I think I need some direction, I seem to be lost/stuck????

[J.T. Brown]

 

Hello Everyone,

I am trying hard to figure out the process of marketing. I always worry about being to pushy and overbearing. I am a little nervous about posting my book everywhere. I try to find suitable places for my work, and trying not be a spam-(er). I am not sure if I am aiming in the right areas. I write for middle grade and young adults, but to market for that age seems impossible.

How does everyone get their books out there without pushing too hard?

This is my work.....What am I doing wrong? Am I missing something???

 

"The Legend of Harper and the Reversing Worlds, Trilogy One"

http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Harper-Reversing-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B004...

-Age Level: 8-12, Grade level 3-up Series: 1

-This children's fantasy fiction book contains no foul language or any adult content of any kind.

Pages: 341 Word Count: 42,848

Harper Grogen has no idea that she is the most powerful creature in Pasmaqon. She knew she was different from many other eleven year olds; maybe a little quirky, but magical was not in her self-description.

Her inquisitive notion drove her to an old tattered book which held a mysterious stone.

Her possession of the stone sent her to a estranged world, which had been hidden under the ocean's fire tornado of “'Reversing Falls.”

Harper quickly realizes she holds the power of Pasmaqon, not knowing that invisible vices had an intense sense of her keeps.

 

"Tide's Ghost of the Reversing Worlds, Trilogy Two, Part I"

http://www.amazon.com/Tides-Reversing-Worlds-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0061...

 

 

-Age Level: 8-up, Grade level 3-up, Series: 2

-This children's fantasy fiction book contains no foul language or any adult content of any kind.

Pages: 249 Word Count: 32,598


A mysterious beast appeared along the shores of Harper’s town, bringing harm to whoever is in the path to Harper’s treasures.
Harper quickly recognizes that the beast was a spell bound leak from Pasmaqon. She soon finds herself back in the magical land to fight a battle that she was indeed prepared for.
The twist of the Reversing worlds, seeks not only Harper, but the true villains of her land above.

"Gypsy's Meadow"

 

http://www.amazon.com/Gypsys-Meadow-ebook/dp/B0076SV24C/ref=tmm_kin...

A horse stands at the corner of the fence as she tells a tale. She shares the stories from her past. The stories of heartbreak, disappointment, and the feeling of finally finding love within her life. She remembered when her life wasn’t as easy as, she struggled to be recognized for who she was. She remembers when a little girl opened her heart and opened up a whole new way of living. She chose her new life, and wants to share it with you; hoping for other horses out there in need, will have a chance to live with love. “Gypsy’s Meadow” is a touching story which tells a tale of other simuliar horses out there that are just plainly looking for a good home. The purpose and mission of this book, is to raise funds for “First Light Farms Equine Shelter”; so other horses can share their “Remember When” and not “Maybe could be.” “Every step we take could be another hoof print left in our hearts.”

My Pages:

http://www.amazon.com/J.T.-Brown/e/B007PWVBUE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_p...

http://www.authorjtbrown.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002256411173

https://twitter.com/#!/Mysticalwriter

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5403130-j-t-brown

http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/JTBrown?xg_source=activity

 

My Youtube Video's:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSSLYYtb17M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YggQlKI2oq4

 

Should I be doing anything different?

I have submitted my work to a few reviewers. Do I look for reviewers or do I wait for the interest?

I have been tinkering with different sites, but having a hard time navigating and finding my way around. I am still in the process of getting to know bookblogs.

Am I missing anything? How in the world, do you get your work out there when self-published?

Maybe a website, offer free signed copies, or mass emails????

I would be more than willing to help out anyone that wants to share their information with me, tather if it is a add or a follower.

I Thank you so much for your time and advise....

Take Care,

Happy Reading and Writing,

 

J.T. Brown

 

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Seek out all the book reviewers you can for Middle grade and YA--make notes and copy addresses that pertain to your genre. This goes for professional review sites and blog book reviewers. Don't wait for them to come to you. Add your books in any sig line that allows it, in forum and writing groups. Take advantage of some of the free press release services online--many of these are admittedly ineffective, but you never know which ones. Periodically announce on FB and Twitter. But by all means, interact with your social communities and try to comment on as many sites as you can. Also, take it from my experience, don't overdue your friendship requests on FB--they shut me down for two weeks for over-extending myself--Ha!

