Marketing your books no matter the genre takes work. You have to plan out your goals in order to then plan out how you are going to achieve them. Indie authors as well as some traditionally published authors utilize a variety of tools in addition to getting their local bookstores and libraries to allow them to hold a book signing event. One of those is called the Virtual Book Tour and the other “Take Over Day” for a social media group such as those found on Facebook.
A virtual book tour is a publicity campaign that promotes a book by showcasing it on online platforms like blogs, podcasts, and social media. It’s similar to a traditional book tour, but instead of visiting bookstores, authors give interviews and excerpts to online influencers
Our group has used the Silver Dagger Book Tour services in the past with some of our anthologies. We are using them again for the “For the Love of Winter” anthology that is now in pre-order until September 24, 2024. The book tour will start that day and is scheduled until October 18th. You can signup with the company for this book tour or any of the others listed.
It means that for an agreed period of time, you “take over” a group on Facebook, for instance a promo group or another author’s group. You post a series of posts during your allotted time, intended to promoted you and your books. Takeovers are well-known in the MM romance community, and readers tend to love them.
One of our members, Vickey Wollan – has elected to do the Tattered Pages Facebook Group Take Over Day to promote our anthologies on September 26, 2024. If you are not a member of that group yet check it out they have over eight thousand members – https://www.facebook.com/groups/269414840723994/
September Writing Retreat
The organization and its members have worked very hard over the last 24 months getting things back up and running after covid and have taken on some rather ambitious projects including publishing more than one anthology in a year. Our members participate in the process, learning about editing, getting the books ready to publish, and even share in the marketing. Not only did we have a very successful NERFA – National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award – participation and judging this year we have even started a new contest for Romance Fiction Book Cover awards called NERCC. The contestants part of this contest has closed but now we are in the judging phase. Check out the website for more about that and take a few minutes to choose which romance covers you like the best!
For September the organization paid for a member’s only beach retreat for this past weekend. There was discussions about the writing business, new member introductions, fun and games, as well as great food and walking on the beach for everyone. A good time was had by all and we are already making plans to do it again next year.
JAX BOOK FEST – September 21,2024 YES! Our group has a table at this year’s festival inside the Downtown Library. Come see what it’s all about, me some of our authors who have their own tables as well as the volunteers at our own. Buy some books, get them signed and explore the library.
October 2024 Writers Workshop
Save the Date our next workshop is on October 12, 2024 with Scott Eagan. THIS WILL BE ON ZOOM ONLY but members are welcome to come to the library and visit and watch the presentation on screen. First up will be “Marketing Your Research, Finding Your Audience” and the second one is “Demystifying romance and women’s fiction” – check out our workshop page: https://firstcoastromancewriters.com/workshops/ for more information.
Emerald City Writers Conference is now online for two days from Oct 12 through the 13th. Learn more about the craft and business of romance writing and pitch to editors and agents at this year’s ECWC! Skye Warren will be providing a 2hr mastermind on Direct sales, Russell Nohelty and Lee Savino are giving a 2nd mastermind workshop on the six-figure author, we also have workshops on 5 sentence plotting, working with a narrator, blurb writing, along with speakers from ReelShort, Kiss, and Heart’s Choice. You’ll also have the opportunity to pitch to editors and agents!
Meet other attendee in our private FB and Discord groups, plus have the opportunity to re-watch workshops for 30 days after the recording links are shared.
Register at: https://www.emeraldcityromancewriters.org/ecwc-2024
ECRW Member: $135
Non-Member: $185
Conference + Membership: $166 (save $19)E.L. Roux, President
Emerald City Romance Writers
https://www.emeraldcityromancewriters.org
Our Online Shop Update
Check out our online store. We have added all the currently available anthologies in ePub format for you to download and enjoy. The best thing about having your own online store is that ALL OF THE PROCEEDS goes directly to the group to invite more great speakers for next year as well as our members enjoy a great writers retreat. CLICK HERE
