Christian Authors & Readers discussion

I Left My Prostate in San Francisco-Where's Yours?
After the Goodreads give a way then what? I recently gave away 25 books. I'd hoped for a minimum of 5 reviews. That didn't happen. It seems to me Christian writers should have to re-invent the wheel each time a new book comes out. I wonder why we don't have things like:
1. Lists of Public Libraries who will look at faith-based books
2. Lists of Church libraries open to new books
3. Lists of Christian bloggers who'll write about new books.
4. Lists of Christian websites that will list new faith-based publications.

Seems to me every Christian author is on their own left to find their way promoting their book. If I'm wrong about this please tell me what I don't know.

I agree, but wouldn't it make sense to go for an agent or self publishing company who specializes in Christian books like xulon? I didn't use them, but I do know they help with promotional efforts or getting into libraries, newspapers, christian websites, etc. Promoting for any book whether Christian or not is very time consuming and has to be niched marketing in order to work. Unfortunately, I don't believe there is an easy button to marketing. As for books, at the end of the day it really may be simply about who you know in your personal circle that can help spread your message through word of mouth.

Elijah,
I published my book through WestBow press for that very reason. Sadly they give zero help after the book is published. You are on your own unless you want to buy highly overpriced publicity packages.
In the US a man is dx with prostate cancer every 2.3 minutes. Waiting for word of mouth is way to slow a process. I've hired an agent to help me get the word out.

Yep, that's all we can really do. It's all about money. As for free, without an agent, there really is no help. But that's with any book author unfortunately.

I thought I was done when I typed "the end" at the end of my first manuscript, but I was mistaken. That's the 30-40% completed mark at best. Some publishers are more help than others, but it appears the bulk of the promotion effort is always assigned to the author. There's a Christian blogger group here on Goodreads you might want to investigate. For what it's worth, I have found blogging and asking for (free) reviews by book bloggers increases a book's exposure. It's good to be wary of people who want your money. Some are effective, but others are overpriced. A few are downright greedy and unethical - let the buyer beware!

Carlene, do you have any recommendation on bloggers that we can use for a budget friendly price and who do a good job?

Elijah wrote: "Carlene, do you have any recommendation on bloggers that we can use for a budget friendly price and who do a good job?"

Although a few cover both fiction and non-fiction, most specialize. Even within those broad categories, there are those who review only mysteries, etc. So my A list for sweet romance & Biblical fiction wouldn't be of much use to you. Here are some sites that have blogger lists. You could start checking those lists (and there are many others) to see which (if any) might be a good fit for your book. http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/... www.theindieview.com/indie-reviewers/ http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/christ...
It takes a lot of time & energy to build a fan base, and that may not be your goal. You might consider doing a short-term price cut or giving away your book on Amazon for a limited period of time. I'm blessed with a publisher who manages those kinds of promotions and they seem to create a buzz and result in additional reviews.
One other thought - you might hook up with cancer surviver support groups or prostate cancer educational organizations. Some of the most effective connections are outside the traditional publishing circles, especially for a topic-focused work such as yours.
Good Biblical virtues of patience and perseverance are the writer's essentials.

Thanks Carlene, great list.

I've been looking for a blog and review list as i move on to my next phase of promotion. I've done a lot of giveways and realistically, my book has a good buzz, so i cant complain. However, until i do all that i can do, i dont plan to stop. As i have a Masters in Internet marketing and i run a web development and marketing company, its been pretty easy to create buzz as i dont have to pay someone else. However, even with creating my own graphics, social pages, web site, promo video, etc. It's impossible for me to get into Christian book stores and websites without high request or a good publisher. For instance, ChristianBook.com wont allow it any other way. My brother-in-law had a self published Christian book and he went with xulon, but paid a pretty penny for the branding and marketing. Nonetheless, he got into the Christian book stores and websites, but they failed to create proper buzz.

