Author: Anna Abner

12 Free Promotion Ideas That Work

12 Free Promotion Ideas That Work

Posted on by Anna Abner

Or, How to Get People to Notice Your Book

I’m a new indie author with a book to promote, but I don’t have a lot of money to spend on marketing. So, I’m all about free easy ways to get my name and novel out in front of a lot of different people. Here is a list of things (in no particular order) that have worked for me.

I’m assuming you have a website or a blog already set up.

  1. Write a press release with a “local girl (or boy) does well” spin and send it to your hometown newspaper.
  2. Reach out to book clubs and offer your novel for them to read. Be prepared to visit the group for a Q&A.
  3. Set up an author page on each of the sites you publish on. And don’t forget Goodreads!
  4. Write an article and be the guest speaker on a blog. Invite other authors to guest on your blog.
  5. Write interesting and topical blog posts at least three times per week.
  6. Post an interview with another new, indie author on your blog. Ask if they will reciprocate.
  7. Give away a free copy of your book through your site or on Facebook.
  8. Publish your novel on other sites besides Amazon, like Barnes and Noble, All Romance eBooks, Smashwords, Lulu, and CreateSpace.
  9. Become an expert in social media. Blog, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+, etc., etc.
  10. Launch any new blog series, event, and definitely your latest book release with social media fanfare.
  11. Comment on popular blogs in your genre.
  12. Get your novel reviewed by popular book bloggers. If it’s a positive review, use it as free advertising on your site and your author pages.

<3 Anna

The Real Buster(s) From S.O.S.

The Real Buster(s) From S.O.S.

Posted on by Anna Abner

Or, Photos of the Sweetest Labradors in the Whole World

Can you picture Buster in these two beautiful dogs? Change one’s fur to blond and give him a bit of a jumping problem, and it’s Holden’s little buddy in my new release, Spell of Summoning.

 

Buster 4 SOS

 

Buster 1 SOS

 

Below is the view I imagine Rebecca had moments before this scene: (Sorry, Becca!)

          Buster’s ears perked up. Holden dug in his heels, but Buster was eighty-five pounds of overgrown puppy. He launched himself at Rebecca full force as if he had springs for feet. The leash jerked out of Holden’s hand, and before he could stop him, his dog scratched both her knees, untucked her white blouse, and slammed her against her car. 

 Spell of Summoning pg. 2

Buster 2 SOS

 

As a bonus, here is the (fictional) Bull Dog Inn in (the very real) Jacksonville, NC–external staircase and all. This is not Rebecca’s favorite place. 😉

 

bull dog inn SOS

 

What I imagine the Powell House looks like. Just picture a bigger tree in the yard and missing roof tiles.

 

Powell House 3 SOS

 

Holden’s stripped down 1979 Jeep. Can’t you see Buster sitting in the front seat?

 

1979 jeep cj5

<3 Anna

Christine Rains’ 1303: Dragonslayer Blog Tour Announced

Christine Rains’ 1303: Dragonslayer Blog Tour Announced

Posted on by Anna Abner

Or, Check Out Christine Rains’ Exclusive Interview Right Here on Feb. 15

I’m thrilled to announce that Christine Rains, author of the 13th Floor series, will be stopping by on Feb. 15 for an interview to promote her new release, Dragonslayer.

Check out the new cover! And if you haven’t read her first two volumes in the series, they’re fantastic!

TheDragonslayercoversmall<3 Anna

 

Write a Press Release in 10 Steps

Write a Press Release in 10 Steps

Posted on by Anna Abner

Or, How I Taught Myself Promotion

When you’re a small-time, self-published author like me you have to be your own PR department and take over everything from running a website to convincing bloggers to review your book. Throw into that list writing your own press releases.

Unless you’re super famous or have a topical book to promote you probably won’t see any stories in national newspapers and magazines about you or your book. But, just maybe, your local newspaper will be interested in printing a story about a local girl (or boy) who followed her (or his) dreams to publication. I believe it’s worth your time to write a press release and email it to your local journalists and news desks.

1. Start your email with your full contact info and a friendly greeting (personalized, if possible). You can find the appropriate editors and email addresses on the newspaper’s website.

2. Print FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE at the start to signal the journalist when the actual article begins and that it is news ready to be printed.

3. Write a catchy headline. This is the first impression most people will have of the article and, by extension, you and your book. I followed the same rule of thumb for billboards–7 words or less. And capitalize the first letter of each word.

4. At the beginning of the first paragraph print your location in all caps and then the date.

5. The first paragraph should have the most important information about you and your story and the reason you’re both interesting or topical enough to warrant printing the article. Think about the 5 W’s of journalism. And don’t forget quotes or snippets of reviews (if you have them). End with a hook. But you knew that one already!

6. The next one or two paragraphs give more information on you, your story, and your book. But keep the whole thing short and snappy. Shoot for between 200 and 500 words.

7. Include where the book is available and add a link to your website or blog.

8. Attach your cover art or an author photo.

9. End the press release with ### to let journalists know the article is finished.

10. Final reminders: Write the release in the 3rd person and the way a non-partial  professional journalist would write it.  It should look like other, similar stories printed in that publication. And don’t be afraid to send a new press release out if your novel suddenly becomes topical or you can link it to a current event.

