Are you on Goodreads? I am! I hope you come over and join me.
Tonya Kappes Goodreads
But I want to know exactly how you use Goodreads. Do you only mark the books you want to read? Do you actually go to the author's pages and look around? Do you take advantage of the 'ASK THE AUTHOR' feature?
I truly want to know how to connect with you on Goodreads!
Showing posts with label readers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label readers. Show all posts
Writing Passion + Readers = Success
Of course I'm around writers all the time and each have different roads they have traveled to get published.
It's no secret that I left a publisher to pursue a self publishing career almost two years ago and haven't looked back. You see, I only wanted to touch ONE reader with my story. And boy did I ever reach readers!
I always say that my readers are the best readers that any author has! Everyday they encourage me, keep me motivated to NOT watch Dr. Phil and write.
Over a year ago, I was so humbled to get an email telling me that a few readers had nominated my first novel, Carpe Bead 'em as a 2012 eFestival of Words in the Women's Fiction/Chick-lit category. What was MORE humbling was when Carpe Bead 'em took home the title a few months later!
Then. . .a few weeks after that, Spiltsville.com had double finaled in the 2012 Next Generation Indie Awards in the mystery and humor category!
THen. . .I get an email telling me I'm an Amazon Mover and Shaker. . .
THEn. . .I get an email telling me that a reader had nominated my short story romance, A New Tradition in the 2013 Indie Romance Convention Awards in the novella contest.
THEN. . .A New Tradition won!
THEN. . .I got an email telling me that A Charming Crime was nominated in TWO categories in the 2013 eFestival of Words best fantasy category and best heroine category!
But it doesn't stop there.
I decided to honor Carpe Bead 'em and A Charming Crime for their success and offer it to readers for .99 for a limited time.
Again. . .readers blow me away!
Just yesterday, A Charming Crime hit #8 on Amazon's Movers and Shakers, #43 in the top paid 100 on Amazon, AND #12 on Barnes and Noble top paid 100!
It's about my readers! This year I vowed to meet those readers who have put me at the top and nominated me for all of the amazing awards.
Last week I attended the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Luncheon and met so many new readers.
Next month I'm attending the Annual Reader and Author Get Together AND hosting a tea with fabulous authors Duffy Brown and Nancy Naigle.
But it doesn't stop there! All of 2013 and 2014 is filled with events where I'm traveling the Continental United States to meet all of you and thank you personally for making my passion a success. . .reaching ONE reader and beyond!
Be sure to check out my website for full details on each event and how I can TREAT YOU to a fun event on ME!
xo
It's no secret that I left a publisher to pursue a self publishing career almost two years ago and haven't looked back. You see, I only wanted to touch ONE reader with my story. And boy did I ever reach readers!
I always say that my readers are the best readers that any author has! Everyday they encourage me, keep me motivated to NOT watch Dr. Phil and write.
Over a year ago, I was so humbled to get an email telling me that a few readers had nominated my first novel, Carpe Bead 'em as a 2012 eFestival of Words in the Women's Fiction/Chick-lit category. What was MORE humbling was when Carpe Bead 'em took home the title a few months later!
Then. . .a few weeks after that, Spiltsville.com had double finaled in the 2012 Next Generation Indie Awards in the mystery and humor category!
THen. . .I get an email telling me I'm an Amazon Mover and Shaker. . .
THEn. . .I get an email telling me that a reader had nominated my short story romance, A New Tradition in the 2013 Indie Romance Convention Awards in the novella contest.
THEN. . .A New Tradition won!
THEN. . .I got an email telling me that A Charming Crime was nominated in TWO categories in the 2013 eFestival of Words best fantasy category and best heroine category!
But it doesn't stop there.
I decided to honor Carpe Bead 'em and A Charming Crime for their success and offer it to readers for .99 for a limited time.
Again. . .readers blow me away!
Just yesterday, A Charming Crime hit #8 on Amazon's Movers and Shakers, #43 in the top paid 100 on Amazon, AND #12 on Barnes and Noble top paid 100!
It's about my readers! This year I vowed to meet those readers who have put me at the top and nominated me for all of the amazing awards.
Last week I attended the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Luncheon and met so many new readers.
