BOOK CLUBS—A WAY TO MEET THE READER

by Catherine Greenfeder

 

 

 

 

I use a variety of promotional strategies to promote my books including book signings, a website, a blog, the social media, advertising, authors’ panels, and library programs. Recently, I started speaking to book club groups.

 

At first I was a little shy about doing this, but a good friend of mine suggested my book ANGELS AMONG US to her book club group. The members of this book club take turns hosting the meetings and use a theme representative of the book. So, when my book was Pick of the Month, the hostess invited me to her home in North Arlington, New Jersey, which is a short distance from where I live, to be a special guest speaker. When I arrived at her home, I was thrilled to find she had decorated the meeting room, a dining area, with angel decorations. There were angel placemats, an angel centerpiece, angel candles, angel food cake, and toy whistles.

 

The toy whistles represented the whistle Kay Lassiter‘s guardian angel Eviance Angelique gave her to use whenever she needed his help. I enjoyed chatting about my book. The group gave me positive feedback and insight into what they enjoyed about the book. I also brought along a couple of copies of my other books to show the group. Two members purchased a copy of SACRED FIRES and the others promised to download it to their e-book readers. I gave out promotional material including book-marks, pens, and postcards, and thanked the hostess with an autographed copy of SACRED FIRES.

 

Another friend of mine told her book club about my books and the group took a vote and chose to read my book, SACRED FIRES. I’ve been invited to speak to that group later this summer.

 

I spoke twice recently at my local library, the Nutley Public Library. Both talks were on writing and e-book publishing. Through doing that, I was asked to speak to a writers group in Montclair and to a book club group in Kearny.

 

I‘m scheduled to speak to the book club group at the Kearny Public Library this month. I’ve also been invited back to speak to the writers group in the Montclair Public Library. I plan to bring a couple of my books, bookmarks, postcards, and to offer a raffle prize.

 

When I speak to writers groups I feel that’s my way of giving back what I have learned that helped me to become a published author. I share information on writing, on publishing, and encourage the inspiring novelist to persevere. I bring along reference material. Being a teacher, I’m in the habit of giving out handouts. So, I’m sure to bring handouts with information on resources and suggestions for writers.

 

Speaking to book clubs is different than speaking with writers groups. I enjoy meeting people in general, but meeting people who are interested in my books is a lot of fun. It’s different than sitting at a table at a book signing and waiting for potential readers to stop by, chat, and hopefully, buy your book. Secondly, in the case of the groups who read my book, I can get feedback.

 

I enjoyed hearing about what readers picked out of the story, any questions they had about it, and what parts they liked best. We had lively discussions not just about the books and the writing, but we also talked about the themes and related topics. The women I spoke with in North Arlington shared their own personal experiences with the paranormal, and they had a strong belief in angels which is why my book attracted them. I learned a lot from listening to their stories.

 

Based on my experience, I would highly recommend seeking out opportunities to meet with book clubs whether in person or on-line. I have not had the encounter with on-line groups, and I prefer the in-person experience better, but I’m sure it’s another way to chat with readership. How can you find out about book clubs? I learned about a few from friends, the library, and the local newspapers. The Internet is another source with book club listings and recommendations. I think it’s worth a try. It’s a chance to meet the readers and potential readers of your work, and it’s fun.♥

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:   Catherine Greenfeder is the published author of ANGELS AMONG US and SACRED FIRES. Both are published by Secret Cravings Publishing. Her self-published historical western romance WILDFLOWERS is available for Kindle or Nook. Her first young adult paranormal, A KISS OUT OF TIME, will be released this summer by Featherweight Press. You can find out more about the author and her books at www.catherinegreenfeder.vpweb.com.

WHY EROTIC ROMANCE BOOKS ARE GOOD FOR US

Top authors and psychologists explain
by Charlotte Rose

 

Although erotic romance books have been around for a long time, they seem to have experienced an amazing resurgence since Fifty Shades of Grey.  That book, which has been on the best seller list for over a year, has certainly helped the genre go mainstream!

