From One Writer to Another - Know Your Target Audience

I have a secret to tell you. I don't think The Photograph is the best novel ever written. I don't think it's the best contemporary young adult novel that will be published in 2014 or June of 2014. I do think The Photograph is a great novel for a specific group of readers–my target audience. The Photograph is targeted towards girls ages 12-16, specifically athletic girls. The teenagers who fit that demographic are much more likely to enjoy the book than other readers. For instance, the novel has an element of mystery and intrigue in it which may attract readers not in my target audience. If you are a 33 year old man, you may still read and like The Photograph, but the chances are much lower.

As an author, it is important to know who your readers are for each book. The writing in my Zelda books is different than The Photograph which is different than the current project targeted towards an older YA audience. You can't write for every reader. It doesn't work. Plus, the target audience also affects your marketing and promotions. Let me give an example.

My Zelda books have a unique audience. Reading level wise, they are targeted for students in grades 3-5 (ages 7-11), specifically kids who like dogs. However, the secondary target audience is pug owners of all ages and demographics. People love their pugs and love anything to do with a pug, so they buy Zelda books. So in addition to Author Day presentations at elementary schools, I also market Zelda through ##pugchat on twitter (it's a thing) and will be selling books at Pug Fair in September (also a real thing).

Who is your target audience? How do you market to your audience?

The Photograph Cover Reveal

I couldn't wait any longer! I had to show you the awesome cover for The Photograph.  A special thanks to Kelly over at Indie-Spired Designs. She also writes books so check out her books here.

I absolutely love the cover! The Photograph releases June 17! More teasers and chapters will be posted in the coming weeks, but here's the pitch if you missed it.

My Favorite Parts of the Novel Writing Process

The more I write, the more I learn about myself and my writing habits. I'm currently in three different stages of three projects. My first YA novel is getting ready for release. All major edits and revisions are done. Formatting is done. I need to do one more round of proofreading once I have a proof copy in hand.

I sent The Adventures of Zelda: Pug and Peach (the third in the Zelda series) to the editor a few days ago. In a few weeks, I'll get the edits back, revise, and work on polishing the manuscript for release.

I am also about 20,000 words into a first draft of a brand new YA fantasy novel.

Through this process, I've learned my favorite parts of the novel-writing process. I love the early stages of a novel. I spend time creating a broad outline of my novels before I start writing. Even though writing the words for the first draft are difficult, I love experiencing the story take off in unexpected directions. My first draft is about getting the story down, getting the words on to the page.  Immediately after I finish the first draft, I go back and put in more details into the story about the characters, the setting, etc, especially in the early chapters.

I set the manuscript away for roughly a month after the first draft and then return to it for the major revision stage.  These middle revision stages are the toughest. After I complete my own edits and revisions, I send the novel to beta readers and an editors. I wait for comments and the revisions with questions looming in my head– Will they like the story? Did I miss a big plot hole? Did they see that part coming? It's a bit nerve-wracking for me.

If I survive the middle round of edits and revisions, I don't mind the final stages of polishing and formatting. I enjoy the mindless nature of getting words formatted for ebook and paperback form after the tough revision stage. Of course, receiving the first paperback proof copy is a joy (even when I notice a typo or error).

What are your favorite parts of the writing process?

Killing Main Characters in Novels

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FVTUw90KxE] In this month's video post, I talk about Zelda's habits on walks, killing off main characters, along with what I'm up to these days.

April 2014 Book Reviews

Usually I aim to read a variety of fiction each month–maybe a young adult novel, an epic fantasy, and a thriller. I don't have a science to what books I read each month. I pick my next book based on how I feel at the moment of finishing one book and starting another. So the first half of this month, I found myself engrossed in the Matt Archer series. I read 3 Matt Archer novels and a novella (and can't wait for the 5th and final book in the series which releases this summer.) The second half of the month I spent reading the third book in the A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) series which is really long. So April isn't the best month for variety, but here are my book reviews. Matt Archer: Monster Summer By Kendra Highley - Monster Summer is a short novella in the Matt Archer series. It takes place between the first and second full length novels in the series. Monster Summer develops Matt's character, along with some of the supporting cast, making it a worthwhile read. Don't skip over it especially since it's free on kindle! 5 stars

