Winners

Hey guys just a quick post to announce the winners from the last two giveaways :)

the ebook of The Forever Girl goes to...

C.M. Brown

a copy of both Elana's books, Possession and Surrender goes to...

Jolene and Family

Thank you all for entering and have a great week!

Marketing on a Budget (Elana Johnson, author of Possession and Surrender)

Elana Johnson's Surrender released last week and let me tell you - it is as good - if not better - than Possession.

Since I have a special place in my heart for Elana, comment on today's post and I enter you in a drawing for a copy of both Elana's books, Possession and Surrender. I know awesome right? :) I will buy them and ship them straight to your front door.

Forbidden love, intoxicating power, and the terror of control…

Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.

All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn. Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque

As part of her Surrender blog tour, she stopped by to talk to us about her marketing tips.

Here she is....

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Okay, so I have two books out now! Woot. POSSESSION came out last year, and SURRENDER came out last week.

Marketing a book is something akin to building an ark before a flood. Okay, I haven’t actually done that, but I have planned some marketing strategies for my books. On top of that, I’m a schoolteacher, so I don’t have money coming out my ears, and today I’m here to tell you that you can market your book to the best of your ability with very little money. Okay, no money.

I believe that a large part of why people buy books is because of the author—especially in the online community, which is where a lot of our marketing efforts are focused. As a midlist author with a medium-tier marketing plan, most of what I can do personally has to happen online.

I imagine that most of you reading this today are in the same situation, asking yourselves “How can I market my books better online?”

I believe the answer is this: You don’t market your books, you market yourself.

1.     Be you. Just you. Don’t try to be someone else, with their sense of humor or their tics. People want to get a feel for the real you, and you can do it without naming your children and putting up pictures. It’s all about selecting information you don’t mind if everyone knows about you (like how many of you know what my favorite breakfast food is? Whose picture did I take to my stylist and say, “Cut my hair like this.”?) and play to those things.

When people feel like they know you, and they like you, they’ll buy your book.

2.     Be available. If people tweet you or email you, tweet and email back. Sure, it can take you a couple of days, but act grateful that they contacted you and be positive in your response.

As someone who gets hate mail about my books, I know it can be easy to either not respond or to respond negatively. Don’t let yourself fall into that trap. Remember that people will remember you the next time you have a book coming out.

3.     Be kind. This sort of goes with how you respond. But be kind. Be promotional of others and their work. Put on your happy pants before you get online.

4.     Be helpful. A lot of my fans are fellow authors, either published or aspiring. I’ve been a participant in online forums and blogs for over four years. Every time you help someone, that’s another contact. They’ll remember your kindness and helpfulness when it comes time for your book to be released.

For me, I get a lot of email and fandom from those who’ve downloaded and read my query e-book. I’ve read and critiqued hundreds of queries. I can’t guarantee that all of those people will buy my books—or that they liked my critique!—but I can say with certainty that because I’ve been helpful for years, more people buy my book.

5.   Be a participant. A large part of the online community is the participation of those in it. It’s so easy to let this slide, especially when deadlines come due and you have forty thousand things to do on your plate. The blogging community is very forgiving, but they’re also very forgetful. One of the best things you can do for your marketing plan is participate in the online community.

And that’s it! Everyone can market their books simply by taking a few more minutes each day to tweet and email those that tweet and email them. Be happy and be authentic. Remember that before anyone sees or hears about your book, they see and hear YOU.

Any other tips to market yourself/your books online? Lay ‘em on me!

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This week, as part of the SURRENDER blog tour, you can win one of three $15 Barnes & Noble gift cards and become a winner winner, chicken dinner! All you have to do is fill out this a Rafflecopter giveaway widget with what you’ve done. NOTE: One of the options is to blog about a time you didn’t surrender. Go here for full details on this, including how to sign up for your free swag package!

You can find Elana hanging out online at twitter and her awesome blog of 411.

Bookanista: Cover Love for Surrender (Elana Johnson)

Sorry I have been MIA. 


It's been one of those weeks: car broke down on highway going out of town, place we rented was full, computer crashed, my son had to poop in the woods (this was more disturbing that anything - not only the aftermath but the witnessing of it all) and my dog got attacked by fleas and then got a bad haircut.