When I wrote my first erotic romance 20 years ago, it was sold in the secret back section of book stores, sex novelty shops, or by mail order, in a plain brown wrapper. How things have changed!  Books are so much more accessible now due the advent of the e-reader, the convenience (and addictive nature) of technological wonders such as the Amazon “one click” buying method, and the explosion in self-published books in the erotic romance genre.

I remember being one of the most popular guests at cocktail parties in the nineties once the hostess revealed, “She writes erotic books.” It was rare for a woman to write that stuff—and admit it—back then. Guys would happily gather around me to ask if I got my story ideas from real life. But women just were not as open or interested in talking about sexy books… then.

Today, women are proud devotees of the erotic romance novel. From what I have witnessed, many have absolutely no problem talking about sex, publically drooling over hot alpha male heroes they adore, or posting a comment in social media suggesting that reading a particular scene inspired them to, um, jump hubby’s bones.  The internet has made reading a social and community experience, where women connect to share their excitement. (They are very vocal about criticisms, too).

And they love the authors of these books—like sisters, and best friends. It is like a sorority, where the authors are very accessible, social, and have genuinely warm relationships with their fans.   In the past year there has been an explosion of multiple-author book signings, bringing many best-selling authors together at once; and events like The Naughty Mafia in Las Vegas and Wicked Girls Book Night Out where fans can meet and party with their favorite authors.

The general consensus is that erotic romances are good for us — even if we temporarily get a little lost in them and lose sleep because we can’t put the book down without finding out what happens next.

I spoke to some of today’s best-selling authors —Jasinda Wilder, M. Leighton, and Michelle A. Valentine — and also asked several psychologists to chime in on the benefits of this trend.  Here are some of the insights they shared:

They Help You Express Yourself
“I believe the steamy romance novel craze has helped women in expressing their own sexual desires to their partners in a healthy way. Reading these novels give them a sense of empowerment over their own physical needs and allow them to know they aren’t alone—that it’s okay to want a fulfilling sexual relationship. I can’t tell you how many times readers have told me that their husbands thank me. It’s nice to know that not only have my stories entertained them, but have improved their quality of life as well.”
Michelle A. Valentine, best-selling author, The Black Falcon Series


They Help You Explore
“I have gotten loads of feedback from women telling me how much acting out the scenes from my books has enriched their love lives or how the material has encouraged them to be more creative. And too many times to count, I've gotten messages from women saying their husbands thank me. LOL While that is humorous, it seems that kick-starting the libido with sensual reading can end in some fun time between mates. Pleasurable reading followed by pleasurable exploration. I call that win-win!”
M. Leighton, best-selling author, The Bad Boy Series


They Show You What a Good Relationship Can Be
“Why is erotic romance good for readers? It's spice. People talk all the time about "spicing up their love life." Usually this takes the form of pornography and sex toys. Now, there's nothing wrong with those things, but if your love life with your partner is failing, those things are merely temporary solutions to a permanent problem. Reading erotic romance can be different. If the story is as much a true romance, where the love is as vital as the sex, then the couple can find a sense of renewal; they can see a different way of doing things. I'm not saying it is sex therapy, but it's close. It's new, it's different, it's titillating, and all this, with only words on a page. It's an escape; it's a fresh perspective on love, on sexuality. Erotic romance, at its best, shows what a good romantic relationship should be: a balanced, erotic partnership, wherein both people seek the pleasure and happiness of the other person as their primary focus.”
Jasinda Wilder, best-selling author, Stripped, Falling into You, Big Girls Do It Better


They Offer Fun, Fantasy, and Exploration
“The benefits of erotic romances can fun and entertaining to read, encourage fantasy, and encourage explorations of new sexual activities in a safe way. These may be activities that you do or don't want to try in real life, or may not have the opportunity to try in real life. Do erotic romances create false expectations of men? Perhaps. But no more so than Disney, Jerry Maguire (since when do we need someone else to complete us?), or just about any romantic comedy ever made. If you are someone who left Mr. and Mrs. Smith feeling despondent that you are not married to Brad Pitt or left Harry Potter looking for your magic wand, then yes, you may want to exercise caution when reading erotic romances. However, for most people, erotic romance novels are fiction and can be used as wonderfully sexually stimulating tools for fantasy.”
Alexis Conason, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist


