Friday Marketing Round Up (5/6)

Here are my favs for the week:

Hilary Wagner talks about The Art of Blogging - Being an active blogger, Hilary noticed lately that many writers seem to feel bogged down by their blog. They were so excited to start their blog, eager to show themselves off to the world, only to find it’s become an anchor around their neck. Here are some tips on how to get back on the blog.

WIBIJ - Some writers have found a way to make a great game out of a blog. WIBIJ is designed to be a resource first and a game second. These writers want to spread the love and let you to know about the best blogs out there.

What? Me Market? Adventures of a First Time Author - Part 1 and Part 2. Short story writer Robin Black shares how she managed to get an agent and secure a deal for her collection of short stories, which as many of us know, "do not sell" — and then how she approached marketing.

Avoid managing multiple identities online - Here's how to handle the question of pen names and maintaining different identities if you write different genres.

Best Tweets of the week in the Industry

Get your own domain name - Many people still ask why , so let’s talk about the three main reasons why having and hosting your own domain is important.

Title Z - A key strategy in any marketing program is to know your competition and successful authors will research competitors before investing time in writing, editing, re-writing, and publishing. How many others have written on the same topic? Ask Title Z.

Road Rash - Lessons learned about Radio Interviews - If you’re a bit of geek, radio interviews are exciting! You get to visit the studio and see all the equipment. Or, even if you’re just interviewed by phone, you get to overhear all the “backstage” chatter. Here’s what to do to make your radio interviews increase your book sales.

Do The Write Thing For Nashville - Don't forget to bid and help Nashville Flood victims!! There are some GREAT auction items including my marketing package :)

Anyone doing anything exciting this weekend? Tell me so I can live vicariously through you! :)

Time to Give Back!

1) Body Finder Contest Winner

The Winner of the Body Finder swag and signed book is.....

Denise Madness

Denise, please email me your address by sat am or I'll need to choose another name :)

Congrads!

2) Do The Right Thing For Nashville.
My blogger buddies: Amanda Morgan, Myra McEntire, and Victoria Schwab have started Do The Write Thing For Nashville with the hopes of raising money for Nashville Flood Victiom.

This group is currently throwing an auction and all the money goes to Metro Nashville Response Fun. You can still donate items or go to bid on items for a good cause.

I have donated a marketing package so go over and bid on it or many items they have received from editors, agents, and authors.

As you know Nashville was tore up this last week by a sudden dump of 14 inches of rain. Its an interior Katrina situation. People without homes, fatalities, families tore apart, and homes gone.

3) A Mom's Tragedy.
I heard a story about about Sherry Quall, a mom in Nashville who lost her husband and daughter within a matter of seconds. The flood just swept them out of their yard. The husband risked his life to save his kids. He saved the son, but wasn't able to save his daughter - or himself. They both lost their lives. Sherry has her son, but she lost her family and her home in a matter of minutes. Everything.

Guys, can you imagine losing your child, husband and home? It broke my heart. I found out there is a fund set up at First Bank in Linden. The public can mail donations to:

First Bank/The Bobby Qualls Fund
120 West Main Street
Linden, TN 37096

4) Glee. Oh Glee. I was a bit disappointed with Glee this week. And that is hard for me to say because I LOVE GLEE. But I felt this week they took it too far. I feel like the episode made fun of bullying and cyberbullying which I do not find funny. With everything going on in the US with these two topics, I think it was irresponsible to make light of either one. Kids are committing suicide over bullying and cyberbullying. We should bring attention to it - not make fun of it. Needless to say, I was disappointed. If you want to get more involved, Carrie Jones (author of Need) and Megan Kelly Hall (author of Sisters of Misery) have started a YA Authors against Bullying

So if you have anything to give, give back something to one of these organizations for a good cause. And count your blessings.