Last minute book nerves and a call for advice.

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Only 4 days to go and the champagne is on ice (well it’s in the fridge).

Ready for publication day!

I’ve been waiting for this day for as long as I can remember; to actually call myself a published author. But as we draw closer to the 16th November, I have to admit to the odd night of insomnia.

My marketing strategy, or lack of one, is the main source of my concern and the reason for this post. I would like to call on the blogging community for advice, and any tried and tested methods of reaching readers.

So far the ideas I have implemented are:

A paid Ad in the Dec 2015 Mslexia magazine
A feature in the Subscriber Spotlight Writing Magazine – the issue has yet to be confirmed.
A fellow blogger, Thomas Brooke, has agreed to run a blog post on the day Visions of Zarua is released.
I’ve ordered business cards with my book’s image, blurb and website etc. These have been lost in transit and re-ordered. I know they won’t help much, but I just wanted something physical to represent the book, and they are reasonably priced, if they ever turn up.
I have set up author pages on Amazon, Smashwords and Goodreads. I have completed interviews on the sites where possible.
I’ve tried to enrol in Amazon’s Search Inside, but something has delayed my application. Another thing to chase when I get the chance.

I’ve yet to call on any book reviewers – that will be my next step.

I also read a suggestion somewhere of setting up an author page on Amazon’s other sites i.e. .com .de .fr. So that is something else to look into.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Or would anyone consider running a post about the book during the first few weeks of its release?

Thanks to those who have been sharing and spreading the word. I appreciate your efforts.

I’ll leave you with this picture, I know I’ve used it before, but I love it. And I’m sure she could do a better job at marketing than me.

Length of #fantasy fiction

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Since starting NaNoWriMo2015, I’m beginning to understand the draw of writing trilogies and series.
I decided to draft book 3 of my WIP ‘Bloodlines’ to see if a third book was warranted. I had no real plan, except that a distance, long forgotten enemy was going to make an unexpected return. The characters have come to mind so easily and have given me plenty of scope to carry on their stories. I know their pasts, their motivations and how they will react so it’s been easy to conjure scenes between them. Although I concluded book 2 happily, I’ve realised there are plenty of new challenges ahead for my characters. It’s been a pleasure allowing myself to write without censor and revisiting these characters has been a joy. I’m too far off the word count to complete NaNoWriMo, but I’m glad to be taking part. I should have planned to publish my first novel in a different month. That’s something to remember for next time.

Suzanne Rogerson Fantasy Author

A recent blog on fantasy-faction.com got me thinking about the length of fantasy books.

They are usually weighty tomes, which I don’t have a problem with until you start building those into trilogies and series and clocking up thousands of pages.

I believe there should be more standalone novels in fantasy. It’s always sad when a book you’ve loved comes to an end, but isn’t it good to have closure? To know that the next book you pick up will be the start a new adventure with the author. To discover new worlds and find new characters to fall in love with.

I’ve even been put off starting series because the scale of them is just too daunting (Game of Thrones as an example, though I’ve loved the TV series). As an author I’m in awe of the skills involved in holding it all together, but as a reader I…

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Visions of Zarua – 1 Week to Go!

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

In just 7 days my book will be released.

I’ve put the first chapter on the website for those who want a sneak peek. You can also download a sample of the first 4 chapters on the Smashwords website. Samples can be downloaded in your preferred format.

Check out the links below.

Smashwords

Chapter 1

I hope you enjoy.

Goodreads Author page

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I’ve created an author page on Goodreads. Readers can leave reviews, recommend to friends and contact me with questions about the book. There are also links to buy and sample the book.

Check the link below and ask me a question.

Goodreads

Why you should take part in #NaNoWriMo2015

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

It’s gives you permission to write – Allow yourself a reason to sit at the computer and just write without distraction. Let the dirty dishes build up, forget to put away the washing or do the ironing. You have a word count to meet!

It’s enriching – To see the word count build shows you that you can write something longer than a short story. You do have a novel in you, even if it takes some heavy editing to find it in the end.

There’s no pressure to write perfectly – No one will ever see it. You can let the ideas flow from your fingertips without censorship. Let the story take its course and see where the characters lead you in their misspelt, ungrammatical way.

A way for the ideas to find release – It’s a great way of getting the ideas in your head down onto paper. The story will grow from just an idea into something more tangible. The more you write, the more real the characters will become. Before long, they will take over and start writing their own story.

There’s no time for Writer’s Block – If you want to beat that word count, you can’t allow a silly block to get in the way. Write around the block. Write a different scene, there’s no need for order. Let the characters have a mundane conversation and see if they get bored and lead you in a new direction. Just don’t stop writing.

I love the freedom NaNoWriMo has given me after two years of intensive editing and rewriting. Now that I’ve finally produced a novel for publication with all the time consuming formatting that’s involved, I have an excuse to stop worrying for a while and start enjoying writing again.

2 Weeks until Publication Day

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Two wizards, 350 years apart. Together they must save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past.

Release date 16th November 2015

An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria.

Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master Kalesh dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate.

Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer.

The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?

Pre-order available from amazon kobo itunes nook. Only £3.00 ($4.60)

When Should I Start Publicizing My New Book?

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

This article has some great advice for new indie authors. I’m finding it hard to strike the right balance of getting my book noticed, but not bombarding my followers with constant buy me messages. I’ve decided to market on important dates i.e. 2 weeks to go, 1 week to go, and finally its out there!

DAN ALATORRE

Advance marketing?
The book’s not even finished yet!

Occasionally I get a question from a fellow author with a problem and I answer it here.

Dear Dan,

My novel is still in its first draft. It´s long, I still have to finish it, and I write a LOT every day, but there´s still a lot of time before it will be published. Many months, probably. Do you think it’s right to start talking about it on my website? What if I don´t know its title yet?

Thanks,

Worried Writer

PS: I´d love to read your novel. Is it possible to get it in paperback?

Dear Worried,

Yes, you can start engaging readers now, so there is an interested fan base when the book comes out. A few months before the book comes out, up to maybe as much as six months, is about the right window for advance marketing.

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