Month: January 2012

The Power of Facebook for Writers – Part One – by Michael Allen

Author/Screenwriter Michael Allen
Author/Screenwriter Michael Allen

Facebook can be very powerful if you know how to use it. But, I’ve talked to plenty of indie authors who simply don’t see the effectiveness Facebook can have on an online marketing campaign. If they only knew a few things about what Facebook can do, they just might have a better time using this extremely powerful social media platform.

First of all, there is a personal profile and then there are pages that you can create. A personal profile can only have 5,000 friends. That’s why I suggest you make that into information about who you are as a person, not a book page. Provide information about your work and education. Highlight your interests. Add friends that you really know and even indicate who is in your family. In other words, be real. That is your real profile and it should be only about you.

Of course, you would mention that you are a writer and list all your books. That’s perfectly fine. So, then create a page for each book. Some writers find this a little too much. But remember, the Facebook experience is for you to define. So if you don’t want a page for each book, then simply create an author page where you can list all of your books. Continue reading “The Power of Facebook for Writers – Part One – by Michael Allen”

Sneak Peek: Linda Rae Blair’s “Press ‘n SEAL”

Press N Seal by Linda Rae BlairToday we get a sneak peek of author Linda Rae Blair’s seventh book in The Preston Andrews Mysteries series, Press ‘n SEAL:

Admiral Poindexter has a serious problem and only his friend’s son can help. If the wrong people discover that he has asked for help, someone he loves will die—quickly, horribly. Snuffed out like a candle.

Press, Rachel and Trace do what they can. It soon becomes obvious to Press that he’s going to need the help of his own best friend since childhood—Lieutenant Commander James Harticutt, Navy SEAL Team 6.

None of them could know then that a matter of weeks would have made a disastrous difference in the outcome of their search for an undercover CIA agent somewhere in the Middle East.

Press ‘n SEAL is now available on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Create Space. Continue reading “Sneak Peek: Linda Rae Blair’s “Press ‘n SEAL””

Kristina Jackson and L.A. Tripp Launch Inspiring Indies

Indie authors need all the help we can get—every single edge can make a difference in getting our book in front of more readers and help establish our brands.

I did not invent blogging, contrary to wildly inaccurate claims being made in the upcoming autobiography I am now writing. Nonetheless, I was touched when Kristina Jackson reached out to let me know she and Toney L.A. Tripp were starting a blog to help indie authors. It made me feel like the Godfather. I blessed her and sent her on her way, reminding her that the day may come when I will ask her for a favor. I don’t want her to worry about it. That day may never come—except it will. I’m thinking a week from Tuesday. Continue reading “Kristina Jackson and L.A. Tripp Launch Inspiring Indies”

Tools for Editing Manuscripts by LM Preston

YA Author LM Preston
YA Author LM Preston

Editing is a big issue for many writers. Not to mention that one doesn’t usually have the money to pay for a professional editor prior to submitting their novel to Lit Agents or Publishers.

But there is software available to help a writer tighten up their manuscript prior to sending it out for submission. In cases of publishing their own works, using these tools can help get a manuscript as clean as possible prior to sending it to an editor.

WHY CLEAN UP A MANUSCRIPT IF AN EDITOR IS GOING TO?

Editors are human. They make errors, don’t find things, and unknowingly miss obvious errors in works also. No book is without room for improvement. An author should always try to get their work in the best possible shape BEFORE it goes to the editor to ensure that their work is represented at its best.  Continue reading “Tools for Editing Manuscripts by LM Preston”