Today I gave my panel on online marketing and as usual I learned a ton from the audience so that the next time I give this talk it will be 230% better.
First, I learned last night in the librarian meet and greet how much librarians rely on author web sites and how valuable they find book lists that link series and related books together. It seems there is a romance reader type they see very often who will come in and want to try a new author who has a few books published already, and they want to read them in the right order. And they want to check out and bring home the entire. Freaking. Backlist.
Sweet!
The same librarian who told me about all the different ways she uses author websites, Monique from the Glenview Library, was also at my presentation today. She told me about signing up for Facebook updates from an author and finding little information about books, and a LOT of political ranting – which is what she did not want.
All of her stories and comments underscored the fact that the reader is a customer, and it is very important to know what the customer wants, and whether the author wants to give that to them.
Barbara Vey and I were looking at another author website after the panel, and she told me about one site she had visited and linked to from her site where the author was nude in her bio picture. Oh, my. If there’s a what-not-to-do, that might be number one in the Guide to Online Marketing: first, don’t be naked.
Second would be the site that several attendees talked about at the end where a frustrated author wished death, fire and rage and dismemberment upon many agents. Holy what-not-to-do.
Julia Quinn’s lunch keynote was very good – a collection of top 4 lists from the perspective of before and after publication, from the practical to the inspirational.
Highlights include:
Having a to do list gives you the illusion that you have some control over your life.
The only way to finish a book is to finish it. The world is full of first chapters.
You will never hurt your career by helping another author.
The only person who can stop a reader from reading your book is you.
Don’t forget to be proud of what you do.
The conference programs were mostly excellent. The Spring Fling has a very good balance between practical writing sessions and discussion of marketing, sales, inspirational advice, and author branding, which are equally important and I think necessary to develop concurrently.
The best panels like Courtney Milan’s session on editing for voice involved audience exercise and very strong examples. Some speakers were prepared but dry, reading off a long series of notes. Others, like Elizabeth Hoyt, talked informally and engaged the audience in a conversation on the topic, which, since her topic was sex scenes, was a bucket of entertainment.
The book signing was very cool as well – there are pictures on twitter of the long lines for Julia Quinn, Cherry Adair, and Simone Elkeles. A lot of young people turned out to meet Simone, which is very cool. And people brought me Bosoms to sign, which is always fun.
Robyn Bachar was among those who asked me to sign her copy of the Bosoms, and she told me that her first book is coming out 11 May from Samhain. She’d learned about Samhain reading Smart Bitches, and is so excited to be a debut author. Another person I spoke with today told me an agent had just signed her, and she was being shopped to a few houses right now. Then I met someone who had just finished their manuscript and come up with a great idea for her next book. I don’t know what’s in the air at writing conferences but it’s so cool to see people enthusiastic and inspired and excited – and buying piles and piles of romance novels, too.
If you are looking for good conferences to attend, the Spring Fling is definitely among the best I’ve attended – heck, come for the food alone. It’s been amazing.
IPad substitution of the day: onion marketing! Yes! Every author needs to market their onions! Especially since the original name of Chicago, as I learned on Twitter last night, meant smelly onions. Also: Practical writing = practical erupting. Who knew?
Aaand one more thing: I have four signed books to give away: Blythe Gifford’s His Border Bride, Julie James’ Something About You, Elizabeth Hoyt’s To Seduce a Sinner, and Carrie Lofty’s Scoundrel’s Kiss. Leave a comment about your writing or reading this weekend and you’re entered to win.
Mature Romance Darlene? Where do I find that category? I am mature, I know I will never be seduced by some cut, sculpted, godly guy who will protect me from all the bad and, frankly, my dear, I’d rather get a good night’s sleep after I stay up until 1 a.m. because I can’t put down the book rather than, you know, finding the lube…
Maybe the next RWA conference could find some red hat and purple authoresses to suss out what older women REALLY want! And maybe I’ll write it myself!
made32 ahella long time ago
Am I weird? I really don’t want to know anything personal about authors, so I keep far away from Facebook, etc. I guess I’m sort of a privacy nut — I’m not going to ask about your private life, so please don’t tell me.
When I go to an author’s website, all I really want to know is something about her books, how they’re connected, etc. I also enjoy it when authors of historicals include links to sites providing interesting nuggets of information.
As for reading, I’m taking a break from fiction at the moment and reading Gertrude Himmelfarb’s The Idea of Poverty — the Georgian/Regency that doesn’t turn up in romance.
@JoAnn—Can’t guarantee the HEA ending on Major Pettigrew because I haven’t finished it yet, but it has a 68 yr old widower and a 58 yr old widow. It’s definitely not about ripped abs or flowing tresses, but about companionship and someone giving you a reason to be excited to get up on the morning and get out of the house and be part of the world again. And a reason to smile. In other words, it’s much like real life.
