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Today’s Writing Tip

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A common author lament is that so many people are unwilling to actually pay for a book when plenty are available for free. Everyone loves a bargain, which begs the question whether you do the same thing? How many times have you bought a book for its full sales price? Maybe book sales of your own work begin with your own generosity toward other authors.

Especially bear this in mind if you purchase books from stores that sell used books. The author doesn’t make a dime on those sales! And speaking of dimes, that’s about all you’re going to make off those “expanded distribution channels” as well.  Do unto other authors as you would have them do unto you!

Meet Author Wendy Scott (2nd RRBC “Treat” Reads Blog Hop, Day 10) #RRBC #RRBCTreatReads

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“Greetings!  Welcome to the 2nd RRBC “TREAT” Reads Blog Hop!  These members of RRBC have penned and published some really great reads and we’d like to honor and showcase their talent.  Oddly, all of the listed Winners are RWISA members!  Way to go RWISA!

 We ask that you pick up a copy of the title listed, and after reading it, leave a review.  There will be other books on tour for the next few days, so please visit the “HOP’S” main page to follow along.

 Also, for every comment that you leave along this tour, including on the “HOP’S” main page, your name will be entered into a drawing for a gift card to be awarded at the end of the tour!”

WENDY SCOTT PICWendy is a versatile and very talented author who writes in several genres. She has a natural talent for character development and suspense that keeps you reading with bated-breath, long after you should have turned out the light.

I loved her story, “Tails”, which was captivating, even though it’s intended as a children’s story. You can read my review of this touching story here. I’m sure this award-winning story is no exception. Follow Wendy on Twitter @WendyJayneScott

HIEROGLYPH

WENDY SCOTT BOOK13 year old TC has a secret. No one knows she possesses a supernatural power.

Can TC help her Uncle Max, an archaeologist, to unearth enough evidence to prove Ancient Egyptians visited Australia, before he’s discredited in the media by those that want the past to stay buried?

 “Some would say that I have a gift, but to me it’s always been a curse. Before I changed my mind, I tugged off my gloves and whipped my head left and right, checking to see that no one was watching. I sucked in breath and steadied my nerves then thrust my hands against the stones and touched one of the cartouches. Time and place ripped away.”

 An enthralling archaeological mystery, mixing the supernatural with humour and suspense.

Today’s Writing Tip

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There are so many social media platforms these days that maintaining a presence on them all is a full-time job in itself. The real question is whether they’re doing you any good versus being no more than a time-suck on your precious time?

It will take a bit more of your time, but could turn out to be well worth it if you try concentrating on each one separately for a specific trial period to see if your ROA is justified. Those that don’t perform, don’t waste your time; those that do, increase your efforts in that venue. If none of them do you any good, consider whether there is something fundamentally wrong with your posts. One thing to remember is that people’s eyes glaze over if all you do is hawk your books. Give them something informative or entertaining.

Meet Author Bette Stevens (2nd RRBC “Treat” Reads Blog Hop, Day 9) #RRBC #RRBCTreatReads

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“Greetings!  Welcome to the 2nd RRBC “TREAT” Reads Blog Hop!  These members of RRBC have penned and published some really great reads and we’d like to honor and showcase their talent.  Oddly, all of the listed Winners are RWISA members!  Way to go RWISA!

We ask that you pick up a copy of the title listed, and after reading it, leave a review.  There will be other books on tour for the next few days, so please visit the “HOP’S” main page to follow along.

Also, for every comment that you leave along this tour, including on the “HOP’S” main page, your name will be entered into a drawing for a gift card to be awarded at the end of the tour!”

BETTE STEVENS PIC

Bette is a nature lover and former educator with a sweet outlook on life. As a “Baby Boomer” myself (whose family also missed out on living the “American Dream”) this sounds like a fascinating story I look forward to reading.

Follow Bette on Twitter @BetteAStevens

 

 

DOG BONE SOUP

BETTE STEVENS BOOKWhether or not You Grew Up in the 1950s and 60s, you’ll find DOG BONE SOUP (Historical Fiction) to be soup for the soul. In this coming-of-age novel, Shawn Daniels’s father is the town drunk. Shawn and his brother, Willie, are in charge of handling everything that needs to be done around the ramshackle place they call home—lugging in water for cooking and cleaning, splitting and stacking firewood…But when chores are done, these resourceful kids strike out on boundless adventures that don’t cost a dime. DOG BONE SOUP is the poignant tale of a dysfunctional family struggling to survive in America in the 50s and 60s, when others were living The American Dream.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Your prime writing time each day can become fragmented by dozens of distractions and interruptions, some self-imposed, others not. Promoting, marketing, other jobs, groups, obligations, family, kids, and pets are just a few.  Unless you have a baby or preschool child, there’s usually some segment of the day you can call your own.

