The Wonderful World of Digital Marketing

 

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

 

The One who makes the Difference!

 by Anusha Atukorala

I was enjoying an evening walk. Birds twittered as they flew home to their nests. A soft breeze stirred, chasing my cares away, like a toddler scattering a flock of pigeons as he runs towards them in glee. Trees danced to the tune of the breeze, waving their green branches with abandon. I looked up. There in the twilight skies wafted a large cloud, dressed in pretty Pink and announcing itself to the world. It pointed to its Creator and transformed my evening into a magical one. A few soft white clouds raced along to join their colour-splashed friend, but they weren’t a patch on that Perfect Pink Preamble!

 

I soon realised that this striking cloud made a difference. Wherever I went, the evening began to sparkle–all because of that Pretty Pink Parade. The horizon was laced with it. Gum trees grew tall in its presence. Our world was ablaze with colour because of its smiles. It was a reminder then, that just like this PPP, there is a Divine PPP who can turn an ordinary day into a special one and transform an unyielding moment into a joyful one. And of course, as a Christian writer, all that I create does need a PPP so that my writing bears fruit.

 

I’m not talking of a Perfect Pink Panorama this time.

What I point to instead is A Powerful Precious Presence.

 

God! Our Almighty God … the Author of our stories.

Jesus, the Creator of everything, past, present and future.

The Holy Spirit who writes our stories with us.

 

Yes, it’s He who does it all. He who directs. He who knows what He plans to do with our writing. It is He who reaches the world through our words. All that we write turns salty only when the Salt-Shaker is present. Words we write can reach hearts, only when the Heart-Warmer is at work. Words in books are brought to life in readers through the Author of Life!

 

There are seasons and seasons in a writer’s life, aren’t there? Some seasons are rich and fulfilling. Others are humdrum. Some are downright discouraging. I remember how hard it was to keep going when I was hunting for a publisher for my second book. I had rejections galore, and hope slipped away, pearls on a broken necklace falling, leaving an empty string in my hand. God showed me through that experience that perseverance is part of a writer’s package. Nothing always comes easy. It also meant that when the miracle happened and I did find a publisher, I knew it was not through my own cleverness or expertise or good fortune that I found one but that our Heavenly PPP - that Precious Powerful Presence was at work again.

I believe God allows dry times, hard times, unfruitful times to meander into our writing lives because it’s one way of letting us know who our Boss is. How’s your writing life these days? If it is productive, I’d like to shake your hand. Good job, friend! Well done! If it could be better, I still say Well done! I know you will make it. Keep it up, dear Writer! But if it is downright discouraging, I’d love to remind you of that PPP. That Perfect Pink Panorama. Or rather that Precious Powerful Presence! Don’t forget that He goes before You. He will do all He promised. It is all His work. Dry times are seasons when He is preparing the ground (and us) for more fruitfulness.

 

A couple of years ago, I was surprised when I heard from an unknown man whom I will call Paul. Paul wrote that he noticed I wasn’t blogging any more. He encouraged me to keep stirring up the gift that God had given me, letting me know my writing had impacted his life. I was so encouraged. Paul didn’t know it – but I had been blogging – using a new website, so I sent him the link. Recently, Paul wrote again, asking to buy all three of my books. Think Happy Surprise on this little writers’ face. Think eyebrows raised. Think happy dance! It was astonishing that an unknown man wanted to buy my books. While I’d hoped that both men and woman would enjoy my writing, I wasn’t sure if men would. But here was proof that at least one man did! Hooray!

 

And then … I realise afresh that unless God speaks, my words are just squiggles on paper. Unless God chooses to use them, nothing I write would make any impact. It is He alone who can use a weak little vessel in order to communicate His truth to His world. It is not what I write that is as important as the leading of the Holy Spirit when I do. It is not my writing that reaches hearts but it is God who speaks through my words to touch and bless and build.

 

You and I are a paintbrush in the Hands of the Master Painter. An instrument in His Symphony Orchestra. Isn’t it a great gift that He calls us to be co-creators with Him? When we allow Him to lead us and use us, our writing will have eternal consequences. So let’s keep writing. It is His purpose that matters. His Voice that reaches hearts, that Precious, Powerful, Peace-filled, Perfect, Personable, Patient, Picturesque Presence who Permeates His world. 

He alone makes all the difference.

 

Let’s look to Him.

