I really don't remember what drew me to becoming an author. I've had an urge to write stories from the time I was a child. My mother tells me I wrote my first story in third grade, and except for those stages of life when I couldn't write, I've been dreaming up plots and creating characters ever since. It's kind of like breathing to me--necessary for life. =) And how about you?
That’s beautifully said, writing as natural as breathing. I can relate to that deeply. For me, it was a slow unfolding; my first novel came in 2007 after years of fascination with history and storytelling. Like you, I’ve always had stories inside me waiting to be told.
It’s wonderful how our creativity follows us through life’s ups and downs. Thank you for sharing that with me.
I just returned and wanted to say, your book cover is striking. It’s beautifully designed and truly stands out. Did you create it yourself or work with a designer? Either way, it’s very well done
Also, I hope you don’t mind me mentioning, I noticed the book has a relatively low rating on Amazon, which surprised me given how strong and polished it seems. Have you received any feedback about that? I ask out of genuine interest, as your work truly deserves more recognition.
First of all, just FYI, I replied to your comment about my book cover, but my comment is pending approval from AllAuthor before it's posted. I referenced the website of the company that did the covers for my books, and apparently, AllAuthor doesn't like that. Every time I include a link in a comment, the comment isn't approved and is deleted. I'll try to check back to see if my reply is approved, but I think it will just disappear.
My books were originally published with a traditional publisher. Last November, my publisher closed its doors. Once I got my rights back, I went the Indie route. Marketing and gathering a following is a marathon, not a sprint, so I'm trying to learn how to market and get more notice. Of course, I've had a newsletter as long as I've been published, but now I do giveaways, newsletter swaps with other authors, promos with BookSweeps and WrittenWord, and so forth. I've found that getting readers to write a review is like pulling teeth. I've also hired someone to help with the marketing, and he's doing Amazon ads, etc. Still, getting noticed amongst all the other books is slow work.
Thanks for the update, totally get the struggle with links and approvals on AllAuthor. Sounds like you’ve handled the shift from traditional to indie with a lot of smart moves. You're right, building visibility takes time, even with newsletters, promos, and ads. Reviews are definitely tough to get, but it sounds like you're laying all the right groundwork. Keep at it
A few years ago, I struggled with book marketing, until I teamed up with an incredible marketing specialist. Thanks to her strategic, affordable services, my sales soared, I gained thousands of reviews, hit bestseller lists, and got my books into stores and subscription boxes. She identified my audience, boosted visibility, and transformed my author brand.
Hi, Charles, So sorry for the delay in replying. I just now saw your comment. The writing community is huge, isn't it? I'm continually amazed at how many authors there are. At the moment, I'm working on the line edits for a manuscript that will be released in the fall, and I just finished another manuscript. That one is with my beta readers right now. How about you?
No worries at all, this community is vast, and growing by the day. Congrats on keeping the momentum! Two manuscripts in motion is no small feat. I’m deep in revisions on the next Caine book, plus collaborating on a couple of side projects that keep the creative gears turning.
If you're open to it, I’d love to continue the conversation over email, always glad to connect with fellow writers walking the walk. Let me know.
Hello,
I’m Raven Kennedy, a fellow author. I admire your work and wanted to connect. What’s been the most rewarding part of your writing journey so far?
Hello, Raven,
It's hard to say what is the most rewarding part of writing, since I enjoy all of it. I love getting ideas for plots, watching my characters come to life and face their problems, and even polishing the manuscript after it's finished. But, all of that aside, I think the best part is hearing from readers when they tell me that they love my books and that my books have touched their lives. One reader told me how she was struggling with a death in her family, but after reading about Della's loss in Warrior's Heart, she was able to deal with the death of her family member.
Best,
Colleen Hall
I was inspired to write by my love for fantasy and the need to create emotional, transformative stories. I'm passionate about characters who grow through pain, and the support from readers keeps me motivated every day.
Yes, all of my Frontier Hearts Saga books are available on Amazon and also Kindle Unlimited, if you have that. My books aren't fantasy, they're a historical romance. All five of my books follow different members of a family through two generations.
I checked out your books on Amazon ,your cover is absolutely stunning, it really stands out! I also noticed there aren’t many reviews yet. If you don’t mind me asking, what strategies have you been using to promote it on Amazon?
Hey! I work with a team that partners with authors to build smart, reader-focused email systems that nurture fans, boost engagement, and drive steady book sales, would you be open to teaming up with us to turn your email list into a real marketing asset?
