Let's CHILL! with Pauline Barclay

I've met some amazing authors through social media! These are people who not only write great books, but spend countless hours helping other authors.

These authors are passionate about their craft and come from around the world to lend encouraging words, to cross-promote, to share their knowledge, and even spend their money to create online networks and platforms for not only their work, but for the work of others. They ask for very little in return.

Let me tell you about one such author, Canary Island resident, Pauline Barclay, the creator and administrator of the Chill with a Book! website.  Better yet, I'll let Pauline tell you about herself, her blog and her novels.

Welcome to Magic of the Muses, Pauline!

Pauline Barclay, author

Briefly describe Chill with a Book! and what makes it unique.

Chill with a Book! is a dynamic site for authors and readers. It is designed for authors to showcase their books and for readers to find amazing reads.

What does Chill with a Book! offer book lovers?

Chill with a Book

Chill with a Book! means book lovers, with just one click, can find great reads from all genres: Family sagas, murder, mystery, YA, historical, thrillers, romance, comedy and much more! And you know, not only are these reads filled with gripping stories, they are filled with tension, suspense, emotion and passion. Readers will feel the thrill of the ride, gasp in horror, shed tears of sadness and laugh with joy. And when they reach the end they will still want to keep turning the pages long after their read has ended, and then choose another great read from Chill with a Book!

Has Chill with a Book! evolved as you initially envisioned? Where do you dream it will be in five years?

It is going really well and at the end of the day, I want Chill with a Book! to be the site for all authors and the number one site for readers to find some of the best reads published out there.

How can authors become a partner in Chill with a Book!’s success?

They are welcome to contact me so that their book(s) can be showcased on the site. They must also want to participate with promoting so that their book(s) are visible to every visitor to the site. For authors it is another platform for them to stand up and be seen.

Behind every great organization there is a driving force. You, Pauline Barclay, are the name and face behind Chill with a Book!. Tell us about what motivated you to create this site.

Passion is my motivation and that passion is to help authors connect with readers whilst giving them another platform to talk about their books.

In addition to running Chill with a Book!, you are an author. Of which personal accomplishment in your literary career (book or otherwise), are you most proud? (Aside from the creation of your author group.)

I am incredibly proud that I have five published novels out there and even more honoured that people take time out to buy and read them.

Please offer authors and aspiring authors some sage advice.

Enjoy your writing. Make every word count. Don’t let others put you off. Go for it and wherever it leads, enjoy the journey.

I know you’re itching to mention something I’ve neglected to ask about. Tell us what that is.

As well as running Chill with a Book! I am working on my sixth novel. It has a working title; A Sense of Shame, it is a dark and emotional story.

Chill with a Book!’s link:

http://chillwithabook.blogspot.com

author link:

www.paulinebarclay.co.uk

Let's CHILL! with Pauline Barclay has been brought to you by:

IN THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY ~Pauline Barclay

"I would highly recommend you pick up and lose yourself in. Loved it." 

"...the excellent way the story is written really pulls you in emotionally"

"The only thing wrong with Pauline Barclay's novels is that they end."

 
 

Eileen Schuh, Author
DISPASSIONATE LIES
FIREWALLS
FATAL ERROR
Schrödinger's Cat
THE TRAZ

Shy authors

On overcoming shyness about promoting my books:

 I have the most success when I just spill the beans about how passionate I am about my books. How I love my characters to bits. How writing novels was a childhood dream that took 50 years to fulfill. I no longer feel like I'm bragging or tooting or my horn, I feel I am sharing myself, revealing my heart.

 In fact, I don't even feel like it is me in the spotlight--it is my books, my beloved Katrina, Shrug and Sgt. Kindle, it is the youngsters who love and learn from them. It's Ladesque saving the world and Chorie going mad. 

That I want everyone in the world to read my novels is no longer a dirty little secret--it's my passion....revealed.

____________

Brought to you by:

DISPASSIONATE LIES

 

Eileen Schuh, Author
DISPASSIONATE LIES
FIREWALLS
FATAL ERROR
Schrödinger's Cat
THE TRAZ

Social Media Networking--a classy act

"Social media networking" has a classy ring to it. Lately I've had several aspiring authors ask me for information on how to promote themselves and their work online. There are many networking opportunities and it is wise to select the platforms you feel most comfortable with as there simply isn't enough time in a day to socialize on all of them. The sites I am most active on are Twitter and Facebook, but that's not to say they are the best for everyone.

Some other sites popular with authors, to name just a few, include GoodReads, LinkedIn, Flickr, LibraryThing, Google Plus, Pinterest, MySpace and YouTube.

Adding video to your advertising on the networking sites is vital. Here is one of my favourite book trailers--look closely, I'm in!


There are several excellent reasons for using  online social networks. If you ask your local newspaper or radio station about the cost of an advertising spot, you'll receive a clue to perhaps the biggest reason--the social networks are free. At least their basic services are at this point in time. That may change in the future but for right now there is no cost to join these sites and post your ads.

