Nogard

Something like this will becoming to a children's book near you. (This is borrowed but you get the idea)

Closets, Blues and Inkspokes

Yes! It does pay to get out there and push those buttons on Facebook and on Twitter.  My blog started as a Journey...a New Journey. Well, this Journey of being an indie author just went platinum for me.  I am one of many featured authors on the literary ezine, Inkspoks.  Amazing group of people setting out to help indie authors connect with others, as well as aiding in their marketing.  colorful, fun, full of information, just waiting for you to start pressing those buttons!

HTTP://www.inkspokes.com/inkspokes-select-books/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willy-Robbins/503637473069165

http://amzn.to/1w6PUQf  ebook In My Closet

http://amzn.to/1J19COk brooding amazon link 

Art Walk with an Author's Twist

A friend of mine had a great idea to blog about my experience at a recent book signing. My blog is a story in progress about my  journeys as a fledgling writer. What I learned last night...

1. Downtown Springfield, Missouri is a work in progress.

2. The Park Central Library crew are gracious, caring and from what I could tell patient.

3.  Homeless people love to talk to authors about their books. Each one of the less fortunate that stopped gave me encouragement.

4. Just because you can't read, doesn't mean you are not curious. A lady stopped and although she couldn't read, asked about each book. Then she explained her ADD and was real involved in the story and just as she hooked me...squirrel.

5. Children's picture books are not high on the list of sale priorities downtown, but the candy, ink pens, and other bling are invaluable.

6. Many people write, and were interested in our ORA writing group...well, they took a card anyway. I hope to see them nonetheless.

7. A retired member of our group does not have time to write because she is addicted to WarCraft, thanks to her Navy son, whom she plays with online while he is away. Tee hee.

8. An indecisive man could not choose who to give the homemade bag of chicken feed (give a ways for Brooding School Blues) to his ex-wife or his current girl friend. I am unsure of the cause of confusion, but seemed to have settled it before he left the library.

9. Glass blowing is a popular art walk table.

10. There are a lot of people that need 50 cents from me. 

11. Some women gathered a group for equal nip rights, and showed off their pasties two doors down from our signing...no wonder my sales were a bit off. 

12. I will continue to do odd signings, if for nothing else I get great writing ideas. 

13. Pasties are 5 for a dollar...um, you do the Math. 

14. The only pasty for this writer.

Don't forget to check out my new release Brooding School Blues. http://amzn.to/1J19COk

If you have missed my first book. It's a keeper too...http://amzn.to/1w6PUQf

Like me on FB would love ya for it! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willy-Robbins/503637473069165

Extra! Extra! Read The Rescued Heart By Author Tierney James

Meet the hot new author on the scene...Tierney James. Read on to learn about Tierney and her writing process.  Tierney is an inspiration to all aspiring authors.  She has a passion for writing and I am pleased to introduce you to her.  If you are already aware of her awesomeness, leave a comment and tell her!

Can you tell us a little about you?

My upbringing took place in a steel town. I lived behind the mill where it was very dirty. The sky most of time was more of a gray than blue. Sometimes you’d find mercury flakes on your car in the morning. When I walked to school at six years old, I had to walk by boarded up houses. Rats would run through the grass as you passed. I can’t believe my mother let me do that. It was a different time. From an early age I learn to create stories in my head. Writing was a natural extension of that imagination.

What do you do when you are not writing?

It seems as if I’m on the road a great deal. Between visiting my parents in St. Louis and my children in Tulsa I put a lot of miles on my car. Gardening is near and dear to me as is reading and watching movies. But honestly I spend the bulk of my time in front of the computer.

Where do you get your ideas?

Sometimes it’s a YouTube video I see. My third book in the Enigma Series started after I saw a picture in National Geographic. A current work in progress began when my husband heard a story on NPR about the history of a piece of classical music. I was so intrigued that after some research and a trip to Union Station, St. Louis I had a story. Other times it’s from my travel and educational adventures from everything to traveling Scotland to attending Space Camp for Educators.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I’m more of an outline writer. When I say that I mean I write ideas, characters, plot ideas into a notebook. I usually write how I want the story to begin and end. When I get stuck I go back to the notebook and write possible things that can move the story forward.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

Probably the biggest challenge was learning how to market my book. I knew nothing. In the last couple of years I’ve learned a lot by reading books on the subject, talking to other writers and participating in their book launch events. Even now that I have a wealth of knowledge it’s still difficult finding the time to promote myself.

How did you come up with the title of The Rescued Heart?

I used to live in a mining community. Mine rescue teams are a part of that life. When there are accidents in the mine they go in to save the day. This romantic suspense involves several disasters where the team is needed. The second in the Enigma Series The Winds of Deception comes out in June. A hurricane is barreling toward Washington D.C. and to complicate things a threat has been made on the president’s life.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Never give up! Believe in yourself and your work. Join a local writing and critique group. Go to writing conferences. Read. Read. Read.

Social Media:

http://www.facebook.com/TierneyJamesAction

http://www.ptierneyjames.blogspot.com

Twitter: @TierneyJames1

Side note...An Unlikely Hero is one of my FAVORITES!

