Mandy M. Roth's Blog, page 84
July 11, 2012
Summertime Blues
(c) copyright Mandy M Roth 2012
Beating the heat has been something the nation can relate to. I don’t recall a time we’ve had weather this hot, stretching this long, since the summer of 88 and honestly it most likely just felt super long then because I was a kid and things always seem longer and bigger when you’re little. A favorite of my kids summertime fun has always been spending time at the cottage. My in-laws own it and love having us over. Its becoming harder and harder to find the time that we can go as a family with everyone’s schedules conflicting and what not. And I’m not talking extended family because my hubby is an only child. Just the five of us have trouble getting a full day off together. This shouldn’t be. We should make a point to spend more time together and to spend time enjoying the cottage which will give my kids lasting memories. So I’m making a resolution (I know its not New Year’s) to assure we log off for a few hours every once in a while and spend quality family time together.
July 4, 2012
Happy 4th of July!
To my readers in the United States…. Happy 4th of July (Independence Day)! I hope everyone has a safe, happy holiday. Remember, prime time for drunk drivers/boaters so use caution.
June 27, 2012
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight JoAnn Smith Ainsworth
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight JoAnn Smith Ainsworth
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
A: My experience has been excellent. Samhain was my first sale. My editor competently and efficiently guided me through the publishing process. Samhain’s Accounting Department keeps the royalties and the paperwork accurate. The marketing department reviewed my business plan and brochure to suggest enhancements. Samhain periodically opened up to authors an opportunity to have bookmarks and brochures mailed to their contact list. I’m happy.
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: I believe in Word of Mouth. I believe most people buy because a friend or family member recommends an author or the reader had met the author. Because of this belief, I like to do meet-and-greets at bookstores, give talks to reader groups and be on author panels.
When appearing at these author events, it’s important to have a handout for the audience to take home. I prefer bookmarks. They’re useful as a bookmark and they contain the most critical information about my book: the back cover blurb, the cover, a review quote, my e-mail, my website address and a Buy It statement.
When doing a meet and greet, I state my name loudly and that I’m an author when people come in the door. I offer a bookmark. Even if they don’t stop to talk, my name and that I’m an author hopefully sticks. Extra bookmarks are left at the store to be given out over a period of time. I’ve gotten sales from this longer exposure.
With readers groups, I spend less time talking about my books and more time answering questions about the publishing process and the art of novel writing.
Each author must find a way to market compatible with personality and time commitments. For me, it’s getting out with the reader. The buildup is slow, but lasting.
Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: Never give up. If your passion is writing, stay focused on your goal. Know that most people don’t leapfrog from where they are to their final goal. Most of us take baby steps and set new goals as we go along. The key is to stick with it, stay focused and eventually you’ll get there.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: My medieval romantic suspense series (published by Samhain )is set in Britain a generation after the Norman conquest. In MATILDA’S SONG, an Anglo-Saxon woman has a life-threatening secret which comes out when she falls in love with the Norman baron. In OUT OF THE DARK, a visually impaired Anglo-Saxon noblewoman overhears a conspiracy. She and the Norman sheriff fall in love while investigating the conspiracy.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
A: My work in progress is a three-book paranormal suspense series where the U.S. government hires five psychics to ferret out Nazi spies along the East Coast during World War II. My agent is currently marketing the series.
Q: How do you balance family and writing?
A: My son is grown and working out-of-state so my balance is between community volunteering and writing. I’ve learned to put writing first and say “no” if volunteering will add too much stress to my writing day.
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: I started writing to supplement Social Security. Because I have a Bachelors and Masters in English, I thought being an author would be an easy transition from the business world. Little did I know how difficult it is to write a good novel! I spent years in online classes learning to write dialogue, develop pacing and to understand deep point of view. Through these experiences and greater understanding, my goals transformed. My “commercial enterprise” has turned into a passion.
June 25, 2012
Research Tripping and Ants in my Pants…
Millennium-Bostonian (luxury hotel with complimentary ants in your pants)
Ah, if only it were that much fun. Seriously though, research trips are a huge part of my behind the scenes prep for books. It’s one thing for me to read about locations and describe what I read in my books, it’s an entirely different matter for me to visit the locations and gain firsthand insider knowledge. I made a decision several years back that I would do my all to visit locations I was setting stories in rather than rely on solely on book/net research. The cost was a factor, but in the end I decided it was worth it to assure the info in my stories is as accurate as possible. Thus, my hectic travel schedule began. Of course, my partner in crime, Michelle Pillow, joined me on this fun and excited trip. Boston will never be the same again.
