Round Robin Blog Fest--Book Giveaways and Contests

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     #Round Robin Blog Fest

I would like to thank Rhobin Courtright for the invitation to participate in this month's blog fest.  The topic: book giveaways and contests.

    

    

  How effective do you think book giveaways or contests are?

The key: forethought (know your audience). Careful planning, media blitzing, and a gimmick are the elements of a very successful contest. By gimmick, I mean a creative approach, one that is not a usual contest pitch.  Am I going to give you any never fail rule/a road map to success?

No--I wish it was only that easy.

You can Google names of media savvy authors.  Or Google my name and look at my website (novelsbyconnievines.com) read my interviews, my archived contest info (the links are still on Google/ Bing, some are available on my web site).  This is not a do-what-you-see-others-do, it more of fact gathering tour.  You know your story/series, and you are the best judge of what will appeal to your fan base. 

After all, what is a successfully contest for me, may not spell success for you. If you write historical novels featuring a lineage page (I do enjoy researching genealogy but. . .) your readers would probably adore winning a book of Sonnets.  While my fan base (me included) are happy with a Starbucks gift card and an autographed copy of my latest eBook.

Be creative. Have fun.  If you don’t enjoy your contest, no one else will either.

    Do you think all the free books through Amazon and the library offered to prime members affect your efforts?

I believe the free reads and lending through Amazon (for prime members) has a positive effect on my efforts in promotion.  I’m willing to try a new author or genre because of the free read offers.  I have purchase 6 books this month as of this Amazon feature.  Amazon distributes a large list of books that are free, the lending library allows Prime users to read one book of their choice monthly at no additional cost to their membership 

However, on the down side, giving way books seems to brink out "rather vicious" reviews.  Which really puzzles me, especially when it's apparent the reviewer didn't finish the book/or read more than a page or two.  We all have our preferences.  Please be mindful of cyber manners--there is no reason post a hateful review.  Everyone that's pride in his/her work.  And every writer is mindful of our readership.  

Ginger goes into more depth on her blog post. You man wish to stop by her site also.

In order to compete with freebies, my publisher. Books We Love Ltd., lowered the prices of our books to try to be more competitive.  

And more good news: Jude Pittman, president, of Books We Love Ltd., with whom I'm published, released this statement as part of a press release:

Of course, any great author would be oppressed without an extensive distribution network for their work. To that end, Books We Love Ltd. has just signed a deal to distribute their books in print in the USA, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Red Tuque will also be handling a portion of the distribution in Canada, with both distributors releasing a combined twenty-five titles this coming fall.

 “This print distribution is a big step for our authors, returning their work to its original format. Of course, we’ve not forgotten about eBooks and currently have over four-hundred titles exclusively available through Amazon Kindle. With each book priced at $4.99 or under, getting some of literature’s forgotten heroes into your hands has never been cheaper,” Pittman adds.

Exciting times. . . and great adventures! 

 What are the best promotions you've participated in?

I find that interviews generate the most exposure for me. Contests run as a group (with your publisher, online reader/writer group etc.) is second. Guest blogging (see I’m here!), and all of my combined online presence, is third.  I am visible in my community. I judge local and national writing contests, offer workshops and guest speaking engagement.  As for book signings—in the past this was a wonderful way to ‘meet and greet’ readers.  Signing 75 books during a 3-hour event was the norm, now author appearances aren't always sure-fired way to draw readers.  The Internet has replaced monthly newsletters that were sent via USPS. While downloadable bookmarks, e-authorgraphs, and facebook and google+ stream (the new fan club base) are all part of author branding.

The online shopping experience, or read a book at your local library and purchase it for your book shelf, seems to be the new norm. I believe to survive in this very competitive field, contests, giveaways, and series readership is a must. 

After all, a loyal readership is the key to success.  Write that ‘must read’ story that your readers will love and keep your name out there! 

Next on your Round Robin tour: Diane Bator at http://dbator.blogspot.ca

Happy Reading, 

Connie

Participating in July’s Round Robin event: Ginger Simpson at http://mizging.blogspot.com Margaret Fieland at http://margaretfieland.com/my_blog Connie Vines at http://connievines.blogspot.com/ Diane Bator at http://dbator.blogspot.ca Rhobin Courtright at http://rhobinleecourtright.com

Very Exciting News from Books We Love, Ltd.

Loving this update from my publisher!

http://bwlauthors.blogspot.com/2014/07/books-we-love-canadian-publisher-on.html?m=1

Act as if what you do makes a difference

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.  -- William James

I would like to thank Rhobin Lee Courtright for including me in this month's Rhobin's Rambles Blog-Round.

This month's topic: Beginnings

An interesting topic, beginnings.  As writer I tend to think in scenes and storylines.  I know that every story makes two promises to the reader: an emotional one, and an intellectual one, since the function of a story is to make you feel and think.  However, there is also a beginning to each day, where I, as a human being, must function in the act of day-to-day living.

As part of this day-to-day living, I am very much aware of how actions, words, and attitude have either a negative or positive effect on others.

Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does. 

And if you are aware of Native American Culture, the Lakota know that what you choose to do at any given time, be it a good deed or an evil one, the consequences of that deed impacts seven generations.  Seven generations!

This is why in both my writing and my living, I try to take the high road.  I am not saying I always succeed, but I at least aim for the target.

 I also strive to keep my characters in check.  Even when my villians do truly terrible things (Sister Enid to Tay in Whisper upon the Water), I show motivation and life events so that the reader understands why this event took place; but I never paint the behavior as acceptable.

Beginnings to a story should give the reader a person to focus on, yet in your life's story: you are the main character.

Look at some of the beginnings in your own life.  What have you learned, what stories do you have to share?

Ummm. . .what have I learned?  I've learned that gators can run. . .very fast.  I learned that on a family vacation to a south Georgia swamp.  While that did not make a particularly wonderful life event (especailly at the beginning of the day), but it will make a great scene in a novel or short story.

I also strove to set an example.
1.  I did not scream as I ran. I prayed that my sons would not witness their mother being chomped on by a bellowing alligator. 
2. I explained that my actions (going down to the water's edge) weren't very wise.
3. We discussed what we might watch for so the event was not repeated.
4. After we left the swamp we stopped at a local eattery for fried gator tail. Yes, not taking the high road here.  We called it 'regional food' and left it at that!

If you have a moment or two, please download my Rodeo Romance Series:
Lynx (contemporary romance), Brede (romantic suspense), or my YA novel, Whisper upon the Water.  All are available on Amazon,com

Now let me introduce you to Rhobin Lee Courtright. 
I hope you are enjoying this month's Blog-Round Event.

Connie Vines

 

Marilyn Monroe is Visiting Palm Springs, CA

Marilyn Monroe's statue is visiting the Winter Play Land of the Movie Stars of days gone by.

Her likeness will be on display until November 2013.  If you are in the area, even in the summer, Palm Springs is a relaxing place to spend a day of two!