As for my marketing plan that i have for my book, it consist of:
- website (http://www.thebaristabook.com)
- social networks(facebook, twitter, google plus, instagram, goodreads, youtube, vimeo)
- physical book giveaway (150 books given across the globe to friends and family to hand out along with promo cards and flyers)
- social network giveaways
- amazon kindle giveaways

websites to market on
- facebook
- salem web network
- beacon
- social network contest
- the vessel project
- goodreads
- echristian.com
- funadamentallyreformed.com
- christianbookstoday.com

Meetup Groups
- search and find christian book club groups and request my book. The quickest route is to use meetup.com to find local and national book clubs who have a good following.

In addition, the best thing you can do for your book is to talk about it yourself on each of the networks.

On my website, i also have a few sections that give out free copies of my book and in the process collected the downloaders email address and name so that i can use later to request a review.

The end result of my campaign is to create buzz and reviews for my book
The Barista

All together, it should take 6-8 months to complete, or 10-12 if you also have to use a graphic artist, videographer, and web developer to help with your branding.

Furthermore, each phase should be timed properly. For instance, you shouldn't go to book clubs, until you already have a good buzz built from the other networks.

My final suggestion is that if you write a good book, the people will come as long as you do a little something. And have faith that God will place you and your book where he desires you to be. But that doesn't mean sitting back and doing nothing. It means to do all that you can do and when there is nothing left, he will finish. My book's subtitle is (to believe is not enough) - meaning that you must also do your part.

If you want to see my marketing in action:
- website - http://www.thebaristabook.com
- free copy link - http://www.thebaristabook.com/promo/
- book club link - http://www.thebaristabook.com/book-club/

Good Advice, Elijah. It looks like you're on top of things! I understand the difficulty breaking into the (traditional) Christian publishing market. One resolution that has helped me: do something EVERY DAY to further my book(s). It doesn't have to be anything major--although that's good--but some action. It's surprising how many contacts made merely to check off "Yes, I did something today" turn out to be productive.

Never underestimate the power of prayer! When God calls us to write, He creates the pathway for us to follow.

I love what you wrote Carlene.

"Never underestimate the power of prayer! When God calls us to write, He creates the pathway for us to follow".

Great post Elijah. Love your website.



Elijah wrote: "Thanks Carlene, great list.

I've been looking for a blog and review list as i move on to my next phase of promotion. I've done a lot of giveways and realistically, my book has a good buzz, so i c..."

Great post Elijah. Love your website.



Elijah wrote: "Thanks Carlene, great list.

I've been looking for a blog and review list as i move on to my next phase of promotion. I've done a lot of giveways and realistically, my book has a good buzz, so i c..."

Would blasting a Author's Article Blast on 100 Christian sites with links back to your author's website, Amazon page, Kindle page and Goodreads page be of interest to you?

Elijah wrote: "Carlene, do you have any recommendation on bloggers that we can use for a budget friendly price and who do a good job?"

Rick wrote: "Elijah,
I published my book through WestBow press for that very reason. Sadly they give zero help after the book is published. You are on your own unless you want to buy highly overpriced publicity..."

Rick,
You might want to look into doing a book tour with this company that focuses on promoting Christian books.

http://www.dgtbookpromotions.com/book...

Elijah wrote: "Carlene, do you have any recommendation on bloggers that we can use for a budget friendly price and who do a good job?"

Elijah,
Here's a list of reviewers. http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.n...

I scrolled down through it to find the ones who review Christian books. I plan to use some of them when I release my novella. The key to taking advantage of bloggers, from what I've read, is to allow enough time for them to read your book. Interviews on their sites are also good. If they are not able to review your book, they can interview you; you can provide a link to your website, in some cases or to reviews on your book at Amazon and the like. The main thing is to take advantage of the fact that bloggers have an audience depending on them to provide new books to read. So whether you're interviewed or your book is reviewed, you still get to expose your book to their followers.

I have some other links to sites that promote Christian books. I'll post them later. Hope this information helps you.

An Invisible Hand Christian Novella by Kathy Golden

This has been a very interesting thread to read.

I have faced some of the same frustrations. And, I also have come to the same realizations. No one is going to promote my books if I am unwilling to do it myself.