Next month I'm attending the Annual Reader and Author Get Together AND hosting a tea with fabulous authors Duffy Brown and Nancy Naigle.
But it doesn't stop there! All of 2013 and 2014 is filled with events where I'm traveling the Continental United States to meet all of you and thank you personally for making my passion a success. . .reaching ONE reader and beyond!
Be sure to check out my website for full details on each event and how I can TREAT YOU to a fun event on ME!
xo
Author + One Published eBook Per Year = SLACKER?
In today's society it seems that everything is better FASTER!
And if we don't keep up, we feel like we are left behind. Or at least I do...
Especially today in the Ereader age!
Just think about it. In the "old days" (two years ago...) the average reader had to get dressed, put on shoes, get into the car, drive to the book store, find a parking spot, walk into the store, spend hours browsing shelves, and then buy a $10.99 book or even higher price.
Fast forward to today.
Now the average reader (One in six Americans have an Ereader.) has to get their Ereader from the kitchen counter, click a couple of times, and have an ebook of the new release of their favorite author in a second for DOLLARS cheaper than going to the book store.
Ereaders readers have given a jolt of caffeine to the world! It has made non-reader become avid readers. I know because I hear from my readers all the time that tell me I have created a reader in them! LOVE IT!
But as an author, I've found this little shot of adrenaline a BIG shot of panic/fear in my soul. What happened to the day when we could publish a book every six months even one a year?
Readers are getting use to having the luxury at their finger tips and aren't so willing to wait a year. I know because my readers are always sending me emails, Facebook messaging me "hurry with the next book."
I know it's all in good fun, but there is always some truth to joking....right?
With that comes fear....if I wait longer than four-six months between novels, am I going to be forgotten? Are the little short stories, prequels, or mini-mysteries I publish between novels enough to wet their pallet?
One thing I know for sure. . .
The excited readers has lit a fire under me! It's given me a new ambition. Put a little more oomph in my muse. Not only has it gotten me writing more, my writing is getting stronger and stronger with each word typed. Staying motivated to please my readers had taken my novels to a whole new level.
What about you? Do you feel the pressure of getting more books out there?
And if we don't keep up, we feel like we are left behind. Or at least I do...
Especially today in the Ereader age!
Just think about it. In the "old days" (two years ago...) the average reader had to get dressed, put on shoes, get into the car, drive to the book store, find a parking spot, walk into the store, spend hours browsing shelves, and then buy a $10.99 book or even higher price.
Fast forward to today.
Now the average reader (One in six Americans have an Ereader.) has to get their Ereader from the kitchen counter, click a couple of times, and have an ebook of the new release of their favorite author in a second for DOLLARS cheaper than going to the book store.
Ereaders readers have given a jolt of caffeine to the world! It has made non-reader become avid readers. I know because I hear from my readers all the time that tell me I have created a reader in them! LOVE IT!
But as an author, I've found this little shot of adrenaline a BIG shot of panic/fear in my soul. What happened to the day when we could publish a book every six months even one a year?
Readers are getting use to having the luxury at their finger tips and aren't so willing to wait a year. I know because my readers are always sending me emails, Facebook messaging me "hurry with the next book."
I know it's all in good fun, but there is always some truth to joking....right?
With that comes fear....if I wait longer than four-six months between novels, am I going to be forgotten? Are the little short stories, prequels, or mini-mysteries I publish between novels enough to wet their pallet?
One thing I know for sure. . .
The excited readers has lit a fire under me! It's given me a new ambition. Put a little more oomph in my muse. Not only has it gotten me writing more, my writing is getting stronger and stronger with each word typed. Staying motivated to please my readers had taken my novels to a whole new level.
What about you? Do you feel the pressure of getting more books out there?
Keep Your Readers One Series At A Time
Do you write series? Some authors say they don't write that way, but let me tell you a little secret. . .READERS LOVE TO INVEST IN SERIES!!
They want to know what happens to the secondary characters, the nosy neighbor down the street.
Once they find a series, they invest in that series. As an author of a series, I know how hard they are to write. Everything has to be exact from the town street names to the secondary character's eye color. Once the first book in the series is written, it's much easier to write the following. But what about the marketing of a series?