Matt Archer: Blade's Edge by Kendra Highley - I enjoyed the first novel (and the novella) in the Matt Archer series, but Blade's Edge caused me to fall in love with Matt. Blade's Edge is much darker than the first in the series and Matt has to struggle with tough decisions, loss, and sacrifice. Highley mixes in moments of humor to lighten the mood. I also thought Highley did a great job with both the battle and military scenes. She throws in a few plot twists as well. 6 stars

Matt Archer: Legend by Kendra Highley - After finishing the second Matt Archer book, I jumped right into the third. The third continues to build on the themes in the second. Matt is learning how to cope with his role as a chosen knife yielder and the sacrifices that go with it. Much like Harry Potter, Matt and the characters mature as the series continues, and the themes get darker and more complex. Even with the darker themes, Highley blends in humor through the novel, especially in the dialogue between the characters. I also love how Matt continuously calls his aunt "Badass Aunt Julie." My only complaint is the cliffhanger at the end! Unlike the first two books, Legend ends on a complete cliffhanger leaving you wanting more. Lucky for me, I'm late to the Matt Archer party and I get to move straight onto the fourth in series! 7 stars

Matt Archer: Bloodlines by Kendra Highley - The Matt Archer series continues with a strong 4th installment. Bloodlines begins with resolving the cliffhanger at the end of Book 3. Although this book seemed to be a little less action packed than 3, the plot is solid in this book. We learn a few more interesting revelations with Matt and his friends in their fight against the Shadow Man. I definitely noticed that Highley is gathering all the pieces of the puzzle for the series finale. (Book 5 releases the summer of 2014). I really enjoy and connect with the characters. Despite Matt's supernatural knife friend, he is still a teenager, trying to find his way with friends, girls, and life all while battling the forces of evil. I am looking forward to the finale. 6 stars

A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin - I have noticed a pattern when I read a novel in "The Song of Fire and Ice Series." The book starts off with an element of intrigue and mystery that hooks me. As the I plod through the many pages, the action slows for a hundred pages or so, then picks back up, and the cycle repeats. By the time I'm 2/3 through the book, I'm aggravated because 17 main characters have been killed, many of whom I liked. A reader never wants the good characters to die. But for some reason I keep reading, and I'm never disappointed. The last quarter of the book reveals new, stunning plot developments, and I'm reeled back in the series, ready for the next book. 6 stars

Rating System Guide

7 stars = Phenomenal book – one of the  best book’s I’ve read

6 stars = Great book – worth your time to read

5 stars = Solid book, if you like the genre pick it up

4 stars = Okay book, maybe lacking something in the way of language, character development, story

3 stars = I probably should have stopped reading this book.

1 or 2 stars = Serious issues with plot, structure, language, or not a book for me.

How Many Pages is too Much for a Book?

I am currently reading A Storm of Swords, the third book in George R.R. Martin’s "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. Each book in his epic fantasy series is long. Goodreads tells me A Storm of Swords has 1,177 pages (I’m reading on my kindle and it didn’t give me page numbers for this book). That’s a ginormous book. I’ve been reading the book for over a week and I’m only halfway through the book.

As I read this book as an author, I keep thinking about the length of the book. How many pages is too much for a book?

I know the "Song of Ice and Fire" books are long. Even though I enjoy the series, I find it challenging for me to start the next in the series because of its length. Therefore, I usually start reading when I have an excess of free time–maybe I’m on vacation at the beach or the time off between Christmas and New Year’s. I didn’t do that with A Storm of Swords.

I am on a pretty regular schedule, maybe even a bit busier than normal with finishing up edits for my novel, picking up more hours at work, and setting up workshops. I don’t expect to finish A Storm of Swords until the end of April. Since I enjoy the series, I suppose it’s fine, albeit a bit disheartening to slowly watch the percentage read tick by on my kindle. In a way that bums me out, I like being able to read many books in a month, and I’m not sure if that makes me an odd or normal reader.

Because I read a good amount of young adult literature, most books I read are between 250-350 pages. I can bust through a book that size in 3-5 days. The page count jumps to 400 or 500 pages if I pick up adult genre fiction–crime, historical fiction, or literary fiction. I don’t mind a 500 page book if I am engaged in the book.

