The Value of Networking by Diane Burton

Writers attend writing conferences for various reasons. Education, industry news, promotion (learning and doing), and networking. Catching up with old friends and making new ones is the most pleasurable experience at a conference. Meeting editors and/or agents can be a highlight, too.

Not everyone can afford the major conferences, like RT (Romantic Times) or RWA (Romance Writers of America). Some choose not to spend the money. Flying (or driving) to the location, paying for meals, and the conference fee itself can strain anyone’s budget.

Smaller conferences might be a better option. Local chapters (of RWA or other writing groups) often put on weekend workshops. Margo Hoornstra and I have talked about our RWA chapter’s Retreat From Harsh Reality. Our founders (Margo was one) decided not to invite editors or agents. We invite one author to present two formal workshops plus more informal Q&As. At first (back in the mid-1980s) our own published authors gave the workshops. We’ve expanded since then. For instance, recent presenters were Jennifer Probst, Christie Craig, and Rita Clay Estrada. The best part of our retreat is the laid-back, relaxed atmosphere. Blue jeans and T-shirts instead of more formal attire. Again, the most pleasurable thing (for me) is getting together with like-minded people. Those who understand what writing is all about.

So what does a writer do who can’t afford a conference (or a retreat)? Or those conferences are too far away, and flying is too expensive? How do they learn writing basics or industry trends or get together with like-minded individuals? How do they network?

Online.

When I started in this business over twenty years ago, the internet wasn’t available. We did have email but not the proliferation of networking opportunities. With YahooGroups, Facebook, Instagram, and other means of social media, writers can get together with other writers and it costs little or nothing. We join groups like Authors Helping Authors, Marketing For Romance Writers, and groups that target writers and readers of specific genres. Sisters in Crime, Savvy Authors, and RWA offer online courses in all aspects of writing—from basics to advanced writing, how to use Scrivener, the business of writing, etc. And the cost is minimal.

I love getting together face-to-face, but when I can’t do that, online is great. I’ve met so many new (to me) writers, made friends, and learned so much from them. This group is a fine example. When I first joined, I only knew a couple of you. Now, I’ve made some great friends and discovered authors whose books are now my one-clicks on Amazon.

We aren’t isolated any longer.

Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction, and romance into writing romantic fiction. She blogs here on the 16th and 30th of each month. She shares snippets from her stories every weekend on her blog.  Her latest release is NUMBERS NEVER LIE, a romantic suspense, available at Amazon, free for Kindle Unlimited.

#Mentors by Diane Burton

credit: sustainablenonprofits.org

In almost every occupation, someone teaches a newbie. In some cases, the “someone” is ordered to do so by their boss. Many times, someone is willing to help. I’ve found both types. In one job I had, the person who was supposed to teach me the ropes resented it and taught me the bare minimum. In other job, a fellow employee delighted in teaching me what I needed to know to do my job.

My writing career has been an eye-opener. I cannot tell you the number of mentors I’ve had. (And if I named them, I would surely leave out someone, and I don’t want to do that.) More experienced writers shared their wisdom and knowledge when I was the newbie. People online—like the Roses here and other groups, yahoogroups like Marketing For Romance Writers, Authors Network, and more. Authors Helping Authors, an online support group started by our own Alicia Dean, strives to promote other authors. We know how hard it is to promote ourselves, and it’s so much easier to promote others. So we share tweets and Facebook posts. We invite each other to guest on our blogs. We write reviews.

Another online group I belong to is called Insecure Writer's Support Group. Since most writers are insecure, this group sums up our goal—to support each other. We “meet” once a month (like a blog hop), posting on our blogs then visiting and offering advice, commiseration, sympathy, and congratulations. This great group was started by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Mid-Michigan RWA's Angel Award

 I’ve been fortunate to belong to the terrific Mid-Michigan chapter of Romance Writers of America, fellow writers who help each other. We offer workshops, along with “table” advice during our lunches. The best are the people who bolster the newbies. They’re never too busy to lend a hand. Our chapter recognizes those members who give exception service to the members as well as the chapter. Our own Margo Hoornstra is one of Mid-Michigan RWA’s Angels.

