Monday, October 28, 2013

Here's My Plan for Writing and Marketing, This Week, and This Month

My Plan for Writing and Marketing by J.Q. Rose

So many avenues for marketing my books, Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, Goodreads, Pinterest, Amazon, and now Google Plus. My head was spinning trying to keep up with all of them. Alas, I crashed and burned. I was trying to do everything, but not doing well at any of them. Needless to say I wasn't writing anymore fiction or non-fiction. With so many balls in the air, there was no time or energy to scribble down a short story, let alone a novel.

After studying my own reading habits, I realized I needed to add more books to my J.Q. Rose list. When I like an author, I always go back to see what else she/he has written. But if there are no other books for a reader to choose from, she can't buy them (Similar to the retailer's saying, "You can't sell out of an empty cart.) That's when I decided to prune my marketing responsibilities to give me more time to up my word count. Just as we prune plants to become stronger, I believe I can make my writing career better by concentrating on marketing I can do well (and even enjoy!) and focus on getting words on paper (or on my screen.)

Here's my plan.

  • Dedicate certain days for posting on my J.Q. Rose blog every week, evidenced by Monday posts and the Hobby Hoedown Thursday event. I enjoy blogging and never seem to run out of ideas for articles.
  • Invite authors to be guests on the J Q Rose blog and on the Girls Succeed blog.
  • Never sign up for Twitter.
  • Join the Insecure Writers Support Group who write blogs and share the posts with each other. Good source for writing information too at the IWSG Website.
  • IWSG Badge
  •  Participate in more blog hops and tours.  
  • Join Google+. I read Guy Kawasaki's What the Plus! Google+ for the Rest of Us, a helpful book on what Google Plus is all about. I joined and post there. He says in the book it is primarily a photo and video site. It's a great way to share posts with readers.
  • Open a Facebook Author Page. Because all the industry articles shout about the traffic on FB, I did open the FB page and I'm very pleased with the response and the stats that can be obtained from it. (Psst--Please like me at the J.Q. Rose Facebook page when you get a minute. If you are #100, I'll send you my latest short story!) 
  • Set aside time after lunch Monday through Friday to write stories. No definite word count or time frame. Just write!
I am no guru on how to write, market, and sell books, but I am going to have the best adventure in discovering how to do it. This plan is my latest attempt. 

Do you have some tips for us on how you juggle all the responsibilities of being a published author? Please, share in a comment below. Let's help each other!!!

# # # #
This Week:

Halloween is this Thursday, so Hobby Hoedown will continue on Nov. 7. Have a safe and happy Halloween. I wrote about my Halloween Memories on the MuseItUp Publishing blog last week. When you read it, my memories may spark some of your own.


Here are the hobbyists in November's Hobby Hoedown event.




Nov.
7Heather Greeniscurling
14Margaret Mendelphotography
21Jane Lebakknitting
28THANKSGIVING 


All Month:

Breast Cancer Awareness month


Lavender Dreams
Ten short stories in this anthology to entertain you. More importantly, the authors and cover artist have generously donated these stories and their royalties to help raise funds for cancer research each year.
Authors:
MuseItUp Publishing Authors: Barbara Ehrentreu, Gloria Oren, Lisa J. Lickel, Nan D Arnold, Nathaniel Tower, Rosemary Gemmell, Suzannah Safi, Tanja Cilia, Vicki Batman
Christmas in October continues at Penny Estelle's blog. Win 50 prizes!

Christmas in October




Every Monday and Thursday during October,
six different authors will be spotlighting their books. 

Some lucky commenter is going to win over 50 different prizes. 

It could be you!  All you need to do is comment.
 The more you comment, the more chances you have of winning
all of these fabulous prizes.





Ho!  Ho!  Ho!





Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Who's Your Hero Blogfest and Giveaways

Welcome to the Who's Your Hero Blogfest!



The release of the novel Saving Sam by J.L. Campbell has been timed to coincide with National Heroes’ Day celebrations in Jamaica. Sam, the protagonist finds a hero—or heroine if you like—in his aunt. The mission of this blogfest is to write about someone who has been a source of inspiration or encouragement.

I am only one of many bloggers writing about my hero. Find the list of authors participating in the Who's Your Hero Blogfest at the bottom of this page and visit their sites to discover their heroes. Be sure to leave a comment here to win an e-copy of my MG non-fiction e-book, Girls Succeed! and another lucky commenter will win an e-copy of Saving Sam.

Thank you for "hopping in today." Let me tell you about my hero.


My Hero, Bernie by J.Q. Rose




My hero is my role model, Bernice (Bernie) Frens. Bernie is about twenty years older than I am. She came to me at the right time in my life when I needed her strong, reassuring attitude, her patience, her friendship, and skill set. She came to ask me for a job.

