#amwriting – Page 115 – Jean's Writing

Where to find your audience

Published on September 8, 2015September 5, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

Ever heard of Wattpad?

Need more feedback, a wider audience, help with your idea?

Feedback

Have a book that needs more exposure?

Check out Wattpad!

Wattpad boasts the website is “Story Telling Redefined.”

Thousands of stories are uploaded every day. There is something for everyone.

I’m just starting to venture onto the website. It is a fascinating place to try out your book, story or ideas. People around the world log on, read and vote for favorites. I must admit, I’m a little intimidated with this site, but I’m now scoping it out because:

Stories are free to read and post. They can be read anywhere, anytime, and on any device.

With 100 Million stories, 40 Million Wattpadders, and 11 Billion (yes with a B) minutes spent on Wattpad every month.

In addition, there are:

Now that is an outreach and a half!

Over at David Farland’s Writing Tips website he posted a guest article by Sarah Benson on how she hit #1 on Wattpad

Everything you need to know to get started—and get rockin’—on Wattpad.

So are you ready to be a Wattpadder?

You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.

Thank you!

If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

How to grab readers!

Published on September 7, 2015June 13, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

With a great book blurb on your back cover!

reading bed I don’t know about y’all, but I read the back cover before I buy a book. If I’m downloading an ebook I read the excerpt too. What do you read before a book purchase?

Last week I posted links for those of you out there getting close to publishing.

The following article is a great follow-up.

I got more from the article than just writing a good back cover blurb. The way Christine Frazier deconstructed the back covers of a couple of best sellers gave me tips on how to write an elevator pitch too.

The book blurb is broken down with an index card style that makes doing your own a breeze. She makes weaving in the hook and back story simple breaking it down into sentences and word count.

Christine then goes a step further with the help of a brave volunteer and adds a spreadsheet for everyone to use. I know I will. This article and spreadsheet will go hang out in my research file.

There is a ton of information! Head over and read…

How to Deconstruct Back Cover Copy to Write Your Own Blurb by Christine Frazier

You’ve made it this far, let me know what you think. So please give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.

Thank you!

If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Are you almost ready?

Published on September 5, 2015September 5, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell19 Comments

To publish that book!

Where to go, what to do and how!

The questions are many, but hopefully these two experienced writers can help us all figure out the maze of self-publishing.

I’m playing with Createspace and trying to familiarize myself with the process. It can be intimidating, at least for this newbie.

However, after reading the step by step instructions provided by by Bryan Hutchinson over at Postive Writer, I feel a lot better. Bryan was kind with a quick response to my question too.

How to Publish a Paperback Book for FREE Using Createspace by Bryan Hutchinson

I wanted to know if I should use Ingram Spark in addition to Createspace. He suggested I publish everywhere, including Ingram Spark and even Nook Press.

From all I’ve read Ingram Spark is a must to get into stores. Still a bit confused, I was thrilled to open the following post by Jen Lang. She wrote a follow-up piece to article on How to Use CreateSpace and IngramSpark Together by Karen Myers.

Book Production: More Tips on Using CreateSpace and Ingram Spark Together by Jen Lang

Not that’s what I call Kismit.

Maybe you’re not ready yet to pull this trigger, but I think it’s important to be ready for that big day. So curl up on this long weekend and read these amazing articles. You’ll be glad you did.

After all luck is when preparation meets opportunity. (Something like that.)

Hope you learn as much as I did from the two articles and soon we all will say, “Published.”

You’ve made it this far so let me know what you think, and then give me just two more seconds. Hit Facebook and Twitter and share.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Do you want to connect with writers’ groups?

Published on September 4, 2015September 2, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

There are a lot of good groups on Facebook.

Keeping up with the helpful groups is so important. I can’t tell you how much I learn from other writers and groups such as the one Kelly Gurnett was so kind to put together in one place. A quick reference such as this can lead you to just the right nugget of information.

Take a look and see if you can find a group to will encourage and enhance your writing efforts. As she states this list was compiled by writers who said they could not live without these groups.

You’ll find everything from a writers life community, Kindle publishing, and my favorite, a call for submissions. With this FB Group you’ll never run out of places to send your writing.