Be sure to check out what they have coming next for their readers. I try to pick authors who are interesting studies and ask them unique questions for our Q/A section.
Check out the Showcase feature of the HBS Author's Spotlight. I have included those authors in this class. Thanks to the following outstanding authors for a great month.
Here is a summary of our November 2013 crew.
Paul Glover
Author Genre: Self-Help, Non-Fiction
Author's Blog: The Glover Group - Training Everyday Leaders
Website: Work Quake
Twitter: @glovergroup
E-Mail: paulglover@trainingeverydayleaders.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
My next book should be ready for release by July 2014. In this book I explore the concepts of resilience and grit…
Videos: The videos have had little impact on book sales but are great for maintaining current clients and influencing potential clients to use my services.
I am a geek when it comes to time management – I have a very detailed daily “to do list” and a “not to do list” that keeps me from saying yes to projects that I should not engage in.
Blog: The purpose of any of my writing or speaking, including the blog, and my coaching is to share my thoughts and ideas about how to be better individually and organizational.
Author's Book List
WorkQuake
For the rest of the story...View Paul Glover - HBS Author's Spotlight
S.R. Grey
Author Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Mystery,New Adult
Author's Blog: S.R. Grey's Blog
Website: S.R. Grey
Twitter: @AuthorSRGrey
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Next: Wickingham Way is the third and final installment in my A Harbour Falls Mystery series. The release is on target for publication this January 2014.
Social media relationships have been key for me in building a readership base. It takes time to build a following, but once you do it’s great fun to interact with your readers, other authors, and book bloggers.
The biggest reading group I belong to is Goodreads. I have a dedicated author page there, and all my books are listed, as well.
Giveaways: I’ve participate in several Goodreads giveaways where I’ve given away paperback copies of my novels. I’ve found in most cases the winner reads your book and leaves a review.
Reviews: I pretty much rely on the reading audience. But, of course, social media has been very important.
Author's Book List
Harbour Falls
I Stand Before You
Willow Point
For the rest of the story...View S.R. Grey - HBS Author's Spotlight
Liliana Hart
Author Genre: Romance, Mystery & Thrillers, Humor,non-fiction
Website: Liliana Hart
Twitter: @Liliana_Hart
E-Mail: lilianahartauthor@gmail.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Next: Next up for me is another MacKenzie book. It’s called A Christmas Wish: Dane and it’ll be out on December 10th
I think social media in today’s publishing world is really important. I love connecting with my readers and I think they really enjoy having access to me and knowing what I’m working on as well. My Twitter, Facebook, and newsletter followers and subscribers have all grown steadily in tandem.
Personal appearances: I have a full listing of future events for 2014 on my website at http://lilianahart.com/news.html.
Covers are one of the most important parts of the book publishing process. It’s what has to catch the eye of your readers.
Support groups: The Indie Voice was formed as a way for ten authors who write in different genres to cross promote to each other’s readership. We brainstorm marketing ideas and discuss the business aspect of writing
Giveaways: I personally think doing a first in a series free book is one of the best marketing devices there is. If book one in your series is good then people are going to automatically go out and buy the other books at a higher price point.
The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing came about during a meeting held by The Indie Voice. We’re an LLC of 10 NYT and USA Today Bestselling authors, and we came together to promote each other, mentor other writers, and keep each other motivated to keep up with the hectic scheduling publishing today now warrants.
Author's Book List
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel
Whiskey For Breakfast
The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing
Kill Shot
Sins and Scarlet Lace
CADE
Secrets and Satin
Shadows and Silk
A Dirty Shame
Whiskey Sour
Whiskey Rebellion
For the rest of the story...View Liliana Hart - HBS Author's Spotlight
Robin Mahle
Author Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Crime
Author's Blog: Robin Mahle
Website: Robin Mahle
Twitter: @RobinMahle
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Congratulations on your book: All the Shiny Things. I am working on another mystery/suspense now, but it is still very early days. All I can say is that it is a departure from the Redwood Violet series in the sense that it has a supernatural theme.
