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On May 27, 2014 my darling daughter, Dakota will be celebrating her first birthday. Not only is it her first birthday, but it's her first in Heaven too. Therefore, I have teamed up with Sparkle Blog Tours for a birthday celebration in her memory.This blog tour is one that is close to my heart so I'd like to start getting the word out there about this event. My hope for this tour is that Dakota's story reach many people who could benefit from her journey and for her story to become known.
The book tour will run from May 26th (the day I went into labor with her) to June 1 (the day we laid her to rest). I'll be doing a giveaway right here on my blog as the tour is going on. So, not only will I have several amazing bloggers helping me with this celebration, but I'm willing to spread awareness with some special prizes too!
I'm super excited to see what Sparkle Book Tours is going to do for this very special occasion. As I get new information for the tour, I'll be filling you in too. This way you're with me every step of the way. Until then, please share this post so help create awareness for that special week.
If this video will not play for you... watch it on YouTube or you can read the script below:
What not to do as a New Author
Over the course of time in which I have self-published, I
have had several new authors come to me seeking advice. In answer to all these
requests, I decided to do a vlog to hit up every point I can to help you out.
Please remember that this could vary between authors and this is based upon my
experience. This is the blunt truth with no sugar coating. Unfortunately, I
have seen writers dive in without a clue of what to do.
·I
see this a lot, especially when it comes to self published authors. Publishing
the book before it’s REALLY ready. It doesn’t matter that
you managed to write a paper for school and your teacher told you that you have
an amazing writing talent. ALL authors need to do this regardless of your
experience. It takes time to write a good quality book and even more time to
have it properly edited and formatted. I have seen writers rushing through the
self-publishing process without properly preparing for it. They’ll skip over a
professional edit, and then complain when reviews mention the bad grammar
within the book. You should not have your friend who did well in English look
over your book and call it edited. Do your research! Find an accredited editor
who has a portfolio and reviews. Talk to your book friends/authors to see if
they have heard of any great editors. Take your time with this process. Believe
me; your readers will see when you rushed.
·Giveaways
and Facebook parties are great, but most of the time they do nothing for the
good of your book. They attract many readers who, most of the time, are there
for the prizes. This is, in my opinion, a waste to do when you’re a new author.
Work and focus more on your writing and building a fan base.
·Create
some type of marketing plan. Yes, self-publishing is a lot of work and it takes
time. However, most of all, you should invest in your work. When asked, I would
suggest investing more in the book cover, editing, and publication of a new
book I have been told, “I can’t afford that.” Personally, I think that is an excuse.
If you are not willing to invest in your books, what makes you think readers
will want to as well? If you can’t afford something up front, take the time and
save up for it. It will pay off in the end. Know who you’re marketing to. If
this isn’t in your plan, I advise you to add it in. You don’t want to rely on
solely other authors to see your work, but the demographic for your genre.
Spamming different groups on Facebook and around the net, doesn’t help either.
Most of the time... it gets annoying. Successful writers know who their
audience is and market to that niche.
·Reviews.
Now this is a big one! Reviews are the way for readers to share what they liked
AND didn’t like about ones book. Get it into your head now... your book WILL
and I repeat WILL get low star reviews along the way. That is okay because not
every book out there is for everyone. So, when you begin getting them, DO NOT
bash the reviewer or jump down their throat for a less than perfect review.
This won’t get you readers nor will it create a good name for you. When you ask
for an HONEST review, be prepared for an HONEST review! NEVER beg for reviews.
This is tasteless in my opinion. I have seen where writers have even paid
people to review their books, this isn’t good either.
When you get your first one star review (I guarantee it) do
not under any circumstances be snarky about it. ALL books get bad reviews.
However, you should prepare for the bullying type reviews, yep you heard me.
When you get one, DO NOT respond to the bully in comments or engage them in any
way. As hard as it might be, report the abuse and LET IT GO!
Well, these are the few tips I have for you today. I’m sure
over time I’ll be back with part two, but until then... Happy writing and thank
you for tuning in to my vlog.
As some of you have noticed, I've been MIA within the writing community. I've fallen behind on my vlog schedule and I haven't been participating much with promoting any work. For the past few months, I have been within the first trimester of my third pregnancy and it's taken a toll on me.
Now that I've neared and pretty much entered the second trimester within this pregnancy, I've been able to get the morning sickness, headaches, and fatigue under control.
Therefore, I'm writing to say that I'll be updating the vlog schedule and becoming active within the writing community again. I want to thank those of you who have been checking in on me and the well being of the newest little one I'm carrying.
I'm slowly working my way down my review list of books for other authors. Planning the scripts for the vlog videos, and preparing to write again.
