#Wwow - Checking Sales Ranks

 It's book release day and what do you do? Yep! Check and recheck your book sales ... even when you tell yourself you won't! So, I'm here to share a few online sources for checking sales. Although I have heard it's not quite accurate, it is helpful to "calm" your nerves.

NOVELRANK:
Completely free for tracking book sales from Amazon (all domains).

Once you type in your book name, the site provides sales information:

You can also download Excel Spreadsheet format or check out Twitter and Blog searches.

SALES RANK EXPRESS:

Completely free sales ranking with searchable items.

You can search by your author name or book name.

I've also found this site useful for researching publishers and their sales ranks for recently released books.

Melinda Dozier is a contemporary romance writer. Her three debut novels were released in 2013: The Boy Next Door and Time Changes Everything from Entranced Publishing, and Breaking the Rules from Crimson Romance. Her latest release, Love and Other Games: Trouble With Gold was released last week from Swoon Romance. You can find more information at her website:www.melindadozier.com

#Wwow - Creative Online Promotion Tools #2 #promotion

Creative Online Promotion Tools

Last week I shared Online Promotion Tool #1 (Powtoon). This week, I have another three favorite tools to create original, fun promotion for your books.

Tool #2: Animoto (www.animoto.com)

Animoto is a fun tool to create videos of photos and/or videos. The best part is you can create a 30 second video FREE. You can pay for the more advanced version. Tammy posted about that HERE.

Make your own photo slideshow at Animoto.

Just to show you what you can do in 30 seconds, here’s a video I created for release day of my debut novel, Time Changes Everything.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Tool #3: Jib Jab Freebies (www.jibjab.com)

Creative tool to create hilarious videos/ecards/minimovies. You add in your photos to people’s bodies and it makes for a great laugh. Here is a video to promote ST Bende’s Elsker and my books, Time Changes Everything, Breaking the Rules and Trouble with Gold. Our heroes become Chippendales!

Tool #4: Face in the Hole

This is another funny way to promote your characters or book. Face in the Hole allows you to place your “character” photo onto any photo you want. Here are a few ways I’ve used this:

This is ME with Jake (aka Matt Bomer) from Time Changes Everything.

As you can see, I have a rather strange sense of humor, yet I’ve found these tools to be different than the regular blog post or FB post. Something different catches attention.

I’d love to see what you’ve put together! Share your links below!

Melinda Dozier is a contemporary romance writer. Her three debut novels were released in 2013: The Boy Next Door and Time Changes Everything from Entranced Publishing, and Breaking the Rules from Crimson Romance. Her next release, Love and Other Games: Trouble With Gold will be released in October from Swoon Romance. You can find more information at her website:www.melindadozier.com

#Wwow! 10 Tips for Writing a Synopsis! #amwriting

Since I'm writing a synopsis again for an upcoming project, I thought I'd share an oldie but goodie with Writer's Wow today!

MY TOP 10 WORDS OF ADVICE FOR WRITING A SYNOPSIS:

1) Have a strong opening sentence. Just like in your novel, you want to catch an editor's attention with a hook.

2) Introduce your characters. Don't make it boring... Susy is a 30-something single mom. Blah! Give us some punch to it. Show the editor who the character is. 

3) Include the key components of your novel: hero/heroine, the set up, romantic conflict, character motivation, the black moment and the resolution.

4) In a one-page synopsis, it's impossible to include every detail of your chapters.In fact, I would think editors don't want a summary of each chapter, anyway.  Find a good way to include the essentials (see list above) in a way that will engage the editor. Describe the major plot points, not each scene. The goal is to give a sketch of your entire manuscript, in fewer words.

5) Don't ask questions. Will Amanda discover a renewed love for Jake? This doesn't work. The editor wants the answers, not the question.

6) Stay focused. Don't change POV's and stay in the same verb tense 

7) Don't forget to tell the ending. Editors want to know how the story ends. Don't leave them hanging.

8) Choose your words carefully. When you write your manuscript, you hopefully choose precise words. You want to do the same in the synopsis. 

9) Voice is important. If you write a romantic comedy, then your synopsis should show that. This is the time to give the editor a clue on what type of writer you are... if you're funny, you better show it.

10) Don't stress. Write your synopsis out as if someone asked you to tell them your story. Then go back and see how you can improve. Edit it just like you'd edit your manuscript.

Good Luck!

Melinda Dozier is a contemporary writer. Her three debut novels were released in 2013: The Boy Next Door and Time Changes Everything from Entranced Publishing, and Breaking the Rules from Crimson Romance.  She has another novel releasing in November. You can find more information at her website:www.melindadozier.com

Planning a Blog Tour: Self or Tour Company? #Wwow

My third novel, Breaking the Rules, released yesterday! What a thrill! What I wish I knew was the amount of promotion I had to undertake to prepare for release, especially with my own blog tour. So, guess what? That’s where my advice comes from today.

