Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

My Book News & Advocate for the Writing Community ©

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – Tips on Learning Your Writing Craft

August 19, 2021
mandyevebarnett


As writers and authors, learning new skills, keeping ahead of genre evolution, trope changes and writing methods is vital for our continued improvement as a wordsmith. With the industry changing so quickly, we need to be ahead of the game.

The best ways to do this are:

  1. Join a writing group
  2. Read articles on the book industry
  3. Take courses and workshops
  4. Attend writing conferences
  5. Subscribe to industry newsletters
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

How do you keep current with the writing industry?

This past weekend, I virtually attended When Words Collide and attended as many sessions as I could, while also being a co-presenter and panelist. Although, there was information I already knew, there were also those little nuggets of wisdom, insights and knowledge that made each session a gem. My notes were prolific and my follow up to action each gem will take several weeks.

There is always something to learn, whether you are just starting out on your writing career or have years of experience. We can have tunnel vision and ease into a ‘comfort zone’ so easily, when there are so many other calls on our time.

Some things can be scheduled monthly, such as updating your website or blog with current information. We don’t want a visitor to read upcoming events from 2018! Modify your bio to include your latest book, current WIP progression and appearances etc. Don’t leave your blog stagnant – post content regularly. (This can be once weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or even quarterly – just a known routine, so followers will know when to expect you to post).

We all have several social media accounts, so make sure they reflect the latest news, images etc. so they are in line with your current activities. This makes your author platform current. Also check links to ensure they are working properly or direct to a new site, if a change occurred. Refresh content and images so your platform doesn’t look dated or tired. Renew your copyright dates for all content across platforms on 1st January each year – this is one that can be missed very easily.

Can you share tips on what you do to stay updated and improve your writing skills?

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – Creating A Goodreads Author Profile

April 15, 2021
mandyevebarnett


As authors we want readers to find us and our books. There are a couple of sites that offer author profiles that you can set up yourself. Firstly, there is Goodreads. Not only can you create your own profile but actively promote your book(s) and also connect with readers and review other author’s books. As many f you know I review every book I read on Goodreads and Amazon. It is my way of giving back to the community.

The process to set up your author profile is pretty easy and there is a helpful guide on the site if your get stuck. Follow these steps and add another avenue to your author platform. You will also have a follow button so your readers can click that to keep updated on your new releases etc. You can also follow all your favorite authors.

How To Set Up Your Goodreads Author Profile

Step one: Claim your book (or manually add it)

First, search Goodreads to see if your book has already been added to their database. One of your readers could have already added it for you.

If you don’t find your book listed, take these steps to manually add your book:

  • Click “My Books” along the top
  • Click “Import/Export” along the left side
  • Click “manually add books” along the top
  • Or use this link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/new

Once you are on your book page, click on the link for your name. It will open up to an author profile page. Click on the link that says “Is this you? Let us know.” and you will be able to send a request to join the Author Program.

Step two: Customize your author profile

There are many things you can do to customize your Goodreads author profile.

  • Add your author photo.
  • Add a compelling author bio
  • Add your blog.
  • Add upcoming events, give away’s and/or teasers for your next book.
  • Add ‘ask the author’ questions for each book. Make sure to activate

Step three: Getting started on Goodreads

When you are first getting started on Goodreads, here are three things we recommend doing:

  1. Rate at least 20 books. This will unlock additional features that are not available to you until you add and rate at least 20 books.
  2. Start adding friends. Personally, I got started by importing friends from Facebook. This helped me add friends quickly.
  3. Remember to ask reviewers to post to Goodreads as well. Get the URL of your book page and give it to reviewers who agree to post a review for you.

Now you have your author profile added here are several tips on using the site for promotion.

Getting exposure for your author profile on Goodreads can create interest in you and your books. Here are a 9 ways you can get your profile image to show up around Goodreads once you have your account set up:

  1. Update your progress on a book you are currently reading. Click update status on that particular book’s Goodread’s page.
  2. Vote on a list http://www.goodreads.com/list
  3. Vote on a poll http://www.goodreads.com/poll
  4. Blog updates – this will happen automatically if you’ve connected your blog to your author profile.
  5. Rate a book and/or review it.
  6. Add a book to your shelves.
  7. Find a book and click “want to read”.
  8. Click the “like” button under someone else’s review.
  9. Respond to friend requests.

The more you interact the more exposure you and your book(s) will get, so get it done!

