Marketing Monday - Pinterest Inspired

When I first started writing I would share some of my work on the blog. I'd have Tuesday teasers and from there would feel out what others thought about my writing.

Was it exciting?

Did they like the characters?

Overall it was a fabulous experience until I became superstitious.

I still wanted to keep my readers interested. Keep my writing fresh and new and letting bloggers know my new ideas.

How could I do that without sharing words?

Well there is this fabulous world online that has several other options and I found the perfect one.

Pinterest.

Just recently I started a new board. It was super simple, I titled Recreation Story. Not only was this a way for me to get some visuals for my story but it also allowed those who keep up to date to avidly watch and read about what I was working on.

I have over 38 pins and several people already lined up to beta read by the time it's needed. Not only have I began marketing a story that's not even completely written, but I've gotten people truly excited about it.

So, how does one get started?

1. Log on to Pinterest.
2. Create a new board. Use your title, if it's Unknown label it as such.
3. Start Pinning.

You're excited about the new story let others be too! This is such a fresh new way to capture new readers just based on visuals. After all the world has become more and more attentive in the online world. We need to make sure as writers that we're keeping up with the times!

Here's a few pics to share about my story! Feel free to stop by my Recreation Story board for more goodies!

This is the promise ring Hutch gives her providing she stays smart when she finds herself around liars in the Society.

Attire: When first entering Society she wore this Lacey piece to represent who and where she was from. White to explain purity, lace to explain wealth, and the length of the gown to show she has yet to be recreated (easily show lack of shimmer).

Inside Society walls. Where Birdy will live for at least Book one.

When are you going to start your next board? Have you already hopped on the story pic train? Send link! I'd love to see!

Change is good

You're going to be seeing some changes at Unedited.

I'm thinking about redoing my blog design.

My writing style has changed over the past few years and with it I have grown. I love creating my fun banners. Those will never disappear but the style, the tabs, the posts... All of that will slowly have a more focused theme.

I hope you all continue to follow. You'll actually see me around the blogosphere a lot more. I'm starting to balance the time between reading, writing, and blogging.

I think I went through the two-year itch. You know, where you're kind of blogged out. Every time you put yourself online you realize it seems more like work that fun. That's changed. I realize how much I missed you guys! Once I passed the guilt stage I was able to really dig deep down inside and find that I still ADORE blogging. It's as much of a passion as writing and reading is. For me, they go hand in hand.

I've never met so many amazing people.

Thank you for hanging out with me. Thanks for taking the time to watch me grow and learn. Most of all, thanks for being my blogger friends.

Have you made any changes? Did it take time for the whole process to feel worth it?

Wednesday Wordies

One of my favorite posts to drum up some bloggy business is sharing books that I've come across. Those one-liners, first sentences, and cover art just seems to pull people in. After all, you're just as interested in a new story as a new writing concept. We love to hear the wonderful ideas authors around the world come up with. Since I stopped posting on Tuesdays (my favorite post, next to Thursday, of the week) I've decided to move things around so my Tuesday Twist still exists.

Wednesday Wordies is where you can stop on in and read the first three sentences of an authors work and decide if that alone captures you. Some you'll be left curious and intrigued, others you'll simply want to set to the side. All could be delicious to devour but just like judging covers, we often judge the first sentence.

So... what are your thoughts? Would you read the three books below based on their first sentences? PS - This weeks are all YA novels.

1. Hangovers are a bitch.
2. Maybe getting drunk and dressing up like a pirate was a bad idea.
3. I am thinking of an apple when the streetcar hits and my leg severs and my ribs crumble and my arm is no longer an arm but something unrecognizable, wet and red.

Click the one-liners to find out what goodies you should adding to your TBR list.

I'll tell you right now that #3 has been one that captivated me from the get go.
Happy Reading!!!

Marketing Monday

A lot of people are curious as to the networking secret. How do you reach all the blogger peeps to sell your book? How do you push without being overly pushy to tell them your book is awesome? I want to tell them about my series but they never let me get that far...

People who first start their blogs for the sole purpose of networking and marketing have the right idea. We all want people to read our books. We want them to devour them, talk highly of them, and share them on their own respective blogs.

