Guest Post-The Making of a Writer
I’m sure you all remember that a few weeks ago I said I was thinking of having guest posters every so often on this blog. My dearest, most devoted readers (who always comment on my posts–thank you, ladies!) were not so thrilled with the idea (for some reason they like reading what I write — really, really love you guys!), but I think the ink had hardly dried on the screen when I received an email from another reader who was raising her hand shouting, “Me! Me! Ooooh, pick me! I want to guest blog!” (Okay, not literally in those words, but close enough.) So, today I present to you Carmen Stefanescu. She has written a lovely post on the joys (trials and tribulations) of a new writer and all that one needs to do when one is a new writer. So I ask you to be kind, encourage this new writer and make her feel welcome, and she’s written what sounds like a really fun book (I’m absolutely going to have to hop over to an e-retailer and pick up a copy for myself–she has very nicely provided links at the end of her blog to make that easy for us). Thanks and enjoy!
The Making of a Writer
The day you sign the contract with a publisher, don’t imagine you’ll have no worries left. The hard work you put into writing your book is not over yet. And I don’t mean the editing, deleting or rewriting you’ll do under the attentive eye of your assigned editor. You need to gain more visibility on the internet, brand yourself as an author and enhance your profile.
Get the word out!
Getting your name and your book out there is vital to growing your audience and increasing your sales. Marketing becomes a very important stage even before having your book released.
A website and a blog are the first steps towards these aims. They are the best tools for you to connect up with your audience. It informs people on what you are working, how your book is doing and allows readers to connect with you. You can choose your author name or pen name or the title of your book for your website/blog. You can do things such as Giveaways, contests and guest posts that stimulate people to talk about your book and buy it.
Once your website is established you can add it or its link to your business cards, email signature.
Having a book trailer is another important element. It tells the audience a bit about your book, the characters and with additional components like transition effects and music it can really enhance your product. Once the book trailer is done you should add this video to your website or blog.
Word of mouth through social networking – twitter, pinterest, triberr, facebook, linkedin – helps your book get noticed.
Promote your book on Goodreads.com, askDavid.com, Author Marketing Club, Authorsden.com, Book Blogs, etc.
Reviews are always helpful when starting out as a new author. Asking people to review your book gives you more visibility on the search engines and, more importantly, gets people talking about you and your book. There are people who first read the reviews before buying a new book by an author theyaren’t familiar with.
And first and above all, give readers stories that blow them away every time and they’ll become your loyal generators of sales and make your career success appear effortless. In fact, the best promotion is between the covers of the book.
These are the things I did to promote myself and draw attention to my book Shadows of the Past, released by the USA publisher Wild Child Publishing on 4th December 2012, which for me, a non-native English speaker, living all my life in Romania, better known as Dracula’s country, is a great accomplishment.
I wanted to share with everyone out there, either new or established author, whether traditionally published, or self published these highly important steps after having written The End on the page of your manuscript.
And one last thing, I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but take my word, unless you are another J. K. Rowling or Stephen King, it wouldn’t pay the rent! So I became a teacher instead.
I also want to thank the friendly host, Meredith, for allowing me to share these pieces of information with everyone interested.
Author, Carmen Stefanescu’s Site:
http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/
https://twitter.com/Carmen_Books
http://www.pinterest.com/carmens007/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmen-Stefanescu-Books/499245716760283
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6624397.Carmen_Stefanescu
https://plus.google.com/117216040843648957646/posts
http://www.amazon.com/Carmen-Stefanescu/e/B00APVDGAA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
http://coldcoffeecafe.com/profile/CarmenStefanescu
Buy Links:
Wild Child Publishing: http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=84&products_id=410
All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shadowsofthepast-1013184-140.html
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadows-of-the-past-carmen-stefanescu/1113910162?ean=2940015715026
Author bio:
Carmen Stefanescu was born in Romania, the native country of the infamous vampire Count Dracula, but where, for about 50 years of communist dictatorship, just speaking about God, faith, reincarnation or paranormal phenomena could have led someone to great trouble – the psychiatric hospital if not to prison.
Teacher of English and German in her native country and mother of two daughters, Carmen Stefanescu survived the grim years of oppression, by escaping in a parallel world, that of the books.
She has dreamt all her life to become a writer, but many of the things she wrote during those years remained just drawer projects. The fall of the Ceausescu’s regime in 1989 and the opening of the country to the world meant a new beginning for her. She started publishing. Poems first, and then prose. Both in English.
Blurb
Shadows of the Past
Publish date: 4th December 2012
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Genre: paranormal/light romance/light horror/ light historical.
Anne’s relationship with her boyfriend Neil has disintegrated. After a two-year separation, they pack for a week vacation in hopes of reconciling. But fate has other plans for them.
The discovery of a bejeweled cross and ancient human bones opens a door to a new and frightening world–one where the ghost of a medieval nun named Genevieve will not let Anne rest. This new world threatens not only to ruin Anne and Neil’s vacation but to end all hopes of reconciliation as Anne feels compelled to help free Genevieve’s soul from its torment.
Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve find her eternal rest?
The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to rekindle love.