A great thing about advertising on the social networks is that you are promoting your books around the world--that is a vast audience of potential readers.

I find social networking fun. That I can interact with fans (and sometimes foes) around the world 24 hours a day all year round without cost is a treasured fact.

If it goes against the grain of your personality to 'toot your own horn', step back a bit and realize you are not bragging when you post ads--you are sharing information. You are letting people know you have a product (book) for sale. I view my online promotions as sharing my passion for my career, my books, my characters. There is nothing egocentric about wanting others to read the novels I wrote. There's nothing wrong with telling others it took me half a century, but I made my childhood dream of becoming a novelist, a reality.

My books are a value to my community, to my world. They not only entertain, they teach, they explore, they elucidate. I must let people know they are there.

A classy act is brought
        to you by

 SCHRÖDINGER'S CAT

All these reasons for participating in social networking should be tightly entwined to make your online experience both enjoyable and effective. Splashing ads across cyberspace works only up to a certain point, you must interact with prospective readers in order to attract attention to those ads. People are prone to buy books from famous authors, their favourite authors, and books written by people they feel they know. Interacting online in ways other than pure self-promotion, allows people get to know you.

Before doing any of that, though, it is necessary to establish your own little corner on the Web. That is, to truly have an effective online presence one must have a personal blog and a website. And, because the WWW is lovely, there are free tools you can use to link all these sites. Your tweets can appear on your blog, facebook posts can be duplicated on Twitter, and so on.

Although those tools are free, one has to pay a fee to register a blog and website and for those of us un-tecky people, we may have to pay a web designer to get started. Compared to the cost of TV, radio, and print ads, the fees for having your own site are negligible. If your budget is really strict, you can always team up with other authors and share the advertising space, the costs, and the upkeep duties. (Cross-promoting other authors is a huge blessing--another free form of advertising.)

I do share my personal space with other authors via hosting guest blogs, but I shy away for placing formal advertisements for unrelated products and services on my sites. Although some authors do it to help defray the cost of a website and blog, to me, Magic of the Muses and eileenschuh.com are MY advertising platforms. I don't want any distracting popups and links that take people away from my pages. I want to showcase MY books and MY talent.

If you are bit tech-savy and have books on Amazon, you can put their link on your site and they'll pay you a referral fee if someone clicks on it and buys your book.

Tech-savy or not, authors often miss out on the obvious--post ads for your own books on your blog posts and websites. Every time I blog I include a "This blog has been brought to you by...THE TRAZ" (or one of my other books).

Make your website and blog visually appealing, with an easy to read font and easy-on-the-eyes colours and graphics. Keep blog posts short (under 750 words) and include graphics and pictures to add interest. Advertise your blog and website on your social networks, and vice-versa.

I'll be back with some more tips on using Twitter and facebook.

Eileen Schuh, Author

FIREWALLS
FATAL ERROR
Schrödinger's Cat
THE TRAZ

Sooooo Close!

THE TRAZ manuscript is now in the able hands of Cheryl Kaye Tardif to format for ebook publication.  As can be expected, there were a few last-minute snags.  One beta reader disappeared from cyberspace before remitting her feedback.  One famous author from whom I'd requested a blurb advised me to get rid of 1,959.02 exclamation points in the ms and to delete almost as many dialogue tags. ("he said", "she said", etc.) 

After deleting so many cuss words, exclamation marks, and dialogue tags my story is probably 10 pages shorter than when I started.

It will take about week to get the book formatted then, depending on my technical skill, patience, intelligence, and perseverance THE TRAZ will be uploaded to Amazon and Smashwords.  I'm making no promises about the time frame that will involve.

In the meantime, I will begin to actively promote THE TRAZ.  I'll put a sneak peek preview somewhere on line (watch for it).  I'll blog about my bikers for National Crime Writers Month (tomorrow) http://nationalcrimewritingmonth.blogspot.com and also on my website http://www.eileenschuh.com/did-you-know

I'll compose a media release to coincide with the publication date of THE TRAZ .  As the next school term approaches, I'll also be publicizing the Discussion and Teaching Guide included with THE TRAZ.

Once THE TRAZ is on the market, I'll be hinting around to my cyberspace pals to interview me and/or let me guest blog and I'll be asking readers and reviewers to post comments on Amazon, Smashwords, blog sites, Twitter, Facebook...everywhere.

The draggiest part of this experience so far was getting the editing done.  It took a long time to find an editor that operated on my plane of reality.  The editing process itself took much longer than I anticipated, mostly because I did it twice--something  that was unexpectedly required because the first editor recommended substantial changes.  This draggiest part of self-publishing was also the most expensive part.

The most difficult part of this experience was adapting my writing, my story, my characters to make THE TRAZ marketable.

The most confusing part of this experience was ascertaining the target readership for THE TRAZ.  (I want EVERYONE to read THE TRAZ, not just young teens!)

The most exciting part of this experience was seeing the front cover done.  The trailer (a short video ad) which is still under construction, has me very excited, too.

