The manuscript is done and with the publisher. Now what do you do?
I can tell you not to just sit there and wait. Start working
on your next manuscript. The more work you have to offer the more chances you
have to sell your books.
Back in the days of RWA we were told not to do multiple submissions.
Send in one ms and then wait for that publisher to get back to you. I learned personally
that could take a year or more. Like a good little writer who followed the
rules, I waited and wrote. So by the time I did sell my first book I had two
others waiting in the wings.
Then someone asked me if I had a web page. Of course not. I
wouldn’t need one until my book came out right? Wrong. I was told I needed to
get my name out there. Did I write newsletter articles for my local RWA
chapter? Put them on the web page. Today’s technology allows the publisher you
submitted to, to google your name to see how visible you are. Having that
webpage can be very important.
In the beginning I build my own webpage and loaded it with
articles I wrote and other things I thought an author could use. Then I was
lucky enough to win a professional web design at a conference, which is what I
have now.
Then I heard about author’s Den. Free? Really? And I can
build a web page for myself? Cool. Did that, although I’ll admit I haven’t
updated it in years. In fact, I latched onto (and still do) anything free that
would help promote me. Most of us do.
Then Facebook came along and I was asked if I had a facebook
author page. What is that? Well, I did my research and created one of those. I
try to keep it to writing, updates on my work, visitors to my blog, when a book
is accepted, updates as I go through the editing process. Anything I think
people might find interesting.
How about twitter? Did I belong to twitter? Well I created
an account and ignored it for a long time, but I’m trying to do better now,
even though I’m still a bit clueless when dealing with it.
Then I joined MFRW:
Since then I learned about the amazon author page. Have one
and have my blog feed tied into it. I always make sure I go and add my new
books as they come out.
Created a blog. This one was one of those kicking and
screaming moments. I work, took care of my young son, and now my MIL. I had to
fight to find time to write, how the heck was I going to find time to write a
blog? And what would I put on it? I started using my writing knowledge. I’m a
nurturer by nature so it’s natural for me to give back.
Joined Triberr a couple of years ago and I’m still learning –
did you know that if you go to each tribe stream and release your tribemates
blogs instead of doing it from your main stream you normally get more people releasing
your blog as well? Who would have thunk it...
Not figured out how Goodreads helps...
Not figured out how Goodreads helps...
I’ve now done blog hops, guest blogs, have guests on my blog
and joined a small group of authors who are of like mind and writing. We’re
working on promoting our group. I pay a little money on advertising when I can –
I’m with TRS and RB4U. I’ve gone in on ads in RT mag, and bought ads in BTS
mag. What else? Oh yeah, done chats, programs (online as well as in person),
book signings.
Writer Tip: And every time I hear of something new I go and check it
out...now I have to figure out what @me is all about. I have an account now it’s
time to utilize it.
Barb:)
Bio:
Barb:)
Bio:
Barbara Donlon Bradley wears many hats. She’s a mother,
wife, care-giver, author, and editor. She’s a senior editor for Melange Books,
and writes for Phaze and Melange books/Satin Romances with over twenty titles
under her belt.
Links:
Website: http://www.barbaradonlonbradley.com/
Publisher: http://www.phaze.com/author.php?author=21
Twitter: https://twitter.com/barbbradley
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/barbaradbradley/
No comments:
Post a Comment