After taking a two year hiatus from writing/marketing my work due to being personally unprepared of the necessity of being my own marketer, I am back to work, including marketing.

Elijah, your suggestions are great. Some of what you covered, I was aware of and using, such as Goodreads and LibraryThing giveaways, Kindle promotional days (just finished a 5-day free giveaway), contacting individual bloggers, networking with other authors, joining online christian author and secular writers groups, having an author website where I regularly blog, and working to increase my social network followers. Whew! I feel tired just listing it all here.

What has surprised me the most is the low level of activity among fellow Christian writers compared to secular writers. I have joined several Christian community here, and most have hardly any activity. Why is that? I am puzzled by this. Maybe I haven't found the right group. If any of you are aware of active, helpful groups for nonfiction Christian literature, particularly devotionals or Christian Living work, please let me know!

Once again, thank you for all the great information here. Yes, I agree we need to be faithful and obedient to write what God gives us to write. And, we prayerfully need to trust in God's sovereignty as he moves to open the doors we can't. But, I think it is very important that we do all we can to market/promote ourselves. The Field of Dream philosophy of "if you build it, they will come" doesn't work. (I, however, am not saying anyone here is guilty of that mindset.) I hope to find other authors who are interested in encouraging and challenging each other as we work at getting our work distributed.

Thanks!

These are small ventures - so me! - but here are a couple of places where an author can fill out a form and post info about his/her book for free:

http://www.humanmade.net/

http://www.feedyourreader.com/submit-...

I write fiction, but I'm fairly certain these two sites accept nonfiction as well. Might be worth checking. I'm of the opinion every little bit helps.

@kerry, I agree with your wonderment at the low level of activity among Christian authors and readers online. Similar to @Elijah, I am my own webmaster and have been applying SEO and branding techniques to my marketing. I've ended up with a lot of eyeballs, but not a lot of purchases.

I have my series, "Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey" posted at:
Shelfari
Goodreads
Librarything
Freado
Nothing Binding
Book Daily
Published.com
Pinterest,
Facebook author page
Twitter author acct
Wattpad
LinkedIn
Scribd
AtContent
AuthorsDb (just got listed there)
Storenvy
Wanelo
New Christian Books (Songs from the Word)

I have author pages on 5 or 6 Amazon domains. Profiles at B&N and Chapters(Indigo).

I have a series trailer that I've shared whereever any of these sites will let me, posted on my youtube channel.

Any time I talk to a book marketer, they tell me I'm doing all the right stuff.

I did two blog tours in the fall, and a hoped-for international blog tour for this spring fell through because I wasn't able to get more than three countries represented.

Last week I dug up several Christian newspapers around Canada and the US and sent them query letters for an author interview.

Tough going. . .

Some years ago, we assisted a author with setting up local book signings. We contacted a few local bookstores, one Christian bookstore took the author on and a few local churches. I think there was a total of four separate book signing all together. The results were around 450 books sold at the retail price which was $13.95.

Some of you might consider this approach.

That's great for those who can afford to buy their own books in quantity. . . Not quite what I'm able to do, although I did approach a local bookstore about bringing them in for me. For whatever reason, they couldn't and would only agree to consignment. So I wait. . .

I agree. It is great for those who can afford to buy their own books in quantity. This particular author could order his books right at $5.80 per book and he sold them for $13.95. If I recall his first book order as author was for 50 books and that led to additional orders and books being sold.

Consignment could open the doors to good things, if your book sells. Having a bookstore manager at a local bookstore as a great reference can open doors for better things, additional book signings and could create interest for book signings at other local bookstores.

Then there is also the photography aspect of it that you can put together of your book signing table at the bookstore with your books being displayed which adds to your professional image, and can be posted and shared on your author's website and or blog.

Having 11" x 13" media boards produced with your book cover on them for the book signing table also is very helpful.

There's room to be creative ...

Hello Kerry,
Visit the YouTube video site for Christian author and book marketing coach Shelley Hitz. She has great tips, tools and contacts that I have utilized to make my books bestsellers. --Blessings and abundance to you, ----Christine
Visit at http://www.youtube.com/user/selfpubli...