The most uplifting part of this experience was getting positive, wonderful blurbs and feedback from accomplished authors after I'd nervously sent them advanced reading copies.  (Thanks, Lou, Garry, and Cheryl!)

The very best part is yet to come though--selling my first book, followed by a wonderful review from that very first reader.

Then there's the possibility of bring THE TRAZ out in print--and holding my very own book in my own hot little hands....

Dreams. 




Eileen Schuh, Canadian writer www.eileenschuh.com

Authors and librarians: the connection

 

Caroline Vandriel

When I was writing KidLit articles for the PopSyndicate website, several times I pestered the local librarian for answers, interviews, comments, and links.  She was exceptionally obliging and I couldn't help but mention to her that my first published novel, SHRODINGER'S CAT would be released in 2011.

Although each municipality and each school system in my home province is responsible for its library service, "library systems" were established several years ago to increase the buying power of individual libraries and promote the sharing of resources and information throughout the province. 

So, although I am a member of my local St. Paul library I had never met Caroline Vandriel, Library Consultant from the Northern Lights Library System (NLLS), except online.  I was thrilled when, after she discovered one of her coworkers was a close friend of mine, she suggested we meet for coffee.

"A librarian? That's HUGE!" said Cheryl Kaye Tardif, my book marketing coach.   I thought just being invited for coffee by anybody was huge (those who are lonely writers will understand that).

On the otherhand, this meeting was special--because librarians and libraries occupy very special places in my heart.  I have many warm memories of libraries--the shelves and shelves of books.  The pictures. The stories.  The knowledge. The smell. The hush.  The sound of pages turning.

Lately though, tension between authors and libraries has been in the headlines and I was, after all, now an author as well as a reader.  Questions being batted around included, 'Who owns what rights to the books within the library walls?' and 'Who is responsible for reimbursing the authors for the work they invested in those books?'

With these concerns in mind, I pondered what I should discuss with Caroline.  What should I ask?  What should I say? Did she drink her coffee black or does she drink tea?

A few days before my coffee date, I received an email from an author who lives not all that far from me, asking if I had information on how to get his self-published books into schools and libraries.  Ah, I thought.  That is a good question for Caroline.

I started a list:

1. When my book comes out in 2011, is Caroline the one I'd contact about purchasing it for the local libraries? 
2. Who would I contact to participate in literacy events in the region? 
3. Since PopSyndicate had folded, was there any opportunity to continue my KidLit column on the NLLS website? 
4. Were there other ways that libraries and authors network? 
5. What else did she do? 
6. Was she going home for Christmas?  Where was 'home'?  Does she have siblings? 

It was a lovely visit, a lovely chat, and great coffee (thanks to my Northern Lights friend, Brigitte.)

These are the answers I received:

1. Caroline could suggest my book to member libraries within the Northern Light Library System, but it would be them, not her, who would decide if they want my book.
2. Individual libraries organize their own events and promotions.  She could give me the names of the libraries and contacts in my region.
3. She is responsible for the Northern Lights Library System website.  She'd consider my offer to contribute a KidLit column to the quarterly online newsletter.
4. Once a year, a convention is held for all those involved with the regional libraries.  Sometimes library people from other areas of the province also attend.  Authors sometimes do presentations at the conferences and at times have showcased their work.  She'd keep me informed on the plans for next year's convention and keep me in mind as a possible participant.
5. What else is in her job description?  She is the one who researches answers to questions people pose to all the libraries in her jurisdiction.  What a cool service!  (I've already sent her a question: What are these "cables" that Wikileak is leaking?  Emails? Telegrams?  She hasn't found the answer yet.)
6. I won't share Caroline's answers to the personal questions.  Suffice it to say it was a wonderful coffee date.  And I came to understand the importance of networking with the libraries.

And...regarding the question about self-published books, although librarians generally don't purchase self-published books, if one were to promote one's work to them and it was a good work, there's a chance a writer could spark the interest of a libarary.

I was happy with my questions and happy with the answers, but I wanted to know if I'd missed anything huge.  "Cheryl," I emailed.  "Why would authors want to network with libaries?"


Cheryl Kaye Tardif



 She sent me her top ten reasons:



Why writers would want to network with libraries...

1. Libraries BUY books.
2. People still use libraries and will continue to do so.
3. Libraries are getting into ebooks.
4. Libraries love author visits.
5. Libraries often have other events you can attend.
6. You can arrange to sell your books to patrons during events in a library.
7. Libraries know other authors to which you can connect.
8. Libraries give your books more exposure.
9. Public Lending Rights Commission will pay Canadian authors every year based on how many of their works are in public libraries, while Access Copyright pays authors for the use of their work in educational systems (& elsewhere).

10. You’ll be able to tell readers your books are in the library.

For more great writing tips visit author and book coach, Cheryl K Tardif's, blog http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com/


I suggest all authors investigate the connection between libraries and authors in their area. Perhaps invite your librarian on a coffee date!


Eileen Schuh
Author SCHRODINGER'S CAT
http://www.eileenschuh.com/