The NEXT Two Years
Recently, I wrote an entry about what's happened with my writing career over the past two years. Today I want to talk about looking forward to the next two years and what I plan to do differently …
#1 - Reserve a day a week to do absolutely nothing , except maybe read. Working seven days a week is not good, no matter how much you enjoy it. My brain needs some down time.[image error]#2 - Format my manuscripts from scratch in “Kindle format” – meaning, in 12 point on 18, using section breaks instead of page breaks, etc. I've already started doing this with my new WIP, Ain't Too Proud to Beg . It saves so much time in the long run. #3 - Spend less time online, even though I love it, I realize I can’t read everybody’s blog, Facebook messages, or look at all y’all’s Pinterest photos.#4 - Get out to more literary events. Last year I only made it to two, and that’s pitiful. In previous years, I went to every free/low cost workshop, seminar, book expo or signing I discovered. #5 - Start a street team. Author Tonya Kappes has done a marvelous job with this. In essence, a street team is comprised of readers, online friends, other authors, anyone that has volunteered to help get the word out about your new book. Of course, there are little perks for these generous souls - free books, swag, discounts. There are some folks who have always helped me promote, and I owe them a huge debt of gratitude, but this will be an official team.[image error]#6 - Try some innovative ways to promote my books. I have already started by creating new promo postcards to hand out in person. Before I had a separate card for each book with the cover image on one side and the story description and buy links on the other. Now that I have six books out, that doesn’t work very well. #7 - Get all of my books onto other e-tailers. Right now I only put Have You Seen Her? on Bibliocracy and All Romance Books, but I did get the first four onto Kobo last week.#8 - No more free or 99 cent offers. Been there, done that. These kinds of promotions are fantastic for getting your name out there. As a result of KDP Select, I've gotten my books into the hands of more than 15,000 readers. Not bad...
#9 - Have a new web site created since mine is stagnant. I haven't made any major changes on it in two years. This is something I don't plan to do myself, and I've been investigating people/companies to create a new site at a reasonable cost.#10 - Get a new author picture taken. The current one is almost eight years old, but since I hate taking pictures, I'll have to force myself ...
Well, those are my top ten. If you're an author, what are your plans for the next two years?
#1 - Reserve a day a week to do absolutely nothing , except maybe read. Working seven days a week is not good, no matter how much you enjoy it. My brain needs some down time.[image error]#2 - Format my manuscripts from scratch in “Kindle format” – meaning, in 12 point on 18, using section breaks instead of page breaks, etc. I've already started doing this with my new WIP, Ain't Too Proud to Beg . It saves so much time in the long run. #3 - Spend less time online, even though I love it, I realize I can’t read everybody’s blog, Facebook messages, or look at all y’all’s Pinterest photos.#4 - Get out to more literary events. Last year I only made it to two, and that’s pitiful. In previous years, I went to every free/low cost workshop, seminar, book expo or signing I discovered. #5 - Start a street team. Author Tonya Kappes has done a marvelous job with this. In essence, a street team is comprised of readers, online friends, other authors, anyone that has volunteered to help get the word out about your new book. Of course, there are little perks for these generous souls - free books, swag, discounts. There are some folks who have always helped me promote, and I owe them a huge debt of gratitude, but this will be an official team.[image error]#6 - Try some innovative ways to promote my books. I have already started by creating new promo postcards to hand out in person. Before I had a separate card for each book with the cover image on one side and the story description and buy links on the other. Now that I have six books out, that doesn’t work very well. #7 - Get all of my books onto other e-tailers. Right now I only put Have You Seen Her? on Bibliocracy and All Romance Books, but I did get the first four onto Kobo last week.#8 - No more free or 99 cent offers. Been there, done that. These kinds of promotions are fantastic for getting your name out there. As a result of KDP Select, I've gotten my books into the hands of more than 15,000 readers. Not bad...
#9 - Have a new web site created since mine is stagnant. I haven't made any major changes on it in two years. This is something I don't plan to do myself, and I've been investigating people/companies to create a new site at a reasonable cost.#10 - Get a new author picture taken. The current one is almost eight years old, but since I hate taking pictures, I'll have to force myself ...Well, those are my top ten. If you're an author, what are your plans for the next two years?
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Oman
(last edited Jul 28, 2012 07:42PM)
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Jul 28, 2012 07:32PM
Well, I have three books, and let me commend you on your six. The fact that you are mapping out your future is inspiring. My 3rd book, Masterpiece the Brass Tacks, it's mystery thriller was self published and has been an e-book for 1 year. Now coming out on paperback this month. It has a rap song in it http://soundcloud.com/omanfuqua/maste... I want this book to become a movie and I need to come up with plans to make it happen. #1. I sent it to my cousin Judge Williams in LA; her husband is a big man at Universal Studios and I am hoping for the best. My second book Unfolding Soul I lost control of it and wasn't getting paid and now I'm buying back rights to the book and rewirting it. It's based on my life and is a good read that never had a fair chance. I had an editor that wasn't a professional and said she was. Rewriting is hard but the book is worth it. I feel good about the rewrite. So I have alot on my plate too. I want to write 2 more and I'll be happy. I sale online and by word of mouth when I get my books like I want them I'll do book shows. I design my book covers and I sale the covers also I have songs and poetry and pictures in my books and I want to sale those too. Almost every one I know have my poems or my art work on their walls. Some day and hopefully soon all my creations will be on sale. All the agents are chasing after the stars and over looking unknown talent. I won't give up; after every thing I've been through? I know someone has been through more. And on the inside I'm happy and proud of me. I know there is a God and he has plans for my work. He's giving me a chance to get it right. Thanks for letting other author's know that they're not alone; we definitely need a plan.
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Oman wrote: "Well, I have three books, and let me commend you on your six. The fact that you are mapping out your future is inspiring. My 3rd book, Masterpiece the Brass Tacks, it's mystery thriller was self..."Sounds like you're a busy woman. It's a lot of hard work, but if it's your dream, keep at it. Thanks so much for visiting my blog.
