Leave a trail with this freebie

Want to know how to leave a cyber trail leading to your website?

Pixabay Image
Pixabay Image

Do you ever worry after leaving a comment, readers on that blog can’t find you?

Here are the shortcuts I use to leave a trail to Jean’s Writing.

Just replace my information with yours.

@jeancogdell at <a href=”http://jeanswriting.com“>Jean’s Writing</a>

(Will show up as @jeancogdell at Jean’s Writing)

<a href=”http://jeanswriting.com“>Jean’s Writing</a>

(Will show up as Jean’s Writing)

You may have to play with it a bit to get yours just like you want, but then when you leave a comment, simply paste it to leave a link to your website.

Now go forth and comment! Make those social connections. But whatever you do, keep writing.

Got any shortcuts you use? I’d love to hear what kind of shortcuts you use to make blogging easier.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Together we can learn the latest writing tips, and join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you want to make a killer cover?

I sure do, those are the ones that sale.

A killer cover, gets the shopper to click and hopefully buy.

English: A Picture of a eBook Español: Foto de...
Photo credit Wikipedia

But that means the cover must look great in a 1 inch square.

If you follow my blog, you already know I’m working on publishing a children’s book.

You’ve listened to me bitch, moan, complain and crow (just a little) about the process. As I get down to the wire, making my cover work for an ebook and a print book.

Seems one size does not fit all.

I know I can’t be the only one struggling with this dilemma. So I thought y’all might be interested in some of the stuff I’ve uncovered in my research.

Turns out there is a lot out there on making a book cover pop.

According to Derek Murphy over at Creative Indie Covers, the “main thing about the cover has to be the images; the text just needs to be built INTO the picture in a subtle or complimentary manner.” Click here to read the rest of his article.

In another post, Mr. Murphy explains just what is important. He reminds us that people aren’t going to squint to read the title. “The thumbnail should look clean and professionally designed. It should be balanced with complimentary colors and nice spacing between elements. And if possible (difficult as a thumbnail) it should be eye-catching and evoke an emotional response (surprise, lust, interest, humor…)” Click and read…

The most important thing about your book cover thumbnail

Canva.com now has a template for ebook design. I found this very helpful in moving text, pictures around for my cover. Canva enables you to mix and match different art and photos. Go to Canva and have some fun playing with your cover.

LiberWriter.com gives an abundance of good advice for your cover. “First of all, a “cover” for a Kindle book really isn’t a cover at all.  It’s a flat image that will be displayed on various web pages – most likely as a thumbnail, but also in a larger format if the user wants to have a look.  For print books, not only does the front of the cover have to be good, but the back must be designed correctly too, with a catchy quote or blurb that captures the reader’s attention and makes them want to spend more time with the book.  On the web, none of this happens: readers who want to know more click on your book, and an Amazon page pops up with all kinds of information about the book: blurbs, author bio, reviews, and so on.  This information takes the place of the back cover.” To read the entire article click on…

Kindle Book “Covers” – What You Should Know

The Five Secrets to a Killer eBook Cover

So, fancy or plain, the main thing I got from all of these articles is that my book cover thumbnail needs to pop. The title needs to be readable, and the picture should draw the shopper’s eye.

If the shopper doesn’t click on my thumbnail, odds are I’ve lost a sale.

I hope these tips help you. Me? I’m more confused than ever.

Any of y’all have some good advice for making a great thumbnail cover? Please share.

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!

 

Do you like to talk?

Well, now you can talk your book, short story or blog into existence.

Doing a happy dance!

I’ve discovered Google Voice!

Okay, maybe I’m a little late to the dance, no teasing out there, but I think this is so cool. Now I can talk to my computer and watch as it types on my screen.

Plus it’s FREE!

I love free stuff!

I’ve never been very good at dictation, even in the olden days of hand-held dictaphone. But this is one more tool in my ever-growing writing arsenal.

As a person who deals with chronic pain, there are days when typing is just not possible. But, I can always talk. LOL

So I plan on learning to use this program more effectively.

Check out Google Docs Voice and see if it’s something you might want to add to your writing tool box.

Do you use a voice command program to dictate your writing? If so, which one?

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!

Are you ready to pitch?

WOMEN’S FICTION PITCH SESSION

Hosted by the Women’s Fiction Writers Association

Do you have a manuscript, but don’t know what to do next?

Spit shine your story pitch until it gleams and then head over to WFWA’s Pitch Session.

Wednesday, September 9th, when for a full 24 hours 12:00 am–11.59 Pacific you can put your story out there. (That’s a 3:00 am start time for all you East Coasters, but don’t lose sleep over it. You’ll have all day Wednesday to send in your pitch.)

There’s no registration required and no fee!

WFWA members can pitch their women’s fiction by posting the title, total word count, sub-genre (for example, upmarket women’s fiction or women’s fiction with magical realism), a 50-word pitch and the first 250 words of the manuscript. There’s only one entry per member.

Participating agents will review the posts and respond to those they would like to see more of.

Go to the WFWA’s website for more information and a list of agents. It’s quite impressive.

Please click on the Facebook and Twitter links to pass my post on to your friends.
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or https://www.facebook.com/jean.cogdell