PROMOTION/COMPUTER/SOCIAL MEDIA

The days of writers staying in anonymity are long gone.  These days, a writer is required to promote his or her work.  Quite often, the promotion is done at the writer's expense.  Fortunately, the computer and the Internet helps in this respect.  Traveling across the country is expensive, but with some work, an author can visit book clubs, schools, and public assemblies of all kinds via webcams or Skype.

A lot has changed since my first book came out in 2002.  Now we have Facebook, blogs, and so many other methods to make the public aware of our book.  In 2002, my sister, Denise, worked hard to make and maintain my first web site.  Last night and this morning it took me (a novice) about an hour and a half to build a nice web page.  As I get more information about the books--and book covers--I will continue to update the site.

I also put together a Facebook author page.  This will allow me to inform "fans" about important events involving the books; release dates, promotional sales, events I will attend, and so on.

Many things have changed in the publishing industry since 2002.  I am beginning to get excited!

My new web site:
http://chanceencounterstlm.wix.com/toni-lamparter-mabry
My author's page:
http://www.facebook.com/ToniLamparterMabry

READING EVERYTHING

People frequently tell me that they have always wanted to be published.  They have a story to tell, but just haven't had the time to get around to writing it.

At one time, being a published writer was a very difficult task.  A person had to research a magazine and know how to slant the story for a specific publication.  To have a book published was even closer to impossible.  Many publishing companies had their stable of writers.  Others had formulas or specific kinds of books that they wished to risk their funds to publish.  A new guy--especially one without an agent--didn't have a chance.

Now things are changing.  POD companies, ebooks, and Amazon have drastically changed the market.  More independent companies and self-publishing companies have emerged.  More people are getting a chance to become a published author.  That can be both good and bad.

A writer should always strive to improve his craft.  Part of improving your skill as a writer is reading the works of others.  At one time I was an English major.  I read and studied the works of the great writers.  What I didn't realize was that I could also learn from those whose writing leave something to be desired.

You see, I have developed the hobby of downloading ebooks.  Some are very entertaining.  Others aren't so great.  Before deleting a book I really dislike, I try to analyze why the book doesn't work for me.  Then I ask myself if I tend to make the same mistake.  For example, last week I read a book where an important character was killed in chapter two.  The murder left me emotionless.  The author had not made me like--or dislike her.  She was not real to me.  Her death was no great loss.  Neither was the book when I deleted it.  I realized I must make my characters real, or my books will be deleted also.

Who knew I could learn from reading bad books.