Game On – Jennifer Lane Books

Time for November’s Support Group hosted by Alex J Cavanaugh.

Recently I attended a writer/reader event, the Queen City Indie Con, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The author marketing panel was particularly good and I want to share their tips with YOU.

Book Marketing Tips

(The photo on the right shows authors Abbi Glines and Tara Sivec but I also learned from Tonya Kappes, Jayne Rylon, and MR Polish.)

1. Do you have a newsletter? (I don’t at this time.) All the authors encouraged emailing a newsletter to your readers to inform them of new releases, giveaways, appearances, etc. If you rely on social media to spread the word, you give up control. For example, few Facebook fans now see posts on your page, and word on the street is that Twitter will also become more monetized.

2. Is your book on sale? How do you get the word out? Use Book Bub, a daily email alert sent to over one million readers. Getting a Book Bub ad is expensive but well worth it. Your book needs a certain number of reviews (including negative reviews!) to be accepted.

3. Is your ebook on Smashwords? If so, you can sell it to libraries through OverDrive. Check it out HERE. Most of my books aren’t available on Smashwords but I just looked at my free novella and it’s available at 36 libraries without my lifting a finger.

4. Will you attend a book conference? Partner with another author to purchase tote bags with your names on them.

5. Want to interact with readers? Schedule a Kindle chat, or post to the Kindle Author’s Forum, like “Kindle Books Under $5.00 by Indie Authors”.

6. Do you want to spread your swag around? Send it to Leena’s Goody Room and they will share it with readers.

7. Want to engage readers? Host a giveaway to be a character in your book.

8. Do you want to offer unique swag? Where else can you get a shirtless man cookie? And I also have a swim cap for my swimming romance Streamline. What are some unique swag ideas you’ve developed?

So what marketing ideas did I miss?

There was also a book signing and I met some really cool authors! Author Jayne Rylon has published THIRTY-EIGHT books. Makes me feel insignificant with my paltry five. 🙂

So my fellow writers, keep fighting the good fight to share your words with the world!

Thanks to Ciara Knight and Ninja Alex Cavanaugh for this clever blogfest!

Here are the guidelines:

Post about a book you’ve noticed.

You can choose a book that you’ve read, something you saw on a blog or social media site, Goodreads, or a sales website. Anything that caught your eye because of a great cover, blurb or reviews, but DON’T tell the author that their book has been noticed. Instead, shout out on social media sites, and encourage others to do the same, until the author finds his/her book.

Leave a blog comment at Ninja Captain Alex or Ciara Knight when the author finds their book.

I’ve actually noticed TWO books recently (hopefully that’s not cheating?)

First, I met author Kyra Lennon on the A to Z Blog Challenge in April, when she posted compelling excerpts about a soccer romance (I love sports romances.)

Then I blink and suddenly her debut novel Game On had already been released! How could I have missed it?

That cover bends it like Iniesta!

Naturally I had to get my hands on Kyra’s novel and I loved it. Here’s my 5 star REVIEW.

Just yesterday I noticed another book, this one by my pub sister Alison Oburia. Her romantic suspense (also a favorite genre) Between the Lies launches in one week (10-23-12) and I can’t wait to read it.

Doctoral student Cari Lopez’s academic life is in a rut, but when she comes home to discover a stranger asleep on her doorstep, her personal life becomes immediately more interesting. British accountant Tristan Saunders is a kindred spirit—with a fantastic accent—and there’s a connection kindling, but Cari soon learns he’s made an enemy of the Bulgarian mafia. His trip to the US is far from a vacation.

The enemy is hidden, yet ominously present and always watching. And though they’ve known each other merely a few days, Cari and Tristan are soon on the run for their lives.

Alison Oburia’s layered storytelling reveals a tale of international intrigue and complex relationships, which is distilled to its essence in two hearts. Not everything is as it appears, and people are not who they seem to be. Faced with deception at all angles, Cari must sort out what’s real. If she’s to stay alive—and possibly fall in love, she has to find the truth…between the lies.

Doesn’t that sound great? I’m totally into the Mafia, romance, and suspense.

I look forward to checking out what books YOU have noticed. Have fun today.

Tag: Game On

#IWSG Marketing Tips from Bestselling Authors

Did I Notice Your Book?