define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', true); January 2014 » Page 4 of 5 » My Book Therapy

Archive | January, 2014

Rachel Hauck

Writing For The Long Haul

By on January 9, 2014 in Book Therapist, Rachel Hauck, Writing Life

No one wants to be a one hit wonder.

You know, write that first book, or first series, and then struggle to find more success.

I was in this boat after the Nashvegas books.

Not that they were a break out… in fact, they weren’t at all.

So I had to decide what to write next that caught my publisher’s eye.

I was blessed to be at a house that believed in giving an author more than a one-contract chance.

But if I didn’t find some success soon, there was no reason for my publisher to continue with me.

I was writing chick lit but it was dying a quick death as a sub romance genre.

At an ACFW conference, I braved a conversation with my publisher. “What can I do to turn things around?”

“Well,” he said, “we’re not quite sure how to brand you.”

This really confused me. I wrote chick lit. Romance. How was it hard to brand me?

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One Thing Marketing: Should I do a book trailer?

By on January 7, 2014 in Melissa Tagg, One Thing Marketing, Platform-building

I was recently part of a Facebook group discussion on book trailers. The conversation included pre-pubbed, published and multi-published authors and opinions varied. Here’s where I landed:
If your publisher is going to pay to create a book trailer for you…awesome.

If you have video editing know-how and time and think it’d be fun to create your own cool, non-cheesy trailer…awesome.

If you have to use your own money to pay someone else to create a trailer…well, that’s where I waffle a bit. But not because I have anything against book trailers. I think they can be a pretty smart move and I’ll tell you why in a second. The only reason I’d waffle is if paying for a book trailer takes away resources from other, possibly better marketing efforts.

For instance, if your choice is between a book trailer and a well-placed ad on an incredibly well-read, reader-oriented website (note “reader-oriented”–placing ads on websites designed for writers probably isn’t as effective), then go with the ad.
But here’s why I think book trailers can still be a good idea and aren’t just a passing fad:

They give you AND your fans something to do and something to share before your book releases.

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The Who of Mentoring: 5 Characteristics of a Good Mentor

By on January 7, 2014 in 4. Writer’s Life, Inspiration and Life Coaching, Beth Vogt, Encourage Me!, Writer's life, Writing Life Coaching

You say you want a mentor. Fine. But have you stopped to think about who you’re looking for? Beyond the obvious “I want another writer to mentor me in writing” – have you considered what characteristics make a quality mentor?

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Starting All Over Again

By on January 4, 2014 in 4. Writer’s Life, Inspiration and Life Coaching, Encourage Me!, Life Coaching, Nurturing the Soul, Reba Hoffman, Writer's life, Writing Life

The holidays are over and you’re four days into a brand new year. You want to make the best of it. But when you think of how to do that, it’s a bit overwhelming.

So since you’re starting all over again, how do you set yourself up for success in 2014? Here are a few things that can help:

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