I just wanted to stop by and let you know a few wonderful things that have happened to me lately.  First, I was nominated by the lovely folks at Love Romances and More as Best New Author of 2007 and my book, The Reckoning of Asphodel was nominated for Best Sci Fi/Fantasy Novel of 2007.  Thanks, everyone, for the honor and to everyone who voted.  Then, Asphodel was nominated for Best Sci Fi/Fantasy Novel of 2007 by Preditors & Editors for their annual Readers Poll.  I’m very proud to announce that Asphodel placed tenth–and I now have a shiny new .gif image to add to my various sites.  Asphodel has been getting great reviews (again, thank you LR&M for the fabulous five hearts review!) which is fabulous because the second book in the series, The Gift of Redemption is due out this spring from Aspen Mountain Press.

So, because of all these wonderful things, I’m running a BLOG CONTEST!  Yep,  you too can win a copy of The Reckoning of Asphodel!  All you have to do is visit my blog and post a comment and you’re entered.  Contest ends on Valentine’s Day (cuz I luvs you guyz) and the winner gets not only a copy of my book, but a brand spanking new not shared with anybody LOLCat AND a reserved copy of Book Two.  You’ll get your copy the day that Redemption is released!

On top of that, if you bring a friend and have them mention your name in their post, I’ll enter you again.  Just think how many entries you could have if all of your friends stop by! Go to Elf-Killing and Other Hobbies (follow the linkie) and enter.

So this is my universal ‘thank you’ for everyone who has helped Asphodel become successful.  Have a great day!

Celina

Chat with Aline de Chevigny, Maura Anderson, Melissa Glisan, and Michelle Hasker from Aspen Mountain Press at Realms of Love. These smart and witty ladies have some very hot releases at AMP and there will be give-aways of ebook downloads during the chat.  Join us for the fun Monday at 9 PM EST, Monday, January 28.

Every author wants to sell books.  Loads of them.

Every publisher wants every author to sell books.  Loads of them. 

The competition is fierce.  Thousands of books are released every month.  How can anyone possibly “stick out” from all the rest?  There is no easy way to get noticed, but there are seven simple things you can do to help the process.

Have a media page on your website.  You DO have a website, right?

On your media page include a brief bio (500 words or so).  Your bio should include a photo and any special credentials you have.

Next, include information about your product…for authors that would be your book(s).

A third thing to include is to share ideas that the media could use to base a story around you.  Were you almost kidnapped in a foreign country?  Did you overcome a handicap of some sort?  Did you participate in an unusual activity or do something special at an unusual age (like Grandma Moses starting to paint late in life)?

The media also likes it when you lessen their work, so a fourth thing to include are interview questions and upcoming personal appearences if you have them.  You can use these questions to guide the media in getting the information you want covered out to the public.

Fast facts about you is yet another item to include on your media page.

Testimonials are another thing the media is interested in.  Has your novel given someone encouragement? Did a reader write in to say how much they were touched by your story?  Those are testimonials.  Gather them, ask for them, post them on your media page.

Have you had other media coverage? Blog talk radio, newspaper articles, interviews?  Other media release information is item number seven to include on your media page.  Have this information available in a number of formats…something that can be downloaded in a PDF version, stored digitally on your computer so you can send the info electronically, and on-line so someone researching you can access vital information including upcoming appearances.

No one thing can guarantee success especially in the publicity realm.  Being prepared through having information readily available to a producer looking for that special “human interest” or “local angle” for a story will put you ahead of others; those who think a writer isn’t supposed to do anything to get noticed.