Good luck and let me know when I can follow you! Here’s mine:

Alternative Living -Live Below Your Means…

March 2, 2016
mandyevebarnett


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We live in a product driven society bombarded with – buy, buy, buy advertising and promotions. You ‘must’ have the latest and best, you ‘must’ buy new. Add on top of that peer pressure and we all experience stress and ultimately dissatisfaction. Our family, friends and neighbors all seem to have the newest gadget, car, home styling etc. etc, the list is endless. However, do you actually feel happy when you do acquire all these objects? Does the acquirement actually benefit us in real terms? Do these things plunge us deeper into debt? What is the point? As the saying goes – you can’t take it with you! So why try?

To live below our means, in theory sounds like an easy task, in reality many of us cannot maintain the lifestyle we want with less. The less being primarily money. However, if we take a cold hard look at our stuff and the ever growing debt it brings with it, does it give us enough joy, happiness or communication with those we love to warrant the financial cost?

There is a Canadian saying – ‘he with the most toys wins’. But what does he win if he is dead? Nothing. The toys will be sold off, at a fraction of the cost and the cash distributed to his family. Obviously it is nice to own a range of sporting and leisure vehicles and equipment, go on expensive vacations or live in a huge house but do you spend quality time with family? Will you leave a financial burden for the next generation to cope with?

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Not everything needs to be bought new, there are numerous options from thrift stores to second hand or even barter for items we need. Need is the word we should keep in mind when pursuing that next desired object. Ask yourself do I want it or do I need it? You don’t need to change your cell phone every time a new model comes out. You don’t need to upgrade your car every year. However, you do need to eat, heat your house and put fuel in your vehicle.

Try to resist the ‘I want’ and think about what real benefit that item will give you. Think long term not short term.

How do you save money? Do you live frugally?

save money

The following links will give you an idea of ways to manage living below your means.

Links: http://www.marcandangel.com/2008/10/20/18-means-of-living-below-your-means/

http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/10/10-smartest-ways-to-live-beneath-your.html

http://money.usnews.com/money/the-frugal-shopper/2015/03/27/10-ways-to-live-within-your-means

http://www.overgrowthesystem.com/blog/meet-the-no-money-man-mark-boyle-food-is-free

Just had to add this posted by a friend on facebook this morning! Just perfect for today’s post.

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Reblog Wednesday – Editing Tips…

November 12, 2014
mandyevebarnett


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A first today – a double reblog as both parts are great for inspiration (and our sanity!)

Editing is hard…that is a fact but with some forethought and planning it can be made slightly easier. Decided on which particular edit you want to do – spelling & grammar, continuity, character development etc. then focus on each one separately instead of trying to do it all at once.

One writer I know prints out on different colored paper for each edit category. I utilize a novel workshop run by my local writing group. We pair up and review each others work for several months. Having many eyes read your work assists not only in the usual editing problems but also it is a bet read. A win, win situation.

http://knitewrites.com/2014/09/24/50-ways-editing-will-drive-you-insane-part-1/

http://knitewrites.com/2014/10/01/50-ways-editing-will-drive-you-insane-part-2/

What methods do you use for your editing process?

Which category do you find the hardest?

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Into the Abyss…Does Social Media Work..?

October 13, 2014
mandyevebarnett


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We all struggle to promote our work and turn to the numerous social media sites as avenues of interaction. We can spend hours posting book links, reviews, book cover art, links to our blog etc. When it comes to determining the success of all this activity, we can feel despondent. A tweet is lost in a multitude of other tweets within seconds, a face book page post may last slightly longer but its place is taken once the feed renews. Now you may feel such random and spasmodic promotion does little to help you become known but take heart in the fact that these efforts are not in vain. Re-tweets and shares are confirmation that someone has seen your post and it spreads to other media sites in the process.

There are analytic pages for most media sites, where you are able to track the success of a particular promotion. You can focus on specific groups or locations as well, giving your promotion an advantage and ensuring the ‘right’ people view the information you supply. I utilize all the usual social media sites but have to confess I am not an everyday user so ‘miss’ whole days or even weeks of potential promotional opportunities.

co-promote

That is why I was so thrilled to find a site called Co-Promote last year. At the time most of the users were involved in the music business. Once I read how the site worked I was intrigued but thought there was no room for authors. I wrote an email asking if they would be expanding their reach to other enterprises. The reply was quick and favorable. Anyone was welcome to join no matter what their trade, business or creative genre. I was informed new options would be added for books, magazines and blogs. Encouraged by this willingness to accommodate, I joined up and have found this site to be excellent. You can join for free or register for a sliding scale of options.  More here: https://copromote.com/about.php  The added bonus is that whenever there is a share you are sent an email advising you of who has shared. Each email also shows you new shares, new engagements and the reach of your promotion has achieved. Each promotion can be run for a few days or a few weeks, whichever is preferable to your requirements. My current promotion began on 12th October – so far it has reached 27.5K  people! I could not have done that with any other site in such a short time.

What promotional sites do you use?

Which is the most successful for you?

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