No Writing is Ever Wasted and Other Words of Wisdom...

This week my seven actions for...

Operation Author: 365 Actions to Becoming  A Successful Author

...have been made up of lots of bits and bobs.

My next big project is to finalise the arrangements for my launch party for Solomon's Secrets on 22nd November.

My first action this week has been to publish a great guest post by Donna Marie Oldfield on:

Striking the Right Balance Between Marketing your Book and Writing

Check it out:
 http://ideaism.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/striking-right-balance-between.html

Some brilliant ideas and tips here - Thank you again Donna

My second action this week was to get involved in a Twitter conversation with The Write Life following a really interesting piece on their blog about the spaces that well known writers worked in. 

I posted an image of my desk (where I'm sat right now). But it gave me an idea, on this version of the picture are explanations about the things I have around me that inspire and motivate me when I work:

Here's the conversation on Twitter as a result:

My third action was to send out a newsletter for Southville Writers about the forthcoming event for Books are My Bag at Foyles bookshop in Bristol.

The event is next Saturday (11th October) and there will be lots of Bristol writers there giving readings, talks and workshops as well as selling and signing their books. I'll be the MC for the first part (mostly because I have a big mouth and I'm very comfortable with public speaking).


Here's the link to the newsletter:

http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ac827af58e3e8f83db208049c&id=8130545061&e=4302b3fe6b

If you'd like to join the mailing list for future newsletters, email: admin@southvillewriters.com


My fourth action  has been scheduling lots of social media posts to promote the event. If you're in Bristol and would like to come along, the event is free but booking is essential - book here: http://www.foyles.co.uk/Public/Events/Detail.aspx?eventId=2383

My fifth action has been receiving a great guest blog post from a fellow Bristol Writer, Anita MacCallum. I've inserted images etc into her post and it will be published on Wednesday.

I've been looking forward to this one - Anita's quirky creativity is infectious and she always gives me a fresh outlook on things. So thank you Anita, you're a legend - watch this space to read Anita's post...

My sixth action is to put a call out to other writers:

Would anyone like to add their name to my growing list of awesome writers who've contributed to this tips and ideas blog?

Calling all writers: Do you have some great marketing tips or general advice to share with other writers? 

I enjoy connecting with other writers and look for posts of 500 - 1000 words .

If you have something to contribute email me: amy@tomcatdesigns.co.uk
 

My seventh action has been a new piece of writing...

Following the great advice from Donna last week - it's important for writers to strike a balance between marketing and writing:

I've written another short story.

I wrote a short story recently about the hero of my books, Tom Sheridan - Interview with an Agent

This time, I've written about the heroine of my books, Dr Sasha Blake - 'I Met Someone'.

I'm going to publish it soon, so look out for it.


A bonus action: 

"No writing is ever wasted..."

I had some feedback from the writers critique group on 'Interview with an Agent' and have some changes to make. I'll get some feedback on 'I Met Someone' too and update that. I plan to put both short stories into a promotional booklet that I've been thinking about printing to give to people who would like to see samples of my work. I'll let you know how the idea progresses.

What marketing actions have worked 

for you this week?

Where in the world is Wiveliscombe, and other marketing stories

This week for my

Operation Author: 365 Actions to Becoming  A successful Author

I've been out and about in my home county of Somerset.

My first action was being invited to be interviewed on 10 Radio - A community Radio station in the village of Wiveliscombe in Somerset, just a couple of miles form the small town of Wellington in Somerset, where I grew up.

Suzie Grogan contacted me through Facebook and we set it up. Suzi is a fellow writer, here's her blog: http://nowrigglingoutofwriting.wordpress.com/

She writes non-fiction and has a new book coming out late this year. Shell Shocked Britain; exploring the issues around mental health and the First World War, more details here: http://www.suziegrogan.co.uk/.

A future action will be to write a guest blog for her No More Wriggling out of Writing blog.

While I was in the area, my next action was to put some mini manuscripts and some postcards about Solomon's Secrets around Wiveliscombe and in a few other places on my journey back up to Bristol

Another action is that Suzie is going to write a review of the second edition of The Bronze Box on her blog and I've offered to review her book too when it comes out.

Suzie has also invited me to the launch in Bristol which is in my diary. I'll look forward to seeing her again at that event. 

Speaking of The Bronze Box, another action this week was that I finished proofreading the paperback version and relaunched the 2nd edition. The first edition is now out of print, so anyone lucky enough to have picked up the first edition (in all it's rawness!), hang on to it - when I'm the next JK Rowling it may be worth some money! 



Another action was to get some postcards printed. 
  
I used a local printer in Bristol, Sebright. They were good value, I could go and speak to a human and support a local business. The problem with some of the online printers is, although initially they seem cheap, once you start adding your own images and including postage and packing the cost soon increases and then you get daily spam emails trying to sell you more products.

I always enjoy connecting and supporting other writers and in October Southville Writers are hosting a Books Are My Bag event with Bristol Women Writers at Foyles. 

 
Another action this week as to produce a special newsletter calling for writers in the network to get involved.













Another action is that I wrote an Amazon review for a fellow writer and friend of mine, Nicola Sellars, who's debut novel, Colour Me In came out earlier this year.

Nicki and I meet regularly for lunch and I think of it as an opportunity for us to mentor each other. We bounce ideas off each other and share some inspiration. This kind of informal arrangement with someone like minded is a really useful way to stay motivated and fresh.

Bonus 8th action this week.

I like to engage in conversations with people on twitter and connected with Jono Young. I asked what tip he would offer for marketing what you do and here was his response:

 

Thanks for contributing, Jono.

Have you got a marketing tip you'd like to offer to other creatives?