A WRITER’S WEBSITE By Rita Karnopp

If you write – you must have a website. A website is essentially your online business card—it shows editors and publishers you are up-to-date with the times.  You are a professional.  You are willing to spend the time and money to have a savvy website.  You promote your books and your brand.  It’s not as hard as you might think.

• Home Page – a first impression – The first page ‘home page’ should make an impression.  It’s like walking up to a person and extending your hand with a smile on your face.  This is the first impression.  You want it to express friendliness, professionalism, a feel of ‘you’re welcome,’ and above all – a feeling of ‘we could be friends.’ 

Include a picture of ‘you’ and a book or two.  Make it up-front and easy to find your email address.  Share who you are and what ‘about you’ is worth their time.

• It’s all about me – The second page should be the “About Me” page.  Write up a bio that shows publishers, editors, agents, and readers who you are. On the main page you want to introduce yourself . . .but on the ‘about me’ page . . . let’s get more personal.  Tell your reader why you are a writer.  Make them care.  Tell what types of books you write –and why you write that genre. 

Share what you do for hobbies.  Do you have a pet? Share pictures.  Share pictures of your office and some scenery from your state.  Pull them into your world and ask them to be a part of it.

• Your contact information. Don’t forget to tell people how they can contact you. You want an editor or publisher to easily find your contact information, and repeat that information on the home page.  An e-mail address or e-mail form is the minimum you should provide.

• Picture perfect – or sort of – I love putting a face with a person and as a reader I love seeing what the author looks like.  I’m visual. I also find it interesting to see what the author’s office looks like.  Today pictures are so easy – and they don’t have to cost a fortune with a professional photo . . . sometimes it’s the quick snapshot that has the most ‘friendly’ feel to it. 

• A current press page - Don’t you hate it when you see an author’s information for an article or the back of a book and you know that is the same picture and bio you read ten years ago?   Me too.  We all age and our information should have a fresh feel to it.  Keep your press pages current and ready for when you need them.  When providing press release information – remember to include a picture of your book cover and a blurb as well.

• Word-of-mouth – reviews – There is something real and exciting about receiving reviews.  They give you more credibility than any other avenue.   When people give favorable reviews about you and your work it produces a positive reaction.  It’s important that ‘others’ say things about your potential, talents, and even abilities that you wouldn’t say about yourself.  Include positive reviews about the book(s) you’re plugging.  Include them after books available and on a separate tab called ‘reviews.’

• Provide excerpts of your work. Take every opportunity you have to pique editors’ and readers’ interest by providing sample excerpts or even a sample chapter.

• Link your book’s page – Make it easy for your readers to buy your book and provide instant links for purchasing purposes.  Provide a link so people can snap it up right then and there, whether it’s through a form on your site or a link to your book’s page on Amazon.com.

Ginger Loves Reader's Digest and Their Tips!

I'm sure RD won't mind me sharing one of their wonderful articles as long as I credit the author, Michelle Crouch, and mention this was in the December 2012 issue.  I think it's wonderful that this magazine often shares tips that the normal everyday person wouldn't know about unless they informed us.  Such is the case of "Thirteen Things Your Mall Salesperson Won't Tell You."

I'm going to paraphrase, so it won't be worded exactly as Ms. Crouch's article.

1.  Some retailers add raised floor covering that actually vibrates and makes you walk slower and allows extra time to view items for purchase.  Studies have shown this little trick increases sales by 8%.

2.  When shopping, avoid the cart if a carry basket will suffice.  Studies show that shoppers buy 40% more if they use the cart because our subconscious mind wants us to fill the space.

3.  There are comparison apps available to check for better prices if you find an item you want.  Ms. Crouch indicates you can also ask the salesperson to call you if the price drops.  (Good luck with that one.)

4.  The best deals are found on weekdays because of the arrival of new merchandise and markdowns on the old.  Traffic is slower during the week and markdowns increase shoppers in the store.

5.  Remember that those cute little kiosks  in the mall pay the highest rent per square foot, so you aren't likely to find any bargains there.