Hi Everyone...I just joined the site last evening and posted a book trailer for my husband's book Jesus Christ and the Rapture....

We are new to the market-it-yourself book arena and here are of few things we are doing...

(1) Let your home church know what you're doing....our Pastor is allowing Oliver to discuss his book to various adult Sunday School classes and has books available for purchase after class.

(2) Book signings: Oliver has had wonderful results by setting up 2-day book signings with various Army and Air Force bases (he's retired USAF)..granted..we're in a city that has various bases. He has also had good turnout at gyms and chamber-of-commerce festivals.

(3) Book Trailer: I just finished his book trailer this weekend (I was bent on doing it myself :)). We sent our Pastor a link to the trailer. Hopefully, we'll be allowed to show the video as part of the video montage that happens before each worship service. I used Pro Show Gold to create the trailer...LOVE THE SOFTWARE!!!. (Muvee Reveal is a nice user-friendly software too).

(4) Author Website: do it yourself if you can. I used WIX.com. Also try to get your own domain name if affordable for you.

Many Blessings to You All

Valerie Johnson

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to stop in and share a new giveaway with you. Christian author Patti Tingen is giving away a free copy of her book, "A God For All Seasons" on my website. If you are interested, stop by http://www.closedthecover.com/giveawa....
Thanks and Happy Reading!
Ashley

Hi Valerie,

Just came from your webiste. Loved it ... Congratulations on a great author's website.

Blessings,
Smitty
CBM Christian Book Marketing
www.christian-book-marketing


Oljchristianenterprises wrote: "Hi Everyone...I just joined the site last evening and posted a book trailer for my husband's book Jesus Christ and the Rapture....

We are new to the market-it-yourself book arena and here are of f..."

I just want to share with everyone that it's important to place a link either to your website or to your book's selling page, right beneath your YouTube trailer.

You'll need to ensure that this is a hyperlink.

For instance, for my book: www.aninvisiblehandkathygolden.com is not a hyperlink for YouTube. It is here on Goodreads, but not on YouTube.

Written this way: http://www.aninvisiblehandkathygolden..., it becomes a live link that people can click and be taken directly to my website.

You don't want people to have to search the internet to find you because many of them won't. With that hyperlink prominently visible below your video, they can easily visit your site/s and learn more about your book and possibly buy it. Also, place a transcription of what is on your video in the area beneath it. It doesn't have to be the same wording. You can use your book-blurb. Remember your target audience is readers; some of them may not be interested in the video but will take the time to read what you've included below it.
Kathy

Kathy wrote: "I just want to share with everyone that it's important to place a link either to your website or to your book's selling page, right beneath your YouTube trailer.

You'll need to ensure that this is..."
Thanks Kathy!...I just turned mine into a hyperlink

Kathy wrote: "I just want to share with everyone that it's important to place a link either to your website or to your book's selling page, right beneath your YouTube trailer.

You'll need to ensure that this is..."

Darn! I couldn't do that on my original book as they were hard copies. Didn't think about it when I converted them to e and iBooks. Will do so on the next one, however. Must go check the ibooks and ebooks to see of they converted to links too. *holds breath, crosses fingers*

Oh BOTHERATION! They aren't! Ah well, a lesson learnt, at least.

Loretta wrote: "Oh BOTHERATION! They aren't! Ah well, a lesson learnt, at least."

Hi Loretta,
I'm not sure why you wouldn't have internet links to your e-books. Where are you selling them? Do you have an author's website? Do you have YouTube trailers for your books? If so, you should be able to place a link to your books' selling page at Amazon or BnN or Smashwords or wherever. If you post the links to your books, I'll take a look at them for you.

Kathy wrote: "Loretta wrote: "Oh BOTHERATION! They aren't! Ah well, a lesson learnt, at least."

Hi Loretta,
I'm not sure why you wouldn't have internet links to your e-books. Where are you selling them? Do you ..."

