MFRW Should Stand for Marketing for Rockin' Writers #MFRWorg #MFRWauthor

MFRW 

What does MFRW mean? The letters stand for Marketing for Romance Writers, but so many of us are now writers of every type, perhaps we should remarket ourselves as Marketing for Rockin' Writers. We are a peer-oriented mentoring group open to the entire literary community. Ask your marketing-related questions, or request help, advice, or opinions. You can learn how to create a professional image and use it effectively, as well as ask for opportunities to join other authors in promotional efforts. You can learn the business aspects of writing on our site. The best part? Hearing from people who've been helped by what we do.

Here's an email I received today. (One of our rules is to use the Yahoo group for business oriented questions, and never to self promote.) The letter is from Kath Boyd Marsh, a new writer of children's books (MG = Middle Grades).

I don't want to violate the self promo rules, so I'm writing this off the list serve. But I really need to thank MFRW. Almost three years ago I was ready to quit. Then my critique partner, Ally Shields, told me about you, and I took a weekend workshop. I didn't give up. The next thing I knew I found the courage to submit to a publishing house's contest. And that December I found out I had made the semi finals in two categories in CBAY's writing contest. While I did not win, the publisher continued to work with me on the MG ms. How great was that?

December of 2013 I got the nerve to send her an additional ms. And she liked it! She worked with me on revisions all last year, and then last month offered me a contract to publish my very first book!!! My MG fantasy is scheduled to release in April of 2016!! I'm an author!!! (says so on the contract!)

And I know it goes back to finding this group of sharing and wise authors!! Even if I don't write in your genre, there is no better place to feel the hope.

Of course now I'm going to pay even closer attention to Marketing! Get my own website, newsletter, tweet, … Isn't that great?

Tarthian Empire
Companion

Sincerely,

Kath Boyd Marsh

http://kath-lettersfromearth.blogspot.com/

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And that, folks, is why Marketing for Romance Writers is here. Join us!

About the Author

Kayelle Allen is the founder of MFRW. She is also a best-selling, multi-published, award-winning author. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr. Her upcoming book, due out March 16th is Tarthian Empire Companion, an illustrated World-Building Bible and Guide to Writing a Science Fiction Series. http://kayelleallen.mobi/companion/

#MFRWorg BLOGSforWRITERS @Write_Practice

Authors don't have endless hours to read every blog out there on the world wide web. Still, there are some blogs out there that are not to be missed. In our BLOGSforWRITERS feature, MFRWorg highlights blogs definitely worth your time.

The Write Practice is a blog that promotes the daily practice of writing. Their posts are always helpful and sometimes quirky. With so many other writers commenting, there's a community feel as writers learn from one another. CLICK HERE to visit the blog.

The Business of Writing: That Stupid Cover Letter

First I want to apologize for not posting last month. Something came up that got in the way of my post but I’m back and ready to talk about that cover letter.

* This image is from my pinterest account

To me the cover letter is harder to do than the synopsis. How do you sell yourself on one sheet of paper? Even if you are cold submitting via an e-mail you still need to keep it short and sweet. Your letter should be an intro paragraph, your book blurb, your accolades and a closing paragraph/sentence telling them you can’t wait to hear from them.

I was also told if I met an editor at a conference and we hit on something personal like she/he likes cats, or she/he grew up where I did, that I should put that in the intro paragraph so the editor would remember me. The biggest thing that was drilled into my head was to send that submission as quickly as possible after the editor requests it.

All the advice was great but it didn’t help me when it came time to write one. I didn’t even know how to start one.

Dear editor – if you have their name use it

Intro paragraph – I would mention that I am multi-published and who I’m published with. I would also mention that I write lighthearted erotic romances and my writing style resembles authors like Johanna Lindsey.

The second paragraph – I’d then add my blurb

The third paragraph – I’d mention the contests my books have finaled in, I’d also mention any special review I might have had – something that was a little more than a five star review although if you have 5 star reviews you can mention those as well. I would also mention I was a member of RWA and the positions I held I would also mention MFRW and any volunteer position I have. In my case I would also mention I work with a publisher.

Last paragraph would be the thank you for your time...

This is very basic and if anyone has something they do that works for them please post it. The more we know the better those letters are.

Barb:)

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.

Website: http://www.barbaradonlonbradley.com/

Publisher: http://www.phaze.com/author.php?author=21

Blog: http://barbaradonlonbradley.blogspot.com/

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