Tuesday Catchup

Really quick update: The twins birthday is over, and now we’re on to my oldest son’s birthday on Monday. I’ve found the answer to stress. It’s cheesecake. Florentine’s Hero is getting a new title. I’m not sure what it’ll be yet, but I’ll let you know when I hear. I’ve heard rumors that the untitled book I call Florentine’s Hero could be released in July. When I nail down an exact date, I’ll shout it out. This weekend, the muse hit hard. I was a writing machine. I love when that happens. Pretty exciting week, right? lol

Now I want to talk about something I rarely mention. Promotion! Sure, I slap up excerpts and announce where I’ll be doing guest spots and interviews, but I rarely say, “Please, go buy my book.” To me…that’s the hardest part of being an author.

A lot of people still think about books as being seen on the store shelves, passed to you by a friend, and recommended to you by a best seller list. As more authors move to digital books (ebooks), it takes a little different approach. Our books are put on a website. Most people go looking for a specific book to buy. Most people don’t browse through all the books, loading pages, reading blurbs, enlarging covers, ect. My job as an author is to get my book mentioned everywhere. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, the blog, and hundreds of other places. Yet, we all know social networking isn’t about self promotion. In fact, I could lose followers because I do talk about my book too much. I’m told that people need to get to know me, the person, and if they like me, they’ll go look at my website and find out I write books. That’s great! I love to meet people that way.

Yet, there’s more that I can do. One of those things is asking readers to give reviews of my books. I’ve always said the best compliment a reader can give me is to leave a review. If you loved it, if you were disappointed, if it was cute but not a keeper…that’s all okay. I want to hear. Plus, other readers buy books because of YOUR review. I’ve bought books because someone raved about it. I’ve also bought books that someone hated, because I wanted to see if I would like it. Everyone’s tastes are different, and you just can’t lose by posting a book review.

A great place to leave reviews on all the books you read is called Goodreads. Here’s the link… http://www.goodreads.com

Word of mouth is the best present. If you liked a book, tell your friends, your relatives. Amazon has a lending program on some books. Pass a book to your friend. Don’t worry, you’ll get it back.

Recommend a Facebook page to your friends on Facebook. Heck, share something I’ve posted on your own wall. I like sharing. Come on over and LIKE me. http://www.facebook.com/DebraKaynFanPage

Come and chat with me on Twitter. Don’t be afraid of telling your friends to follow me. I answer all @mentions. http://www.twitter.com/DebraKayn

Don’t forget to ask me any questions you have. I really do love talking to other readers. debrakayn@debrakayn.com

I’ve always said I could never sell used cars. I hate convincing someone to buy a product. That includes my books. What I’m good at is babbling nonsense, and making up stories. The promotions deal…I’m still learning.

Code word or Euphemism? You tell me…

I hear certain things in other people’s words. Hey, it’s fair play. You get to read my words, I get to laugh when you talk. It’s a win-win situation.

I admit, I giggle at the car wash when the guy asks, “Wash and wax?” He seems pretty friendly for not even knowing my name.

There’s a church we often drive by, and on the billboard it says, “Everybody comes…you should too!” I’ve been known to mumble, “Amen.”

Frustration gets the best of everyone, but never say, “It’s too hard.” There is no such thing. Wipe that from your vocabulary!

There are many more…

Wanna ride?

It’s hot.

I can’t find it. Can you help?

I’m tired. You do it.

Is this big enough?

 

So, tell me. Are you one of the people who hear things too? Or, are you the one standing there saying, “I don’t get it.” Cause you know I’m sorta laughing and feeling sorry for those that don’t get it. heehee

Tuesday Catchup

 

It’s birthday week in the Kayn household. My babies, my twins, those two sons of mine, will be 16 years old on Thursday. Those two boys who were 7 1/2 lb each at birth are now over 6 ft tall. I don’t know where the years have gone. In our family, when it’s your birthday you get to pick out dinner and desert. Because there are two of them, that means a double of everything.

(here they are at 1 1/2 years old at Grandma’s house)

 

This past weekend, I spent time with hubs de-winterizing the RV, and picking up fallen limbs. The weather is still teasing us with a snow/rain/cold mix, but I don’t think we’re going to get a hard freeze anymore. I’m ready for spring. Spring will bring out the buyers looking for a new house, and we’ll finally get to make the big move if someone buys our place. I’m starting to miss our furniture that we got rid of for the cross country move, so anytime…I’m ready!

It’s getting closer to the premier of the movie Hunger Games? Are you excited? I am!

On the writing front, I have a few blog hops going this week. On Wednesday, I’ll be at Word Shaping Blog. On Friday I’ll be at Heroines with Hearts and at Cate Masters blog. Please stop by and say hi! I’m also polishing a finished manuscript. It’s at an odd length. Too long for a novella, not long enough for a novel. I’m debating whether to turn it to category length. I’d need 5,000 words or roughly 20 more pages. I think that’s do-able.