My husband and I had purchased a floral shop and greenhouses in a small town. We didn’t know a person in that area or know a thing about the flower business, but we were fired up to be successful business owners so we took the opportunity.

We were officially business owners in January and struggled through the winter and spring seasons. That summer, Bernie stopped to buy some flats of flowers and asked if we needed some part-time help. She had owned a flower shop for several years, but sold it when she moved away from her area. She really missed the work.

Lucky for our budding floral shop she was an excellent designer, as well as a delightful sales woman exuding customer service. I watched and learned from her about the business. She held me to a high standard of quality and service and lived her Christian ethics rather than just talking about them.

A precious friendship developed as we worked alongside each other at the design table. When my dreaded thirtieth birthday dawned, Bernie secretly made a birthday cake and snuck it in to our apartment over the flower shop. When I discovered that gorgeous cake with the big 30 on my kitchen table, I burst into tears thankful for her thoughtfulness. 

At this writing Bernie lives in a nursing home, a victim of dementia. She told me over twelve years ago about her diagnosis. Heartbreaking news for her, her family, and for us. But she dealt with it bravely leaning on God for strength and courage to face the future.

Bernie was a source of inspiration and encouragement to me personally and professionally. Truly a hero in my life.

# # # # 

Who's your hero? Leave a comment. You may be one of  two winners! Prizes are an e-copy of Saving Sam and my non-fiction e-book for girls, Girls Succeed! Find the list of other participating bloggers at the bottom of this page.

# # # # 
Inspiring and empowering girls to achieve success in their dream careers.



Back of the book for Saving Sam.

A young boy's future hangs in the balance 
when those sworn to protect him become abusers.
Back of the book
 A tragic domestic dispute between his parents lands eleven-year-old Samuel Simms and his siblings in the Downswell Place of Safety. The challenges come hard and fast, but the one thing Sam doesn't count on is being left behind in the children’s home. Angry and disillusioned, he gives up hope of adoption.

A ray of light comes in the form of a foster family, but everything is not what it seems in the Miller household. After a harrowing five-month stint, Sam runs away. A victim of abuse, he's determined not to repeat his mistake and opts to remain a ward of the Jamaican government until he’s eighteen. The burden of secrecy is more than he can bear and Sam's hair-trigger temper makes him disruptive.

Under pressure from his aunt, Sam caves in and shares a tale of horror surrounding his foster parents. With his ordeal exposed, Sam must make life-changing choices. He can continue to be brainwashed by his abuser or face his nemesis in a court of law and stop a habitual predator from harming other children.

Saving Sam is a moving coming-of-age story that explores relationships, the abuse of trust and the ease with which evil can hide under the guise of Christianity and philanthropy.


About J.L. Campbell
[joy.jpg]
J.L. Campbell is a proud Jamaican and an award-winning writer, who is always on the lookout for story-making material. She writes romantic suspense, women's fiction and young adult novels. She is the author of ContrabandChristine's Odyssey, Dissolution, Distraction, Don't Get Mad...Get Even, Giving up the Dream, Kicked to the Kerb, Retribution and Hardware (written under the pen name Jayda McTyson).


She blogs at http://www.joylcampbell.com Feel free to connect with her on Facebook or Twitter or visit her Amazon author page.



Monday, October 21, 2013

Cabbage Patch Kids Visit, This Week, Giveaways


Happy Monday to you!

This snowbird and her mate have finally settled into their winter nest in sunny (and very hot) Florida. On the way South, we stopped to visit friends in Cleveland, GA, home of the Cabbage Patch Kids Doll Co.



What a delightful place to visit. In this magical location, Cabbage Patch Babies are born.

Cabbage Patch Kids became a household name (if you had girls in your household anyway) in the early 80's. In fact the company is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. Yes, we had two little girls in our family. They saw a display of the dolls in a store in our area and fell in love with these unique "kids." To be honest, I thought the dolls were ugly...shhh...don't tell the girls.

 In fact lots of little girls fell in love with them. In fact, the company could not keep up with demand. My mother made it her mission to find dolls for our girls. She didn't want them to be disappointed on Christmas morning. She worked her magic and eventually did provide two dolls for our daughters. Our girls loved their dolls and to this day still have them packed away in their homes.

This doll store is unique in that the cabbage patch babies are "born" right there from a Mama Cabbage. (Yes, please suspend reality here and enjoy the fun!)


 The nurse checks Mama Cabbage vital signs.


And a few minutes later out pops Nichole Denise. She was named by one of the little girls in the audience. The name and birth certificate are included with the purchase of the doll.