Marketing a series is much different than marketing a stand alone novel. Here are a few tips to help you market your series effectively.
1) STREET TEAM. If you don't have a street team, you should. This is a group of readers who have invested in your novels. They love to talk about your series and the characters in your series not only to your other readers, but other people who might like your series. Plus it's a great way to give back to your readers. Show your appreciation and how much you love them.
2) Keep writing. It might take you three or six months to complete a novel, then you have to get it edited. It could take you longer than six months. For me, it takes me about four months from beginning to end to get the book up for sale. Four to six months to a reader can sometimes seem like a lifetime.
My readers start emailing me. Asking me when the next book is coming out. So I keep writing. SHORT STORIES! Yes! Short stories have become a great marketing tool for me to use. They are short and sweet little stories about different characters in my novels to tied over my readers.
Your short story can be about any of your characters. Let your reader get an up-close and personal glimpse into your characters life.
I wrote a short story, Bead of Doubt, to introduce the characters of my new series, The Divorced Divas Mystery Series. And I wrote a prequel, A Superstitious Christmas, to the third novel in my Grandberry Falls series, Never Tell Your Dreams. Color Me Love is an Olivia Davis Mini-Mystery to hold my readers over until the second Olivia Davis Paranormal Mystery Series is out later this summer. They are a great way to reconnect with my readers between novel releases.
3) Publish the next book in the series! Get the next book out! There is nothing that gets your readers on board than getting the next book out.
4) Newsletter. Do you have a newsletter? You should! I love to send my readers upcoming events, novels, or tid-bits about their favorite characters. I use MYNEWSLETTERBUILDER.COM to reach my readers. You can think outside the box when doing a newsletter. Let one of your characters take your newsletter over. I have an upcoming newsletter where one of my silly psychics from my new novel, A Charming Crime, is taking over! Talk about fun!!
What do you do to tied your readers over until your next novel comes out?
They want to know what happens to the secondary characters, the nosy neighbor down the street.
Once they find a series, they invest in that series. As an author of a series, I know how hard they are to write. Everything has to be exact from the town street names to the secondary character's eye color. Once the first book in the series is written, it's much easier to write the following. But what about the marketing of a series?
Marketing a series is much different than marketing a stand alone novel. Here are a few tips to help you market your series effectively.
1) STREET TEAM. If you don't have a street team, you should. This is a group of readers who have invested in your novels. They love to talk about your series and the characters in your series not only to your other readers, but other people who might like your series. Plus it's a great way to give back to your readers. Show your appreciation and how much you love them.
2) Keep writing. It might take you three or six months to complete a novel, then you have to get it edited. It could take you longer than six months. For me, it takes me about four months from beginning to end to get the book up for sale. Four to six months to a reader can sometimes seem like a lifetime.
My readers start emailing me. Asking me when the next book is coming out. So I keep writing. SHORT STORIES! Yes! Short stories have become a great marketing tool for me to use. They are short and sweet little stories about different characters in my novels to tied over my readers.
(Thanks to Nerd Quirk for the great comics!!)
Your short story can be about any of your characters. Let your reader get an up-close and personal glimpse into your characters life.
I wrote a short story, Bead of Doubt, to introduce the characters of my new series, The Divorced Divas Mystery Series. And I wrote a prequel, A Superstitious Christmas, to the third novel in my Grandberry Falls series, Never Tell Your Dreams. Color Me Love is an Olivia Davis Mini-Mystery to hold my readers over until the second Olivia Davis Paranormal Mystery Series is out later this summer. They are a great way to reconnect with my readers between novel releases.
3) Publish the next book in the series! Get the next book out! There is nothing that gets your readers on board than getting the next book out.
4) Newsletter. Do you have a newsletter? You should! I love to send my readers upcoming events, novels, or tid-bits about their favorite characters. I use MYNEWSLETTERBUILDER.COM to reach my readers. You can think outside the box when doing a newsletter. Let one of your characters take your newsletter over. I have an upcoming newsletter where one of my silly psychics from my new novel, A Charming Crime, is taking over! Talk about fun!!
What do you do to tied your readers over until your next novel comes out?
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