The checklist a writer needs to know and do

If you are reading this, the first I need to do is congratulate on you on reaching the point of publication.  Writing is a long, hard process from the dreaming of the story to molding it, editing it, perfecting it, editing it, changing a few things to make it smoother, editing it, adding some foreshadowing and co-relation to things you didn’t initially see, and editing it (did I mention the editing part?)  ☺   So… Congratulations on reaching this part of the amazing journey.
However, it isn’t done yet.  There is a small checklist of things you need to know and do before you are published. Some of them you are probably already doing, others you might not have a clue about.
My YA Fantasy debut novel just recently was released and I’m still learning the process. There are a few things I know now that I wish I knew before. Here are a few words of advice.
Half a year before your publication date:
Start your social networking  (it’s never too early)
– Have a website (if you can’t afford one or don’t want to fork money over for a professional one, go to a “free” site like yolasite.com ) Have one set up so it’s ready to go when you need it!
– Have Facebook and create a “fan” page or a Facebook page for your main character
– Twitter – either your own, or one for one of your main characters (or shoot – do two for your two main characters and have them converse together ☺
– Blog – or start one
– Make a Book Trailer (that’s a whole other blog topic on its own!)
Advertisement
– Once your cover is finalized get little adverts to post or hand out or simply available.  My book is YA so I had bookmarks, postcards, flyers, magnets, calendars, pens, t-shirts, mugs, decals made up.   Everybody loves free stuff.    I use vista.com – they have loads of free items and great deals flying around constantly.  I used business cards to make little book marks and adverts with the cover of the book, a link to my website and where the book is available.
Three to one month prior:
Your publisher will be doing this as well, but it is very important you do the leg work as well – start contacting blogs to ask if they are interested in doing a review for your book.  Let them know the release date so they can work to get it done in time for the release.  Reviews on Amazon, Barnes & noble, Goodreads, etc… are all helpful and it helps spread the word of your book. Once people start to see and hear, they’ll look you up (where your website comes in handy☺ and your blog, and all your other social networking that’s already all in place).
ARCs are important and will get the word out on the street about your book before it’s released.
It is REALLY important.
Set up a blog tour for after the books release. This includes reviews but also author interviews, or guest blogs (you can write a few blog ideas while you are waiting and expand on them when you go to visit a blog.  Plan some to coincide with some key dates (for example, this blog I’m writing here today is up the same day I have a large book signing in my hometown, at one of our local bookstores).  People who purchase your book, or stop by your table to pick up those hand little post cards or bookmarks have the opportunity to look you up on Google or Yahoo, or your website and see the links.
Plan some giveaways for your blog tours – a paperback, an eBook, a coffee mug, bookmarks or whatever else you can think of.  Again, people love free stuff (I know I do!)
Schedule a party or book signing for your books release. Make it relevant to the story.
Talk with your publicist regarding their plans for book signings but make the effort to contact local stores and cities around you.  Don’t just email, go in and talk to them – give them a face to the name and you’ll be surprised, most stores are really supportive of their local authors.
Send information about your book (like a little media page that covers the information of your book, a back-flap summary and short author biography) and send to local school librarians.  Also include some book reviews that have already been done.
Contact papers, radios and set up a good press release.
Have fun as the day and time draws closer.  And if you don’t have huge sales on the release day… keep plugging your book – it can turn out like wild fire and spread like crazy! In a super-fantastic way!!

Fantastic Book Review of RAE OF HOPE (watch note for the spoilers)

So excited this is out… as I love youtube and online videoing!!

HAD TO SHARE!

cheers,W

So, I’m doing a score of posts here at once.   There have been some fantastic reviews on RAE OF HOPE and I have also done a few interviews and blog visits.  I willl post in a list below

http://www.christiesbookreviews.com/2012/01/rae-of-hope-by-wj-may.html

http://www.fictionalcandy.com/2012/01/rae-of-hope-wj-may.html

- Fictional Candy also has a swag give away going on until Feb 3rd – worth entering to win some really cool Rae-gear.

http://klearsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/interview-with-wanita-may.html

http://squigglesreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/rae-of-hope-by-wj-may.html

** and the list goes on … you can check updates on reviews via my website:

http://www.wanitamay.yolasite.com/contests.php  and also on the Reviews Page!

OK… off to post this and then I have two more posts to add and share this week!

Happy New Year, Happy January (and happy birthday to me tomorrow hee hee

WJ May

The reviews have started to come in and they have been fantastic!  I can`t believe how many people are enjoying Rae of Hope and connecting with the characters.  The `bad`reviews that I feared are not bad.  The suggestions are great for my edits in the second book in the series and also helping me change and prep a few things. 

I have my first official book signing tomorrow at Chapters-Indigo in St.Catharines.  I can`t wait!  If you are in the area and want to stop by. It is at the Fairview Mall from 1-4pm, Jan 21st, 2012

I also have my first official Author Radio interview coming up on Monday morning with CKTB 610 am.  That`s January 23rd, at 8:50am.  Perfect for the drive in to work.  Again, SOOO excited!

It`s a fun learning process and when the second book comes out in August from the series, I feel like I`ll get the `ride`a bit more.

Another series I`ve written will start making it`s rounds to publishers in the spring.  I`m falling in love with the story again as I go through a final read before it heads out to my agent.  It makes me want to finish writing the second book right now!

Rrrr… if there were only more hours in the day!  I`m not really complaining – I just like to pretend to.  I can`t wait to see what this year holds!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTbWQ_nqQ4M&feature=youtu.be

note: there are spoiler alerts – but Christine will tell you when to stop watching

Happy New Year everyone!

Lovely review by book snatch blog and check back to the site as we’ll be holding a giveaway as well!

Happy holidays!

http://booksnatch.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-rae-of-hope-by-wj-may.html?showComment=1324517536111#c8142544085669034299

RAE OF HOPE is #5 on the list – be sure and vote Dec 21-27 – let’s make RoH # 1 !!

Happy Holidays!!

Come visit www.wanitamay.yolasite.com to see updates, news on Rae of Hope, and Reviews.

There is LOTS to come in the new year!

Mark January 21st on your Calendar!!  I will be at Chapters in St.Catharines (at the Fairview Mall) for a book signing from 1.00pm-4.00pm

ho ho ho!

Wanita (one of Santa’s little helpers)

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to everyone!

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2011/12/author-interview-book-giveaway-rae-of.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IAmAReaderNotAWriter+%28I+Am+A+Reader%2C+Not+A+Writer%29

Not too shabby for her first competition and outing

Don’t forget to vote in Decembers YOU GOTTA READ BOOK TRAILER contest

http://www.yougottaread.com/