Social media is certainly a challenge and I do struggle to stay on top of it. As far as building a following, I work very hard at the relationship aspect of Twitter. I think the best way to gain followers is to engage other users, talk to them, makes your posts informative and interesting.
Book trailer: But the biggest challenge has been in getting views of the trailer. I struggle with promotional tools and their effectiveness. It’s really one of the hardest things for an indie author, I think.
Short story: My short story, Long Journey Home, was really my first work of any real length…I wouldn’t say it’s had much impact on sales of my novels, but I can tell you that since I’ve published the second book in the Redwood Violet series, sales of my short story have increased fairly significantly.
Author's Book List
All the Shiny Things
Redwood Violet
Long Journey Home
For the rest of the story...View Robin Mahle - HBS Author's Spotlight
Vickie McKeehan
Author Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Ghosts, Military
Author's Blog: Vickie McKeehan - Romance. Darkness. Suspense.
Website: Vickie McKeehan
Twitter: @VickieMcKeehan
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Next: Right now, Starlight Dunes is set for release in mid-December. It’s Brent Cody’s and River Amandez’s story.
Social media is a must for marketing, especially if you’re a writer. Having a presence on Twitter, Facebook, and the Internet in general, is essential for success. But like anything else, social media isn’t the sole relationship builder you need to establish yourself with readers.
Personal appearances: I do book signings usually at book clubs. For example, in the month of September I did two, one in San Diego and one in Los Angeles. A reader usually contacts me through my website or messages me on Facebook asking about making an appearance to sign copies of my books and to answer questions while I’m there about the characters, the storyline, or the next book in the series, if there is one.
Writer support groups: Connecting with other writers always makes the process a little better, a little easier.
eBooks: I think ebooks makes the whole publishing process easier and faster and more efficient than the printed book. Although I’ll always love a book in print, I’m blown away by the fact that some one thousand plus books will fit on my Kindle.
Giveaways: My promotional days are still the best resources for getting new readers.
Blog: I still don’t know why I dragged my feet so long about starting a blog. I love having one now! The only problem with it is coming up with new content.
Author's Book List
Lighthouse Reef
The Bones of Others
Dancing Tides
Ending Evil
Deeper Evil
Hidden Moon Bay
Promise Cove
Just Evil
For the rest of the story...View Vickie McKeehan - HBS Author's Spotlight
PJ Schnyder
Author Genre: Paranormal,Sci-Fi Romance,Urban Fantasy,Steampunk
Author's Blog: PJ Schnyder
Website: PJ Schnyder
Twitter: @pjschnyder
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Next: I’m just finishing Book 3 of the London Undead series, Survive to Dawn, due out for release in April of 2014
Social media relationships: It’s very important to me to stay accessible to readers. I do my best to answer questions when I can, though I’m not always able to share information until official announcements have been made.
Personal appearances: I do try to participate in various events every year. I love meeting people, both current readers and (possible) future readers.
Short stories are great to explore other genres. They are also a way of introducing other readerships to my work. Plus, they provide a nice treat for my existing readers in the midst of waiting for the next novella- or novel-length release.
Support groups: When I first started learning about the craft of writing and the industry as a whole, I found Miss Snark’s First Victim (http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/) invaluable as a place for information and also for critique feedback on focused segments of my work.
eBooks: I truly believe ebooks have changed the entire landscape of reading. More readers can read stories they might never have tried before based on key elements rather than the overall genre of the book. People who might have been embarrassed to read a particular genre, can now enjoy a book in an ebook reader without worrying about a cover betraying them.
Giveaways: I believe a book given away for free is an investment. Hopefully the winner will love my book and tell other people about it. Maybe they’ll share it. I’m okay with that. I grew up reading and sharing the books I loved with my friends and family and hope my readers would do the same with my books.