They Are Great Aphrodisiacs
“Erotic romances are an important way to get in touch with your romantic feelings and sexual fantasies. They are a way to develop those fantasies, to better understand what you need, what turns you on, and what helps you feel very intimately connected with your partner. Erotic romances can be great aphrodisiacs, and truly a benefit to relationships. Or they can be a fulfillment in themselves and a detriment to your relationship. Isn't this true of so many things in life? If you can bring it home and share it, it's great. But if you escape into it, and meet your needs in a more solitary and self-absorbed way, it can become a problem or worsen existing problems. We want to feel the heat! But the important thing is to take those home, talk about them, enact them, experiment, and be freer as a couple.”
Carl G. Hindy, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist


They Help You Accept Love
“There are multiple benefits to erotic reading material. Specifically for those that are uncomfortable with intimacy or their sexuality, reading erotic romances can increase comfort. For couples that have problems with differing sex drives, I recommend reading these novels as foreplay or a way to increase desire. Additionally, these novels often describe relationships between individuals that learn to accept the love of another and be vulnerable. This is modeling positive outcomes for individuals that struggle with allowing themselves to be open and vulnerable in relationships.”
Nerina Garcia-Arcement, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist


© 2013 Charlotte Rose


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:   Charlotte Rose is a journalist specializing in love, sex, and the new erotic romance revolution, and she is also an author in the erotic romance genre. She pens the “Hot Romance” Column for The Three Tomatoes. Follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteRoseBooks.  

This article is reprinted with permission from Hot Romance with Charlotte Rose.
For more from Charlotte, visit:http://www.thethreetomatoes.com/charlotterose.html.
 

WRITING FOR THREE

by Troy Storm 

Within the last year I‘ve bitten off an interesting challenge. Secret Cravings Publishing accepted my proposal for a four-book series of erotic ménage romances. I had written a few ménages as the genre became more visible and calls went out for various anthologies. The short stories went well. I think I even sold a few. It didn‘t seem it would be that big a jump to move to the longer novel form. And with the heady acceptance of a ménage manuscript, it seemed even more adventurous to suggest to my equally adventuresome publisher a series of ménages in varying configurations: MMF, FFM, MMM and FFF.

Something for everyone.

Stupid.

No, let‘s go back to adventuresome.

Not counting the days of sheer terror that occasionally occur and the pitiful word count that usually results, all in all the experience has been/is (since I‘m still at it) exhilarating. Short stories and novels exist in totally different worlds. My air-headed contention that it would be an easy move to novel form probably came from knowing all the answers. To all those questions on how to write a great book in all those books on how to write great books. But, checking back during one of those sheer terror days, it appears not many have much to say about ménages.

So I read a few published ones and the genre seem to be a weird breed with many slightly on the "say, what?" side. In general, consisting of one of the usual two in a romantic situation being split in two in order to make three personalities that can be in conflict—while the sex remains great. Now I know romance is a fantasy world, but it has to be at least vaguely believable for me to write it and only by dealing with three distinct personalities could I begin to believe what I was writing—while keeping the sex great.

In HAVING IT ALL, the first CoveHaven ménage, the neglected wife is swept off her feet by a young lover. Pretty standard stuff except he‘s horrified to find she‘s married (dude‘s honorable); but that doesn‘t stop him from continuing to make mad passionate love to her (but dude has found his true love and he ain‘t giving her up); she‘s reminded of the exciting, sexy man her husband was, and will be again if she has anything to say about it.

However, she has now found a fresh and newly minted romantic life and it has challenged her to rebuild the one that has meant so much to her AND keep the new one she‘s found. She is insistent on HAVING IT ALL. (Cute title, right?) But she wants even more. She challenges the guys and they are forced to learn about what each of them brings to the relationship, which leads them to not only accept each other but discover they, too, can have a romantic relationship as well. Now, that‘s different. Very democratic.

