Author’s Top 5 Writing and Marketing Tips
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Debbie Mitchell
Contemporary Romance Romantic Suspense
3 years

I am very new to this, but I will tell you things that have helped immensely. I got invited to an author convention as a reader. I met over 50 authors. I had no intention at the time of writing. I joined many groups in that genre and interacted. I became friends with several and when I wrote a book; they were so helpful with everything from writing to self publishing.

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writing
3 years

Your 'story' is unique to you-if you use your own 'voice'. Do not ask relatives and friends to read your draft but use professional Editors. You need to think -long and hard about advice from your professional editor. Believe me- it can be painful sometimes but you know they are experts in their field. Do not be argumentative- learn from your mistakes.

    • R.B.K. R.B.K. 2 years ago
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    • What makes you say editors are experts? This can be a debate that can last an eternity. We need to be honest to ourselves as Authors and admit that editors are miles away from being experts. They are just people not experts.
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      • Rosemary Anne Mills BA(Hons). {Lady Dragon} Rosemary Anne Mills BA(Hons). {Lady Dragon} 2 years ago
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      • Hi, RBK. Obviously there are a lot of people out there, who claim to be a professional Editor but make inexcusable mistakes. I for one, found typos after publication, which annoyed me. You made a good and valid point! Should we consider the fact that most Editors are now Freelancers' who are under-paid by Publishing Houses and their volume- of work, leads to mistakes. I have learnt to re-check my work-after it has been 'Proof-read'- before signing it off for publication. As the saying goes, 'Life, is a learning curve.'
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Mwanandeke Kindembo
Advice & How To History
3 years

Intellect over emotions or the other way around?! - Fiction vs Nonfiction. Imagination vs reality.

1. When the inspiration comes in your mind, you will know it. Considered that, you are well armed with the ability. Grab that opportunity and write everything down.

2. It's said that "ability is nothing without opportunity". But I strongly believe that, opportunity is useless without having the ability in the first place! Motivate and work on yourself daily.

3. Accept corrections at the very beginning of your writings. Examine everything before publishing. Ask for help from a relative, if you are a self-published author. Or, get an editor to read through your works before going public. Accept to be ashamed by one individual than by millions out there!

4. 'Continuous reading is the price that each author must pay' - Read daily, if you have time. But remember to leave some time off to reflect upon what you just read. Thus, increasing your creativity in the long-term.

5. Remember, promotion is the toughest part. This is the time when you are on your own (if you're a self-published author). Become more adventurous to see and grab the opportunities that are presented before you. Master timing. Try and explore different tastes. Mix with authors as well as readers.

Thank you for reading and have a great day!
Mwanandeke Kindembo.

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marketing
Marilou Ryder
Advice & How To
3 years

Do something to market your books every day.

    • David W Sherwood David W Sherwood 1 year ago
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    • I have sent several packages right from Amazon to children's hospitals. They are always looking for donations and it's good to get your name out there, even though you don't get any feedback.
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    • Cherise Arthur Cherise Arthur 3 years ago
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    • What do you recommend for new authors - I have written a children's book. I would love to be able to get into schools once they reopen to share.
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      • Diann Floyd Boehm Diann Floyd Boehm 3 years ago
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      • A good starting point is to start with schools that you have friends or family in. Teachers will spread the word and you will be adding more schools before you know it.
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      • Cherise Arthur Cherise Arthur 2 years ago
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      • Hey children;s book authors I sent my book to Fergie who has a YouTube Channel and I have been corresponding with her promo gal Antonia Marshall - hoping to get an approve to be read on her how. I could use some suggestions for podcasts for my children's books
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Danika Bloom
Contemporary Romance New Adult Romance
3 years

1. Do not refer to your manuscript as your "shitty first draft." Give it a nickname that suits your genre or your main character so you feel good about it... a 'scrappy rough draft' is a book that will fight to get finished but a 'shitty first draft' is one that asks to be flushed away.

2. When your negative inner critic tells you you're not a writer, thank it for its opinion, then ask it to leave you alone for an hour so you can work on becoming a better writer.

3. Find other writers to be in community with. This is critical. (I love www.creativeacademyforwriters.com - it's free to join).

4. If you want to succeed as a career author, treat your writing like a business with dedicated time every day to write, to do marketing, and to learn something new about the author biz.

5. Celebrate small wins. Writing a book takes a long time and you need to appreciate and acknowledge the milestones.

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Silvia Sama-Lambiv
Christian Fiction African American Interest
3 years

Always carry a notepad/phone with you! Why?
Whenever and wherever a book idea pops in your head.... write it down so you never forget a thing.

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Leslie R. Henderson
Crime Fiction Suspense
3 years

1. Write what whatever story is yearning to burst out of your soul, regardless of whether it fits into a popular genre.
2. Get rid of all negative energy that is in your creative space (i.e. people and things that bring you down).
3. Don't get it right, get it written.
4. Don't fall in love with characters or a plot that doesn't work. Be flexible enough to make changes when necessary.
5. Don't rush. Write for the long haul. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.

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marketing
Harry Carpenter
Crime Fiction Thriller
3 years

1: Advertise. This means free, and often, paid ads. Work within your budget. Amazon Ads can get out of hand, be sure to stay on top of it. Facebook ads are hit or miss. Think outside of the box. Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest are all great if you are familiar with those formats. Try to run ads when you can.

2: Talk about your book. Be enthusiastic about it. Talk it up at signings, book clubs, restaurants. Wherever you get the chance. Part two of this is: know WHEN to talk about it. Throwing the book into an unwanted conversation never goes well. Know your audience, interject when appropriate.

