The most important thing I’ve learnt, is if I want to become a successful writer, there’s one thing I must do.
You’ve probably guessed it, right?
It’s write. Write. Write.
Writing one book won’t bring in the bucks.
Writing two probably won’t either.
Oh, but having three, now that’s usually the turning point.
Yep, I’ve heard a lot of authors, as well as professionals in our industry, say with an author’s third book’s release, comes the change we’re all after — an increase in readership numbers. As writers, that’s what we’re all after. We want our books to be read, for people to enjoy them, to embrace our stories as we have.
So, I’m counting down those days. My second book, WARRIOR, releases in only eight weeks. My third book follows a few months after that, and my fourth, in the first half of next year. And so it shall go on…
Or at least that’s the plan. Within another week I’ll have my fifth novel completed, and I’ve already begun work on my sixth. That’s right. I’m writing. Writing. Writing.
Even my hubby can’t keep up with which book I’m currently talking about when I mention my schedule. He’s like, “Ah, so which one is that? I’m getting lost.”
I jumped up and down the first time he said it, because that means I’m heading in the right direction.
So how about you? How’s your writing going? Perhaps you’re still working on getting to publication? Or maybe you’re there. If so, how many books do you have out? Did that third book see you hit a turning point in an upward direction? Or are you still heading there like I am? I love hearing from you, so drop a comment and let me know.
And lastly, I’d like to announce the winner of “The 4th of July Blog Hop.” That’s Katie Cross. I’ll be getting in touch with you to organise your e-copy of PROTECTOR. Congratulations, Katie.
I’m here to celebrate this day with you even though I’m a Kiwi from New Zealand. I checked out exactly what Independence Day means to Americans and discovered the 4th of July 1776, was the day history was made as the United States declared its independence from Great Britain. I love that you celebrate this day with parades, shows, games, sports, bonfires, bells and all sorts of other whistles. And the 4th of July is right in the middle of your summer months. Wow. The perfect time to do so.
Although, with it being the middle of winter Down Under, I’m trying to ignore the rain, sleet and snow, and visualize a summer’s day so I can really get into that festive mood.
Hmm, I’ve almost got it.
Nope.
Let me just crank up the heater a little bit more.
No, still not working.
I’ll just shut the curtains so I can’t see the frost covering the ground.
Yep, done. 🙂 I’m there.
Happy 4th of July everyone! Have loads of fun. And to continue the celebrations, if you leave a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS you can go into the draw for a chance to win an ebook copy of PROTECTOR. Simply let me know what you’re doing this 4th of July since I’ve never celebrated one before. 🙂 Also, the winner will be chosen on July 9th 2013, and I’ll contact you via email to organise your prize.
PROTECTOR
To love and protect…across worlds.
Eighteen-year-old Faith Stryker is prepared to leap out into the unknown world beyond her home shores of New Zealand to experience life. Only she never expected to encounter Magio, a planet with two warring countries, where its people reach adulthood at eighteen by coming into their strength and prophetic abilities. Only after Faith discovers she’s a Halfling–thanks to her warrior father she’s never met–does her own skill of forethought develop.
Peacio’s Prince Davio Loveria is sent to the young Faith Stryker by his grandfather, but not all goes as planned. Davio discovers Faith isn’t just a Halfling, she’s also his soul-bound mate–an intense relationship he cannot, nor will not, give up.
With two wars now waging…one of land and the other of the heart…can the young lovers find their place in the world?
Keep hopping–You can find the complete list of participating authors right HERE.
Also, and only if you wish to, please consider “liking” my Facebook author page. For your convenience the link is just over on the right-hand sidebar. 🙂
If you’d like to add Protectorto your TBR list, here’s the link for Goodreads. Or it’s on the sidebar as well.
And for those keen on checking out Protector’s trailer on YouTube,it’s just below–>
Book Trailer:
Thank you so much for dropping by, and I wish you and yours a wonderful day.
I’m a voracious reader, working my way through two to three books a week. I either purchase new e-books because I like to get them instantly on my Kindle, or re-read favorites from my heavily stocked bookcase.
Right now I’m looking at all the books I have. It’s an extensive collection and actually catalogued by author name then title. I can see instantly my love of series. When I read a book by an author I enjoy, I quickly pick up every other book in the series if there is one.
I’m also always on the lookout for new authors. There is such an amazing array of talent out there, but how do we as authors, ensure readers of our genre find us?
Growing your AUTHOR BRAND is certainly one way, and even better, here’s a simple approach on how to make a start.
Six months ago I began to analyze my own author brand. I have three separate series underway, in three separate genres:
Magio-Earth series — YA fantasy romance.
Bodyguards series — Heart-pounding romantic suspense.
Highlander Heat series — Highlander time-travel romance.
I took those three series and came up with the following tagline–
Where Romance meets Fantasy and Adventure…
(I added that tagline right after my name, on my website’s header.)
Now, the idea behind a tagline is to display it everywhere you can. It describes what you write, or the image you want to portray, or what simply makes you, you. Here’re some places an author’s tagline can go:
In your blog/website header.
As your email signature.
On your Amazon author page.
On your Facebook header.
On your Goodreads page.
Somewhere in your book. It’s just a tagline, so it could go in the “about the author section,” or “title page” right after your name.
On your Twitter profile.
On your Pinterest profile.
And I’m sure there are a ton of other places as well. Your tagline represents what you do. It’s a catchy phrase, with the intention to become memorable.
Here’re some great taglines I’ve seen:
Nalini Singh, New York Times Bestselling Author. (Yeah, just had to pop that one in. I’d sooo like that one for myself.)
Jessi Gage, …A Time to Love.
Jennifer Probst, A little bit naughty…a little bit nice.
Sondrae Bennett, Love stores that sizzle off the page.
Jennifer Lowery, Where Happily Ever After is Only the Beginning…
Karen Y. Bynum, …Fate be damned.
Sonya Clark, Where magic and music cast a spell on the night.
Shannon MacLeod, Writer of romance, teller of tales, weaver of dreams.
So, have you begun working on your author brand? Do you have a tagline? Drop me a comment and let me know yours.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s post. Have a fabulous week.