Hi Kathy,
When I first wrote my books I published with Blurb as all my poems are on full page pictures, and it was the only software I could work out how to use. At the time it was only possible to do hardbacks and paperbacks, so I printed my website in those. As technology changed I was able to use their conversion too to convert to iBooks, and now - finally - ebooks. But because I was just converting a paperback, and due to lack of experience, it didn't occur to me to add in links - in fact I'm not sure if I am able to now. Something I will definitely explore with Book no 4! But I do have internet links all over the web, from my website and Facebook page so I use those everywhere. They just aren't in the books themselves. I can't sell at Amazon as I have no ISBN and to sell them any other way is prohibitively expensive. I sell through Blurb, or my own website, but also directly. On the plus side, I am on about the first 10 pages of google at the moment, so I am remarkably easy to find. Here's the links, anyway
http://www.blurb.com/user/store/poetl...

JUMPING in the PUDDLES of LIFE
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/id567...
And Hopes, Dreams & Medals
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/id569...
And www.treasurechestbooks.co.uk

I am somewhat technically challenged - now there's a beautifull British understatement. To put it unkindly - I'm a Technoklutz! Mind you, at least I managed to put a website together, so I suppose there's hipe for me yet, haha.
Thanks, Kathy. :-)

Hi Loretta,
I checked out your links. They will work fine with a YouTube book trailer. Just add the links to your books in the section below the trailers. Here is one of my trailers for my music you can take a look at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnJ2aO.... You'll notice that I'm providing my book's link below this trailer.

Kingdom wrote: "Hi Valerie,

Just came from your webiste. Loved it ... Congratulations on a great author's website.

Blessings,
Smitty
CBM Christian Book Marketing
www.christian-book-marketing


Oljchristianenterp..."
Thanks!!

Great idea ... when we post a author's video book trailer on 50 to 100 sites, we also post the book description and links back to the author's website, author blog, Amazon page and Barnes and Noble page under the video book trailer. This makes for a powerful marketing tool.

Blessings,
Smitty
CBM
www.christian-book-marketing.com

Oljchristianenterprises wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I just want to share with everyone that it's important to place a link either to your website or to your book's selling page, right beneath your YouTube trailer.

You'll need to ensur..."

Kathy wrote: "Hi Loretta,
I checked out your links. They will work fine with a YouTube book trailer. Just add the links to your books in the section below the trailers. Here is one of my trailers for my music yo..."
That's very kind of you, Kathy,
Ok, next question, however do I start to do a trailer? I'm sure someone has told me where to go to do this, but I can't remember, and don't have a clue. Where do I go?
Sorry, Technoklutz strikes again.

Sanoj Jose,Author, Poet,a business manager and a Post graduate in Economics and Business administration was always fascinated in exploring the true essence of Spirituality. It is this interest and the thought provoked by the Divine Angels in his dream which led to the writing of the book, MY DAY OUT WITH AN ANGEL.

This book is an outcome of the thought provoked by the Angels in my dream and Angel Gesuina guided me in writing this book from beginning till end. This book is a conversation between Angel Gesuina who is the Angel of Creativity and me in which the Angel explains how we could walk in the light and the means to achieve that goal. Most of the time I was just a listener as the thoughts and messages that came in was from a higher source of wisdom which I was not aware of. This book helps you in understanding the myths about spirituality and the ways that you should take in leading a spiritual life, understand your divine life purpose in this world and finally fulfill the Divine purpose of oneness with the Divine power which is the source from which we all came into this world. This book will help you in understanding the ways to attain the ultimate love, peace, harmony, joy and abundance in all areas of your life.