The day was perfect except I wish my now grown daughters were with me to share the experience!

This Week:

Tuesday through Thursday, October 22-24, I will be participating in the Who's Your Hero Blogfest. Come back tomorrow or the next couple of days and tell us who your hero is and you could be one of two winners in the drawing for two  prizes...an e-copy of Saving Sam by J.L. Campbell and an e-copy of Girls Succeed!



Friday, October 25--I will be posting on my publisher's website, MuseItUp Publishing blog in the afternoon.


Hobby Hoedown will continue after Halloween, so ya'all come back! Here are the hobbyists in November.
Nov.
7Heather Greeniscurling
14Margaret Mendelphotography
21Jane Lebakknitting
28THANKSGIVING 


All Month:

Breast Cancer Awareness month


Lavender Dreams
Ten short stories in this anthology to entertain you. More importantly, the authors and cover artist have generously donated these stories and their royalties to help raise funds for cancer research each year.
Authors:
MuseItUp Publishing Authors: Barbara Ehrentreu, Gloria Oren, Lisa J. Lickel, Nan D Arnold, Nathaniel Tower, Rosemary Gemmell, Suzannah Safi, Tanja Cilia, Vicki Batman
Christmas in October continues at Penny Estelle's blog. Win 50 prizes!


Christmas in October




Every Monday and Thursday during October,
six different authors will be spotlighting their books. 

Some lucky commenter is going to win over 50 different prizes. 

It could be you!  All you need to do is comment.
 The more you comment, the more chances you have of winning
all of these fabulous prizes.





Ho!  Ho!  Ho!


Monday, October 14, 2013

Celebrating Farmers Day, Traveling, This Week, Hobby Hoedown Authors

Happy Monday, Dear Readers. 


National Farmers Day, formally known as Old Farmers Day, honors the hard labor of farmers throughout American history.  Last Monday on this blog, I shared a video of our community's  Harvest Festival celebrating the harvest and recognizing farmers who bring the fruits of their labor to our kitchen tables.  During the Harvest Festival, organizations and individuals build amazing structures made from hay called Hay Art. The public votes for their favorite display by donating food. I am happy to report the total amount of food given to local food banks by the entire community was over 8000 pounds!!

I'll be traveling this week and will not have Internet access. 

No Hobby Hoedown guest is scheduled this Thursday since I didn't think it would be good manners to have a guest author, then leave them here all alone. 

Take a look at the Thursday line-up for this fall. 
You're invited to return for some root-tootin' fun!

Thanks for visiting today. Have a great week!
# # # #

Thursdays in October and November on the J. Q. Rose Blog.




Oct.
24 Blogfest
31 HALLOWEEN
Nov.
7 Heather Greenis curling
14 Margaret Mendel photography
21 Jane Lebak knitting
28 THANKSGIVING 


All Month:

Breast Cancer Awareness month


Lavender Dreams
Ten short stories in this anthology to entertain you. More importantly, the authors and cover artist have generously donated these stories and their royalties to help raise funds for cancer research each year.
Authors:
MuseItUp Publishing Authors: Barbara Ehrentreu, Gloria Oren, Lisa J. Lickel, Nan D Arnold, Nathaniel Tower, Rosemary Gemmell, Suzannah Safi, Tanja Cilia, Vicki Batman
Christmas in October continues at Penny Estelle's blog. Win 50 prizes!


Christmas in October




Every Monday and Thursday during October,
six different authors will be spotlighting their books. 

Some lucky commenter is going to win over 50 different prizes. 

It could be you!  All you need to do is comment.
 The more you comment, the more chances you have of winning
all of these fabulous prizes!

So mark your calendars for Thursday, October 3,
and be sure to visit



Ho!  Ho!  Ho!


Thursday, October 10, 2013

Hobby Hoedown Features Paranormal Author Kelly Whitley's Watercolor Painting Hobbby with Giveaway

Howdy, Folks. Paranormal author Kelly Whitley shares her hobby of watercolor painting. I must be honest. I love watercolor pictures and even took a class. The project was a success, with lots of help from my teacher. I would love to try another class again. Kelly's post has stirred up the creative juices. 

Kelly is offering a giveaway of her vampire story, Into the Red. The back of the book information follows her article.  Please leave a comment to win an e-copy. Winner will be announced Friday evening!

Kelly tells us about this creative hobby in her article below. 