Author's Book List
Sing for the Dead
Bite Me
Hunting Kat
Heart's Sentinel
For the rest of the story...View PJ Schnyder - HBS Author's Spotlight
Annie Seaton
Author Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Historical Fiction
Author's Blog: Annie Seaton-Romance Author
Website: Annie Seaton
Twitter: @annieseaton26
E-Mail: annieseaton26@gmail.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Next: I am very excited because I actually have three books about to be released. After Dangerous Desire, Outback Affair will make its appearance on 10th of October and then Tangling with the CEO in mid-November.
Social media: The most important factor in succeeding in your writing is to write a good story, of course. Following a close second in these days of social media, it is critical to reach the reading mass on a daily basis through the use of social media. I focus on Facebook and Twitter for my networking and spend at least two hours every day creating and maintaining relationships
Covers: My publisher (Entangled Publishing) is wonderfully receptive when designing covers. They source detailed information from me about what I envisage on the cover, similar covers that.
Support groups: I am a member of the Romance Writers Association of Australia and Romance Writers of New Zealand. To be absolutely honest, I could not have achieved success without belonging to organisations like this.
Free books: I have offered all of my self-published books for free at one stage or another and believe it is beneficial as it further increases the exposure of my name and my books. I have also given away free print copies of my books for promotion and to my local library. I also gift many copies of my books as giveaways on blog tours and it has always been a positive experience for me.
Living in Australia: My biggest audience up until recently was the United States where the population is much greater than that of my home country, Australia. Over the past few weeks my rankings for Italian Affair have picked up in India which is very exciting. Marketing online gives you a global market at your fingertips.
Author's Book List
Dangerous Desire
Italian Affair
Winter of the Passion Flower
Summer of the Moon Flower
Blind Lust
Holiday Affair
For the rest of the story...View Annie Seaton - HBS Author's Spotlight
Julie Smith
Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Young Adult
Website: booksBnimble
Twitter: @booksbnimble
E-Mail: julieorleans@cox.net
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Next: My YA novel, CURSEBUSTERS, retitled BAD GIRL SCHOOL, will be out as a digital book in the next month. Retitled because who doesn't like bad girls?
Twitter: Honestly, I don't think I can credit social media with any direct success. Peripherally, I hope it helps, because it sure is a time-suck, but I think it's very overrated as a way to sell books.
Covers: I'm incredibly lucky. I have a great friend who's designed most of the covers for my books, and she's amazing to work with. She's not a designer by trade, but a best-selling author.
Writer support groups: I only belong to MWA, and have for more years than most members have been alive. I belong to Sisters In Crime too! Another great group.
eBooks: It's definitely changed my relationship with fans--I think there's much more give-and-take, much more accessibility, though less face-to-face. Odd, I know--we no longer see each other in bookstores, but we do correspond.
Free books: I love free! I do KDP Select a lot. And Goodreads. And blog tours sometimes. Every giveaway I've been involved with has been successful in its own way. In addition, I make a point of offering a free book to anyone who writes to me--if they can be bothered to do that, I can at least give them a little something
BooksBnimble is a digital publishing company I started three years ago that does mostly mysteries, including my own backlist. I think we were a bit ahead of the curve on the enhanced idea--we were really excited about multimedia, especially video, but Amazon, the largest platform, hasn't yet embraced that, so we kind of backed off.
You have put together a collection of short stories by other authors called New Orleans Noir (described below.) You note: A portion of the profits from New Orleans Noir will be donated to Katrina KARES, a hurricane relief program sponsored by the New Orleans Institute that awards grants to writers affected by the hurricane.
Actually, the donations have been very successful--the library uses them for a special program of giving books to newborns (no, silly, not FINNEGAN'S WAKE--more like GOODNIGHT, MOON--so parents can get the sprouts addicted early on.) But truthfully, our recovery since Katrina--meaning the city's and by extension the library's--has been phenomenal!