My Day Out With An Angel

Hi everyone, My name is John Pallett. I'm from England and I just finished writing a book about my experiences with the Holy Ghost. I live in Las Vegas currently and while teaching seminary there I felt I needed to get my ideas and experiences with the Holy Ghost on paper...mainly because I don't think we understand the nuts and bolts of the Holy Ghost or how much of an influence He is in our lives. I hope the book helps anyone looking for some answers. Check out my new book: Entitled: It Wasn't in the Wind; My Journey with the Holy Ghost

by Kathryn Hewitt

Today's headlines in a fiction novel.
Based on a true story, "Snow" is a novel filled with the controversial topics of abortion, God, teen pregnancy, and even rape.
4.38 rating on Goodreads and 4.5 rating on Amazon, this novel has been acclaimed as a "must read" and "truly inspiring."
For a limited time, it's available on amazon.com for only $0.99 in eBook form.
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Snow-ebook/dp/B...

Kathryn wrote: " by Kathryn Hewitt

Today's headlines in a fiction novel.
Based on a true story, "Snow" is a novel filled with the controversial topics of abortion, God, teen pregnancy, a..."

Hi Kat,
I just purchased your book. Thanks for sharing this information about it. I am eager to see how you handle this subject matter from a Christian perspective. God's blessings and much success to you.

Kathy Golden
An Invisible Hand

Hello All,

This has been an interesting thread, and encouraging, as well, to read that I am not alone in this great big sea of promotion. Indeed, if God has given us words and vision, He is able to follow through, but it is really a labor of love, and a lot of it!

I have just done a book tour for one of my books, What Every Woman Should Know. It was well received, but I think it does need a professional edit, again. It had one, but seems it wasn't done very thoroughly. With my tight budget, as my husband and I currently have no income, I can't afford to edit it again. I am searching diligently for someone to swap edits or for a writers group.

Can't find any Christian ones on here. Anybody know of either of these around?

Thanks for all the tips. Keep them coming! Us writers are taking all the advice we can get and praying. So, off I go to my watchtower.

You can find out more about me at my website http://christianebooks.writeious.com/...

Jori

Jori wrote: "Hello All,

This has been an interesting thread, and encouraging, as well, to read that I am not alone in this great big sea of promotion. Indeed, if God has given us words and vision, He is able t..."

You might want to contact Lillie Ammann through a Goodreads message. I don't know what her workload or financial arrangements might be, but she's a great free lance Christian editor.

Everyone seems to agree that as a Christian author it is difficult to publish then to market one's books. Another trap is self-publishing, I think some of the commentaters above have had similar experiences.
Self-Publishing used to be called Vanity Publishing. Things keep changing. I have contacted several who say they are publishers or book agents or writer's agents. All goes fine, you send them an email with a manuscript attached. They make lots of favourable noises and then...! When you are about to sign up or have signed a preliminary document, along comes the shock. They want money for doing you all these marvellous things to help you which they had promised.
Then starts the bargaining. "I do not have that sort of money," I say to them. They reply with words to the effect. "We are doing a special offer" or less subtle. "Since your book is so brilliant then we can knock off 50 per cent." Annoyed I tell them. "I am an OAP and do not even have one per cent of what you ask. If my book was as good as you say then you will be able to sell it."
Things go quiet for a bit. Days weeks and months later one is still getting special offers, book conventions, an absolute must, you only pay... and more.
I see in the list of websites given by Maralynn above that there is no mention of askdavid.com They do keep in touch and have some good ideas. some you pay for, not much but I think they could be value for money. One is to jump the queue the other to have thirty extra tweets on ther twitter account of thousands of followers.
I think my next ploy will be to contact local radio, newspapers and and telvision. I did read a poem on Portsmouth television but I had only published in one of those poetry things where you buy ten boooks to send to your friends. Now I have thirteen books on Kindle I reckon they might be interested in this ancient ex sailor, ex teacher who writes books. The snag here may be that, though not all my books are overtly Christian some are and a lot of people have a knee-jerk aversion to anything 'religious'. Even my three on Philosophy are likely to be unpopular since I am saying that Plato was a traitor to Athens and a Fascist Pig. He believed in breeding people and that the workers only had iron in thier nature and so were inferior to the upper classes who had gold. Then I also argue that Nietzsche was mad and that the overman was a figment of his over-active, fevered imagination. Academia might not approve of my rubbishing of their favourite idols.