Water Color Painting by Kelly Whitley

Ever wish there were more hours in a day? The older I get, the more I find time to be at a premium. Sometimes I think I’ve got too many hobbies. Aside from writing, it’s reading and watercolor painting.
Art has been a big part of my life ever since I was a kid. Drawing was great, but I wanted to conquer a bigger challenge—painting. And not just painting—watercolor, which is a more difficult medium. I start with a pencil line drawing on watercolor paper, and then begin to layer color. Sometimes the color is too heavy, and some of the color has to be removed with blotting. Applying sea salt to wet paint gives a stippled look to the paint. Watercolor painting groups can be a source of critique, as can workshops. I’ve done both to improve my painting.
I have entered shows as another challenge to myself.
In the end, watercolor is time consuming; enjoyable and sometimes relaxing, but it often comes down to one hobby at a time. The thing about painting (and drawing or any other media) is practice is crucial. I should draw and/or paint every day, but I don’t.
Someday I’ll hopefully leave the dreaded day job behind and have more time for what I want to do.

Giveaway: an ecopy of Into the Red

Paranormal, romantic suspense
Back of the book:
Human blood is an illicit and highly addictive drug--if you're a vampire. Known as Red, its side effects are insanity, and eventual death. A group of Red-addicted vampires known as Poisoners are killing women as part of an extortion plot involving a lost ancient vampiric tome, and they’re leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. The discovery of each new victim risks exposure of the entire vampire race to humans. Then one victim survives…
Dr. Evan Nichols, oncologist and vampire, lives a monk-like existence, by his own choice, focusing on patient care and research to benefit his vampire brethren. It’s been twenty-five years since his world turned upside down—the night he lost his fiancee and discovered his hidden vampire heritage. Now his government has ordered him to take a mate—or they’ll choose one for him. It’s a horrible prospect, and one that might push him over the edge—until Fate throws him together with a human female.
Wary of relationships, Tara West has poured her energies into work and inventing cutting edge climbing equipment. She doesn’t like the gorgeous Dr. Nichols, yet finds herself unaccountably drawn to him.
When a crazed vampire attacks and poisons Tara, Evan rescues her. With time running out, he has to create an antidote to the poison before he loses his chance at love.
In order to make the vaccine which might cure her, he has to find the bastards who poisoned her and take their venom—before they die of their addiction. If he doesn’t reach them in time, saving her will be impossible.
Thus the journey begins—into the Red!

BUYLINKS:  Amazon   MuseIt Up Publishing


Contact:   Kelly's website     Amazon Author Page   Facebook

Monday, October 7, 2013

Celebrate the Fall Season, This Week, and Giveaway


Gorgeous fall, that's what it is in West Michigan. Trees are turning, apple crops are abundant, pumpkins are ready for Halloween, and the days are finally going to be cool and crisp. Soon the byways and highways will be busy with leaf peepers and shoppers headed to the farm markets for the fall crops, the petting zoo, tours through the orchards, and delicious, fresh hot donuts pulled from the hot oil right in front of you! You can check my Squidoo site at Inside West Michigan for more information on activities to enjoy in West Michigan.

Our small town does it up right when it comes to celebrating fall by inviting everyone to the Harvest Festival. One of the best attractions for visitors is the Hay Art designs. Works of art are made out of hay bales. Folks vote for the best display by donating food. The winning design is determined by which display receives the most pounds of food donated. 
One of the hay art designs from 2011.


The weather always seems to be perfect for the Harvest Festival parade...uh oh, I probably jinxed it for next year. Enjoy a taste of the excitement by watching the video of the Harvest Festival 2013.




THIS WEEK:


c

Thursday, October 10--On Hobby Hoedown paranormal author Kelly Whitley shares her passion for painting with watercolors and offers a free digital copy of her vampire novel, Into the Red, for the winning commenter.

All Month:

Breast Cancer Awareness month


Lavender Dreams
Ten short stories in this anthology to entertain you. More importantly, the authors and cover artist have generously donated these stories and their royalties to help raise funds for cancer research each year.
Authors:
MuseItUp Publishing Authors: Barbara Ehrentreu, Gloria Oren, Lisa J. Lickel, Nan D Arnold, Nathaniel Tower, Rosemary Gemmell, Suzannah Safi, Tanja Cilia, Vicki Batman
Christmas in October continues at Penny Estelle's blog. Win 50 prizes!


Christmas in October




Every Monday and Thursday during October,
six different authors will be spotlighting their books. 

Some lucky commenter is going to win over 50 different prizes. 

It could be you!  All you need to do is comment.
 The more you comment, the more chances you have of winning
all of these fabulous prizes!

So mark your calendars for Thursday, October 3,
and be sure to visit



Ho!  Ho!  Ho!




Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) Blog Post: Now About That AI! #IWSGbloghop

  Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop #IWSGbloghop What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group? Founded by author   Alex J. Cavanaug...

Popular Posts from Last Year