Tag Archives: Writing

Sharon C. Williams, Social Platform, Youtube channel

My YouTube Channel

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There are many ways to promote ourselves and our books. I been working on my author’s platform for a number of years now and have a good grip on the areas I work on. Granted it took a lot of time and effort in the beginning but now I just do touch up once or twice a week.

A new format that I been trying to improve on is YouTube of which I do have a channel. It’s still small with some videos of Jasper and of my books but it is a good avenue for people to check me out. I need to spend more time on this aspect of promoting myself. You can show anything that pertains to you. In my case I have videos of my main character, I have videos of me signing my contract, and other videos of my birds.

It’s a good way for my readers to learn a bit about me for I think we will all agree the easier a reader can relate to an author the easier the bond will form between the two. I know that is how it works for me and with the authors I go gaga over. You know the ones: Stephen King, James Patterson, Agatha Christie and Bentley Little. Granted Madame Christie is no longer with us but the others I watch and observe what they do to make me adore them so and hopefully I can apply those methods to my own works.

So here is the link if anyone wants to take a gander at and perhaps subscribe to.

https://www.youtube.com/user/NewEnglandMuse/videos

Communication, Freelance writing, My community

Freelance Writing

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2012-05-14 15.52.58

Seeing my name in print still gives me a shiver. A few months ago I started freelancing as a writer and photographer for a county magazine. June showed two of my articles while July had one. I know this is small potatoes in the grand scheme of things but it still amazing to me.

I get to go out and talk to people and learn about how they are helping our community. You would think talking to people would be second-hand to me. But this form of communication is different. Each interview I gain a bit more confidence but I have a way still to go. Last week I spoke to a woman who works with a local foundation for Alzheimer’s. This really hit home for me for I have family members right now who have this devastating disease and have lost some to it.

Next week I will be setting up an appointment to meet up with a lawyer, a retired soldier, who works against domestic abuse and violence. This shall be interesting to say the least as I learn about how she gives back as she fights this part of our culture.

All of this helps me not only as a writer but also as a person as I learn about the people around me in my area. It is not just about me and my family but those who construct and run the city I live in. By becoming a freelance writer and photographer, my eyes have been open to avenues that would otherwise have been hidden from me.

I still get nervous before any interview and tend to breathe a sign of relief once I am back in my car once it is over. Will that ever subside I am not sure. But I will continue, for now, to explore the world that is my home in North Carolina. Hopefully it will help me grow as a person in different levels. If nothing else, I walk out of each interview a little different then how I entered.

 

Author, Author's showcase, Sharon C. Williams

Authors showcase

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Two days after I arrived back from Maine was an authors showcase at the headquarters library in my area. It was something you had to apply for however the librarians asked me to join and so they kept me a spot. Nice to know people, right?

I made sure my items were ready prior to leaving on my trip so that way I wouldn’t be in such a rush when I got back. There were 37 authors that showed up with the thunderstorm that made its way for this event. Consider it was pouring heavily, the amount of people who showed up to support us was impressive. Readers rock, we really do.

With my last name starting with a W, I was the last in the row. Fortunately, my table mate was a sweet retired history teacher and we talked during the event. I did sell a couple of actual books. But what I really enjoyed was being able to talk about my book, Jasper and how it came about.

When I told a particular lady about how half of my birds are rescued she grasped my hands firmly and said thank you and said again thank you with tears in her eyes. She gets it. There were so many bird lovers in the crowd that I got lost in the moment and forgot that I was there to showcase my works.

For a free event I received the following:

-I made a new friend

-Sold some of my books in print and digital

-Hung out with bird lovers

-Practicing being out to show my works( Something I need practice in)

-Added some people to my newsletter

-I am sure I am leaving some stuff out

This is a yearly event, my first one, and it went very well. I had a great time and I believe my husband did as well as he talked to most of the writers and took loads of pictures. In fact someone said to him, “You look like someone who has stories to tell.” After which the man said he would like to collaborate with him on a book. I thought that was awesome.

Next year I see me doing this again, perhaps with a better understanding of what I should do. I suspect I will still be at the end, Steve will still be my table mate and we will have two hours talking about writing.

What a great win.