Preconceptions about self-publishing and promotion.
This was my first Examiner article. Aaaww! Isn’t it cute!
Posts Tagged With: Writing
Preconceptions about self-publishing and promotion
Categories: Examiner
Tags: Author, errors, preconceptions, promotion, self-publishing, social media, Writing
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Plug in to the Seattle writing scene: Part 1
Plug in to the Seattle writing scene: Part 1.
Here is the first of my “Plug into Seattle” series of articles on Examiner!
Categories: Examiner
Tags: book fair, classes, education, networking, seattle, writers, Writing
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Examiner!
I’ve been accepted as the Seattle Writing Examiner! Here is my very first article: http://www.examiner.com/article/preconceptions-about-self-publishing-and-promotion
I’d really appreciate it if you’d check it out and maybe even subscribe to it! I’ll get credit for every view and I’d love to get established writing for Examiner.
If I Became a Zombie I’d Moan, “Booookkkssss”
I’d be a terrible zombie because I wouldn’t get any juicy brains, just books.
Yes, I have another book forming! This is the second book in The Convergence series. Yes, I haven’t even released the first book, Don’t Judge a Book By Its Magic, but I’ve started the second! It’s called, “Sorcery Loves Company“.
The question now is, which book will I finish first: Sorcery Loves Company or The Stray? It’s really a toss-up because it will depend on which inspires me first.
Hey! If you reply to this post with your guess as to which I finish first and you’re right, I’ll send you a free print copy when it’s released!
Categories: My Books
Tags: book, ebook, Fantasy, free, reading, science-fiction, works in progress, Writing, zombie
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Writing Effective Posts
I’ve been learning a few things to include in posts that have really helped make my posts more interesting and get more views. They’re pretty easy to do and help turn an interesting post into a big success!
- Include pictures! I’ve been using http://www.sxc.hu/ to find photos. I grab the url directly from the page to cut down on storage for my blog. Be sure that the pictures you use are licensed or else you might have problems. Stock.Xchng has several types of photos, and some require that you notify or ask permission from the artist for any public work.
- Add links. Chances are that someone else has written a post about your subject or something like it. Adding links to their post (especially if you quote them) brings them in on the topic and increases your post’s visibility. Everybody likes to be quoted or have their work highlighted! Here are some other posts about better blogging: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/07/10/nine-signs-of-an-effective-blog-post/ , http://marketing.about.com/od/marketingmethods/tp/blogmarketing.htm
- Ask questions. Don’t you want to hear what your readers have to say about what you wrote? If your work is all info with no questions, they might not. To encourage replies and dialogue, ask some questions.
- Speak your own words. If you read your blog post out loud, do you sound like yourself or do you sound like a weirdo? Share your personality, not your writing proficiency. We visited your post to hear what you have to say. If we wanted cold, lifeless instructions we’d go to the airport.
I know I missed some! What makes your blog posts sparkle? What about your posts reflects who you are?
Author Blog-in Day 1: Post Your Own Book!
The Disenchanted Pet
By Kate Policani
Short synopsis:
Far into the future, the Earth is ruled by the ShaZha, a hyper-intelligent race of alien beings who are plagued by the violence and volatility of the human race. Supposedly intending to repair the broken societies and polluted planet, they have found the Human problem to be much more complex than they ever imagined. Zarah is a Prodigy, an obedient human, with a caring ShaZha master. Zarah wants to prove all her master’s hopes that humans can be civilized and responsible. When she is lost by her master and exposed to the other side of humanity, she must confront the possibility she might be not a valued citizen, but a pet.
I am currently writing my next book called The Stray, a second book set in the ShaZha Earth. It isn’t a sequel, but the story connects with The Disenchanted Pet
Buy The Disenchanted Pet on Amazon (Kindle and Paperback. Kindle copy free with Amazon Prime)
To buy multiple ebook formats, go to https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93067
To buy the paperback, click here: https://www.createspace.com/3657962
For great reviews:
http://tahlianewland.com/2011/12/23/review-the-disenchanted-pet-by-kate-policani/
http://mainemuse.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/the-disenchanted-pet-by-kate-policani/
http://nadiariell.com/2012/01/18/a-book-review-for-the-disenchanted-pet-by-kate-policani/
http://www.speculativefaith.com/authors/kate-policani/
Long Synopsis:
The Disenchanted Pet is ashort Science Fiction novel that takes place in the popular “post-apocalyptic Earth” setting, exploreing the unique problems with the Human Race and how to “fix” it.
