Attention-getting Tactics for Authors

opera singerA while back, I attended a festival of romance. It was one of those events where authors get together, mingle with publishers, sell some books, make connections and so on. There were workshops and other events where we got to meet and greet.

One of these events was a readathon. It was staged in a shopping centre. The idea was for a steady line of writers to keep an audience entertained with excerpts from our books. In reality, most of the public was more interested in shopping and ignored us. One writer, however, grabbed their attention. She belted out Jon Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer ahead of her reading. People came to a rapid halt and listened. It was a crowd stopper. Continue reading “Attention-getting Tactics for Authors”

Tutorial Tuesday: Get Your Books on Shelfari

Shelfari LogoOh no, another book site? you groan. Yes, Mabel, another book site. This one’s powered by Amazon.com, the world’s largest book store. Do you think it might be a good idea to get your books on there? I do.

Sure, you can take the time and set up your reading lists like on Goodreads, but you don’t have to.

First off, “register” or set up your account at Shelfari.com. And just to make it easier for you, they’ll offer to use your Amazon.com login information. Pretty convenient. Then create your profile. They’ll ask you if you want to find people to follow – you can just click skip at the bottom left-hand side of the page. Continue reading “Tutorial Tuesday: Get Your Books on Shelfari”

Tuesday Tutorial: Strut Your Stuff on LinkedIn

Unfortunately, LinkedIn has discontinued this Amazon.com reading list feature.

LinkedIn gives you an opportunity to show off your books without ever saying a word. Yes, it’s true. And for those of you who whine “but these people don’t know I write and I don’t want to tell them” – you don’t have to. That’s the beauty of it all.

LinkedIn has an option called “Reading List by Amazon.” Sure, you can add whatever you’re reading to that list – but why do that? Add your own books, and they’ll show up every time someone looks at your profile. Genius, eh?

LinkedIn Profile ScreenSo, go to your profile. Click on “More” on the Nav Bar across the top, then click on “Reading List by Amazon.”

That will take you to a new screen, with books that other people in your networks are reading. There is also a big blank box where you can type in the name of your book. So go ahead and do that, then click “Search Books.” (See next image.) Continue reading “Tuesday Tutorial: Strut Your Stuff on LinkedIn”