Holding a Book Signing With an eBook - Sam Cheever (Special Guest Post)

There's no doubt about it, ebooks are quickly becoming the new favorite for much of the reading public. Sales for digital media continue to climb, becoming an ever larger segment of the market. This is good news for ebook authors, creating much potential to build our sales and name recognition. During this exciting time, we writers are challenged to find new and better ways to promote our work. Digital format makes that effort both easier and more difficult, depending on the venue.

Promoting digital media online is natural and most of us embrace it, using loops, chat groups, and social networks to get our books in front of a ravenous buying public. But one area that continues to stump us is how to do book signings when the book isn't in paper and ink. This is probably the most often asked question by newly published ebook authors. It can either be viewed as a challenge, or as an opportunity to be creative. Guess which way I'm gonna go! #:0)

Preparing for an ebook signing is fun. First of all, if you want to put something in the buyer's hand you have a couple of choices. You can either put your book on a memory stick to sell at the signing, or provide some type of printed media with links for shoppers to take home and think about, thereby taking the heat off of them to purchase the book on the spot. If you’re dealing with a techno savvy buyer, you can offer cards with the book’s QR code and blurb for scanning later.

I like to load my content on memory sticks that represent either my brand or the book they contain. The small icon on my website and all printed author material is a red heart. With this branding in mind, I keep a ready supply of red, heart-shaped memory sticks that I load with book trailers and sample content for fans and contest winners. This idea works great for a book signing too. Along with the book you’re selling, you can include first chapters and trailers of some of your backlist or free reads. Tell shoppers the extras are on there when you offer it to them. Anything extra you give the reader increases your chances of pulling them in and enticing them to buy more of your books.

Selling digital copies of your book in a bookstore can be complicated. If your signing is in a bookstore, it might be easier for you just to provide a free chapter of the book and send them to the website to buy the entire book. But many conferences now allow and even encourage writers to sell their own books at book signings.

An alternative to a memory stick is printed media of some type. My recommendation would be a first chapter booklet. You can create first chapter booklets very easily, either producing them yourself or working with your local printer. Make them as attractive as possible, include the cover on the outside, and autograph the books. Make sure to include your website and the buy URL on the booklet. Even if the shopper thinks she is taking the booklet just to be kind, she's very likely to give it a quick read and you have a chance to draw her in. Other alternatives are postcards and/or cover flats if you have access to them, but I like the chapter booklet because it gives readers enough of a taste to get them hooked, improving the chances that they'll buy the book. This is the same concept Amazon uses to great success with its book samples.

Always include signed bookmarks, trading cards and/or business cards for readers to take home. If you can, provide candy and/or some little trinket (pens, magnets, etc.) for them to take with them. And, if possible, offer some kind of visual. If you have a book trailer, bring your laptop with you and play the trailer in a loop during the signing. Or, if you have a good voice and a dramatic flair, provide audio of you reading a chapter in your book. Be creative. For example, if your book involves cooking, provide a recipe card with a great recipe on one side and your book's title, blurb, and buy URL on the other side. Yoga? Include a favorite yoga position on the card, with an explanation for what it does to improve health or, if your book is erotic, how it increases sexual prowess. Your book is about a murderer who loves crossword puzzles? Create a crossword puzzle online, using things that appear in your book as the clues, print it out and offer it to them, with your book info on the back of course! You get the idea. Just be creative.

Don't forget to include your website on everything, so potential buyers can go check you out when deciding to buy.

One last thing you should think about is a contest. Put together a small, sparkly gift basket and place it on the table next to you. Provide slips of paper for shoppers to fill out with their email addies so you can notify them if they win, and require them to take a chapter booklet for the chance to win the basket. Include a box they can check on the slips of paper, to be included in your newsletter mailings... What? You don't have a newsletter? You might want to consider starting one!

The key, if you haven't figured it out yet #:0) is to give potential readers a reason to stop by and see you, and offer them something they might enjoy, rather than just hawking your wares to them. Most of this is stuff you would do even if your book was in print, but the gist of what I'm telling you is that book signings with ebooks can be a lot of fun and very effective. You just need to step outside the box and get creative. With the plethora of ebook readers available and a growing hunger for digital media, the books will sell themselves. All you need to do is give them the venue to do it! Happy Sales!