Your post made me laugh, because right before I came on here I was on an author website getting her backlist and requesting them from the local library 😉 In the past two days I’ve read the first 6 books in the Arcane Series (Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick) and to say I’m hooked is an understatement. Now I get the joy of exploring her other books! Sounds like a wonderful conference, love the updates!
I’ve been book shopping after reading this thread. *G*
Right now I’m rereading Jennifer Roberson’s Sword Dancer series and not doing much writing myself at all.
I wanted to offer a big giant THANK YOU to Sarah for coming to Spring Fling, for letting me fondle her iPad, for presenting an awesome workshop and for giving everyone else a glimpse of the funny and witty that is Julia Quinn and Cherry Adair.
We were thrilled to have you and hopefully will get you within our clutches here in the city of stinky onions once again.
An author’s website is sooooo important to those of us looking for the order of books. You can’t use the inside cover of a book cause sometimes they list the books from top to bottom and sometimes the the other way around. I read whole series and love it when they are listed (on amazon.com or anywhere) as Book 1, Book 2, ect.
All the writing that I have been doing recently is for senior capstone 🙁 But at least I can balance out the computer jargon with romance reading! Currently I am almost finished with a Scottish anthology (I can’t remember the name!) featuring Julia Quinn. Up next? Whatever I can find on the library’s eBook site!
For those with computer skills how hard is it to find out who is really writing a blog. The “frustrated author” is probably using a psedonym, but you would think that they still would be worried about being unmasked. How may publishers would like to work with someone like that? Just seems funny to put your career at risk.
I have a Computer Science exam tomorrow and here I am unable to even look away from “Venetia”. I just started reading Georgette Heyer and I am so in love… *grin*
Today, I hope to finish writing my self-evaluation for work. I hate doing it and have been spending an hour or 3 a day for the past two weeks on it. As you might expect it is detailed, wordy, and required.
Reading-wise, things are much better. I skimmed the “Cook This, Not That” book I bought Friday and last night I started reading “Just a Kiss” by Lara Santiago. It is very amusing.
The #1 reason I go to author websites is to check order of books. For some, I’ve been saving a series in my (virtual) TBR pile, and I do want to read them in order. I was away at a conference this week, and made my way through 3 of Jayne Castle’s Harmony series. (I’ve been staying up to date on her Arcane books, so thought it was about time to go through them.
My other reflection is that I’m increasingly coming to love audiobooks. I got one of Richelle Mead’s, the first of her Succubus series, on sale from Audible. I never thought I’d fall in love with a protagonist who was a succubus, but the combination of writing and (audible) reader worked perfectly for me, and I am about to start her 5th in the series.
Thank you so much for the mention! And I apologize if I geeked out too much, I tried really hard not to be a crazed fangirl but then my brain bluescreened and my self control didn’t reboot…
Update: Finished Betrayed. Amazed at how I love the main character despite her ability to be both admirable and a total skank. Started Pretty Little Liars…Catty girl books are always worth the time.
On a more serious romance note, almost halfway through Sinful by Charlotte Featherstone (Thank you Harlequin and NetGalley!) and it’s very good. Though I’d like to know the frequency of nurses in Regency romance – and hero’s that are temporarily blinded.
Sounds like a great trip. I’m turning faintly green, but should recover nicely.
This weekend I’m wallowing in the land of Oz. I picked up all of the L. Frank Baum Oz books for Kindle (super cheap!). I’m happily re-visiting all the books that fueled my imagination as a child. Hurrah!
Writing? I signed up for ScriptFrenzy April (by the same fine folks who bring us Nanowrimo) and, while I’m not going to have 100 pages by the end of the month, I’ve got a cool screenplay started. It’s about zombies, a close-knit group of characters, and suicidal acts of derring-do. Best part? My friends and I are going to make the movie from my screenplay.
w00t. (*giggle* My verification word is “great34”! Yes, I shall be great 34-times over.)
Oh my holy God, my jaw literally dropped (not all the way off, mind you) when I read that fire-and-brimstone blog post you linked to, the one ranting about rejections and agents. Ho-ly shit. Somebody went into the wrong field. It’s one thing to not have the thickest skin, it’s quite another to spew poison all over people for doing their jobs. All I can say is, I pity the next boyfriend who attempts to break up with that gal.
I totally forgot to say what I’m reading! Attachment by Isabel Fonseca.
People have already figured out this person’s real identity. Apparently, she left a lot of clues in her rants.
Thank you again for Robyn’s mention, and for tolerating our enthusiasm. And hall passes.
Hey there! It was a pleasure meeting you this weekend at Spring Fling. Now that I’ve met you in person, I can “hear” your voice as I read your posts. Very cool! I enjoyed most of the sessions I attended, but I have to say I learned the most from your online marketing session. As the owner of a brand-spankin’-new, haven’t-even-shown-it-to-anyone-yet blog, you made me realize I should have a website either instead of or in addition to that blog. And I need to set up another Facebook account. So much to do, so little time.
