HARM'S WAY AVAILABLE ON KINDLEUNLIMITED - tips for TheImageApothecary.com & Canva.com

HARM'S WAY NOW AVAILABLE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED!

As I push for completion on the second book in THE DONOVAN LEGACY, CHASING DESTINY, I have moved HARM'S WAY to Kindle Unlimited.

I've spent the past several days on THEIMAGEAPOTHECARY.COM downloading multiple images for book release ad-building. Special thanks to FLIP-FLOP SISTER, and fellow author, Mary Karlik for the author & marketing friendly insight into THEIMAGEAPOTCHECARY.

WRITERS, MARKETERS, BLOGGERS -- looking for a way to build graphics, ads, release teasers????

Then visit, THEIMAGEAPOTHECARY. Click onto their Instagram page 1st and scroll. Quickly, you will discover the jest of THEIMAGEAPOTHECARY and find its multiple uses and reasonable pricing. Read the Term & Conditions so you'll understand the download conditions before you begin. If graphics are not your forte, then a visit to this site is well worth the time.

I downloaded the images into my local PAINT folder and then moved them into Canva.com for actual manipulation. I've designed several 'work' graphics and brochures on CANVA.com so I had a basic understanding of the graphic design site. Again, user-friendly, and there is a FREE version so you can check it out before committing marketing dollars. The above KindleUnlimited release shows how easy it is to change the colors on a designed graphic. There are more FONTS than you'll ever need, and the ability to easily fold in text on existing images.

Canva.com also has multiple social media release choices. You don't need to know all the standard formatting requirements for the different social media platforms, just click on the required selection and start creating a design. There are also a number of YouTube videos on how to effectively use Canva.com, which I found hugely helpful.

Finally, it is with the greatest pleasure to offer a massive:

to:

SS Bazinet
Carol Kilgore
Carol Marrs Phipps

These 3 writing friends have offered remarkable expertise and marketing advice. They have graciously given of their time to my many, many, many questions. All are fabulous authors with busy writing schedules, but they have generously imparted their knowledge.

May this blog help you with your own ad and marketing building. I have learned from the best -- if you have any questions, please do NOT hesitate to contact me @ k.m.saint.james@gmail.com.

How to entice Readers . . . 5 Writing Tips to Building Book Teasers!

Writing . . . writing . . . and writing. The book is nearing its end.

NOW WHAT????

Before you go crazy considering ALL the things to do for a book launch, focus on something closer to your current writing mind-set.

Every writing day is about producing new words. But it is also about editing what's on page. You polish scene consistency, authentic characters, snappy dialogue, and just enough narrative to set any scene.

So, while completely enmeshed in the writing and rewriting, here is the perfect opportunity to search out book teasers for the upcoming book launch.

Remember, writing as a PROfessional requires authors to hone their craft, daily.

Teasers -- DO's and DON'T's

FIRST-- THERE is NOT a perfect number of words required to produce a great teaser. Don't believe that it must be one paragraph . . . or two paragraphs . . . or three paragraphs. The word count isn't important. The essence of the teaser -- what is revealed -- is, however, crucial.

My mother frequently used the Winston Churchill quote when I was in middle school. Oh, not the good speech part, but the short skirt part.

The concept of just long enough is what's important.

SECOND -- IF you lift text exactly from your WIP, the teaser may leave the reader scratching their head. Consider editing the text for dynamic purpose. Does a line or two need to be removed? Is this text section filled with 'he said/she said', but it doesn't really identify the characters? Is there NO scene setting in the lifted text and your characters have that 'floating in space' problem?

THIRD -- YOU will need more book teasers than you think so it's better to have loads in the hopper then sort through to cull out the best.

I start by sorting book teasers into short, medium, and long categories. If posting to Twitter, keep in mind the character count. If posting to Pinterest, keep in mind the pixel sizing. Consider where you plan to, initially, launch your social media blitz. Be clear on the perimeters to successfully and EFFECTIVELY target that audience. Very often, less is more. Heavy text even on the greatest artwork becomes too cumbersome for readers to scan. Think about movie trailers and how many scenes are flashed on screen in 30 seconds. Concise and poignant is often the best bet.

