Ways to encourage authors...and answer my question to enter a contest

cj Sez: What follows is a stream of consciousness post about how to Support Your Favorite Authors, whether you’re a writer or a reader.

   I re-post these comments every so often, to remind everyone how important even a brief review is.

If you’re a writer . . .

   If you have your own blog, invite guest bloggers. When you have a guest, send out “Coming Attractions” promotions on Facebook, Twitter, et al. Lyrical Pens does do that, so if you’re promoting a book right now or just want to blog about something, send me an email.
 
   Join a critique group and be willing to give your fellow authors’ work a fair critique. Be kind but be honest. Start your review with a positive comment.
 
  If a writer-friend wants to just sit and talk, grab a chair and listen. Writing is a lonely occupation, and most other people don't understand.
 
   Encourage each other. Writing is not a competition; everyone can be successful.
 
   P. S. If you’re a yet-to-be-published writer and don’t have a business card, support/encourage yourself and get one. Hand it out to agents, workshop instructors, fellow writers, wherever you have an opportunity to network. Get your name out there as early as possible so they can watch for your new release. It’s a way to build a platform and gain a fan following.
 
Now, if you’re a reader (and since writers are also readers, this applies to everyone) . . .

   If you’ve read one of their books, post a review…please. Amazon, Goodreads, B&N, Twitter, and wherever you can. Even a few words—“I like this book”—are helpful.

   Like and comment on authors' posts on their Facebook pages. Facebook's algorithms only show posts that FB thinks other members would like to see. That means the more likes and comments a post gets, the more people will see it. 
 
   Go to book signings, even if you can’t afford to buy the book at that time. Your attendance is encouraging. I’ve been to book signings where the author and I were the only two people there. I’ve been the author at signings where . . . well, never mind. With a little planning, you might be able to keep that from happening to another author.

§§

 
Now for a contest . . .
 
I went to my very first Kentucky Derby party on Saturday. Created a new hat just for the event.

Photo Credit: Author Rebecca Barrett

 Good food, wonderful conversations with new friends, lots of laughter, a good time.

 My horse didn’t win, but I had great fun cheering. Next year “they say” is the 150 th  anniversary of the famed Run for the Roses, “The most exciting two minutes in sports,” and I’m looking forward to it. But please, I’m obviously not a math major: Can someone explain to me why 2024 is a sesquicentennial run when the first race was held in 1875? What logic am I missing? 

   Send me the correct answer, and I’ll enter your name in a contest to win a paperback copy of CLASSICS PIECES RETOLD.
 

§§

 

   There are 26 tributes to classic novels, short stories, and poems in the CLASSICS PIECES RETOLD anthology. The variety of author voices is awesome. What a treat. This anthology is one of the Mobile Writers Guild best productions.
 
   You can order your copies through The Haunted Book Shop https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us , a Mobile indie bookshop, or from your favorite book seller.
 
   For Amazon purchases, click here: Buy CLASSIC PIECES Now
 

§§

 
   That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
 
cj

   No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99.

P.S.  The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us 

 
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Doesn't have to cost a dime to encourage an author

cj Sez: Over the past week, I decided it was crunch time…I absolutely had to quit procrastinating and finish, this week, a short story with a June 30 submission deadline.  

  I need to finish the story early, like “now,” so I'll have time to do the necessary edits. Anyway, all of that was to explain why this post is going to be a short reissue of one previously posted in 2017. By the way, the call for submissions is still open, so if you're of a mind to ....

   What follows is a stream of consciousness blog about how to show your support for writers (at a little or no cost), whether you’re a writer or a reader.

If you’re a writer and have your own blog, invite guest bloggers. Lyrical Pens does do that, though we haven’t been graced with a guest for a few weeks. (Read the invitation in the Lyrical Pens banner above.) When you have a guest scheduled on your blog, send out “Coming Attractions” promotions on other social media sites, like Facebook, Twitter, et al. Be sure to give your guest blogger space to say something about their books.

