Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Favorite Online Writing Resources (Not the IWSG) ~ Part 1


Today, as writers, we literally have the world at our fingertips.  With our computers we can access resources on a level unimaginable a generation ago: the world's best libraries and museums, much of humanity's knowledge across every field, information about people, places, and events from the earliest times to the current moment.  If we need help, guidance, or mentors we can find them online.  Sometimes the most difficult part is deciding where to begin.

As members of the IWSG we can access information about most aspects of writing, publishing, and marketing, share our knowledge and experience, and encourage and support each other as writers.  This is an excellent foundation, but where do we go beyond the IWSG's resources?  This week and next the authors featured in the 2020 Insecure Writer's Support Group anthology Voyagers:  The Third Ghost are sharing some favorite online writing resources beyond the IWSG.  Jump in and discover what great online resources our Voyager authors have found!    








Favorite Online Writing Resources ...







Katharina Gerlach
"Winter Days"

















Online Writing Resources 
The most comprehensive site with tons of free resources, a free Flash Fiction course, and the only course on revision that I ever found useful is the one by writer Holly Lisle. Her free articles can be found here (https://hollylisle.com/articles/#writingarticles) and her courses are available here (https://hollyswritingclasses.com/). Her way of teaching resonates with me, she never tries to sell you anything (although lots of students are course collectors because the courses are so helpful), and she's often giving personal feedback in the form (which is the most writer friendly forum in the world).

Bio
Although Katharina Gerlach was born in the late sixties, she’s still a child at heart. She inherited her love of fairy tales and words from her mother, an ex-secretary and avid reader, and her love of all things nature and science from her father, an ex-forester. Memories of her rather interesting life in Germany flow back at the smallest trigger, even though she tends to merge her three brothers into one when she tells stories about their childhood adventures. And more often than not, she recalls events truthfully.











Sherry Ellis
"The Ghosts of Pompeii"

















Online Writing Resource
My favorite online writing resource is Jane Friedman's blog:  https://www.janefriedman.com/blog/. She shares everything from writing tips to marketing tips. 

Bio
Ellis' books include Don't Feed the Elephant; Ten Zany Birds; That Mama is a Grouch; That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN; Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China; and Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure. 

She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information about her work, she invites you to visit her websites at www.sherryellis.org and www.bubbaandsquirt.org.











L.T. Ward
"Return to Cahokia"












Online Writing Resources
Aside from the IWSG for online writing resources, I like to hit up two additional places for writing connections and learning. The first for me is Twitter. Of course, there are pitfalls being that it is social media, but I have found many beta readers, publishing opportunities, as well as watched industry trends on the platform. The second is The Submission Grinder. It's a fantastic website that allows writers to search for different publications for submissions. As I love writing short stories, The Submission Grinder has been a wonderful tool in helping me learn of worldwide opportunities.

Bio
LT writes mostly speculative fiction shorts and novels while spending her days raising her children and satisfying her never-ending thirst for knowledge through reading, meeting people, and first-hand life experiences. She has publications with Dancing Lemur Press and Me First Magazine while querying her first novel and writing another. She currently volunteers as a social media coordinator and content provider for WriteHive, an online writers’ conference.











Rebecca M. Douglass
"A World of Trouble"












Online Writing Resources
I’ll just list one, which is The Story-Reading Ape blog. https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/  Chris sifts through lots of stuff and reposts many helpful blogs. Sometimes it’s a lot in my feed, but I can easily find things that really help me out! In the past, I also got a lot from the weekly writing prompts Chuck Wendig posted (www.terribleminds.com). He doesn’t do it anymore, but finding a regular writing challenge that pushes you out of your comfort zone is a great way to grow as a writer!

Bio
Rebecca is the author of the delightful Ninja Librarian books, as well as a picture book for outdoor families, a mystery series for the parents, and her middle-grade fantasy, Halitor the Hero.  After more than seventeen years working at the library, she has retired still without learning all the secrets of the Ninja Librarian.











