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Monday, October 30, 2017

Building Your Author Platform Series by Tiffany Shand



About the Series:

Titles: Building Your Author Platform, How To Write A Business Plan For Writers and The Author’s Guide To Book Blog Tours

Tired of hearing that you must start building your author platform straight away but having no idea how to get started? Becoming an author in today’s world has never been easier with the self-publishing revolution. But how does an author stand out in a crowded market?

Setting up and building your author platform before you even publish your first book is the best way for building a solid platform that will last and help you grow your tribe of fans.

In this series, I’ll show you all the fundamentals from building your platform from scratch, writing a business plan for long term publishing success and how to promote your book with a virtual tour.

Let’s get started on your publishing journey.

Tags: Business Writing, Web Marketing, Non-Fiction

Add to your shelf on Goodreads:


Amazon: http://amzn.to/2yL6gUV

Follow the tour to read reviews, exclusive interviews, guest posts, and to visit the hosts:

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-tour-schedule-building-your-author.html

Read an Excerpt from each book in the series:

From Building Your Author Platform

What is an author platform?

When I first started my publishing journey back in early 2014, I had no idea what an author platform was or how to build one.

So what is an author platform? An author platform, as the name suggests, is a launch site from where all your book marketing takes place. A platform encompasses everything from a website, social media to readership. A platform is basically the number of people you can broadcast your message to.

Publishers don’t usually gamble on new authors who don’t already have a platform and an audience ready and waiting. If you already have an established platform and a readership, they are much more likely to take an interest in you.

Essentially, a platform is built out of a website and/or a blog, social media channels, and an email newsletter. It’s a direct link to your readers.

It’s the amount of influence you have over your readership, the level of visibility and authority you have in your particular genre, and your connection to your readers.

Authors can easily reach their fans on a global scale, thanks to the Internet. Gone are the old days of having to write letters or press releases. Now you can reach readers with a click of a mouse.

Do you need an author platform?

My answer would be: yes. In my opinion, every author needs a platform, whether they are writing sword-fighting fantasy, historical romance, children’s books or business guides. Every platform is different for each author, depending on their genre.

New authors need to have a strategy to launch their book and create a hype for it. Without any kind of strategy, it will make it harder for you to sell books or gain any real readers and long-time fans.

Some authors may say that they don’t need an author platform to sell books, and this may have been the argument for authors 50+ years ago. Writers aren’t just authors nowadays, especially if you are an indie author. Now authors have to be marketers and entrepreneurs. Having a solid author platform can help you market your book and leave you able to write more in the meantime.

When should you start building your author platform?

Ideally, it’s best to start building your author platform as soon as you start writing your book or at least before you publish your first book. Many authors don’t do this. I didn’t start building my own author platform until after I had published my first novel and this definitely made things harder for me to start growing my audience and building a readership. So the time to start building your platform is right now!


From How To Write A Business Plan For Writers

Why you need to treat publishing like a business.

Writers write books, but in this new world of digital publishing, they have to be a lot more than that. Writers have to be marketers and entrepreneurs. They have to build themselves an author platform, grow their readership, engage on social media, network and so much more. Writing a book is really only the tip of the iceberg.

If you become traditionally published, you may think that your publisher will do all the work for you, but that’s rarely the case. Publishers expect authors to market their own books and build their own platforms. If you don’t have a strong author platform in place, a publisher is unlikely to take much interest in you. It’s harder to get a traditional book publishing deal now, but not impossible. EBooks have provided authors opportunities that have never been open to them before.

If you decide to self-publish your books you are essentially your own publisher. Publishing is a business and has to be treated as such. You have to sort out things such as editing, formatting, cover design and marketing.

Although you can do some of these things yourself, some of it does have to be outsourced, and like any business that takes time and money.

From the moment you decide to publish your book, you became your own business. That’s right a business. Most writers just think they’re writing when they write their book – I used to think the same thing. They don’t think of it as the product it is.

I’m a writer first and foremost, but I also have to be a lot of other things.

Yes, it takes a lot of work to publish books well and get some profit out of it. But it’s also a very exciting and rewarding job.

You put a lot of effort into your book, why not put a lot of effort into yourself as well?

Unless you only write as a hobby and expect friends and family to read your book, you are a business too. A lot of writers don’t think of themselves this way. They think they are just creatives who love the art of writing. But there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy writing your own business plan too. It can help you to focus on your business and life goals too.

If you are someone who likes plotting out their novel chapter by chapter, scene by scene, then you’re definitely going to love writing a business plan. It’s a very similar process.

If you’re the kind of writer who just likes writing on the fly then there’s something in this book for you too. Having a plan in place can help you become much more focused and produce books on a regular basis when you have clear goals in mind.

Why do you need a business plan?

