Book Sprout – Bloodstone (The Curse of Time Book 1) #marketing #ideas #writingcommunity #payingitforward

Now, that my publisher Next Chapter has decided to go wide, it seems like a sound decision to offer my YA Fantasy Bloodstone to potential reviewers on Booksprout, which is a garnering reviews site, with 40,000 reviewers. I’m trying it out and will be comparing Booksprout to Book Sirens which I have already been using for some time.

My author page on Booksprout: https://booksprout.co/book/97046/bloodstone-a-paranormal-fantasy-adventure-the-curse-of-time-book-1

To download an ARC review copy: https://booksprout.co/arc/83725/bloodstone-a-paranormal-fantasy-adventure-the-curse-of-time-book-1

Booksprout appeals to me as it links to many book buying sites, that BookSirens doesn’t, (Sirens only has Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub,) whereas the sprout offers the possibility of reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Google Play, Kobo, Smashwords as well as Goodreads and BookBub. Obviously, not all reviewers will post to all sites and you are limited in number to how many you can choose but still… it seems like a good option.

Also, it seems fairly easy to use. They claim that you can set up an ARC in ten minutes. I didn’t time myself but it seemed quick!

Also, the Sprout offers a free service – first 20 reviews for one ARC for free. Only downside is basic ARC Freeloader protection on the free version – there is a way to check a reviewer’s email for ARC reviewer’s blocks. This tool debugs why a particular reviewer may not be able to download your ARC. It will display any known or potential blocks that would prevent them from doing so.

So, try the free version at your peril. You can upgrade at a click of a button to pay for the full service including total piracy control. This starts at $10 a month for up to 50 reviewers per ARC.

Oh, and beware if you get any emails saying a reviewer couldn’t download your ARC. Ignore, or point them in the direction of the Sprout… all this is handled by the Sprout, this is a red flag.

Another reason for trying to increase my readership and reviews is the imminent release of Book 2, Golden Healer. The finished manuscript is awaiting edits with my publisher, the cover is done – and looks spectacular… cover reveal soon.

Let me know if you would like to be part of my release Team! For Book 2, Golden Healer.

If you are interested in reviewing Bloodstone on Booksprout, or perhaps if you’ve already read Bloodstone and are willing to add your reviews to sites such as Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Google Play, Kobo, and Smashwords, etc, please do! I need all the help I can get and am happy to pay it forward.

I do believe that Bloodstone and The Curse of Time series deserve a wider audience, like so many indie and small press books. And I hope you might help me to achieve that aim.

With regard to paying it forward, I recently starting a Bookstagram review account where I share my reviews. I’ve written close to 200, so not sure how long this will take me to catch up! So, please do follow, like and share to help me grow this and to encourage me to do so! I will mainly be sharing independent, small press authors with a few traditionally published favourites too. Plus some quotes celebrating my love of books, etc…

My new Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjm_reviews/

Once I’ve tried out the sprout and concluded my thoughts on the sirens I will give you the lowdown on my observations. And, I still have to try Voracious Readers… Next!

So, if you have any experience with any of these review garnering sites please comment below.

Sharing Options:

More Websites and Links for Book worms, Bloggers and Writers

 

thA8J808YB writing

Soon, on Tuesday 5th of May, there is to be a Writers’ resources evening at Cambridge Writers,  the group that I am a member of, so with this in mind, I thought I would do a little warm up, and type up some helpful website links for Writers, Bloggers and Book Worms.

http://www.cambridgewriters.net/

I have been gathering the details of this list for some time so hope that it will be a useful resource.

So to kick it off my first discovery was Wasafari, who are they you might ask?
“Wasafiri is Britain’s premier magazine for international contemporary writing. Published quarterly, it has established a distinctive reputation for promoting work by new and established voices across the globe.”