Yvonne Ventresca
"The Third Ghost"











Online Writing Resources
One online writing resource I highly recommend is Jane Friedman’s site, https://www.janefriedman.com/writing-advice-archive/. She offers a wealth of information about a variety of topics, such as author websites, online marketing, and book promotion. Her site also includes an excellent one-page summary of publishing options: https://www.janefriedman.com/key-book-publishing-path/. If you have questions about the business of publishing, this is a great place to find answers.

Bio
Yvonne Ventresca is the award-winning author of Black Flowers, White Lies (IPPY Gold Medal for National YA fiction) and Pandemic (SCBWI’s Crystal Kite Award).  In addition to her novels, Yvonne’s other work includes two nonfiction books and several short stories selected for anthologies, including the previous IWSG anthology, Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life.  She is currently pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. You can learn more at YvonneVentresca.com, where she features resources for writers.





Coming on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 . . .
Next week more of our authors will share favorite online resources beyond The Insecure Writer's Support Group.




Till next time ~
Fundy Blue 






* * * * * * * * * *





You can order a copy of
VOYAGERS: The Third Ghost 
at the links below.

Print 9781939844729 $13.95
EBook 9781939844736 $4.99

Juvenile Fiction - Historical / Action & Adventure /
Fantasy & Magic









Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Strategies for Promoting a Book ~ Part 2


Book promotion is a serious topic for all authors, and if it isn't, it should be!  Last week five of the authors featured in the 2020 Insecure Writer's Support Group anthology Voyagers:  The Third Ghost shared some great strategies for promoting books.  They were joined by L. Diane Wolfe, senior editor and owner of Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. and its imprint Freedom Fox Press which published Voyagers.  Today we'll hear from the other authors and from IWSG founder and author Alex J. Cavanaugh.





Book Promotion Strategies ...







Rebecca M. Douglass
"A World of Trouble"












Promotion Strategies
My most successful promotions have been blog tours, organized by Great Escapes tours. They specialize in cozy mysteries, so it’s a great fit for reaching my audience out in the cyber-world. My other favorite promotions have been school appearances for my middle grade fiction, because not only do the kids get very enthusiastic about reading the books, but I just really enjoy visiting classes and talking about writing with them. 

I’m certain there is much to be done with social media, but I consistently fail to do it, so I might not be a great person to come to for advice!

Bio
Rebecca is the author of the delightful Ninja Librarian books, as well as a picture book for outdoor families, a mystery series for the parents, and her middle-grade fantasy, Halitor the Hero.  After more than seventeen years working at the library, she has retired still without learning all the secrets of the Ninja Librarian.








Bish Denham
"The Blind Ship"













My
How Not to Promote A Book
Strategies for Promoting a Book? What strategies? I, personally, am very bad about this end of the writing business. I don’t know if it’s because I’m an introvert and don’t like putting myself out in public or if its because I’m lazy, or busy with life (which is, at the moment, a huge distraction.) That said, my only way of promoting is using blogger for book tours and Facebook. Other than that, I’m not your best source for inspirational ideas on how to promote. In fact, I hope to learn something from everyone else’s suggestions.


Bio
Bish Denham is from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where her family has lived for over a hundred years. The author of two middle grade novels and a collection of retold Jamaican Anansi stories, she says, “Growing up in the islands was like living inside a history book.”