My wife looks askance when I mumble through my ménages and I have to admit in the short telling they do require a somewhat larger suspension of disbelief. But not, I hope, in the reading. I have three fully rounded human beings to threat, to challenge, to rub against each other and see how they act. And I‘ve got to get them together by the end. As a writer, I find that an enormously exciting challenge, which I hope comes through in the telling.

In GETTING IT ALL, the second book (each in the series stands alone…boy, do I have an article to write about that one day) I up the ante with three women wanting the same guy and him not sure of what or whom he wants, but knowing he wants more than what he‘s got, which is nothing (he‘s a widow). The third book is MMM, WANTING MORE (well, it‘s about guys…and the general impression is that they always want MORE, right?). And the last, NEVER TOO MUCH, is about three women who need to rekindle the reasons why they got into their trio relationship in the first place. And that‘s a whole other kettle of fish. Why do we fall out of love? What takes the bloom off the rose? (S/He does what? In public?) Can we ever fall back in again? We‘re different people now. So is he/she/them.

But HEA or HFN is what‘s required. So do it. Get’em together.

Kinda like Congress…or rather how I‘d like Congress to be. More interactive.

Not to mention the challenge in keeping all the body parts straight.♥



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Troy Storm writes romantic erotica. His current series of CoveHaven ménages is published by Secret Cravings Publishing and can be found on their website, Amazon, and at other outlets. Troy also has a short story in the currently available Cleis anthology, BEACH BUMS. Follow him on Facebook: facebook.com/troy.storm.184, on the RWA/NYC blogs and on Goodreads.

WILL THEY OR WON‘T THEY: THE THRILL OF SEXUAL TENSION

by Jamie Brenner

What is sexual tension? It can play out in many ways, but essentially it is conflicted desire between people. My heroines are attracted to men they shouldn‘t want, or want men they can‘t have. The push and pull of this inconvenient desire unfolds in two types of scenes: Tension without sex, and tension with sex. Let‘s discuss.

Tension without sex: In my 1920s historical novel, THE GIN LOVERS, straight-laced socialite Charlotte Delacorte has an unexpected attraction to lawless bootlegger Jake Larkin. They meet at a funeral, and the proverbial sparks fly. Everything about him galls her: the fact that he shows up to the family event uninvited, the way he is dressed, the way he speaks to her. And yet she is drawn to him. Her discomfort leads to a staple of the tension/no sex scenes, snappy dialogue.

Dialogue is key in these scenes because it reveals character as it shows both parties dealing with the surprise of their attraction, or how they deal with unwanted attraction by pushing the other person away or challenging them. (These types of scenes are also a great opportunity for humor/comic relief.) Whatever way these scenes play out, it‘s important to infuse them with a sense of this is to be continued.

All this tension eventually leads to sex (at least, in the books I read and write): The stress of whatever is keeping characters apart exists until the very last second before they give into their desire. Then, as soon as the line is crossed and things get physical, the external obstacle must be matched by a heightened internal crisis: what did I just do? What happens now? In THE GIN LOVERS, crossing the line with Jake makes Charlotte realize she cannot stay in her loveless marriage. In my erotic romance MISS CHATTERLEY, the heroine cheats on her boyfriend, and spends the rest of the novel tormented with desire and guilt. The sexual tension should increase as the book progresses, with higher stakes, as the internal and external obstacles play off of each other leading to the ultimate resolution.

The best sexual tension, the kind that leaps off the page, usually happens when we as writers have fun with it. Make your characters agonize a bit. Make them work for it. And remember, although your characters might not get immediate satisfaction, when sexual tension is done right, your readers always will.♥



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Jamie Brenner is the author of THE GIN LOVERS (St. Martin’s Press). Writing as Logan Belle, she is the author of MISS CHATTERLEY, THE LIBRARIAN (Pocket Star), and the Blue Angel trilogy (Kensington). Her upcoming novel SWEET DESCENT will publish with St. Martin’s Press in 2014. For more please visit jamiebrenner.com or Facebook at facebook.com/loganbelleauthor.