If you’re a new author and you’re not sure how to get the word out about your book, a nicely worded press release to the local paper can wield positive results.

<3 Anna

My (Imaginary) Love Affair with Eddie Redmayne

My (Imaginary) Love Affair with Eddie Redmayne

Posted on by Anna Abner

Or, Why I Can’t Get Les Miserables Out of My Mind

Eddie Redmayne

I will admit I have a thing for redheads. When I was younger Eric Stoltz made me all fluttery. I think Prince Harry is way hotter than his brother. And Seth Green’s Oz from Buffy the Vampire Slayer starred in many of my adolescent daydreams.

So, when I saw Les Miserables it wasn’t Hugh Jackman’s scruffy Jean Valjean that grabbed my attention, but Eddie Redmayne’s lovesick Marius.

Naturally, I needed to see more of my new crush, which meant discovering heart-breaking little gems like Birdsong and Tess of the D’Urbervilles. It turns out Mr. Redmayne not only sings like an angel, but he’s a talented and award-winning actor. Check out his IMDB page for “date night” ideas here.

And don’t be surprised when the hero of my upcoming young adult series has shaggy auburn hair and soulful green eyes reminiscent of a certain British actor.

<3 Anna

Tuesday Tease #3

Tuesday Tease #3

Posted on by Anna Abner

Or, A Short Excerpt from my Paranormal Romance Spell of Summoning!

April in North Carolina didn’t have the sticky heat that would settle over the state during the summer months, but it was warm. Sweat tickled at the back of Holden Clark’s neck. But not because of the weather. He’d lied to a woman to get her here.

Well, lie was a strong word. He’d rather say he’d persuaded a woman to join him for lunch under false pretenses. Because he wasn’t a liar. In fact, he prided himself on his honesty.

But he couldn’t think of any other way to get Rebecca Powell to meet him here. Telling her the truth over the phone was out of the question.

Buster, Holden’s yellow Labrador, sat up off the asphalt and whined at an approaching, slow-moving vehicle. This must be her.

A silver Lexus pulled over and parked two spots down in the half-empty lot, giving Holden plenty of room to watch Rebecca Powell through her car windows. Grams was right. No doubt about it, the woman was under a summoning spell, and the demon trying desperately to break into their world clung to Ms. Powell’s blonde hair and narrow shoulders like a filthy veil.

“Tell her whatever you have to,” Grams said, rounding the hood of his stripped-down 1979 Jeep. “She doesn’t have much time.”

He leaned against the passenger door, his fingers tightening to the point of pain around Buster’s long, braided leash. The air between him and Rebecca crackled with magical energy. The spell on her was no amateurish accident. It was stronger than anything he’d ever experienced. Fear coiled inside him. He couldn’t help her. No matter what his Grams said.

Spell of Summoning, ms pg 1

<3 Anna

Tuesday Tease #2

Tuesday Tease #2

Posted on by Anna Abner

Or, A Short Excerpt from my Paranormal Romance Spell of Summoning!

Holden frowned, his gaze criss-crossing her face. “Am I wrong?”

“That’s private.” Rebecca pointed at her car. “I have a lot of work to do.” That wasn’t true. Not completely. She owned her own office. She made her own schedule.

He looked her right in the eye and leaned in even closer. Way too close. Kissing range close. “A necromancer is targeting you for a full blown demon possession. I can help you, if you let me.”

Becca swallowed, overwhelmed with the urge to retreat. His body heat rolled over her like a wave. “What do you–”

“I know what’s happening because I’m a necromancer, too.”

Spell of Summoning, ms pg. 11

<3 Anna

Weak Verbs & How to Lose Them

Weak Verbs & How to Lose Them

Posted on by Anna Abner

Or, How I Kicked the Word ‘Was’ Right off the Page

Whether you write in third person past tense (e.g. Maggie stubbed her toe on the lip of a paving stone and belly-flopped onto the grass) or first person narrative (e.g. Drake looks at me like I’m nuts, but I know what I saw) forms of the verb to be screw with our writing. Was, were, been, is, am, are.  AKA, my nemeses.

When I’m writing a first draft I type scenes and dialogue as fast as it pours out of me so I can get the framework down, from the first meet to the happily ever after. But that means I lose my critical eye for a few weeks and open the door for all kinds of sloppy, lazy writing to squeeze through. One of the worst–the word was and his brothers, were and been.

Before my first read through I use my find & replace tool to bold all the forms of was. Like this:

Martin was tired.

This is weak and lazy and just plain telling, not showing. Instead, I want to use stronger verbs and better phrasing:

Martin yawned. Or,

Martin yawned into his fingers. Or,

Martin’s head bobbed, startling him so badly he kicked the side table into Sarah’s shins.

It’s one of the easiest problems to find, but often the hardest to fix. It’s so tempting to write Martin was tired and hurry to the next action scene or romantic turning point. It’s a lot harder to dig in deep and immerse the reader in a complex and engaging world. So, roll up your sleeves and replace those devilish to be verbs with vivid and fast-paced action verbs that keep us all hanging on the edges of our seats.

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