 

credit: fitandawesome.com

Sometimes, commiseration and sympathy aren’t enough. Sometimes, we need a kick in the rear. I’ve had that kinds of support, too. Getting down on oneself isn’t hard to do. Getting back up and starting again often takes that swift kick. A good friend, mentor, and fellow writer can do that. We know the trials and troubles another writer goes through.

  

They say what goes around comes around. When we offer support and encouragement to others, they are there to support and encourage us. Non-writers (especially those in the business world) have often wondered (in amazement) why we help our competition. Is it because we’re nice people? Well, yes. LOL But we also remember those who helped us and we’re paying it forward.

Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction, and romance into writing romantic fiction. She blogs here on the 16th and 30th of each month.

We Writers Are Still Never Too Old To Learn And I'm Proof by Margo Hoornstra

We’ve all heard the adage “Do as I say, not as I do.” That one sure does ring true when it comes to me and promo. With a communications and public relations background, I think I have some good ideas. I know how to do the visuals, create Media Kits and design Sell Sheets for my books. Plus, it’s not that I haven’t tried and tried and tried to promote myself and my books in other ways too. It’s just that I haven’t yet hit on anything that really seems to connect with readers.

Okay, well there was this one time. I had hired a Virtual Assistant to spread my name and the title of my recently released novel Only If You Dare, on as many venues as she could. My publisher, The Wild Rose Press, had the book available for free at the time and, after getting the title a spot on a site called freebooksy, in one day, I had over 12,000 downloads. Though I received no real sales revenue from the venture, I did garner about ten very nice reviews to use on my website and the Praise Page of subsequent books.

I’ve also done blog tour after blog tour after blog tour after…well you get the idea. While doing a blog tour takes a lot of time and effort, it is enjoyable to interact with various bloggers, answer their questions, create the essays they ask for. I also provide free PDFs for review, to those who will accept them. Unfortunately, the actual payoff simply hasn’t been all that great as far as copies of books sold. Although I have received several very nice reviews to, again, use on my website and the Praise Page of subsequent books. (Are you seeing a pattern here?) But there was another definite down side to the blog tours as well. Some bloggers either didn’t put up or didn’t promote my appearance, so the prep work and time put in is all for naught.

One event that seemed to cause a spike in the revenue on my royalty statement came about rather serendipitously. I had recently re-connected with my local Romance Writers of America Chapter, Mid-Michigan. (one I actually founded a few years before, but that’s a post for another day.) At the time MMRWA periodically put out a newsletter in which they highlighted various member authors. This one particular month, I was the highlightee with a front page article containing my picture, a short bio and information about my latest release. As it happened, this particular month the chapter had purchased a booth at a rather large women’s expo event, not only to showcase member authors but to recruit new members for the group as well. Part of the Potential Membership Packet they distributed to the many attendees contained the newsletter featuring me and my books, among various SWAG items, bookmarks, pens, business cards and the like.

What I need to do now, is try to combine what has worked for me in the past with what others, who know much more than me on the topic of promotion, suggest that will/should work for me in the future.

Such as, but not limited to:

 Join a group – not any group, be selective. Find blogs and FaceBook groups that cater to the genre you write. Post within their guidelines, of course, to get your name out there.

Keep your website updated and fresh. This also goes for your author pages on Amazon, Goodreads, FaceBook, BookBub. Let’s face it, these social media sites outside of your individual website, are where most readers are going to find you.

Develop a newsletter. We’ve all heard this is essential for authors looking for readers. But content is key. “WoooooWhooooo! You out there, come spend your money on my book.” Might not be the best selling point. Think of giving rather than getting in this instance. Give the reader something to take away from their visit with you. Preferably in the form of information, ideas, entertainment, reading material, gift cards.

What I do in the spirit of a free takeaway that doesn’t cost me anything is to post original short stories on my website readers can download.

An ongoing promotion effort I use is to hire the services of Author Promo Pal. A pretty savvy promoter who keeps me and my books out there by tweeting me/us on Twitter, posting on FaceBook groups.

Another promo tool I’m using at the present time, wasn’t my idea at all but came from my editor at TWRP, Ally Robertson aka our own Alicia Dean when it was time to promote my newest release On The Surface.

