It's fairly difficult to source your own book bloggers for feedback, and being an indie only makes it worse. Here's how I went about finding people willing.
I had to contact people on several different social media sites to find people willing to fit my work in to their busy To Be Read list.
You can't expect people to drop what they're doing to deal with you.
The people I spoke to were writers, bloggers, book reviewers, parents and carers, and people who enjoy children's literature, and fortunately, I managed to get some feedback.
Some of the feedback I received were posted on the social media that I had contacted them on, so I had featured on their Instagram stories, was retweeted on Twitter, and the cover of my book reposted on Tumblr. Not all feedback comes to Amazon - that's why you have to share their feedback on your own, as others may not see it. It's always good to request that they share their comments on Amazon, if they can, bonus, if they can't, it doesn't matter, they've spent time giving your work feedback, so you should take the time thanking them, sharing their words, and returning the favour if possible.
Don't go into thinking that people owe you anything. Yes, you have a new book. Yes, it's super exciting. Yes, the people you contact do this for a living. It doesn't mean they read your genre, or they prefer books that aren't indie, or they just don't have time - some people make a living from reviews, and therefore would expect a payment for their time. If you cannot pay them - don't ask them. I don't pay for reviews, as I feel you'd want more bang for your buck, and expect a glowing review as your hard earned money went towards it - which may not be completely honest or reflective of your work.
Top tip: Do not expect the review to be perfect and sparkly, they see your work in a different light and will point out the flaws, imperfections, and will inform you of their opinion - it's honest work, and it's better to hear the truth from someone who has built a career on book reviews, than to be told it's amazing and that feedback being useless to you.
Showing posts with label Self Promotion. Promotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self Promotion. Promotion. Show all posts
Monday, 1 April 2019
Monday, 11 February 2019
My First Writing Milestones
Being an indie writer means that you're starting from scratch, often with no financial backing at all, and you are more of a niche than mainstream.
You're winging it, basically.
There has been some milestones for me that don't seem like a big deal to others, but meant the world to me. Having no money to throw at your hard work is heartbreaking - but that doesn't mean you're not moving in the right direction.
I think the first milestone for me, was completing my first short story - Don't Eat Charlie Cheese.
I was elated when the story was done and dusted, I had been working on it whilst being full time employed in a pre-school, so I had limited time to figure out where the story was going.
But that was only the start, from there, I managed to save money to have the book illustrated by a unique artist TOMMINGS. When he sent me the first illustrations to look at, I could not cope. The character was better than I'd ever have dreamed of - I'd seen nothing like it in my life!
Charlie was alive!
I then got the first print of the book in the post - and I smiled all day and told everyone in the world (and their grandmother) that I had written a book, a real life, hold it in your hands, give it a flick through book!
Don't Eat Charlie Cheese was then discovered on Amazon! I think I cried at this point..
And from there I continued to write!
Everyone has different milestones in regards to achievements. Don't compare yourself to other writers, ever.
You did a thing - be proud!
The good thing about milestones is, they don't stop. There's loads of accomplishments you can gain - I get excited when this blog gets views! I'll be excited if my books ever win a prize, you never know, working hard pays off - even if it's a small win!
You're winging it, basically.
There has been some milestones for me that don't seem like a big deal to others, but meant the world to me. Having no money to throw at your hard work is heartbreaking - but that doesn't mean you're not moving in the right direction.
I think the first milestone for me, was completing my first short story - Don't Eat Charlie Cheese.
I was elated when the story was done and dusted, I had been working on it whilst being full time employed in a pre-school, so I had limited time to figure out where the story was going.
But that was only the start, from there, I managed to save money to have the book illustrated by a unique artist TOMMINGS. When he sent me the first illustrations to look at, I could not cope. The character was better than I'd ever have dreamed of - I'd seen nothing like it in my life!
Charlie was alive!
I then got the first print of the book in the post - and I smiled all day and told everyone in the world (and their grandmother) that I had written a book, a real life, hold it in your hands, give it a flick through book!
Don't Eat Charlie Cheese was then discovered on Amazon! I think I cried at this point..
And from there I continued to write!
Everyone has different milestones in regards to achievements. Don't compare yourself to other writers, ever.
You did a thing - be proud!
The good thing about milestones is, they don't stop. There's loads of accomplishments you can gain - I get excited when this blog gets views! I'll be excited if my books ever win a prize, you never know, working hard pays off - even if it's a small win!
Thursday, 10 January 2019
Writing Focused Social Media
Recently, I decided to delete my personal Instagram account, to set one up that mainly focuses on my writing/books.
I'm hoping to also portray my journey to ~ try ~ and achieve my dream job of being a full time writer.
A few years ago, I set up a Facebook page solely for my Charlie Cheese Books, but I don't think I have the bottle to set an author page up for myself.
Instagram feels more comfortable to me to self promote.
When I update or plug my work via Facebook and Twitter, it just feels like I'm annoying my friends and followers, or that I don't post anything of interest to people - which can have a negative impact and make you feel like your work isn't good enough.
Instagram feels more casual and relaxed - especially if you feel out of your depth promoting yourself and your work - All you do is pop up a picture, plaster it with hashtags, and done.
You get a few likes, comments and followers, without the guilt of annoying anyone - because EVERYONE is posting their achievements on there, so you can too! You can also follow some really interesting and creative accounts, so that's a bonus.
