Jean M. Cogdell

What are the steps to a successful new beginning?

Published on May 3, 2016May 2, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Well, to tell the truth, I’m not sure myself.

But, each new book is a new beginning. A new story to launch. A new child to send into the cold cruel world. Buckle her seat belt and blast her off into the web outer space?

blastoff

I know absolutely nothing about marketing. Nothing. But then, I knew nothing about writing a blog much less a book when I started this crazy idea.

The idea of writing and publishing a children’s book was the last thing on my list of things to do and now I’ve finished two. Even with good reviews, sales aren’t filling my bank account to overflowing. At least not yet.

Yet the more I read about marketing and selling my books the less I understand. I’m on a mission to improve my knowledge about the flip side of being an author, selling what you write.

Now that the launch is almost here for “A Most Reluctant Princess,” I’ve made a list of what I need to do.

Update author bio

Check you bio, I was shocked to realize mine needed a lot of work. Maybe you’re like me and yours just doesn’t work for your current WIP.

Set a launch date

Even if you are unsure of an exact day, as I am, set a general day. For me, I’m shooting for May, 21st. Fingers crossed.

Develop a tagline

Done: “Imagination is fun.”

Develop a good book description for the back cover.

Done and off to the printer.

Secure book reviews

Decide on a target audience

Link you book to trending topics – Google it

Update email signature to include new book release

Book trailer?

I’m not sure about this one.

Half way there and a bit nervous. I’m hoping that you’ll give me a hand and together maybe we can learn the tips and tricks of the trade.

Help me, let’s figure out the next steps together!

Do you have another tip to add to my list?

What else do you think I need to do before launch?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

Keep reading great links at the bottom of the page!

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

How to Create a Rock-Solid Tagline That Truly Works by JAMES CHARTRAND

50 (AND MORE) WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR BOOK

71 Ways to Promote and Market Your Book by Kimberley Grabas

Do you feel lost and unsure what to do next?

Published on May 2, 2016May 1, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Happens to me every time I finish a big project!

Like the A-Z Challenge that just wrapped up on April 30th.

Nothing to do but wait as I sit biting my nails and waiting for my proof from IngramSpark. I hate waiting. Now, I know what you’re gonna say– start something new and start it fast. But, I’m tired. Aren’t you?

Reading blogs, commenting, posting, writing and pushing toward a deadline is exhausting. Part of me wants to open a carton of ice cream, turn on NetFlix and veg.

But no rest for the wicked. So, here I am typing away and trying to motivate myself to move forward on another project.

What are you going to start now that the A-Z Challenge has ended?

Back to blogging or have you started a new manuscript?

I’d love to hear about your latest WIP, do tell!

If you’re going to be in my neck of North Texas, be sure, stop by the Sachse Library and say hello at the Author Con on May 21st.

Author Con Flyer

In the meantime, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Still writing – Drawing Room Days

Do you know how to write like no one cares?

Published on April 30, 2016April 30, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

Like no one will read what you write?

Continuing on with the A-Z Challenge:

W= Write

I know, I know that is easier said than done. But if you can pretend for just a little while and write whatever the hell you want I think the results might surprise you.

Writing the draft sets the writer free. Later during the editing and rewrite process comes the time to cut and care.

This past year I finished a second children’s book and learned:

Pull up those big girl panties and write whatever the hell you want, because no one cares as much as you do.
Writing is hard if it were easy everyone would write a Best Selling Novel.
So might as well write whatever you want and forget about Best Seller Lists. Odds are not gonna happen.
Don’t worry about word count, not in the beginning.
Write whatever you want because no one will read and reread it as much as you.
Write whatever you want, but hire an editor.
Editors are a writer’s friend. Never publish without one.
Ditto on Beta Readers.
Don’t torture yourself about your writing. Your family’s got that covered.
Write for the love of writing, not for that first royalty check. Of course, dinner at Mickey D’s is a nice way to spend it.

Well the A to Z Challenge is over, sorry I didn’t make it to the finish. XYZ will have to make it another day. Congratulations to those who bravely persevered.

It was wonderful to meet new people and once again learn new writing tips!

Thanks everyone for stopping by and talking.

The lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Great information ahead!

Better to Be a Mouse With a Backbone, Than a Lion With No Spine: On Writing Voice

What Would Happen If You Wrote Like Nobody’s Reading? By Erin Kurup

Write Like No One Is Reading by Julie Frayn

Blog Like No One is Reading by Grechen Reiter

Write Like No One Is Reading BY: MANAL GHOSAIN –

Do you know how to Vlog?

Published on April 29, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell21 Comments

Continuing on with the A-Z Challenge:

V=Vlogging

I’ve always prided myself on having an open mind. Always ready to learn something new. But for the love of all that is holy! I just don’t know if my brain can hold much more.

Our family used to have a running joke, don’t ask Mom – she doesn’t remember. To which I would respond, “I remember the important stuff. Unimportant stuff, I delete from my mind to make room for new stuff. A person only has so much gray matter.”

Okay, enough ranting. Deep breath and back to the subject at hand.

Vlogging? What the hell is Vlogging?

I’m still struggling with Instagram and Facebook.

And don’t get me started on learning about formatting a book for IngramSpark and CreateSpace. Geeze, bleed area. Picky, picky. Understanding the terms and applying them are two different things.

Now a writer should know how to produce an infomercial about writing or what people are saying about writing or about books or….

A Vlog is, a short, entertaining commercial, that doesn’t look like a commercial. Click to tweet.

It’s all about subtle product placement.

What do you do on a Vlog for 1 to 3 minutes? Anything you want.

Talk, dance, read, go about your day, or write as if no one was watching. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you don’t bore people to death.

In this instant, YouTube generation, they will click on to the next video before you can shout, “Wait.”

Yes, this year, I made room in my ever shrinking brain for something new called a Vlog.

Here’s what I learned.

Vlogs are located on Youtube.
Make your Vlog easy to find. Link it to your blog.
A Vlog should last 1 – 3 minutes.
You and your books are the product in a Vlog.
A Vlog, above all else, must be entertaining.
It is another media to introduce you to your readers.
Like a blog, you must update your Vlogs and post consistently.
Make it fun. If you don’t enjoy watching your video, no one else will.
Last but not least, I learned I’m not ready for Vlogging.

Have you jumped onto the Vlogging social media train?

Do you think Vlogging is a good platform for writers?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.