She suggested I take the two self-published novels I currently have for sale on Amazon and include the following inserts.

Near the front of the book is a tease:

Coming next from Margo Hoornstra

On the Surface, Book 1 of the series Brothers In Blue

To serve and protect was never more personal

With the Buy Link

Toward the back of the book is a blurb and excerpt.

Florence Price of The Novel Difference implemented this for me.

Although the jury is still out as to whether this particular promotional tool will work. Go check it out using the Look Inside tab at For Money Or Love and Saturday In Serendipity then come back and comment to tell me what you think.

My days to blog here are the 11^th and 23^rd. For more about me and the short stories and books I write, please visit my WEBSITE.

Also look for me on

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

GOODREADS

The Angels Among Us by Margo Hoornstra

Last time I wrote on these pages my topic was the Retreat From Harsh Reality sponsored by the Mid-Michigan Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

You all know the drill, a complete weekend devoted to our craft, or profession if one is so inclined. Three days to talk, listen, learn, try, work, share, brainstorm, implement, test, use, figure, discard, re-group. Even vent if need be.

This year was particularly special for me because I was the lucky recipient of the MMRWA Angel Award. To quote from the MMRWA website: The Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America introduced the MMRWA Angel Award for Service in 2002. The award is presented once a year at our chapter’s retreat. It is awarded to one outstanding member who goes beyond the “call of duty” within the romance writing community and service to our chapter. 

In January and February, nominations may be made by members in good standing with RWA and MMRWA. In March, the current MMRWA Board will meet with all previous Angel Award recipients to review nominations. The group then votes to determine who will receive the Angel Award. 

The decision is kept a secret until retreat. The recipient is announced by the winner from the previous year and presented with a custom designed, beautifully crafted Angel pin and a framed award certificate. 

This is a picture of mine.

Receiving this award was a great honor. Especially because of one of my 'accomplishments' as noted in the presentation. And I quote: Our Angel this year is kind, strong and supportive. She encourages new writers and she listens--really listens--and has been a mentor to other writers.

High praise indeed, IMHO. Not that I thought I'd done anything particularly special. It's what we as writers do. We support our own. Novice or veteran, published or soon to be.

Don't get me wrong, awards and good reviews are great recognition for what we've written and offered to the world, and may there be many of those accolades for all of us in this business. However, I don't know about you, but the highest praise for me is hearing someone say such things as: "Your critique of my work was awesome." or "Your suggestions really helped me see where I need to go." and "Thank you for helping me improve my book."

****pause here for a heavy sigh****

Music to my ears.

Whether you work regularly with a partner (CP) as I've been fortunate to do. (Three, or is it four years and counting. Can you believe it, Jannine?) Or provide and/or receive input from a fellow author, doesn't matter. Again, IMHO, the feeling is the same.

So, in that spirit of author cooperation, do I have a deal for you. Let me be the first, on these pages at least, to introduce a box set I've been privileged to create with six of my colleagues.

All In For Love - A Lucky 7 Anthology.

Seven Award-winning authors bring you seven *sweet to sensual* romances filled with suspense, thrills and maybe even a ghost or two—for less than the price of a cup of coffee—99 cents!

Welcome to La Bonne Chance Resort & Casino!

With thousands of people passing through the casino’s doors on a daily basis, it’s no surprise that a variety of lives and loves are on the line there.

We are now available for pre-order right here: All In For Love - A Lucky 7 Anthology

Please join us and enjoy!

My days to blog here are the 11th and 23rd. For more about me and the stories I write, please visit my WEBSITE

Helping Each Other Out by Diane Burton

One of the great things about a writing career is the wonderful people you meet—in person and online. Writing is a solitary occupation. We hide in our caves, writing away all day. To our families, it looks like we’re doing nothing. When I’m staring out the window, I don’t see the mounds of dirty snow or gray skies. I’m plotting who will be the next victim. Only another writer “gets” that. And only another writer understands when we hit a wall and can’t write.

A couple of years ago, I discovered the Insecure Writers Support Group. It’s a combination blog hop/therapy session. Our purpose is “to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!” Once a month, we talk about our doubts and the fears we have conquered. We discuss our struggles and triumphs and offer words of encouragement for others who are struggling.