Let’s write with Him.

Let’s worship Him.

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

 

Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her 2^nd book Dancing in the Rain brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book, Sharing the Journey is a sequel to Enjoying the Journey.

 

Do stop by at her two websites to say G’day and to read her blogs.

Dancing in the Rain 

Light in theDarkness

 

Highlighting Book Reviews

 by Jeanette O'Hagan

As Jane Austen might have said, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that an up-and-coming author in possession of a new release must be in want of book reviews.”

But what is a book review and why do authors crave them so much? 

A book review gives a reader's evaluation or reaction of their reading experience of a particular book. Most often written on a review site, it can also be blogged, podcasted, on you-tube, Instagram or Tik Tok. 

Finding and connecting with new readers can be one of hardest challenges of being an author. Anything that can help us do that adds value. In an era of online book stores, a substantial number of good reviews gives a book 'social proof' and can help readers decide whether or not to buy and read the book.

But getting book reviews is not easy. Just as acquiring a suitable spouse in Jane Austen's England entailed challenges, frustrations and pitfalls, acquiring book reviews can have pitfalls for the unwary as well as rewards. 

Review of Jewel of the Stars

Some tips.

1. Remember, book reviews are primarily for readers not authors. 

As authors, the temptation is to see book reviews as a tool to be utilised, to even think that readers somehow owe us a review. However, the main purpose of a review is for readers to express their opinions about the book for the benefit of other readers. This is especially true of reader review sites, like Goodreads or Bookbub. 

In particular, we as authors cannot expect that every single reader will enjoy our books. Even all-time classic books attract  a small collection of negative and even scathing reviews.

In practice, this means being gracious when someone doesn't like our book. Never castigate a reader for a negative review - or to attempt to show them why they are wrong - or lambast them on your social media. Other readers are watching. In fact, on sties such as Goodreads or Amazon, the best policy is not to comment on readers reviews (even if to say thank you). 

Either develop a thick skin or don't read the reviews if it upsets you so much. 

And remember, for many readers, a book with only five and four star reviews might be seen as fake or only supported by friends and family.  Having some low-star reviews adds to the creditability of your book. And sometimes, the very things that are mentioned as negatives by one reader may in fact be seen as positives by other readers.

Review of Scattered by Nola Lorraine

2. As authors, it's okay to ask for reviews.

If you sell or give away enough book, eventually some readers will review them.  I'm not sure of a precise ration - but maybe one in every one hundred readers might review the book (less if the book is free). However, if having more reviews makes your book more attractive to readers, having no reviews may deter them.  Of course, there are other ways of connecting with readers, but how do we get more book reviews?

Giving out free review copies either before or around the launch can help.  Also, asking readers to leave a fair and honest review - at the end of the book, in your newsletter, on your social media or website can also help. You can also make requests for reviews - maybe from friends and family, other authors, perhaps influencers in your field. 

Though, think about who your ask to review your books. With Amazon, relevance is key. It's better to have fewer reviews by people who normally read in your genre than a whole slew of reviews from people who would normally read in different genres to your book, as this may confuse the Amazon bots.

Review of Unnoticed 

3. Be careful not to overdo your requests, or be too demanding. 

Readers do you a favour by taking the time to review your book.  And the best reviews are honest reviews. Don't put people off by spamming requests or only making the requests about what you want (buy my book, review my book) which can quickly drive away your potential readers.

As a general rule, do not pay for reviews - especially with Amazon reviews. (Exceptions might be sites like NetGallery or perhaps Kirkus Reviews). If  you sell your books on Amazon, be aware of their strict rules about who can and cannot review & never give anything in exchange for a review (you can give a free book with a request to review, thought not in exchange for a review.)  For Amazon, review swaps between authors can also cause trouble. 

Also, be patient and don't stress too much about reviews. While popular memes suggest 50 or 100 reviews on Amazon might be a magical threshold, other book marketing gurus suggest that 10-15 reviews may be enough to give your book social proof especially when combined with other methods of promoting your book. 

Review of Midnight Sun to Southern Cross

4. Give as well as receive

Sometimes as authors, we can make it all about us - our book, our need to promote, our need to get reviews etc.  Yet one of the strengths of the author community is mutual support. If you want other authors to support you, then be prepared to support them too. 