There is a way to easily get started.

1. Build a platform.

If you want them to read your books, entice them to visit your blog. Blogging regularly is a great way to have repeat customers. If they're coming, they're going to tell people about you. Make sure you're not confusing them. If you write horror and you're trying to sell that fact don't have pinks and purples all throughout your blog. You want your story to carry through from the time they visit to the time they leave.

2. If you visit, they will come.

Part of networking is being involved. You need to show them your support for them to recipriocate. Even JK Rowling makes time to talk to her fans. Without them she wouldn't be who she is. Visiting blogs and leaving sweet comments lets people know you're avidly interested in what they're working on. We are a community. A support system. If you want to be a part of the community you need to be make time to connect with your fellow writers.

3. Show off your friends.

Blog friends that is. Does someone impress you? Did you love a book a fellow writer wrote and want to tell the world? Email them and ask them to be on your blog. A great way to get yourself into the blogger market is to make sure interviews, guest posts, and tips are on your blog.

It's okay to talk about your own stories and progress but it's also important to share things that have captivated you online. What keeps you reading? Stina over at Seeing Creative has fridays blocked for great posts of the week. She takes time to devour tips and tricks of the trades and brings them right to her front door step for easy access. Check out her blog... Cool links Friday is the place to be.

4. Take time to be thoughtful.

Blog post can be fun. I love to share my random thoughts and funnies of the week. However it's also important to share the knowledge you've learned. What tips do you have for writing? Do you know any conferences or sites for ARCs are? People love the skinny. What words do you struggle with and how do you overcome them? Sharing your woes of writing and the solutions keeps writers feeling less and less alone. We like to know that all of us struggle and work our way through it.

5. Have fun.

This is the most important tip. If you are not enjoying yourself and writing your posts others will notice. You're allowed to have negative posts, stressed out posts, and venting sessions. Just make sure they're mixed in with positive ones. What do you enjoy about the blogging community? What made you excited to start creating posts in the first place?

Keep the fun alive and your peeps will keep the positivity flowing.
--
Blogging is a job. It's a tough one. Fun at the beginning because you're learning so many things you never thought you'd walk away with. Not so much fun when you feel it's taking away your reading and writing time. However, part of networking is to make sure you have a complete balance. No one thing should be forgotten.

What was your reasoning for first deciding to blog?

Writing for teens

I adore writing several different genres. It is SO much fun. There is something special about teenagers. There minds are open and willing to go on adventures that several adults don't dare.

Whether it be a girl who walks between universes, children who are bait for a reality television show, or a character who's life revolves around a funeral home.

They allow you to be daring. To test their imagination. They want to fall in love with a new idea. They're sponges just waiting for the next amazing thing to scoop up and steal a few extra seconds in the sun finishing their new favorite word.

When I feel I want to dive into unknown territory I open up the world of possibilities and splash into the teen waters.

What are the new ideas floating in your head? I love hearing the amazing stories you all come up with! Mine is a new take on the holocaust (sci-fi style)! It's eerie and spectacular. I'm really enjoying it, so spill!!!! Tell me what you're working on. You can practice your elevator pitch!

ARC fun!

Remember that movie where the cute guy makes a bet that he can turn the school nerd into the prom queen?

And it turns out all she needed was to ditch the ponytail and get contacts?

Yeah. This is nothing like that.

This is me, telling you, that I'm going to TLA baby! Where I hope to find a book that could possibly have this plot. After all I'm all about some awesome ARCs that some amazing new (and established) authors will be passing out!

If you're in the Houston area this week STOP BY! $20 gets you into the exhibits for three days! Come join the fun. I love meeting new blogger buddies!

Teenage Love

Jillian is a fabulous chick over at Teenage Bride. I love the sweet posts she shares about her life. She's written a book and a VERY sweet post for Unedited today!

TAKE IT AWAY JILL!

Writing a book has always been a dream of mine, but somehow until recently, I had managed to convince myself that this was one goal I would never achieve.


Initially I thought that the only thing holding me back from doing what I loved was lack of talent.

It took me a while, but I finally realized that the only thing that was truly holding me back from doing what I loved was fear of failure.