Author's Book List
Mean Woman Blues
Other People's Skeletons
PI On A Hot Tin Roof
Louisiana Hotshot
Louisiana Lament
House of Blues
Kindness of Strangers
New Orleans Noir
Crescent City Connection
Death Before Facebook
Axeman's Jazz
New Orleans Mourning
For the rest of the story...View Julie Smith - HBS Author's Spotlight
G.S. Wright
Author Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Website: G.S. Wright
Twitter: @Garthswright
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Congratulations on your book serial: Spilling Blood. For my next project, I am completing book 2 to my Hungry God’s trilogy, titled Death’s Reach. It will be available before the end of the year.
Social media relationships: I work on building my social media presence almost daily. However, not so much for me to reach potential readers, but more to allow my readers to reach me. I use my Facebook Page and website to keep readers informed, and I’ve found Twitter to be more interactive.
Personal appearances: I try to get out and do as many book signings as I can, primarily throughout Southern Idaho. I am currently scheduling signings for December. I keep a calendar of “tour dates” on my website.
Writing serials: The Spilling Blood serial is an experiment. I know there are readers who don’t like cliffhangers and serials, but there is a market for it. The advantage of the world of self-publishing is I can cater to both. Like serials? Buy it as a serial. Like the complete novel? You can get it that way too.
Support groups: I belong to three different groups, one for writing, and two for marketing. My writing group is a Facebook group of fast-paced writers. For marketing, I participate in an Indie Promos Facebook group. I am also a member of the Idaho Authors’ Community which helps set up book signings and provides networking with other local authors.
Reviews: When I used to do limited free giveaways, I always collected a handful of reviews each time. My number one way to get a review though, is to ask for it. Whenever a reader contacts me to let me know that they enjoyed the book, I always ask for a review.
Sidebar of writer information on your author site: The sidebar of information is a cool feature of a site called rebelmouse.com. They collect your social media posts and embed it into your website. The rest of it I keep current on my own with Wordpress widgets.
Author's Book List
Spilling Blood
Death Storm
Broken Things
For the rest of the story...View G.S. Wright - HBS Author's Spotlight
HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase
Catherine Bybee
Featured Book: Highland Protector
Author Genre: Romance
Author's Blog: Romance by Catherine
Website: Catherine Bybee
Twitter: @catherinebybee
E-Mail: catherinebybee@yahoo.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Author's Book List
Highland Protector
Fiance by Friday
Married by Monday
Wife by Wednesday
Not Quite Mine
Not Quite Dating
Embracing the Wolf
Highland Shifter
Redeeming Vows
Silent Vows
Binding Vows
Soul Mate
For the rest of the story...View Catherine Bybee - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase
Diane Capri
Featured Book: Get Back Jack
Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Author's Blog: Diane Capri - Behind the Book
Website: Diane Capri - Licensed to Thrill
Twitter: @DianeCapri
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Author's Book List
Get Back Jack
Jack In A Box
Fatal Enemy
Fatal Distraction
Jack and Kill
Raw Justice
Wasted Justice
Secret Justice
Twisted Justice
Due Justice
Don't Know Jack
Mistaken Justice
Licensed to Thrill
For the rest of the story...View Diane Capri - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase
Donna Fasano
Featured Book: Reclaim My Heart
Author Genre: Sweet Romance
Author's Blog: Awesome Romance Novels
Website: Author Donna Fasano, In All Directions
Twitter: @DonnaFaz
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
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.
Social Media: The social media learning curve was steep... I do enjoy socializing.
Author Blog: Offering other authors a helping hand makes me feel good. I'm a big advocate of helping others.
Indie Chicks: I am so lucky to a part this group of talented women.
Indie world: In a perfect world, I think I would have done things differently. I would have taken the time to build my social network and introduce myself to book reviewers and bloggers before publishing my first Indie book.
eBooks: 98% of my sales come from my ebooks.
