Thinking like a Reader

© Lisa F. Young | Dreamstime Stock Photos Happy Monday, everyone!

Hey, I'm super pleased with my WIP right now! I only have a few chapters left to edit and then I'm done. WOOT!

(Until the next WIP)

That means promotion will start soon too. Boo! Anyhew, I was thinking about the last FaceBook party I was involved with and what readers had said there when asked what kinds of giveaways they liked receiving.

I automatically assumed we would hear things like ebooks, books, gift cards, etc...

(Things I obviously like! Ha!) But no.

What do Readers Really Want?
Here is what some said:

1) "Readers LOVE to win CD's with the book's playlist on it! That way we can read the book while listening to it. Just a little thought for you all."

2) "Anything that can help us readers feel what you felt while writing the story, see what you want us to see, smell what the air was like on a hot summer night in Georgia (or wherever the story is), it just makes us fall more in love with the books. We become attached to them and the authors."

3)"The simplest things make us readers happy. A soundtrack, pretty smelling candles that go with the theme of the book, a sentimental trinket that was mentioned in the book. We want to be a part of the story, as well. Maybe a lace hanky that was the heroine's grandma's, etc..."

I thought that was really cool! Why didn't I think of that?

Since learning that, as I've been editing, I've been listening to music. I can't write to music but I can do some editing with it.
I decided to pick the music like I was creating a movie soundtrack. You know, to put me in the mood for each chapter. I'm really excited how this music list came together and how it sparked my creativity for the story!

I think for one of my giveaways, I will either cut a CD with my playlist on it or do a IPod giveaway with the playlist on it. Something a little different. Maybe even throw in a pack of beef jerky and a magic eight ball with it too.
(You would have to read the book to know why.) :-)

That's it for me today. I'm off to edit.

How about you? If you're a reader, what kind of giveaways do you like to receive from authors?

If you're an author, have you made a playlist for any of your books?