 

The Incredible Vanishing Act of the "Like"

I was thankful to get a friend of a friend to set me up with a FB group, like for a like. Incredible results. I am deeply greatful, as in this world of self-pub, a following is what is necessary to get your name and books out there for that sale.

I reached a goal for likes and was incredibly excited at the thumbs up just rolling in! I, was busy returning the like, as that is the purpose of the site. So stoked that I invited a few other Indy authors to participate. The pings were incredible. A busy, busy time...for two or three days. Then...

My likes began to deminish, instead of gaining ground, I started losing ground. Wow, can you believe some fellow authors unlike you as soon as you like them, just to get your like? I was floored. That type of thought never entered my mind. In a devious voice, " I will post on this page and fake likes so I get the gain. Mwahhahah". Really folks? 

In some defense, I am sure once some of these authors viewed the pages and thought hmm not for me. But, in this type of group, you should have known there would be likes you didn't perhaps expect, but me, being fairly logical thought, well, support is support. Then, I got unsupported 75 times. Well,

Let it be known that I did not go and check my list twice, and compare my page of likes to see who unliked me, you still have my like. You will continue to have it, as I am proud to support fellow authors. Even though you are on Santa's naughty list...he checks his list twice.

To everyone out there struggling to get your books sold and your words read...Have a Happy Holiday!

Your Likeable Friend,

Willy

Blogging From The Heart

Dani K. Lamb asked me to join the Blogging from the Heart “tour”, and being the great new E friend that I am...I gladly accepted.  Dani is a wonderful new author to the Indy world. Her work can be found on Amazon.  She recently updated her illustrations, and has created a bright star with her Dani P. Mysteries.                                                     

Visit her blog at  http://www.authorklamb.blogspot.com. Also like her facebook page at www.dannipmystery.com

I know, I know the same ol’ questions come around during these blog hops, but if you really do want to get to know someone, really read them...each time...bet cha’ there is a new work in progress, release date or a change in the latitude and longitude of the what or how they write.

What I am working on?

I am always working on something.  Lately it seems that I am working on a circular path, as I keep wandering in circles trying to get to the next step in a new children’s book concept.  Well, the concept is not new, I mean we were all afraid to go to school at one time or another. However, the chicks in this book...well, let’s just say that they are afraid of Brooding School.(get it?)  I am done with my part...just waiting on those elusive illustrations...I hope you will be as excited as me to get a peek at them.

How does my work differ from others?

That is an easy question to answer. I am a writing genius. Was just seeing if you were paying attention or not.  If you went by sales, my work differs in that well, let’s just say a marketing plan might not be a bad idea.  However, I guess I would have to say no major differences, just a matter of style...simplicity and sweetness is what I do.  I have to assume that every writer of children’s books are writing with a passion for kids.  I know that when I put pen to paper, or fingers to a keyboard, that what I am writing has been in a passionate vault waiting for something special to trigger the lock and let the words flow.  

Why do I write?

The pure joy of it.  There are millions upon millions of words and thoughts that bang around in my brain.  If you looked in there and could actually see the workings, it may just frighten even the sturdiest of folk.  But, man, once it gets to a point where not one more synapse will fire, my pen starts working.  I don’t know, it just feels good to write.

What is my writing process?

My process usually involves hearing a story, or wondering about something for a long time, then jotting it all down.  I come up with characters in my mind about who solves what or does what in the story.  A spark will ignite something I have had in my mind for a while, and a story will unfold.

As always, you can like my author page at On.Fb.me/VW1Rsq. Follow me on twitter @robbinswilly, and last but not least visit Amazon to pick up your copy of my sweet picture book “In My Closet”. Amzn.to/1qV6Jac

Where do you need to go next?  Well, visit anytime at some of the following blogs of some great authors:

Lisa Medley and her grim reapers at http://lisa-medley.com/

Tierney James and her Unlikely Heros at www.ptierneyjames.blogspot.com

Meaghan Fisher and all of her lovely friends at www.meaghanfisher.com

Cat Michaels for her books for the young and young at heart www.catmichaelswriter.com

To Market To Market...

I researched, looked, surfed and pondered the marketing world in self publishing. There are already some great blogs, how-to sites, about.com sites that talk about the world of Indy marketing that anything I could say would seem trite. However, the top commonality is this one thing...

1.  Believe in your book. 

If you believe in your book and your words, then you already have a head start on the competition who is under a contract with a publishing company. You are under contract with your self. You know it's a great product, a reflection of you, so all that social media, finding your own venues for signings, submitting and spending your own money for awards or reviews, are part of the game. Guess what? It will work. Keep it up! Nose to your personal grindstone! Top seller list here you come!

This is a short little blog, but believe me when I say I spent hours reading other sites.

Here are a few that I read that may be of interest to you.

www.thebookdesigner.com/marketing-your-book/

www.writersstore.com/15-do-it-yourself-tools-to-promote-your-book/

www.publishersweekly.com › Home › Authors › PW Select

The book I believe in 

Amzn.to/1qV6JaC