If you're not part of my social page on Facebook, please be sure to join because I update it daily with questions for readers, giveaways, and updates with my work as well as other great books I think you'll all enjoy.
So, please bare with me while I get back on track and in the swing of things again.
Self Injury Awareness Day - Self-injury or self harming is when a person deliberately hurts themselves physically to deal with the emotional pain they are suffering.
When it comes to self-harm, cutting is thought of as the main way people hurt themselves. But burning, bruising and scratching are amongst other methods used by people who are distressed. Another misconception is that it's mainly teenage girls that use this coping mechanism - but it also includes people of both sexes and all ages, races and backgrounds. So why do it?
This mechanism can provide people with a sensation that 'breaks feelings of numbness'. This emotional pain is caused by issues such as low-self esteem, trauma, perfectionism and abuse. A person can go on suffering like this while telling no-one and feeling uable to break the cycle. So how can you help and raise awareness?
Firstly print out a fact sheet, depending on who you are and how you want to help. From parents and friends, to pamphlets for males and teachers, there is unique advice available for everyone. Hand these out, or pin them up and use the online templates to send letters off to radio shows or your local MP. For more information, go to the Self Injury Awareness Day website.
Interested in learning more about Self Harm? Check out this amazing book series, which focus solely on self harm.
The Silenced Series by Rae-Beth McGee-Buda
Here's what some are saying about this page turning series...
"I think people need to read this book and get a perspective on what actually happens and how depression affects us all!" - Amazon Reviewer (Silenced)
"This is one of the most wicked books that I have ever read. Some of the scenes will make you shudder and want to throttle the main character to her senses."- Amazon Reviewer (Silenced)
"The book in no way promotes self-harming and identifies some of the risks of it. As a parent it also makes you think about how when you think you are doing the right thing by your kids, it may not be what they interpret." - Amazon Reviewer (Silenced)
"I recommend this to anyone reader who loves Christian suspicion or just wants to read for fun."- Amazon Reviewer (Silenced 2: The Overtaking)
"I think I connected with Amber in a way, fighting the urge of being depressed and not always accepted by the ones you love. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to find who is true family and friends. Learning to love yourself for you and having faith you won't cave under pressure.
Out of the whole book the ending was my favorite, because it goes to show you can overcome all things through Christ. " - Amazon Reviewer (Silenced 2: The Overtaking)
"The title of the book says it all. You can overcome anything through family, friends, support, and most of all Jesus.The ending was a great little twist for me and though it was perfect for this story. This author did a terrific job." - Amazon Reviewer (Silenced 2: The Overtaking)
Do I have you interested to read more?? Lets break it down and learn more about each book.
Book Description:
Amber Brown spent her entire existence believing Dave was her father. When her mother reveals this is untrue, she goes through an emotional spiral with depression. It's hard for her to believe her mother had lied to her all this time.
A move to a new home and town causes Amber to be consumed by her "darkness" and reverts to cutting to free herself from her pain.
When Casey, her new friend enters her life, she introduces Amber to parties, drugs, and Amber's new boyfriend Landon. The secret of cutting begins to take affect on Amber as she tries to hide it from her friends and family. In the midst of everything, Amber has the desire to find out who her biological father is.
Follow Amber through her trials of depression and cutting, along with the discovery of love.
In life when one thing goes wrong, it can feel like everything goes wrong. Secrets come to the surface while friendships twist out of control, romantic relationships end, and even a dear loved one can die!
In Silenced: The Overtaking Amber’s life turns to chaos when she finds out Sarah, her childhood friend dies suddenly, her stepfather reveals another devastating family secret, and her boyfriend begins pushing her away.
After all the truth comes out, Amber turns to her darkness for comfort when her worst fear becomes reality. Her secret with cutting is discovered when she loses control and ends up in the hospital. Amber’s long journey to recovery begins with a battle. While she’s fighting her way to freedom, she discovers the one love she’s been missing her entire life.
Will Amber overtake her darkness of cutting or will the darkness overtake her?
Best Selling Author, Rae-Beth McGee-Buda is resides in a tiny valley at the ridges of the Application Mountains in Fairchance, Pennsylvania, with her husband and daughter, her dog, Cody, and her newest family addition, Romeow her pure white cat.
She’s been writing in some form her entire life, but loving young sister, Audra McGee noticed her talent, and gave her the reassurance she needed to start her writing career. After many months of deliberation, Rae-Beth decided to trust her sisters word and expand her short story into what we all know and love as The Silenced Series.
Rae-Beth is a mother to an angel in Heaven...Miss Dakota, whom she honored in Saying Goodbye Without Saying Hello. Her goal for her books are to inspire and give hope. She is a Christian author, who firmly believes in God and incorporates her faith into some of her work.