Charles Kowalski
"Simon Grey and the Yamamba"









Promotion Strategies
One marketing strategy I used without knowing its name was W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne's "Blue Ocean" strategy.  Their advice would be, "Instead of a red ocean, where the sharks are in a feeding frenzy, look for an as-yet-unexplored blue ocean."  In other words, rather than competing for a finite customer base, try to expand that base by seeking out "non-customers" - people who might not ordinarily think of buying your product, but could be persuaded to give it a In my case, the “red ocean” was the crowded middle-grade fantasy market, and the “blue ocean” was people with an interest in yokai (the Japanese mythical creatures that populate Simon Grey’s world) and Japanese culture in general. Some of the “fishing” techniques I used included:
 
     ·Joining and contributing to yokai-themed social media groups. (These groups aren’t the place for overt self-promotion, but they can be useful for oblique test-marketing, asking questions like “Which yokai would you like to see featured in a story?” to pique interest and give contributors a sense of investment.)
     ·Writing articles about yokai lore on my author blog, and posting the link on online interest groups.
     ·Holding storytelling sessions about Japanese ghosts and monsters.
     ·Contacting schools with Japanese language programs, booksellers specializing in manga, and public libraries that host manga and anime conventions.
     ·Connecting with Japan-America friendship societies and Japan-themed events and exhibits. (When the art museum in Sydney, Australia, announced an upcoming exhibit on yokai, I sent a postcard to the gift shop suggesting my book as a tie-in. They ordered ten hardcovers.)
 
One major obstacle is that, since I live across the globe from most of my potential readership, my ability to make in-person appearances has always been limited, and COVID-19 has rendered it impossible. I hope that will change soon. For now, I’ll keep fishing in my “blue ocean,” and wish you a good catch in yours!

Bio
Charles Kowalski has published the full story of Simon, Oyuki and their adventures through haunted Japan in Simon Grey and the March of a Hundred Ghosts.  In addition to to middle-grade fantasy, Charles' thrillers for adults, Mind Virus and The Devil’s Son, have won prizes and nominations including the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Colorado Gold Award, the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award, and the Adventure Writers Grandmaster Award.







Katharina Gerlach
"Winter Days"


















Promotion Strategy 
I'm not very good at marketing (yet). The one thing that works really well for me though is face to face interaction. Therefore I'm trying to visit as many book fairs and cons as my time allows. Somehow readers connect well with an author telling them all the things that excited them about a writing project. I understand that this tip is hard for introverts, but try to see it as customer services. You're actually doing your potential reader a favor if you tell them about your books, and they appreciate it. Also, a fair/con usually takes a day or two at most, so you can withdraw into your writing abode soon enough. Give it a try (start small). I'm sure you'll be surprised.

Bio
Although Katharina Gerlach was born in the late sixties, she’s still a child at heart. She inherited her love of fairy tales and words from her mother, an ex-secretary and avid reader, and her love of all things nature and science from her father, an ex-forester. Memories of her rather interesting life in Germany flow back at the smallest trigger, even though she tends to merge her three brothers into one when she tells stories about their childhood adventures. And more often than not, she recalls events truthfully.





Roland Clarke
"Feathered Fire"









Promotion Strategies
My book promotion experiences have been instructive – although minimal. Maybe others can learn from my mistakes.

I attempted Facebook launches for my debut novel Spiral of Hooves, and those had limited results.  I had a few great five star reviews from close colleagues, but that did not result in increased sales.  I will admit to taking a low-budget approach and expecting my extensive network of equestrian colleagues to read the book and respond. Considering how many people encouraged me to finish and supplied facts, few of those even bought books. So, never depend on so-called friends or colleagues. Don’t try and be cheap.

Covid-19 has added to my difficulties, although health issues have curtailed
my getting about for years and have made a live online online presence impossible.  Perhaps a lot comes down to effort and perseverance, so for my WIP,  Fevered Fuse – Book 1 in my Snowdon Shadow series –  I'm working on another angle, a graphic promotion.

I approached Jonathan Temples, the cover illustrator for Spiral Hooves, and asked him to create a concept image for Fevered Fuse.  His graphic echoes a scene in the novel and illustrates the two main characters Sparkle Anwyl and Kama Pillai.  This is the first step on an intriguing road.  Perhaps it will encourage readers to open the pages and read on.  Maybe it will lead to a comic book character or a graphic novel for my series.  If you have any ideas about where we can go from here, Sparkle and Kama need your input, please!