FOURTH -- INCORPORATE artwork into the teasers. The graphic artist is still hard at work on the final cover design for my second book: Chasing Destiny. In the meantime, I utilized basic concepts and it gives me a working backdrop. Depending on your skill set with 'artistically' based programs, you may build any number of options. The point is to consider the best written offering to attach to the artwork for maximum reader impact.

As I write romance, I select short, medium, and long book teasers that will emphasize sexual tension between my protagonists.

Long teaser:

“You could kiss me." Jaycee's whisper reflected the ache of her soul.
“I thought we didn’t have a relationship."
Uh-oh, maybe she’d misread the clues. It had been a long time since she’d wanted to seduce a man. Scratch that. She’d never wanted a man the way she wanted Garrick Shapiro. Striving for a lighter tone, Jaycee gave his shoulder a playful poke. “I’m talking a simple kiss here."
“There is nothing simple between us." He stroked a thumb across her bottom lip. “Timing’s not great. You’ve already had a roller coaster day."
“Don’t coddle me, Garrick,” she stressed. Reaching out, Jaycee took the initiative. He wasn’t immune to her, not if the fire in his eyes was any sign. “I’ve lived a lifetime with overprotective males. Assume I know my own mind."
“Full sail ahead and damn the reefs, is that it?" He lifted his head, turning his gaze to the distant horizon as if searching for answers. “So, all you want is a kiss?”
Eyes the color of molten steel and filled with every woman’s dream of pure passion turned her way, capturing her breath and holding her a willing prisoner.
This was the look she’d waited for a lifetime.
Jaycee nodded.

Medium teaser:

When Jaycee didn’t immediately take the proffered material, Garrick extended it further. “Go on. It doesn’t bite.”
“What about you?” Embarrassed heat rushed across her cheeks. Great. Smooth. She’d lost what was left of her mind. With a face that probably glowed like a bright red fire truck, Jaycee reached up, pulling down hard on the brim of her baseball cap. “What I meant was . . . you were in such a mood before. . . earlier.” She jerked at the offered folder. “Never mind.”
“On the contrary, Ms. Donovan. It’s a fair question.” His grip tightened, not releasing their paper tether until she lifted her gaze. Flecks of amusement glittered in his glance. “I will admit . . . I’ve been known to bite, but only when invited.”

Short teaser:

Wanting as never before, needing to be closer still, Jaycee slid into his warmth and melted into Garrick's embrace. She was certain, the world ceased to spin because nothing at that moment—his future or her past—none of it mattered.

FIFTH -- CONSIDER the audience for your genre. If writing fantasy, what teasers from your WIP best put the reader under your spell? If writing horror, what teasers from your WIP would scare the living bejesus out of them . . . and of course, make them want to turn the next page?

Finishing the book is a great and fabulous accomplishment. Be certain to celebrate the moment. But on the road to the end, gather a few of your written gems for use as Book Teasers

Be a Better Writer . . .
AT

Teaching an Old Dog (writer) New Tricks. Secrets to Better Writing.

Writing The Perfect Phrase -- studying the masters!

Marketing: 13 Thursday Tips on TEXT TEASERS

TEXT TEASERS are a fabulous way to entice readers to purchase your book.
Today's job has been about seducing the reader.

I've highlighted Paint for the purpose of this blog, but other options for image-compiling the Text Teaser are available. However, I highly recommend working these early steps through Paint.

STEP 1 --

Resize book cover to several different sizes and SAVE!

STEP 2 --

Select side background picture for text teasers and paste as an addition beside your book cover. You will need to work with the sizing. Again, I suggest saving in multiple sizes for different media releases. What works on Facebook and what works on Twitter may require different sizes. Take the time - upfront - to resize and then mass media release is possible. Additionally, you can utilize a 'blank or solid colored' background if no particular picture reinforces your book. However, consider the multitude of free media images before you go with a blank slate.