It seems everyone who comments includes the book she is currently reading. I came home from the conference with a tall stack of books. I’ll pick one at random… ah, here we go- I am currently reading my signed copy of A Match Made in Heaven by Kristin Walker.
Marsha and Anna—Julie James is the precisely the type of author that would bring a romance reader out of the closet. 🙂
Sarah—it was nice to meet you at Spring Fling. Yes, the customer focus is good to keep in mind as far as the website. When looking for the basic facts, like a librarian would, who needs random opinions? Points out the value of the reference quality of an author website vs. the personal blog stuff, which is better kept separate.
Sarah, thanks for the kind words about my workshop!
I had a great time at Spring Fling (and even got a lot of writing done). And yes, I agree it’s a great conference. I got my agent through a pitch at Spring Fling, and so it has a soft spot in my heart.
I enjoyed Spring Fling so much. North Chicago is an awesome organization. Kudos to them and the accommodating, efficient staff at the Hyatt Deerfield. I’m sad it will be two years before I can go again.
Hey Glynis, great to see another Script Frenzy participant!
I won’t make my 100 pages either, but it will be close, and it will be nice to see my husband and children again without feeling either: A. overwhelming guilt from my massive neglect, or B. irritation that they dare to ask me for something (oh, like food?) when I’m supposed to be working.
I’m so jealous you’re gonna make your flick: zombie derring-do??? I’d see that!
Writing a “reflection paper” on dialect for the first class in my long crawl toward a masters degree. Not having a lot of fun (or making much progress). 🙁
Things have been busy so I haven’t done much reading this weekend. I need to read All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot for book club….this Friday. Thank goodness I read fast.
Sounds like you had a great time!!! I’ve read Passion by Lisa Valdez this weekend and also started Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas. It’s been a treat to enjoy the warm weather and a couple good books.
I bought Martha Grimes “Dakota” a week or so ago. A very odd and quite depressing book that just kind of petered out without a decent resolution, which I find infuriating. (She also mixed up bridle and halter, and I was in no mood to forgive her – or the copy editors – for such a stupid error.) I finished it and gave it away as soon as I could to someone who will probably appreciate it as lit-ra-chur much more than I did. To get the icky, bitter taste of that out of my head, I wandered into my local Borders while taking the dog for a walk (oh, gosh, how did my credit card get into my pocket?) and ordered Megan Whalen Turner’s “A Conspiracy of Kings.” And shame on Borders for never having had any in stores, and not planning on ever having it on the shelves. To tide me over until it comes, I picked up a couple of Nora Robert’s I didn’t happen to own already that were on the sale table.
Oh, I am totally all about getting all of an author’s books out and reading my way through the backlist. Happens more frequently with series, obviously, but it’s enough of a habit that I will stalk books at the library and wait until I have them all (bwa ha ha!). Nothing as frustrating as finishing a book, wanting the next one, and not being able to get it yet.
This weekend… yeah, mostly been reading student papers. Yay? Oh, and sneaking in a couple of Kinsey Milhone books as I work my way through Sue Grafton’s Alphabet murder series.
Crawled from a pit of despair, where I was about to give up writing altogether, to have a stellar month.
Sold a novel-length space opera to Red Sage, and was thrilled to bits because my editor wanted me to add 9000 words and make it even longer. Revisions have never been so much fun. Yeeha! Finally felt like a “real” author, because previous publishing credits were novellas, and many organisations don’t consider you to be “published” under 40,000 words.
And then just found out this weekend that a novella I’d been asked to submit has been accepted to Red Sage’s Secrets Vol 30 anthology. So I’m finally gonna be print-pubbed, too.
OMGOMGOMG! Just as well I didn’t chuck it all in, huh?
So VBGs from this kiwi gal. Who’s taking a couple of days off to catch up on her TBR pile.
Currently reading some manga—Fruits Basket. DVD of the series is hilarious! Then it’s back to synopses hell. Happy joy, LOL.
I finished reading Wild Ride My Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer, and I think I liked this one the best out of all of their collaborations so far.
Spent the morning at the spa with my sister—it was her b-day treat. We hit the local bookstore after lunch and while she perused the latest Martha Stewart sewing/crafts bible, I made notes on my iPhone of all the books I want to add to my Kindle. It’s quite the list!
I’m reading Diana Gabaldon’s “Echo On The Bone” and loving it!
Not a romance, because I have a stack of borrowed TBR books to finish before I let myself buy anything, but I’m halfway through World War Z finally. It’s got some lovely, poignant beats.
My writing is going well, but I’m in the scary part of the book—trying to bring all the disparate threads/characters/themes together so the climactic action can happen. Shudder.