3: Your cover, blurb, book description, etc can always evolve. Change often if it isn't working. Tweak your blurb, see what the public thinks. Adjust the book description. Find out what people don't like about the book cover and try to fix it. You may have a fondness for the cover, but everyone else may not. You're trying to sell a book to THEM, not YOU.

4: Local Bookstores should never be dismissed! Just because they're not the big time Barnes and Noble does not mean they can't equally sell dozens of your books a month! There is no guarantee that having a book at B&N equals billions of sales. It'll likely get lost among the trillions of books they stock. A small store likely will develop a personal relationship with you and help promote your book. Always promote that your books are carried in their stores on social media. They appreciate it.

5: Calm down. Just because you're not getting a sixteen movie deal with Netflix does not mean your books aren't moving. Selling a book a month is a big step. Selling one a week is excellent. Selling one a day is amazing! Baby steps. Don't sink a ton of money into anything, do not follow rabbit holes of false promises of vanity publishers guaranteeing you sales. Nobody can truly make good on that statement. If it happens, it happens.

6: Just be smart, calm, and positive out there. It's not so much its own step, but a means of getting through just about everything in life. Be calm and think things through. Ask for help. Patience is a virtue! Good luck out there!

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Seralynn Lewis
Contemporary Romance
3 years

1. Do something every day. Even if it's one thing...and even if it's small.
2. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
3. Small gains, pay off in the long run.
4. Be efficient with social media. Organize and use a service. It takes time to set it up but once it's set up, you'll only have to monitor and update. Use a schedule and stick to it.
5. Be strategic and relevant in your marketing.

      • Seralynn Lewis Seralynn Lewis 3 years ago
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      • There are various ones available. My daughter uses Hootesuite, but there are others like Later, Cinchshare, and Social Bee I'm still working on analyzing which one best fits me and everyone has to do that for their own lifestyle. It's my 2021 goal to automate social marketing! :) Good Luck and let me know which one you chose and why. I'm interested.
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Harry Carpenter
Crime Fiction Thriller
3 years

1. You can always learn something.
2. Never stop. Even if the situation seems to call for stopping. Breaks are ok though.
3. Get out and see the world. Sometimes watching human interaction or the day to day hustle of life can inspire conversation, situation, or settings!
4. Write for you first, write for "them" second. Put what you want to put on paper first, and revise for others to enjoy!
5: Don't write for page count or word count. Write to tell the story, whether that takes 20,000 words, or 140,000. Tell the story.

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Colin Ward
Crime Fiction Thriller
3 years

1. Always judge a book by its cover. You wouldn't get into a taxi with battered body work to go to a dentist with bad teeth, would you?
2. Aim for the heart, the head, and then the wallet. In that order. A weak book, badly designed won't sell at the cheapest price. But a book that promises to move and engage someone can command a good price.
3. Make sure your designs can be read quickly - you only have seconds to draw a reader in.
4. Don't try to be too "unique." If no one is doing something, a "super idea" you have had, there might be a good reason for it.
5. Say as much as you can in the fewest words. Cut out all the stuffing. Remember, give your reader the prime cuts, because you want them to come back for more. If you fill their plate with fat and gristle they will tire of chewing.

    • Dushica Labovich Dushica Labovich 3 years ago
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    • 4. Don't try to be too "unique." If no one is doing something, a "super idea" you have had, there might be a good reason for it.
      Well said!
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      • Colin Ward Colin Ward 3 years ago
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      • When I write draft one of my books I let myself go. I pad it and stuff, be artful and over the top. Basically, I let my ego write with me. My first edit (after I have left it alone a while) is what I call my "sledgehammer" where I go through, tutting at myself, and casually whack all that rubbish out. Often, draft 2 is some 10% shorter with little effort.

        (It should be noted, however, that when it comes to food, both Belgian sweet waffles and Birdseye potato waffles are utterly scrumptious.)
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Colin Ward
Crime Fiction Thriller
3 years

1. Keep everything - every scribbled note, sticky note, scrawl on backs of envelopes
2. Embrace mistakes because a mistake in one book could be the genius for the next
3. Network with other writers and share wider skills, such as publishing, design, etc.
4. Use music and art to engage your emotions with your writing
5. Remember that critique and opinion are not the same thing. Ask for the former, hear the latter

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Levy Mutasa Attached
Christian Nonfiction Religion & Spirituality
3 years

1. Write everyday, even a poem if you have nothing to write about.
2. Meditate more.
3. Stay away from Tv and music in the process.
4. Connect with fellow writers.
5. Do not despise readers opinions, and talk about your writing.

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Elizabeth Foster
Fantasy Teen & Young Adult
3 years

Try to stick to a routine.
Read with a writer's eye.
Keep a notebook handy.
People watch.
Trust the process.

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S L Hollister
Thriller Suspense
3 years

Tips and hacks for writing faster or more productively
1- discover your writing time sweet spot, 15 to 30 minute writing sprints with a 5 to 10 minute break allows for greater production
2- research, how much is necessary? Knowing your subject is important but we can get lost in the research. Start writing your story and keep track of things you need to research.
3- character analysis prep, I fill out the basics before I start, description and some important details but the rest I learn as I write the first draft.
4- I'm not a plotter but I do plan, I love sticky notes. I use different colors for characters, setting and plot points. I can add or delete them, move them around or even change them.
5- Before you stop writing each day, write a question to help you get started on the next day.

Have fun and always ask yourself "what if." Happy writing.

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