 

Sam Cheever's Latest Work The Biggest Poser

Available April 18th from Musa Publishing

May the biggest liar win. Or die trying!

Personal trainer for the ever popular, Lose it! reality show, Jillie Maxwell is up for the most important award of her career. And she’s competing against the biggest b-eye-itch she’s ever met. Fortunately for her, she has the sexiest man alive in her corner. Problem is, each and every one of them has a dirty little secret that could tank a career.

For the contestants, the race is on to lose the most weight and win everything. For the staff of the popular weight loss show, the clock is ticking to the culmination of their lies and the possibility of losing it all.

Will the Biggest Poser win? Or will the lies just grow and grow until they sink the whole show? Only one thing is certain. Whatever happens, it’s gonna be an entertaining ride!

THE BIGGEST POSER- BOOK PAGE

AUTHOR BIO

Sam's published work includes 50+ books of romantic suspense and fantasy/paranormal. Her books have won the Dream Realm Award for fantasy and The Swirl (interracial romance) Award. They've been nominated for and/or won several CAPAs, have been nominated multiple years for “Best of” with LRC and The Romance Reviews, and have won eCataromance’s Reviewer’s Choice award. Sam is published with Musa Publishing, Changeling Press; and Ellora’s Cave. She also publishes as Declan Sands, writing m/m fiction, and under her own imprint, Electric Prose Publications.

In real life, Sam lives in a cabin in the woods with 13 dogs and one husband. A self-proclaimed dog-aholic, Sam insists she's holding at 13...maybe... Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | About.Me | Amazon Author Page

Publicity for the Shy or the New Conventions...Sorta

I will be the first to admit that I suck at publicity, a crucial skill in these days of publishing. I don't blog nearly enough, I look at Twitter as if it is an alien construct, I was certainly a bit too interested in Facebook's gaming apps and book signings- public appearances...well, lemme just say that I wasn't mentally prepared to sell myself, not sober at least. So, I was sorta in a rut and relying on the publisher of my latest work (whichever one it was at any given time) to do most of the work. Oh I rented a few ads here and there, and I did a few of the review sites and even a blog hop or two. And I might add that I did a couple of contests. Being crafty and a shopper by nature, I would make jewelry, swag and a gift basket or two with glee, but I wasn't really focused.

Turn the calendar to 2014 and that notorious time of resolutions. I came upon an 'Author Services' group on Facebook. Looking for ways to kick up the attention to my books and my brand (another subject entirely) I joined my first Facebook party hosted by a provider of author services, Chelsea Author Promotions. The party was unlike anything I had ever experienced. There were games, trivia, contests, prizes and interaction all in real time. The author got to present her work, excerpts, got to speak to new fans and interested but wary prize seekers. The host, Chelsea Author Promotions encouraged participants to note and like the author's Facebook page, Goodreads page, Twitter, Amazon and webpage. Much opportunity seemed to be had by both readers and writer.

Curious, I attended several more events and even won a key chain at one event. Well, I was sold then. I was already planning the party I would throw, the games I wanted to play and the swag I wanted to give away. Then, Chelsea, the owner announced that she was doing a Multi-Author Bash.

Although I didn't have a new release, the temptation to do some back list pimping and the low cost of participating en masse, drove me to sign up. I didn't know what I was getting into but for weeks I was nervous and giddy at the prospect of going on display. The event, a trial for Chelsea, in that she usually did single author events crept up in participants and attendees daily until it was 46 authors and nearly a thousand attendees!

So I worked on some trivia questions, thought about some prizes and prepared a gift basket based on the book I was promoting and prepared myself for the big day. Assigned to the second day of the event, I know that I was unprepared for flurry of activity that hit when the time came. In the span of a few hours, I had nearly a hundred new likes to my Facebook page, more than sixty new Twitter follows and a lot of Goodreads fans. My smart phone was jumping with notifications. But all of that aside, I was raptly following the interaction my games and questions were generating, so much so that I ended up posting an additional giveaway. Even after my day had ended, I was still getting interest and still flying high.

