How To Market Your Writing - The Right Way

Purely for advertising purposes ...

In my attempt to finish my Writing Magazine - October issue (I'm still a month behind!) - I was reading an article which got me thinking, and made me want to blog.  I did have another idea for a blog post, but that can wait for next week, or even tomorrow.

Funnily enough, I didn't get to the end of the article, real life got in the way - the washing up was just nagging to be done! If interested, it's p46-47, Just The Right Cup Of Tea by Rebecca Woodhead.

It's about finding your network niche, and one of the paragraphs, which made me decide to blog said, 'As with all other networks, it is important not to pitch.' Thank you, Rebecca. She continues, 'Rely on what marketer Diane Hochman calls "the nosy gene" to guide people to the blog URL in your profile. In other words, be engaging and make sure your profile has a link to your blog and books. Keep all your sales message to your blog.' 

I don't know about you, but I do follow some on Twitter who really I shouldn't bother with, because all they tweet about is 'Their book available here'. Boring!

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate Twitter (and Facebook and wherever else) is a place to share your excitement if you've got a new book about to be published, etc. Even tell me where you're blogging. I like that. But don't ram your book down my throat. (If I ever do this - once I become a Successful Published Writer - you have permission to slap me!).

Diane Hochman is right. If I like you, find you fun, I go click on the URL and look at your blog, and find out more about your book that way. I'm a writer, I'm naturally nosy. I don't enjoy my wall (on Facebook or Twitter) constantly reminding me of your book and where I can buy it and how much for.

Excuse the dust!

<---- This is the piles of books I have to read already... (some on this shelf are actually my husbands - the Patricia Cornwell's) and there are ones tucked inside the bookshelf standing up I haven't read either. Even targeting myself to read 40 books per year, this pile is still not going down. Plus the book pile I have to read on my Kindle are growing. Seriously, I don't actually have to buy any more books for a year, I've got plenty for next years reading!

The reason I buy more books than I need is usually because the author hasn't actually knocked her book over my head, she's done it by much clever marketing.

n.b. This blog post is not aimed at any of my writing friends, because you don't do this. It is aimed at those 'friends' that won't even read this blog because they've just friended me to plug their book. Harsh, but true.

If you agree, please leave your comments. If you think I am harsh, please comment, too! Does it annoy you, or not?

p.s. I sneaked in picture of Richard Armitage there... he looks better on my Facebook profile than my dusty old bookshelf!

Right, better finish off reading this article now ... and the rest of the magazine.

The Versatile Blogger Award

My blog has been awarded The Versatile Blogger Award by Morton Gray.

Now comes the hard bit of following the rules and providing seven facts about me and recommending fifteen blogs (thus giving them also this award). There maybe some overlap, as Morton and I do read similar blogs.

1) I have two boys (aged nearly seven and four) who I am determined to make into 'model' male human beings, who my future daughter-in-laws will thank me for.

2) As soon as I decided to take my writing more seriously I set myself the target of reading 40 books a year. I achieved this last year, and I'm on my way to achieving it this year. You can see on my Goodreads.

3) I have done NaNoWriMo only the once, in 2006 - the year I started writing! I seem to fail miserably every November it comes around, not really being in a position to start a new story. However it taught me to bash that first draft out no matter what, not looking back!

4)  I love cars, and really want to do rally driving one day. In another life I was a rally driver!

5)  I hate cleaning, yet I can't stand a messy, dirty, untidy house. I walk around with my eyes closed a lot!

6) My family are holding a charity party in November to raise funds for CLIC Sargent, because my sister was diagnosed with Leukaemia last May and they have been brilliant for her. The theme is 'Pink & Quirky'. I have a very pink dress that I need to get into for this party, and I am not allowed to put on any weight between now and then... as it's a tad snug. You may see me referring to The Pink Dress.

7) I am truly, madly, deeply in love with Bradley Cooper - especially after him starring as Face in The A-Team movie - and have used this so I can post a picture of him to liven up my post :D

So now I have to recommend fifteen blogs and by doing so I am awarding them The Versatile Blogger award. I would ordinarily include Morton S Gray in this, but as she awarded me, I can't. However, do pop along to her blog too! There maybe some overlap from Morton's, to which I apologise, but here are (from a very tough choice and I apologise to those I've missed) my fifteen blogs: (in no particular order) 

Rachel Lyndhurst

Becky Black 

Quiller's Place - View From The Shed

Talli Roland

Rachel Brimble

Sue Moorcroft Writes

Liz Fielding

 Kerry J Photography

Tenacious KT

Empty White Pages

Wake up, eat, write, sleep

The Tardis Scribbles

Kiru Taye Writes

Cherie's Rambling Soap Box

The Nut House Scribbles

Book Review: Love and Freedom by Sue Moorcroft

Love & Freedom by Sue Moorcroft

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Once again, I've got to be careful with what I say so I don't give some of the twists away. I would love to discuss this book in depth, but if you haven't read it, and you're going to, I wouldn't want to spoil some of the little surprises in it.


Honor has fled to England and on the first page is rescued by Martyn Mayfair.


I'm a big fan of Sue's books, Starting Over being my favourite, because of the delicious hero in that book. Martyn gives Miles (aka Ratty) a run for his money. The guy is super fit, super hunky and even Honor can't believe her luck! He has his faults, like all men do, but he's got some great qualities too. You will fall in love with this hero, or at least want Honor to.


If you're looking for a light romantic read, with the satisfaction of 'ah' factor happy endings, then this is the book for you.


View all my reviews

34 books read so far this year! 6 more to reach my target. So what next? Something on my Kindle (I've got a collection forming) or reduced my book pile?

Tumblr... Not Mr Tumble

Hmm... Well, I went and created a Tumblr account. My friend, Becky Black, thinks it's always good to grab your name. And it was available, so I did.

I'm not sure what I'll do with it really, have fun over there. Here is writing related stuff, sort of. I like to think that the last seven posts about my party were inspirational material. *coughs*

Anyway, if you're interested, this is my tumblr account. It's easy to post videos etc from You Tube, so might really use it for that. It updates to Twitter and Facebook, too.

Oh, and if you follow me, I'll follow you back!

It's My Party ... (7)

And I'll Post What I Want To!

Last day of my birthday week...

and I think I've died and gone to heaven...

(I cheated and scheduled this blog post, because I fear I maybe in bed, nursing a hangover).