If you do fancy following me on Insta you can find me HERE.
I'm hoping to also portray my journey to ~ try ~ and achieve my dream job of being a full time writer.
A few years ago, I set up a Facebook page solely for my Charlie Cheese Books, but I don't think I have the bottle to set an author page up for myself.
Instagram feels more comfortable to me to self promote.
When I update or plug my work via Facebook and Twitter, it just feels like I'm annoying my friends and followers, or that I don't post anything of interest to people - which can have a negative impact and make you feel like your work isn't good enough.
Instagram feels more casual and relaxed - especially if you feel out of your depth promoting yourself and your work - All you do is pop up a picture, plaster it with hashtags, and done.
You get a few likes, comments and followers, without the guilt of annoying anyone - because EVERYONE is posting their achievements on there, so you can too! You can also follow some really interesting and creative accounts, so that's a bonus.
If you do fancy following me on Insta you can find me HERE.
Monday, 17 December 2018
Blogging Motivation?
Ironic that this is written as a blog post, yeah?
It's hard to keep content fresh and free from clickbait, especially if you've hit a brick wall creatively. I check my blog several times a day, to keep an eye on which posts are performing best, where in the world the blog has been viewed, and to update drafted posts.
A sentence a day keeps writer's block away.. Probably. - Beffy Parkin.
I have had a long gap between posts in the past, due to not having time - luckily, I force myself to write up a quick draft, or save a note, just to keep the blog active. Even if it's just a sentence, or a title that later never makes sense - writing nearly every day will keep you interested in creative writing. That's all that matters. Creative writing can drain you from time to time, and blogging is a very relaxed form of writing.
You can even use posts as little rants, or notes of annoyances, and it may come back to fuel ideas and content for future stories. Write little and often - then fully when you have time or feel like you've created enough interesting content to share with the world. Have a thousand drafts if you have to, write for yourself first and foremost.
Happy drafting!
It's hard to keep content fresh and free from clickbait, especially if you've hit a brick wall creatively. I check my blog several times a day, to keep an eye on which posts are performing best, where in the world the blog has been viewed, and to update drafted posts.
A sentence a day keeps writer's block away.. Probably. - Beffy Parkin.
I have had a long gap between posts in the past, due to not having time - luckily, I force myself to write up a quick draft, or save a note, just to keep the blog active. Even if it's just a sentence, or a title that later never makes sense - writing nearly every day will keep you interested in creative writing. That's all that matters. Creative writing can drain you from time to time, and blogging is a very relaxed form of writing.
You can even use posts as little rants, or notes of annoyances, and it may come back to fuel ideas and content for future stories. Write little and often - then fully when you have time or feel like you've created enough interesting content to share with the world. Have a thousand drafts if you have to, write for yourself first and foremost.
Happy drafting!
Friday, 14 December 2018
Too Many Hashtags
I'm having a mini crisis with self promotion.
I'm in no fit financial state to plug my books left, right and centre, and throw money at advertising. Self promotion is hard, you feel like everyone is sick of the sight of your posts, that you're annoying anyone who sees it, and that it doesn't have the desired impact as you'd hope.
I've noticed this mostly through Instagram and Twitter. I don't have an official writers Instagram account, so I use my personal to attempt to post updates of my work. I do have a CC Twitter account, but I'm having no luck with it.
I am aware I use far too many hashtags - but what choice do I have? I would love it if news about my books could reach thousands of people with little to no effort, but that's not in my grasp.
If I receive news about my writing, I am delighted and want to post about it anywhere and everywhere - because I am proud of my hard work! Does this come off as arrogant? Annoying?
Don't get me wrong, this isn't a pity party -- I'm just finding it difficult as an indie author who doesn't have financial backing. You have to do whatever you can.
If you do follow me on social media, and I have done your head in with constantly getting excited over my books and writing, then I can only apologise. I do get excited about my work, and I'd like to share the good news from time to time.
I will continue to self loathe whenever I feel I am over posting, but I will also feel immensely excited about the content. I over post because I'm overly excited!
Mini rant over.
I'm in no fit financial state to plug my books left, right and centre, and throw money at advertising. Self promotion is hard, you feel like everyone is sick of the sight of your posts, that you're annoying anyone who sees it, and that it doesn't have the desired impact as you'd hope.
I've noticed this mostly through Instagram and Twitter. I don't have an official writers Instagram account, so I use my personal to attempt to post updates of my work. I do have a CC Twitter account, but I'm having no luck with it.
I am aware I use far too many hashtags - but what choice do I have? I would love it if news about my books could reach thousands of people with little to no effort, but that's not in my grasp.
If I receive news about my writing, I am delighted and want to post about it anywhere and everywhere - because I am proud of my hard work! Does this come off as arrogant? Annoying?
Don't get me wrong, this isn't a pity party -- I'm just finding it difficult as an indie author who doesn't have financial backing. You have to do whatever you can.
If you do follow me on social media, and I have done your head in with constantly getting excited over my books and writing, then I can only apologise. I do get excited about my work, and I'd like to share the good news from time to time.
I will continue to self loathe whenever I feel I am over posting, but I will also feel immensely excited about the content. I over post because I'm overly excited!
Mini rant over.
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