An Author's Responsibilities are Great
After a book is published, an author's responsibilities are just beginning. Many people think that an author can now relax after the book has been written and begin their next book, but it's not so. An author must promote his or her book by doing four things that will enhance the book's success.
First, create an attractive website. People want to know who the author is and what other books have been written. Make sure that your site can be loaded easily. If it can't be loaded within 10 seconds, visitors will give up. Make sure your images are optimized for web view. Don't make the site too busy or visitors will feel overwhelmed and give up.
Second, enter contests. This makes your book have more credibility. My first book, "Melinda and the Wild West," was one of the top ten semi-finalists for the "Reviewers Choice Award 2007" for Reader Views. Because it won an award, people will become interested in reading the book.
Third, send your book to professional reviewers. Pick only reviewers who review your genre, otherwise it's a waste of time. Some reviewers only review established authors, so select carefully so you don't send your book to someone who won't review it.
Fourth, write articles for the Internet, newspapers, and magazines. You must publish articles so you will be recognized as an author and it will also enhance your web presence. These articles are important for your book's success, for the one reason that people are getting to know you. Articles help you and your book to stand out and be noticed. There are some excellent websites to write articles. You may try: American Chronicle, Article-hangout, Go Articles, Ezine Articles, Articles Base, Authors Den, Amazines, Search Warp, and Lady Pens-for women only.
First, create an attractive website. People want to know who the author is and what other books have been written. Make sure that your site can be loaded easily. If it can't be loaded within 10 seconds, visitors will give up. Make sure your images are optimized for web view. Don't make the site too busy or visitors will feel overwhelmed and give up.
Second, enter contests. This makes your book have more credibility. My first book, "Melinda and the Wild West," was one of the top ten semi-finalists for the "Reviewers Choice Award 2007" for Reader Views. Because it won an award, people will become interested in reading the book.
Third, send your book to professional reviewers. Pick only reviewers who review your genre, otherwise it's a waste of time. Some reviewers only review established authors, so select carefully so you don't send your book to someone who won't review it.
Fourth, write articles for the Internet, newspapers, and magazines. You must publish articles so you will be recognized as an author and it will also enhance your web presence. These articles are important for your book's success, for the one reason that people are getting to know you. Articles help you and your book to stand out and be noticed. There are some excellent websites to write articles. You may try: American Chronicle, Article-hangout, Go Articles, Ezine Articles, Articles Base, Authors Den, Amazines, Search Warp, and Lady Pens-for women only.
Why does writing articles on the Internet help you as an author?
More books are sold on the web than anything else, so a good web presence is important. Before I began writing articles on the Internet, I would do a Google search for my website and my name. It wouldn't come up. After I began submitting articles, my website popped up on the first page of a search. I was shocked that writing articles could make such a difference. Now when I type my name on Google, it appears 148 times out of 150. What a huge difference!
How do you begin writing for the web?
The American Chronicle is a great one because it has twenty-one other chronicles that your articles will be published on. First, you need to send an article to the Chronicle as evidence of your writing skills. They will e-mail you back and let you know if you're accepted. The other article websites don't ask for any samples. All you have to do is just sign up and begin writing.
Next, you can search newspapers and journals by going to newslink.org. Find out which ones are interested in the subject you'll be writing about. Contact the editor and ask if you can write an article for their newspaper. Have an article ready because they'll need a sample of your work.
Remember that your goal is not to charge them for each article, but to get your name out there so people will know who you are. Once they read a few of your articles, then they'll become interested in knowing more about you and your book. If you have to begin writing articles free, then do it. You have to pay your dues before you're recognized. The goal is to get your name out into the public with a good byline.
Next, you can search newspapers and journals by going to newslink.org. Find out which ones are interested in the subject you'll be writing about. Contact the editor and ask if you can write an article for their newspaper. Have an article ready because they'll need a sample of your work.
Remember that your goal is not to charge them for each article, but to get your name out there so people will know who you are. Once they read a few of your articles, then they'll become interested in knowing more about you and your book. If you have to begin writing articles free, then do it. You have to pay your dues before you're recognized. The goal is to get your name out into the public with a good byline.
What is a good byline?
Along with your name, you can mention your book and provide contact information-such as your e-mail or website. Here's a sample byline: Written by Linda Weaver Clarke, author of Melinda and the Wild West, a Semi-finalist for the "Reviewers Choice Award 2007." To contact the author, visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com.
Remember that an author's duties don't stop when the book is written. It's just beginning. There are thousands of books published every year but you need to get out into the public's eye and be recognized before your book will be noticed.
