As an author I consistently roam the message boards of writer’s forums looking for tips or any posts on marketing. Over the years I have noticed one big complaint, “My book isn’t selling. It’s my publishers fault”. The last time I checked it was a publisher’s job to do exactly what the name publisher implies—to publish your book.
Publishing defined is:the business or profession of the commercial production and issuance of literature, information, musical scores or sometimes recordings, or art. To make my point I even have used another dictionary definition, publishing: Traditionally, the selection, preparation, and distribution of printed matter—including books, newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets. Contemporary publishing includes the production of materials in digital formats such as CD-ROMs, as well as materials created or adapted for electronic distribution. Nowhere in either definition does it say a publisher will guarantee my book sales. Sorry, that’s for us to do. They can get the book to the book sellers, but they cannot make a reader purchase the book.
I wanted to know how widespread this misconception was so I queried a close friend in the publishing business and her response shocked me. She stated that authors email publishers on a daily basis regarding lacking sales. She went on further to state most publishers request a marketing plan prior to considering a book for publication, and the company she works for is no exception. So, what’s the issue? The authors are not following their own marketing plan for how they would market their own book once published. If you have yet to set up your own interviews, book signings, albeit small or large, promoted it on networking sites, or even given yourself a release party then who is really to blame here?
The bottom line is the publishing industry is saturated with authors. Stop complaining if you are not doing what it takes to get your name out there. Get your head out the sand and get to work. Be your own publicist if you can’t afford one. Who can toot your own horn better than you? It is easier to place blame than accept were we fall short. By no means am I exempt. I have only done one signing this year, but then again I am not complaining about my sales.
Aleron must cope with a timeless existence, seeing those he loves suffer the fate of mortality, while he remains cursed with eternal life. What if your immortal origin as well as others of your kind were hidden from you by the one you loved most; the one who gave you into a life of darkness and a lust for the sweetest nectar? These dilemmas and more face Aleron, but he must first learn to live, to survive, and most of all, to feed.
Seduced by the alluring vampire Mynea, Aleron learns what it truly means to be immortal as he adapts to his new life and new insatiable lust. She is teaching him to give her what her maker never has. She desires a new king and a new coven. Hearts, minds, and vampire souls intertwine as long kept secrets crawl out from the grave, refusing to remain buried beneath earth and lies. A blood kiss between them reveals a darker and even deadlier soul that has learned of Aleron’s blasphemous existence. Vlad is the beginning, the father of them all. Mynea must not let her young prince learn of her ancient king. Can a vampire truly love and trust another of his kind when their very lives depend on skillful deceit?
Walking a thin line between life and death, Aleron is certain of one thing, if love is, then blood is.
Kane: What has inspired me most is my insistent new immortal friend. You know, how do you deny a vampire? Aleron is very insistent, not that he needed to be. The story of the Strigoi is a fascinating one. Tales I would gladly tell until I can no longer write. Anne Rice and Bram Stoker are my favorite authors. Bran Stoker brought the modern day vampire into being while Anne Rice offered a window into the lives of immortals in an elegantly seductive way. Perfection is her book Memnock The Devil. I think I will read it again tonight.
2.When did you have that ah ha moment when you knew you were a writer?
Kane: When I was in Jr. high, the English teacher would always give us these writing assignments that everyone hated. Everyone besides me. I began writing plays which included many students in the class. The teacher began letting the students act out my plays and it became our monthly tradition. I realized I had a knack for entertaining people through the written word. I haven’t stopped since.
3.What is your writing process?
Kane:I have an uncanny knack for realism in my writing. So I often want to experience what I am writing about first hand. That is why I decided to dive into the history of the undead beginning where the legend of Vlad originated, Romania. Once I’ve gathered the necessary research and details about the setting, I spend more time getting to know my characters. Often times, I imitate them when interacting with others. This really allows me to know my characters, and thus able to write effectively about them so my audience gets to know and understand them. Typically I write at night and don’t sleep until the morning. No phones are ringing. No one is awake, accept those who I write about; however they typically don’t bother me as long as I keep my promise. And so far I have.
4.Tell us about your favorite character and why you chose to write about them?