Prize Basket and Bracelet Swag I Created for Event

I paid it forward, participating in other authors' games, liking and following and fanning my heart out even as the rush turned a bit to the feeling an addict gets when they want another fix. Determined to finish my next WIP (work in progress) I couldn't stop thinking about the next event, when was it going to be and which book, old or new, I could showcase. I know a lot of writers who attend conventions and say that they come back invigorated and with swag, and seriously I got that feeling. I won an ebook, got to see lots of new work, purchase a few for immediate Kindle download and I got plenty of ideas and yes, I got to do it without being in a giant room full of people. With the exception of tracks, panels and a con suite or bar, the event was pretty much like a convention, an e-con! (Can I coin that phrase?)

Now a Facebook party may not be for everyone, but as someone who still barely understands blog hops and is confused by email loops, as someone too broke to attend a convention outside of the DMV, this is looking like a pretty good way for me to keep my New Year's Resolution of taking my writing career more seriously and trying to get more attention if not just for my books but for my brand! More on that obsession to follow...

Learning from Writers: Zane, the Erotica Queen

So I finally got to meet the notable erotica queen, Zane today. I always strive to learn something new when I go to see writers and today I got a vital message. To say that the woman is a powerhouse is putting it mildly. A writer, a screenwriter, publisher and entrepreneur, I was in awe as she stood before us detailing her many projects both past and future. I can still recall, back in the day, when her books were the hottest things smoking and visible in nearly half of the women’s hands who rode the metro in to work with me. To say that she became wildly successful from a spicy read in the days when erotica was barely ‘out there,’ isn’t even her greatest accomplishment. In the days before ’50 Shades of Gray’ Zane was tearing it up with the spice. I would be lying if I said that she didn't inspire me to write naughty, wild fic because she did. When I first started writing, I looked to her example for what I wanted to one day achieve. I still do.

But the remarkable thing about Zane is that she didn’t just sit back and write. She gave birth to and expanded an empire. She created a publishing company, edited and published over a hundred authors of not just erotica, but romance (gay and straight), non-fiction, she contracted with cable companies for the development of television shows and soon feature films. She has even branched out in sales of adult toys and herbal supplements all while performing charitable and uplifting deeds.

Every empire has its base and what I learned through Zane’s presentation was that if your base is strong then you can build upon it. She spoke about the underlying message of female empowerment in her body of work and I just sat there stunned as I tried to think of what message my body of work had and how I could use it to unite my readers. Zane is a brand unto herself and yes much of it derives from hard work but focus is just as important. Whether she is working on non-fiction with famous politicians, performing philanthropic work, serving as executive producer on her hot erotic cable show or just giving real talk to a room full of avid readers, I get the impression that she holds true to her message.

She has surely empowered me! And yes, I haven't figured out how to keep my eyes open for decent pics...

Con Report: Capclave and Pushing an Introvert to the Max

Capclave is a convention sponsored by the WSFA, Washington Science Fiction Association and it is within thirty minutes of where I live, depending on traffic. So taking into consideration proximity and theme, Capclave is always a tempting event. It is located in Gaithersburg, MD at the Hilton and is a three-day affair of science fiction, fantasy, some horror and a surprising amount of attention to YA. One thing, I have to say about this convention, is that the attendees are brilliant, smart, mature and laid back. You will see very few children, few cosplayers and the parties will not incur the wrath of the police. The panelists know what they're talking about, have been in the trenches of lit, from New York style to Independent. The history that they share regarding everything from the evolution of genres over the years, to publishing trends, to their incursions with literary giants is quite interesting to behold. All that was to say that I was not really surprised that this year's Guest of Honor was none other than George R.R. Martin.

My mother finished the Song of Ice & Fire Series before I did, I must confess. While I kept up with the HBO series, I was a little late getting to the novels and so for the better part of this year, I have been reading his massive epic and loving it! So, tempted with the opportunity to meet the literary giant, I not only signed up to attend, I signed up to volunteer, which btw is the best way to attend any con in my book. You see, being a volunteer or staff affords you many opportunities to go behind the scenes, get advanced information and occasionally there are even a few perks! But, back to the convention.

This year, I was really feigning for author interaction. I was unable to attend a romance con that I had planned on going to and I haven't really found a writer's group that isn't just focused on getting published and critiques. So, I was eager to attend Capclave even if it was monsoon season and I had to drive through torrential rains to get there! And yes, it was all that I hoped it would be.

