NOVEL MARKETING OPPORTUNITY

Usually it's my old friend The Muse who wakes me from slumber with a good idea, but this time my gratitude goes to Patsy. I've been tagged! So here I am at 5.00am drafting this post. It's a lucky 7 theme and the idea is to use your current piece of work ; but Patsy made a good point of saying 'rules are made to be broken', so I am going to use this as an opportunity to do some much needed promotion of my first novel, DREAM KEEPER, which was published this year. I have to turn to page 77, go to line 7 and copy out the next 7 lines, sentences or paragraphs and then tag 7 people.
Here goes:

Mac sat on the floor of The Dream Clinic. He couldn't stop staring at the colour portrait. The whole place had been trashed by vandals. There was paint on the walls, floors and ceilings. Shards of glass were everywhere. There was not a single thing left untouched, except the colour portrait of Dream Keeper on the stone wall. He was in his entire purple garb and clutched his sceptre in his hands. It was Dream Keeper's eyes that freaked Mac out. Dream Keeper was quite human in his appearance. He was extraordinary in his height and build, but still human. It was his eyes. The black glass in the human eye sockets glowed. The colour specks danced in the blackness, until they leapt from the portrait and collated in an oblong shape that became a bright purple door of light. Mac entered the purple light.

My turn to tag. I choose to tag Simon, Pat, Sally, Janice, Della, Liz and David.

Keep writing....

NOVEL MARKETING AND BRICK WALLS

I once read writing a novel is the easy part. At the time I wasn't sure exactly what that meant. But now as I market my novel, Dream Keeper, I know exactly what that means. I'm not all that comfortable with self-promotion but I do know it is something I need to do to make readers aware of my book. I write, as I'm sure many others do, to be read. I'm trying to bring the attention of Dream Keeper to my obvious market, the readers. I had this idea to join readers forums so I could let as many readers out there know of my novel's existence. I am finding promoting one's book on such sites is considered spam and has left me wondering how does a writer promote their novel on line? I even tried to leave my website address as my signature; I wasn't able to do that because that too is considered spam. I really don't see what is so wrong about promoting a novel you've put your heart and soul in, to readers, in readers' forums.

Has anybody got any ideas how I can promote my novel online without upsetting the so called 'powers that be' ?

I feel like I have hit a brick wall. But, on the up side, I came across an interesting saying the other day: 'If you hit a brick wall don't hit your head up against it - find a way around it!'

So if anybody out there has any suggestions about how I can find a way around my brick wall, I would be very grateful.

Keep writing... keep reading...

DREAM KEEPER - IT'S TIME TO FACE YOUR FEARS

We have a dream. We write. We arm ourselves with persistence and determination. We get rejected, but we keep on going because we have a dream and we strive to make that dream come true. The publication of my first novel, DREAM KEEPER, brought tears of joy to my eyes when I held the first copy of my novel. This is why I persevered and I held on tight to my dream - for this moment! Dream Keeper is available through my author website, where you can read what the novel is about and there are links to online stores where you can order a copy if  you wish. But, for me the hard work is far from over - marketing! So armed with another load of persistence and determination I will do the best I can to bring my novel to the reader, so they too can enjoy the journey of Dream Keeper - It's time to face your fears!

NOVEL MARKETING

I have to admit the marketing side of writing takes me completely out of my comfort zone. The butterflies in my stomach go crazy as they collide into each other not really knowing which way to fly. So, out of the way butterflies, as marketing is a part of writing and something I need to do. Here I go:-

DREAM KEEPER is a contemporary fantasy novel. The dream travellers’ desires to fulfil what is missing in their waking world imprison them in their dreams. Dream Keeper is building his kingdom; The Dream Tunnels. People are falling asleep and not waking up. How was Senior Investigator Macarthur T Egan supposed to apprehend and arrest someone who popped in and out of dreams? DREAM KEEPER is about our desires and the consequences. It is also about facing our fears!

DREAM KEEPER is available at a pre-release price through the publisher at http://www.dianefordham.com for $US13.50 plus postage.

Happy reading....

