I'm smack-dab in the middle of promoting my debut novel, Chosen By Blood, which releases on May 3, 2011 (unless you're going to RT, in which case you can nab an early copy at the book signing - yay!)
Yesterday I called my hubby at work and told him I'm feeling overwhelmed and to please understand that I don't want our house to be in shambles, but could he tolerate it for say...another two or three months or so while I push through this exciting but crazy time (and that's with me actually thinking my life will calm down after this first book launches).
Of course he was nothing but supportive (double yay!!) and even though I still feel guilty for not being able to write and still be the perfect wife and mother (as if I ever was, right?), it got me thinking about just how much I've been doing to get my name out there in preparation of this launch.
In case you're interested and it helps you in any way, these are my promo efforts post-first sale (for what I did pre-sale, go here). (Note: this list does not include all the local writing meetings I've attended, and I'm sure I've probably missed a few things!)
November 2009: sold CBB
December 2009: bought a marketing package, including trailer, social networking assistance, and author chats (upcoming) with Book Candy Studios
Had a logo for the Para-Ops team designed, made mugs and t-shirts, sent to Berkley editor and others
Contacted authors I love and respect (and accepted offers from others I love and respect) and obtained quotes for CBB
2010 served as president for Black Diamond RWA
Have been an author category captain for Brenda Novak's online auction in support of juvenile diabetes research for years, including 2010 and upcoming
Workshops
Submitted several workshop proposals for RWA National 2010 in FL and RWA National 2011 in NY
July 2010: presented High Concept workshop at National RWA, and another workshop with Lori Wilde
Presented workshop for BDRWA on High Concept
Presented workshop for Sacramento Valley Rose on High Concept
Presented workshop for SVRWA on conflict with Tawny Weber
Presented at the Black Diamond February 2011 Retreat
Taught Theme and Story Question Workshop at SavvyAuthors.com
Led monthly craft chats on SavvyAuthors.com:
- January 2011 - World building
- December 2010 - Brainstorming
- October 2010 - Synopsis
- September 2010 - Ways To Talk About Your Story
- August 2010 - Scene & Sequel
- July 2010 - Three Act Structure
- June 2010 - Conflict
- May 2010 - Characters
- April 2010 - Theme
Conferences/Networking:
Presented for the Sacramento Press Club with Marketing expert Rebekkah Donaldson
Contacted authors about being their newsletters/book club promos
Attended Lori Foster Reader's Appreciation Conference in Ohio in June and met the fabulous Larissa Ione (and Lori Foster!) and pitched to an editor (and later sold 3-book series to editor) Also going in 2011
Attended KOD Death by Chocolate Party, Berkley reception and Harlequin party at RWA National 2010 (yes, this counts!)
Gave away promotional materials at Berkley book signing at RWA National 2010
Started or amped up presence on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter
Started a fan page on Facebook
Created an Amazon author page
Ran an illustration contest for CBB on deviantart.com
Set up the VClub Fan Club at www.booksthatrock.com
Maintained mailing list and sent out newsletters every month, including giveaways
Submitted a "note" to Book Junkies site
Published guest spots/ blogs/articles/ interviews:
Joined the http://trulymadlydeeplyromanceauthors.blogspot.com/
Did a guest blog on Pens Fatales
Blogged for Murder She Writes
Blogged for Romance Bandits
Have written several articles for Promo Posse column in SFARWA Newsletter
Became a contributing editor for ITWO's e-zine newsletter and have written several articles on new releases by other authors
Joined Silhouette Romantic Suspense Blog
Black Lagoon Reviews: Interview with Virna DePaul
Wrote an article for Beyond Her Book Blog (I met Barbara at Lori Foster's conference - see how this is all tying together?)