You may ask why do you need a business plan. I used to think this way myself when I first started my publishing journey. You may claim that you’re not a small business, which isn’t true. Writing isn’t like starting up your own company, but you are essentially your own business. If you’re the kind of author who does local talks, goes to book signing, or does workshops you’re already promoting yourself as a business.

Having a business plan will help you plan out your goals and the future you want by building a business around your books. It will also help you to make some money. A lot of aspiring writers believe the old myth about being a starving artist, but this isn’t true. You can make money from your writing if you go about it the right way.

You want to get paid for your hard work, don’t you?

Don’t get me wrong, you’re probably not going to make millions just from your books alone, but there are plenty of people out there who do make a decent living from writing.


From The Author’s Guide To Book Blog Tours

What are book bloggers?

Book bloggers have only been around for the past few years since the use of blogs became much more popular and website platforms became much more affordable for the everyday user.

Since the growth in popularity of blogs over the past few years, dozens of booklovers have taken to writing about their favourite books. A book blogger is someone who loves reading books and writes blog posts about it on their blog. This can include thoughts on books, excerpts and posts about different books and reviews.

The different blogs reflect their owner’s tastes and vary in focus. Many readers will read a variety of different genres; other blogs will focus on a specific genre such as romance, fantasy, or young adult, etc.

Different blogs will have different kinds of audiences depending on what genre that blogger chooses to read. A blogger who likes to read a lot of different genres will probably have an audience who likes the same thing and chooses the type of posts they read on that blog.

Not every blogger will want to read your book, don’t ask a romance reader to read your sci-fi novel to help you promote your book. Choose a reader who enjoys your type of book. This may seem obvious but a lot of authors mass email book bloggers in any genre to try and promote their books, regardless of whether that blogger reads their book’s genre or not. There’s no point in trying to contact them if they don’t like your particular type of book, it’s just a waste of your time and theirs.

Who are book bloggers?

One author asked me who book bloggers are; they are, of course, people who love to read books. They enjoy sharing their thoughts about the books they have read and write about it on their blogs. They can be male or female, and range in age from teenagers to people in their 70s. A lot of teenagers love young adult books because they can relate to that genre of growing up and trying to figure out who they want to be in life.

Some book bloggers are aspiring authors experimenting with their blog to see what reactions they get to their writing. The kind of blogger to look for really depends on your target audience. For example, my urban fantasy and paranormal romance books are aimed at women, but my non-fiction books are aimed at both men and women.

For most book bloggers, blogging is just a hobby and something they do in their spare time. They don’t generally make money from their blogs – or if they do it isn’t very much. But there are exceptions to this, there are successful, profitable book blogs out there. It’s still worth approaching some of the bigger bloggers as they may still be interested in your book.

Meet the Author:



Tiffany Shand started writing short stories when she was a child. She has always done writing in one form or another and started writing novels in her early teens.

Tiffany loves to read books and discovered her love for fantasy and paranormal romance. She writes both non-fiction and fiction, and love helping writers to build their author platforms.

After doing a creative writing course in her early 20s, she is now a freelance writer and professional editor.

Tiffany lives in Essex with her two spoiled cats and one very nutty hamster.

Find Tiffany on:

Purchase link

Tiffany’s Website

Tiffany’s blog

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads


Cruisn' for a SEAL ~ SEAL Brotherhood Book 5

After losing Sophie, Marc can't seem to find anyone that would satisfy him.  So while he and the boys are on a friendly holiday in Italy preparing for a cruise, Marc runs into Sophia.  Sophia doesn't speak English so Marc thinks but they have an amazing night of passion.  With a slip of fate, they run into one another on the cruise, she's working and is very fluent in English.  Not only that, she's engaged to another man and on her way to meet him for their wedding.  But Sophia and Marc fall for one another but will Marc's chance at love bee ripped away from him again with a terrorist threat planning to take command of the cruise?  

Synopsis:
Marc Beale and several of his brothers from SEAL Team 3 board a cruise ship to bury a fallen buddy's aches at sea. A risky affair with a beautiful Italian the night before they leave begins to ease his survivor’s guilt.

Sophia Negri, suffering jitters over her engagement, falls for the handsome SEAL and pretends she speaks no English, letting their bodies do the talking. When Marc finds her on the ship and learns Sophia is half American, he is angry at first, but falls for her all over again as they set sail.

Terrorists take over the ship and hold the passengers for ransom, Marc and the other SEALs are the only ones who can stop the plot. Will Marc’s actions be enough to save Sophia or will he have to sacrifice himself to save the woman he loves?