I know this can be tricky. As I said, a straight out review swap on Amazon can get your banned from the site, especially if reviews are put up close to each other.  However, other sites - such as Goodreads and Bookbub are not so restrictive. Also, you can use your newsletter, website or blogs on other sites to post reviews of other authors, or maybe do a blog tour.

Reviews don't have to be long. They are usually a personal reflection of your reading of the book, so there is no right or wrong way to write one. Though remember to be kind, be honest and never, never summarise the whole plot or give away spoilers (without a spoiler warning).

Some authors prefer not to review other authors at all - or will only review positively - because they do not want to hurt their fellow-author's feelings and/or are afraid of retribution if they give a negative review.  

Personally, I review almost all the books I read on Goodreads - and I strive to give honest and fair reviews. This means that I will talk about the things I didn't like in a book, but I always strive to find some positives as well. I enjoy supporting other authors by reviewing their books and get a thrill when someone reviews my books. 

Review of Under the Mountain - Box Set book 1-3

What about you?

Do you find getting book reviews hard?

Do you support other authors through reviewing their books?

What sites do you use to write or look for reviews?

Do you have any tips about giving or receiving reviews?

 

Jeanette O'Hagan has spun tales in the world of Nardva from the age of eight. She enjoys writing fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations and cyborgs.

She has published over forty stories and poems, including the Under the Mountain Series (5 books), Ruhanna's Flight and Other Stories, Akrad's Children and Rasel's Song, the first two books in the Akrad's Legacy series.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life.

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News from Omega Writers | March 2022

Introducing the 2022 CALEB Awards

The 2022 CALEB Awards are now open for entries. The categories for 2022 are:

• Published Adult fiction

• Published Adult nonfiction (including memoir)

• Published Young Adult fiction

• Unpublished Adult fiction

• Unpublished Adult nonfiction (including memoir)

• Unpublished Young Adult fiction

Click here to enter.

Note that you will need to click the yellow "Book Now" button at the top right-hand side of the screen:

This will take you to the entry page:

Entrants in the Published categories must have a 2021 copyright date. 

Entries must be submitted as PDF or DOC/DOCX files. Please ensure the file is not protected, as we need to be able to email the file onto the judges, and for the judges to be able to open and read the file.

Click here to read the Published Award rules. 

Note that we may ask finalists in the Published category to provide up to three hard copies of their book for the final-round judges (as we will give them the option of ebook or hard copy versions).

Entries must be submitted as a DOC or DOCX file (i.e. Microsoft Word).

The Unpublished categories are for unpublished authors, not unpublished manuscripts (which means you're competing against other unpublished authors, not multi-published award-winning authors). 

Entering a writing contest is a great way to get anonymous feedback on your writing, no matter whether you final or not. Everyone who enters will get feedback from three judges, who are all published authors, editors, or other publishing professionals. 

Click here to read the Unpublished Award rules. 

The contest is open to books by Australian or New Zealand Christian authors, or Christian authors living in Australia or New Zealand. 

Entrants must confirm they agree with the Omega Writers Statement of Belief, and entries must be written from a Christian world view and not contain objectionable content (e.g. profanity, sexual situations, or excessive violence.)

Entry Fee

The entry fees are:

• AUD 40 per entry for members of Omega Writers.
• AUD 70 per entry for non-members (<a href="http://www.omegawriters.org/join/">click here to join Omega Writers, then get the membership rate once your membership has been confirmed).

Members, you will receive an email advising you of the discount code. It is also available on the members section of the website

Entries are open from 25 March to 26 April 2022. Click here for more details and link to the entry form. 

Interested in Judging?

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to judge the 2022 CALEB Awards. We are still accepting volunteers. If you’re interested: 

Click here to find out more about judging. 

Click here to volunteer as a judge

Conference is On!

The 2020 2021 2022 Omega Writers Conference has been confirmed. The conference will be held from 7 to 9 October 2022, at the Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Kingscliff, NSW (about 20 minutes from Gold Coast airport). The conference will feature:

• Guest Speakers Collett Smart, Nicole Partridge and more
• Genre and Breakout Groups
• Panels for beginner and established writers
• The CALEB Awards Dinner

Bookings will open on 18 April 2022.

Watch this space for more information!

Little Seeds, Big Clouds and a Clock About to Strike

Habits. Good habits. Bad habits. You need discipline to create good habits and discipline to destroy bad habits. 