Graphics by Jonathan Temples 


Bio
After diverse careers, Roland Clarke was an equestrian journalist and green activist when chronic illness hastened retirement.  But he hasn't stopped exploring rabbit holes and writing - mainly mysteries and alternative history. You can read more about Roland's book Spiral Hooves at his website Writing Wings, and his book is available on Amazon.




Alex J. Cavanaugh
a.k.a. the Ninja Captain


Promotion Strategy
I think the best strategy is to be the best book promoter yourself. Help others spread the word – on your blog, on Twitter, etc. Buy their books. By supporting others, people remember that, so when it comes time to promote your own book, they will reciprocate. Then you will have a whole army helping you. So, be a giver.

Bio
All of us in the Insecure Writer's Support Group know and appreciate its founder Alex J. Cavanaugh, a.k.a. the Ninja Captain.  He is a fan of all things science fiction, and his interests range from books and movies to music and games.  Alex has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing.  Alex is the author of Amazon bestsellers CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, and Dragon of the Stars. 




This year's Insecure Writer's Support Group anthology contest is open.
If you are an IWSG member in any of its Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter groups, you are eligible to submit an entry. 



Here are the submission guidelines and rules:
Word count: 4500-6000

Genre: Science Fiction

Theme: Dark Matter

Submissions accepted: May 6 - September 2, 2020

How to enter:
Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.

Judging:
The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges:  Dan Koboldt, Lynda R. Young, Colleen Oefelein, Damien Larkin, Ion Newcombe, Julie Gwinn, and David Powers King.

Prizes:
The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press
imprint Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will
receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will
have the honor of giving the anthology its title. Please see their website for
general guidelines on the types of stories they publish.



Coming on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 . . .
Next week our blog post participants will share favorite online resources beyond The Insecure Writer's Support Group.




Till next time ~
Fundy Blue 





Reviews of Voyagers: The Third Ghost:

1. Check out lots of reviews and ratings at Goodreads and Amazon.

2. Roland Clarke's Bookshelf Review at his website Writing Wings features Voyagers:  
The Third Ghost.

3. Erin Kahn at The Wood Between the Worlds

Interviews with Authors:

1. Yvonne Ventresca with Stacy Horan at The Bookshop at the End of the Internet

2.  Sherry Ellis with June McCrary Jacobs at Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic 

3. Roland Clarke with Laura Wolfe at The Sustainable Writer

Blog Features:

1. Voyager Authors with Mason Canyon at Thoughts in Progress (Part 1)

2. Voyager Authors with Mason Canyon at Thoughts in Progress (Part 2)

Events:

1. May and June - Stormdance Publications https://stormdancebooks.junetakey.com/blog/

2. At various times - IWSG Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theiwsg/



* * * * * * * * * *





You can order a copy of
VOYAGERS: The Third Ghost 
at the links below.

Print 9781939844729 $13.95
EBook 9781939844736 $4.99

Juvenile Fiction - Historical / Action & Adventure /
Fantasy & Magic









Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Strategies for Promoting a Book ~ Part 1

The coronavirus pandemic has devastated economies around the world,
and it is a rare industry that has not been impacted by the carnage.
The American publishing industry faced unusual challenges as virus
shutdowns spread from state to state in starting in March:  book store
closures, book release postponements, declining sales, and the cancellation
of book tours, fairs, conferences, and other events.

Our 2020 Insecure Writer's Support Group anthology Voyagers:  The Third
Ghost launched in this environment on May 5, 2020, and we ten authors
tackled the challenge of promoting our book in a tough environment.
Check out the promotion strategies our Voyager authors have used during
this difficult time.

                    





Book Promotion Strategies ...