 

Book review/Bookish sites:

book-man-umair-badar-saleem

Netgalley https://www.netgalley.com/

Bookbridgr http://www.bookbridgr.com/

and Lovereading.co.uk http://www.lovereading.co.uk/

Read books for free: https://storycartel.com/search

 

Author’s resources:

creative-writing-388067__180

Tips for authors on how to make book trailers: https://effrosinimoss.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/tips-for-authors-book-trailer-made-easy/

Tips on writing book blurbs, they may be short but it doesn’t mean they’re easy to write!  http://www.terrytyler59.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/book-blurbs-as-hard-as-writing-book.tml

How to protect yourself – editing clauses in publishing contracts. http://accrispin.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/editing-clauses-in-publishing-contracts.html

Features written by or about female writers.https://thewritesofwoman.wordpress.com/2015/02/01/in-the-media-25th-january-1st-february-2015/

Excellent website for all writerly things including author/agent interviews, writing, and self-editing advice: talltalesandshortstories.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/agent-interview-jenny-savill-at-andrew.html

“A new home for your short fiction.” http://inkins.com/

http://irenewaters19.com/2015/03/24/99-word-flash-fiction/

http://alanamunroauthor.com/about  runs support a writer on google.

 

Writers links via no wasted ink. http://nowastedink.com/2015/03/02/no-wasted-ink-writers-links-161/

https://tycobbsteeth.wordpress.com/2015/03/27/book-marketing-tools-1/

“World Literary Cafe is  a multi-faceted community that promotes everyone in the literary realm, from readers to authors, editors, reviewers, and author services.” http://worldliterarycafe.com/content/support-wlc-authors

A book about writing, funding, crowd-sourcing, editing, sales, file conversion, guerrilla marketing, social media, blogging, and reviewers via Jan Moran writes. http://www.janmoranwrites.com/2012/12/30/book-review-ape-by-guy-kawasaki-and-shawn-welch-for-authors-publishers-and-entrepreneurs/

https://awomanswisdom.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/just-finished-writing-your-first-book-dont-publish-it-yet/

 

Copyright infringement

thV3EIG3VO

 

Copyright infringement. http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2015/03/03/congratulations-authors-one-battle-won-against-copyright-infringement-update/

 

Writer’s advisory services

6607374d02a4370767e76affefee56b3

There are a lot out there but which to recommend? I’ve heard good things about these two:

Hilary Johnson Authors Advisory service  http://www.hilaryjohnson.com/index.html

Cornerstones who have their very own publishing house http://threeharespublishing.com/#latest-work, and have written a self help guide, Write a blockbuster and get it published, authored jointly by Helen Corner and Lee Weatherly, “it offers not simply a guide to writing a novel, but an introduction to writing a plot-based, action-focused blockbuster.” http://cornerstones.co.uk/

 

Poetry Enthusiasts:

Dr-Seuss-cat-in-the-hat-poem-I-love

 

I’ve just recently rediscovered my love of poetry and with this in mind I would highly recommend joining in with Ron’s Weekly Haiku prompt challenge. It’s fun, and gets the old creative juices flowing on a weekly basis and that can only be a good thing! Ron has an excellent blog overflowing with all sorts of interesting articles so he’s certainly one to follow.

Haiku prompt challenge: https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/category/haiku-prompt-challenge/

Wikihow to write a Haiku poem. http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Haiku-Poem

What is Haiku, and how to write it. http://toyomasu.com/haiku/

Here’s his helpful link about merging blogs: https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/how-merge-blogs/

Artists and Illustrators:

chihuly-glass-293063__180
Chihuly Glass pixabay.com

 

Marketing resources for artists. http://artistmarketingresources.com/about/

Using Corel suite instead of Adobe for illustrators: http://oreosandspiltmilk.com/2015/02/17/food-illustration-ramen/

 

Finding Agents and Publishers

thSXGPBX76

 

Switch your torch light on, don your spy costume, now on to the nasty business of finding agents, and publishers. This is when life becomes complicated, the writing is easy in comparison, I know I’m in this process and it seems to be a never ending slog of decisions, (which is utterly painful for someone like me who tends to be indecisive,) waiting, trying again, waiting. So with that in mind here are some resources to help my fellow wannabe authors out there who may be struggling like me to find a publisher or an agent. Never fear, help is at hand. Good luck!

List of agents and editors.

https://loutreleaven.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/uk-literary-agents-for-childrens-books/

https://loutreleaven.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/childrens-publishers-accepting-unsolicited-manuscripts/

https://mswlparagraph.wordpress.com/agents-editors/

The Writer’s and Artists’s Yearbook is a must have ISBN 9781408192450. They have an excellent site: https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/ 

Another way to approach agents is to meet them in person. There are many events which are organised with this in mind, conferences, workshops and talks are all good opportunities to meet agents and tell them about your story, so have a look for those – locally in the UK there is the Norwich Writers Centre http://www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk/ and plenty will come up from a google search on the internet.

