The Insecure Writer's Support Group

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, hosted by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Today, it’s not so much an insecurity as just the unknown.

The industry is changing so fast right now. Since I teach seminars on publishing and promoting, I’ve worked hard to stay on top of things. There have been several major shifts over the past year and the one I’m most focused on right now is ebooks.

Last May I attended the SC Book Festival. Two things really stood out. First, all of the vendors reported less sales than the previous year. Some said by more than half. (I’d never attended the festival so had no point of reference.) Second, I was asked many times if my books were available as ebooks. I believe the two are connected.

On February 25th I will be participating in the first Book 'Em North Carolina Knowing the state of Robeson County, I feel certain many of those people will be seeking physical books. However, there is a big shift right now to ebooks. How well will the authors fare?

I’m fortunate that I’ll be one of only three authors selling ebooks. We are like the guinea pigs to see how well it works.

What will happen on February 25th is anyone’s guess. We’re going into the unknown. What do you think will happen?

The Best Book Festival Ever

I’ve attended many book and author events over the years, but nothing compares to Book ‘Em. I’ve participated in events in Virginia and S. Carolina and this year I’m thrilled to attend the first ever Book ‘Em in N. Carolina. I’m also honored to be on the Book ‘Em committee and will participate in two panel discussions during the event.

If you are a reader, writer, or author, you don’t want to miss Book ‘Em NC!!

Book 'Em North Carolina
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Robeson Community College
Lumberton, North Carolina

Attendance is FREE and open to the public.

Book 'Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair brings together more than 75 authors, including two New York Times bestselling authors, Carla Neggers and Michael Palmer, more than 24 award-winning authors, and authors of almost every genre for all ages under one roof to sell and sign their books, participate in panel discussions and talks, network and interact with fans one-on-one.

It is open to readers of all ages. There are book readings and events scheduled for children from pre-school to teens. There are panel discussions and talks for writers trying to break into the field or working to increase their sales or exposure. There are talks and events for readers of various genres, including mysteries, romance, true adventure, historical, biographical, and many others.

The purpose of The Book 'Em Foundation and this event is to raise public awareness of the link between high crime rates and high illiteracy rates. Proceeds from the Book 'Em North Carolina book fair will go directly to increasing literacy in Robeson County, North Carolina and to reducing crime in the area.

The Book 'Em Foundation was founded by suspense author p.m.terrell and Waynesboro, Virginia Police Officer Mark Kearney as a partnership between authors and law enforcement. The mission of The Book 'Em Foundation is to raise public awareness of the correlation between high illiteracy rates and high crime rates.




Visit these sites for more information:
Official Website
Twitter
Facebook
Book ‘Em NC Blog


Please join us on February 25th!

Weekend Sillies and Condemned Gingerbread House

Starting your weekend off with a laugh!

 

And I had to add this photo from last month. We attempted to make a Gingerbread House (it was a gift from someone) but there was no frosting-glue in the kit. So we purchased some tube frosting, hoping that would suffice.
As you can see, it didn't work and our Gingerbread House had to be condemned...

Conducting a Book Blog Tour - Part II

After six blog tours of my own, there are a few things I have learned. This is a continuation from Setting up a Blog Tour.


Dates are set, you have your topics.

What happens leading up to, during, and after your tour?

Before tour:

List your upcoming tour on your blog and website.

Make sure you know exactly what each host expects and wants.

Prepare all guest posts and complete interview questions. This should not be something you rush through - it will take time. Go over these several times, looking for errors. You don’t want mistakes or poorly written guest posts.

A week or more before your tour begins, send your hosts all information, including:

Guest post/interview

Short bio

Short book blurb

Links to your site and where to purchase book

Jpg images of your book cover and a promo photo if you have one

Your book’s information - price, ISBN, genre, etc.

Html code or link to book trailer

Confirm dates, information received, and time of post with all hosts.

During tour:

Post link to tour stop on your blog and all social sites. Entice your followers, readers, and fans to visit your host’s site.

Check your guest post several times a day and respond to comments. The key to a successful tour is your interaction with the host’s followers. And remember, no matter what is said, remain positive. Even if your stop that day is a review and it’s not the most flattering.

Check back on earlier stops, as some people will comment late.

Be sure you have made it easy for people to follow your blog and other sites. (Because you should gain during a tour.)

After tour:

Thank each host!

For sites featuring giveaways, be sure to get winner’s contact information for sending books or passing along to your publisher.

Thank your followers and fans for keeping up with your tour.

Continue visiting your host sites. If you never visit again, you are sending the message that you were just using them.

Problems can arise at every stage of your tour, so be prepared:

Hosts that forget to post on time. (Or at all.)

Hosts that are indifferent or don’t interact with those who comment.

Incomplete posts or links that don’t work.

Hosts that continue to make demands or complain even after your guest spot.

(Sometimes things happen. All you can do is learn from the experience and avoid problematic hosts in the future.)

Your tour is successful if any one or more the following happens:

Your book sales increase during or after a tour.

You are exposed to a lot of potential readers.

Your own sites gain followers. (Hits are good, visits are better, followers best.)

Remember to visit Setting up a Blog Tour if you missed the first part of this series.

Now who is ready for a virtual tour?