To kick off the season I went to Boston. My upcoming release The Bet (under the pen name Kennedy Kovit) has Boston tidbits sprinkled throughout it and it was important I understood the area better. I also have Boston featured in several other WIPs (works in progress) so I took a ton of notes and pictures to help remember everything I learned.
Quincy Market was by far my favorite part of downtown Boston. I loved how it filled with various street artists—everything from guys who play buckets and create great songs to living statues that blow kisses as you give them a tip. So much fun to be had there. Great people, great good, great fun.
I took a walking tour of the Freedom Trail and learned a great deal about the history of the area. Many myths I’d had about the history were dispelled. So glad I did that even though my feet were covered in blisters by the time the day was out.
Salem was a different story. I’d had such high hopes for it. I’d really assumed it would be a Mecca for me. That I’d get there and never want to leave. Not the case. It was a tourist trap. Everything is “witch” this and witch that. But, you play heck finding places to eat there so anyone looking to start up a great business in Salem should consider a family restaurant. Heck, name it witch something and you’re “in”. Just saying.
The return train to Boston was late so we waited in a rather no frills stop that smelled a touch like urine. I tried not to breathe too deep so that is all I have to say on that.
The Boston hotel I was in was the Millennium-Bostonian. I’d read good things about it and it had good ratings so I selected it. Unbeknownst to me my room had ants. I found out the last day there as I’m grabbing things from my suitcase only to find tiny (I mean iddy biddy) ants crawling in my things. I swear to God I had ants in my undies. It’s not like I sprinkle sugar on my clothes so I was not pleased. They were also in my kids things and in the end we found them in my husband’s as well. They were making a nice little home in the baseboard area of the room near where the . So not fun to deal with when you have to leave the hotel at noon to catch a cruise ship. Sadly, the hotel did NOT offer to launder my clothing until nearly 10 am when they said “my things should most likely” be back by noon. Maybe shortly after. Mind you, I’d brought this to their attention very early in the morning and the first and ONLY thing I asked for was that my clothing be laundered. They dragged their feet and then their maybe promise of my clothes being done didn’t cut it. They took $100 off the bill and when a bill is pushing $700 that is sort of insulting. They then offered (how generous of them) to reimburse me up to $100 of the cleaning bill for having Carnival Cruise Line launder my clothing if I provide them with an invoice from Carnival. I washed half our things in the self-service on the ship when we arrived and forked out $40 for that and then gave up because spending my entire day running back and forth to a laundry room while I’m on “vacation” blows. So I sent the rest to be laundered by the ship (another $45 there). Who knows if the hotel will actually hold true and reimburse me the $45. Personally, I think they should give me back the $85 but short of photographing myself putting quarters in the machine ($3 dollars’ worth to wash and $3 to dry) there is no invoice for that. The entire ordeal set a bad tone for the trip and took me a lot of time to get cleaned up. Since the Millennium-Bostonian plugs themselves as a luxury hotel they really should advertise they have luxury ants too go with it.
Enough of the gross.
The cruise portion of the trip was great (aside from having to launder five people’s clothing). As usual Carnival did an amazing job keeping the ship and the staterooms spotless. Perhaps the hotel should consult them for tips. The intermarry was lacking slightly but I think it was due to the fact it was cooler weather so not as many on deck activities could be planned. Loved talking with the crew and interviewing them. They are always so helpful and their tips really help to flavor up the Pleasure Cruise series. Can’t learn enough. Really.
First stop was St. John (New Brunswick). The loyalist cemetery was very beautiful and eerie. Some really interesting history in the tiny town. Had an unofficial tour guide there in the form of an elderly man who was local and looking for conversation. Hey, I’m a talker. It worked out great.
Next stop was Halifax (Nova Scotia). This was full of history and info. So much to learn and soak in. Glad I took a lot of notes. I’d be lost without them. The Citadel there was my favorite. We had such great guides helping us out. And they have a Cougar Bar. Hand to the Gods. LOL
I’m home now. Rewashed all my clothes again just to be sure I didn’t bring home any “luxury” ants. LOL.
June 20, 2012
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight: Suleikha Snyder
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight: Suleikha Snyder
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Samhain Publishing.