.

STEP 3 --

Choose text teaser. Mine for gold. Choose a teaser that will still make sense when pulled from the text. Choose a teaser that emphasizes character conflict.

STEP 4 --

Load text on side background picture.

STEP 5 --

Save.

STEP 6 --

Oops! Won't save.

STEP 7 --

Re-select side background picture and add, change size of background picture, or as I did -- save as a .png.

STEP 8 --

SAVE NOW!

STEP 9 --

Load text teaser on side background picture.

STEP 10 --

**Transparent? or Opaque?

If transparent, is your text color easy to read? Sized correct? Is your text teaser too long? But long enough to entice? Should the sentences be set apart for more impact?
If opaque, what color? How does that effect the overall read-readiness of your text? Is the text color the right shade against the opaque background color?

STEP 11 --

SAVE!

STEP 12 --

Reopen and make certain that you like the look of the text teaser, the overall sizing, etc. This TEXT TEASER technique is perfect for uploading reviews of your book. Once the basic cover art is sized for multiple media release, changing text teasers to reviews, and then more reviews is a click of the mouse.

STEP 13 --

Now upload -- everywhere.

STEP 13A

Repeat all steps for more text teasers and to increase marketing presence.

If you noticed a theme in the process, it was SAVE. Save at each step so if part of the process falls apart, you can simply reopen the work @ the last step and start again. Starting from scratch is no fun; avoid the aggravtion, and SAVE OFTEN. Oh, and I keep a separate file inside my BOOK COVER folder, marked: TEXT TEASERS. I date each finalized selection so I'll know that's the finished process and I can easily drop into a marketing site.

HAVE FUN with this process.

3-2-1 Book Launch

3-2-1 Book Launch

Book releases have changed over the past ten years or so. What was once the primary responsibility of the publisher’s marketing team has morphed into the author’s responsibility. What was once covered with editors/agents emails and flyers to brick-n-mortar shops is now vibrantly alive through social media.

To keep myself on track, I’ve compiled a list of what-to-do’s for my upcoming book launch. Am I arrogant enough to think I’ve covered it all? Nope, not even close. But I work better with a list, and as I reminisce of Bloggers’ Thirteen Thursday, I decided to start with that number.

1) Complete final editing & formating review of manuscript – check and recheck.
a. Visit with establish authors for last minute insight.

2) Format through

Sigil & check all formatting through

Calibre – underway.
a. Visit with technical support staff.

3) Compile list of teasers from manuscript for social media releases – check and recheck. (More may be added at future date.)
a. Read, review, & assess current teasers used in social media.

4) Decide on title – check and recheck.

5) Class on tagline; complete tagline – check and recheck.
a. Finding valuable resources on taglines is the first step to #5.

6) Work with graphic artist on book cover, tweak, analyze, confirm pixel requirements, file specifications, generally make myself crazy and then decide on the final version – check and recheck.
a. Select a brilliant graphic artist. I was incredibly lucky as one of my nearest & dearest friends is said graphic artist.

7) Resize final book cover to several sizes for social media release. Add release date – check and recheck.
a. All on my own & invested the due diligence in Paint.

8) Begin primary release of book cover with release date – underway.

9) Write book dedication – still in process.

10) List book reviewers and design spread sheets for monitoring – underway.
a. Research a viable resource list that is consistently updated and then visit each potential reviewer’s site to find those that are the best fit. Thanks Melanie Rockett

11) Complete all necessary documents, dates, & pricing structure for release with Amazon – underway.
a. Going through the specifics for a 3rd time. Comes from having an attorney in the family.

12) Determine possible author interviews, set dates, schedule return favors as needed – underway.

13) Update all Romance Writers of America

information to reflect current release – pending.
a. Spoke with Houston office and followed their specific advice on how to update member profile.

Finally – The reality is that there’s more to cover. So, brainstorm on all the things that I’ve forgotten to do; try not to hyperventilate; make the next list; and get on with the release.

