Hey everybody! I’m sorry for the long delay. Between getting book two (Betrayal in the Highlands) ready for
its release next week, work, and family stuff, I haven’t had much of a chance
to do much else; however, I have a few minutes and I thought I’d discuss
something on my mind.
Whenever somebody takes
the time to read and review my book on Goodreads, I try to send them a
personal “thank you” note. I just figure
it’s the right thing to do. Hopefully,
it doesn’t come off as “stalker-ish.”
Anyway, it’s amazing to
me how surprised people are to hear from an author. I’d say more than half of
the people who write back use the word “Wow!” and some variation of: “I’ve
never gotten an e-mail from a writer before!!!” In fact, many of these
respondents have become good friends of mine and have worked tirelessly to help
promote my book. (A big thanks to all of them!)
Which got me thinking…
Wouldn’t it be cool to have “friended” a young Tolkien or Rowlings or Stephen
King right as they were starting out?
And please, I’m not making any connection between me and Tolkien,
Rowlings, or King!!! I’m just saying, wouldn’t that have been really, really
awesome? Imagine telling Tolkien: “You know, I really your idea of lesser rings
of power. Why not talk more about them?” Or, “Hey, why not write a book just
about the Ents and their search for the Entwives?” And so forth.
Wouldn’t that be incredible???
Then that got me
thinking of something else… Maybe some
of writing friends WILL be the next Big Thing!
And I knew them way back when!
Wow! Pretty incredible. I wonder if the fame really changes people.
And THAT got me
thinking of … how can readers and fans help new/indie authors who they like?
How can you all help
make your favorite undiscovered writers become, well… “discovered”?
Here are a few things
that spring immediately to mind:
1.
Write a review! Write a review and post it wherever you
can! Post it on www.goodreads.com, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and any place
else you can think of. Seriously, a
well-written, thoughtful review sells far more books than anything else. So write a quick paragraph explaining why you
sincerely enjoyed the book and post it everywhere you can!
2.
Tell all of your friends! If you like
a book from a new author, tell all of your Facebook, Goodreads, G+, twitter, flesh-and-blood,
and imaginary friends! Tell them, “Hey,
you know, I just read this book and it was really, really
different/wonderful/exciting/etc.etc.
You might want to check it out!”
But don’t just
mention it once. Research has often
found that people have to hear things three or four times before it really
sinks in. So bring the book up a few
different times and in different ways.
The trick is being able to do this without being annoying!
3.
Put the book on various lists! For example, there are all of these lists on
Goodreads.com—best new book, best fantasy by a female author, best this, best
that. If you like a book, mention it on
one of those lists and tell your friends to vote for it.
When I ask
people how they heard about my book, the number one answer usually is: “A
friend recommended it.” But the second most common answer is: “I saw it on a
list of good fantasy books on Goodreads.”
So the lists really do help spread the word! Put your favorite books on as many lists as
appropriate and get people to vote for them!
4.
Let the author know what you think! Finally, if
you really like a book—tell the author.
Nothing turns a bad day around like getting an e-mail from some stranger
who likes what I’ve written. It’s
wonderful!
Also, hearing
what readers like and don’t like has really improved my writing. Much of what is in Betrayal in the Highlands comes from suggestions from readers. If several people tell me, “Hey, put more in
there about Kravel and Gurding!” that’s what I do.
So write your
favorite undiscovered writers and cheer them on!!! After all, writers are usually emotional
wrecks and your support is always welcome!
Well, that’s it for
today. Please remember that Betrayal in the Highlands is going to
be released in four days! This book is
far less dark than the first, so if you were put off by rats in a cage…don’t
worry, they aren’t in this book! Also,
in the second book, Edmund stops running and begins to fight back. So you’ll
be able to see him become more of a traditional hero (although not in a traditional way). He also meets some
interesting new friends! I hope you
enjoy them!
Thanks again,
everybody! I’ll try to write more next
week!
Have a terrific day!
--Rob
