Marketing with Mandy ~ NJ Walters
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with EC.
A: I was at work at the bookstore when I got offered my first contract from EC. My husband phoned and told me I had an email from EC. I had him open it and read it to me. I was excited and scared to death—they wanted me to add another 15K to the piece. Of course, when asked, I said I could. Then I panicked. LOL But, with the help of my first editor, and a very patient husband, I did it.
Since then, I’ve published a lot more books with EC. I’m on my second editor now and I just adore her. She’s tough and thorough and has helped me become a better writer. I have to say that my experience with EC has been very positive and I’ll always be grateful to them for taking a chance on an unknown writer.
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: I’ll admit that it took me a while to get the hang of marketing. I’m not computer savvy by any means. My Space and book videos are way out of my league. At least for now. When I started publishing in October 2004, I couldn’t even imagine having a website. LOL
Any author definitely needs a website. The most important thing to remember about your website is to UPDATE it on a regular basis. There is nothing worse than to have a reader come to your website and see it hasn’t been updated in two months. I update all the time and I’ve learned to do it myself, which helps keep it up to date with news, reviews, covers, etc…
I also have a blog. Again, it takes time to keep it current. If you’re not going to blog at least three times a week, don’t have one. Maybe you should consider getting into a blog group with other authors. It makes it easier on everyone and pulls more readers to your blog.
It took me almost two years, but I finally started my own newsletter. That’s been a great experience as well. Beyond that, there are tons of opportunities to promote. Many publishers now have Readers’ Chat Groups. I highly recommend that a new author join them. It’s great to chat with readers who enjoy your books. Writing is a solitary profession and it’s wonderful to actually have contact with people. *g*
A lot of review sites and other groups have author chats as well. I enjoy doing them and again, they help promote your books. It was intimidating at first, but I got the hang of it after a bit. Marketing and promotion takes time, but if you do a bit every day, it’s not quite so overwhelming. I know that my boundaries have certainly widened since I started. Back then, just talking on a chat group was almost overwhelming. Now they’re part of my daily life.
Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: Write what you love. I know it sounds trite, but you really can’t try and follow trends. By the time you get your book done, the publishing industry is on to something else.
It’s an amazing thing to be able to say you are a published author. It doesn’t happen for everyone. Enjoy every moment of it and know that, like any profession, there will be ups and downs. It’s all about the joy of writing. And if it isn’t, you probably won’t last.
Don’t take every rejection or bad review to heart. Every writer has a file load of them. Look at them objectively, take what you can from them, and then move on. This isn’t a profession for the weak of heart, but it is incredibly rewarding.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: My latest release is Three Swords, One Heart, and it’s part of the Ellora’s Cave Torrid Tarot series. Each book in this series is based on a card from the tarot deck, and in Three Swords, One Heart, it’s the Three of Swords, the card of severance and heartbreak.
This is the first time that I’ve attempted a fantasy novel on this scale and I had a blast building this world. It’s a fantasy/ménage a trois that focuses around a family curse that’s been passed down for generations, and a kick-ass heroine who is the key to breaking it.
Q: What’s your favorite genre to write in and why?
A: I’m not sure that I have a favorite genre. I love to write contemporary romance as well as fantasy, paranormal, vampire and ménage a trois. That’s one of the great things about writing for EC—they’ve allowed me to stretch myself as a writer and try all of these genres.
Fantasy, paranormal and vampire fiction all open up endless possibilities. There are no rules and, as a writer, that’s a lot of fun. I’m only as limited as my imagination. With contemporary romance you have to base it strictly in reality. I find that being able to write in different genres helps keep me fresh and excited about writing.
Q: How do you balance family and writing?
A: You mean we’re supposed to balance family and writing? LOL
That’s one area where I’m still trying to figure things out. Writing takes so much time and energy. And it’s not just the writing itself, but the research and planning, editing, marketing, promoting, etc… The past two years of my life have all been about the writing and I’m working to bring it back on a more even keel. I’m in this for the long haul, so I have to find balance. Having a very supportive husband has made all the difference.
Q: What would you do if you weren’t a writer?
A: Probably what I was doing when I finally published—working in a bookstore. For over a decade that’s what I did. I loved the interaction with the people and, of course, the books! LOL
LINKS:
http://www.njwalters.com
http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires
Publishers: http://www.ellorascave.com and http://www.samhainpublishing.com
Marketing with Mandy ~ Author Megan Kerans
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: Chasing The Dragon is a futuristic and part of Ellora’s Cave Season of Seduction Vol. II. It’s the story of a war prince and a starship captain who strike a deal for a much needed antidote and get a lot more in the bargain. The story combines futuristic, film noir, Oriental legends & culture along with Indian. It’s a very sexy tale that I hope is unique.
Q: What’s your favorite genre to write in and why?
A: Historical Paranormal
I love paranormal for the freedom to create your own world, rules and blend “fact” and “fiction.” It’s really a license to be as creative as you want without anyone saying, “you can’t do that.” Raised in a family of history teachers I’ve always loved history and when I began reading romances I started with the really sexy, thick historicals of the late 80’s and early 90’s. It’s one more way to go into a totally different world. The rhythm of speech is more comfortable and most times is so much more natural to me. My favorite time periods to write about are mid to late seventeenth century and late nineteenth century.
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: I’ve always made up stories since I was in preschool and played around with writing on and off all my life. But it wasn’t until I had to give up running in 2002/2003 that I decided to pursue writing seriously. I joined my local RWA chapter and was lucky enough to join a critique group with at that time with Layla Chase, Delilah Devlin, and Myla Jackson among others.
Q: How do you come up with your ideas?
A: I’m pretty eclectic in my interests so my stories come from the most interesting pieces of everything from film to history to news to culture. I like to throw them all together and create something that’s new, but yet familiar. Turning a traditional story line 180 degree around and telling it from the total opposite side is a lot of fun too. Wherever the ideas come from they almost always adventurous and packed with action in and out of the sheets.
LINKS:
www.MeganKerans.com
www.myspace.com/megankerans
CONTEST: Monday-Friday of this week– anyone who comments on ANY of the posts for Marketing with Mandy’s Ellora’s Cave Publisher Spotlight (going on all week long) will be entered to win a download of their choice from Mandy’s Ellora’s Cave backlist and Michelle’s Ellora’s Cave backlist. (There will be two winners, each selecting one download)
To enter: Comment on the blog in a Marketing with Mandy Ellora’s Cave Spotlight post this week! The more you enter, the more chances you have to win. Winners will be selected on SUNDAY and announced on the blog.