DREAM KEEPER - NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

My first novel DREAM KEEPER has been promoted through our local newspaper. This all started with me posting in Facebook, leading to a connection with the newspaper, who in turn contacted me expressing an interest in my writing. I thought you might be interested in seeing the article. Please visit

http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2011/04/14/writer-keeping-her-dream-alive/

Thank you :-)

MARKETING YOUR BOOK .. POSTSCRIPT

Here is some interesting news that I wanted to share in regards to my marketing mission: Today the importance of networking was very predominant to me. My daughter posted details of my author website where it is possible to order a copy of my novel, Dream Keeper, at a pre-release price on her Facebook page. (How sweet and helpful she is, I thought). I almost fell off my chair when the editorial department of our local newspaper contacted me. The newspaper photographer will be here on Wednesday to take  my photo and  the newspaper will be publishing a story  promoting my novel on Monday. How good is that? Yes, today I learned that a beneficial contact for marketing your book can appear from somewhere you might not have even considered, ... or somebody right under your nose. Happy Marketing .... :-)

MARKETING YOUR BOOK

There are quite a few options to market your book. I have listed only a few. There are some options you will be comfortable with and some perhaps not. You can start off with what you are comfortable with and as your confidence in marketing grows you can venture out of your comfort zone and give the other marketing options a go!

I’m probably stating the obvious, but it is vital to the success of your book that readers become aware that you and your book exist. No time like the present - some publishers provide a pre-release price and an author website where your book can be ordered; use this as an opportunity to begin marketing your book.

Blogging: There are blog sites that are free and take you through the process of starting up your blog page; like this blog site. (If I can blog, anybody can blog.) Blog about your book, about writing and about yourself. Make friends by joining other blogs and this will help you gain a following. Paste links to your author website and other sites that are helpful to writers.

Social Networking Sites: If you haven’t already, join a social networking site such as Facebook. Post about your book and post your blog and website links. Get people interested in you and your writing – build on your following and before you know it more people are interested in you and your writing.

Forums: Join writing forums and help out those aspiring writers who are keen to learn from published writers. (I remember when I craved this kind of information, I still do!) Post your link to information in your blog that may encourage or inspire them. Join forums that have some relationship to what you have written about in your book (especially if you have written a non-fiction book). Respond to other people’s posts; as long as your posts are helpful and informative people will visit your links. But don’t forget, post those links!

Article Submissions: Write articles for writing magazines, fiction magazines, forums and your blog. You’ve learned a lot on your writing journey; share that knowledge and in the process you are getting your name out there.

Author Websites: If your publisher hasn’t set up an author website for you, set one up for yourself. Include the cover art of your book, a synopsis, a photo of yourself, your other website links and a link to your email address. If this sounds too overwhelming, there are professionals out there who will design and set up a website for you. Do some ‘Googling’ and research website designers and author websites to get some ideas.

Local Media: Contact your local media and let them know you and your book exist. The local community is always interested in the achievements of one of their own.

Book Stores: Once your book is out there go to the book stores and introduce yourself. Go to the bookstores that are carrying your book and sign as many copies as you can. Leave a good impression and make some fans. Email or go to independent book stores and let them know you and your book exist. Turn up with a box full of books and leave them on consignment. Let them know you will be happy to sit there and sign books. Even buy something while you are there. Whatever it takes!

Book Reviews: Get your book reviewed. If you have had short stories published in magazines send your novel to that editor you have built up a professional relationship with and let them know you value their opinion and would be grateful if they could do a review on your book. Have your book reviewed by other bloggers who can post on their site.

Contests: Enter your book in a contest. Google and find out what competitions are out there for novels that have been published. What a great marketing positive that would be for your book if it is placed or wins a competition!

Whether you have a traditional publisher, you have entered into a joint venture with a publisher or you are self-publishing; the success of your book depends on the success of your marketing!

Happy Writing …. J

DREAM KEEPER

It has taken me a while, but finally (with a big smile on my face) I have some happy news to share with you. My first novel, DREAM KEEPER, is available at a pre-release price on my official author website.
PLEASE check it out at http://sbpra.com/dianefordham/
Thank you all for your past encouragement and support. I truly appreciate it.
Happy Writing.....