So I've been out of commission to say the least - emotionally and digitally. yes usually crashes are not that bad but....(and this just added to my week) - my husband turned off time machine (so no backup) and I don't have AppleCare on this computer (only on hubby's).


Cant really totally blame him (can I?) but lets just say - he was lucky to be out of town b/c the wrath of Sheila (which is my dark side - kinda like Beyonce's Sasha Fierce side only not as sexy!) had descended upon the house and all in her path were in pins and needles. (yes I threatened my kids life at Apple store if they did not behave...they did...b/c they value human life.)


But thanks to Onyx Consulting in Decature (my new beffies) - they were able to back up when Apple couldn't AND got me back my computer in 2 business days! (Apple was at least 10!) I know - the electronic Gods shafted me but come through in the end. ( I already apologized for cursing them. However Murphy's Law owes me big time.)


Anyway, I'll get back to regularly scheduled posts on indie pubbing next week. 


I hosted a great yalitchat last night on self pubbing in the digital age - head over to yalitchat.com for the transcript if you missed it.


Thanks to Danielle Leafty for having me on her blog. I gave my best tips in marketing so check it out and let me know if you have questions.


Today I want to give a shot out to Elana Johnson for her fab new cover.


Go check it out here :)Love love love - Congrads Elana :)


Check out some other Bookanista posts today.

• LiLa Roecker announces a winner - plus a Past Midnight series giveaway
• Christine Fonseca reveals books she cannot wait to read
• Shannon Messenger interviews Skyship Academy-Pearl Wars author Nick James & agent Jennifer Rofe
• Jessi Kirby twirls for Audition
• Beth Revis interviews My Very UnFairytale Life author Anna Staniszewski
• Carrie Harris devours Deadly
• Shana Silver burns for Circle of Fire
• Stasia Ward Kehoe travels to The Day Before

The Bookanistas: Possession by Elana Johnson

Possession (coming 6/7/2011)

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

Okay so WOW!

First , did you all see this from PW?

“Possession held me completely captivated from
beginning to end. And what an end! I fell in love with the
characters and had countless moments of ‘Wow.

—JAMES DASHNER, bestselling author of The Maze Runner

Hello? James Dashner? (swoon)

Possession is pacy and kept me up nights. It even has a cliffhanger. Vi is a kick-ass heroine and... Jag is oh how do I say it....HOT.

I love love love the technology angle. I mean controlling technology - how cool is that? Anyone interested in mind control, people who can sense technical power, and all the latest gadgets you wish you had.

The fact that I adore Elana, her blog, and friendship is just a cherry on the top. And if you have not read her blog or followed her advice on querying - I say....what are you crazy!!!

My only concern with Possession at this point - is - a stand alone.....what if they don't do a sequel!!!!

Please let their be a sequel!!!!!

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Check out the other Bookanistas:

Elana Johnson visits Dark and Hollow Places

LiLa Roecker gets silly over Spoiled

Christine Fonseca has a passion for Possession – with giveaway

Shannon Messenger marvels at Moonglass – with giveaway

Jamie Harrington adores Invincible Summer

Scott Tracey bathes in Blood Magic

Carolina Valdez Miller interviews Invicible Summer author Hannah Moskowitz

Jessi Kirby praises Playing Hurt

Bethany Wiggins delves into Divergent

Shana Silver presents a Guestanista gushing over Between Here and Forever

Gretchen McNeil parties over The Anti-Prom

Carrie Harris sings out about Shift

Rosemary Clement-Moore applauds Abandon

Sarah Frances Hardy enjoys Me Jane

Matt Blackstone loves Like Mandarin

Corrine Jackson delights in The Duff

Stasia Ward Kehoe discusses Displacement

Beth Revis goes into Black Hole Sun

Elana Johnson on LA (Guest post)

Elana Johnson has stopped by to give some tips on what you can do if you are not going to LA!

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Since I’m not in LA at the frawesome SCBWI smashdown (next year, I swear…next year), I just know I’m going to miss out on all kinds of fabulousness.

Yeah, I know I’ll be able to get some great information from people like Shelli, who are going to the conference, but it just won’t be the same reading about it after the fact. Le sigh.

So what’s a girl to do so she doesn’t gouge her eyes out in a fit of SCBWI-induced jealousy?

1. Write. Okay, this is lamesauce, but hey, it’ll pass the time.

2. Critique. This could be worse than #1, but at least I’ll feel productive.

3. Read. Again, this doesn’t compare to being at a live conference with ultra-sweet agents and editors and writerly peeps, but there’s nothing like losing yourself in a story.