Where to Buy:
Amazon:

Meet the Author:

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Acquisition Blog Tour

NOW AVAILABLE from USA Today bestselling author, Chelle Bliss, comes the Takeover Duet.
A ONE-NIGHT STAND WITH A HANDSOME STRANGER ​WASN'T A PROBLEM—UNTIL HE TRIED TO STEAL MY COMPANY.
ACQUISITION by Chelle Bliss
Takeover Duet Book #1
DOWNLOAD IT NOW!
A ONE-NIGHT STAND with a handsome stranger wasn't a problem--until he tried to STEAL her company.
Ambitious, high-powered CEO Lauren Bradley is one press release away from catapulting her company to new heights.
Rival CEO, Antonio Forte is arrogant, controlling, and sexy.
She should know, since Antonio's a one-night stand she thought she'd never see again.
Antonio wants to takeover more than her company, he wants her as part of the Acquisition.
Let the games begin...
Acquisition is the first book in the Takeover Duet.
NOW AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chelle Bliss is the USA Today bestselling author of the Men of Inked and ALFA P.I. series. She hails from the Midwest, but currently lives near the beach even though she hates sand. She's a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, coffee fiend, and ex high school history teacher. She loves spending time with her two cats, alpha boyfriend, and chatting with readers.

Monday, October 23, 2017

SEAL the Deal ~ SEAL Brotherhood Book 4

Nick sister and Devon's best friend Sophie is dying from cancer.  While on her death bed, she wants her best friend and brother to go on 5 dates.  It's her dying wish after all.  With the two budding heads when they meet again, will they be able to keep their promise to Sophie's wish.  But with Sophie's final breath approaching, Devon and Nick develop feelings for one another.  Devon is trying to sell Sophie's nursery and Sophie doesn't want her neighbor who has been harassing her to have her property.  But when Sophie's life is at more risk than ever, can Nick and Devon make it out unscathed as well?  

Synopsis:
Special Operator Nick Dunn gets the call he has been dreading since before his last deployment. His sister is in her final stages of cancer. He and his Team 3 roommate drive up to Sonoma County from Coronado to help her shut down her failing nursery business and tie up her final affairs.

Nick only vaguely remembers Devon Brandeburg, his sister’s best friend, but boy has she grown up. Last time he saw her was five years ago when he graduated BUD/s and completed SEAL qualification to obtain his Trident. Sparks begin to fly between the two of them, but not in the normal way for Nick. The woman wants nothing to do with him.

Devon Brandeburg has created a small financial fortune through her success in real estate. Her career is her main focus, but a closely guarded secret is her total lack of experience with men. After all, who needs them? Especially when their testosterone-stuffed egos suck all the air out of the room, like Nick’s does.

Nick’s sister requires two things of the both of them as her dying wish. 1. Nick and Devon must find a buyer for the nursery together, not allowing to her nasty winery owner neighbor next door to get his hands on her piece of heaven. 2. They date at least five times before she passes on.

What starts as a deathbed promise turns out to be a hot affair neither one expected. Nick becomes Devon’s teacher in her journey to womanhood. As she comes alive in his arms, the student brings the teacher something he’s never allowed himself to want, and now knows he needs.





Where to Buy:
Amazon:

Meet the Author:

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Misadventures of a Backup Bride by Shayla Black

Misadventures of a Backup Bride by Shayla Black
An Overnight Billionaire. When Carson Frost inherits a confectionary that rakes in billions but is too cash-strapped to last another sixty days, he agrees to take a loan from his late fathers rival. There are two catches: Carson has to sign over a permanent stake in the company, and marry the mans daughter. Concocts a Fake Bride. Two weeks before the wedding, he gets cold feet and claims hes in love with someone else. The investor says hell still hand over the cash if Carson takes a stroll down the aisle with the woman who owns his heart. Since he isnt even dating anyone, Carson panics. Where is he going to find a bride willing to jilt him at the altar on such short notice? And Whips Up a Little Love. Ella Hope is an actress happy for any paying gig, but jilting a hottie in public isnt what she had in mind. Still, she needs rent, and hes in a bind. How hard can it be? While playing at matrimony, suddenly their intimacy isnt so fake. Ella cant help but fantasize that Carson is her groom and they will live happily ever after. But once his company is safe, will he want her anymore?

Misadventures of a Backup Bride buy links:
Amazon  http://amzn.to/2lDQ5AB AmazonUK http://amzn.to/2yb4BWT iBooks  http://apple.co/2mbGHY0 Barnes & Noble  http://bit.ly/2svtYS6 Google  http://bit.ly/2mgBoU9 Kobo  http://bit.ly/2l3U87y LEARN MORE  www.Misadventures.com
Meet the Author
Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty novels. For nearly twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
Facebook           Website                 instagram                  Twitter

