As most of you already know, I simply ADORE being a writer. Yes it is really hard work and yes, sometimes I do wish I could step back and take a breather. But I have chosen the indie path and I couldn't be happier with my decision. For me I know there is so much more to come in this writing journey and I'm loving every part of it.
I feel very privileged to be in a position where my job is one I love. Writing doesn't feel like work to me and although I find marketing challenging, the fact I get to make up stories for a living takes the sting out of trying to get my books noticed. However one aspect of marketing that I really enjoy is the chance to talk about my books and writing to others...especially students.
Suzhou Singapore International School invited me to chat to some of their Literacy classes during Book Week. I had over 10 forty-minute sessions talking to high school students about my passion for writing and answering loads of questions - everything from cover design to how I go about constructing a story. Being able to rabbit on about writing this week was a privilege. Their questions were insightful and fun to answer. It made me realize that I have come to learn a lot about writing. The fact I could talk about it with such ease and no notes, means it must be ingrained. After 12 years, I still don't have the courage to call myself an expert, but I do have the courage to say I know what I'm talking about.
Another thing that occurred to me over this week is that last year, I used to tell people I was an indie author with a certain degree of shame. Like somehow because I wasn't traditionally published, I wasn't quite cutting it. I didn't feel that at all this year. As I was talking about what I had achieved in my two years as an indie author, I felt both pride and confidence. I am doing it. I am making a career out of writing and I am proud to be an indie author.
My biggest hope is that I have inspired the students. Hopefully they will realize that with a lot of hard work and persistence, they can become published authors...or whatever else they hope to be.
Thank you so much for having me SSIS. And thank you to the indie author community and my fans who have brought me to such a positive place in my writing life.
I love to write and being able to publish my work is a total dream come true. This blog is a chance to share my experiences.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Indie Inked Giveaway
I know my blog seems as though it's all about giveaways at the moment, but there are just so many good ones going on and I don't want you guys to miss out.
So, here's another one!
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported Indie Inked this year. It's been so awesome to have you along for the ride.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
So, here's another one!
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported Indie Inked this year. It's been so awesome to have you along for the ride.
Indie Inked just had a 2,000 Facebook Likes milestone!
We've come a long way since January 2013!
These authors are amazing and so generous, we're giving away A KINDLE FIRE 7" HD WIFI, ebooks and paperbacks galore! Check this out!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, October 21, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Freebies and Giveaways...Are They Worth It?
Author Lizzy Ford asked her followers on Facebook the other day if they thought freebies and 99c books were a good idea. Did they go for them? Or did the cheap price put them off?
I skimmed the thread and quickly picked up that people love a freebie. It's introduced many to authors they never would have discovered if they'd had to pay.
From a writer's viewpoint, this stings me just a little. It hurts that my hours and hours of time and energy will only be discovered if I make a book free. In saying that, I have found the strategy to be a good one and at the end of the day, I publish my work so people can read it. I know I'll never become a millionaire and I'm cool with that. It's more important to me that people are reading and enjoying my work.
So - in answer to my question... Yes - I think freebies and giveaways are worth it. They are a great way to reach a wider audience, it feels good to play the role of Santa Claus every now and then, plus, I have picked up some very loyal fans. By listing the first book in two of my trilogies free, I've had the flow on effect of selling the other two books in the series. By gifting copies of my books in numerous giveaways, readers have stumbled across my work and then gone and bought the rest of my books. It is a good marketing strategy.
So here's a question for the readers... Is it all too much?
I feel like I am involved in so many giveaways at the moment and I'm worried that I'm bogging down my followers with constant giveaways and promos. I don't want people to miss out, but I also don't want to put people off, because all they ever read from me is promotional stuff.
As a reader, do you appreciate freebies and giveaways? Is your e-reader stuffed with more books than you can ever read? What's your take on it all?
If you are a fan of the giveaways, I've listed all the ones I am currently involved in, just in case you would like to enter :)
Also - Unknown is currently FREE through all major distributors, if you'd like to pick up a copy.
UNKNOWN FOR FREE.
Giveaways:
Countdown to Christmas Giveaway - a stash of ebooks from Indie Inked Authors.
Spooktacular Hop Giveaway - a massive hop. I am giving away paperback copies of The Elements Trilogy.
The Spooky Spectacular Sale - a huge sale of 99c books, plus a massive giveaway.