[J.T. Brown]

Thank you so much for your wonderful advise, I will follow it happily. I really appriciate your time in answering my post. Yes, I agree with Facebook, I think close friends and family can only support as much as they can. I don't share any new news on facebook anymore, unless it is about a new book release or about recommended books and inspired blogs. It is tough, but family and friends really don't understand the full work of a writer and that we need a thick patch of skin from the ones that are dear from us, not the ones that we don't know as well. I have desided that I need to focus on my readers and not the ones that don't understand the full just of my work. I think a lot of writers experience this.....or maybe not. :o)

Thank you again,

J.T.

[Robyn Chausse]

Chris is right, you seek the reviews. You might try also try a search for mom-blogs or other children's book sites which may not promote themselves as "reviewers".

Join communities on Twitter and LinkedIn...LinkedIn has a reviewers group.

Promote yourself on Goodreads, Shelfari, etc...

You might, if funds permit, consider a book blog tour. There are plenty of groups offering those these days. WOW organizes them too.

You should have either an author's website or a website for your book...or a Facebook Page for it. If you go with a book blog tour you will probably want to hold a giveaway (or a few) for signed copies.

 

Best,

Robyn

[J.T. Brown]

Hello, Thank you so much for your advise. Mom blogs are a great idea. Where as my books are rated (G-PG) and very clean - no swearing.

I am a mom of young children and are always looking for clean books for my kids. :o) Thanks, it never crossed my mind.

I started working on a website, as well.

Thank you again,

Happy Writing and Reading. :o)

 

[DrDLN]

If you're not on Pinterest yet, you might try. Seems one of the best for marketing.

-----

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” http://amzn.to/dMBLWW       http://pinterest.com/drdln/

[J.T. Brown]

Pinterest, YES!! YES!!! That is a great site. Will do.....Thank you so much!!!!

[Grace]

You can check out the Book Blogger Directory to find book blogs that review books in your genre.  Make sure to look at bloggers' review policies to see if your book fits in with what they read.  Good luck!

_________________________________

Books Without Any Pictures

[J.T. Brown]

Thank you, I have emailed a lot of reviewers today on, Book Blogger. Great information..... I think I am finding the right path now, I thank you so much for your help. :o)

 

[Irina Shapiro]

Hi.  Your books look great.  I know exactly what you mean about appearing too pushy.  I worry about the same thing.  Self-promotion does not come easily to a lot of people.  I have joined some groups pertaining to my genre and have created a website www.irinashapiro.com  and a FB page.  You can try advertising on FB.  It's not very expensive.  I just saw posts about Pinterest and will try that as well.  Good luck.

[J.T. Brown]

Thank you Irina, I love your website. I am in works of getting one up as well. :o) Thank you so much for your advise. I will take it in full stride. :o) Thanks Again, and I wish you luck in your writing as well.

J.T.

[Rae Gee]

Hi!

As well as all the online promotion you can do, have you tried getting your friends involved? Word of mouth can be one of the most powerful promotional tools. :) Get them involved, get them excited, if they ask if there's any jobs they can do, give them something. :) And this doesn't just go for friends that are close by. Get Facebook and Twitter friends involved. Make up some flyers for them to take into libraries, schools, book shops etc. See if you can get into book shops and libraries (and even coffee shops, especially on the weekend!) to do readings. See if there's any events happening that you could attend (we ran a poetry day last year in a tiny town in the heart of England. We were shocked when we had poets from around the country turn up to take part!). Failing that, start one yourself! All you need is a small space and some willing helpers (we've found that bribing them with tea, food etc tends to help).:)

Best o' luck to you! Look forward to hearing how it all goes! :)

[J.T. Brown]

Hello Rae Gee,

Thank you so much for your advise. This sounds terrible, but I don't live in a very supportive area. It is hard to promote to friends and such when they don't really understand "why I am just not happy being ordinary", not that I judge at all, I know everyone has their own way of living. I have reached out to more people in my area though, ones that are more focus in a positive nature. Art, writing, and business oriented people. I have enjoyed reaching outside of the box. I am trying to reach out to others that enjoy the same as I, in hopes that we all can help each other promote businesses, art galleries, and bookstores. After, I finally realized who I am, and what I get the most joy from has really grown my horizons on my outlook of life. It has taken me back, knowing that sometimes you must open your wings and never forget about ones most dear, but not let them hold you back at the same time. "I am rambling" I will take your advise in a large measure and are in plans of donating free copies of my books to school libraries and such. I thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I wish you great luck and success. :o)

J.T.