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Without Truth Release Blitz

Book: Without Truth - Babylon MC Series Book 3
Authors: Victoria L. James and L.J. Stock
Genre: MC Romance #WithoutTruthRelease
Synopsis
Determined to be a better man, Drew Tucker is trying to turn over a new leaf as President of The Hounds of Babylon. With the love of his life, Ayda Hanagan, by his side, and the enemy he once feared at every turn now gone, he can finally see a glimmer of hope on the horizon of their future together. 
With Ayda as adamant as ever to never witness her man suffering again, she has a different outlook on their lives. She wants protection. She wants assurances. She never wants to have to feel scared of losing the man she loves ever again. And she’s willing to do anything to make sure she’s the one who can save him. 
But secrets don’t stay secrets forever in Babylon, and when things done in the shadows begin to step out into the light, Drew and Ayda are faced with a hundred different challenges neither one of them see coming. When everything around you begins to turn your hopes into nightmares, who the hell can you turn to or trust?
Lies are no longer an option.
Not for Drew.
Not for Ayda.
Not for any of The Hounds of Babylon MC.
No matter what happens when the truth is finally set free...
Buy the Book
http://mybook.to/withouttruthbabylon
Meet The Authors
L.J. Stock on Victoria L. James ~ What can I say about Victoria L. James? Loads actually, she’s an amazingly talented author and I had the absolute distinct pleasure of writing with her. I also call her a friend. When we first met, we bonded instantly over our love of music, Victoria tends to be as eclectic as I am with her tastes. She finds stories in lyrics and feels the moods in the melodies. 
When we first started writing together, I’ll admit I was intimidated. Here is this woman with a huge passion for putting words onto paper and painting pictures so clearly that you are completely immersed in them. How was I going to keep up with that? I’m not sure I ever did, but over time we’ve built up a repertoire. We bounce off one another and bring our characters to the forefront and hope that the interactions are as real as they appear for us. 
On a more personal note, Victoria is bright, smart, kind, intelligent, funny, caring and witty. She can see so much in the world around her and always has time for anyone. Victoria lives in sunny ole Yorkshire with her family and her cats - had to mention them - and can normally be found in the playground of her imagination, listening to the Foo Fighters.
~~~~~~~
Victoria L. James on L.J. Stock ~ There aren’t many people you bump into in life that you want to both work and spend your free time with. From meeting L.J. through the wonder that is the internet, we soon came to realise that we had a hell of a lot in common. Music was where our friendship truly began, but our writing partnership flourished not too far behind. I always felt like my writing was missing something, and it was only when I read L.J.’s work that I realised what exactly that was. It was missing her influence! 
After spending over a year working together, day in, day out, not a moment goes by where I don’t thank the Twitter Gods for bringing this amazingly strong and talented woman into my life. She’s an inspiration, a positive force in every situation and one hell of a talented writer. To say I’m honoured that she wanted to create a new world with me is a gross understatement. I’m blown away. One day, I hope I get lucky enough to visit her in Texas, where she lives with her family and her zoo of animals, so we can write by her pool and take part in our other dream… The great Taylor Kitsch Road (stalking) Trip. Who needs a yacht in the Caribbean when we have that to look forward to, right?
Social Links
Facebook:
Twitter:
         LJ Stock          
Goodreads Author:
Follow for all news & updates on Without Consequence and future books in the series: https://www.facebook.com/Babylonseries?fref=ts
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Without Consequence: myBook.to/WithoutConsequence

Blog Tour for 2.05 A.M. by C.M. Moore

Book: 2:05 a.m. (An Ice Era Chronicle, Book 2)
Author: C.M. Moore
Genre: Dystopian Military Romance #2.05Tour
Synopsis
After spending all her life trying to be normal, Nova has given up. She knows she isn’t like everyone else and after her break-up, she decides to dive into her work. Even though she’s settled in her private world and has no wish to change, she finds herself sucked into a trip that takes her away from her safe and secluded world.
Arrow has been trapped in a cage for, well, he can’t recall, but he is ready to be free. As fear that the crumbling water base around him is going to crush him before he can escape, an angel appears. She is what he’s been searching for and his soul knows her. The only problem is, she doesn’t know who he is and is begrudging when it comes to helping him.

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As these two broken people meet and start a friendship, a train ride will change them forever. Before long they will uncover the dark past that hunts Arrow and the even darker future that awaits them both. Life for Arrow is about to become real, but for someone as crazy as Nova, this one man turns out to be the balance she’s always needed.
Author Bio
C.M. Moore is a retired solider, and a romantic at heart. After being blown up in Afghanistan and receiving a purple heart; he began writing. Connor’s first book 1:05 am is a mixture of love, sex, and action. Today if you are looking for Connor, you can find him volunteering with veteran organizations, and harassing his military buddies. You can also find him attempting to “hunt” in the woods and ponds of Minnesota. In the event you find him in the woods, don’t be scared, he can’t hit anything. 
If you want to contact him message him at c.m.moore.author@gmail.com ...OR...
Trailer