Jean's Writing

What’s the best way to promote your book?

Published on November 23, 2016November 24, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

My email is filled with Black Friday Ads.

But what about your book? Can it be a Black Friday special?

If you’re like me, we are always looking for ways to promote our books. But, I’m learning marketing a book is harder than writing the dang things.

Some ideas I’m knocking around…

Kindle Unlimited
KDP Free Promotion
Goodreads Giveaway
Library reading
Craft fairs? Hmm, might be a lot of work. But, maybe.

What about you? Any tips to help with book sells?

Have you had success with any special marketing technique?

Keep reading, I’ve got great links at the bottom!

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

50 SURPRISINGLY SIMPLE WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR BOOK by CATHY PRESLAND

From Writing Quietly to Screaming “Buy Me!” — Promoting a Book by Randy Susan Meyers

7 Tips To Help Promote Your First Self-Published Book April 22, 2014 by Joanna Penn

Tips on how to share a post

Published on November 21, 2016November 17, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell24 Comments

Do you like to reblog?

Want more control over your post page?

As the saying goes, “there’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

I’m sure most of you are familiar with the “Reblog” button but I prefer the “Press This” button.

Or what about a Blogspot post? I use the title with a link to the post.

Why? Because I’m a control freak. I like to know what my post will look like once it’s published. Plus I like to control when my post hits the web.

Here’s one of my little videos to explain the process.

So what do you think?

Will this help you share more blog posts, or not?

Any tips or shortcuts you use to reblog?

I’d love to hear from you, let me know how you’re doing! Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

You ever feel the need to slow the hell down?

Published on November 18, 2016July 13, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

Well, I do, but don’t. Sigh…

I should plaster the phrase “Slow Down” in every room of my house! Slow down road sign

Maybe that would help me avoid a lot of problems.

Three weeks ago, I fell into a dark parking lot. I was rushing and not aware of an obstacle in my path. Result, my front teeth were damaged and I’m gonna be out of a butt-load of money.

Last week I released the e-book for my third children’s picture book, A Reluctant Little Prince. Yay, good so far.

Next, release the print version. I was ready, or so I thought. Seemed as if it was taking forever. I wanted to get this thing out before the holidays.

I checked the online proof. Looked for glaring issues like typos and margins. What I didn’t catch, all the pictures were in B&W!

Thank God I decided to wait for a physical proof to arrive before hitting the final publish button.

Now, I’m waiting on Createspace to let me change the set-up. Ugh! If only I’d been a bit more cautious going through the set-up phase, I wouldn’t have to redo the entire thing. If only I’d been a bit more cautious in that dark parking lot, I wouldn’t be looking at thousands of dollars in dental work.

Patience is not one of my virtues.

Okay, enough bellyaching. Deep breaths and work on a new project while I wait for Createspace to help me fix this mistake.

One thing I know for sure, being an Indie is not for the faint of heart.

I’ll let y’all know when the print versions of A Reluctant Little Prince is available.

Interesting links at the bottom. Keep reading.

What about you? Have you made costly publication mistakes?

Did it cost time or dollars?

Or maybe you’re a very patient writer?

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment or

Click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Remember to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

What’s Your Biggest Challenge as an Indie? Open Thread By Angela Quarles

11 Mistakes New Self-Published Authors Make at Just Publishing Advice

7 Completely Stupid eBook Publishing Mistakes by Ryan Hanley

Marketing and Publishing Checklists for Writers by Jane Friedman

How To Publish A Book 101 by Joanna Penn

Help welcome a “Little Prince” and enjoy my video

Published on November 16, 2016November 15, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

He’s here!

A Reluctant Little Prince has arrived in e-book and soon the hard copy will be available.

I did a little promo using PowerPoint. Since this is all very new to me, the video thing, I’ve added reading links at the bottom of this post from other writers. I will probably play around with other programs, when I have time. Best of plans….

I hope y’all enjoy my promo.