ON WRITING EROTIC ROMANCE

by Katana Collins

My husband joked that he planned to go through my book with a highlighter, marking the scenes he would like to try. As if my books were a menu at a tapas restaurant. While this got a lot of laughs, it also got me thinking: How many people read sex scenes and assume it is a glimpse into the author's secret desires?

If you're a travel writer—it's likely that you do a lot of traveling, yes? When speaking with a sports columnist, it's safe to assume they probably watch a lot of sports. If a novel's main character is an avid knitter, readers will presumably believe that the author therefore has some knowledge of yarn and skeins and knitting, right? Therefore, is it safe to assume that when people read particularly spicy sex scenes that they are going to believe you (the author) are well versed in what you are writing?

When you write erotica, you are revealing a lot about yourself in ways you might not even realize. At the very least, you're highlighting your knowledge of sex. I've read in the past that in order to write an effective sex scene, you yourself must be aroused by the words on the page. While I agree with this, it really does show the exact reason we are all opening ourselves up to the world. With each sexy scene, we are exposing aspects of ourselves, and our arousal, to every reader.

So, how do we deal with this? How do we write out descriptions of acts and the emotions behind said acts (ones that we may have never even imagined ourselves doing) and place that in the hands of the public? It's almost like that dream of going to work naked—only your nipples are hard peaks, your skin covered in gooseflesh and a tight spiral of heat is simmering low in your belly.

Committing your sexual proclivities to the page can certainly be nerve wracking. We live in a culture where many of us are ashamed of sex. We are ashamed of our arousal. I, myself, am at fault of this, too. When I first signed the contracts on SOUL STRIPPER, I spent months agonizing over 'who might find it.' After one particular conversation with my mom (a fellow author), she told me: “Get over it. Sooner or later, someone you didn't plan on is going to find your book. They are going to read it. And they may have a problem with it. At the end of the day, though—who gives a ::expletive::! Wouldn't it be more embarrassing if you didn't know about sex?”

Yes, mom. Yes, that would be more embarrassing. That next day, she handed a copy of SOUL STRIPPER to my dad to read. She basically said, no reader will embarrass me more than my own father, so if I can handle that, then I can handle anyone—and yeah. She was right. It took me weeks to be able to look my dad in the eyes.

And I'll admit that while my own sexual experiences might be partially where I draw inspiration, it is certainly not the only place. I also find myself inspired by fantasy, movies, sexy images on Pinterest, my friend's stories and experiences and above all else—imagination. Just closing my eyes and imagining what my character would do in the bedroom with this particular man. Because how she would act and how I would act are two entirely different beasts.

So, there it is. The bottom line is, yes—there are going to be people who read our sexy scenes and think they all come from personal experience. The more rational readers will know that much of it comes from other outlets and imagination, as well as our real sex lives. So, let's all take my mom's advice, put on our big girl panties and throw those sexy scenes out into the world!♥



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Katana Collins is the author of the paranormal erotic romance series SOUL STRIPPER (June, 2013-Aphrodisia). She splits her time equally as a writer and boudoir photographer in Brooklyn, NY where she lives with her husband, two rescue pups, and a gaggle of unwritten heroes and heroines in her head. Visit her at www.KatanaCollins.com or follow her on Twitter (@katanacollins) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/KatanaCollins).

 

EROTIC ROMANCE: IT‘S NOT JUST ABOUT THE SEX

by Ulyana Dejneka



As a romance writer, the fact that I have found my niche in erotic romance is something I still find surprising given my childhood. I grew up in the suburbs of northern New Jersey, the oldest of three children. I attended Catholic school from kindergarten to college. I was the shy one, the quiet one, the good girl who never misbehaved.

Okay, maybe it really shouldn‘t be such a surprise then.

Let me state from the start: erotic romance and erotica are NOT the same thing. Erotic romance is about the relationship between two people in which sex plays a role in the story, while erotica focuses on the protagonist‘s journey of self-discovery through sex and does not always end in an HEA or HFN.

