Posted by Sara Ramsey Feb 23 2012, 12:01 am in debut, promotion, publishing realities, Sara Ramsey, writer's advice, writing life
 My first book, Heiress Without A Cause, came out as a Nook exclusive at the end of January, and there was much rejoicing throughout the land. Or at least I rejoiced, and my friends all tolerated my rejoicing. The champagne flowed, the congratulatory calls/emails/tweets came in, and I even sold enough copies to be thrilled with it (it reached #69 in the Nook Store and is still in the top thirty there for Regency romance!).
Heiress is coming out on Amazon any second now, since the Nook First promotional period is over, and I can’t wait. But on this anticipatory day between the end of my first month as a published author and the start of the rest of my life (cue dramatic music), I thought I would share what I learned and what I hope to change/replicate/avoid going forward.
Lesson 1: Promo Can Suck Your Brains Out If You Let It
Yes, promo can suck your brains out even if you write fun Regencies instead of dark paranormal zombie thrillers. All those guest blogs, Facebook contests, and Goodreads giveaways are like snarling, starving wolverines, and they will happily latch onto your throat, pull you to the ground, and gnaw on your bones. And yet you have to get through it, even if getting through it probably feels like being part of the Donner Party in January — you just have to hope you survive it, and hope your reputation survives whatever missteps you make.
But even though there are a lot of demands during your debut month, try to bat away the wolverines long enough to keep working on your next book. It helps (said with a crazed, maniacal laugh) if you have a deadline for the next project. Otherwise, you could easily keep promoting your first book forever and never write anything else. And that, my friends, makes for a very sad writer.
Lesson 2: The Best Promo Comes From Being Yourself
The best promo comes from being yourself — unless you’re Genghis Khan, I suppose. Although we all still know who he is 800 years later, so as a brand marketer, he was totally a genius.
That’s not my point. My point is that if you’re thinking of how to work yet another mention of your book into a comment thread on someone’s blog, or tweeting your book with every hashtag that has every existed in the history of twitter, you’re probably not having fun with it. And if you’re not having fun, your followers aren’t having fun. People sense when something’s forced and unnatural, or a strategy/gimmick. But if you write the way you want to write, in all media, and stop trying so hard to sell your *book*, you might just con people into thinking you’re a nice, interesting, funny person who must have written a nice, interesting, funny book. And then they buy it. And then you win. And you didn’t even have to conquer all of Central Asia to do it.
Lesson 3: Laugh At The Bad Reviews And Treasure The Good Ones
Note that I didn’t say “don’t read your reviews.” If you’re strong enough to never read a single review, you’re a stronger woman/man/alien (you must be an alien) than I am. But note that I also didn’t say “respond to your bad reviews” or “get your friends to form a posse and lynch the person who left you a bad review.” That’s the stuff of nightmares and will kill your online reputation faster than anything. I stay disengaged, and I don’t respond to reviews — but if I’m going to read them, I make myself laugh off the bad ones. And for me, at least, I can laugh off the bad ones because the good ones are so precious to me that it’s worth stumbling over a few rocks to find the diamonds.
Lesson 4: Do Everything You Can In Advance
And I don’t just mean on the promo side. I mean everywhere. Wash your sheets. Stock up on groceries. Spend time with your family. Give everything a good dusting. Because the week your book comes out, all you’re gonna want to do is refresh your sales rankings constantly, and you’re going to hate the person who wants to take you away from your laptop to make them a stupid sandwich or do their laundry.
On a more practical note, if you write some blog posts in advance, do up some FAQs, select your excerpts, and write up short/medium/long descriptions of your book, it’s all there waiting for you when someone needs it. And if someone offers you a last minute guest blog opportunity, you can say yes happily, knowing that you have a precious blog stockpile ready to send them. It’s like preparing for the apocalypse, except with words instead of canned goods.
Lesson 5: Learn To Let Things Go
Not everything will go well, and not everything will get done. I hate having a messy house, but I’ve let that go for now — which is fine, since I don’t have time to invite people over anyway. I’m not going to get workshop proposals out to every conference on the planet, but that’s okay too. If you can hit most of the important stuff most of the time (writing, promo, bathing, and seeing your family and friends just often enough that they don’t forget your face), everything else is secondary.
And really, it’s just as important to enjoy the ride as it is to, um, take the ride. Even though I felt ridiculously busy this month, I never said no to a celebratory dinner, or drinks at the bar the night my book came out, or anything else people wanted to do to celebrate. If you have people who want to share your success, share it with them. Success has a funny way of expanding to make everyone happy, if you don’t try to horde it like gold in a dragon cave. And the best part of my debut month wasn’t the sales numbers — it was treasuring those moments when my family and friends were there for me.
For those of you who have published, what did you learn from your debut? If you haven’t published yet, what are you most concerned/excited/scared/thrilled about when you think of your debut? I’ll give an ebook, either Nook or Kindle, to a lucky commenter – so fire away!
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Sara Ramsey’s first Regency romance, HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE, is out now on Nook and will be available at any moment on other ereaders and in print. Her second book, SCOTSMEN PREFER BLONDES, is coming at the end of March. For more dubious wisdom and bizarre tweets from what she’s dubbed the #sarapocalypse, follow her on Twitter at @Sara_Ramsey or sign up for her mailing list.