Zarah is a young, optimistic girl, entering into the exciting world of adulthood with an idealistic perspective. But Zarah lives in the a future where Humanity is ruled by an alien race occupying Earth in order to rehabilitate and repair the planet and its people.
Reality intrudes on Zarah’s unspoiled outlook when she is attacked and separated from her SaSa, an alien guardian who is like a parent to her. Trapped within the Feral Facility, pregnant and separated from her home and new husband, she learns all the mistakes about the reality she believed in. She sees that the “Ferals”, who who aren’t serviceable within the ShaZha’s plans, are not necessarily the monsters her Prodigy society has portrayed them to be.
Suffering through the harsh truth about her world and the errors in her ideals, she must face a future without the assurances upon which she always relied.
The Disenchanted Pet appeals to Science Fiction lovers as well as readers who have never explored the genre before. It explores the disillusionment of growing up and the harsh realities of adulthood, but with aliens.
Cover Art by Heidi Barnett and Erik Sederstrom warpfrenzy@msn.com
Categories: Author Blog-in
Tags: Author, Author Blog-in, blogging, book, community, ebook, reading, share, tour, Writing
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When You’re Stuck – How to Beat a Writer’s Block.
What do you do when that blog post or chapter or poem just won’t COME OUT of your head?! Writer’s block hits anyone who writes, whether for their own amusement or for more serious reasons. But what do you do?
- Talk to someone about it. Call them up or have a meeting, whatever gets it done. You can talk to another writer, your Mom, or your favorite Sci-fi nerd. Whoever you think knows something to help get you started. There are even message boards online to talk about writing.
- Take a break. Sometimes you just need a little time and perspective to figure out what to write next. Hopefully you don’t have an immediate deadline. Don’t agonize over your issue the whole time, either. Get completely away from it. You’ll find that sometimes your subconscious can accomplish things your conscious mind can’t manage. My breaks from my writing sometimes take weeks or months. Then suddenly I have the answer and my writing continues.
- Blow something up! Not for real. I mean with your writing. This can mean literally including an explosion in your story or just resorting to something outrageous to spice things up in your project.
- Input. I simply can’t write anything unless I have an “input”. It doesn’t even have to be the same genre as what I’m writing. I just need to read what others write to fuel my own inspiration. Sometimes a really good movie, television show, or even a song will also inspire me in my writing. Try being the audience for a while so you can continue to be the storyteller.
- Clear Distractions. Maybe your workspace is too chaotic for you to think well. I know that is frequently my problem with three active kids in the house. If you can block those out, you may be able to get the inspiration you need to going. Your computer can be a distraction, as you know. Pull out a pad and paper (old-fashioned, I know) or try a plain-text editor like JDarkRoom http://www.codealchemists.com/jdarkroom/
- Make it challenging. Sometimes it’s not the chaos that gets you but the tranquility. Plan some events, start another project, or something…and squeeze that writing out of yourself with pressure! That’s how I usually do it, so you can tell it works.
- Set goals. Sometimes a goal, especially one you’ve shared with someone else, can help you get going. You know what’s reasonable! Set a goal and keep yourself accountable to reach it!
Do you have any other ideas for beating writer’s block?
These bloggers do!
http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/writingroadblocks/tp/block.htm
http://storytellingnomad.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/top-10-writing-distractions/
http://www.webook.com/911writersblock A fun tool to help you get past it! Dial your solution.
**What did you think about the GIFs? Annoying? Fun? It was fun to make but I don’t want to give you seizures.
Categories: Writing
Tags: assignment, Author, blogging, due, gif, homework, report, writer's block, Writing
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Things That Upset Authors
I’ve finally plugged into a few online author communities. It took me awhile, but I’m part of the conversation now. During my forays, I’ve noticed that there are some things that really infuriate authors.
Categories: Publicity
Tags: annoy, Author, books, etiquette, pet peeve, publishing, rude, self-publishing, Writing
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You Might Be A Writer If….