There are two important components to erotic romance:

1.      The sex and the story MUST balance each other out. This is the reason for the title of this article. Let‘s break down the term “erotic romance” itself. “Erotic” refers to the sexual component of the story, while the “romance” refers to the relationship between the two leads. Without one, you cannot have the other. If there is not an even balance in an erotic romance, the reader will become bored very quickly. Sex in erotic romance has to have justification for it, and not just be sex for the sake of sex.

2.      The hotter, the better. Now it‘s time to talk about the fun part of writing erotic romance. Don‘t be afraid to push the boundaries when you‘re writing a sex scene. Specifically, I‘m referring to the language you can use to describe genitalia or the action verbs involved in a sex scene. The best critique an erotic romance writer can get is “Make it hotter.”  That happened to me, and I let my sex flag fly! This former Catholic schoolgirl let loose, and it was incredibly liberating.

If you‘re interested in writing erotic romance, I‘d like to offer one important piece of advice: READ, READ, READ!

I discovered erotic romance thanks to a review of SINFUL by Charlotte Featherstone in RT Book Reviews, which in my opinion is one of the best historical erotic romances ever written. Other historical erotic romances to check out are the House of Pleasure series by Kate Pearce and the Mistress Matchmaker series by Jess Michaels. On the contemporary side, Sylvia Day‘s Crossfire series should be at the top of your list, followed by Raine Miller‘s The Blackstone Affair series, FORBIDDEN FRUIT and THE LOVERS by Eden Bradley, and ON DUBLIN STREET and UNTIL FOUNTAIN BRIDGE by Samantha Young.♥


AUTHOR THE AUTHOR:  Ulyana Dejneka writes contemporary erotic romance under the pen name Flora Vesna. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing (fiction) from Adelphi University. She is a member of RWA-PRO and can be found on Twitter: @floravesna.

 

CRAFT CORNER: Playing With Your Words

by Isabo Kelly


It's very easy to get so caught up with what you're supposed to do when you're writing, you forget the reasons you started writing in the first place. Love of story, joy in creation, and unadulterated fun at seeing those movies in your head come to life on the page. Since it's summer time, a time to sit back and enjoy--and play--let's talk a little about having fun with your fiction.

Playing with your WIP can happen in many ways. That play may never end up in the final manuscript, but it actually can prove invaluable to your ultimate final product. You have to remember that not everything you write needs to end up in the novel, but none of the work is wasted time. All writing helps you in some way.

So go ahead and explore that tangential scene that just sounds like fun. You know it doesn't fit in the book. In fact, it won't even make sense in the progression of the plot. There is no way it can be included. But what the hell? There's absolutely nothing to lose by exploring.

Curious how other characters view your MCs but not writing the kind of book that can support a host of point-of-views? Write scenes from those alternate POVs anyway. See the scenes from a different perspective. Hey, you might gain insights that help solve problems you've been having with the characters or plot.

Never written in first person? Present tense? Dialect? Third person? Second Person? A foreign language? Erotic? Sweet? Give it a go, just for fun. Leave out all the punctuation for a scene. Skip the dialogue tags and write the conversation like you're writing a script. Do this without the character names included and it can even help you see if your characters have distinct voices. See, no wasted time. There's always some little bit of added benefit that will come out of the exercise.

Try writing a short story for your main characters that no one will ever see, something that is maybe even "out of character" for them, but so much fun it makes you giggle as you type. And if your giggle is maybe a tad wicked or sadistic, you don't ever have to admit to it! That's the great part of all this play.

Write fan fiction based on your book. Take characters that in the actual story can't or shouldn't do certain things because it just won't work and isn't part of the plot, then give them the chance to explore those things. No one has to know.

Too often we forget that the writing is the fun part of this job, or at least it should be. We get hung up on business, deadlines, contracts, promotion, submissions, rejections, an ever-changing industry, awards, bad reviews, and strict craft expectations. But remember before all that was a thing in your life? When it was all about the excitement of telling yourself a story on the page? Those things are important, to your mental health as a writer as well as to your long term career.