Read and be willing to give the author’s work a fair review. Be kind but be honest.

If you know an author who just wants to just sit and talk, grab a chair and listen. Writing is a lonely occupation, and most other people don't understand.

Encourage each other. Writing is not a competition; everyone can be successful.

And here’s a little marketing tip: If you’re a yet-to-be-published writer and don’t have a business card, get one. Hand it out to agents, workshop instructors, fellow writers, wherever you have an opportunity to network. Get your name out there as early as possible (blogs and Facebook, too) so they can watch for your new release. Some variation of the one that follows is my suggestion:

Name  Jane Doe, Author

Writer of XXX (literary fiction, historical fiction, non-fiction, YA, romance, whatever)

eMail address

website address

Now, if you’re a reader (and since writers are also readers, I guess this applies to everyone) . . .

Like and comment on authors' posts on their Facebook pages. Facebook's algorithms only show posts that FB thinks other members would like to see. That means the more likes and comments a post gets, the more people will see it. 

Go to book signings, even if you can’t afford to buy the book at that time. Your attendance is ever so encouraging. I’ve been to book signings where the author and I were the only two people there. On the other hand, I was one of several authors at a local indie book store signing and because fans and friends showed up, the afternoon sped by and was fun—even though I didn’t sell a book.

   If you’ve got some good ideas on how best to encourage authors to keep writing, let me know. I’ll pass along the information and credit you as the source.

***

   That’s it for this post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

Stop by my Amazon Central Author Page = https://amzn.to/2v6SrAj and order a book to read or get in touch with The Haunted Bookshop here: The Haunted Bookshop to order an autographed copy of DEADLY STAR, CHOOSING CARTER, and THE POSSE. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in her own right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you the book(s) of your choice.

If you send me a note with a request before you order, I’ll even run down to the shop and personalize your choice.

Drop me a note to sign up for my quarterly newsletter: cjpetterson@gmail.com 

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Briefly . . .

cj Sez: Haven’t been feeling up to snuff for the past couple of days so this post is going to be brief. (*See below for the reason.) What follows are stream-of-consciousness thoughts about how to Support Your Local Writers, whether you’re a writer or a reader.  

Encourage each other. Writing is not a competition; everyone can be successful.

If you’re a writer . . .

. . . and have your own blog, invite guests to post. Lyrical Pens does do that, though we haven’t been graced with a guest for a few weeks. (Got a post to share? eMail me at cjpetterson@gmail.com) When you have a guest scheduled, send out “Coming Attractions” promotions on Facebook, Twitter, et al.

Read and be willing to give your fellow authors’ work a fair critique. Be kind but be honest.

If they want to just sit and talk, grab a chair and listen. Writing is a lonely occupation, and most other people don't understand.

If you’re a yet-to-be-published writer, work on your brand. If you don’t have a business card, get one. GotPrint and Vista Print can do a bunch for not much money. (I paid $23 at GotPrint, which included about $7 shipping, for 250 double-sided cards.) Hand it out to agents, workshop instructors, fellow writers, wherever you have an opportunity to network. Get your name out there as early as possible so they can watch for your new release. Some variation of the one that follows is my suggestion:

Name  Jane Doe, Author

Writer of XXX (literary fiction, historical fiction, non-fiction, YA, romance, whatever)

eMail address

website (or Facebook) address

Now, if you’re a reader (and since writers are also readers, this applies to everyone) . . .

. . . like and comment on authors' posts on their Facebook pages. Facebook's algorithms only show posts that FB thinks other members would like to see. That means the more likes and comments a post gets, the more people will see it. 

Go to book signings, even if you can’t afford to buy the book at that time. Your attendance is encouraging. I’ve been to book signings where the author and I were the only two people there. I been the author at signings where . . . well, never mind. With a little planning, you can keep that from happening to another author.   

