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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.
This coming year (2014) I plan on doing a weekly vlog on each Wednesday. Below you will find the schedule of each Vlog and the subject matter for which I'll be covering. I do hope you will follow along. If you aren't subscribed to my YouTube Channel, please do so here.
Once a Vlog has been uploaded, I'll link it directly with this schedule.
January
1:New Year Hopes and Goals for Writing/Books
8: Book Reviews & Readers
15: Mentor Matter
22: What Not to Do As a New Author
29: Pet Peeves
February
5: Upcoming Projects
12: Fan Interview
19: My Day Job vs My Passion
26: Author Support
March
5: Street Teams
12: Authors I Admire
19: Authors & Reviews
26: Social Etiquette in Social Media
April
2: Book Reviews & Authors
9: Book Trailers
16: Author Cliques
23: Fan Appreciation
30: Facebook Events
May
7: To Be Announced
14: To Be Announced
2: To Be Announced
28: Dedication to Dakota
June
4: To Be Announced
11: To Be Announced
18: To Be Announced
25: To Be Announced
July
2: To Be Announced
9: To Be Announced
16: To Be Announced
23: To Be Announced
30: To Be Announced
August
6: To Be Announced
13: Fan Interview
20: To Be Announced
27: To Be Announced
September
3: To Be Announced
10: To Be Announced
17: To Be Announced
24: Being Married to An Author ( A Husbands Perspective)
The journey of pregnancy brings hope, joy, and love for the expecting mother. The hope of giving birth to a new life. The joy of feeling this new life grow inside of her. The love that starts with a test that doesn’t ever end. Dreams for the unborn child flood the new mother’s mind, as well as those around her. Each step of the pregnancy is a cherished moment. The anticipation of meeting her cherished baby builds from the very first month and ends after birth.
This is the story of one mother and how a few words changed her life forever. How a piece of her faded when she heard these words: “There’s no heartbeat.” When RaeBeth Buda laid in the hospital in labor, she and her husband heard those dreaded words.
What happens when all of those dreams are shattered in a moment’s notice? How does one cope with the loss of their child? This is the story of their journey and of the devastating grief of the loss of her daughter, Dakota Emily Buda.
RaeBeth McGee-Buda was born in southwestern Pennsylvania in 1987, the second daughter of Rachel Yost and Arthur Curtis McGee. RaeBeth grew up loving to read and write poetry, as well as short stories. Her childhood dream was to become a teacher. Rae Beth's dream of writing was created in her eleventh grade literature class where writing became her passion.
RaeBeth married in August 2012 to her husband, Gregory Stephen Buda Jr. and resides in a small Pennsylvania town of Fairchance. RaeBeth is a full time mother of one beautiful little girl and a mother to an angel in heaven as of May 27th, 2013.
She graduated from American Intercontinental University in 2010 with her associates in business administration. She enjoys spending her time writing and feels that connecting with readers is her main goal.
Today is Wednesday, which means it is time for another Vlog. Today's video blog is rather special and raw. You may want to grab a box of tissues before you watch this one. When you are done watching, please share. I'd also appreciate it if you would head on over to my channel and subscribe. Thank you. :)
Welcome to the eleventh day along the blog tour. I apologize for the delay in the post and for another schedule change. Please be sure to leave a comment for the author. Thank you for stopping by.
Below you will find out more about me. :)
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Silenced Series Information
Silenced
Publication Date: December 12, 2012
Blurb
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?
RaeBeth McGee-Buda was born in southwestern Pennsylvania in 1987, the second daughter of Rachel Yost and Arthur Curtis McGee. RaeBeth grew up loving to read and write poetry, as well as short stories. Her childhood dream was to become a teacher. Rae Beth's dream of writing was created in her eleventh grade literature class where writing became her passion.
RaeBeth married in August 2012 to her husband, Gregory Stephen Buda Jr. and resides in a small Pennsylvania town of Fairchance. RaeBeth is a full time mother of one beautiful little girl and a mother to an angel in heaven as of May 27th, 2013.
She graduated from American Intercontinental University in 2010 with her associates in business administration. She enjoys spending her time writing and feels that connecting with readers is her main goal.