Remembering to play will help you fight frustration, a sense of being overwhelmed, and burned out. But it will also help you develop your skills as a writer and discover things about your world you might not have otherwise known. Play is never time wasted. In fact, many would argue it's vital. So go for it. Play with your words. I promise, I won't tell if you don't.♥

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:    Isabo Kelly plays both on the page and out loud to keep herself entertained and make sure the writing stays fun. She does, however, do the aloud play in the privacy of her own home because it makes her look a little nuts. But she encourages others to do whatever they're comfortable with! Isabo's latest science fiction romance, THE SECRET OF NARAVA, benefited from a great deal of play. For more on Isabo and her books, visit her at www.isabokelly.com, follow her on Twitter @IsaboKelly or friend her on Facebook www.facebook.com/IsaboKelly.
 

SOCIAL MEDIA—CHANGING FROM MOMENT TO MOMENT

by Jean Joachim

Keeping up with the changes in social media seems like a full time job. Facebook used to be a great place to rope in readers and boost sales but not anymore. Now, I‘m told, Pinterest is more valuable. I wouldn‘t know because I haven‘t had time to master that medium yet. I have tweeted a bit but not really gotten into that, either.

Yes, I‘m behind the times, but I get the feeling even after mastering the next social media phenomenon, I‘ll be left in the dust fifteen minutes later. So I hobble along with the social media I‘m most comfortable with: Facebook and Blogging.

I‘m convinced that blogging attracts real readers as there is something more to read than a few words. A blog gives you a chance to showcase your creativity, humor and brevity. That‘s right, I don‘t believe in long blogs, long excerpts or long blurbs. Shorter is better as so many are pressed for time and want to get the essence of what you‘re saying quickly.

That‘s a great exercise for a writer, trying to get so much across in so few words. Helps to create tighter writing and makes you more conscious of every word. ―”Hmm, do I really need that word?”  Half the time the answer is ―no.

Blogging also allows you to choose your topic. Reveal some aspects of yourself that people don‘t know about or do something outrageous, like write about the color red. Or even start a story, write a continuing story or showcase a new book before it‘s published. A blog can be so versatile.

The key word here, I think Eloisa James emphasized this in her talk to the RWA/NYC Chapter in May, is comfort.

Select a social medium you‘re comfortable with. The more at ease you are with what you‘re doing, the better your communication will be. So whether you‘re pinning, tweeting, posting on Facebook or blogging, do it often, master it and, above all else, keep writing.♥



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Jean Joachim is the author of numerous books, including SUNNY DAYS, MOONLIT NIGHTS; NOW AND FOREVER; THE MARRIAGE LIST; and MEMORIES OF LOVE, part of her Hollywood Hearts series. To learn more about Jean, visit her website www.jeanjoachimbooks.com or her blog at http://jeanjoachim.blogspot.com. Friend her and follow her at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jean-Joachim-Author/221092234568929?ref=ts&fref=ts and @jeanjoachim.
  
 

GOLDEN APPLE AWARDS REVISITED!

 "What was most powerful about the event was the incredible energy in the room. Everyone was abuzz, hoping to find new ideas for celebrating Romance and sharing their thoughts with people who truly understand. Welcoming each guest with open arms, there is something truly remarkable about the RWA/NYC and I think it is largely due to the kindheartedness of the authors and agents who call the Chapter home."  
---Lori Perkins, Riverdale Avenue Books

NEW YORK -- On Thursday, September 12, 2013, Members of the Romance Writers of America / New York City, Inc. and industry professionals gathered at the Flatiron Building to honor the 2013 Golden Apple Award Honorees -- leaders of the romance industry.   This year’s Honorees are below, along with photos from the Golden Apple Awards ceremony.