*Why am I not up to snuff, you ask? An army of ants marched into my bedroom the other night to escape the rain and joined me under the covers. When I dashed out of bed, I stepped into their path. Man, I’m hurting. I’m sleeping on the couch until I’m sure I’ve totally eliminated the invaders from the carpeting, but I’m hanging in there.

That’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

And now a word from my sponsors:

COMING ATTRACTIONS . . . Arriving July 10:  A new Crimson RomanceBodies in Motion, includes Choosing Carter (rafting and off-roading)     Watch for it on Amazon.

bundle about athletes and the sports they love,

Ebook bundles still available on Amazon:  More Than Friends and California Kisses 

 “Bad Day at Round Rock” short story in The Posse anthology @ http://amzn.to/2lQRvcD

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Simon&Schuster Author Page     Amazon Central Author Page

blog at: www.lyricalpens.com

newsletter sign-up at cjpetterson@gmail.com

Easy ways to support your local author . . .

cj Sez: What follows is a stream of consciousness post about how to Support Your Local Writers, whether you’re a writer or a reader.

From my Facebook page

If you’re a writer . . .

If you have your own blog, invite guest bloggers. Lyrical Pens does do that, though we haven’t been graced with a guest for a few weeks. (Time to send out some more invitations.) When you have a guest, send out “Coming Attractions” promotions on Facebook, Twitter, et al. Be sure to give your guest bloggers space to say something about their own books.

Join a critique group and be willing to give your fellow authors’ work a fair critique. Be kind but be honest.

If a writer-friend wants to just sit and talk, grab a chair and listen. Writing is a lonely occupation, and most other people don't understand.

Encourage each other. Writing is not a competition; everyone can be successful.

If you’re a yet-to-be-published writer and don’t have a business card, get one. Hand it out to agents, workshop instructors, fellow writers, wherever you have an opportunity to network. Get your name out there as early as possible so they can watch for your new release. It’s a way to build a platform and gain a fan following. Some variation of the one that follows is my suggestion:

Name  Jane Doe, Author

Writer of XXX (genre fiction, non-fiction, YA, romance, whatever)

eMail address

website address

Facebook / Twitteraddress (if you have room)

Now, if you’re a reader (and since writers are also readers, this applies to everyone) . . .

If you’ve read one of their books, post a review…please. Amazon, Goodreads, B&N, Twitter, and wherever you can. Even a few words are helpful.

Like and comment on authors' posts on their Facebook pages. Facebook's algorithms only show posts that FB thinks other members would like to see. That means the more likes and comments a post gets, the more people will see it. 

Go to book signings, even if you can’t afford to buy the book at that time. Your attendance is encouraging. I’ve been to book signings where the author and I were the only two people there. I’ve been the author at signings where...well, never mind. With a little planning, you can keep that from happening to another author, and if you’re in Mobile, AL with a new book, I’ll do my best to come to your signing. Just let me know when and where.

Now for some memories . . . 

On July 26, 2014, I wrote this post:

Next week, my grandson leaves home to begin his first year of law school, and I am awash with melancholy. The event reminds me how fast time really does fly when you’re having a good time. I moved to Alabama to be near my grandkids and don't you know, they grew up. (sigh) Too soon, I say. Not soon enough, says he. I miss the hugs, giggles, and piano concerts already.

Doesn't matter where the future takes him. To me, he will always be the dark-eyed cutie ready to save the world. 

Today’s update:

Next week, my grandson graduates law school with a juris doctorate degree, and I am awash with pride.

Everything else in that post is as true today as it was then.

And the picture still fits how I feel about him:

cj Sez:  Thanks for stopping by. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

Now a word from my sponsors:

“Bad Day at Round Rock” short story in The Posse, an anthology of 8 Western short stories . . . @ http://amzn.to/2lQRvcD (Still 99 cents)

California Kisses—10 book publisher bundle (incl Deadly Star) @99 cents

The Great Outdoors—8 book publisher bundle (incl Choosing Carter) @99 cents

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Simon&Schuster Author Page     Amazon Central Author Page

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