Beth Anderson Schuck
"The Orchard"















Promotion Strategy
New books need reviews--especially on Goodreads and Amazon to drive up discovery of the title. Don't just assume your friends, family or writing group pals will write them. It's not pestering to remind others to write a quick review for you. Of course, you must be willing to write one for them when they have something published. Also, whenever you ask a favor, do it directly. Make it clear why you need them to do it and I think they will be more likely to comply. So, call up your writing group members and family and ask them to review the anthology today!

Bio
Beth Anderson Schuck is a retired librarian who believes reading can take you anywhere.  She writes historical fiction featuring willful female characters. Being in nature whether hiking, birdwatching or gardening makes her whole.












L.T. Ward
"Return to Cahokia"












Promotion Strategies.
My first published short is in Voyagers and I'm actively querying my first novel. But I've been watching what some have done to promote their books.  Besides social media accounts to advertise an author's works and convincing family and friends to purchase the books, I've seen some slight success in book clubs. There are pockets of book clubs through schools, libraries, and bookstores. When an author connects with a book club, that's multiple sales of the book and the potential for more good reviews on platforms such as Amazon, BookBub, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads. Building positive reviews helps your works be more easily found in the search engines for comp books for the readers.

Bio
LT writes mostly speculative fiction shorts and novels while spending her days raising her children and satisfying her never-ending thirst for knowledge through reading, meeting people, and first-hand life experiences. She has publications with Dancing Lemur Press and Me First Magazine while querying her first novel and writing another. She currently volunteers as a social media coordinator and content provider for WriteHive, an online writers’ conference.










Yvonne Ventresca
"The Third Ghost"









Promotion Strategies
One quick tip: Most email programs allow you to create a signature line. This is an easy way to mention your book and the publication date. One larger strategic idea: Develop an author website (or have someone do it for you). This is a big topic, so I’ll refer you to Jane Freidman’s article, "The Basic Components of an Author Website," to start. (And if you want to check out my site, it's YvonneVentresca.com.)

Bio
Yvonne Ventresca is the award-winning author of Black Flowers, White Lies (IPPY Gold Medal for National YA fiction) and Pandemic (SCBWI’s Crystal Kite Award).  In addition to her novels, Yvonne’s other work includes two nonfiction books and several short stories selected for anthologies, including the previous IWSG anthology, Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life.  She is currently pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. You can learn more at YvonneVentresca.com, where she features resources for writers.










Sherry Ellis
"The Ghosts of Pompeii"
















Promotion Strategies
Of course, you’ll want to do the obvious and use social media platforms to get the word out about your book. There’s more, though. Set up an online book tour. It’s a great way to let a lot of people know about your book. If you have time and are extremely organized, you can contact bloggers and do this yourself. If you’d rather have someone else organize it, I’d recommend MC Book Tours .  The second thing is to go out and meet your intended audience. Mine is kids. So, I do school and library visits. I sell more books this way than any other. My third strategy is to connect with other published authors in your area and organize a group signing. There’s strength in numbers when all of you are pulling your marketing power together.

Bio
Ellis' books include Don't Feed the Elephant; Ten Zany Birds; That Mama is a Grouch; That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN; Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China; and Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure. 

She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information about her work, she invites you to visit her websites at www.sherryellis.org and www.bubbaandsquirt.org.

Website|BlogFacebook| Goodreads| Twitter| Amazon










Louise MacBeath Barbour
"Dare Double Dare"











Promotion Strategies
Voyagers is my first book, and I'm thrilled to have my short story included with those of nine talented authors.  I am new at book promotion and some plans I had collapsed with the arrival of the coronavirus.  My sister is a published author in the US and Canada, and we had planned a joint Authors Tea in the community in which my story is set in Nova Scotia.  My plans to place Voyagers in the local museum and in gift shops around the area tanked.  Since I can't travel to Canada right now, my sister and I are looking forward to one big Authors Tea next summer!

