Ways to encourage authors...and answer my question to enter a contest

cj Sez: What follows is a stream of consciousness post abouthow to Support Your Favorite Authors, whether you’re a writer or a reader.

   I re-post these comments every so often, to remind everyone how important even a brief review is.
If you’re a writer . . .
   Ifyou have your own blog, invite guest bloggers. When you have a guest,send out “Coming Attractions” promotions on Facebook, Twitter, et al. LyricalPens does do that, so if you’re promoting a book right now or just want to blogabout something, send me an email.

 

   Join a critique group and be willing to give yourfellow authors’ work a fair critique. Be kind but be honest. Start your review witha positive comment.

 

  If a writer-friend wants to just sitand talk, grab a chair and listen. Writing is a lonely occupation, and most other people don'tunderstand.

 

   Encourage each other. Writing is not acompetition; everyone can be successful.

 

   P. S. If you’re ayet-to-be-published writer and don’t have a business card, support/encourageyourself and get one.Hand it out to agents, workshop instructors, fellow writers, wherever you havean opportunity to network. Get your name out there as early as possible so theycan watch for your new release. It’s a way to build a platform and gain a fanfollowing.

 

Now, if you’re a reader (and since writers are alsoreaders, this applies to everyone) . . .
   Ifyou’ve read one of their books, post a review…please. Amazon, Goodreads,B&N, Twitter, and wherever you can. Even a few words—“I like this book”—are helpful.
   Likeand comment on authors' posts on their Facebook pages. Facebook'salgorithms only show posts that FB thinks other members would like to see. Thatmeans the more likes and comments a post gets, the more people will seeit. 

 

   Goto book signings, even if you can’t afford to buy the book at that time.Your attendance is encouraging. I’ve been to book signings where the author andI were the only two people there. I’ve been the author at signings where . . .well, never mind. With a little planning, you might be able to keep that fromhappening to another author.

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Now for a contest . . .

 

I went to my very first Kentucky Derby party on Saturday. Createda new hat just for the event.Photo Credit: Author Rebecca Barrett
 Good food, wonderful conversations withnew friends, lots of laughter, a good time.
 My horse didn’t win, but I hadgreat fun cheering. Next year “they say” is the 150 th  anniversaryof the famed Run for the Roses, “The most exciting two minutes in sports,” and I’mlooking forward to it. But please, I’m obviously not a math major: Can someoneexplain to me why 2024 is a sesquicentennial run when the first race was heldin 1875? What logic am I missing? 
   Send me the correct answer, and I’ll enteryour name in a contest to win a paperback copy of CLASSICS PIECES RETOLD.

 
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   There are 26 tributes to classic novels, short stories, andpoems in the CLASSICS PIECES RETOLD anthology. The variety of author voices is awesome.What a treat. This anthology is one of the Mobile Writers Guild bestproductions.

 

   You can order your copies through TheHaunted Book Shop https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us, a Mobile indie bookshop, or from your favoritebook seller.

 

   For Amazon purchases, click here: BuyCLASSIC PIECES Now

 
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   That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on,and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.

 

cj

   No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR andDEATHON THE YAMPA, fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-,low-priced at $2.99.

P.S.  The Haunted BookShop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The HauntedBookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us 

 

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