This is a summary of the best comments of the Year 2012 from the HBS Author's Spotlight crew. These authors are a group of outstanding writers with years of experience.
Through the year, the authors here were profiled and interviewed, giving us their thoughts about various aspects of the book publishing industry.
They comment about Indie Publishing, Social Media, Marketing, Book Trailers, Support groups and much more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Writing Tips for Writers
Website: Kelly Abell Books
Twitter: @kellyabellbooks
Social media: There are so many sites where authors and readers can connect and converse. I've found Twitter is a great way to build a reader audience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Kelly Abell - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: Anne Allen
Twitter: @AnneAllen21
Marketing for a UK author: I’ve been using social media to market in both the US and UK.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Anne Allen - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Dani Amore
Twitter: @authordaniamore
I have done book trailers and have no idea if they helped or not. My favorite quote on advertising is: 'I know half of my advertising money is wasted. I just don't know which half.'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Dani Amore - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: When a Woman Wrongs a Man
Website: Rachelle Ayala, Writer
Twitter: @AyalaRachelle
Blog Promo: My blog is heavily visited because of the Promo Site listing so it is a win-win situation for everyone who appears on my blog.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Rachelle Ayala - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Self-Publishing Review
Website: Henry Baum
Twitter: @henrybaum
If you’re an author, you need to check his blog site for helpful information. Also he does book reviews and publishes them on his site.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Henry Baum - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: Troy Blackford - Journey to Death at Lifespeed
Twitter: @TBlackford3
Another bit of advice is to really focus on short stories early on so that you can develop your skills before making writing novel after novel your priority.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Troy Blackford - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: A Place to Embrace our Love of Books
Website: Cheryl Bradshaw
Twitter: @cherylbradshaw
Social media is my primary focus. I love twitter for many reasons. Main importance for me is using it to connect with my fans and fellow authors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Cheryl Bradshaw - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: Pamela Burford
Twitter: @PamelaBurford
Group support: Writing is the quintessential solitary pursuit. Getting together with others who are facing the same empty page—or screen—and the same frustrations and anxieties is crucial.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Pamela Burford - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: erikchristian - Writing of that not written
Website: Erik Christian
Twitter: @SimplyAfterDark
I encourage writers by telling them how easy it is to submit their work, usually via Kindle Direct Publishing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Erik Christian - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Stacy Eaton, Author
Website: Stacy Eaton
Twitter: @StacySEaton
Time management: I have a sign in my kitchen that hangs over a clock where the battery is dead. I leave it that way because it goes well with the sign that reads, “Once upon a time, there was time”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Stacy Eaton - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Awesome Romance Novels
Website: Author Donna Fasano, In All Directions
Twitter: @DonnaFaz
Indie Publishing: The most difficult adjustment I have found is not having enough time to do all the the necessary jobs involved in being an Indie Author.
Free books: I believe it gives readers a 'taste' of my work. I think it's good business to offer samples…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Donna Fasano - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Dave Folsom - All About This and That
Website: Dave Folsom's Books
Twitter: @davefolsombooks
Marketing: I try to have my books on as many sites as possible, along with my own websites. I do extensive social media play simply because I think it’s necessary to build a platform and get your name our as much as you can.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Dave Folsom - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Melissa Foster Blog
Website: Melissa Foster
Twitter: @Melissa_Foster
Social Media: I love to share what I've learned in publishing. It allows me to connect with readers across the world.
World Literary Cafe (WLC) founder: Readers, writers, bloggers, reviewers, and anyone interested in the literary field can join. Our goal is to unite the literary community, bring authors to readers and help authors promote their work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Melissa Foster - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: Promised Valley
Twitter: @RonFritsch
I worked as a public-interest lawyer but had too little time to write the kind of fiction I wished to create….began the writing I always wanted to do.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Ron Fritsch - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: Rayne Hall
Twitter: @RayneHall
Social Media: My social network of choice is Twitter @raynehall which I use not just as a marketing tool but for engaging with my peers (other writers) and my readers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Rayne Hall - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: It's Rhyme Time
Website: Pat Hatt Books
Twitter: @PatHatt24
eBook Color: Oh without color the books wouldn't be seen anywhere near as much in ebook form. That color catches the readers eye and helps a ton with marketing and such.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Patrick Hatt - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: Devin C. Hughes
Twitter: @DevinCHughes
I am huge social media maven and spend hours a day interacting with a wide variety of folks…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Devin C. Hughes - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Dawn Ireland
Website: Dawn Ireland Writer
Twitter: @dawnireland
Marketing: Every book I send out in the mail, or autograph and sell at an event has my three postcards inside. That is my #1 marketing tool.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Dawn Greenfield Ireland - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: John Marco - The Happy Nerd
Website: The Happy Nerd
Twitter: @happynerdjohn
Marketing for a traditional author: I’ve been online for years and have always done all of my marketing online. The ebook part of it is new.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View John Marco - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: M. R. Mathias Connection Hub
Website: M.R. Mathias Fantasy Author
Twitter: @DahgMahn
If you’re an author and want to be involved in socal media to market your book, you must check out his book 'The First Ten Steps'. A Must Read.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View M.R. Mathias - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: Monica Mathis-Stowe - Author
Twitter: @MMathisStowe
