The Real Reason I had Kids

Tags

Faith McKay, getting readers, Lipstick and Zombies, marketing, Serendipity, teens, YA books

I don’t consider myself a marketing pro. Or a marketing anything, really.

Selling myself or my work? Meh.

As I approach the reality of my manuscript becoming a book, the reality of facing marketing has slapped me in the face.

Ow.

So, I’ve decided to use my kids. Little did I know that I had them at the perfect time. Ignore the fact that I hadn’t discovered my dream of being a writer when they were born, this whole them being teenagers at the time of my YA release (DOORS, out at the end of the year! <–look marketing! Maybe?) seems to be quite a lovely thing.

My 13 year-old daughter has already told me how excited she is to bring my book in to  show ALL HER FRIENDS AND TELL THEM TO READ IT!

My son? Maybe not so much, but you never know…he might help spread the word.

And I think I can rope my nieces into being my slave labor and waving my book in front of their friends’ faces.

I figure I can ride around in my car with copies of my book in the back and lure teens to me with promises of video games and candy… or puppies? Hello, stranger danger. I promise to not wear a creepy mask. Well, no, I can’t promise this.

And as Faith (McKay… if you don’t know her you should, go follow her here) and I chatted and laughed hysterically over this, later, I thought how much merit there is in using ones children as marketing tools. 

Because I believe that the best way to sell books is through word of mouth. For how do books sell? By people telling other people, who tell more people and BAM… magic.

I need to get my book into the hands of teens. So I shall use teens to do this.

So lucky me. I had kids at the perfect time.

Serendipity, baby.

This post inspired by and dedicated to the fabulous Faith, whose LIPSTICK AND ZOMBIES book is so fun! And she is a critical part of The Midnight Society blog responsible for #SpookyAllYear. And an overall great person.

Keep laughing, GHOST FACE KILLAH DJ girl. You’re the best.

Midwest Writers Workshop!!!!!!

Tags

conferences, learning, marketing, Midwest Writers' Workshop, networking, writers workshops, writing

Hi all!

I am on my way to Muncie, Indiana for the Midwest Writers Workshop… #MWW15!!!

If you remember last year, I was a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing. So many people. So many authors, some published, some agented, some still hopeful. All the information… queries, synopsis, marketing, writing good characters, plot structures…

How would I ever fit into this world of publishing? HOW? I should just quit! What am I doing? Poor Past-me…

Since then, I had two storied published in an anthology and signed with a publisher (the best publisher EVER) with my YA fantasy DOORS!

So, this year I return a little more prepared for what I will encounter, for all the information to be crammed into my brain. And will listen with extra special care to all the marketing information.

AND TO HAVE A SUPER-DUPER TIME MEETING TONS OF FRIENDS I HAVE MADE ON TWITTER! The cool kids are allowing me to hang out with them! Me!

Writers conferences are fabulous. And as I wander further into the world of publishing I will do my best to put myself out there- as scary as that it. Luckily, authors are a marvelous group of people. I am proud to be counted as one of them… part of the crew, part of the ship.

That was a little creepy… anyway, have a fabulous weekend! I will!

Setting Foot on a New Path

Tags

Facebook, marketing, stories, Twitter, Wattpad, writing

I have taken a step down an unknown path.

Everyone calm down. I think I’ll be alright.

I think.

As a writer, I am constantly wondering how to get my stuff out there in the world so people can read it.

I query publishers. I wait. I write more words to keep tucked in my computer.

I wait.

There must be something I can do to get my name out there, so when one of my manuscripts finally, magically, fantastically becomes a REAL BOOK and goes out into the world I might sell a few… or several? One can dream.

Marketing. Now there’s a scary word. It implies interacting with… *gulp*… people. It hints at being a part of the real world. I like to write the words. I’m pretty good at it. But marketing? In this I will fail, hence me NOT taking the self-pubbing path. For all those who do… BRAVO!

So I have a blog… Hello!

I am on Twitter. I LOVE IT THERE. MY PEOPLE ARE THERE!

Two of my stories have been published in an anthology! I know everyone rushed out to get it… right? Fairly Twisted Tales for a Horribly Ever After published by Reuts Publishing! No? That’s okay, I still ❤ you. But you can check it out here, for hardcover, Nook, or Kindle! *bats eyes*

Well, that was a shameless plug.

Back to the topic…

Many resources exist for marketing. Many of which, I know nothing about. Facebook… Goodreads… and one I just (I mean moments ago, kids) set foot on…

Wattpad. I published a short story. *breathes*

If you remember back in October, I had a short posted on the Pen and Muse blog in their Haunted House Showcase. It is now out in the world on Wattpad for everyone’s enjoyment. Well, unless horror isn’t your thing, then I’d stay away because it’s a little creepy.

I have quite a few short stories sitting about, collecting dust. Why not toss them into the fray. Maybe, someone will like them… and say, that Kathleen Palm person, I like her writing.

I would die of joy.

All the writers out there! Carry on the good fight to be seen, to be read, to be awesome! Together we can cut our way through the jungle of marketing. We will survive!

*draws sword*

FOR NARNIA!!!!!!