6.  If something is on what's called an "end cap" or end of the aisle with a very evident price tag, that doesn't indicate it's a sale.  Manufacturers pay for those prime spots.

7.  When you have company while shopping, you'll always buy more.

8.  Poor customer service?  Not surprised.  Most employees receive bare bones training, minimum wage and are asked to do everything from cleaning toilets to unloading new merchandise.  The average length of employment is ninety days.  (I can attest to this.  I worked a Christmas season as a retail store in California, and believe me, you don't get in the spirit by dealing with all the scrooges :)

9. Displays at the register are called impulse towers for a reason.

10.  Clearance racks are a treasure trove and most who search through the merchandise will likely buy something whether it's a treasure or not simply because of the wonderful mark-down.

11.  Keep your receipt because if the price drops within a certain number of days, many retailers will refund the difference.

12.  Hate the malls?  Shop online.  This is especially helpful during the Christmas rush.  December 17 is free-shipping day by tons of retailers with delivery promised by Christmas Eve.  Check out the sites you like and determine their policy.  Some will provide free shipping anytime with a minimum purchase they've posted.

13.  When ordering jewelry on line, right before you hit "place your order" CANCEL instead.  Many retailers will email you with an offer of a discount if you return and make your purchase.

There...now you're armed to take a break from reading and writing and become a savvy shopper.  Thanks RD for educating me.

Friday's A Few Lines From...

A Few Lines From Ginger Simpson (Moi)

A Novel Murder from Books We Love

“I’m going to resign!”

“Resign?” Naomi’s mouth gaped.

“God, you sound just like Tony. Relax. Not right at the moment, but as soon as our current cases are solved. I can’t walk away when women...one of which I’ve met, are losing their lives.”

“So, have you really thought this through?”

“You have no idea. I actually made some progress on my novel tonight, but my muse isn’t cooperating because I can’t stop thinking about Kitten and Persia.”

“When did you get cats?”

“Oh, Nay. Those are the stripper names of the two dead women.”

“Hmm, yeah now I remember. Sorry, guess I had a memory lapse. So more about this resignation thing...”

“I have my writing to fall back on, and my editor thinks this next story is going to be the one that makes me big bucks. I’m making out pretty good on the first, but I love to write, so being free of the force will give me the time I need.”

For more on my books, check out my author page on Amazon.

Please come back on Friday, May 10th for a few lines from Gail Roughton.

BUILDING YOUR PLATFORM - PART TWO by Rita Karnopp

16. Be passionate – Write from the heart and be passionate.  People care or they wouldn’t be reading.  There are a million people out there, so start connecting with them. Take time to express why you’re excited or upset about something.  Ask others for their opinion.

17. Where are you?   Take time and the opportunity to let others know where and when you’ll be speaking or signing, or teaching.  Be visible every chance you get.

18. How do you feel about it?  People love sharing their opinions and knowledge with you and others.  Give them a chance to respond to a topic or story.   Excite

19. Who are your friends?   You appreciate being interviewed or being the guest on other blogs, right?  Why not support those who support you?  Have guests and encourage those guests to reciprocate.  It’s good for both of you.

20. Capture E-mail Addresses - Use a RSS feed service or a newsletter service to create a prominent spot on your site where folks can sign up to receive correspondence or a newsletter from you.  Remember to include having your blog posts delivered to their inbox.

21. We learn from feedback – We don’t know it all . . . it would be nice . . . but we just don’t know it all.  Get your readers involved and be open-minded enough to learn from them.  Why ask if you aren’t willing to listen to what they have to say. How about creating a five-minute feedback form and send it out . . . you could even post comments you find ‘outstanding’ and worth sharing.

22. Capture email addresses – Remember to take an e-mail sign-up sheet wherever you go.  Offer a chance to win a free book, a box of chocolates, or a nice gift if they sign up.  Never sell or share contact information.

23. Be prepared -  Keep an eye on your schedule and what is coming up. Announce upcoming book signings, speaking engagements, and trainings on your website, blog, notices in your newsletter, and use social media. 