When I was sixteen I met my husband. By eighteen we were married. When we decided to marry right out of high school I had no idea how many questions we would field from friends and family. Everyone wanted to know why. What was the driving force behind our desire to marry so young? People were fascinated and confused.

By twenty one, my husband and I welcomed our first child. Motherhood is by far the most rewarding and the most difficult thing that I have ever experienced.

My experiences as a young wife and mother prompted me to keep a diary. My diary unfolded into a blog where it was met with such positive feedback that I decided to turn my experiences as a young wife and mother into a book titled Diaries of a teenage Bride.

Before long, by fulfilling my dream of becoming a wife and mother, I had been given an avenue to reach my goal of becoming a published author.

The book is full of funny anecdotes, embarrassing stories, and lessons I have learned since becoming a wife. Marriage is not easy. Parenthood is not easy, but then again the best things in life rarely are.

Diaries of a Teenage Bride is available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Author House, and my personal website http://www.jillianamodio.com/.

Writer Funsies

Adoption Update

I know all of you are increasingly curious about my road to adoption and I'm thrilled to give you an update!

Since moving into our new home a little under two weeks we've filled out the paperwork to officially get started!

THANK YOU to all who support me both financially and emotionally. I cannot thank you enough. The support of all of you has been absolutely amazing. I wish I could show you just how much I appreciate you. This post will have to do.

My husband and I have created an 'opportunity book'. It's a book that we will share with a potential birth mother. They'll read about our lives, what makes us tick, and why we think we'd be a perfect match for their little one.

This allows them to not only connect with us, but to give them the opportunity to start the first relationship they'll have with the potential adoptive parents.

It's both terrifying and exhiliarating.

As a writer you think I'd be used to rejection but this a whole different ball game. All my husband and I want is a little bundle of joy. We've grown to love the idea of adoption. Allowing the child a possiblity of several kinds of love. Just the thought warms my heart. But there is that fear. A birth mother doesn't feel a connection with us, the adoption agency has trouble placing us with the perfect little one. Any of those.

It's tough to get out of your head. It's the one place you can never truly put aside. That being said I'm blessed to be a part of such an amazing community (all of you), and a loving husband.

I'll keep you informed as the path towards adoption continues but for now stop by Trashionista where I make my debut for When Love Aligns.

I admire writers.

I'm a reader.

I'm a writer.

You're a reader.

You're a writer.

We've talked about inspiration. About how music, books, and nature bring us those creative characters. However I never mentioned the impact other writers truly have in my writing.

When I wrote my first story I mimicked Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Granted, it was more like plagarizing, but through this path the excitement and seed grew. I'd become a writer... not a very good one, but nonetheless that small window opened and I couldn't stop.

Suddenly I started hearing the lyrics in music and found they weaved such a beautiful web of tunes it was intoxicating. Birdy, being one of my personal favorite albums, has a song that is eerily beautiful and leaves me wanting to run to my laptop and write another chapter for my eerily beautiful tale.

I admire several writers, especially since they come in all shapes and sizes.

Those with musical talent leave me in awe with out they're able to produce such a melody in such a few amount of words.

Childrens storybook writers. The way they can reach young people and make it look effortless. Those who are writers know that is not an easy feet.

I doubt I'm the only one who admires other writers.

When Love Aligns

Last week was the release of my single short story When Love Aligns. I am so blessed to have three short stories through Still Moments Publishing, and what I hope will be many more to come. They're a fabulous ebook publishing company who will help you every step of the way. If you have a short story or full length novel you'd like to submit please visit their website. They're worth a look.

I wanted to show off my latest creation. One I'm very proud of and honored to have as it's own indivdual story. What's even better? It's only 99 cents!!! I'd love if you'd stop over and purchase your copy today or at least add it to your Goodreads! It's a quick, fun, light hearted read your sure to enjoy!

Here's a little blurb to get your excitement rolling!

What do you do when you match the love of your life to someone else? Time is running out for this Goddess of Love to set things right and win her soul mate’s heart…without magic. Matchmaking just got a lot more interesting.

Drew just made the worst mistake the Goddess of Love could ever make. Accidentally matching her soul mate to another woman! What was she thinking?