Remember that an author's duties don't stop when the book is written. It's just beginning. There are thousands of books published every year but you need to get out into the public's eye and be recognized before your book will be noticed.
The Check List
1. Find publishers in the "Writers Market" at the library
2. Create a website
3. Get Reviews
4. Write articles:
An author must publish articles to enhance your book's success and your web presence. These articles are critical to your book's success and can escalate your book to greater sales, for the one reason that people are getting to know you. There will be more than sixty thousand books published this year. Articles help you and your book to stand out from the crowd.
a. American Chronicles (21 Chronicles)
b. Article-hangout
c. Go Articles
d. Ezine Articles
e. Articles Base
f. Lady Pens
g. Amazines
h. Search Warp
5. Enter Contests
Make Believe and Books!
- Make Believe
- The official website of Author Linda Weaver Clarke where short stories and sample chapters may be read: historical fiction, adventure, romance, and non-fiction. The books on this site are good Christian fiction.
Books!
With Romance and Hope
Melinda and the Wild West
A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho
In 1896 Melinda Gamble, a very elegant young woman from Boston, is desperately trying to help a rebellious student through acceptance and love, and at the same time, she is trying to understand her own heart. Driven by her intense desire to make a difference in the world, Melinda takes a job as a schoolteacher in the small town of Paris, Idaho, where she comes face-to-face with a bank robber, a vicious grizzly bear, and an intense blizzard that leaves her clinging to her life. But it is a ruggedly handsome rancher who challenges Melinda with the one thing for which she was least prepared-love. Edith and the Mysterious Stranger
A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho
With mysterious letters, cattle rustlers, a spunky woman, the liar's fire, Halloween, and young love, there is always something happening. It is 1904 and Melinda is "with child" and threatening to miscarry. Her cousin Edith, a nurse, moves to Paris to care for her. Edith has wonderful qualities but never gives a man a second chance because her expectations are so high. However, all that changes when a mysterious stranger begins to write to her. For the first time, she gets to know a man's inner soul before making any harsh judgments. Whoever he is, this man is a mystery and the best thing that has ever happened to her. The question that puzzles her is whether or not he's as wonderful in person as he is in his letters. Jenny's Dream
A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho
Jenny Roberts is home from college and is restless. She feels a need to spread her wings and fly away. She has dreams of becoming a writer and wants to pursue it. After she realizes that Will, her kindred friend, means more to her than she thought, she must now choose between a career and romance. Which dream should she pursue? The only thing standing in her way is an unpleasant memory from her past, which has haunted her since childhood. She must learn to forgive before she can choose which dream to follow.A ten-foot grizzly bear is seen in the area and its boldness has frightened the community. There is one man with the courage and determination to protect his family and neighbors. Gilbert Roberts! He attempts to defy this great beast but Melinda will not have her husband be part of it. Gilbert has other ideas. Old Half Paw must be stopped.
David and the Bear Lake Monster
A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho
Deep-rooted legends, long family traditions, and a few mysterious events! Once again the Roberts family is reunited with David trying to solve personal issues and overcome his troubles! David quickly becomes one with the town and its folk and finds himself entranced with one very special lady and ends up defending her honor several times. She isn't like the average woman. Sarah is different. This beautiful and dainty woman has a disability that no one seems to notice. He finds out that Sarah has gone through more trials than the average person. She teaches him the importance of not dwelling on the past and how to love life. After a few teases, tricks, and mischievous deeds, David begins to overcome his troubles, but will it be too late? Will he lose the one woman he adores? And how about the Bear Lake Monster? Does it really exist? Elena, Woman of Courage
A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho
When a woman settles into a strict conservative town as the newest doctor, a slew of problems begin to arise. The town is not ready for a female doctor, let alone one so strong and independent. Elena Yeates, the town's newest doctor, must struggle to prove herself in this western town, while keeping her composure, poise, and femininity. As she fights to prove herself, the town's most eligible bachelor finds it a challenge to see if he can win her heart. With the 1920's rise of women's rights, this novel gives you great insight at the struggles women had to go through, all the while watching a young love blossom! Books by Linda Weaver Clarke
A Family Saga in Bear Lake Valley
Melinda and the Wild West: A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho
Amazon Price: $22.00 (as of 12/16/2009) 
Elena, Woman of Courage: A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/16/2009)
Jenny's Dream: A Family's Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/16/2009)
Edith and the Mysterious Stranger
Amazon Price: $22.00 (as of 12/16/2009)
David and the Bear Lake Monster: A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/16/2009)
by Family-Legacy-Mom
Linda Weaver Clarke was raised on a farm surrounded by the rolling hills of southern Idaho and has made her home in southern Utah among the beautiful... (more)
