Reinvigorated Writer

By Katherine Silva

May 10^th, after a long day at work and battling a migraine, I got home, settled in, and checked my email. There, I received some wonderful news. My second novel, Aequitas, had been short-listed as a finalist for the speculative fiction category in the Maine Literary Awards. I did what any nominee would do; I jumped up and down, hugged my cat until threat of decapitation by claws was imminent, and contacted everyone I knew.

The Maine Literary Awards is a yearly statewide competition run by the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to deepen Maine’s literary culture. I became a member last year and have made connections with many highly talented and extremely helpful people.

At first, I couldn’t get over the idea that my writing was being recognized on a professional level. I’m twenty-four, self-published (gasp), and work forty hours a week in addition to writing, editing, and marketing my own books. And if I don’t think I have enough on my plate, I also blog.

In 2010, I started writing Aequitas. I’d been influenced by watching Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer and reading Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, Richard Matheson, and Anne Rice. While The Monstrum Chronicles is defined as a horror series, I wrote it with a lot of other genres in mind, mainly mystery thrillers, apocalyptic fiction, and conspiracy thrillers. I read across all genres because I’ve found there is technique and style to be gleaned from each of them. The way other authors tackle their projects has always intrigued me and I hope to learn from them the further into my writing career that I go.

Aequitas was a labor of love. I spent three years getting up at six o’clock every morning, pouring myself a strong cup of coffee and writing, editing, and laying-out this book. Working most of week requires me to have discipline to get anything done. Whether I’m inspired or not, I make myself write. There’s always time to edit later. Of course, that doesn’t leave much time for other things. Writing a novel can be a very lonely process. In order to make the commitment to finish this book, I had to treat it as a second job and not a hobby anymore. That meant turning down invitations to parties and grabbing a beer after work with friends.

In addition to writing the book, I also did all of the graphic artwork for it. The book was released in October 2012. Those three years, while trying at times, were some of the most educational and valuable ones in my life.

The 2013 Maine Literary Awards have come and gone. While I didn’t win, I was honored to have been nominated. Being acknowledged for all of my hard work, dedication, and self-study is enough to reinvigorate me. I love writing. I love that I can call this my career. I’m honored to be in the company of so many other amazing authors who have called Maine their home.

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Katherine Silva is a Mid-Coast Maine author of The Monstrum Chronicles series, connoisseur of coffee, and victim of crazy cat shenanigans. Her second book, Aequitas, was nominated for a 2013 Maine Literary Award. She is a member of the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance and the New England Horror Writer's Association. Currently, she resides in Rockland, Maine working on the rest of the books in "The Monstrum Chronicles" as well as other projects.

Website: www.voxthebook.com

Blog: www.themonstrumchronicles.wordpress.com

Social Media: Faceboo  Twitter  Goodreads  LinkedIn

The Armchair Book Promoter

By Clarissa Johal

You know who you are. The author that writes in your little hidey-hole, but doesn’t like to get out and promote yourself. I’m not judging I get it. Somehow, the cleverness that rolls off your fingers, doesn’t translate when you meet people face-to-face.

Okay, so let’s talk about what you can do as a writer via armchair when it comes to book promotion.

I’ve been promoting my paranormal novel BETWEEN since December 2012. I’ve concluded that “getting out there” may be more effective, but (fear not!) there are online things that work too.

Facebook

I love connecting with people on Facebook and consider them friends. Set up an author page and put yourself out there in the cyber-world. But remember—nobody likes a 24/7 book promoter, so mind you don’t overdo it.

Arrange a guest post/interview/review with a book blog

Find a blog that falls in your genre and read through the posts. If you like the blog, email the owner with your request. Most are happy to set something up.

Run a special promotion or contest for your book

Donate your royalties to a charity. My birthday is in July and I decided to donate 100% of my July royalties from the sale of BETWEEN to two animal shelters. They agreed to set up a small display with my business cards, “Proceeds from the purchase of this book during the month of July goes to this animal shelter,” and I agreed to promote the shelters. It was a win-win situation for everyone.

Run a contest where the winner gets to pick the name of the main character or setting for your next book.

Be creative! 

Sign up for a blog hop

Blog hops are everywhere! Look for one that falls in your genre and sign up for it.

How it works: Write a post for your blog, cut and paste an HTML code generated by the blog hop organizer at the end of your post (in HTML mode) and voila! You’re part of a blog hop. A reader can “hop” through the participant’s blogs via the links generated at the end of the posts.

*Most blog hops require a giveaway, which you arrange yourself.

Create a Goodreads author account

Goodreads offers two great options for authors; book reviews, and advertising. Join a group specializing in your genre. If your book needs reviews, offer R2Rs (read to review) of your book via the group. Set up an ad campaign on Goodreads to advertise your book. Here’s the link: http://www.goodreads.com/advertisers .I’ve garnered over 100 readers who put BETWEEN on their shelf “to read” by using the ad campaign.