SCBWI do some, too.  Who are SCBWI?  They are The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators: https://www.scbwi.org/ The Writers and Artists also hold events: https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/events, the next hook an agent event is in London, in June: https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/events/how-to-hook-an-agent-children-s-fiction

http://www.sharonbayliss.com/2012/04/list-of-publishers-seeking-submissions.html

How to pitch to publishers: http://www.karentyrrell.com/pitch-publishers/

http://www.davidficklingbooks.com/Submissions.php – David Fickling Books are opening up submissions in a competition type style event from May 5th to May 19th.

 

Self Publishing:

th2N04C7N9

 

Guide to self publishing and promoting, click on the tab on the top left section of author E. Rawls blog, there are all sorts of writing tips too as well as haikus, book reviews, blog hops, author interviews. https://rawlse.wordpress.com/

 

Marketing:

thENDTM7HV

http://www.derekhaines.ch/justpublishing/does-twitter-sell-ebooks/

Increase your blog traffic: http://www.molly-greene.com/increase-blog-traffic-subscribers-8-tips/ 

 

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it to appear on this site, please contact or e-mail me with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Sharing Options:

Useful Marketing links for Authors, Bloggers, and Book Reviewers

tux-161406__180

Some useful marketing sites which I thought I’d share with you.

Book Covers. Useful information about book covers. http://mmjayewrites.com/2014/11/21/time-saving-tips-for-using-stockphoto-sites-plus-casting-for-fate-accompli/

Authorama. Public domain free books: http://authorama.com/

Delicious is a free and easy tool to save, organize,
and discover interesting links on the web: https://delicious.com

Popular topic ideas for e-books:

Wordtracker. Reveal high performing keywords: http://www.wordtracker.com/

Google keywords toolbox: http://www.googlekeywordtool.com/

Click bank Performance marketing suite: http://www.clickbank.com/

Affiliate programs:

Useful for book reviewers who wish to participate in an affiliate program.

Amazon affiliate program: https://affiliate-program.amazon.co.uk/

Apple affiliate program: https://www.apple.com/itunes/affiliates/

Barnes and Noble affiliate program: http://affiliates.barnesandnoble.com/

The site wizard. How to make money from your website: http://www.thesitewizard.com/archive/makemoney.shtml

Google adsense: http://www.google.com/adsense/start/

Links to writing for Readers Digest, newspapers etc: https://esthernewtonblog.wordpress.com/markets-for-freelancers/

Good design tips for blogs: http://digitalhegemon.wordpress.com/2014/11/28/good-design/

How to build a media kit for authors: http://www.molly-greene.com/how-to-build-a-media-kit/

Spangaloo specialize in free and low cost publications for our distribution. Available in many formats like EPUB MOBI PDF as well as paper back editions.http://spangaloo.com/

Puzzleflip Twitter help. all your twitter info in the one place : http://puzzleflip.com/

Scrazzle Micro blogging at a new level 300 characters instead of 140 on Twitter: http://scrazzle.com/

Found the following link today via @TuiSnider on twitter.

Create your online newspaper in minutes. Authomatically find, publish & promote articles, photos and videos from across the web. http://paper.li/

Self publishing on paper. li: http://paper.li/TuiSnider/1389223255#!tag-selfpublishing

Sharing Options:

The Psychology of Colours in Marketing

painter-161318_640

Today, I’ve decided to change the colour scheme on my blog a bit. I hope you like it, with that in mind here’s a share from the Fiverr blog, The Psychology of Colours in Marketing which I originally found on http://mmjayewrites.com/

Here’s the link: http://blog.fiverr.com/psychology-colors-marketing/?utm_source=nt_ct&utm_term=n516

Colour can have such a profound impact on us. So I hope you like my new colour theme? I’ve abandoned the Pink Dogwood, and, the possibility of the Forget-Me-Not blue, in favour of the exotic Tiger Lily.

 

dogwood-274866__180
Pink Dogwood

flowers-111569__180
Forget-Me-Not

 

tiger-lily-252859__180
Tiger Lily

A lily for your thoughts?