The trick is you have to claim it as such and not let anything else get in your way. Don’t even peek at your email, answer or phone, or allow yourself to be distracted by a household chore that needs to be done. Even if you have small children, hopefully they have a nap time you can call your own.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Several social media platforms have similar formats, such as Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Save time by posting the same thing on each of them using an efficiency enhancer such as Hootsuite.

Since each one has different limitations regarding how much text you can include, you’ll have to adjust for the smallest common denominator. Getting Instagram hooked up to Hootsuite can be a bit of a challenge, since your Instagram accounts must be associated with a business Facebook page.

Meet Author Karen Ingalls (2nd RRBC “Treat” Reads Blog Hop, Day 7) #RRBC #RRBCTreatReads

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“Greetings!  Welcome to the 2nd RRBC “TREAT” Reads Blog Hop!  These members of RRBC have penned and published some really great reads and we’d like to honor and showcase their talent.  Oddly, all of the listed Winners are RWISA members!  Way to go RWISA!

 We ask that you pick up a copy of the title listed, and after reading it, leave a review.  There will be other books on tour for the next few days, so please visit the “HOP’S” main page to follow along.

 Also, for every comment that you leave along this tour, including on the “HOP’S” main page, your name will be entered into a drawing for a gift card to be awarded at the end of the tour!”

KAREN INGALLS PIC

Karen’s writing always reflects a deep love and spiritual attitude toward life. She has much to share with her readers to help them see situations in a new and often enlightening manner. Being a two-time cancer survivor myself, this book is on my TBR list. I loved her story Davida. You can read my review of that story here.

Follow Karen on Twitter @KIngallsAuthor

 

OUTSHINE: AN OVARIAN CANCER MEMOIR

outshinecvrWhen Karen Ingalls was diagnosed with Stage IIC ovarian cancer, she realized how little she knew about what is called “the silent killer.” As Ingalls began to educate herself she felt overwhelmed by the prevalent negativity of cancer. Lost in the information about drugs, side effects, and statistics, she redirected her energy to focus on the equally overwhelming blessings of life, learning to rejoice in each day and find peace in spirituality.

In this memoir, Karen is a calming presence and positive companion, offering a refreshing perspective of hope with the knowledge that “the beauty of the soul, the real me and the real you, outshines the effects of cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation. It is a story of survival and reminds readers that disease is not an absolute, but a challenge to recover.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Planning promotions in advance makes sense, but unexpected opportunities can sneak up, such as a holiday that fits your genre. You can see a handy calendar with several such dates and/or download a template to create your own here.

Be sure to use the appropriate hashtags for the holiday to fully exploit its usefulness! The reason this method can be effective is that some people will search on the hashtag, which will bring your product to their attention whereas they may have missed it otherwise.

Meet Author Rhani D’Chae (2nd RRBC “Treat” Reads Blog Hop, Day 6) #RRBC #RRBCTreatReads

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“Greetings!  Welcome to the 2nd RRBC “TREAT” Reads Blog Hop!  These members of RRBC have penned and published some really great reads and we’d like to honor and showcase their talent.  Oddly, all of the listed Winners are RWISA members!  Way to go RWISA!

We ask that you pick up a copy of the title listed, and after reading it, leave a review.  There will be other books on tour for the next few days, so please visit the “HOP’S” main page to follow along.

Also, for every comment that you leave along this tour, including on the “HOP’S” main page, your name will be entered into a drawing for a gift card to be awarded at the end of the tour!”

RHANI D'CHAE PIC

Rhani is a talented writer who doesn’t shy away from controversial subjects. I really enjoyed her short story “A Perilous Thirst”, which is gripping, clever, and insightful. You can find my review of that story here. I’m sure this story will likewise bring new insights to life and relationships.

Follow Rhani on Twitter @rhanidchae

ONE DYKE COZY

RHANI D'CHAE BOOK People come into our lives for a day, a season, or a reason…

 “Shy taught me to fight like a champion, love like a poet, & live like it was my last day on earth.”

 One Dyke Cozy touches on the lives of two girls, Gabby and Shy, from their first meeting as children to Shy’s untimely death.

 NOTE: This novel contains profanity and adult situations.

 

 

Today’s Writing Tip

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Social media can be a virtual blackhole for your time and creativity, especially if you maintain a presence on several. Using the same post for as many as possible, which will undoubtedly reach slightly different audiences, can help save time as well as your sanity. Maintaining a list of posts that you can cut and paste versus creating each time is another time-saver.

In some cases, it’s worth it to take a class or spend some time on the various apps to discover some of the tricks that increase efficiency. For example, Pinterest is more than a place to post cute pictures. You can include a link to your website or a buy link after grabbing a potential customer’s attention with an original graphic or meme.