As a reader or a person who enjoys receiving a tale, sitting back and revealing in it, I have to point out that one of the highlights of the convention was listening to Mr. Martin read an excerpt from his upcoming project: Dangerous Women. The excerpt tied into the history of Westeros and the deadly dragon war of the House Targaryen. After he joked about all the projects he was late on as well as a few other topics, he began his reading and I swear to you, I was rapt, the entire audience was for nigh on an hour. He would end his tale by answering a question regarding the actors who were chosen for his audio books, but when I tell you, he is by far the better bard to tell the tales, I am not overly flattering the man.

As an introvert, I like to push myself socially, hence the volunteering, but it does in fact physically drain me. So throughout the multitude of panels I attended and my duty to guard the rear door and direct con-goers and guests to registration, I pushed it this weekend.

After the panel: When the Dark (Fiction) Comes Rising- Where Horror and Fantasy Collide, I walked right up to panelist, Craig Alan Loewen, a fascinating author who I had heard talk at Balticon and last year's Capclave and introduced myself. I got his card and we chatted about horror stories!! I met another author while I was standing guard at my post, who also loves and writes a darker shade of fic, Ms. Betsy A Riley. We had the most exhilarating discussion on dark fic and writing other genres. In the midst of working and controlling a line for Mr. Martin's Saturday reading, I lost her card...and panicked. After the Martin chaos ended, I had to recall which panel she told me that she would be in. And yes, I diligently waited until she got out, to request a new card. You see, she had lit a fire in me to dabble in more horror and I definitely needed to keep in contact with her.

While waiting for the panel: Aircraft Carriers in Space given by Chrisopher Weuve, I managed to accidentally discover another Neal Asher fan, and while I had been running low on energy reserves, I ramped up for an intense conversation concerning the awesomeness of my hands down favorite Sci Fi writer! Talking about massive A.I. starships, the science behind immortality and memcrystals, prattling on about Z.A.s (zero-asset) civilizations, I could barely catch my breath as I entered the panel...and then I really got blown away.

So, hearing from authors and panelists is cool, yeah, but getting schooled is totally awesome and Christopher, a naval and war games adviser, went into detail about not only aircraft carriers, naval history and ship components, he also brought to light flaws in several Sci Fi writers visions of space warfare. The most glaring distinction for me was Star Wars/Star Trek...I mean, in Star Trek the main vessels are capable of much more efficient destruction then fighter gnats of Star Wars. I am still more of a Star Wars fan, but the ineptitude of the Death Star against a one-manned small craft is kinda hilarious when put up against the Enterprise and a Romulan warbird neither of which even need to deploy individually manned fighters. And don't get me started on the runway launch discussions.

All that was to say, the educational sessions for writers, to help them avoid mistakes in the composition of their works and worlds, totally sold me into looking for more panels like his.

Throughout the convention, I had had several run-ins with the most fascinating lady. We conversed about the panels she was on, cats, her adopted first grade class and ways of learning and teaching. I swear, and it may have had something to do with my short-circuited brain, that I had no idea that she was the other Guest of Honor at the convention, one brilliant Sharyn November! No seriously, the ideas that she came up with for teaching kids haiku made me wishing that I had had such teachers in school.

Suffice to say that by the time I finally got to meet Mr. Martin and have him sign my copies of A Feast of Ice & Fire: The official Companion Cookbook and The Skin Trade, a WSFS exclusive publication about werewolves, I was a weary, maniacal mess in need of silence and rest. When I finally came before him, I couldn't even speak. All I could do was smile and you know what, he smiled back at the goofy chick with the afro!

In summation, this year's Capclave was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend it for those who like a mellower con. They had a fabulous and very well stocked con suite and an extensive selection of games for those who love a good game of Dominion, cough cough. The vendor's room isn't massive but it’s well stocked and the bar at the hotel was spacious and served a good burger and beer. I am sure I am leaving out a great deal, but I am still flying high from this exciting event and not quite grounded yet.

Next year's guests will be Paolo Bacigalupi, Holly Black and Genevieve Valentine and you never know who else might be there. Introvert or not, getting out and socializing can be challenging but at Capclave, even with a massive feature draw like Martin, it’s not excessively difficult.