A: Hooking up with Samhain to release my debut novella, Spice and Smoke was a really eye-opening and energizing process! From start to finish, it took less than a year. Total kudos to my editor, Jennifer Miller, who asked a lot of “Why?” and “How?” questions about my characters and made them the richer for it. She was awesome and really “got” my voice and the cultural context of the novella. With her guidance, the story basically went through a metamorphosis, going from a bare bones, get-in-get-out, romance to a much more vibrant collage. Before I knew it, I had a complete novella, a gorgeous cover and a release date. It was like a dream!
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: I’m just starting out, so I’ve been trying to build a social media profile and get out there with Twitter and a Facebook fan page. Since my debut is an e-book and not something readers can hold in their hands, I invested in full-color cover postcards to pass out at events. I’ve also been signing up for blog interviews (like this one!) because, as an e-book writer, this is your target audience: people who come to the Internet for more romance-related content.
Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: I’m about as new as they get, so this is the equivalent of a three-month old giving advice to newborn, but I think one of the most important things is to learn to “roll with it.” Yes, you love your book, and it’s your baby, but it will take time to get it published, it will take just the right people to believe in it — and it will need editing. The sooner you accept that it takes a village to publish and market your literary child, the better off you are!
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: Spice and Smoke is a multicultural erotic romance that takes place completely in India, featuring an all-Indian cast. Set in the splashy, scandalous world of Bollywood cinema, it’s the story of a hotheaded crop of actors who find love while filming a sweeping, period drama. Avinash Kumar and Trishna Chaudhury are a sexy power couple with an open marriage, but after they arrive on the shoot for The Raj, it’s their hearts that open up. Bisexual Avi is instantly drawn to former model Michael Gill, and Trishna’s banked feelings for her childhood crush, Harsh Mathur, come roaring to life. Meanwhile, the film’s supporting cast includes ex-boyfriends Sam Khanna and Vikram Malhotra, who have never quite gotten over each other. When the cameras stop rolling, the real scene begins!
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
A: I’m still immersed in Bollywood, writing tales set in the same universe as Spice and Smoke. It’s such a rich, colorful place to play, and I’m honestly in love with the whole concept. (I hope readers will be, too!) On the docket are a second-chance-at-love tale about a hotshot producer and an ingénue-turned-sexpot and the supernatural-themed love story of a music producer and a nymph.
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: From the moment I could hold a pen! I was making up fairy tales before I got to school and writing Dark Shadows and Twin Peaks fan fiction before I knew what fan fiction was.
Q: How do you balance family and writing?
A: Well, I’m a singleton, so there are really no family responsibilities to balance. I do, however, have to manage a full-time job and my romance writing. That definitely takes discipline. I try to write in the mornings and on the subway — typing away on the notepad on my phone — and devote my weekends to fiction. If I get even a snippet of story floating around in my head, it’s like, “Stop! Hammer Time!” I drop whatever I’m doing to jot it down or type it up, because I might forget about it in the throes of the day job.
LINKS:
June 11, 2012
I want my library to carry your books. How do I get them to?
You need to contact your library. You have to request that they carry my print book and electronic titles (if they offer digital lending). You can find a PRINT book list of ISBN here to print and take in. (PDF will open in new window)
As for digital/elec edition ISBN you can find each one listed on title’s book page if its a Raven Books Title. Yes, our titles are sent to Baker and Taylor so they can be ordered by libraries. My website has elec ISBNs as well and I will have a detailed printable list of them before summer is out.
Unfortunately, because of the number of requests I get to donate my books to libraries I’m unable to donate to all of them. I have to pay per title and already with what I’ve donated this year it has added up fast. I’ve also run into when I’ve donated books to a library they have turned around, not put them into circulation, and sold them at a book sale.
The more request they get the more likely they will be to carry my titles at your local library.
June 6, 2012
MwM Author Spotlight: Mychael Black
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight: Mychael Black
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Changeling Press.
A: Changeling Press is like a big, loving, (somewhat dysfunctional) family. To me, anyway. I adore everyone there, yet they’re all very professional. I ‘discovered’ them a couple years or so ago, and to-date, have 3 running series with them (Dark Reign, Spirits of Abaddon, and Blood & Fire).
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: Given that I’m coming back from quite a dry spell, in terms of writing and promo, I’m taking it kind of slow these days. I’ve returned to Livejournal, and I’m using Facebook and Twitter a bit more now. One thing I’ve started doing is Sneak Peek Friday on my LJ. While it’s usually new stuff I post excerpts from, I also will post bits from older titles.
Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: When the muse talks, do NOT ignore it!
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: Dark Reign: Atonement is the third and final book in my Dark Reign series with Changeling. I’d started the first one (Found) years ago, but put it away. Once I dragged it back out and finished it, things kinda spiraled out of control. Before I knew it, I had more guys (and now 1 woman) wanting their stories told. Atonement is Marcus Deleon’s story. He’s the pack leader for the weres who are fighting against a quite depraved vampire, Dalton Gray. Atonement is due out February 9th.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
A: Right now, I’m working on at least one BDSM short for Torquere, and Shayne (Carmichael) and I have replotted the third book in our Romanorum series. Like the first two books (The Prince’s Angel, And the Two Shall Become One), this novel will be with Torquere Press once it’s done. We’re tweaking it a lot from what we had before, and while there still is our trademark amount of love scenes with Mael and Cian, this novel focuses a good bit on the Romanorum itself and the often deadly intrigue within it.
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: I’ve been writing since I was a kid. Writing gay romance, however, came about years ago (maybe 2003, 2004?) somewhat by accident. I wrote a horror story, but two of the supporting characters were, in fact, a gay couple. Before long, they took over. Needless to say, despite the periodic vacations my muse seems to take, I’m still going strong.
Q: How do balance family and writing?
A: I do precisely what I’m doing as I sit here typing this: I escape to Barnes & Noble’s cafe. I left my partner at home with the kids and I came here, grabbed a drink and a table, and popped in the headphones. I try to get several hours of writing in each day, whether it’s alone during the day, or at night with Shayne.
LINKS:
June 5, 2012
I want to read some of your books but you have so many. Where should I begin?
Here is a handy guide to my books that should help you decide where to start.
Did you love Fifty Shades of Grey?
Do you love Maya Banks, Lorelei James, Delilah Devlin and Cheyenne McCray?
Try my pen name books
Rory Michaels
A Macon Valley Ménage Series
A Hazard County Threesome
Theirs to Hold
Theirs to Tame
Theirs to Wed
Cowboys & Supernaturals
Do you love Christine Feehan, J.R. Ward, Gena Showalter, Nalini Singh, Lora Leigh, Laurann Dohner and Sherrilyn Kenyon?
The Immortal Ops Series
King of Prey
A View to a Kill
Master of the Hunt
Paranormal Payload
Force of Attraction
Point of No Return
Civil Twilight
Other Books
Do you love Laurel K. Hamilton and Charlaine Harris?
Daughter of Darkness
The Enchantress
Bella Mia
The Valkyrie
Valhalla
Voyagers
Other Books
Did you like Fifty Shades of Grey and want more to read?
Did you love Fifty Shades of Grey? Give these books a try….
Simmering Seductions and Executive Decision
May 31, 2012
Help us make these promo books FREE!
Hi everyone. Raven Books needs your help again to make these two promotional books FREE for good on amazon. Its not an easy task. Its simple and its NO cost to you. It will just take a bit of your time. I’m guessing under five minutes. In the end, if it goes FREE, you’ll be rewarded with a FREE book or you have the option to download for FREE from the other vendors that already honored our FREE request.
We’ve asked for your help before on another title and it worked! Why? Because you are all f-ing awesome!
Instructions: (these need to be followed for EACH title)
King, King, Goose by Mandy M. Roth
1. Visit this AMAZON book page link. King, King, Goose? by Mandy M. Roth (click and new window will open)
In the PRODUCT DETAILS section you will see this under the info listed there “ Would you like to give feedback on images or tell us about a lower price?” Click on TELL US ABOUT A LOWER PRICE. Select ONLINE story option. In the url section you can paste one of the following URLs (doesn’t matter which one you use) and you can input the price as $0.00 and the shipping as $0.00.
URLs to be pasted in
http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW0...
OR
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/produ...
OR
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/King-K...
Rings of Gold by Michelle M. Pillow
1. Visit this AMAZON book page link. Rings of Gold by Michelle M Pillow (click and new window will open)
In the PRODUCT DETAILS section you will see this under the info listed there “ Would you like to give feedback on images or tell us about a lower price?” Click on TELL US ABOUT A LOWER PRICE. Select ONLINE story option. In the url section you can paste one of the following URLs (doesn’t matter which one you use) and you can input the price as $0.00 and the shipping as $0.00.
URLs to be pasted in
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Rings-...
OR
http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW0...
OR
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/produ...
