As some of you know, I twitter. The micro-blogging site is a great favorite of mine. To find me go to www.twitter.com/joannaslanI use the site to share announcements about blog postings for the many blogs I participate in: Killer Hobbies (http://killerhobbies.blogspot.com), this blog and my character's blog (http://KikiLowenstein.blogspot.com)I use it to post appearances, special events, and contests I'm running. I find it very successful for … [Read more...] about Twitter Directory
marketing
What Type Is Your Blog?
Have you ever taken a "personality" test? Was it accurate? The Myers-Briggs tests and the Personal Styles quiz were developed after WWII when people all over the world, reeling from the horror of the Nazi regime, wondered, "What kind of person can do such things?" Various scientists and sociologists scrambled for answers.Now Myers-Briggs offers a new twist--they are analyzing blogs at http://www.typealyzer.com/As I understand it, this is a … [Read more...] about What Type Is Your Blog?
The Teacher is Always the Student
We had a totally excellent "Getting Published" class last night at Lewis & Clark Community College. First of all, I love their Edwardsville campus at 700 Troy. It's the conclave of brick buildings that I've been told was a former factory site. The classrooms are spacious, light and well-appointed.But what made the class really cool was the students. We had folks who wanted to write novels, those who wanted to write children's books, and a … [Read more...] about The Teacher is Always the Student
Desire Paths–Why Authors Must Create Them to Sell Books
Ever notice those footpaths between bushes, those stomped down walkways that go from a parking lot to the sidewalk, the ones clearly NOT planned by the landscaper where folks have made their own trail to get from Point A to Point B?Those are called Desire Paths. That's a term architects use to desire "non-authorized" walkways. Ones that occur spontaneously rather than through top-down planning.You and I must establish Desire Paths to our books if … [Read more...] about Desire Paths–Why Authors Must Create Them to Sell Books
Prepping for Marketing Panel at Love Is Murder
Note: I haven't forgotten to discuss other considerations about self-publishing...I'm just making a short detour here.I spent the day today getting ready to go up to Chicago for Love Is Murder, and I noticed something curious. I'm appearing on a marketing panel, and Morgan Mandel asked what sorts of marketing materials and activities we'd done. (I'm on the panel with Jenny Spallone and Rosemary Harris.)Gee.I started by making a list of things I … [Read more...] about Prepping for Marketing Panel at Love Is Murder
Should You Self-Publish?
Should you self-publish?That's a tough question, and you're the only one who can answer it. I can't tell you what to do...but I since I've been both self-published and traditionally published, I can share some insights.The biggest question you need to ask yourself is: What's my goal? And as you ponder that question, mull over these four considerations:1. If your goal is to make money...Unless you can snag a big advance, you might be able to make … [Read more...] about Should You Self-Publish?
