Upon the Wings of Greater Things

The creative endeavours of Starla Huchton

The SFR Brigade’s Summer Cafe – Weird Science!

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SFR Brigade's Summer Cafe, week 2

 

Welcome to the SFR Brigade’s Summer Cafe! I’ll be one of your hosts for this week’s little blog hop, so please feel free to seat yourself wherever you like, and today’s special will be delivered to you shortly. If you’d instead like to peruse the menu, simply click the banner above and the full list of offerings will be on display. Alternatively, you’ll find the other items listed at the end of this post. Do scroll down to the bottom, however, as there is a special giveaway for those who make it through this course of the meal! [Read more…]

Balticon Panel Review: Getting Noticed in the Self-Publishing World

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helpful tips

So, this past weekend was Balticon 49, and, as always, it was a lovely (albeit exhausting) time. It’s great to catch up with old friends, but I had something else I took away this year from the experience. On Monday, the last day of the con, I had the extreme pleasure of being part of a panel on how to stand out as a self-published author when everyone is self-publishing. Now, I’m not sure I’m a foremost authority on this, but I think I’ve got a pretty good idea of some basics, and the other four people on the panel generally agreed with what I had to say and added bits of their own that left me nodding in firm agreement. So here’s the gist of the discussion distilled down for you.

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Helpful Tips: Teaser Images

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helpful tips

 

Occasionally I have conversations with people that make me think there’s maybe a need for me to post about certain topics. Yesterday, I had a rather in-depth discussion with an author friend who was attempting her first teaser images and was wondering if I had any advice (spoiler: YES I DO OMG). If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, teaser images are a quick impact way to promo your book, and typically include a very short excerpt of your story, an eye-catching image, and the title/author name. The conversation I had about teasers made me really stop and think about the subject, which leads me to believe maybe other folks might have the same questions my friend did. So, here goes. Here’s some things to consider when building a teaser image for your book:

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New Release Spotlight: Mindy Hayes and Michele G. Miller

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All right, people, stop what you’re doing right now! I have two new releases for you to check out from two of my favorite people on the planet! I wasn’t able to post about these over the weekend, but I am rectifying that error immediately. Ready? Get your one-click finger set…

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The Big, Scary Book is Revealed!

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So here’s my news. This went out in my newsletter yesterday, as those folks get all the book info first (if you want to be one of those people, you should subscribe here). I’m sharing it now with the rest of the world, as I’m fairly sure anyone who was going to read that has read it by now. Ready? Here goes…

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Got Swag?

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helpful tips

So, I’m way, way behind in posting this, but house repairs from a water leak, a sudden influx of design work, and a book release sort of piled on top of me all at once. But now, I’m back at it and am here to bring you another post in the indie author cost/recoup series. This time, we’re talking about physical promotional costs.

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Once Upon A Giveaway

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I know I’ve promised a post on promo materials, and that’s coming soon, but I’ve been absolutely swamped with design clients, and post-water-leak reconstruction around the house, and of course release day prep, so bear with me. I swear it’s coming.

In the meantime, I’ve been posting giveaway teasers over on my Facebook Author Page for the last two weeks, and it’s time to reveal the whole prize pack! Beginning tomorrow, this will be up for grabs via rafflecopter for The Stillness of the Sky blog tour! [Read more…]

Shaking Your Digital Money Maker

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helpful tips

Another week, another post. This time, we’re talking about the advertising costs associated with book sales. Admittedly, this is the part I hate. I don’t know many people that like the marketing part of selling books, honestly. I die a little inside every time I share a promo post on Facebook or tweet out a link to my book. Mostly, it’s because I don’t feel like being my friend comes with the requirement of buying my books. I know a certain portion of my social media network is there only to hear about my books, but… yeah. Really not my favorite thing to do, and I’m probably a terrible salesman, but I’m getting a little better with the not-throwing-up-in-my-mouth thing when I do promo.

So why do it? The things above are free. It doesn’t cost me a cent to tweet my book or post to my Facebook author page. I still do it, because how else will people find out about my books if I don’t tell them?

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