When the page count hits 700, I start to grow weary. A few months ago, I read The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Once again, I read this book on my kindle and it didn’t have number of pages. (I can’t tell you why some kindle books do and don’t). When I picked it up, I had no idea it was 700 pages long. I think the book took a week and a half for me to read. I didn’t like the book either and I felt it could have been trimmed to a more reasonable page count. (Maybe 500 pages). When I finished, I was disappointed with the time invested in the book. In retrospect, I would rather have read two great YA books instead of one long book I didn’t enjoy.

For me, I think 700 pages is my magic number. When a book hits that size, the book better be worth the time invested. I’m less willing to take chances on a new author or series with a book length that size.

How many pages is too many for you?  What are some great books over 700 pages in length?

The Origin of Stories

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOlCQH5jUgw]

Where do your story ideas originate?

In today's video post, I talk about the origin of some of my stories and novels and how these ideas transform into a novel.

I also give a quick writing update– I have three projects in the current queue.

I am getting better at these video posts (I think), but I'd love your feedback. Do you like these short video blogs?

The Pitch for The Photograph

I am excited to announce my contemporary young adult novel, The Photograph, is moving on to the second round of the Amazon Breakthough Novel Award in the YA category. In round one, judges evaluate the submissions based on the pitch (think Amazon book description). I started as one of a few thousand, but now I am one of 400 in the YA category. In round two, novels are judged by content of the first few chapters.

I am super excited to make it to round two, and to celebrate, I am sharing the pitch with you! Here it is....

The Pitch

Sixteen-year-old Rachel Brandt is excited about her six-month anniversary with her boyfriend, Brent, getting her driver’s license, and competing for a district championship in her first season on the varsity basketball team.

But when Rachel stumbles across a photograph of her parents, she can’t shake the feeling that she is meant to find her mother, whose identity is a secret her grandparents have closely guarded. All Rachel knows is that her mother disappeared around the time her father was killed in action in the Gulf War a few months after she was born.

Her discovery of the photograph sends Rachel on a search for her mother against her grandparents’ wishes and propels her life into a tailspin. She never imagines her search will reveal a series of lies that jeopardizes every important relationship in her life and ultimately lead Rachel to question her identity.

The Photograph is a contemporary young adult novel that follows Rachel’s search for her mother through the backdrop of her basketball team’s quest for its first district championship in twelve years.

March 2014 Book Reviews

March was a fun month for reading. I had much more time than the past few months to spend with my kindle. I read a few nonfiction books this month, albeit both are writing related books. The reviews are below. Keep in mind my book reviews are my opinions based on my reading preferences, and I post them to help you find a new book to read. Enjoy and Happy Reading! Torrent by Lindsay Buroker - Torrent, an urban fantasy, is a big departure from the Emperor's Edge series. Delia, an archaelogist and her buddy Simon, stumble upon a monster who is ripping people's heads off in Arizona. They team up with Delia's old friend Temi and look for clues about the monster. The story quickly turns to fantasy as learn about the monster and two other mysterious people who are trying to kill it. The story is fast paced and I read through it quickly. I thought the character development could be better (especially compared to the EE series). In many ways, this novel is a fun, easy read for entertainment. I think the series could be good if she decides to pursue it. 4 stars

Wonderbook by Jeff VanderMeer - The Wonderbook is a great guide to help creative writers (especially those in the fantasy or sci-fi realms). The book is very dense–I will need to read through sections a few more times. It's worth buying a copy and keeping around the house if you are a writer. I especially loved all the illustrations and visuals throughout the book. 6 stars

In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner - In the Shadow of a the Banyan is a fictional story based on the author's real life experience of living through the Khmer Rouge takeover as a child. The story is told through the point of view of a young child. The point of view was a big stumbling block for me. I felt the lyrical prose of the book didn't match the child narrator. Although the prose was beautiful, I couldn't get past the POV. I also think the storyline could have been deeper with an adult point of view. However, I am glad I read the book to get this sobering account of the Khmer Rouge. It was tough to read at parts, but worth it anyways. 4 stars