To pseudonym or not . . .

To pseudonym or not . . . that has been my question.

Answer???

Yes.

I'll debut my romantic suspense writing under the pseudonym: K.M. Saint James. A great deal of thought, both fore and after, went in to selecting the name. Each part of the name (initials included) has special meaning to me. I'm normally catchier if I'm long-winded -- honestly, just ask anyone who knows me -- but in this case a matter of 14 characters captured a part of me that's profound. I'm expecting my writing to live up to the name, quite honestly.

Authors tout a number of reasons for pen names:
Writing under different genres
Camouflaging their prolific abilities
Moving beyond bad books, bad reviews, bad life choices
Perhaps just for the joy to write exactly what they want, how they want, and without outside expectations.

To name a few, and famous:
Please don't respond with criticism of the order -- it's purely random.

Nora Roberts & J.D. Robb
Stephen King & Richard Bachman (if you don't know the story about his separate identities, invest the research time. Fascinating story.)
JK Rowling & Robert Galbraith
Agatha Christie & Mary Westmacott
Shelly Bradley & Shayla Black
Sherrilyn Kenyon & Kinley McGregor

EVEN
Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby) & Pauline Phillips/Jeanne Phillips

My reason for utilizing a pen name? For the joy, for the expansion beyond everything that encapsulates me currently to become more than I ever dreamed. Considering how grand my dreams -- that's a whole lot of expectations.

I'm excited for the journey to begin.
Check back for release dates and for more of the writing journey.

More Books Sold

The first half of this year has zoomed by. I can barely remember taking a deep breath from New Year's until now.

Partial because of the amount of work I'm doing outside the home, and partly because of the 'life' stuff that seems to show up on a day-to-day basis.

The writing schedule doesn't hold up as well as I'd like and following up on my previously released book seems too distant to comptemplate.

That said . . .

It was a lovely surprise to get my numbers in from The Wild Rose Press, my publisher, and see that my book, Harm's Way, is still selling. Both digital and hard copies are being purchased.

From a promotional aspect, I learned that my website is not garnering the attention that I wanted because then those hard copy sales would have come through my site, and I'd been able to autograph the copies -- always a neat thing.

All that said, it means that my book blurb and the reviews for Harm's Way are doing their jobs -- sell more copies.

So here's a cyber toast to residual sales.

And a kick in my own pants to get the next one finished.

Happy weekend to you all, and drop by my porch anytime.
~Sandra

Harm's Way is in PRINT

It’s official . . .

Just visited the Wild Rose Press website and HARM’S WAY has been officially released in print.

Many of you have asked about a book-signing.

I’m working on that now. Yep, it does have to be print released before they’ll set up an e-pub author’s signing. Not my rules, but I live by them.

So soon, very soon, I’ll be posting information on a book-signing.

For those of you off in the wilds (my sister in far north Minnesota and my sister-in-law in the rolling hills of Tennessee), order HARM’S WAY and send it to me. I can’t wait to autograph your copies.

BTW: I did get an advance copy AND it’s beautiful. Holding ten years worth of effort and tenacity in my hands was thrilling.

Thanks for taking this publishing ride with me. For me, it has all been worth the wait.

Looking for my book

Changes have been made to the WILD ROSE PRESS website.

If you're looking for my book HARM'S WAY, then make sure to look for the Author's link on the left-hand side of the webpage.

Click the pull down arrow, and click on my name.

You'll go straight to my book.

Happy Reading.

My book is released . . .

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

HARM’S WAY will be released tomorrow, April 13th, 2007 in the e-pub format. So for all of you who love to read at their computer, here’s your chance to get the first look at HARM’S WAY. A print version will be released on June 8th, 2007, so you can have your autographed copy as well.

Visit: The Wild Rose Press
Scroll down on the opening page and you will find my release. Click and follow the directions for download, and enjoy the read. Please feel free to post a review on The Wild Rose Press or here on my blog. Comments are always welcome.