A blog about the topics of writing, Writing tips and ideas

Your book is your brand: Do you help it out?

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Years ago, I was reading an issue of Writer’s Digest and came across this topic. At the end, the writer left her Twitter handle. I decided to follow her in hopes of learning more. Since then, I have expanded my brand through Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and a website.

It takes time to cultivate a brand, but it is, in my opinion, vital to each author out there. Once you type the end and the revisions and edits are complete, what then? No matter how you publish, how will you shout to the world about your book? Besides friends and family, how else can you tell people about it?

I started on my brand when I finished the first draft of my first book, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure.” When I started sending out query letters, the publishers wanted to know where I was online. Thankfully I was able to provide that information.

As I mentioned, it will take some time but start somewhere, anywhere, and grow from there. Trying to be all over the place will exhaust you. The sites that work for you will suffer by you try to do it all. That was how I learned my lesson, trying to be everywhere. I was not giving each site enough love and attention it needed.

In due time it will get easier to update the sites to go and make a post or send out a relevant tweet to your followers. But start somewhere, no matter how small, start. You want your book to shine. It deserves to shine.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writers and Support

Do you still have joy when you write?

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I sent the last edits to volume two of my Squirrel Mafia series to the publisher. It included dedication, acknowledgments, different pictures, a foreword, and more.

When I first wrote Squirrel Mafia, I could not foresee that there would be three volumes. Yup, the little darlings have already given me, at least for now, ten chapters to put into another book. It is such a treat to work on this series. I laugh and fuss as I write the words.

As you write your book and series, I hope you still have a love and joy in creating your characters, plots, and dialogue.

It can get tedious, and you might want to move on to something else. At the last author showcase at one of our local libraries, that is what people were saying to me. They wanted to know if there was another volume. And soon, there will be.

It all started when these little darlings climbed onto my window sill and bared their teeth at Jasper, thus scaring him. There were three or four all doing it. They repeatedly did it. It was from that incident this series came to pass. I am always looking in my yard to see what the little bastards are doing, as they rarely disappoint and continually surprise me with what antics they come up with at my expense.

But it has been enjoyable to embark on this journey with them. People have sent me, over the years, videos, pictures, stuffed animals, and newspaper clippings, to name a few.

I am now known as the woman who has a continual war with the squirrels in her backyard. Good? I am not sure, to be honest. LOL If nothing else, it gives me laughter as I write the stories for people to read.

I hope you still have joy inside of you as you work on your current WIP.

It is now onward to editing the fourth volume of my Jasper, Amazon parrot series.

A blog about the topics of writing, Working on your writing craft

Do you have an acknowledgement page in your book? : Wait, did you do it all on your own?

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Who do you recognize in your dedication and or acknowledgments in your book? I include my editor, Nancy, who is worth her weight in gold many times over. I make sure to add my family and anyone else along the way. Sometimes it runs long to medium.

I have seen people include in their acknowledgments a variety of people and pets. I have done that with my parrot, Jasper. Without him, there is no series.

But I have noticed, in some books, the acknowledgments are scant to none.

Now, it is not required to include this in your books. But it makes me wonder. Are you not including it because it is not something high on your list? Do you feel you have done it all on your own?

Writing a book takes so much time, from beginning to end to publication. Along the way, many people have helped you. It could be from your editor, writing group, graphic designer, and many more.

Being a writer is a journey from the minute you write the first word of your first manuscript to social media and marketing. I have thanked people on social media who have helped me. One was well-established, and she noticed I had a question about query letters. She sent me a quick note. She wanted me to send her what I had written so far. She was essential in getting my letters presented before submitting editors. She was added to the list.

You are not doing it alone. If this is not high on your list, maybe it should be. And if you think you did it all on your own, think again.

Thanking the people who helped us along the way is a good reminder that we didn’t do it alone by a long shot.

The Musings of A New Englander