Hi everyone.
Well, I knew having a book about to launch was going to be busy. Just how much busy it was going to be I had no real idea. But I’m enjoying the process, so I don’t really mind.
I just thought I’d share some of the things I’ve been up to, just to as annoying as a mad bee, you know.
Author Website
I’ve been thinking about setting up an official website for a while, but I had put it off because, well, I suppose I didn’t really need it since The Old Shelter gives me everything I need. But with a book out I thought having a website would be handy, because all about the story will go there. Including all about the promotion side of it, because I don’t want to clatter The Old Shelter with that.
So, if you want to stay informed about what I’m up to with my story, that’s probably the best place (though I keep everyone posted in here too, I promise).
Pinterest Board
I’ll tell you the truth, I love Pinterest. It’s the first social media I joined and still one of my very fevourite together with Twitter. So of course it has always been on my mind to have a board for my story when the time comes.
And here it is. Go ahead and have a look at it. I love storyboard boards.
Maybe have a look at my profile too? There are a few 1920s boards and a couple devoted to dieselpunk. You never know, you might find something you like.
And hey, if you are on Pinterest, leave a note in the comment. I want to know!
Now, I’m a Instagram too, but honestly I can’t figure out how to use it. At least, not as an author. You can’t link anything. You have to rely on pictures alone, but I don’t see it working as Pinterest works.
There’s seem to be a lot of debate out there whether Instagram makes sense for authors. I can see why. Some people seem to think Instagram is a good possibility, and it sure is, but I still have to find an author account and think: oh right, my I get it!
Any of you use it and enjoy it?
Since we’ll taking social media, I’ll mention I also have a Google Plus page for The Old Shelter where I share posts from here but also nice articles about Twenties life and dieselpunk in general. I’ve come to the conclusion people interested in what I am interested don’t hang out on Google Plus, but, well, I like it and I’ll keep going, so if anyone what to join…
Blog Tour
This is what has taken up most of my time lately.
I discovered blog tours last year and I participated in one as a host (you might remember my post about Maud’s Line) and I so enjoyed the experience I decided I wanted to have my own when the time comes.
Now you can have a company organising your blog tour, there are quite a few of them out there. It will cost you money. I mean, it will cost you money.
One of my friends, Nicholas, suggested to organised my own tour instead, with my own people. He pointed out that it is a lot of work, but it’s generally more effective. I had been on the fence about it, because you know, how do you go about organising a blog tour when you have just participated to one as a host? But Nicholas’s advice nudged me that direction and I’m so happy I decided on that course of action because, yes, it’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun too!
And I want to thank everyone who accepted to participate. I’m so overwhelmed with all the support I’m receiving from all of you, it really is something that’s worth the whole experience. I would suggest everyone to organise their own blog tour at least once, because it lifts your spirits. It truly does in spite of the effort you must put in it.
The tour will start on Thursday, and no worry, I’ll post the entire list of blogs and add links as they go live. There will be interviews and reviews and posts about the Twenties and dieselpunk, both by me and by friends. I hope you’ll enjoy it.
So here you go.
I hoped I’d be able to announce a new PDF for the newsletter, but alas, not yet. But I’ll be sure to get that ready as soon as I can.
And while we’re here making announcement, have a look to my sidebar, there are a few things I’m involved in that you might want to join. First up will be the Reading Ireland Month in March. My attachment to Ireland is hardly a secret, so I’m sure you won’t be surprised about my participation. Then the AtoZ Challenge in April. If you’re on the fence whether to participate, just do it! It’s so much fun! And there’s the Retelling Challenge too. That’s a year-long reading challenge dedicated to retelling of fairy tales and other classic stories. I normally avoid reading challenges because I’m such a slow reader (TBR list, I’m not looking at you. I am not looking at you!), but his is one year long, even I may achieve something with it.
And last but not least, here’s my first quote from my book.
I love quotes, so I’m planning to do a lot more of these, and I’ll put them on my media kit page, you know, in case you fancy sharing them (eh! eh!)
I did this with PhotoShop, but I hear Canva is handy for such jobs. Actually, I tried and left it. Any of you have tips on how to use it for quotes? Yes, I know Canva is supposed to be easier to use than PhotoShop… but I’m strange like that.
And this is all… for now. Let me go back to a few blog tour entries that are waiting for me.
Hope to see you on Thursday!
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The book is not currently on Amazon but is available for Kindle via my site
7 Comments
Amy
That sure does sound overwhelming! Can you explain what a blog tour is? I’ve never heard the term before.
Good luck!
jazzfeathers
Well, Amy, a blog tour is very much like a promotion tour when you do it in person. Only the ‘places’ where you go are blogs. The blogger gives you a post and you can do whatever you think more fitting to promote your book. For this blog tour I’ve done interviews and guest posts that expand on the concept of my story. A few bloggers agreed to write reviews for my book and a few other wrote srticles themsleves that relate to my story.
Then you post the list of all the bloggers partecipating on your blog (I’m going to do this on Thursday), so people know where and when to go.
It was (and still is) a demanding work, but it’s fun for me because I know every single blogger who takes part in the tour. They’re friends and fellow writers and so it feels a lot like a team job.
Can’t wait for this to start 🙂
Sara L.
So, so, SO excited for you, Sarah! Your interview is almost done; I just have to write the intro paragraphs and add a Goodreads link to Give In To The Feeling. 😉
I can imagine how much time it must take to put together your own blog tour. Finding interested parties, creating a schedule, ensuring everyone knows when they need to post, providing other materials they’ll need… But you’re almost there. Just remember to breathe and relax when you can.
And I like that quote from the story. 🙂
jazzfeathers
Yes, organising your own blog tour is hard work, but I’d recommand to do it at least onc ein their life to any author. It’s such a boost! Working with friends and fellow writers is the best thing that may happen in a moment so particular like launching a new book. It’s a fantastoc experience, I’m loving it 🙂
And breathe. Right. I’ll remember that 😉
Rebekah Loper
I’ve seen people use instagram for their blogs, but it usually is more like posting a custom image (or the featured image for their post) and saying something like “I have a post up about XYZ, today! Blog link is in my profile!”
I like instagram, because it’s much more laid-back than Facebook, and it’s more of a glimpse into people’s lives. Facebook seems to have just become meme regurgitation, for the most part, and it irks me.
cathy746books
Thanks for joining in with Reading Ireland Month, look forward to hearing about your reads!
jazzfeathers
Hi Cathy and thanks for stopping by 🙂
When I saw the challenge, I knew I’d take part. Can’t help myself. I have four or five posts planned… I just hope I’ll be able to write all of them. But I’ll sure try!