Tips from a Just-Published
New Author
by
Mia Jo Celeste
When I was pregnant with my
first son, my friend, a new mom herself, kept saying, “You have no idea what
you’re in for.”
I was a little offended. As a
teacher and a former nanny and babysitter, I thought I did. But when my son
arrived, and I was responsible for him twenty-four-seven, I began to think my
friend was right—the experience was totally new. In January, my first release
Other Than came out, and again, my friend’s words rang in my head—you have no
idea.
Being newly published is
both exhilarating and scary. There were and probably still is a lot I’ve yet to
learn about marketing books, but here are five helpful tips I’d like to pass
along.
First, preparation is important.
Read articles and study what other writers say about reaching readers. Ask
authors you know for advice. Consider writing blog or Facebook posts in advance.
Line up places where you might post. Get some early reviews.
Second, cut yourself some
slack. Remember that humans learn by trial and error. Mistakes are part of the process.
Inevitably, you’ll slip up or miss something. It’s okay.
Third, start working on your
next novel. If you’re like me, writing is the fun part. My favorite stories are
always the ones I’m currently working on.
Fourth, don’t be afraid to
ask for help. So far, I’ve gotten a lot of advice and assistance from friends
and strangers, as well as from experts and novices. I bet your experience will
be the same.
Fifth, give yourself time.
Embrace the newness. Know that tasks you’ve never done before will take longer.
Let them. Schedule that in and while you’re at it consider adding extra
minutes, so you can pause in wonder when it all comes together.
I’m guessing most of this
post’s readers are authors. Please pipe in, share something you learned about
the publishing process or something that surprised you in the comments.
As I said before, my novel
just came out. OTHER THAN, a Gaslamp Fantasy/
Paranormal Historical Romance is only weeks old and I’d love to share its
blurb and an excerpt with you.
Blurb:
It only takes one drink from the Water of Immortality to kill Evie
Woods—halfway. Trapped in undead flesh, the world’s last skin-slider wakens on
an island purgatory where a cursed spring bubbles with immortality, and zombie
cannibals crave living flesh.
Her only hope of escape rests in the hands of the one man who
would see her fail. Bound to her by cords stronger than death, Lord Victor
Lowell is both the man of her dreams, and her darkest nightmares. Contrary and
intractable, Victor preys on others to maintain his angelic charisma and
preternatural prowess. Drawn to the compellingly gallant and vulnerable soul
behind his mercurial humors, Evie can only watch as protecting her forces
Victor to sacrifice yet more of himself to the ancient evil long tethered to
his soul.
Trapped in an ever-escalating war they can’t
stop, Victor and Evie fight time for a cure, but as the long days pass
blackness tears at Evie, ripping her thoughts from her one memory at a time.
Victor will to do whatever it takes to prevent her from deteriorating into a
rotting husk, even if it means dooming himself, but Evie won’t surrender his soul without a fight. Battle lines
drawn, the soul mates resolve to find redemption or die trying.
Excerpt
He materialized in the inky shadow.
Or
rather his apparition did. His ghostly frame hovered before her, sinuous and
lithe. Against his shadowed form, the string glimmered like liquid silver.
Slowly he unwrapped her, tossing the spectral bands to the floor until a coil
lay between him and her.
Something
inside her chest fluttered. “You followed me.”
An
accusation.
He
nodded. With a slight shrug, he spread his hands. “You shouldn’t be alone.”
She
wanted to turn, giving him her back, but her betraying gaze remained fixated
upon him. When he paced around her, she waved him away. “Don’t.”
He
caught her hand and placed an insubstantial kiss in her palm. “Let me help
you…please.”
A
gallant gesture, perhaps, but her skin-slider sensitivity noted the rigidity of
his stance, the twitch along his jaw, and the slight narrowing of his eyes. How
could he think of helping her when he was in so much pain?
Ordinarily,
she might be grateful. Might…if loss hadn’t hollowed her.
She
ripped her cooling flesh from his spectral arms. “I don’t deserve kindness.”
“Good.”
He gave her a rakish smirk. “Because I’m not kind.”
She
shook her head, biting back the emerging smile that had no place on her
countenance. She couldn’t be civil, couldn’t risk the involvement. “I can’t go
on like this—stuck betwixt life and death.”
“You
must. Don’t you see, sweet dove? You’re beyond both. You’re immortal. Like me.”
If you’re interested in getting a copy of Other Than you
can find it at these places.
Mia Jo Celeste comes from a family of writers and English
teachers, so it was no surprise when she chose to pursue both careers. She grew
up watching horror movies and reading romances. To her, the two genres go
together like salty and sweet in kettle corn. If you’d like to contact Mia Jo,
you can find her at these places.
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01N9JGDVI
In addition, I’d be honored
if you’d like to review a copy. Feel free to contact me miaATmiacelesteDOTcom if
you’re interested. Thanks.
6 comments:
Thank you for having me as your guest. I'm excited to talk about Other Than's release and my experiences.
Welcome Mia, thank for sharing your experiences and Other Than sounds wonderful! Good luck and enjoy each and every step you take into the world of writing.
Thanks J Hali,
I appreciate your interest and well wishes.
Hi, Mia *waves wildly*! Those are some great tips, especially giving yourself some slack. I'd add that to any release, new or not. It's a lot to do and take in, and it's so easy to get stressed about everything. Both being a writer and being a mom are challenging and just as rewarding, right? Thanks for being here!
Grin. Being a mom and anything else is challenging. :) Thank goodness I have great writing friends like you.
Welcome and best wishes, Mia.
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