I mistakenly published this post earlier in the week while I am away in Florida. I am republishing it for today, it's designated day.
Bloggers are called the online gatekeepers to readers. Two book bloggers, Kimberly Rocha and Kim Lowe, offer their perspective on what works (and what flops) in promoting romance books and author brands. We’ve posted reviews and we’ve hosted blog tours. We’ve hopped over to other blogs for cross promotion. We’ve participated in launch parties on Facebook and character chats on Twitter. We’ve seen it all – the good, the bad, and the ugly – on social media.
We have also attended industry events – RWA National Conference, NJRW Conference, Barbara Vey’s Readers Luncheon, and the RT Booklovers Convention. We’ve attended panel discussions about marketing, only to find that authors miss the main ingredient – what readers want. We know what readers want because we are readers. We interact with readers every day as “trusted advisors” through our blogs.
We created a Power Point presentation to highlight the indispensible aspects of promotion – author website, social media, and face-to-face interaction. We will use the presentation to guide the discussion, giving us the flexibility to engage in a lively discussion and answer any questions from authors.
So what did we say?
Write the book that will entertain readers, offer an escape, and make them come back for more.
Everything else is icing on the cake.
We also offered tidbits about book reviews, blog tours, social media, and reader interaction. I'll share these tidbits in September.
I thank Kim Rocha for inspiring me to pitch this workshop. I also thank my readers for offering their feedback every time I ask.
I am giving away my final copy of PREMIERE - A COLLECTION OF ROMANTIC TALES FROM RWA:
New York Times bestselling authors Cindy Gerard and Allison Brennan bring the thrills in their tales of romantic suspense.
New York Times bestselling authors Sabrina Jeffries and Courtney Milan take you on a trip back in time with lush stories of historical romance.
New York Times bestselling authors Vicki Lewis Thompson and Joan Johnston show the wonder of contemporary romance, while New York Times bestselling authors Monica Murphy and Laura Kaye's New Adult romances delve into the evolving Millennial perspective.
And editor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Sylvia Day's tale of angels and sizzling desire takes readers to the edge with paranormal romance.
From the first love of Young Adult romance to tales of second chances, LGBT romance to the realms of the supernatural, contemporary to historical, suspense to inspirational, the genre of romance has a story for every reader and this blockbuster inaugural collection from Romance Writers of America showcases it all!
Plus tales from:
Lila Bell
T. L Costa
Diane Kelly
Amber Lin
Katy Regnery
Erica Ridley
Regina Scott
Harper St. George
Lex Valentine
To enter the giveaway,
1. If you were the cover model on PREMIERE, what type of chocolate would you be eating?
I'm a fan of Mauna Loa chocolate covered macadamia nuts!
2. Comments are open through Saturday, August 22, 10 pm in Baltimore.
3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 23.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