Continued to create and post one writing cheat sheet a month
Wrote an article for the Romance Writer's Report on Talent (January 2011 issue)
Created a cheat sheet for the RWR on Spiritual Warfare for Writers (May 2011 issue)
Blogged at Everything Erotic
Blogged at Smutketeers
Advertising:
Won advertising on Romance Junkies through Brenda Novak's auction - scheduled for April
Won advertising newswire on Author Sound Relations through Brenda Novak's auction - scheduled for May
Placed ad for CBB in Romance Sells bookseller/librarian catalog - Spring 2011
Placed ad in Romantic Times Magazine - Debut Author Spotlight - May issue
Sent 400 fliers to booksellers through RT's Booksellers That Care Program
Experimented with mugs, t-shirts, key chains and spent way too much money on give away items
Flew to New York; filmed a Project Paranormal video interview at Berkley Publishing
Paid to put CBB cover on Joyfully Reviewed for February and March
Self-published several stories under my own name and a new pen name (Ava Meyers - erotic novellas) to reach out to readers:
Polished and self-published a romance writing craft book with Tawny Weber
Submitted my self-published stories for review:
Created a couple of trailers for my novellas/novels and posted on You Tube:
Copping To It
Set Up For Love
Coming up:
Attending RT
- Club RT, doing bookseller bags, putting goodies in 1200 attendee bags, displaying trailers, reserved space in goodie alley
- 4/8 RT Book Expo
- 4/9 RT Book Fair
Attending Lori Foster's Readers Get Together in Ohio
6/12 Book signing event in San Francisco with indie author Tina Folsom
Attending RWA National Conference in New York - signing at Literary Signing and Berkley Book Signing event
More blogging and article writing:
Blogging for Silhouette blog on 3/15, 4/6, 4/26
3/5: Blogging at www.aliseonlife.blogspot.com
3/8: Blogging at www.paperbackdolls.com
3/21: Blogging at Drea Becraft's blog
3/27: guest post at Everything Erotic
3/29: blogging for Mahalia Levey
April: Blogging for aobbibliosphere
5/2 blog at www.darkfaerietales.com
5/4: blogging at Romance Author Hot Spot Blog
5/5: Blogging for Romance Bandits
5/11 blog on theqwillery.com
5/11: Guest post at JoJo's Book Corner
5/27: Tawny Weber's Quick Six
Appearing on Melissa Walker's B&N Book Cover Blog
6/7-6/13: Author spot light at Wickedly Sexy
8/23: Blogging for FF&P
Writing Promo posse article for May 2011, August 2011, November 2011
Cheatsheets for RWR in Aug 2011, November 2011, February 2011
Continuing to give workshops:
April 4, 2011 to May 11, 2011
Story Structure Workshop at Savvy Authors
www.savvyauthors.com
In this workshop, learn a variety of ways to structure your story and the three things all of these methods have in common.
May 23, 2011 to June 19, 2011
Loglines, Blurbs and Premise Workshop at Savvy Authors
www.savvyauthors.com
Learn the difference between a hook, tagline, logline, blurb, premise, and high concept pitch. In addition, find out how you can use them as a framework for a synopsis.
June 30, 2011 (8:30 a.m-9:30 am) - Workshop on Story Structure and Turning Points at RWA National in NY
July 11, 2011 to August 7, 2011
GMC and Stakes Workshop for Savvy Authors
www.savvyauthors.com
Learn the key ingredients for making your characters three dimensional and believable.
September 12, 2011 to October 3, 2011
Secrets To Writing (And Pitching) The Big Book, High Concept, Same But Different Novel Workshop for FF&P
Fantasy, Futuristic, And Paranormal Chapter (www.romance-ffp.com)
Learn the difference between a hook, tagline, logline, blurb, premise, high concept, and high concept pitch. In addition, master the five essential ingredients for crafting a big book, high concept, same but different novel.
October 2011: Raising Stakes Workshop For Lowcountry RWA Chapter
Date and Time TBAwww.lowcountryrwa.com
This workshop will coincide with the Lowcountry RWA Jumpstart Masterclass REtreat
April 2012 - Workshop on Theme & Story Question at SavvyAuthors.com