Loving Day Blog Hop: Opinions on Interracial Relationships

A staunch supporter of an individual's ability to love whomever they choose, I refuse to dream in one skin, shape or gender. If you have ever read anything of mine (fan fiction included), you should know that skin color is only the first of the thresholds that I will cross in my erotic dreams! Bigotry, xenophobia and racism are all instruments of fear, but even worse, they are a matter of...Well, let me introduce you to today's guests. First we have Freya Daniels, renowned bounty hunter and Alpha wolf and second we have Peter Fitzgerald, a powerful, ice sorcerer. Both are involved in committed interracial relationships.

Mya- Good afternoon to you both. I'd like to thank you for agreeing to this interview regarding interracial love. You both are involved with members of a different race, right?

Freya- (the tall, muscular werewolf has a chocolate complexion, dark brown eyes and thick, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. She is wearing a tank, sweatpants and combat boots and is five months pregnant. She smirks, adjusting her wife beater tee over her round, brown belly) Are you fucking kidding me?

Peter-(a pale, blonde with ice blue eyes and curly hair, Peter's stare is a cross between bored and severely menacing) Color not race. Micah and I are both sorcerers, what does skin color matter, or hair, or eye color.

Mya- Well, Freya, Why are you looking at me like that? Both of your mates are Caucasian, correct?

Freya- They're pale. Pink in some places, and pinker in others but they are wolves. We're really from the same race, like the Iceman just said. Wolves come in many colors. It's you guys that have to sweat the details. Red, yellow, pink, blue...Who gives a fuck?

Mya- Well. Peter. Your mate is of African descent? I realize that bonds are made regardless of color but did you ever think that fate had thrown you a curve ball?

Peter- Micah is the most gorgeous creature I've ever met but the biggest hurdle wasn't his color at all, accepting how much I craved another man was.

Mya- So I assume you've had curious stare. Ever had to deal with maybe a racist or homophobic remark or two?

Freya- (laughs) From humans, she means.

Peter- Sometimes. But then sometimes I might freeze an ignorant bastard solid. Shit happens.

Mya- O...Kay. So um, we're all adults here. Do you think that color has anything to do with enhancing or stimulating your passions.

Freya and Peter look at one another as if they aren't sure how much to reveal. Both smile.

Freya- I ain't gonna lie. Rayne's got the cutest pink cock and Fenris, well he's got this deep peach thing going...Visually, it can be a rush. Contrasts and all.

Peter- Indeed. I drown in chocolate every chance I get. Chocolate and fire. Vanilla inside of chocolate...

Freya- (Freya leans over and slaps Peter on the shoulder) Church! Just got this cute little chocolate omega. He has a cute, dark, cocoa ass. Bubblebutt. Rayne terrorizes him. But heh, I've gotta Bun on board. (pats belly)

Peter- (scowls at the physical contact but lightens up Freya fingers a protective rune bracelet) Yes. A berserker or a witch no doubt.

Freya- Hey. Cut the prejudiced shit. Witches and sorcerers should get along. (guffaws)

Peter- I need a drink.

Freya- Don't even play. I could slaughter some Hennessey.

Mya- (wincing) Indeed. Boy or girl?

Freya- Cub

Mya- Well. When your cub is born, do you think that color will be an issue for it?

Freya- Just because I'm brown as the day is long and Bun's dads are light and bright?

Mya- Yeah.

Freya- You do know I am a werewolf and my cub will be too. The cub could be dark brown, high yella, brown, blue black or it could be pale. I don't give a rat's ass and a quarter. It will be mine and I will love it regardless.

Mya- Well, Peter have you and Micah given any thoughts to children?

Peter- I would love to see Micah's children. He has even mentioned it. I would hope that they could wield fire or ice. I am not sure that I could deal with a water sorcerer.

Freya- That whole color thing is a human concept. Now, interspecies....that's a whole other topic.

Peter- (snickers.)

Mya- So in closing. What would you say about interracial/multicultural relationships?

Freya- It ain't for me to say shit about other folks, but there ain't nothing wrong with a swirl here and there.

Peter- I say people should mind their business and stop worrying about what others think.

Mya- Or else, right...(laughs nervously)

Peter- (deadpan) Exactly.

