A to Z Challenge - Independent Bookstore

For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers, along with a daily photo. (All photos taken by me.)

With major chains shrinking or closing their doors altogether, the independent bookstore is becoming the last outpost for authors and readers.

Independent stores offer personalized service and often more than just books. They are usually more open to book signings, too.

Many belong to Indie Bound, an organization if independent bookstores across America. Their newsletter features recommendations from the stores, which can garner more interest and sales.

So, don’t forget your local independent bookstore!

Visit other participants in the A to Z Challenge HERE

And your daily photo - "Inside the Balloon"

$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2
$4.99 Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0

Purchase at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Kindle UK, and Powell’s.

A to Z Challenge - Helping Others

For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers, along with a daily photo. (All photos taken by me.)

*And I will visit everyone this evening - I have a seminar to teach this morning and will not be back until late afternoon.

For this topic, I thought I’d give you an example of some really helpful people:

DL Hammons

Alex J Cavanaugh

Stephen Tremp

EJ Wesley

Michael Di Gesu
(And Michael is doing a feature on my book today!)

These five always go out of their way to help others and put the spotlight on someone else. All of them possess great attitudes and giving spirits. They are real champions.

True success is based on how many people are richer for knowing us.

Who are you helping today?

Visit other participants in the A to Z Challenge HERE

And your daily photo - "Hobbes Eyes the Space Yo-yo"

$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2
$4.99 Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0

Purchase at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Kindle UK, and Powell’s.

A to Z Challenge - Google Alerts

For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers, along with a daily photo. (All Photos taken by me.)

Are you using Google Alerts?

Google Alerts keep you on top of topics important to you - or about you! Alerts arrive via email with links to sites mentioning the words or phrases you requested.

To set up these Alerts, go to your Google account (or create one) and click on Alerts. Enter your words or phrase and select how often (daily, weekly, etc.) you wish to receive them. Google will search the web for you and deliver all related posts to your inbox.

What’s on your Google Alerts list?

Visit other participants in the A to Z Challenge HERE

And your daily photo - "Going Down!" 

And I completely missed it - March 22 marked 7 years of blogging for me! I was thinking it was April. Wow!

$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2
$4.99 Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0

Purchase at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Kindle UK, and Powell’s.

A to Z Challenge - Festivals

For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers, along with a daily photo.(All photos taken by me.)

Writers will think book festivals first. (There are also writer’s conferences.) Both are excellent places to network and learn about the industry and craft of writing.

Authors need to think beyond book festivals, though. If you want to sell books, where will you be in front of your target audience? Art fairs? Regional festivals? Trade shows? Celebrations? Expos? Business conventions? Farmer’s markets? (Really!) Check local listing and online for events you can attend.

Go prepared. Take business cards and a notebook. Attend as many of the sessions, talks, and panels as possible. Network at every opportunity. Talk to successful authors and industry experts. This is your chance to learn and make connections.

Where are you going next?

Visit other participants in the A to Z Challenge HERE

And your daily photo - "Fiery Concert Lights"

$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2
$4.99 Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0

Purchase at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Kindle UK, and Powell’s.