Social Media: Social Networking is an excellent marketing tool. You don’t want every blog to be about you… I do a great deal of blog interviews and I also contact book clubs that have an interest in my book’s genre.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Monica Mathis-Stowe - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: A Blue Million Books
Website: Amy Metz, author
Twitter: @goosepimpleisms
Time management: No schedule. Now that I have the blog up and rolling, it’s not very time consuming. But I do have to admit that my laptop is almost an appendage. I write or market or blog every waking moment possible.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Amy Metz - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: Blood Skies
Twitter: @Daezarkian
Use of software in your writing: I have a system regarding re-writes and book releases, and I do loosely outline my plots. I also try to keep notes regarding things I want to do with a book that I’m afraid I might later forget.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Steven Montano - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: eBook Author’s Corner
Website: James Moushon - Mystery Writer
Twitter: @jimhbs
Writing career: I always wanted to write but my professional career got in the way. How I get to do both: design computer systems and write. I write blogs to help authors and I write novels to express myself. (Jonathon Stone Mystery Novels)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View James Moushon - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Blogger Spotlight
Website: Michelle Muto Paranormal Writer
Twitter: @MichWritesBooks
Social Media: I’d say that Twitter and whatever activity I have on FB accounts for over 90% of my marketing push.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Michelle Muto - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Jake Needham blog
Website: Jake Needham
Twitter: @jakeneedham
Advent of eBooks: E-books have been an absolute game changer for me. My titles have been available as e-books for less than a year, but they are already selling at a rate of 20 times that of my print editions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Jake Needham - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: The Creative Penn
Website: J. F. Penn, Ancient Mystery, Modern Thrill
Twitter: @thecreativepenn
Author's Blog: It was a means to become part of a community and help others. (Her blog is a must read.)
Cover design: I got people on my blog to pick the book cover for Pentecost. It made people feel more involved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Joanna Penn - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: YouTube Channel - Mohana Rajakumar
Website: Mohadoha
Twitter: @moha_doha
Free Books: Free days on Amazon through the KDP program have been wonderful for me both because of the high rankings and therefore visibilty you gain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Mohana Rajakumar - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Google+
Website: David Rashleigh
Twitter: @DavidRashleigh
Quote of month: I think that when you have to explain to your reading audience: “I want to reassure the people who live today near the old railway line that all events in Sciron, including the hauntings, are completely fictional!” you have met the primary goal of an author.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View David Rashleigh - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: M.W. Russell Author
Website: M.W. Russell Author
Twitter: @mibbymw
Book trailers: I think if done well, they are yet another avenue for attracting readers – especially as the visual medium is always so effective.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Maree Ward-Russell - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: The Image Gallery
Website: Always & Forever, Love Success Stories of Marriages 20+ Years Strong
Twitter: @alwaysn4everlov
Pictures and story: A great combination to enhanced the ebook experience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Otis G. Sanders - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Cooper Moon - The Series
Website: Cheryl Shireman
Twitter: @cherylshireman
Indie Chicks founder: I came up with a list of my “dream team” of women writers and started contacting them…they are an extraordinary group of writers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Cheryl Shireman - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: Cassidy Jones Adventures
Twitter: @CassidyJonesAdv
Marketing YA readers: Twitter is my primary marketing tool, but you have to understand the culture to get the most out of it. If you’re not taking the time to look through feed and engage with other members…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Elise Stokes - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: AlaskanNovelist
Website: Alaskan Mysteries
Twitter: @AlaskanNovelist
Writing mysteries with Alaska as the setting: There are lots of places to hide bodies and the animals will obliterate the remains leaving virtually nothing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Sean E. Thomas - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Emily Mah
Website: E. M. Tippetts
Twitter: @EMTippetts
Publishing in different languages: Converted one book to German. My interpreter is one of a very small group of people trying out a new business model specifically for the indie author who wants to break into a new language market.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Emily Tippetts - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: The official blog for Jade Varden, author of the Deck of Lies series.
Twitter: @JadeVarden
Blogging: I started doing the Writing 101 posts because I was noticing mistakes that I was making, and I thought maybe I could help other writers not make them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Jade Varden - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: That Thing I Said
Twitter: @Cerullean
Author Blog: I began interviewing authors and learned that talking to and about other people is far more interesting than the (slightly) solipsistic focus on me and my own work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Paul Western-Pittard - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: Ermal as JOHN WAYNE
One-on-one selling: I CAN SELL MY BOOKS IN THE PERSONA OF “JOHN WAYNE” BEST.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Ermal Walden Williamson - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Blog: Cynthia Woolf blog
Website: Cynthia Woolf - from Cowboys to Space Captains
Twitter: @CynthiaWoolf
eBook Publishing: If it weren't for ebooks, I wouldn't be published. My books don't fit in the traditional publishers slots.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the Author's Comments...View Cynthia Woolf - HBS Author's Spotlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012 was great for the initial HBS Author's Spotlight year. Next year looks like a continuation of the same. We have a list of outstanding authors lined up to share their books and their ideas.
Also, we have planned some new features for readers to help them keep informed about their favorite authors and what they are up too. Stay tuned.
HBSystems Publications
Publisher of ebooks, writing industry blogger and the sponsor of the HBS Author's Spotlight plus the blog: eBook Author’s Corner. Check out the index of other Spotlight authors. Spotlight Index.
No comments:
Post a Comment