 

Match making has always been Drew’s destiny – it’s the only things she’s good at. But time is of the essence, and the last thing she needs is for the Gods to discover her glitch. Her Goddess of Love status would be severed permanently. Now Drew has to convince Jack that she’s his one true love…without the use of her magic! Will she succeed before it’s too late?

Finding Time

When people hear I read and write in my free time their response is usually “I wish I had that kind of time.”

I used to get frustrated. I didn’t want people thinking that I didn’t have a life, that I too wasn’t enjoying the sunshine or what my city had to offer. I made time for everything. Granted, writing did take time out of my social life, but it was worth the cause. After all, when you become a writer there really is never a vacation. Your brain is always bouncing ideas around.

So how do we find time?

I listen to my fellow bloggers all the time. Those who have big families, small families, or no families, we’re all the same, we all make time.

We might steal a long bath time. Burn the casserole because we read a few extra pages, or sat through an extra-long drive-thru (thank you Chick-fil-A) just to garner a second more of an amazing book.

We can’t wait for those moments when are little bundles of joy are in a deep sleep, the hubby is passed out, and it’s just your cat purring and the hum of the laptop as you get a few extra words in.
The love of reading and writing is in our blood. Is that what makes us designate the time to spin a tale or dive into another world for just a few minutes? Are we able to better separate ourselves from reality and enjoy the true meaning of life thru imagination?

What do you think when people tell you they don’t have the time? Do you wish you could show them there are more hours in a day then they realize if they just stopped for a moment and took notice?

Spellbound Hearts GIVEAWAY

Today I have the fabulous Clara Waibel joining us to give a special guest post and GIVEAWAY!!!

Take it away Clara!

Hey Jen, thanks for having me!

Did you know that what (or rather who) made me submit to Still Moments Publishing was….YOU (Clara, you're too much *blushes*)! I once saw a post here at Unedited about the first story you published with them and I decided to do a little research.  Turns out SMP is not only an incredibly decent publisher but a kick-ass team of awesome ladies. Yes, I just used the world’s two best words in one sentence. Mind blowing.

So I submitted to their next anthology ‘Spellbound Hearts’ and they liked my story! Needless to say I squealed like a squirrel on crack!  

But if you know me, you might think ‘Romance? Really, Clara?’  See, I’m a heavy fantasy/sci-fi/action kindda gal and as such, writing super romantic scenes can make me incredibly uncomfortable. I can deal with:

“He slipped a step closer to her, hands behind his back. He might be blushing but maybe it was just the sunlight warming his cheeks. He looked to the blue sky and took a deep breath.

“You’re stupid,” he said. “Don’t ever leave again, okay?”

But:

“He hugged her tightly and begged ‘Please don’t ever leave again.’”? Kindda hard.

Which was one of the main reasons why I decided to try this. Turns out I had a blast writing romance. I’ll definitely do it again. And again. And again. 

So what’s ‘Witchy’, my story featured on ‘Spellbound Hearts’ all about?

“Love spells are illegal. The Council sends witches to jail for much less. But when Sally falls for the new guy at the office, resorting to a Fae's help will be her only hope. If only this Fae was tiny and cute as Tinkerbell…”

Come on peeps, you know you want it. You gotta have it as badly as a deep fried turkey! Aaand, ‘Spellbound Hearts’ is available for only $2.99. Say whaaa? Yes, two-dot-nine-nine. That’s a Starbucks coffee, seriously.

: )  CHECK IT OUT MAH NIZZLES!  : )

Thanks for reading all my babbling folks, you are lovely! BUT OF COURSE I WOULDN’T LEAVE WITHOUT A MEGA GIVEAWAY!!! Okay, maybe it’s not mega, but if you comment on this post you’ll be automatically running for a copy of ‘Spellbound Hearts’. Say whaaa? Yes, you read me. *Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*

About Clara Waibel: I’m a twenty-seven year old accountant who has written an epic YA, horror and romance shorties, a screenplay, and right now I’m dealing with a western steam-punk and a supernatural romance/fantasy. English isn’t my native language but I write in it anyway. Yes, I’m completely mad, but thank goodness for that, otherwise all this’d probably never work anyway.

Find me at www.pomadness.blogspot.com!