doors opened, Maggie wondered who would be the more difficult challenge to overcome: Burrows or Brandon?





*UPDATE*: Today's commentors are entered in a drawing to win a free copy of my release! Can't believe I forgot to mention it! Must have been the food coma... :)

RELEASED A DAY EARLY!!!!

Get it TODAY from Amazon!!!



*UPDATE* I hope you were able to visit Patricia's blog today. Two Virginian authors (including me) and we both write interracial Christian fiction. CBA look out! ;)

MARKETING MONDAY (ON TUESDAY) YOUR PERSONALIZED MARKETING PLAN

In the last three months, I've reviewed various methods of marketing/advertising to include, facebook pages and ads(Goodreads has a similar ad structure), twitter, press releases, reader/author groups, etc. With my debut release just two days away, it's (past)time that I formulate a marketing plan, despite most authors saying you don't make money on your first (e)book.



So, what have I decided to do?



1. Facebook

-I have created an author page.

-I have created a fan page for Serial Games .

-I will hold off on creating a facebook ad--I'll use Goodreads



2. Goodreads

-I'll create an author page the day my book goes live

-I'll do a giveaway for a free (possibly signed with kindlegraph) copy probably at the end of the month

-I'll create two different ads. I believe it will be more targeted than Facebook because everyone on Goodreads is there to discover books



3. Paid Advertising

- $15 ad in Wordsmith Journal that I believe lasts through March

- $15 ad on The Romance Studio main page for four weeks

- Goodreads ads, $50



4. Blog

-Release party! Fun, food, and a preview excerpt!

-I'll be featured on Patricia Woodside's blog tomorrow with another new author.

-I'll do a giveaway of my book within the first week of release (STAY TUNED!)

-Character interviews of the hero, heroine, villain, BFFs each week for the first month. Come back to find out POVs that aren't in the book.

-Special exclusive: the first chapter of Serial Games !



5. Twitter

-Blasts about the book each week for the first month. I already have an Australian fan base (of one) and I'm really excited! I hope she loves the book. :)



6. Author/Reader websites/Yahoo groups

-Excerpt (1st chapter) on Wattpad

-Excerpt (1st chapter) on AuthorsDen

-Excerpt (1st chapter) on Authonomy.com

-Excerpt/Shout out on The Book Club Network

-Shout out on Absolute Write forum

-Shout out on my yahoo groups and facebook groups



7. Amazon

-Author page with excerpt (1st chapter)

-Notice on Kindle boards



8. Influencers

-A couple of people I know are kind enough to read my book and write reviews



I've decided not to do a press release just yet; haven't seen a ton of positives about them. Instead of spending money on a website, I've added a few 'pages' to this blog (see above header) and when I outgrow this site, I'll switch. I'll spend just $80 for the first month, with a possible $35 in July, for inclusion into The Romance Studio's newsletter that reaches about 12k people.



Thoughts? Additional ideas?

YOU HAVE A COVER ARTIST...NOW WHAT? PLUS - THE BIG REVEAL!!!!

So you've contracted your novel, gone through the editing process, and now you have to work on your cover. Images of your favorite covers float through your mind and then you think, I am not that talented. How do artists make these great covers? Well, let me share my experience with Desert Breeze Publishing.



Almost immediately after I agreed to the contract, I was provided a Cover Art Input Sheet. Well, sheets. Lots of questions about the book's theme, who the main characters are (physical appearance), the setting of the story, and perhaps some key elements/objects mentioned in the story. Getting into the weeds of who your characters are and where the story takes place, gives the artist some conceptual ideas for your cover.



Well, my hero and herione are important for obvious reasons. They're in law enforcement and they are chasing a serial killer in a rural area. A goal of DBP is to create a cover you can be happy about, and they ask what your vision is. I originally thought something like this. When I completed the CAIS, what came to my mind was something dark, with the title in bold letters, and, of course, the hero and heroine since this is an interracial romance and I wanted to highlight that fact.



It has been an absolute pleasure working with my cover artist. She worked long and hard to get just the right concept. She looked through--I imagine--countless stock photo images to get the perfect guy and girl, and we ended up not being able to use them! But not to worry; we did decide on this:



THE BIG REVEAL!!! 

Introducing the cover of my debut release



Virginia Justice Book One: SERIAL GAMES



So, what do you think? I think it's sexy. :)



Oh, but it doesn't end there. You can now read an excerpt of Serial Games on DBP's website.

REVIEW WEDNESDAY: ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A MAN

Today will be a slightly different Review Wednesday. As a thirty-something single gal, if I'm not reading romance novels, I'm reading how-to-get-some-romance novels. I recently saw the movie trailer for Think Like a Man, and decided to read the book by Steve Harvey, on which the movie is based.



I have to say, the book was pretty funny. Steve Harvey has a refreshing voice that kept this how-to book very light and easy to get through (you know how some can drone on and on and you really just want the magic tool--well, there is no magic tool but you get my drift).



First he lays down the simple mindset of a man: what drives them, how they express love (different from women), the three main things they need, and how being creative in your speech can get them to listen.



He also explores the two categories men label women: "sports fish" and "keepers." You can guess what they mean. He tackles 'mama's boys' and why men cheat. He also offers some behavioral tips for women that will keep a man interested and send the losers packing.



One thing that I've always said about men is that they need to have a plan. If they don't have a life plan, what are they doing? Remember "I coulda been a contenda. I coulda been somebody. Instead, I'm just a bum." Yup, that's right. A man with no goals, one who is just dreaming without actually doing something, is a bum. Steve is all for women asking a man up front about his short and long term goals, what his views are on relationships, etc. because why waste time with someone who isn't able to give you his time (after he's done with his laser-like focus on his career, aka--he's established)and support? True, many men change careers nowadays, but someone who doesn't have a plan is just a scrub (click this song for cultural reference).



The one drawback is Steve writes as if he approves of women giving away the "cookie." I shouldn't have to explain that term. He claims to be a Christian, and I understand that I belong to an exclusive club that doesn't believe in sex before marriage, that plenty of people think it's 'okay' to sleep with their partner as long as they're 'in love,' but I don't think Steve has marketed this book as an exclusive Christian book. He mentioned many times that people should pray about their relationship, and that God has a role and should be first in one's life. Anyway, he says wait 90 days to see if the guy will hang around; a guy who just wants the "cookie" and nothing else will not stick it out for a never-ending 90-day stretch.



Overall, I enjoyed reading his perspective. I've had many a conversation with girls about a man's mindset and frankly, a lot of women don't believe what he says we should do. Be upfront about what you want, ask him what he wants...I think girls today are afraid to say anything because they think they will scare the guy away (believe me, getting a Christian man to ask a woman out these days is a rarity, but that's another post). Women also don't believe that a man views his worth differently than women do and that men express love differently. This book is worth the read for its humor alone, and if you need a refresher on understanding a man's perspective.