Kane:My favorite character of the book ‘Aleron’ is indeed Aleron. Taken from all that he knows to be, and thrust into a world where his dreams and desires become his reality and what was once real is called into question. Aleron embodies everything we want in a hero. He goes through a life changing transformation and still adjusts to his new found lust while maintaining his humanity. Aleron lives to love and loves to live, thus he takes us on a journey through his eyes and thoughts that we will never be able to forget. I love Aleron for his intelligence, strength, and exacting ways. He is a humane demon, if there ever was such a being.
5.What are you currently working on?
Kane:Of course I can’t leave fans hanging for long, so I am diving deeper into Mynea and Vlad’s tale which will be revealed in Book 2 of the Strigoi Series. I am also working on The Nephilim Project which is a fantastical tale about the beauty and evil when God’s True Sons (Angles) embrace the sensuality of the daughters of humankind as well as the division that occurred in Heaven through Satan’s challenge. Nephilim is guaranteed to quench that romantic and supernatural thirst of yours. And in the not so distant future, you can expect to see our hero Aleron on the BIG Screen!
6.Any upcoming events?
Kane:There will be some publicized book signings and release parties scheduled in most major cities in the US and some abroad. We are also shooting a mini documentary in Bucharest Romania beginning May 24-May 29, where we will feature many places described in the book. This will surely wet your pallet. Say tuned for the latest news at www.aleron.co
7.If you could be anyone you like, who would you be?
Kane:Very loaded question. I would be Adam, the first man, the father of us all. Hence the battle between good and evil would have ended in Eden.
8.Do you have any advice for new writers and something that a seasoned vet can learn?
Kane:Absolutely. Write was is important and interesting to you. If someone doesn’t like it, so what. You do, and that’s why we are here. Also, be sure to keep reading whether the work is good or not so good, for all of it will make you a better writer. Of course, as you continue to write, be sure to reward yourself along the way, with whatever makes you happy, or tipsy.
9.Where can your followers find you?
Kane:Aleron and I can be found on Twitter (Aleron11), FaceBook (Aleron Kane), www.aleron.co, and Authors Den (Kane A.) or simply email at aleron@aleron.co.
10.Any last words?
Kane:Yes. Thank you for having me over and drugging me in order for me to tell you all of my secrets! Just kidding. I really appreciate the time we spent together and I pledge to keep giving my readers exactly what they want.
Thank you so much for stopping by Kane! Looking forward to hearing more about this Aleron. Guests please check out both trailers.
As a member of Sigma Gamma Rho I am proud to repost this from the Golden Literary Circle. Please stop by and visit these wonderful authors in Chicago. Good luck my sorors!
During the Printers Row Bookfest, we plan to promote the following authors: Beverly Jenkins, Historial Romance & YA Author
Ms Jenkins’ historical romance novels highlight African/American life in the 19th century. She has 22 published novels to date.
She has received numerous awards for her works, including: six Waldenbooks/Borders Group Best Sellers Awards; two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine; a Golden Pen Award from the Black Writer’s Guild, and in 1999 was named one of the Top Fifty Favorite African-American writers of the 20th Century by AABLC, the nation’s largest on-line African-American book club.
She has also been featured in many national publications, including the Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, Dallas Morning News and Vibe Magazine. She has lectured at such prestigious universities as Oberlin University, the University of Illinois, and the University of Michigan. She speaks widely on both romance and 19th century African-American history.
In 2004 Ms. Jenkins branched out into romantic suspense with the publication of Edge of Midnight. Her first, faith based, women’s fiction, Bring on the Blessings will be published in Jan 09. Her two teen historicals: Belle and Josephine have been reissued and are on sale now. You can find out more about her work by logging on to http://www.beverlyjenkins.net/. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Omegia Keeys, YA & Erotic Romance Fiction Author
Omegia Keeys debuted as an Erotic Author in 2007 with Passionate Playmates (republished in 2010) whose follow ups are Seduction.com in 2009, and Can You Keep a Secret 2010. She has been featured on Allure Radio, Street Vibes Mix Radio, and in Indy Blackout Magazine. Keeys was recently nominated for the Scribe Award at the National Black Book Fest and her title Can You Keep a Secret was selected as one of Conversations Magazine’s top 100 books of 2010. Omegia’s short story, C.K., was recently chosen to appear in the anthology, Unloved, a novel dedicated to bringing awareness to bullying and suicide. Omegia also writes Young Adult fiction under the pen name of Key Rollins. The Baby Girl was release in March of 2011.