Here’s something to ponder too. When doing any promotion, do your research. A group composed of all writers who promote to other writers, makes no sense whatsoever. Not that writers don’t read—but they’ll be promoting themselves just as hard as you are. Unless you’ve made promises to cross-promote to readers (and everyone complies) this doesn’t work. Be smart.

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Clarissa Johal has worked as a veterinary assistant, zoo-keeper aide and vegetarian chef. Writing has always been her passion. When she's not listening to the ghosts in her head, she's dancing or taking photographs of gargoyles. She shares her life with her husband, two daughters and every stray animal that darkens the doorstep. One day, she expects that a wayward troll will wander into her yard, but that hasn't happened yet. STRUCK Coming January 17, 2014 from Musa Publishing BETWEEN, a story of the paranormal. PRADEE, a young adult fantasy.*Second round finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Contest 2012. Author website:  http://clarissajohal.com/

Blog:  http://clarissajohal.blogspot.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarissa.johal.9

Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/ClarissaJohal

Diapers and Dialogue

By Kelly Martin

At thirty, I got the writing bug. I’d written fan fiction on and off for years… yeah, I admit it. However, I never imagined writing a full-length novel with characters I created. It seemed too much like a faraway dream that couldn’t possibly happen.

I also happened to be a mommy to three small girls: six, five, and one.

Was there even a way to juggle diapers and dialogue? Characters and chaos?

In November 2011, I decided to take the plunge. A month later, I had the very rough draft of what would become my first published novel, Crossing the Deep.

I know we, as parents, find it hard to make time to do things ‘we’ love. When we have kids, it is as if our lives take a backseat to taking care of them. 

So, how can you balance writing, marketing, social media, and kids—along with a house, clothes to wash, dishes, a spouse, etc?

1) Have a good support system. It doesn’t have to be your spouse but have someone who is excited about your books. It can be an internet friend or sibling. My support system has always been my sister who has read every draft of everything I’ve written.

2) Don’t take rejection personally. By rejection, I mean people in your life who think writing and trying to get published is a waste of time. Smile, nod, and go on with achieving your goals. Lean on your supportive friend.

3) Buy a laptop. The most helpful tool I have in writing with small kids is my laptop. I can take it into whatever room they are playing in, write, and do my social media routine for the day while they are playing. I can also interact with them and stop when a game of play pretty, pretty princess is in order.

4) Have your kids involved in your writing. We have play laptops for the girls. When Mama sits on the couch and writes, my youngest will get hers and drag it up beside me. She dictates her own books while Mama is writing. She’s now three and can make up some good stories—mostly about cats and the potty.

5) Make writing a priority, but not your MAIN priority. Don’t forget you are a person. You have hopes and dreams, plans and goals. Don’t give up on them, but include your kids in achieving them.

It can seem daunting when the dirty clothes pile is growing and the cleaning has to be done. Take five or ten minutes to pick up, throw a load of laundry in, sit back down and write. Write every day, even if it’s just one sentence. 

My favorite writing moment was when someone asked my oldest what job Mama had. She didn’t say teacher, which I am. She said, “Mama is a writer. She writes many books and people love to read them. I wanna be a writer when I grow up too.”

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Kelly Martin a southern girl who writes... a lot. She is the author of Grace Award winning, CROSSING THE DEEP. She is also the author of two other Amazon bestsellers, SAINT SLOANand THE DECEPTION OF DEVIN MILLER. By day, she is a teacher. By night, she has her hair in a bun and her fingers on a keyboard. She loves God, is addicted to chocolate, and would rather write than sleep. Kelly loves a good mystery and believes in Sherlock Holmes. You can find her at http://kellymartinbooks.blogspot.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/martieKayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Martin-Author/136506059763138

My Best Writing Tool

By C.L. Roth

As the mother and caregiver for a disabled adult son, I have some unique difficulties in maintaining a writing schedule. No matter what my goals are, I always have to consider his goals too.

My son has cerebral palsy, he’s in a wheelchair, non-verbal, and needs help in all areas of his life. He’s also a talented artist. He requires time for his art with the same drive and enthusiasm I have for my writing.

In order to meet my writing goals, I have chosen to get up early. I’m usually up and at the computer by 5:30 in the morning. I am able to work until 9am. The rest of the morning I use for his needs, running errands, whatever household chores need done.

In the afternoon, my son paints. Using this schedule, I’m able to get in about twenty hours a week for my writing and my son will manage about ten hours for his painting. This works fine until I have a deadline. Deadline’s change everything.