Mya- Well, that concludes this interview. I would like to thank you both for agreeing to this little chat.

Freya-Yeah, whatever. You still owe me for saving your ass from those goblins. There are less volatile fiends to play poker with.

Mya- Um... Yeah, of course. (dreading tonight's Texas Hold'em Tournament)

Peter- And I will expect your silence regarding last week's incident.

Mya- No worries, Peter. Not a peep, I swear! (mumbles beneath breath) So not trying to become a frozen slushie...Anyway, Thank you both!

Well, now that that interview is done, I want to inform you that I will be giving away the Serenity Basket during this blog hop (guarded by my precious Cougar). It contains a hot/cold mug, tea, journal, pens, massage oil, candles, a copy of one of my titles and more! In order to win, all you have to do is leave a comment!

You can find out more about the wacky, common and sometimey author, Mya at the following:

Website: www.myaserotica.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyasDen

Let's keep the party going! Check out the lovely IR author Keshia Robertson next!!!

The Loving Day Blog Hop

I will be participating in this fabulous event and giving away a wonderful gift basket. Stay tuned for more information and mark your calanders ;D

Rep Your Squad…I Mean Authors

Having seen great memes detailing how you can help an indie (independent) writers, I just want to put the word out that independents aren’t the only ones needing help. To share a bit of personal information, I for one have a mental breakdown when it comes to thinking of promotions. Seriously, it’s like I catch the flu and can do nothing more than rock back and forth as I lament lost opportunities to reserve blog spots, to arrange reviews and well promo in general, whenever I have a new release. Contests however, I tend to be rabid about. Anyway, many of the memes regarding the best way to help your writer buddies give the following advice:

Click on the “Like” Button on Amazon for the book and the Author (if you purchased it from the juggernaut)

Drop a review on GoodReads, Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, etc. once you have finished the book

Tag the book (if the website you purchased it from has the option)

“Like” or join the author’s Facebook page if they have one

Friend the author’s Twitter account and retweet announcements regarding their work

While I’m pretty sure that there are other ways to get the proverbial word out (feel free to list a few in the comments), any sort of recognition by a reader, good or bad is like money…to any author. It’s validation. A true writer (and by no means am I getting on a high horse) is going to write regardless, they can’t help it. It’s addiction. But as a Reader, I know that we can be addicts too and if encouragement can be donated to authors, those who aren’t so good can improve, those who are phenomenal can turn out more and if that brand of manipulation fails…I’m still doing great work for my favorite charity: Writers!!!

I know a lot of folk tell me: “What if I didn’t like the book?” Ever heard the saying ‘Any publicity is good publicity?’ Well it’s true. Seriously, how many times have I seen a book with 53 one-star ratings or 79 bad reviews and been more than just slightly…curious. 50 Shades of Gray…that’s all I’m gonna say on the matter.

So taking my self out of the equation, I find I have to revisit my policy on never reviewing any writers in my genre. I do read some paranormal erotica, some romance, not a lot mind you but I do read a few per year between numerous horror fiction, bio and eco thrillers and hard core space operas. Anyway as I go back through my Goodreads listing of books read, I vow to hunt down and ‘Like’ every author that I’ve read. While I may not write a review for everyone, I certainly vow to try and do so in the future. It’s not like I don’t know all the hard work writers put into a publication, so it’s almost especially douchey for me to expect reviews on my work and not put out myself.

I don’t have to speak much more on all the hard work that authors pour into their keyboards, the hours and the seclusion, I’m pretty sure that readers kinda know but I am making my own stand, my own personal campaign for Rep’ing the Authors, not just the ones you can’t get enough of but even the ones who cause you to wonder if they own a Thesaurus. A lot of my friends know that I am a rabid fan of Neal Asher (seriously, the cops would be eyeing me hard if I ever went to a book signing of his). I buy his books even the ones that I have to get imported from the U.K., liked his FB page, follow his blog, website and shout him out on any and every venue I can. If he were to announce that he was broke and needed donations, I would be among the first to throw money that man’s way, anything so he will crank out another book! In effect, I am sorta like his promo squad…but then readers can do that. They have that power and it doesn’t take much.

The next time you as a reader survey your vast library, stocked bookshelves and piles of coveted works, think about it. A little support goes a long way :D