All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
Marketing, Promoting, Writers

Writers: Where are you?

4 Comments

2012-08-29 09.55.21

There are so many opportunities for writers to explore and get their name out. Yes we have the conventional ones that are well-known:

-Twitter

-Facebook

-Google +

-Blogs

-Pinterest

-Linkedin

These are the ones that I try to be active in. But how about the ones where you think outside the box? I mentioned this week about the great news of how I will begin a new career as a freelance writer and photographer. This is one avenue. Another is to review books. In fact I have a site set up just for book reviews: www.mainemuse.wordpress.com. I been reviewing for Booksneeze since 2010 and word has gotten out as various authors have reached out to me. And somehow my name and site has been placed on a page that is dedicated for people who need and or do reviews. That gave me an influx of pleas. Which was fine.

Recently the owners of BTS magazine reached out to me an asked if I would be interested in reviewing for them. After checking them out, I thought it would be fun and also a good thing for me as another circle of people who would learn about me. But there is a double win when you review. Not only are you getting your name out, you are learning to critique and grow as an author. Reviewing is an invaluable tool for writers. I have learned so much in doing reviews for others and it has helped me in my own works.

We have NPR, newspapers, book signings and readings just to name a few places we can try to reach out to the public. In February of this year I, along with other authors, did a reading at a local library. It was scary but fun at the same time.

All of this takes hours and effort from an already busy life. And one must try to not over extend oneself for one can hurt one’s health and sanity to boot. Moderation, yes that is something I need to start learning to do as things drop into my lap. Just now a friend called and asked if she could hire me to help with her thesis. I sure as heck didn’t see that coming. I spent eight plus hours working on this for her.

Moderation, hmm maybe one day I will know the true meaning of that word.

 

Freelance writer, Sharon C. Williams, Writing

Freelance: A new opportunity

15 Comments

2013-05-02 12.57.56(2)

A wonderful opportunity has fallen into my lap. The coordinator for one of my writing groups sent a group email to some of the writers, the ones she felt would take advantage of what was being offered. There is a new magazine in the area, it is 8 months old and is solely owned and run by women. GO US! She is looking for writers for her magazine, those who will make a regular contribution to her magazine. I dropped her a line and we been going back and forth in email. Bottom line is I will be meeting her today at 9:30am to see if I fit what she is looking for.

The pay is minimal. But when I found out it was a paying gig to me that was just icing on the cake. I was not expecting any monetary funds for the work. I was looking at it from a business sense of promoting myself and getting my name out there. It will be a continual free advertisement for me as long as I write, if she likes what she sees, for the CEO. I ran some ideas by her and she loved them. I am very excited to meet her and hope it will fall into place. What is involved or required I do not know as of yet.

Why did I write her in the first place? It comes back to one of my two mantras that involves writing. All they can say is no, that’s it. But if she says yes, this could open doors for me to avenues I have never thought of before. If nothing else I will be writing and people from the county will be reading it. As a writer this is a win.

 

UPDATE:

We met and talked for about two hours. She liked what I had to offer. But it got even better. She asked if I was a photographer which I am. So if I do my own shoots with the articles she will pay me the fee she would pay for her own photographers to do the job. How cool is this? I am so excited. I should be expecting two assignments to arrive via email. I will soon be able to add freelance writer and photographer to my hat of things done.

 

Amazon Parrot, ebook, Spring Fling

Spring Fling

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SharronSF(1)

 

My publisher is tossing a Spring Fling for her authors. From April 15- May 15 the ebook, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure” will be slashed from $5.99 all the way down to $1.99. While I already have a copy of my own ebook, this will give m a chance to check out the other authors that are part of my publishers umbrella.

If you have not had a chance to check the book out, here is a great opportunity to give it a whirl. Even if you don’t like it, you can’t beat the price. But I hope you do enjoy the story within the electronic pages that comprise volume one of my Jasper series.