writing – Page 50 – Jean's Writing

Did you learn to blog the hard way too?

Published on January 5, 2016January 4, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Well, I did.

But maybe you had this blog thing all figured out from the very beginning. Not me, I flopped and dangled like a fish on a hook for a couple of years. Yes, years before I found my footing.

I found my way by reading other websites.

Some good, some not so good, and some, well no way did I have that kind of time, but anyway I managed to find something to help me as I stumbled along my way.

First let me say, I’m a writer that blogs. Not a professional blogger.

There is a difference. When I started out I didn’t know there was such a thing as a professional blogger.

I don’t strive to have a 100,000 followers and a bazillion sponsors at Jean’s Writing. Wait I take that back, 100k followers would be okay. But I’d rather write a few good books first. How’s that for clearing up muddy water?

However, I do wish I’d understood all that is involved and required to have a good blog. I admire bloggers and all the work that goes into producing great blogs. The time and creativity to produce day after day good information for their readers is nothing short of amazing.

So to start the New Year off right, here are some tips from my go to blogger JANICE WALD I wish I’d read them in the very beginning. I hope y’all get a gold nugget out of them to make your blogging more successful in 2016.

Happy New Year and happy blogging.

7 Tips I Wish I Knew When I Started Blogging

How to Immediately Make Your Blog Posts Go Viral

How to Find a Wealth of Free Stock Photos

BY JANICE WALD

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

What do you think comes first?

Published on January 4, 2016January 2, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell22 Comments

The chicken or the egg?

So what is a writer to do?

Kari Stevenson wrote over at BookFuel.com just why Book Reviews Are Important

She said, “Simply put, if I can’t find a review for a book there is a 99% chance I will not purchase it.” Click on the above link and read why she says as a librarian good reviews are a must have.

First and foremost begin early!

As I mentioned in my last post I failed to market my book before it was published. I didn’t seek reviews before publication. Seek out professional organizations and authors in your genre that might be willing to read your book. But, begin at least 2 months before the launch date. Don’t make my mistakes.

So how to get a review?

Ask your friends to buy and read your book.
Ask them to give an honest review.
Pray, hope, rub your lucky charm for a good review.
Repeat steps 1-3.

Yes, it’s a lot of work. I know, believe me. But I’ve not landed an agent to do the work for me, nor have I the money to hire a marketing agency so I’m plodding along.

Anyone have any good ideas out there for obtaining more reader reviews please share them! We would all love to know your secret.

Additional Reading Tips for Finding Reviewers

Make a list and check it twice.

How to Get Reviews For Your Book (Without Begging, Bribing or Resorting to Subterfuge) by Kimberley Grabas

Tim Grahl give you a form email to help.

HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR BOOK WITH AT LEAST 25+ AMAZON REVIEWS by Tim Grahl

What to say in a book review.

How To Get More Amazon Book Reviews By Jonathan Gunson

Amazon Reviewer Guidelines

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Publishing mistakes I made this year

Published on December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell21 Comments

First, let me say my mistakes were expensive.

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Now that I’ve got that off my chest I’ll try to share something constructive.

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I rushed the process.

Those who know me, stop snickering. I’ll admit patience is a problem for me sometimes. But after working on the same project over and over and over and over until I was sick of it and ready to put that baby to bed. I ended up submitting it three times due to errors found in the proof copy.

I didn’t understand the IngramSpark process before I started.

That turned out to be a very costly mistake. They use different templates than Createspace and well, everything is different. I’d read it was the easiest and cheapest self-publishing platform to use and it was.

So if you are looking for a step by step way to get a book self-published with little cost Createspace is the way to go.

I didn’t submit Tryouts for Ben to reviewers before publication.

This is something I didn’t realize. I know ignorance is no excuse, but it’s all I’ve got. Apparently many, not all but many reviewers want an advance copy of the book before it is released to the public. Go figure. In the link below Kristen Lamb explains how very important reviews are for writers, click and read. Review are our life blood.

When doing a book with illustrations or pictures use a heavier paper.

I’d read the suggestion somewhere by someone, don’t remember who or where but unfortunately didn’t. A mistake. The finished product, especially with the IngramSparks book would’ve looked much more polished.

I didn’t ask questions.

When in doubt, ask. That’s what the help line is for. The people at IngramSparks were very helpful. I should’ve called them sooner. Would’ve saved me $$$ and a lot of frustration.

Self-publishing a book without knowing anything about marketing.

And I still don’t have the vaguest idea how or where to start.

Did I learn anything? Yes.

I will probably make several mistakes but I do hope not the same ones.
Createspace is quicker, cheaper and easier than IngramSpark. However, I will continue to publish on both.
Ask questions!

How about y’all? Which platform do you use to self-publish? What has been your experience? I’d love to know.

The Ugly Truth of Publishing & How BEST to Support Writers by Kristen Lamb

Self-Publishing and Living the LLC Dream by Scott De Buitléir

How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book? 4 Authors Share Their Numbers by Dana Sitar

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

Have a safe and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing a better New Year for the survivors

Published on December 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

For the last few days my emotions have been all over the place. Joy, fear, exhilaration, terror, happiness, sadness, relief, gratitude, has bounced around like a ping-pong ball on the new table we gave the grandkids for Christmas.

Why all these emotions?

In the midst of enjoying an amazing holiday, filled with grandkids, good food, gifts that left me stunned at the generosity of my family, and emailing ideas to the illustrator for a new project, tornadoes ripped through our area.

Two of our children were driving through the storm, two children with two grandkids were at their home a few miles away.

Here at our house, Phil, myself, three grandkids and one dog huddled in a closet as tornado sirens wailed in the night.

After the all clear, we left the closet, relieved the tornado had passed over our house and thrilled to receive texts that everyone else was safe.

Next morning, we watched the news stunned at the devastation. According to the weather service an EF4 tornado — which is the second-most powerful with winds over 200 mph — struck Rowlett, Texas, just minutes from where I live. Relief and sadness flooded me as I watched the news reports.

9 tornados, 11 dead!

Still If felt a distance from the destruction until I received a reply from my earlier email.

Ashley Bauer, the artist who illustrated my first children’s book Tryouts for Ben and is collaborating with me on my newest project lives in Rowlett.

Evacuated from her apartment, Ashley apologized because the illustrations might be delayed. Displaced from her home in the midst of the second deadliest storm in Texas history, she’s worried about my little book! Wow! I assured her that should be way down on her priority list at the moment.

The storm cloud that held that enormous tornado passed over my little town, and dropped from the sky hitting Ashley’s apartment complex. She explained her building was not destroyed, but the building next to hers along with the management office was destroyed. I believe she used the word flattened.

I’ve had a stomach ache ever since I received her email. I’m so glad she’s and her family are safe.

The tornado came so close to us. The enormity of our escape hit me. There but for the grace of God, luck of the Irish, a toss of the coin, luck of the draw, or whichever ideology you subscribe I realize my family was very fortunate. But as relieved and grateful as I am for us, I’m also saddened for the loss suffered by my neighbors.

Time to finish gathering things for the donation drive. The families effected need everything. And then I’m going to go hug my kids!

So when you ring in the New Year, remember the families who need good things to happen and let’s wish them all the best that 2016 can bring.

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.