I know it's silly, but when my I contracted my first book, aside from jumping around like a crazy person, one of the things I was most excited about was making a bookmark. It didn't matter that the book was a short and could be read in one sitting, or that the book would only be offered as an e-book. And it didn't matter that every other author on the planet has a bookmark. What did matter was that I got to have a bookmark.

Even more remarkable than creating my bookmark was the fact that people wanted this little prize. They would enter contests and remark on blogs, and do a variety of other things to procure one of these little pieces of cardboard meant as placeholder for a book that would never have actual pages.

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member Paula Millhouse. Boroughs Publishing Group has contracted two short stories from her for their Lunchbox Romance line. Three Wishes, a romantic fantasy fairy tale set in Savannah, Georgia, her hometown. And Dragonstone, a romantic fantasy. Congratulations, Paula!

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member Kat

If you listen to authors, live or in online venues, after a while it starts to sound more like noise than marketing. There are so many wonderful marketing techniques and strategies out there that have set a standard parameter around how and where authors market and promote their books. They all work to an extent, but the more authors crowding into those small spaces and shouting, the more we all start to sound like squawking birds.
Naturally, we must target readers, specifically readers of our genre though book clubs, genre lovers groups, book promotional events and special promotions. The only problem is that we’re all talking to the same people in the same places, and almost about the same things.

With The Stone Guardian’s release just last month, I’ve been lost in a whirlwind of blog tours and promo events. It’s been a lot of fun, but promo can be a tricky thing. There are so many options to choose from, and countless places you can do it. But what are the best options? What’s beneficial, and what’s just a waste of money?

Many authors ask that question while considering a book trailer. It’s a great marketing tool and can give readers a taste of your story using visual effects. Millions of YouTube junkies surf the net every day, and you can also link your trailer to your Facebook, Twitter, blog, website, and every guest post you do. Plus, let’s face it. Who doesn’t love to watch a well-made book trailer? And any promo is better than none. So, sure. Why not?

Have you ever heard the term "tricked out" used to describe a car? It means that the vehicle has numerous shiny, fun accessories. I use the term to describe my Rafflecopter. It's not intended to trick anyone but to help the reader in entering my contests. It also allows me to market myself properly.

If you've been online and entering contests this year, you've probably noticed the Rafflecopter. The Rafflecopter is a widget used by a blogger to engage the reader in entering a contest. So far, I've used the Rafflecopter widget nineteen times to run contests. It couldn't be easier.

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member Cassandra Carr. Her book, Caught, was nominated for a CAPA Award for Best BDSM Book 2012 by The Romance Studio. Also, she was nominated for three Sizzling Awards. Impact for Best Western / Cowboy Romance, Double Vision for Best Sports Romance, and Master Class for Best Erotic Romance of 2012. Congratulations, Cassandra!

Joya Fields is thrilled to announce two new contracts: Close to Nothing, a romantic suspense novel, will be published by Entangled Publishing, and Altered Frequency, book two in a ghostly contemporary romance trilogy, will be published by Decadent Publishing. Congratulations, Joya!

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member Jody E. Lebel. She placed 1st in the Charter Oak Romance Writers (an RWA Connecticut chapter) 2012 Golden Acorn Writing Contest wtih her mainstream catagory, Running Into the Fire. Congratulations, Jody!

Marian Lanouette's first novel, If I Fail, has been nominated for Best Mystery Novel at Predators and Editors reader poll. Congratulations, Marian!

Time. Such an astounding commodity but oh how hard it is to gain and maintain, especially for writers and authors. Most of us are wives or husbands, take care of children or elderly parents, work full time jobs and still squeeze in time for our communities or churches and, of course our writing. Everyone gets the same 24 hours in any given day, so how on earth can we be expected to fit in time to market our books?
The writing part of this equation is fueled with inspiration and the other parts are chalk full of commitment and responsibility … but that marketing part is filled with anxiety and sometimes resentment. The first key to accomplishing this all-important task is finding the simplicity needed to make it all work for us.