Jo Robinson's Blog, page 66
November 9, 2014
Authors-Set Up your Web Presence.
Originally posted on Lit World Interviews:
One of the first things you will find out as an Author is that YOU ARE YOUR ADVERTISING. Agents and Publishers look at what your presence is online and how you are selling yourself. Don’t be offended at that word. Use the word marketing if you like.
The point is, you have to get attention in order to get attention. As soon as you realize you want to be an author start marketing. What are things you need to do?
Establishing your Network/Platform or whatever you want to call it.
Professionals will tell you to focus focus focus. Focus your energy on two or three media outlets and that’s it. Okay, I somewhat agree.
Today let’s talk about three of them:
Blog
What’s the best way to control your presence, your marketing, your portfolio and establish a home where everyone knows your name? You got it . …
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Pre-register for Read Tuesday by Sunday, November 9 for Possible Added Exposure
Originally posted on ReadTuesday:
PRE-REGISTRATION
Attention authors: Sign-up is now available for Read Tuesday on December 9, 2014.
This is a FREE promotional opportunity. It’s like Black Friday, but just for book lovers.
We have a limited opportunity for a few Read Tuesday authors to gain added exposure through a MAJOR online business.
Authors who sign up by Sunday, November 9 will be eligible for this opportunity.
(I would love to give this business good publicity for doing this, but I was asked not to publicize the business or the specific details because this opportunity is not ordinarily available to indie authors. It’s a highly coveted opportunity.)
A few lucky books may be chosen for this added promotional opportunity.
If you’re one of the lucky few, you’ll be contacted, in which case you’ll learn the details (and, of course, it’s your decision to make, and it comes at no cost to you).
Normally, you’re…
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LWI #WeekendDateBookClub
Originally posted on Lit World Interviews:
What to do for the weekend?
No date?
Or no date worth the time I should say.
Check out our authors for dates that will last all weekend.
Our first
Weekend Date Book Club
begins now and you are all invited to join.
Is one of our authors on your dance card for the weekend?
Do you have one that you are hot about and might be a great interview or review for LWI and want to share it in comments?
Tell us about your upcoming date. Share your secrets. Then return to tell us if they were as great as you hoped for.
LWI Authors
Adult Fiction
Middle Grade Fiction
New Adult…
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Awesome Authors Facebook Event – Sunday Nov 9
Originally posted on writerchristophfischer:
I am part of this special weekend event where a group of authors have joined forces to host giveaways and answer questions.
https://www.facebook.com/events/943197085694307/
Please pop in and say hello, it runs every day from 12pm to 9 pm EST
I’ll be up on Sunday between 2 and 3 pm EST – that is 7 and 8 pm GMT.
https://www.facebook.com/events/943197085694307/
Hope to see some familiar faces there :-)
Castle Good Hope
Originally posted on gillswriting:
My life in a fairy tale continues.
We have met the kids that are protected in my everyday fairy tale and we have spoken of the dragons that hunt them. There is a castle and real life knights, which I have referred to. So what of the Castle Good Hope?
It is ramshackle and basic, it may not have electricity but it has walls that defy the hardiest dragon.
It is truly an enchanted place and is protected by the spell of love symbolised by its three talismans, two keys, a heart and a book. All of this is overseen by the majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the national symbol of Hope in Tanzania. The keys are the keys of life, The book represents education and the heart, well the heart is love within the community.
And the knights? Today, I thought you should meet one of the knights, one whose…
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Research – I Have a Question
I’ve never worried about offending while writing fiction. Fiction is fiction, and if we’re going to have to start getting all politically correct in our fiction then I don’t see the point of writing it. BUT… I once read a review of a fellow writer’s book, with the reviewer ranting at her for encouraging rape, because one of her characters didn’t take suitable revenge against her attacker. She changed her story because of that review.
I wouldn’t have in that instance because even in life, not all victims are brave enough to do so. But I am wondering what readers reactions would be to a certain other thing, so I’d really appreciate any of your opinions on condoning Cannabis (marijuana) for medical purposes and pain relief in a work of fiction. It’s unlikely to get me to change much of the book that I’ll soon be launching at unsuspecting readers, but for once I think I should ask before the fact. Would any of you readers be appalled? Would it bring on a scathing review? Would any of you scribblers hesitate before adding such a thing to your plot?
PS. I am NOT a pot smoker and never have been – nor do I condone or not condone it – just in case anyone’s wondering. More of a Pinotage kind of girl myself.
Image Credit: United States Government – Public Domain
The Sunday Show – Mihran Kalaydjian, Contemporary Solo Pianist & Composer.
With Sally on her Sunday Show today is one of the finest musicians I’ve ever heard – multi-awardwinning pianist and composer Mihran Kalaydjian. Awesome interview with two truly cool people.
Originally posted on Smorgasbord - Variety is the spice of life:
My guest today is a man of very many talents. A successful businessman within the hospitality industry, a professional musician and an award winning composer.
Mihran Kalaydjian, “Mino”, is a Contemporary Solo Pianist & Composer. His original solo piano compositions are often described as “musical storytelling”, and are haunting and contagious, relaxing and beautiful, peaceful and touching.
The artistry and virtuosity of Mihran Kalaydjian bridges the genres of Jazz, Classical, Popular and World Music. He is a pianist with a brilliant technique and a composer who flavours his tunes with the spice of Caribbean rhythms and jazz harmonies.
Others were sharing his incredible music and quite rightly so.
Time to hand over to Mihran and find out a little more about the man behind the music.
Mihran, thank you for taking time out from your extremely busy life to join us today. Perhaps you could tell us something about your…
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November 6, 2014
“African Me & Satellite TV” by Jo Robinson
I must say a very hearty thank you to Christoph Fischer for reading African Me & Satellite TV, and for the wonderful review he’s posted. And more thanks to Christoph for interviewing me on his other site too http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/african-me-satellite-tv-by-jo-robinson/
Originally posted on writerchristophfischer:
Today I am posting my review for “African Me & Satellite TV” by Jo Robinson in preparation for an interview with Jo, to be published on my other blog, ChristophFischerBooks.com this coming Friday.
“African Me & Satellite TV” by Jo Robinson is a great character driven novel 
about Zimbabwe. Suzette Hertzog is a white Afrikaans woman whose life gets challenged dramatically by the arrival of her bigoted and racist neighbours. For many years Suzette has managed very well to live her life without actually taking part in it, avoiding any possibility of pain by very carefully ignoring reality. Until something happens. Something so terrible that she has no choice but to abandon her cocoon of safety.
After the brutal beating of an elderly domestic worker, Suzette takes her in, and sets off a chain of events that leads to devastating heartbreak. And an unexpected hero changes everything. Finally finding her…
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The Absolute Indie
Originally posted on Lit World Interviews:
When I first decided to self-publish my books I had no intention of doing every little thing myself. I planned on paying for editing and formatting, and buying my cover designs. I had a rude awakening when I discovered that living in Zimbabwe, as I was at the time, meant that I had no access to PayPal, who sanction that country, and from what I could see back then, that was the only way to pay.
I had page numbers, headers and footers, indents and lots of other fancy bits and pieces in my original manuscript and no clue as to what formatting even meant. Seeing other writer’s beautiful covers all over, my heart sank because I knew that I could never create such things. It was the most frustrating feeling in the world until I discovered a few free resources that meant I could do it all myself. None…
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November 5, 2014
Book Blog Tour for J.E. Spina’s New Novel, HUNTING MARIAH!
J.E. Spina’s first novel, Hunting Mariah, is now published to Create Space http://www.createspace.com/5060224. It will be available on Amazon sites in five days and 6-8 weeks to other online sites.