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Discipline. How do you get it? Some people seem to be born with it. Others struggle to maintain it. And still others don’t much care one way or the other. Me?  It depends on the situation. Sometimes, I really just want to see if I can achieve a goal and discipline comes naturally. Other times, I just can’t seem to create that same sense of excitement and my discipline has heads for the hills on a long vacation. 

At the beginning of this year, January 1st to be exact, I decided to do a challenge. A 75 Day Challenge. 

THE 75 DAY CHALLENGE 

Morning Cardio workout

Afternoon strength workout 

Eat 850 calories

Drink 4 litres of water

Read 10 pages of a non fiction book

Every. Day. For a total of 75 days. 

Now I know what you’re thinking. ‘Are you insane?!’ Yes. Well, probably. But all the best people are, aren’t they?

When I heard about the challenge, at first I thought, ‘HA! Yeah right. I wouldn’t last a week!’ I’ve been suffering from a sore lower back for a good year now and thought I’d maybe get through the first three days before pulling my back out again. Then I’d be in bed for a week and back to the Physio. But what if I focused on exercises that didn’t use my back and supported it as much as possible? Was I really going to let my fear of failing and getting hurt get the better of me?

My fear. How many times has it beat me down? It doesn’t feel like that at the time, does it? It keeps me safe. I mean, I don’t want to get hurt and I don’t want to fail.  But what if I succeed, then what do I do? It’s the unknown that my fear keeps me safe from. It’s nice. It’s comforting, but all those big ideas, all the story outlines I jot down for when I have time to come back to them … they just wait. They gather dust. So what my fear has done, is kept me stationary. Never growing, never evolving into something more than what I am. 

So, what’s the point?

I sat down with a lovely couple about a month ago and we were discussing the current issues - the pandemic, emergency mandates, talks of war. We moved to Revelation and how everything looked pretty grim. They said they believed we had maybe another ten years left before the Rapture.

‘Excuse me? I don’t think I heard you correctly. Did you say ten years?’

I hadn’t misheard. Now, don’t get me wrong. No one knows when it’ll happen, but just think about it for a moment. Ten years. That’s all you have left. One hundred and twenty months. Five hundred and twenty weeks. Three thousand, six hundred and fifty days. Eighty seven thousand, six hundred hours. And so on, and so on. But you get it. Ten years left of your life.

Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

I don’t know about you, but should I even be bothering to do a Bachelor Degree that will take me six years to complete part time? And all those story ideas I have, do I just give up on them? It has taken me over a decade to write the story for one of my ideas, what do I do with the other thirty two I have outlined on my computer? All the other things I wanted to do, wanted to see … I don’t know, but ten years doesn’t seem like enough time, especially when procrastination and anxiety are such good friends of mine.

I just don’t know … but then again, I think I do.

It starts with a little seed.

Without a little water, a little dirt, a bit of sunshine, little seeds won’t grow. But if you put in a little effort and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, that seed will sprout roots and habits will grow. 

First things first. Show up. Nothing ever gets done if you don’t first begin. This builds habits. Things you can improve upon. You cannot improve if you don’t have a foundation.

Those big clouds you see in the sky above you. The ones you’ve imagined into dragons and castles and mushroom houses; they are your spark. They are the reason you want to write their stories. Don’t let fear stop you. Don’t let your doubts get the better of you. They are your past, not your present you. You woke up this morning as a blank canvas. Don’t let the negativity of yesterday paint the opportunities of today.

Today is day zero of my 75 Day Challenge. For the most part, I accomplished a lot. I will admit, the ten pages became a little too overwhelming - exhaustion and a heavy non fiction book do not mix well - and I didn’t continue with this aspect of the challenge. But I’ve now built up a few good habits and who knows what the next seventy five days bring. Even if the clock is about to chime - today, tomorrow, one year form now, ten years, twenty … I have an opportunity to learn more, see more, do more and it doesn’t matter how much I accomplish,  as long as I show up in the moments that matter and know God has everything in control.

Kirsten Hart (aka A.T. Richmond) is a born and bred Territorian who moved to Queensland and had no choice but to stay after her assimilation into the Toowoomba's infamous, collective known as Quirky Quills. Since then, A.T. Richmond has had two stories published. Stone Bearer, appears in Glimpses of Light and Tedious Tresses, in the As Time Goes By Mixed Blessings anthology. She is currently writing a fantasy trilogy.