Posted by Sara Ramsey Feb 22 2012, 12:01 am in check-in Wednesday, motivation, Pep Talk, perserverance, Winter Writing Festival
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Posted by Elisa Beatty Feb 21 2012, 12:01 am in creative writing games, creative writing prompts
I’m always looking for fun writing prompts for my Creative Writing students–anything to kick-start our creative energy at the start of class. I always write along with the class. (Even with all the serious long-term writing projects I have going on, diving in to something unexpected and random keeps my writing brain charged up and [...]
Posted by Kim Law Feb 20 2012, 12:01 am
In preparing for today’s blog (and while working through edits lately), I decided to pull out a post I did a while ago on reading your manuscript out loud. Time often gets short for edits, and reading out loud is not a fast experience, but one I continue to highly encourage. It’s potentially a matter between having [...]
Posted by Amanda Brice Feb 16 2012, 12:01 am in American Women Writers, American Women Writers National Museum, Janice Law, Nora Roberts
This past Monday (February 13, 2012), I had the opportunity to attend the launch of what looks to be a very exciting venue celebrating our nation’s women writers, the American Women Writers National Museum. Founded by former Texas judge Janice Law, the AWWNM will feature the most distinguished writers in a variety of genres in permanent [...]
Posted by Liz Talley Feb 15 2012, 1:00 am in check-in Wednesday, liz talley, Mr. Mandelbaum, Pep Talk, Ruby Slippered Sisterhood
Welcome, Winter Writing Festival Participants! We’re just a little over the half-way mark, and I don’t know about you but it’s getting a little bit harder to put my fingers on the keyboard. Don’t know why…losing steam I guess. So this pep talk is as much for me as it is for you. Cause we’re [...]
Posted by Gwynlyn MacKenzie Feb 14 2012, 12:01 am in author interview, coupon, debut, free books, giveaway, humor, Operation Homecoming, prize drawing, romance, Ruby Release, tribute, Vietnam era
Once upon a time . . . Oh, wait. This isn’t a fairy tale. This is a true story. Here’s how it goes: One day, the husband of a woman in limbo drags her to a sales promotion. The young salesman is personable, and they get to talking. Somehow, the talk turns to the fact [...]
Posted by June Love Feb 13 2012, 12:01 am in craft, motivation, writing tips
I’m not a Reality TV Junkie, but I do enjoy watching couples race around the world, cook their way to stardom, and survive in meager conditions. Whether it’s dancing, singing, looking for a mate, mining for coal, digging for gold, hunting for alligators, or driving across ice roads, these players/contestants have one goal in mind—to [...]
Posted by Laurie Kellogg Feb 10 2012, 12:01 am
I have the great privilege today of hosting one of my 2010 Unsinkable GH sisters, Heather Snow. I just finished reading her wonderful regency historical romance, Sweet Enemy and now understand why numerous agents stalked her at the conference in Orlando. Sweet Enemy is a compelling, touching love story with unique characters that stay [...]
Posted by Vivi Andrews Feb 9 2012, 12:01 am
I have a confession to make. I’m addicted to The Bachelor. (And I blame Lincee Ray who sucked me in with her hilarious episode recaps.) Every Monday my DVR fills up with two hours of this jaw-droppingly bizarre social-experiment approach to falling in love. There’s always the villain, the good-girl everyone loves but you know [...]
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February 24, 2012
by: Tamara Hogan
Write Ferociously!
February 27, 2012
by: admin
Woo-hooo!! Our First Ruby on the NYT Bestseller List!!
