Ginger Scott's Blog - Posts Tagged "fiction"

I don't have much to say, which is probably well and good as my iPad typing skills are fairly poor and that's my only device on hand. But, I just wanted to share the great story my local paper did on my book. I have been in the Glendale Star twice in my life now: this appearance and my high school state volleyball championship... Go Patriots!

Check out the story: click here

I've worked as a journalist for years. I have also worked in public relations and digital media for nearly a decade. I currently teach it at ASU. I felt pretty confident going into this whole book launch thing that I could at least tread the publicity waters better than some of the other newbies out there.

Turns out, though, not only am I a rookie author, but I'm pretty green at book publicity, too. So, in keeping with my theme of sharing my knocks and bruises (and triumphs) as I go, I bring this latest post.

1. You really can do it without hiring a publicist, but damn is it hard. I don't have what you would call a "big bank roll" to fund my writing passion enterprise, and I know a lot of you are in the same boat I'm in. But, having pitched hundreds of bloggers (and connected with a wonderful bunch of them), I truly can appreciate the value of having a well-connected team there to swoop in and kick off a blog tour for you. Let's just say my first book has been on more of a blog 'hitchhiking' rather than a tour.

2. You think you are planning in advance, but think more in advance. I thought I had things lined up well, but I hadn't really done any pre-publicity prior to my launch. You need to think ARCs (advanced reading copies), early reviews and even cover reveals. I didn't have much to spend on a cover, so I used my own shot of the actual Coolidge High field, a really pretty friend as a model and some help from a few graphic design colleagues to whip my cover into shape. But with a little advanced planning, I could have hyped my cover a little more.

3. And finally, speaking of covers...this is probably a good place to spend your initial funds. You don't have to go crazy, but a compelling stock image goes a long way. I lucked out with a shot I had on file from an earlier travel-writing assignment. Knowing I won't have that for book 2 (yes, that's right, book 2) means I will have to work the cover a little harder this fall when I aim to launch again. And you can bet your ass I'll be hyping the cover reveal!

I hope some of these tips will help someone out there. And thank you to the many amazing readers, some from the other side of the world, who have embraced Waiting on the Sidelines. I hope to serve you all well with the rest of Reed and Nolan's story soon. Stay tuned for blogs on the fun stuff behind the books and a little preview or two as I sit up until the wee hours writing.

Let's all take a moment to hear the Coldplay song my headline quotes in our heads. (If you don't know the song I reference, it's The Scientist...and that song has the power to make you cry, I tell you!)

Those words just felt fitting for this post. It's release-eve...though by the time most of you read this post, The Hail Mary will be live and out in the world. This book...it was the end of a journey for me. I've been thinking about what to write here, for my regular-irregular blog post...and the thing that just kept sticking in my mind is the fact that this trilogy was a duet for so long. I keep asking myself why?

I know...I know...a lot of you have been asking me that for about five years. Six? Damn...shoot, yeah...six years. I know...I know...it always was meant to be a trilogy. I think I probably knew that deep down. But these characters, more than any I've ever written, are family. My bones are their bones, my insecurities are Nolan's, my bravado is Reed's, and the wisdom of my family members is in Buck. This series is my home. It's rooted here, quite literally. And the truth of the matter is I never wanted to do anything to these books - the first two...Waiting on the Sidelines and Going Long - that would make them less than what they were.

Waiting was my first, and it will always be my precious baby. It's the book I always wanted to write, and every time a girl like me finds it and identifies with it, my heart beats a little harder. Going Long was the ride. That book was fueled by joy and a new-found confidence that yes...I could do this. But their story--the story of the girl with a boy's name and the screwed up, competitive, little jerk that she loved and forgave maybe more than she should--yeah...it wasn't over. You guys were right. They needed their sunset.

I've said this a few times in posts and in various places, but this book - The Hail Mary - is the most satisfying cherry on top I could have ever written. I'm never this certain at the finish. I'm never this bold or confident at release. But I know that if you've loved the ride, you're going to love this trip back home. The Hail Mary is for you. Turns out...it was for me, too.

It's perfect.

I hope you all enjoy!

XOXO

Ginger

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!!!! I'm super stoked to announce my upcoming release TITLE and BLURB!!! Don't forget to add it to your TBR! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Cowboy
Villain
Damsel
Duel
RIVERDALE meets INCEPTION in this twisty and unique Ya coming-of-age romance by Ginger Scott
Quarterback.
Class president.
Burnout.
We all have our identities.
Most of the time, they come from our circumstances. They’re made by others—shoes for us to walk in whether they fit or not.
But what if?
What if we could take off those shoes.
What if we could wear a different pair?
What if those boxes we put ourselves in are better…worse?
And what if, when we do…we’re trapped there for good?
They all call me Cowboy.
She’s the damsel who doesn’t need to be rescued.
And him…he’s the villain.
This is our story. And this is how we want it to be told.

Now wait until you see the cover!