April 28, 2013

Quick Update & a Question = ROW80 Update

It's 11pm on Sunday, and I'm finally sitting down to write a ROW80 update.

It seems I only know how to publish a book in the middle of a huge move. Depression Cookies came out September 27, 2010, right in the middle of our move from Colorado to Maryland. We moved into our new home November 11, 2010.

So, of course, I'm about to hit publish on my first YA book, Chasing Memories, while in the middle of a Maryland to California move. My husband has been there since March 11, and the girls and I are staying in Maryland until school ends (6/15).

I realize there is no perfect time to publish, but really!!

Okay, enough of my whining, because I'm so happy about Chasing Memories. My plan is to set up a cover reveal tour followed by a release day blitz. My proof is ordered and on its way. *biting nails*

Later this week, I'll have a post begging asking my blogger friends to participate in the cover reveal and release day blitz. So excited!

ka-ching
Source
I'd update my goals, but pretty much the last week has been spent on CreateSpace and last minute publishing needs (like ordering the proofs).

I plan to host several giveaways... this is where I can use your help. Have you participated in giveaways? What giveaway items did you find most successful? (Is a $20 Amazon gift card better than a signed paperback?)

Hope all my ROW80 friends are having a great week!

4 comments:

Beth Camp said...

Congratulations, Tia! This is fabulous news. What a fun ROW80 update to read. Just want to say that I'm using Rafflecopter for the first time and for my first freebie give-away of The Mermaid Quilt & Other Tales. I ran the give-away over the weekend, and so far, sign-ups have been slow. I'm eager to see how your cover reveal goes AND how your promotions lead up to the 'launch'. Don't worry about the move. That's only boxes and people and cats?

You can see my Rafflecopter over at http://bethandwriting.blogspot.com/ Just scroll down. I didn't think to emphasize a SIGNED copy. Next time.

Jo Michaels said...

My advice: DON'T give away money unless the requirement to win is purchasing a copy of the book. The idea behind a giveaway is to get YOUR book into the hands of readers, not give them money to spend on a different book. If you feel like you want to give away $10 to Amazon, give the winner a printed, signed copy of YOUR book as well.

If you wanna be crazy, and some people do, require a review and make it worth the reader's while. Give away three $20 giftcards with the entry requirements being purchasing a copy of your book or writing a review.

Just my opinion. Places to run giveaways:
Amazon KDP Select (you can go free for 5 days, I suggest doing them all together and encompassing at least one weekend and three work days).
Goodreads (printed, signed copies go a long way here)
Rafflecopter (when you do the cover reveal, offer DIGITAL ARCs to the winners for giving your FB page a like or following you on Twitter)
Facebook (donate a couple copies to someone's event)

Good luck, Tia! :)

If you need anything, let me know.

WRITE ON!

gypsyharper said...

Congrats on your new book! I hope your move AND your book release go smoothly!

I always think signed copies are a lovely giveaway item. (This from the perspective of a reader, since I haven't actually published a book of my own to give away yet!)

Anonymous said...

As a reader, I would rather have a thoughtfully signed copy of a book as opposed to a gift card. It may sound odd, but I also tend to prefer the signature be more than "To X, "author"" too. I've gotten rid of books from close friends when they wrote just that....

As for publishing on a move... maybe it's a subconscious thought that you might "be done" with the stress when this period is over with? I mean, you know better, but that doesn't necessarily mean you believe better, if you take my meaning.

(I do a regular Friday photo post, Tia... if you'd like me to mention, post, etc. your cover reveal, let me know.)