Phantom by Jo Nesbo - It's been a year since I read any Harry Hole books by Jo Nesbo. The Phantom continues the story of Harry Hole, a former Oslo police detective. In this book, his son is accused of a drug related murder and he needs to figure who is behind it to free his son. The clues lead to a drug called Violin and a drug lord called Dubai. As with the previous Hole books, the story is dark, violent, and filled with unexpected twists. The ending left me stunned and intrigued to pick up the tenth book in the series. If you like crime thrillers, as always, try the Harry Hole series. 5 stars

How to Market a Book by Joanna Penn - Joanna Penn is a well known Author-Entrepreneur. Her website and podcast is one of the best for advice and information on self-publishing and the industry. This book is essentially a concise summary of the information she has learned over the years. I think it's a great reference book for indie authors. From my own research over the past few years, I didn't learn anything new, but it is a book I will keep around for the next few years to remind me of best practices. 5 stars

Rating System Guide

7 stars = Phenomenal book – one of the  best book’s I’ve read

6 stars = Great book – worth your time to read

5 stars = Solid book, if you like the genre pick it up

4 stars = Okay book, maybe lacking something in the way of language, character development, story

3 stars = I probably should have stopped reading this book.

1 or 2 stars = Serious issues with plot, structure, language, or not a book for me.

From One Writer to Another - Marketing on No Budget

I want to start off this post by telling you that life is good. I am happy. I love the move we made from Cleveland to Cincinnati. It was definitely the right move for us. I have no doubt. I say this because moving isn't easy and it isn't cheap. Neither is a quality editor or book cover designer. These facts have left me with nothing in the budget to spend on book marketing for the next few months. With no money to spend, I am forced to be creative and get out of my comfort zone to market and sell my books. I need to sell books so I can continue to pay for a quality editor and book cover designer. It's an endless cycle!! (At least until I get the next few books published) For indie authors, there are many paid opportunities to market your books. Bookbub is one of the most popular. If you are approved and pay the appropriate fee, your book is featured on a daily email that is sent to thousands of voracious readers. Bookbub is at the top right now for book promotion, but there are other options. The Fussy Librarian, Kindle Nation Daily, or Pixel of Ink are other options. You can buy twitter, facebook, or goodreads ads. All of these can help your book sell, especially in a hot genre. Of course, children's books don't do as well with these promotions because of the audience even if I had some money to spend.

So what if you need to market books on little or no budget? 

It's time to start hustling. No really it is. That means carrying your books everywhere you go and asking strangers to buy your books. Now, if you hate talking to strangers like me, this might be a terrifying option. But I think local marketing–working with people you can meet and see is a good option. Here are a few ideas:

Book Signings - Set up a book signing in your local coffee shop, bookstore, or ice cream shop. (Who doesn't want to eat ice cream while they get a book signed?) Spread the word to everyone you know. Print out postcards and hand out to strangers. (It's easier to hand someone a postcard then to ask them to buy your book) Use facebook events (perhaps the only useful function of facebook) to promote. Make sure you have plenty of books on hand, cash for change and a square reader for credit card payment. Then have fun! Even if you only sell ten books, the event only cost you minimal time and no money. And now you have ten new readers.

Author Days - Author Days consist of visiting a local school, usually an elementary school, reading to the kids, talking to them about being an author, and signing books. Kids can purchase copies of books in advance and you can have them signed ahead of time to save time. This is a great idea for fellow children's book authors. I also think YA authors should consider visiting middle and high schools. I am sure teachers and students would find value in the visit.

Local Events - Find out what is happening in your area and set up shop with a table to sell books. On my end, I am going to have a table at the Cincinnati Pug Fair (yes it is a real thing!) I am also looking into a table at a Farmer's Market and children's events in the area.

Workshops - I like teaching. My workshops are either writing or faith based. I've led the workshops at community centers, churches, and libraries. I always end up selling books in addition to my fee for teaching.

Those are a few ideas I am currently pursuing to market books and gain new readers. This type of marketing takes more time, but I believe the personal connection pays off in the long run.

What are your ideas to market books on no budget?

Also, I wanted to give a quick thank you to all of my wordpress followers. The number continues to increase. I hope you find value and some laughs here with my blog. If you want to join my street team, you can sign up here. The Street Team knows first (before the blog!) about new writing projects, promotions, and the opportunity for free advance review copies.