#WWoW! Get Alert!

Today, I want to share two different types of ALERTS. It's techy stuff but the simplest of simple. BOTH are VERY GOOD RESOURCES but for two different reasons. Read on!

First, Google Alerts.
As authors -pen name or not- we are in the public eye. And now that we're there, it's good to know what's being said about us in the cyber-world. You can subscribe for alerts from Google based on criteria you establish. They send you email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your criteria. It takes just a few minutes to enter a search query you want to monitor. Be careful not to make it too complicated. Have an alert for your name, book names or series names. EASY and WORTH IT.

Second, Author Alarms.
You can subscribe for an alarm each time one of your books becomes available. Good way for you to track its availability BUT EVEN BETTER... promote this to your readers and fans. Encourage them to sign up so they will be able to purchase your new releases right away. Then no matter how busy you get, your readers will always know when your next book is ready for them to read.

Now go on and get alert. And then get back to your writing!

Paloma
Paloma Beck is a Romance Author living a life of contradiction... she's a happily married carpooling mom writing erotic romance. It's almost naughty! Paloma writes full-time and has three series in the works with others on the fringes. Her books span both the contemporary and paranormal romance genres. She dabbles in vampires, witches, menage, spanking and bondage - all in her books, of course. 

You can read about her books and also connect with her on multiple social networking platforms. Paloma is always willing to talk about her books, answer questions and hear your thoughts on her characters.


Paloma is committed to helping new writers and demonstrates her commitment as a volunteer staff member of MFRWorg and as a contributing blogger on Writer's Words of Wisdom.

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