Last Wednesday, I wrote about how my writing was in the doldrums. Like sailors in the ocean without wind, I was stuck. I hadn’t written anything on my current WIP (the 3^rd Alex O’Hara book) since the beginning of November. I can attribute some of that to finishing the edits on The Case of the Fantastic Fiancé (2^nd Alex O’Hara novel), getting it published, then promoting it. Then there were the holidays, being in Arizona for six weeks, returning home, recovering from jetlag, and getting acclimated to cold and snow again. Excuses, excuses, excuses.

From past experiences, I know how helpful the IWSG members were, but I was blown over by the help and encouragement. From butt-kicking (definitely needed) to simple suggestions like open the file and read what I’d already written. So I did just that. I opened the file. Since Thursday, I’ve written over 2300 words on The Case of the Meddling Mama. Wow. All because some kind writer said open the file.

IWSG isn’t the only group of writers who support and help each other. A fantastic group called Authors Helping Authors (many of the Roses belong to this group organized by our own Alicia Dean) share tweets and Facebook posts about each other’s books. We also share triumphs and defeats, cheering and commiserating. I also belong to an RWA chapter, Mid-Michigan RWA. We meet face to face as well as online. Another place where writers help each other. Sometimes, just by listening. Each month we (those who want to) do a modified version of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). We set goals and report in. There is something about others knowing your goal that makes you add an extra push to complete it. Again, we're there to cheer each other on and help each other up.

I truly believe if not for the support and encouragement of the members of these groups (and others) that I would have given up by now. Sharing information, celebrating, offering shoulders to cry on and pats on the back. 

What would we do without these wonderful people?

Diane Burton writes romantic adventure . . . stories that take place on Earth and beyond. She blogs here on the 8th and 30th of each month and on Mondays on her own site: http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/ 

 

Fellowship

By Diane Burton

The problem with being the blogger at the end of the month is that the posters who have gone before have taken all the good stuff. <g> Since this month’s theme(s) have all begun with the letter F, I wracked my brain trying to come up with something new, different, but appropriate. Then it hit me. The reason for this blogsite: fellowship.

I tend to view the word fellowship in connection with church membership. But when I checked the definition, fellowship also refers to a community of interest. One of its synonyms is camaraderie. And that’s what I’ve found in writers’ groups. We come from all over the world. We are of different social, marital, and economic status. We’re young, middle-aged, retired. (Notice, I didn't say old.)  Despite our differences, we have a common interest—writing. And that draws us together.

Writing is a solitary occupation. Yet, as humans, we crave interaction with others. We may closet ourselves when the writing is flowing or when we're on deadline and only come out of our caves for food, drink, or potty breaks. Think of the scene in Romancing the Stone after Joan Wilder types “The End” and goes looking for a tissue only to find sticky notes everywhere reminding her to buy tissues and t.p. Yep, that’s what it’s like.

When we emerge from our caves (aka office, converted bedroom, basement), we desperately need to talk to someone. Our spouses/children/BFFs, as supportive as they are, do not get our thrill of a great day’s/week’s writing the way another writer does. Or the satisfaction of completing a 100,000 word novel. Thank goodness for email and social media where we can post at two in the morning that “we did it.” As much as they love us, even our best friends don’t like celebratory phone calls in the middle of the night.

In the twenty years I’ve been seriously writing, I have met so many wonderful people through writers’ groups--foremost, Romance Writers of America and its affiliated chapters. My local chapter, Mid-Michigan RWA, inspires, bemoans our rejections, and celebrates our successes. And, when needed, kicks our butts when we're discouraged. The online community does the same—and we don’t have to wait for an entire month to get together.

Of all the benefits the writing community offers, the one I saved for last is the most important—friendship. The song “You’ve Got a Friend” certainly applies to writers’ groups in general and the group that makes up The Roses of Prose. I feel very fortunate to have made such good friends with some of the Roses and look forward to becoming friends with the others.

I blog here on the 8^th and 30^th of each month. On Mondays, I “muse” about life, writing, and whatever strikes my fancy on my blog: http://dianeburton.blogspot.com You can read excerpts from my books and other information on my website www.dianeburton.com

See you again on August 8^th.