4. Go to the pool. Hey, we’re all living under the same sun. Maybe I’ll text my friends and tell them to go to the hotel pool and we can pretend we’re all there together…

5. Mope. Let’s face it, this is probably what I’ll do.

Because SCBWI-LA is the place to be this week. But hey, if you’re not going, feel free to stand outside in the sun with your mopey face on. I’m sure I’ll feel your vibes. *wink*

Let Elana know if you have any other ideas? :)

Mardi Gras 411/Elana Johnson on Querying

411 on Marketing Mardi Gras

As you know, next week (Feb 15 - Feb 19) is my Marketing Mardi Gras Party. The party will last all week long and include many special guests, daily prizes, a Marketing Scavenger Hunt, and 2 Grand Prizes awarded at the end of the week.
1) A Marketing Package for agented authors
2) My Agent's Critique Package (Alyssa Henkin at Trident Media group) for unagented authors.

Sound fun or what!?

Now, Elana Johnson (The Query Master) and I are throwing this PAR-Tee together. She will be having tons of prizes as well including additional agent query critiques.

The thing is to enter this Mardi Gras Party - you really need to follow us BOTH.

So go ahead and sign up for both blogs today and get a head start.

What do you have to lose? We give great advice, we are fun, and we give 30 day guarantees if you don't laugh at least once. Plus let's face it - the prizes are awesome! (if i do say so myself :)

All details on the party will be announced TOMORROW so come back!

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Today, Elana stopped by today to tell us the Five Things To Avoid When Querying (On her blog today she asked me about how to balance Social networking with Writing. GO check it out!)

Querying can be a long and tiring process. Writing a query letter can feel the same way. And since your letter is what you use to query, here are a few hints for what to avoid when getting ready to enter the query trenches.

1. Querying too early. Write your query letter. Revise it a few times. Post it for others to review. Rewrite it a few more times. This same advice should be applied to your manuscript. Write it. Revise a few times. Give it to some trusted readers. Rewrite some more. Don’t query until both your letter and your MS have gone through this process.

2. Sending mass queries. You need to personalize. Research each agent. QueryTracker.net has all the pertinent links you need for every reputable agent. And stats for how long they take to respond, how often they request, etc. Make sure you spell the agent’s name right. Be sure they’d be a good match for your work. Mass querying is bad for everyone.

3. Gushing. The query letter is a business letter. Treat it as such. It’s okay to say you read something on their blog/twitter/website that made you think they’d be a good match for your book. Don’t gush about how amazingly awesome they are or that you like their cat or whatever. That just screams “stalker!” and that’s not really how you want to start your professional relationship.

4. Blathering on and on. We all want to make ourselves personable. But as I said before, the query letter is a business letter. State your business and be done. They don’t need to know how many kids you have or anything like that. They want to know if you can craft a concise summary of your book. Because usually, that means you know how to use words well, and your MS won’t be stuffed with useless words. If your query is, agents likely think your MS is too.

5. Sending repeatedly. Follow the rules. If an agency says a “no” from one is a “no” from all, don’t try someone else at the agency. Don’t send your query letter to the same agent over and over again. If they say no, they mean it.

Get that query polished to a high shine, coat your nerves in steel and sit back and wait for the requests to come rolling in!

See you back here tomorrow for the Pre-Party!

Elana did it and so can all of you!

Yay!

Another blogger buddy is agented.

Congrads Elana Johnson - you deserve it!

I can't stand the excitement and have no idea how to put into words how rewarding and wonderful it is to watch writers I've been blogging with for the past year or so finally take another step towards their dream/.

I mean, it feels like it's happening to me all over again!

Cant wait til more book deals start coming through :)

Because I know the party's not over yet! I KNOW there are more of you out there getting ready to take your next step in this crazy journey. I can feel it! And if/when you do, PLEASE let me know when you do so I can do my dance for you too! :)

For now, here's to Corey, Lila, SF, Katie, and Elana! I'm so happy for you all and this dance is for you!

P.S. Congrads to LK Madigan, AprilLynne Pike, Cindy Pon, Maggie Stiefvater, Laini Taylor and more for being nominated for "Best Books for Young Adults (by YALSA)". Check out the rest.