Publishing can be a tough business! On the positive side, the advent of small/internet presses means unknown writers such as I can now get published. Here's a website where you can check out the reputation of various publishers, agents, etc. http://pred-ed.com/pubwarn.htm
I'm sure they don't list everyone, nor are their assessments always perfect. However, it's a starting point. They also list some of the danger signals to watch for when dealing with various entities. Gotta love their name also (can't help it; I'm a word junkie) Preditors and Editors.

I think there's a difference between self-publishing and going through what used to be called a "vanity" press. Lots of people (not me) have taken the plunge of actually doing their own publishing, srart to finish. If you take that route, be sure to have some professional quality editing. The big knock on self-published work--often true--is that the editing is sub-par. That hurts all those who've spent hours weeding out all the typos, extra words, awkward sentences, etc.

As long as I'm on my soap box, one thing I've learned the hard way is that the author who wants his or her books to be widely read MUST engage in promotion. It just comes with the territory. Like all of God's work, there are spectacular moments of glory mixed in with a lot of slogging away in the trenches.

I second that, Carlene.

If you aren't sure about your powers of editing, get a friend with very good English to help you. I did go down the self publishing route, but edited until I went cross-eyed - then edited some more. Then I edited some more. I spent longer editing than writing. And you need to take breaks between or you won't spot your errors. Get help if you can. And promotion is vital. And without promotion, unless you get an incredible break, nothing will happen. I love the way you put that, Carlene, "spectacular moments of glory mixed in with a whole lot of slogging away in the trenches" - what a fab way to put it.

Someone suggested this website for promoting your book. It might have been Loretta. I am giving it a try. Our cover is now posted on their website. It will take a few days for our author info to be added to the list. I am not sure how successful this will be. You will only be out the cost of the postcards and stamps if it doesn't increase sales. http://coverkeepers.com/

Cathy wrote: "Someone suggested this website for promoting your book. It might have been Loretta. I am giving it a try. Our cover is now posted on their website. It will take a few days for our author info to be..."

No, it wasn't me, Cathy, but it might be worth a look. Let me know how you get on. My giveaway hasn't increased sales, although my book did get added to a lot of shelves. However the US one will only arrive in the next day or so, so if it gets a good review I hope to get a sale or two from it. At least my books are now on shelves. On the plus side I was approached recently by a guy who is using my poem as the spine of his film, so I'm hoping that will get my name out there, and some sales, in the fulness of time. I have to say, most of my sales have been via Facebook and Twitter so far. But then I haven't been on Goodreads very long.

Loretta wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Someone suggested this website for promoting your book. It might have been Loretta. I am giving it a try. Our cover is now posted on their website. It will take a few days for our aut..."

Hi Loretta.I am excited for you regarding your book being used in a film. This cover keepers thing is pretty easy. After signing up, I just ordered my postcards from Vistaprint--book cover on the front, information about the book on the back--leaving room for addresses. Send along enough stamps to cover the number of postcards.

Cathy wrote: "Loretta wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Someone suggested this website for promoting your book. It might have been Loretta. I am giving it a try. Our cover is now posted on their website. It will take a few ..."

I would have to pay them by card as I live in the UK. I can't afford any more expenditure at the moment, as I've just parted with some books as giveaways, but in a little while I may have a go. Meanwhile I'd be interested to know if it works for you, Cathy. I'm beginning to think along the lines of Tee Shirts printed with Hopes, Dreams, Medals (the name of the book) as the World Athletics Championships, Sochi Winter Olympics and The Commonwealth Games are coming up, but at the moment the prices are too prohibitive. I'll have to keep wearing mine and hope people ask about them, lol!

Have a great weekend ...

I read the information on Cover Keepers. I think it's a great idea. I had planned to send out autographed book covers. I just wasn't sure how to do it effectively. It's good to find this site that is willing to do it for the price of a book of stamps. You can't mail fifty postcards for that price. Cover Keepers will be mailing them out in bulk, which saves money. However, to be able to take advantage of their mailing list in invaluable.


An Invisible Hand by Kathy Golden