I love—loooove—writing.
It’s easy and it’s fun. I love getting involved with my characters, and having adventures in the fictional worlds I create. Lots of drama and tears, lots of trouble and trauma, lots of healing and reconciliation, lots of love and happy-ever-afters.
I don’t mind editing.
It’s a slow and methodical process, but when I finish, I have an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. Satisfaction in knowing that my characters and their adventures are now in the best possible state to be presented to readers to engage with and enjoy.
Marketing is the bane of my existence.
I don’t mind posting the odd picture of my new cover, with a link, and a ‘guess what—new book is here’ announcement.
But today’s writer, whether you’re traditionally or indie published, needs to be actively building a platform. Social media pages, newsletters, and constant posting advertising what you’ve written.
It’s not my style, and I have this inbuilt sense that I’m annoying all of my followers by spamming them on a daily basis. Even weekly seems a bit much.
So I have recently joined two box set initiatives.
What is a box set, you ask?
You’ve probably seen them. They have a lovely graphic of the boxset group that looks like a number of books in a box.
There is no box. Just to be clear. They are usually eBooks sold as a set, and more often than not, sold for 99 cents the lot. It’s a bargain, to be sure.
I’ve joined one group through Australian author, Lisa Renee’s Collaborative Press initiative. Lisa Renee is becoming a prolific author, churning out books a mile a minute. But she is also a guru when it comes to digital marketing. This is a skill she is not keeping to herself, but sharing with other authors, both Australian and international. Though it goes against all my inner impulses, Lisa has been encouraging everyone in this set to regularly post about the set, and swap newsletter posts—that is, you post my stuff in your newsletter, and I’ll post your stuff in my newsletter. I’ve entered tentatively into this world and hoping not to annoy or alienate my usual followers. So far so good. Mind you, I’m not exactly a mad poster. Just occasional.
What is great about this collaboration is that there are seven of us in the project, including Aussies, Narelle Atkins, Carolyn Miller, Lisa Renee and myself. With seven of us sharing and swapping newsletters, it broadens the reach. The graphics, which Lisa is a master at designing, are really classy and make me look good.
Love, Faith and Tender Kisses Box-set
Then Carolyn Miller and Lisa Renee came up with this new idea. Join this American box set group who are aiming to reach the coveted status of USA Today Bestseller list. I made the decision to join without too much thought, and with no knowledge of what this entailed. Happy days.
I’ve teamed up with Carolyn Miller, and currently we are having the time of our lives writing a rom-com. In fact, we’ve churned out 45,000 words in the last two or three weeks. Crazy.
But what is more crazy is that there are 30 authors in this box set, and they’re still selling it for 99cents. I did a rough calculation and figure I will probably get 2 cents per sale. I’m not going to make my millions here, but I’m along for the ride to see how it works.
So, this box set is called ‘My Funny Valentine’. It is classified as sweet clean rom-com, not to be confused with Christian Fiction. This group’s directors have started the pre-orders as of last week, and have an enthusiastic postings schedule, yet the set will not be released until Valentine’s Day next year.
I must say, the 99 cents will be worth it if you only read Carolyn’s and My story. We’re having way more than 99 cents worth of fun writing it.
So, I’m mid experiment as I write this blog. I guess you will see how it goes if I suddenly start saying: Meredith Resce – USA Today Bestselling author.
Whether I get there or not, it’s an interesting process.
How do you feel about digital marketing?
As a reader or consumer, does it make a difference if you see a post about a book on a frequent occasion? Does your opinion differ if it’s one of your favourite authors or a random?
How is your platform growth going?
What techniques have you used that you think have been successful?
All the best as you write, edit and … (groan) market.
Meredith Resce
Author of the new Luella Linley - License to Meddle series and The Heart of Green Valley series
As a reader I get annoyed with constant hardselling. Last year a group of authors had a boxset out about 4 or 5 months before it came out. I am on or was mailing lists of several of the authors. I don't mind being told there is a new book, boxset coming out and don't mind it being mentioned in the monthly newsletter but a few of the authors starting sending emails several times a week with the hard sell to pre order so they could get the USA today best seller list. As a reader it means nothing to me as most readers know how by selling books cheap and in a boxset where with perorders to get the status. It isn't a true indication of if an author has a best seller.
ReplyDeleteLast year after getting emails from multiple authors on the same book and several times a week I unsubbed from favourite authors. One who sent the most I am no longer bothering keeping up with if she has new books. The authors who only sent the normal amount of emails I am still on the mailing list. I am already getting newsletters from authors not in the valentine's boxset and with more than 10 months to go I think I will be unsubbing from many newsletters. It's nothing against the boxset but its not in a genre I tend to read much and when authors who don't write this style start promoting books in different genres I tend to get turn off.
That’s interesting to know, Jenny. Something to keep in mind as we move forward. Best regards
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