The short story ~ Something to read when you don't have a lot of time ~ Post by Jessica E. Subject #FreeRead #ReadAnEbookWeek

 

"A short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage. A short story is a photograph; a novel is a film." ~Lorrie Moore

"My short stories are like soft shadows I have set out in the world, faint footprints I have left. I remember exactly where I set down each and every one of them, and how I felt when I did. Short stories are like guideposts to my heart…" ~Haruki Murakami

THE SHORT STORY

A short story is much shorter than a novel, generally deals with only a handful of characters, and consists of one main story arch. They are perfect when you only have a brief amount of time to read, but want a complete story, or if you want the enjoyment of a happy ending before you go to bed, and don't want to be up all night reading. (Which I'm sure many of us have done.)

As an author, sometimes I find them easy to write, and other times, not so much. When I first started writing, they were a great way for me to learn story structure and development, as well as character development. It can be hard to convey an entire story in a limited amount of words. 

Since today is the beginning of READ AN EBOOK WEEK (March 7-13, 2021), I have made a couple of my short stories available for FREE on Smashwords during this time. Check them out below!

ALIEN LOVER ~ Unconvinced of her fiancé’s demise, Molly combs the galaxy to search for him. As her supplies run low, she is forced to turn around and set a course for Earth, alone. But, a Moloxian Starcruiser halts her retreat, and the single passenger transports onto her ship without permission. Taser in hand to defend herself, she is startled as the form remolds into her fiancé. Has Diego found her or is her tired mind playing tricks?

Alien Lover FREE at Smashwords

CRASH LANDING ~ As his ship plummets toward Earth, Cael believes his life to be over. His last ditch effort to save himself ends in a fiery crash. When he wakes up, he believes he’s entered the afterlife, but his surroundings indicate otherwise. He made it to Earth. But who saved him, and what do they want with him?

Crash Landing FREE at Smashwords

THE POWER OF THREE ~ Cursed to live amongst several stone gargoyle statues, Oscar watches a young couple, yearning to participate in their sexual activities. For he has been away from his own lovers for over a year, and longs to touch and be touched again.

When he tumbles off the headboard onto the couple, he is released from the statue but must find a way home. His only thought: a ménage with the man and woman who freed him. But will they try something new to grant him his return passage, or leave him wandering Earth alone?

The Power of Three FREE at Smashwords

Whether you enjoy your stories short. long, or a mixture of them all, I wish you...

HAPPY READING TIME!

~ Jessica

The Naughty List is Now a Series. Free on Amazon with Book 2 on Sale.

The Naughty List is now a series.

Free November 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Judgment Day (Book 2) is on sale for $2.50

Murder, mystical artifacts, an invisible demon with anger management issues, and an overbearing cupid—not what Rosalie Thatcher wished for on her Christmas list.

The holidays had always been a magical time for Rosalie, but not this year. Her new manager at Penrose’s Department Store is determined to make this season the most profitable in the store’s history, even if it sucks the life out of every employee. Introducing arbitrary rules and stealing the affections of the cute temp Santa were bad enough, but forcing Rosalie into the stupid elf hat was the worst. The worst, that is, until she meets a real E.L.F. (Elemental Life Form) named David and gets lassoed into a desperate hunt for the stolen Naughty and Nice List. Now all Rosalie and David must do is dodge a murderous invisible demon and recover the missing artifact before hellhounds track them down.  The couple race against time for without the magical guidance of the Naughty and Nice List, the world will tumble toward eternal chaos. 

FREE ON AMAZON

You can run. You can hide. But you can’t escape Judgment Day.

Changes are in store for Rosalie, David, and the gang at Penrose’s. Remodeling has begun and lives are in upheaval as well as floorplans. Rosalie’s duties as the new human warden on the Integral council draws her deeper into their politics. A clan leader dies, another is elected, and a plot against a third turns deadly. Who will emerge unscathed and who will be banished? Meanwhile, Judgment Day approaches when rights are set wrong and anyone who crosses a cupid risks the Kiss of Death. 

AMAZON SALE

 

Guest Jillian Jacobs on Marketing @GreenMooseProd

Author Jillian Jacobs shares her knowledge of marketing.

What is the one thing authors have a hard time with??? Marketing! I have been in the marketing business since I sold my first radio ad in 1994.

Here are some tips I hope will help you with any advertising issues.

As a media buyer, I look at viewing/listening in average quarter hours. Consider how many messages you see every fifteen minutes? What’s the last message that stayed with you and why?

How do you create an ad for your book that’s memorable? That’s the zillion dollar question.

And no one knows the answer…which is why an effective and efficient marketing plan matters!

• TOMA – Remember Top of Mind Awareness!

• Tell strangers about your books.

• Speak at meetings/book clubs about writing or be genre specific. Announce you’ll be there to relevant groups!! Bring books for sale after. Offer articles to magazines like RWA or Writer’s Digest…maybe even Romantic Times mag.

• Always have an elevator pitch ready- and I mean elevator- don’t drone on and on

• Always have a biz card with you. Include all social media/website/email – consider photo

• Gather reviews to put on blog or website

• Set up readings at local events or bookstores

• Get a professional photo taken- Adds to your brand and can be added to all pages.

• Do YouTube videos or short films about your books. Link to FB and Twitter.

• If someone offers you an opportunity to spread the news- TAKE IT!

• Do a Blog Tour- Cover reveal/Release

            Write a blog post about your book. Add keywords

            Offer bloggers ARC’s

• Do a Cover Reveal

• Build a user-friendly website. Make sure you add an SEO option and use! Add a “store” page to website. Do you have sale buttons on your site? Social media buttons? When you type in your name what comes up?