The Society of YA Storytellers Giveaway - to celebrate our new website :)
**And keep an eye out for next week when Indie Inked is doing a Kindle Fire Giveaway. I'll post about that on Tuesday.
I skimmed the thread and quickly picked up that people love a freebie. It's introduced many to authors they never would have discovered if they'd had to pay.
From a writer's viewpoint, this stings me just a little. It hurts that my hours and hours of time and energy will only be discovered if I make a book free. In saying that, I have found the strategy to be a good one and at the end of the day, I publish my work so people can read it. I know I'll never become a millionaire and I'm cool with that. It's more important to me that people are reading and enjoying my work.
So - in answer to my question... Yes - I think freebies and giveaways are worth it. They are a great way to reach a wider audience, it feels good to play the role of Santa Claus every now and then, plus, I have picked up some very loyal fans. By listing the first book in two of my trilogies free, I've had the flow on effect of selling the other two books in the series. By gifting copies of my books in numerous giveaways, readers have stumbled across my work and then gone and bought the rest of my books. It is a good marketing strategy.
So here's a question for the readers... Is it all too much?
I feel like I am involved in so many giveaways at the moment and I'm worried that I'm bogging down my followers with constant giveaways and promos. I don't want people to miss out, but I also don't want to put people off, because all they ever read from me is promotional stuff.
As a reader, do you appreciate freebies and giveaways? Is your e-reader stuffed with more books than you can ever read? What's your take on it all?
*****
If you are a fan of the giveaways, I've listed all the ones I am currently involved in, just in case you would like to enter :)
Also - Unknown is currently FREE through all major distributors, if you'd like to pick up a copy.
UNKNOWN FOR FREE.
Giveaways:
Countdown to Christmas Giveaway - a stash of ebooks from Indie Inked Authors.
Spooktacular Hop Giveaway - a massive hop. I am giving away paperback copies of The Elements Trilogy.
The Spooky Spectacular Sale - a huge sale of 99c books, plus a massive giveaway.
The Society of YA Storytellers Giveaway - to celebrate our new website :)
**And keep an eye out for next week when Indie Inked is doing a Kindle Fire Giveaway. I'll post about that on Tuesday.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
BEYOND Release Day Post!
BEYOND
(A Betwixt Novella #1.5) (Betwixt Series)
Book
Description:
Have you
ever been so in love with someone, but not had the courage to tell them?
Nicole
Tepper is that girl. She loves her boyfriend Dale, but fearing rejection, keeps
her feelings buried deep. She can’t even let on how heartbroken she is when
Dale begins applying for colleges thousands of miles away from her; never even
whispering a word about how much she wishes he would stay close.
But, when
Dale is rejected from Colombia University in NYC, due to a police report that
follows him wherever he goes, Nicole soon discovers that love can drive
her to do things she never thought possible.
There's
more than one way to say, I love you and Nicole Tepper is
about to prove to Dale that she loves him beyond all common sense.
Add BEYOND to your Goodreads TBR List
Cover
Designs By: Eden Crane Design
Edited By: Allison from Potter's Copy Editing Services
Purchase
Links:
AUTHOR
BIO:
“I used to be a full time teacher
(11-13 year olds) then I became a full time mother. During that time I also
found my passion for writing. Over the last ten years I have been studying the
craft and putting myself out there.
My first trilogy came out in
November, 2011. It has been a wild ride swimming in this indie river and I have
loved so much of it. I have learned so many amazing things and met so many
great people. It has totally solidified the fact I want to be a writer for as
long as I possibly can!
I now have five books published
and am working on a new YA Fantasy trilogy for 2013. I am having so much fun
with it and can't wait to share it with everybody.
I am from New Zealand, but am
currently living in China with my husband and two sons. It has been a culture
shock, but it's pretty cool living in such a different country.” ~Melissa Pearl
AUTHOR
SOCIAL LINKS:
Monday, October 14, 2013
Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! OCTOBER 15th-31st
For this giveaway hop, you get a chance to win a PAPERBACK set of all 3 books in The Elements Trilogy!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Check out the other stops HERE!
Countdown to Christmas Giveaway!!
I can't believe it is already October! It's time for the next Countdown to Christmas Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Like I said in September, I have some really cool things planned for December that I am excited about. To celebrate this, I've decided to do some Countdown to Christmas Giveaways. There are a bunch of cool eBooks to win this month! Discover some new authors and books while helping me celebrate the fact that Christmas is less than 3 months away! Whoopeee!!!
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