With my first book, Time Changes Everything, I was lucky to have a publicist to arrange blog tours,  reviews, etc. It all depends on the publisher you work with. This time around, I’ve done it all. At one point, I was really tired and hired a Tour Company. Which tour companies are available?

Here are my suggestions of places I’ve used as a blogger (http://flirtingwithromance.blogspot.com) to promote other authors books. They have great services and excellent prices. It is totally worth outsourcing another party if you are short on time or just want to focus on writing.

·         TastyBook Tours – The friendliest, most economical tour host.  This is who I’ve personally used and I have not been disappointed.

·         GoddessFish Tours – Very well-organized and well-known.

·         ReadingAddiction Blog Tours – Well-organized, accessible and doesn’t just focus on romance.

·         BookMonster Book Promotions – Award winning

·         Shadesof Rose – newer but well-organized and our very own Lacey helps out with this one!

·         Author’sTaproom – new but extremely well promoted by bloggers creator of Guilty Pleasures Blog.

There are many more places and you could give a look at Google. Check out the websites for listings of prices and services. One will be a perfect fit for you.

What types of services do most of the tour companys have? There’s a huge range from:

a.     A Release Day Blitz

b.     Cover Reveals

c.     Blurb Tours

d.     Excerpt Tours

e.     Full Blog Tours with Guest Posts, Interviews and Reviews

f.        Review Tours

And the list goes on depending on the tour company.

The best part is that the tour company plans it all for you! They find the blogs, act as the mediator and fix any problems. In my opinion, totally worth it!

Next week I will talk about what you, as an author, have to do to prepare for a blog tour – hosted by yourself or a company. Thanks for stopping by!

Melinda Dozier is a teacher by day and a sassy romance writer by night. She lives in Guatemala, Central America with the love of her life and three boys. Her debut novel, Time Changes Everything was released by Entranced Publishing on May 13, 2013. Her newest contemporary romance, Breaking the Rules, will be released next week on July 8, 2013 from Crimson Romance. You can find Melinda at her website: www.melindadozier.com or on Twitter www.twitter.com/melindadozier

Wow! We're Back! - Authors, Use Pinterest - #Wwow

Wow! We're back! 

Writer's Words of Wisdom provides a wealth of information for any author -- be it a debut author, like me, or an a well-versed author. We all have more to learn and that's where Writer's Words of Wisdom comes in. Each Tuesday, I'll be providing my advice from a "newbie's" perspective. I've learned so much in my first year as a published author and want to help anyone I can.

Today I'm going to share an oldie but goodie. My most popular #Wwow post from this past year -- Authors, Use Pinterest!

When I signed up for Pinterest about a year ago, I immediately loved it. I found too many recipes, too many crafts and too many funny jokes. There literally is so much out there, it can be TOO much. However, it isn't just for those who are planning weddings, baby showers, or dinner for the night.

As I became a serious writer, I soon realized that I can use Pinterest to my advantage. Today's Writers Words of Wisdom is about how to use Pinterest to an Author's Advantage.

Here's what to do:

1) Create an author page. I created a separate page since I have a pen name to use for my writing purposes. My primary purpose to add this social network was to organize my writing ideas/pictures and to get my name out there. Check me out at www.pinterest.com/melindadozier and follow me!

2) Create boards. Click the ADD+ link at the top of the page. CREATE a BOARD link is next. Of course, you are open to create anything! Here are the boards that I think are useful for other writers:

A board for each book you write. For example, I have a Time Changes Everything board with pictures of my MCs, the setting, important events, my book cover, etc. 

Story Inspirations: include quotes or pictures that may inspire future stories, novels, MCs

Hero/Heroine Inspirations: Similar to above but only pictures of possible MCs

Blogging: Here I pin blogs that I write (another great way to advertise yourself) and blogs I read that are useful.

Author Tools: Anything I find useful for writing, such as tips from the #Wwow weekly posts!

Music to Write To: Yep! You can even pin videos. 

On Reading/Writing: Quotes about Reading and Writing to help motivate writers

Take a look at some of my boards:

3) Find friends/authors. Now it's time to network. You can click on your name at the top right corner and there is a link that says FIND FRIENDS. You can search by email or Facebook. Aditionally, you can find names in the SEARCH box. I have followed favorite authors, writing friends and publishers.

All in all, Pinterest should not be overlooked as a way to promote yourself or to organize your ideas. If you haven't signed up, now is the time!

Melinda Dozier is a teacher by day and a sassy romance writer by night. She lives in Guatemala, Central America with the love of her life and three boys. Her debut novel, Time Changes Everything was released by Entranced Publishing on May 13, 2013. Her newest contemporary romance, Breaking the Rules, will be released next week on July 8, 2013 from Crimson Romance. You can find Melinda at her website: www.melindadozier.com or on Twitter www.twitter.com/melindadozier