Is it possible for you to be an author?
That is a question most people think they know. I know I did for fifteen years, and my answer was “no”. But I was WRONG! I had been an author all along but had dismissed that idea because I couldn’t see it. It would have been helpful for someone to ask me a few questions. One of my policies is, if I see a need for it but don’t see it online, I make it. So here you go!
- Do you write? This also seems like a dumb question. Of course you write. You write grocery lists, notes, emails, maybe even blog posts. But do you write for your own entertainment? When an idea hits you, are you compelled to write it down? Do you like to research things that won’t increase your paycheck? Then you just might be an author! Continue reading
Categories: Writing
Tags: Author, books, genre, publishing, questionnaire, self-publishing, Writing
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Motivated Beginnings
What makes a good beginning for a book? This is undeniably the crucial part of the book where the author’s talent needs to shine and he or she needs to draw you in so that you’ll bother reading the rest of the book. I usually know whether or not I want to read the rest of the book by the end of the first chapter. So what makes a good beginning?
Here’s what I like:
- A problem – You’d think I have enough of those in my life, but for me to become interested in a book, I have to discover why the author wrote it and darn quick. If the first five chapters of a book give no hint as to why the characters do what they do, I lose interest. It can even be a hint of a problem and it will draw me in. Continue reading
Categories: Reading
Tags: analysis, beginning, books, characters, problem, reading, setting, Writing
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The Churn – Emotional things that affect me physically.
Here and there in my reading I find emotional events or encounters that give me a physical feeling. I feel the zing of adrenaline from my neck to my fingertips at a really exciting or scary scene. I feel the clench of my abdomen with fear or surprise. I feel the hollowness in my chest from sorrow or loss. I only get these physical reactions when I’m really engaged by a good book. (I don’t include erotic scenes in this category. Eroticism is an intentional pitch at a physical reaction and can be accomplished without emotion.)
I look forward to finding the churn reaction with each book I read and often start from these feelings when I write. I hope to be able to write in a way that gives the same feeling to others that I began with.
There is a fine balance, though, between good emotions in a book and sappy writing. Authors have to maintain a balance so that you don’t bore your reader with too much sorrow, surprise or fury. You can wear out the emotions.
What emotions give you a physical feeling?
Book Marketing Companies Poll
Let me know what you think of book marketing companies you have used. I couldn’t find any comprehensive rating online, so I decided to make one!
Categories: Resources, Self-Publishing
Tags: advertising, Author, best, book marketing, publicity, ratings, reviews, self-publishing, worst, Writing
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Business Plan
My wonderful hubby, an director-level analyst and planner, just outlined a business plan for me and I’m filling it in. I confess, I didn’t have one until now. I heard it was a good thing but hadn’t gotten around to it, when hubby stepped in.
My questions for you:
Do you have a business plan?
Where did you get it?
How is it working for you?
Is there anything that stands out in your business plan as an amazing help?
Do you think a business plan is even necessary for an author?
I’ll write some more about this when I’m finished filling in my plan.
Categories: Resources, Self-Publishing
Tags: Author, business plan, goals, planning, progress, Writing
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Inner Dialogue and Book Promotion
Hmm, she thought. How am I going to promote my book?
In addition to my constant perplexity about promoting my book, I came upon a writing issue that is not resolved! In writing my short story Horarium for Wattpad, I wanted to write someone’s inner dialogue and realized I wasn’t sure how to do that. Neither is the writing world, it seems. You can choose to put quotes in or you can write in italics. But nobody has convinced me that either way is the right way.
Here is a link about it: http://theeditorsblog.net/2012/02/28/inner-dialogue-writing-character-thoughts/
I chose for myself. What do you think?
Also, I found a great link about book promotion from an author who feels pretty much the same way I do about book promotion. http://dreamnotion.zhollis.com/2011/10/25/how-to-find-readers-for-your-novel-actual-steps-honest-answer She has a timeline of her book there that I really appreciate seeing. She also found the best promotion was the free material she offered!
Categories: Publicity, Writing
Tags: dialogue, links, promotion, publicity, readers, self-publishing, Writing
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Become my patron!
Be like Lorenzo: patronize an artist like me!
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Kate Policani 