Finding readers

[Raven Corinn Carluk]

So, this is mostly directed to my fellow authors, but I'm sure everyone has some hints here.

I'm an author.  I have a vampire romance called All Hallows Blood that is getting some great reviews, but still not a lot of readers.  I just self-published a collection of short stories, and it's still kind of languishing.  But after the frenzy I went into when my novel came out, I'm not putting myself through that again.

I'm looking to be smarter about all this.

What are some ways you've gotten readers?  How have you reached out to people, and how have you found out where readers of your genre are?

Thanks all

Raven Corinn Carluk
RavenCorinnCarluk.Blogspot.Com

[Michelle-IPBR]

I'm a reader only, not a writer, so offering suggestions from that perspective.

You should consider (if you haven't already done this) putting your book up on LibraryThing and Goodreads giveaway programs. Winners are supposed to do a review but it is not guaranteed. However, even if they don't it gets your book under a spotlight. As a reader I have found several new to me authors from browsing the list of books being offered. Many have gone on my wish/watch list and if you get a few reviews out of it, even better ;)

I would also suggest you work on soliciting reviews. I have seen some total newbie authors with no or few reviews suddenly have consistently growing review numbers at Amazon, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc. because they are working those review blogs! You are lucky because there are many, many review blogs for PNR.

Speaking of goodreads, work it baby! I think the first 5 or 6 "friends requests" I had when I first joined were authors who saw that I read books in their genre so they sent me a friend request. I love finding new authors this way and I especially like it when they are active on goodreads so I can see what they read and review. One of them I now have read several of her books and plan to keep reading. I may never have found her if she didn't friend me. Use all the features available at GR to help promote your books like the Listopia lists, the giveaways, the forums, friends...

Anything that gets your book and yourself out there so it catches someone's eye is good. Putting links to your blog and book info in your signatures and make a presence on line. Visit forums appropriate to your book, but don't just plug and run, be sure to participate occasionally.

Is your short story collection self-published? If so, consider putting it on Smashwords too for us non-Kindle users!

[Tracee]

First let me say I would LOVE the opportunity to review your book/books if you are ever looking for people. I own a site called Review From Here where I review books and products. I also am a Virtual Book Tour Coordinator and they really can help spread the word about a book and author. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at tgleichner(at)live(dot)com. Good luck!

[Virginia Lenneville]

You might consider getting a list of the regional bookstores (there are regional booksellers associations) and contacting them with excerpts of your work.

[Valda De Dieu]

Go to scribd.com and sell your books in the store there. You can set your price and your preview limit. I had 2000 reads in just 15 days. You can promote your book with a few clicks. Scribd has 60,000,000 members.

To see how my books are doing: Http://www.scribd.com/ValdaDeDieu and http://www,scribd.com/XemaGold
BARNES AND NOBLE http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=Val...

All the best. If you're really committed to writing, you'll do fine. ebooks are making it easier than ever for authors to find their niche.

Valda