2013 GOLDEN APPLE AWARDS HONOREES

 

 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dee Davis

PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR

The Wild Rose Press

AUTHOR OF THE YEAR

Hope Tarr

EDITOR OF THE YEAR

Angela James, Carina Press

AGENT OF THE YEAR

Jenny Bent, The Bent Agency

MEDIA SOURCE OF THE YEAR

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

BOOKSELLER OF THE YEAR

Stacey Agdern

Posman Books (Grand Central Terminal)

LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR

Cathleen Towey

Westbury Memorial Public Library, Westbury, NY

 

 

The Golden Apples

 

 

President Maria Ferrer and

Vice President and GAA Chair Ulyana Dejneka

 

Dee Davis

Lifetime Achievement Honoree

 

Hope Tarr

Author of the Year

 

Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

and Angela James, Editor of the Year

 

 

Megan Frampton, Jamie Brenner, K.M. Jackson and Kate McMurray

 

Vanessa and Zoraida

GAA Volunteers

 

 

For more information about RWA/NYC,

please visit us at www.rwanyc.com.

 

 

BECOME A SOCIAL ANIMAL

Chapter President Maria Ferrer

In the past few months, I’ve heard both editors and agents say the same thing -- today’s writer needs to be visible online.  We are talking blogs, websites, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, et al.  You need to become a “social animal.”

No, you do not have to be on all of these, but you do need a “social footprint.”  Editors and agents are going to check to see how many followers and friends you have.  The more you have, the more attractive you are to them, because those followers and friends are potential buyers.

It’s a fact that publishers are not going to be doing much / if any promotion for new authors.  The most you will get is the company publicist sending your ARC to Romantic Times, and maybe an announcement on the publisher’s webpage and/or Facebook account.  Some smaller presses may be better at promoting new authors, but for the most part, all publishers expect you to help make sales.

So not only do you have to write your book, YOU have to help promote it too.  This is NOT a bad thing.  Nobody understands your book better than you.  Nobody loves that baby more than you. And you can be as creative as you want.  However, you don’t want to be “selling” your book all the time.  You want to engage your reader.  Let them to know you, to invest in you.  To do this, you need to put yourself out there with a blog, website, and at least one social network account.

Blogging:   Think of this like a journal entry that you are going to share with your readership.  Write about things you like, or things your heroine and/or hero likes.  If your book is paranormal, then talk about paranormal things – ghosts, angels, shapeshifters.  If you write Regencies, post about the clothes, dances, carriages.  If you write contemporaries, post about events like those in your book – cities, outings, etc.  ALSO, any articles you write for the newsletter, you can repost on your blog.  And, you can certainly share photos of things you like – i.e., sexy men, clothes, food, NY landmarks, dogs, etc.  (Note:  You should blog once a week.)

Website:  Think of this as a bookmark for your information in cyberspace.  Your website should include a bio, photo, links to your blog and any social networks.  You also want to include a book list, and a “coming soon” page.  You can also include excerpts of your works in progress or free stories.  (Note:  You should update your website monthly.)

Social networks:  They are Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, etc.   Pick one to start with.  Say you pick Facebook.  Use your “writing name”.  Follow all your fellow RWA/NYC members.  Follow publishers, editors, agents, book clubs, other writing organizations, magazines, etc.  You DO NOT have to post every day, but you should try to post about 3-4 times a week.  It helps to get your name out there.  And, you want to comment on posts by others, and “share” what others have written with “your” readership.  This is how you make friends.

The good news is that for all of these, you can schedule your posts.  So pick 2-3 days a month, when you are going to sit down and only work on your blog/website/social network.  You can write four blog posts and schedule them for every Monday of the month.  You are done!   Same for the website: pick one day a month to update all your information.  If you prefer, you can update as soon as you make that new sale or win that new contest.  And, Yes, you can also schedule your posts on Facebook and Twitter and others.  There are different “apps” that can help you with that like HootSuite. 

Realize that you are not only a writer; you are also a social animal.  And nowadays, your “social” skills are more important than ever.  Be creative, and engage your reader.  It will help sell your book, and will make you more attractive to editors and agents.♥



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:   Maria Ferrer is President of RWA/NYC and a PRO member. She has two websites and five blogs; plus, is on Facebook and Twitter.  Maria is still learning to juggle them all.  Visit her at www.marializaferrer.blogspot.com or visit her alter ego, Del Carmen, at www.mydelcarmen.com.