When a deadline looms the first item I look for is the timer. I use one that I bought at the cooking section of the grocery store. The cheapest one they sell. When I need to work during the day, I set the timer for one hour. I work hard during that hour editing, revising, or whatever job is needed at that particular moment.

The bell rings and I set it for another hour only this time the hour belongs to my son. And he paints, or does whatever he chooses to do. My time and attention is his until the timer rings. Using a timer keeps us fair. It allows me to get my time in without forgetting his time.

So my how-to tools are the alarm clock that wakes me up in the morning allowing me to maintain regular working hours. Consistency gets me farther than any other tool. And the kitchen timer that allows me to divide my time and make sure I share my energy with the ones around me who need it.

There isn’t any magic when it comes to writing. You just get up, and you do it.

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C.L. Roth is a wife, mother, grandmother, artist, and author. She lives in Illinois with her husband, son, two dogs, and a cat. She writes Middle Grade fantasy, Young Adult paranormal mysteries and SF, and adult cozy mysteries. Website: www.clroth.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/CL-Roth/174724449371585?ref=hl

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/CLRoth

How Does She Do It?

By Janet Beasley                                                           

An author’s life today differs drastically from the “good ol’ days.” Or so I’ve heard.  In all honesty, when I found out I had to wear multiple hats I was elated. I had a revelation that all of the fun things I used to do, and now sorely miss, were nothing shy of being deemed requirements on the road to becoming a successful author.

I know many find the added duties for authors of today frustrating, but for me, I find the tasks challenging, exciting and filled with opportunities.

From the onset I believed I could use my past experience to rekindle the fire of lost passions, and birth new ways to promote not just my work, but others along the way.

Here’s how I do it.

November 2012: After appearing at a local author showcase, I received an email from an attending author. She thought I “had something going” and wanted to meet and discuss working together to promote our books. Stunned that a trade published author (who’s publisher had her exhibiting at the London Book Fair, and speaking at the Orlando Science Center) would consider working with a self-published author, thoughts raced. Yes, I own JLB Creatives and that’s who published my novels. And yes, I’ve had my manuscripts professionally proofread, edited, illustrated, and formatted. But let’s face it, most professional’s think I’m swimming in the sea of self-published wanna-be-writers. What should I do?

Honored, I jumped at the chance and we met. Two weeks later another author from the same showcase contacted me for the very same reason. He too was trade published. What was going on?

I took it as fate and destiny once I discovered author #2 wanted to host an event, but didn’t know the ins and outs of event planning. With a smile he informed me he had a building reserved for Saturday. . .two weeks away. My rusty planner mind went on tilt. But we pulled off our first Christmas Spectacular, successfully!

Together with my fellow authors, (now JLB Creatives Executive Team Members), Jean E. Lane and Mark Miller, we promote local authors along with our own books. Through JLB Creatives we present four themed Authors in the Park Events annually and have future events through March 2014 already in the works.

The authors we present to the community are not just there to sell their books. We make certain they are willing to talk with aspiring writers about the writing world as well. Attending guests have found it very special to have the chance to meet one on one and spend time picking the brains of these local authors. It’s a combination of rewarding efforts for me as an author, a facilitator, a guest speaker, and a now formerly retired event planner.  

The possibilities are limitless. Use past experiences to build from. Stay inspired and find new ways to promote. And be sure to help other authors too. With a little effort you’ll be amazed at the satisfying results.

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Janet Beasley, author of The Hidden Earth Series(a six novel series), is successfully carving her niche` in the inspirational epic fantasy genre for middle grades and YAs. It is currently being used in the classroom as a “life changing” tool, and hold many educational benefits. Janet makes several appearances throughout year at festivals, events, and conventions. She also serves as a facilitator for the Young Writers Workshop at the Pickford Community Library via Skype. Janet is the founder/owner of JLB Creatives Inc. The JLBC executive team (including Janet) serves the literary world in unique ways, and is the presenter for the Authors in the Park Event Series: four themed annual events to promote local authors worthy of discovery. Janet excels in nature photography, multi-media presentations, event planning, has developed a training center and its curriculum for AV technicians, and produced – directed – and served as a theater technician. She has written fiction - non-fiction – stage plays - and an autobiography. She has crafted award winning poetry, been published in anthologies and trade specific magazines. Janet enjoys the outdoors by kayaking and hiking with her husband, and photographing nature. She also loves animals (dogs are her favorite), spending time with her family, and baking cupcakes. URL: www.HiddenEarthSeries.com

BLOG: www.JLBCreatives.Blogspot.com Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JLBCreatives http://www.Facebook.com/AuthorJanetBeasleyhttp://www.Facebook.com/AuthorsInThePark

Twitter:@JLBCreatives   @AuthorJanetB   @AuthorsPark