Meanwhile, drawing on my teaching background, I'm putting together a unit for my short story and the book. Teachers appreciate lesson plans that are ready to go and a good book that is a jumping off point for learning across the curriculum.  Voyagers is a perfect book for this.  I'm also working on an author's presentation.  As schools open up again in my area, I'll be good to go on school visits.  

Bio
Born in Nova Scotia and raised throughout eastern Canada, Louise is a writer and blogger who now lives in Colorado.  She writes fiction and nonfiction with the encouragement of her supportive husband.  "Dare Double Dare" is her first middle grade story.




L. Diane Wolfe
Publisher, Editor, Speaker, and Author

A Strategy from a Publisher:
One of the key things is for the authors to work together and coordinate efforts. There are usually ten authors in the IWSG anthologies, which equates to ten times the power, creativity, and reach. All of them will be at different places in their careers and experience, bringing new ideas to the table that spark even more ideas in the others. Excitement is contagious – let it take over.


Bio
Diane is the owner and senior editor of Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. and its imprint Freedom Fox Press.  Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Diane  conducts seminars on book publishing, promoting, leadership, and goal-setting, and she offers book formatting and author consultation.  Diane is the author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Circle of Friends series, How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now! and Overcoming Obstacles with Spunk! 

Website| Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.Blog 
Insecure Writers Support Group| Goodreads





This year's Insecure Writer's Support Group anthology contest is open.
If you are an IWSG member in any of its Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter groups, you are eligible to submit an entry. 

If you are playing with an idea for the contest perhaps this inspirational quote from a hugely successful author will encourage you to go for it:

“I would also suggest that any aspiring writer begin with short stories. These days, I meet far too many young writers who try to start off with a novel right off, or a trilogy, or even a nine-book series. That’s like starting in at rock climbing by tackling Mt. Everest. Short stories help you learn your craft.” 
                                                                                                       – George R.R. Martin

Here are the submission guidelines and rules:
Word count: 4500-6000

Genre: Science Fiction

Theme: Dark Matter

Submissions accepted: May 6 - September 2, 2020

How to enter:
Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.

Judging:
The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges:  Dan Koboldt, Lynda R. Young, Colleen Oefelein, Damien Larkin, Ion Newcombe, Julie Gwinn, and David Powers King.

Prizes:
The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press
imprint Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will
receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will
have the honor of giving the anthology its title. Please see their website for
general guidelines on the types of stories they publish.



Coming on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 . . .
Next week more of the authors in Voyagers and IWSG founder
Alex J. Cavanaugh will share book promotion strategies.




Till next time ~
Fundy Blue 





Reviews of Voyagers: The Third Ghost:

1. Check out lots of reviews and ratings at Goodreads and Amazon.

2. Roland Clarke's Bookshelf Review at his website Writing Wings features Voyagers:  
The Third Ghost.

3. Erin Kahn at The Wood Between the Worlds

Interviews with Authors:

1. Yvonne Ventresca with Stacy Horan at The Bookshop at the End of the Internet

2.  Sherry Ellis with June McCrary Jacobs at Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic 

3. Roland Clarke with Laura Wolfe at The Sustainable Writer

Blog Features:

1. Voyager Authors with Mason Canyon at Thoughts in Progress (Part 1)

2. Voyager Authors with Mason Canyon at Thoughts in Progress (Part 2)

Events:

1. May and June - Stormdance Publications https://stormdancebooks.junetakey.com/blog/

2. At various times - IWSG Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theiwsg/

3. Thursday, June 11, 2020 . . .
     There is still time to register for Diane L. Wolfe's second webinar
     on book promotion:  How to Promote Your Book Now - Part 2  
     Cost: $10.00 US dollars     Register at  Part 2 - June 11




* * * * * * * * * *





You can order a copy of
VOYAGERS: The Third Ghost 
at the links below.

Print 9781939844729 $13.95
EBook 9781939844736 $4.99

Juvenile Fiction - Historical / Action & Adventure /
Fantasy & Magic