Currently Omegia is working on her next titles, the Fantasy Girls Collection, an erotic mystery initialed, Shattered: Secrets between Sister’s, and a non fiction memoir. To learn more about Omegia please visit her at http://www.omegiakeeys.com/. You can also purchase copies of her releases by logging on to www.passionatewriterpublishing.com as well as all book retailers.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Karla Brady, YA & Women’s Fiction
K. L. Brady is a D.C. native but spent a number of her formative years in the Ohio Valley. She’s an alumnus of the University of the District of Columbia and University of Maryland University College, earning a B.A. in Economics and M.B.A., respectively. She works as an analyst for a major government contracting firm and is an active real estate agent with Exit Realty by day—and writes by night (often into the wee hours of the morning). She lives just outside of D.C. in Cheltenham, Maryland, with her son and lives to eat chocolate, shop, read, and write.
Her upcoming adult novel, THE BUM MAGNET, will be published by Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books in March 2011. THE BUM MAGNET was the winner of the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Multicultural Fiction, as well as the Third Place Grand Prize Winner for Best Fiction of 2010. You can find out more about her work by logging on to http://www.authorklbrady.com/.
I would have to say that life in general has been my inspiration. The people in our lives can either be a healthy compliment to us, or they can be a toxic drain. Trust me, I have witnessed both and some of them are represented in my writing in one form or another.
2. When did you have that ah ha moment when you knew you were a writer?
My first ah ha moment came when I had the idea for A Cold Dark Place. I would literally wake up from a sound sleep with an idea that I just had to get down on paper.
3. What is your writing process?
The writing process for me involves turning on my Ipod and drinking an ice cold beer. Sometimes, an idea for a whole chapter can come from a single song. The beer helps relax me and allows my brain to communicate my ideas nearly uncensored.
4. Tell us about your favorite character and why you chose to write about them?
Andy is my favorite character. I think that we have all wanted someone in our lives that loved us unconditionally and without judgment; someone that cares for us deeply and unconditionally, and will do anything in their power to make sure that we are safe.
5. What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on two projects (As if I wasn't busy enough). I am currently working on a literary project with the very talented Autumn Prince that I am really excited about. It is a gay themed vampire story set in Charleston SC. As for project #2, this one is a break from the norm for me. I can't give away the details just yet. But, let's just say that it something that may surprise a few folks.
6. Any upcoming events?
I am sure that by the time this interview is published, the South
Carolina Book Festival will have come and gone. However, (just in case) it will be held Saturday May 14th at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC starting at 10 a.m. There is another event that I am really excited about. I collaborated with some very talented writers for the anthology entitled, Unloved by The Author Project. All of the short stories center around the theme of bullying and suicide. Unloved has made the front cover of the June/July edition of Conversations Magazine thanks to Cyrus Webb. He has been a big supporter of the Author Project and the message that we are sending. All proceeds from Unloved will go to charities in support of Bully Prevention and/or Suicide Prevention.
7. If you could be anyone you like, who would you be?
If I could be anyone I like, I would be Carrie White. Let's just put it this way, the roads would be a whole lot safer, people would think twice before they annoy me, and I would the "must invite guest" for Bonfires and BBQ(s). The only bad thing, is I would have to keep the fire department on speed dial.
8. Do you have any advice for new writers and something that a seasoned vet can learn?
9. Where can your followers find you?
Feel free to visit me at my personal website: www.hdhatcher.com
Let me offer writers this tidbit of advice. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Everyone is not going to love your style of writing, and not everyone is going to give your book a “stand on their head and clap” review. So be it. But, in the same breath there is someone out there that will. This is who you write for.
Lastly, thank you for having me and giving you the opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself.
Thank you so much for stopping by HD Hatcher and gracing us with your wisdom and humor. For all those who didn't know Unloved is an Anthology dedicated to Bullying and Suicide Prevention. All proceeds go towards charities in support of this great cause.