• Is your author bio up to date? Goodreads profile? AMZ profile? (add review quotes) Website?

• Create a newsletter – Giveaways, book launch, special offers, excerpts prior to release –make personal by doing things for your bday or fav holiday, offer ARC’s. Consider offering ads in your newsletter and “sell” to other authors.

• FB boosts 

• FB Ads Manager

• Twitter ads (Link twitter to your website)

            Write Tweetable quotes and ask friends, bloggers, newletter readers to share

• Amazon ads – available from your Author Dashboard.

            Click Promote and Advertise

• Goodreads Promo

            Add Goodreads widget to your Website.

            https://www.goodreads.com/author/program

• Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Snapchat

• Allow friends to put blurbs in the back of your books

• Take friend’s swag to book signings.

• Use Sale sites

• Do a sale
• Free
• 99 cents

• Write a great book. When released include a fun hash tag and include everywhere! #mktgqueen

• Write an interesting blurb – If you don’t hook the reader, then poof…sale gone.  Very hard but crucial.

• Create eye catching ads – or hire someone to do them. If you don’t have a professional looking ad, it really sticks out!

• Make a video for your YouTube page.

• Write “advice” blogs. Guest blog. Add keywords to blog. Allow guests on your blog. Do you have a blog on your website?

• Make a slide show and post it

• Create a Google+ Page. Host a Google Hangout.

• Create an author logo

• Be your brand

• Are you reading? If so, do you suggest these books to your friends? Engage! Word of Mouth is a HUGE motivator.

• Always say your sales are good

• Be positive about your product. Offer fans sneak peeks.

• Offer deleted excerpts. Do a fan of the month. Do a best illustration of scene contest. Do a best book trailer contest. Best ad contest.

• Poll readers likes and dislikes. Get to know them. What they like to read? Etc…

• Write next book

• Attend events. Smile. Put your phone down! Banner-Name most prominent so readers can find you. Swag that is brand consistent. – Footballs   Make sure events are listed on GR, AMZ, website

• Donate your books to local libraries. Write YA? High schools. Camps. Contemp? Women’s shelters. Retirement communities

• Write press release for local media about YOU and what you’re up to that’s relevant to city or another relevant options.

• Think outside the box on events- Farmer’s Market, Covered Bridge festival

• Attend events even if you’re not signing.

• At events, place book in buyers hands

• Join RWA genre groups and volunteer – expand your sphere of influence

• Listen to the Novel Marketing Podcast – novelmarketing.com

• Become a HARO source – Become a source for journalists - Help a Reporter  Out

• Create a Meetup group. – www.meetup.com local opportunity to meet with people with same interests OR meet up with readers when traveling or at a signing. Do a special event just for them.

• Enter writing contests if only to get your name in front of new people.

• What’s your angle? Open up your target demo – very important. Keywords encompass entire book, switch them up

• In email signature line, include all your info and when you sign your name always use full author name.

• Part of PR is Volunteering- get your name out as a helpful person

• Themed merchandise- add to website. Model and promote.

• Host a Book release party – Ava

• Link to a cause- Thistle Farms

• Don’t be negative about author world or get caught up in drama

• Indie Book Channel on YouTube- or other book channels. Young people are not on FB. Where are they? SnapChat, Instagram

• Keep a list of bloggers you meet and send them your info when you have exciting news

• ARC’s are advertising

• During any sort of “event” be sure to respond to all and quickly

• Write a press release and post on PRWeb – will send for fee

• Post excerpts on Scribd.com –digital subscription service

• Hire someone from Fivver to promote your book on free book sites. Site has entire Digital Marketing section

• iBooks

• Kobo

            https://www.kobo.com/us/en/category/advertising-promotion

• Ask for Reviews.

• Do your ads and covers match your brand?  Pick a font, use same cover artist. Same feel across all books.

• Ask for Sale!! Always include links.

• Hire A PR Firm.

• Have your audible voice person come with you to events.

Believe in YOU!

If you don’t believe in your product no one else will.

Website: www.jillianjacobs.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GreenMooseProd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenMooseProd/

Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/JillianJacobsAMZAuthorPage

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JillianJacobs

newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/q2h3g1

Who is Jillian Jacobs?

I like hot tea, mooses, and polish pottery.

I write Paranormal and Contemporary romance. Both genres include suspenseful elements. I tend to include a villain POV, because I love delving into the dark side.

I’m the co-founder of Healing with Words—a not for profit agency established for healing survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking, and prostitution. The mission is to bring together readers, authors, and survivors in a positive manner that affects change and relief from negative influences. Writers on The River, an author event in Peoria, Illinois is hosted by Healing With Words.

www.writersontheriver.weebly.com

What happens when a lonely water-girl finally finds her shore?

In a tourist town at the base of the Tetons, Maya Conway, a mythical being known as an Elemental, stands at a crossroads. On her current path, she is content using her life force—water—to protect humans and the environment. Her direction is altered when Mother Nature taps her to guide Terran Forrester, an analytical scientist, on his journey to become the next Elemental—Earth. If Maya crosses into his world, will her lonely heart find a partner or will his rational mind reject her otherworldly existence? When an ancient evil evolved from dark matter shadows their steps, which path will they choose—logic or love?

Water’s Threshold FREE for a limited time!

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1wOqeXg

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/WatersThresholdBN

Kobo: http://bit.ly/WatersThresholdKobo

iBooks:  http://bit.ly/WatersThreshiBooks