Wednesday, May 6, 2015

IWSG



Blog blah blah. I don't know about you, but after the A to Z Challenge, I am running on fumes here. This year I had a purpose: promote a collection of short stories. But I chose something unrelated for my theme: mathematics. Funny, I didn't think of the contradiction of labeling my blog (WR) and then spouting off on algebra, geometry, and the like until it was all over and another blogger brought up mislabeled blogs. Oops? Or maybe not. I am still a writer after all.

But all's well that end's well. The math was well received, surprise, surprise. And the promotion worked to an extent. By giving away free downloads of particular stories on particular weeks, over 50 copies of my stories are out there, in the hands of readers. Even better, I got a great review on Ursa Major. That was a dance-happy moment. It makes me realize how important it is to post reviews after I read something. Having downloaded over half a dozen books during the challenge, I will do that soon.

Now what? The short-story collection is at a reduced price for the month of May, so promotion should continue. But without the A to Z Challenge to bring in potential readers, I'll have to do something else. There are some blogfests coming up in May: Blood, Boobs, and Carnage on May 18 and The Muse Party on May 25. Both sound like fun whether they translate into sales or not.

For now, I will keep blogging to establish and maintain relationships. The things that make me buy a book from another blogger are the quality of writing in their blog, my interest in their particular story, and how much interaction I have with them through mutual comments.

The tough part is that I want to stray from the blogoverse to write. I have an idea to strengthen my current WIP and that's what I'd most like to be doing. Balance? We'll see . . .

What are your grand plans this May? Do you know of any other blogfests coming up?


30 comments:

  1. I blogged about nearly the same thing today. Balance. On May 1st, as soon as A to Z was over, I started my new WIP and wrote almost 2,000 words. It felt so good to be back to it. And I'll have a new book out soon and have to think about promotion like you so I need to be online. Balance...is so close to overwhelmed.

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  2. Oh promotion is hard to keep going every day. It's fun to have spikes in sales and reviews, but more than likely, each day is a slog. But it's all part of the biz. Best of luck!

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  3. You were labeling your blog, not your theme, so you did it right.
    Find a balance and keep active online. It does make a difference. My first book took off in sales a year after its release because I continued to be active online.
    Glad you're part of the Blood, Boobs, and Carnage blogfest!

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  4. Thanks for the shout out for my blogfest! Oh hey, sidebar! Too cool.
    I'd say try to find a balance between blogging and everything else you want to do. Don't fight the inspiration; if you want to work on your WIP, then work on it! I should probably be doing that, actually...

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  5. I have a schedule (a necessary evil) in which I blog/read other bogs only during a certain time, and write and only write during another time. If I didn't have that I'd be doing one or the other way too much.

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  6. I'm happy to see some blog hops starting up now that A to Z is over. There wasn't any blog hops during the first few months of the year.

    I also have to stray away from the blogosphere to work on my current WIP or I'll never finish it.

    Good luck to you!

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  7. Good luck with your sales and promotions. I've not heard of those 2 blog meme's but since I'm not a writer that's probably why.

    Popping back round to say thank you for the sweet supportive comments, much appreciated.

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  8. It's always tricky to balance writing and promotion! I sometimes take part in blog hops, but I definitely don't have the time to commit to a bigger challenge like the A-Z blog hop. Good luck with everything!

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  9. Congratulations on completing the challenge! I understand the blog/topic match dilemma, but honestly, as long as the writing is well done and the subject is interesting, I'm happy to read about it :)

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  10. That's wonderful that your math theme worked out for you.

    Stay connected while still giving yourself time to write.

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  11. I really, really love how you opened this post. It's perfect!

    May is my birthday month, so I'll be going on some fun outings with friends, and I just had the release of my first published book to celebrate. I'd say I'm running on fumes as well.

    I'm glad the Challenge worked out so well for you! And yes, reviews are important. How important, I'm not sure, but it's nice to have some positive ones to balance the inevitable baddies.

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  12. Best of luck with your book promotions. For a nominal fee, you can do a book tour with a promotion company (I think I paid around $40 for one once) - there are tons of them out there - that might be something to consider. :)

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  13. I am staying away from blogfests this year, which is why I didn't a-to-z (and am glad of it). Actually, I've been trying to blog less, but that isn't going as well...

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  14. My my, the beginning of my May is FULL, but after this coming week I should be able to get some serious revising in, and I'm really looking forward to that! Lisa, co-host #IWSG May, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com

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  15. Now I have to read "Ghosts of a Beneficial Place" so I bought it too.

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  16. Congrats on the 50 downloads and the great review! It was very clever to give your book away during the A-Z. I do a lot of social media. So far it hasn't helped sales and my WIP is stalled. But the writing game is a marathon not a sprint, so I have to be patient. Good luck with hops and sales in May! :)

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  17. Bloghops seem to be the easiest way to generate content. I haven't heard of the muse party, I might go check it out. Nice to meet you :)

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  18. Congrats on the downloads and review. I haven't heard of any upcoming blogfest but as of now NaPoWriMo has left me drained. So a bit of May will be going towards getting some rest (while I catch up on poetry class). And try to meet my personal deadlines for my other works.

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  19. Grand plans for May? Nope. Not a one.

    If you're looking for someplace to promote your book, I'm desperately seeking authors for my week at Unicorn Bell (unicornbell.blogspot.com) **gulp** next week...

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  20. You bring up such a good point. If the writing in the blog posts isn't good or well edited, it's hard to imagine buying a book that person writes.

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  21. I'm horrible at maths. Too bad I come in late. I should check out your previous posts now if I still want to learn something. Have a great math.

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  22. Popping round to let everyone know there's a contest!

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