 

Sharing Options:

Digital Marketing The Possibilities Are Endless

 

social-media-516286__180

Recently I joined in the Futurelearn Digital Marketing Course. Why you might ask? Well, I figure that any help that I can get to help me get my book published has to be worth investigating. And,  I’m a bit of a perpetual student, I love learning!   I’m no expert, in fact I’m a bit of a novice, but here are some suggested links from the course and a few more that I found myself that I think may be of interest:

Free digital media guides to  create, manage, deliver and use digital media. http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guides

Temporary text hosting:

http://pastie.org/

http://notehub.org/

Learn how to be an authorpreneur! http://thefutureofink.com/authorpreneur/

‘Padlet Walls’  places to share media like images or text with other learners. http://padlet.com/

‘Welcome to the easiest way to create and collaborate in the world.’ Padlet is free to use, does not require you  create an account, and works on most devices including desktop, mobile and tablet.

Photos

 

photographer-500968__180

Learn about using photos on google plus. http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/photos/

‘Capture and Share the World’s Moments’:  http://instagram.com/#

‘Inspiring photography. Share and connect with the Flickr Community.Stunning photos made easy. All your pictures in one place.’: https://www.flickr.com/

https://www.dropbox.com/

“Easily share photos and videos right from the Dropbox website. Share a link to a single photo or an entire album you’ve created, such as for a special event. Anyone who receives the link can take a look, even if they don’t have a Dropbox account. “https://www.dropbox.com/en/help/498

‘Join Pinterest to find (and save) all of the things that inspire you.’ https://www.pinterest.com/

Pin interest basics: https://help.pinterest.com/en/articles/add-edit-or-delete-pin#how’P

‘Your images have never looked better. Unlimited uploads. Unlimited space. Safeguard your high-res photos in the cloud.’  http://imageshack.us/

VIDEO

video-64153__180

No doubt we all know about youtube: https://www.youtube.com/

But, there is also Vimeo: Watch, upload, and share videos : https://vimeo.com/

Facebook and Google groups:

How to create a FB group: https://www.facebook.com/help/167970719931213/?q=how+to+create+a+page&sid=0OK4UtwGVxhISdfMo

‘You can use Google Groups to share information and interact with people who have your passion for a particular hobby, interest, or organization. And you can also share documents and send calendar invites to a group so you don’t have to list people individually.’ https://support.google.com/groups/answer/2464926?hl=en

‘You can use Google+ communities to find other people who share your passion for a particular hobby, interest or organisation. And if no-one’s started a community for what you care about, you can create your own.’ Creating a google + community: https://support.google.com/plus/answer/2872671?hl=en-GB

Facebook groups recommended by award winning author Dianne Harman http://dianneharman.com/blog/five-facebook-groups-i-recommend/

 

Or you may prefer LinkedIn. I tend to associate this one with business, but I suppose plenty authors, use it too.

https://www.linkedin.com/

Enterprise social network:

‘Yammer is a private social network that helps employees collaborate across departments, locations and business apps.’ : https://www.yammer.com/

 

personal-260580__180

On-line conversation:

‘Neat Chat is the easiest and fastest way to have an online conversation with a group of friends or colleagues. No signups or software installs are required. You simply use a web browser to communicate via Neat Chat’. : http://www.neatchat.com/

‘Schedule. Manage. Measure’:

https://hootsuite.com/

Simon Fogg’s links:

Building Your Platform: Michael Hyatt: https://plus.google.com/+SimonFogg/posts/3QyY5HgwmNC

Podcast: “How to Write Web Copy That Sells”, Ray Edwards: https://plus.google.com/+SimonFogg/posts/HFQMigFwUS1

Storytelling Ads: Social Media is Sweet: A Hootsuite Story: https://plus.google.com/+SimonFogg/posts/eVpUcDdRXwF

“The 5 Elements of a Powerful, Personal Brand”, Michael Hyatt: https://plus.google.com/+SimonFogg/posts/NAMEGiFSuvN

 

 A couple of links I discovered via fellow Futurelearners:
 Amusing marketing approach by Ikea, found the link via Louise Hoffmann, fellow futurelearner : ‘Experience the power of a bookbook.’  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOXQo7nURs0
Sharing Options:

Powered by WordPress.com.

Up ↑