24. Create buzz – You don’t have to make money with every single thing you offer.  Offer postcards, book marks, fliers, and business cards with your name and contact information, plus blurbs of your books.  Order calendars and t-shirts with your book covers on them.  If a fan wears a t-shirt with your book cover – she/he is advertising for you.

Get Known Before the Book Deal Sell Your First Book & Develop a Successful and Sustainable Writing Career

Before you can land a book deal—before you can even attract the interest of agents and editors—you need to be visible. How do you become visible? You develop a platform, or a way of reaching your readers. Everybody can develop a platform, and this book shows you how to do it while you're still writing.

This book offers:

·         A step-by-step approach to creating, growing, and nurturing a platform

·         An economical approach to self-promotion (no need to spend thousands)

·         A clear way to uncover your strengths and weaknesses as an author

·         The strategies that are essential (or not) to online promotion

·         A philosophy of authorship that leaves you confident, empowered, and equally partnered with agents, editors, and publishers (instead of waiting to be discovered)

·         A diverse set of tools and methods for getting known (not just web-based tools or ideas for extroverts)

After you read this book, you'll be able to answer the inevitable question: "What's your platform?" You'll learn the hows and whys of becoming visible and how to cultivate visibility from scratch. Best of all, you won't need any previous knowledge or experience to get started.

Growing a writing career isn't just about landing one book deal and then scrambling like crazy. There is a more strategic and steady way to lay the groundwork so you can avoid scrambling altogether—and Get Known Before the Book Deal is the only comprehensive book that shows you how.

Love Scenes - Do They Come Naturally for You? #writing humor

This is a re-run, and one I thought worthy of resharing.  It's from 2008, so it's been quite a while and our audience has grown.  Hope you enjoy.

A while back I queried HQ on a short, historical story that is supposed to be 'spicy.' I thought I WAS writing spicy by using a few 'buzz' words here and there, and it made me sweat, trying to come up with something creative. BUT...I shared my story with my friend who I consider the Queen of Steam, and although she loved the story, she said it wouldn't fly. I know why!

It's hard to be inventive. I realize that there is a lot of ME in each of my stories, and I don't feel the least bit sexy...for reasons described in previous blogs. If I truly wrote what my mind sees when I think about sex scenes, it is highly doubtful anyone would be swept away to anything but hysteria. Here's an example.

Moonlight filtered through the venetian blinds and highlighted him as he disrobed. He pulled his shirt over his head, then shimmied out of his pants. Her breath hitched. When had his stomach gotten so huge? *rofl*
OR

His breath warmed her neck as his lips trailed upward. He nibbled at her earlobe then raised up and gazed upon her face. His mouth, a few inches from hers, he licked his lips and drew closer.

She recoiled and rolled away. "Geez, I told you not to have onions on that burger. You reek."

OR
He entered her with a quick thrust. She gasped, feeling a sensation all too familiar. "God, get off me. Quick! I have a Charlie Horse!"
OR...last but not least....
Tonight was the night he'd waited for. They hadn't made love for a month and he was determined to sample her wares. Maybe more romance was needed. He hadn't been all that passionate or attentive of late. The moment was right. Everyone else was gone, nothing but the flickering TV lit the room. He slithered off the couch and crawled toward her chair. She appeared deep in thought,lost in the movie she watched. He inched closer and reaching her side, took her hand.

She jumped, then smiled. "What are you doing down there?"

"Come on." He raised to one knee. "Come to bed with me. I want to show you how much I love you."

She unfurled one leg from beneath her and nibbled her bottom lip. Tears glistened in her eyes. She offered her hand.

He took it and attempted to stand. A popping noise sliced the momentary silence between commercials. "Ow...my back!" He managed to get to his feet, but remained bent at the waist. With pain etched on his face, he hobbled to the couch and collapsed.

"I guess we'll have to wait."

She blotted her tears. "That's okay. My leg's asleep and I can't get up anyhow."

I think I'll stick to what I know I can do and leave the erotic and steamy writing to those who can handle it without laughing. I obviously can't.