Travel Your Best Road—with Cash!

This contest is now closed. Look for the winner’s name in my late June, 2019 newsletter. Thank you to everyone who entered! There’s nothing better than kicking off summer with extra cash. If you’re looking for extra fun money, here’s your chance. To celebrate the upcoming release of The Road She Left Behind, I have…

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How to Grow a Vibrant Twitter Following

This Chatty Cathy can’t lie: I love Twitter. Some authors think of tweeting as just another chore, but I find the site invaluable for connecting with readers and sharing publishing industry news with other authors. Book reviewers find me on Twitter. So do families that have adopted children, as I have. Why is Twitter fabulous?…

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Strategies for Writing Stellar Book Reviews

As a reader, you know the importance of a well-crafted book review. They help you understand what a story is about and whether or not you should add it to your ‘to-read’ list. Of course, authors appreciate reviews as they significantly impact sales. But authors aren’t the only ones who benefit from stellar book reviews.…

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4 Strategies for Creating Book Buzz

  Nothing strikes fear in an author’s heart like the prospect of self-promotion. Most of us are introverted bookaholics content to spend our days blissfully writing. Yet, creating a sellable book is just the beginning. Without promotion and a lot of buzz, readers will never know your book exists. And as an Indie Author, it’s…

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Building a Review Team for Your Book

I was a year into indie publishing and preparing for my third release before I got serious about developing my first Review Team. Review Teams have many benefits including gaining reviews pre-release and creating buzz in reader-focused social sites. They can also help with word-of-mouth marketing (leading to preorders of your book) months before your…

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Writing Books in a Series

Many authors consider writing a series. Some writers shy away from the idea because the task can seem daunting—which is true. When I began writing the Liberty Series I had to think about how to approach the series. How would I continue the story in book after book? Should I have a cast of characters…

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Three Approaches to Starting a Book Club

“Reading—the best state yet to keep absolute loneliness at bay.” —William Styron   As bibliophiles, we know that in reading books we get pulled into unique places and times, becoming acquainted with inspiring and intriguing characters. We come to love the sites and sounds of the Wayfair Inn or imagine the laugh of a lovely…

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Building a Memorable Author Brand

Now, don’t be shy: Did you begin indie publishing with the sole objective of releasing your heart’s work to the world? Many indie authors, including many earning an impressive income, begin the journey with one book in mind. It isn’t until the second or third release that they begin pondering questions critical to long-term success.…

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PR Basics for the Debut Novelist

The completion of your first novel is a reason for celebration. Many people talk of writing a novel but few possess the drive to spend day after day—and perhaps year after year—perfecting hundreds of pages of prose. After you reach the accomplishment of completed work, the challenge of promoting the book—and yourself—begins. The following are…

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Books as Good Medicine

Laughter is the best medicine. Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Walking is man’s best medicine. Most of us have heard these sayings and perhaps live by these mantras. But what about us bibliophiles? What’s our best medicine? Not long ago, a reader…

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