Free books: I believe it gives readers a 'taste' of my work. I think it's good business to offer samples…
Author's Book List
Reclaim My Heart
Take Me, I'm Yours
Her Fake Romance
Where's Stanley?
Nanny and the Professor
His Wife for a While
An Accidental Family
Return of the Runaway Bride
Taking Love in Stride
Mountain Laurel
Indie Chicks: 25 Independent Women 25 Personal Stories
For the rest of the story...View Donna Fasano - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase
Ron Fritsch
Featured Book: Promised Valley Peace
Author Genre: prehistoric fiction, historical fiction - LGBTQ fiction
Website: Promised Valley
Twitter: @RonFritsch
E-Mail: ronfritsch@sbcglobal.net
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Author's Book List
Promised Valley Peace
Promised Valley Conspiracy
Promised Valley War
Promised Valley Rebellion
For the rest of the story...View Ron Fritsch - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase
M.R. Mathias
Featured Book: Saint Elm’s Deep
Author Genre: Fantasy - Magic & Wizards
Author's Blog: M. R. Mathias Connection Hub
Website: M.R. Mathias Fantasy Author
Twitter: @DahgMahn
E-Mail: mrmathiasjr@aol.com
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Author's Book List
Saint Elm’s Deep
Billy Badass
The Emerald Rider
Dragon Isle
Through the Wildwood
The Wizard and the Warlord
The Sword and the Dragon
Kings, Queens, Heroes, & Fools
The First Ten Steps
The Royal Dragoneers
For the rest of the story...View M.R. Mathias - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase
James Moushon
Featured Book: Call Off the Dogs
Author Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers
Author's Blog: eBook Author’s Corner
Website: James Moushon - Mystery Writer
Twitter: @jimhbs
E-Mail: jim@jamesmoushon.com
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Author's Book List
Game of Fire
Black Mountain Secrets
Call Off The Dogs
For the rest of the story...View James Moushon - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase
Jake Needham
Featured Book: A World of Trouble
Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers Author
Author's Blog: Jake Needham blog
Website: Jake Needham
Twitter: @jakeneedham
E-Mail: JakeNeedham@jakeneedham.com
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Author's Book List
THE UMBRELLA MAN
A WORLD OF TROUBLE
KILLING PLATO
LAUNDRY MAN
THE BIG MANGO
The Ambassadors Wife
For the rest of the story...View Jake Needham - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase
Joanna Penn
Featured Book: Desecration
Author Genre: Action-Adventure Thriller
Author's Blog: The Creative Penn
Website: J. F. Penn, Ancient Mystery, Modern Thrill
Twitter: @thecreativepenn
E-Mail: joanna@TheCreativePenn.com
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Author's Book List
Desecration
How To Market A Book
Exodus
Pentecost. An ARKANE Thriller
Prophecy. An ARKANE thriller
One Day In Budapest
For the rest of the story...View Joanna Penn - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase
Mohana Rajakumar
Featured Book: AN UNLIKELY GODDESS
Author Genre: Essays & non-fiction projects with young adults
Author's Blog: YouTube Channel - Mohana Rajakumar
Website: Mohadoha
Twitter: @moha_doha
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Author's Book List
AN UNLIKELY GODDESS
The Dohmestics
Love Comes Later
From Dunes to Dior
Saving Peace
Hip Hop Dance
Mommy but Still Me
So You Want to Sell a Million Copies?
Coloured and Other Stories
Qatari Voices
For the rest of the story...View Mohana Rajakumar - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase
Authors Recommended by: HBSystems Publications
They also sponsor: eBook Author’s Corner and HBS Mystery Reader’s Circle
Disclaimer
This blog is for information only. It is not an endorsement of the product or services discussed in the post. This blog features author’s information gained from the author or the Internet and is by invitation only.
Permission from the author is required via email to publish this post. It is not a group, subscription or forum. Some links maybe affiliate links.
HBSystems Publications Copyright 2013
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