February 29, 2012
by: Elisa Beatty
Winter Writing Festival Closing Ceremonies
March 1, 2012
by: Diane Kelly
Ruby Release: Death, Taxes & a French Manicure
March 5, 2012
by: Amanda Brice
Guest Author: John DeDakis — A Man Writing as a Woman
Vivi Andrews-Vivi writes paranormal romance for Samhain and recently celebrated the release of her twelfth ebook, Ghosts of Boyfriends Past. Anne Barton-won the 2011 Golden Heart, Regency Category and sold The Proper Miss’s Guide to Bad Behavior in a two-book deal to Grand Central Forever. Anne Marie Becker-Anne Marie’s 2009 Golden Heart winner, Only Fear, was released by Carina Press September 5, 2011, and will be released in print by Harlequin’s Direct-to-Consumer program in July 2012. The second book in her Mindhunters series, Avenging Angel, will be released in late July 2012. Tina Joyce Beckett-Tina received The Call in May 2011. Her debut book, Doctor’s Guide to Dating in the Jungle, will be published as a Harlequin Medical Romance and will be available in January 2012. In October, she sold her second Harlequin Medical Romance, Doctor’s Mile High Fling, which will come out in June 2012. Liz Bemis-Since the 2009 GH, Liz finaled in the 2010 GH, completed manuscript #17 and has developed more than 50 websites as the creative director of Bemis Promotions. She has recently hired a fabulous assistant and hopes to have a free moment sometime between now and Christmas. Shea Berkley-Shea Berkley has sold her 2010 Golden Heart finaling manuscript, Shattered, to Entangled Publishing in a three book deal. She sold her Epic Fantasy story, Torrein: Age of Fear, to Variance Publishing. The release date is November 2011. Go to www.sheaberkley.com for more details. Jennifer Bray-Weber-Jennifer has published her 2009 Golen Heart manuscript now titled Blood and Treasure on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. The second novel of her Romancing the Pirate series, A Kiss in the Wind will be available from Carina Press in spring 2012. Shoshana Brown-Shoshana has sold two short romance stories to Woman’s World magazine. She’s also a finalist in the YA category of the 2011 Golden Heart with UNDERHANDED. Sharon Fisher-Sold 2009 finalist manuscript GHOST PLANET to Tor; Signed with agent Robin Rue of Writers House; was named a finalist for the 2010 Golden Heart Award; was named a finalist for the 2011 Golden Heart Award Addison Fox-In addition to writing about her Zodiac warriors (her Taurus, Quinn, is going to get his comeuppance come May of 2011!), Addison is hard at work on a new contemporary trilogy for NAL set in Alaska. The first book - BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE - will be out in November 2011. Rita Henuber-Her 2009 Golden Heart nominated book, Guardian Angel, will be published by Carina Press with a new title, UNDER FIRE, and released August 22, 2011. Tamara Hogan-TASTE ME, the kickoff book in Tamara Hogan’s ”Underbelly Chronicles” urban fantasy series, was published by Sourcebooks in March 2011. Watch for the follow-up, CHASE ME, in June 2012! Darynda Jones-In addition to the Charley Davidson series, the first of which is titled First Grave on the Right and scheduled to be a Feb 2011 release, Darynda’s fabulous agent sold a YA series, also in a three-book deal, to St. Martin’s Press. The first in the series, Grimsight, will be an April 2012 release. Autumn Jordon-IN 2010 Autumn Jordon saw the releases of her Golden Heart entry EVIL’ S WITNESS, which is also a 2010 NJ Golden Leaf WINNER for Best First Book, and a light contemporary western, OBSESSED BY WILDFIRE. In October 2010, she signed her third contract with TWRP for her next romantic suspense. In The Presence Of Evil is on sale now. Cynthia Justlin-Since 2009, Cynthia has published three romantic suspense books: Her Own Best Enemy, Intrusion, and Separation Anxiety (a novella). Her dark romantic thriller, Edge of Light, will be released from Carina Press May 2012. Diane Kelly-Sold my Golden Heart manuscript to St. Martin’s Press! My debut novel will be released in September 2011. Kim Law-Accepted a two-book offer from Amazon Montlake, with the first coming out Spring 2012! Diana Layne-Diana Layne made her first sale to The Wild Rose Press. Pirate’s Proposal is the first book in the Tales of The Scrimshaw Doll, a series created by the collaborative effort of a group of OKRWA writers (although Diana is a Texan, she loves her fellow OK Outlaws.
The Good Daughter, a Mafia suspense book, is now available on Amazon! Gabriela Lessa-Gabi bid on the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood Membership & Mentorship package and is now the first official Honorary Ruby Sister! Gwynlyn MacKenzie-Since 2009, Gwyn has become a Mom-mom–twice–finaled in the 2011 GH, and is currently hard at work on the third manuscript in her Seers Series. Heather McCollum-Just released my first short story, HIGHLAND HEART, in the anthology THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCE. Bev Pettersen-–Since 2009, two of Bev’s books have hit the shelves: JOCKEYS AND JEWELS and COLOR MY HORSE. Her third release, FILLIES AND FEMALES will be released November, 2011. Hope Ramsay-In February 2010 I made my first sale to Grand Central Publishing/Forever Romance in a four-book deal. The first book, Welcome to Last Chance will be released on March 1, 2011. The Second Book, Home at Last Chance will be a September 2011 release. Last Chance Beauty Queen will be released in April 2012 and Christmas in Last Chance will be released in October 2012. Sara Ramsey-Sara Ramsey’s first book, HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE, will be released on January 23, 2012. Her second book, SCOTSMEN PREFER BLONDES, will be released in February. Cate Rowan--her fantasy romance KISMET’S KISS, a two-time Golden Heart® finalist, has been released and is getting rave reviews. In the desert realm of Kad, a deadly epidemic strikes the palace of Sultan Kuramos. Only a magical healer from an enemy land could save his people. He doesn’t realize that healer is a woman… Joan Swan-FEVER, Kensington Brava, April, 2012 BLAZE, Kensington Brava, TBD, 2012 Liz Talley-Since finaling in the Golden Heart, Liz Talley has sold sixteen books to Harlequin Superromance, including her upcoming series The Boys of Bayou Bridge which is about a central Louisiana family where the delicious Dufrene brothers find a sister they thought to be dead very much alive. Liz is excited to write about shrimp creole, Mardi Gras and LSU football…some of her favorite things. All three books plus another Christmas book will be out in 2012, starting with Waters Run Deep, May 2012 See where we were one year after the GH!
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