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6/30/2025 0 Comments Marketing for romance indie authorIn the rapidly growing world of self-publishing, indie romance authors, myself included, have carved out a lucrative niche on platforms like Amazon. This strategy outlines a comprehensive plan for an indie romance author already established with a modest following, aiming to increase visibility, sales, and reader engagement. By leveraging data-driven insights and innovative marketing techniques, this strategy will focus on both short-term sales boosts and long-term brand building.
Target Audience Analysis Understanding the target audience is crucial for crafting effective marketing campaigns. The typical reader of indie romance novels on Amazon is:
The USP for this indie romance author is their ability to weave heartwarming, relatable stories with strong, diverse characters that resonate with modern readers. This author offers more than just a love story; they provide a journey that readers can emotionally invest in. By emphasizing unique storylines and authentic voices, this author stands out in the crowded romance genre. Marketing Objectives
Product
Since most of us know about BookTok, I’d like to focus on Facebook and how to use that platform for marketing.
I will say, that most of my sales come from Facebook and Amazon Advertising, in that order. I have to revamp the ads now and then do they don’t get tired, but I definitely recommend trying Facebook ads to promote your books, especially romance genres.
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6/28/2025 0 Comments New Covers!New Cover Announcement for the Descending series ebooks!    6/27/2025 0 Comments Embrace the ChaosAs the warm sun heralds us into what some of us call "summer BREAK" I'm forced into a balancing act with the exuberant energy of my children and the steadfast demands of my work-in-progress projects. It’s a delicate dance, one that requires flexibility, creativity, and a healthy sense of humor.
I have a history of clocking out as an author during the summer, becoming too overwhelmed with the kids and my trying to actually finish a book. But I've decided to take a different approach this year. The first step, being, to roll with the punches. Embrace the chaos. Summer break transforms our home into a lively hub of activity, with laughter echoing through the halls and endless requests for snacks. At least, some of the time. A lot of the days are filled with breaking up fights, keeping meltdowns at bay and keeping from melting or passing out in the heat that my kids insist on dragging me out into. Instead of resisting, I've learned to cherish these moments as best I could. They remind me of the joys of childhood, and, surprisingly, they often fuel my creativity. It's completely different from when I was a child. An only child. In a neighborhood full of kids my age to play with. Sprinklers to jump through, a bucket to call my pool and a hose to drink from. In my backyard, my kids have a trampoline, pool, chalk, sandbox, toys galore and tablets. And yet...they still insist on being by my side or playing Mortal Kombat with one another. I know I may not finish a book this summer. But when my kids are in the pool, I have a few minutes to write without too many fights. To maintain my sanity and productivity, setting realistic expectations is crucial, though. I don't set a crazy schedule for writing. Just think, "Are the kids occupied? Then it's time to write!" My latest tool is earning money by doing educational games on their tablets or worksheets I've printed. My youngest is still learning to read, and is starting 2nd grade this Fall. For every 30 minutes of ABC DuoLingo she plays, she earns a dollar. She doesn't usually do more than that half-hour, but it's enough for me to get 500 words or so written. Another vital strategy is delegation. Enlisting the help of family members, friends, or even hiring a babysitter, i.e. my teenage step-son (yes, we pay him) for a few hours can provide the precious time I need to advance my projects. It’s a win-win situation: my children get to interact with others, and I get a moment of peace to concentrate. They love hanging out with their big brother, anyways. In the midst of the summer whirlwind, it's important to celebrate the small wins. Whether it's completing a chapter or simply enjoying a peaceful moment with my kids, acknowledging these achievements helps keep me motivated. It helps that I have other writer friends to keep me motivated and feeling upbeat about it all. I guess this means the deadline for September that I have with my editor for A Shield of Blood and Honor isn't too far out of reach. Keep your fingers crossed, everyone! If your'e an indie author like me, you probably have a whole slew of hats that you wear in your self-employed business. Marketing, is one of them. Even those with Personal Assistants can have issues with this, so listen up. DO NOT TAKE A HIATUS! Take a break in writing, sure. Take a break from social media, ok. I understand that. But DO NOT DROP OFF INTO THE UNKNOWN. I did. My husband had asked that I take a step back from writing so he could persue his own business operation. Unfortuantely, I went into a bit of a depression at the same time, survival mode, if you will. This meant, no social media for the most part, including advertising my work. I went from a $3k royalties check from Amazon to barely $20 a month in just under a year. I never spent too much money on advertising to begin with. Most of my "marketing" was word of mouth, reviews, interaction, regular posts on Facebook and Instagram. TikTok wasn't a thing back then. But when I stopped taking the time to do that, to do other parenting responsibilities that my husband had been taking on while I worked and he did not, it all fell apart.
In the fast-paced world of writing and publishing, taking a break might seem like a tempting option, especially when writer's block strikes or personal commitments arise. However, for writers—especially indie authors—going on hiatus can be detrimental to maintaining momentum, audience engagement, and book sales. Here are a few things you can do as a writer, or any small business, really, if you do need to take a break; be it summer break and you have to keep the kids entertained, an illness, burnout, life throwing you for a loop, I hope this helps you to keep that forward motion. Batch Writing Batch writing involves setting aside dedicated time to produce multiple pieces of content in one sitting. This method not only enhances productivity but also ensures that you have a stockpile of material ready for publication. By batching your work, you can focus on writing without the distraction of daily deadlines, allowing for deeper immersion in your creative process. Practical Implementation Tips Schedule Dedicated Writing Days: Set specific days in your calendar solely for writing. Use these days to focus on creating new content, whether it’s blog posts, short stories, or chapters for your next book. Batch Post Making: Same goes here as above. When you do have time to make videos, or photos, take multiples. Even if there are no words. Anyone who is on Booktok knows that you don't have to do anything in the video sometimes in order to use it at a later date. You can always go into your photo/video library and pull it up for something new whenever a new trend pops up. Create a Comfortable Environment: Ensure your writing space is free from distractions and equipped with everything you need to be productive, such as a comfortable chair, good lighting, and your favorite writing tools. Set Clear Goals: Determine what you want to accomplish during your batch writing sessions. Having clear objectives, such as a word count goal or the number of pieces to complete, can help keep you on track. Automate Social Media Social media is a powerful tool for writers to connect with readers and promote their work. However, it can also be time-consuming. Automating social media posts ensures that your online presence remains active without requiring daily attention. Facebook and Instagram both have SCHEDULEing capabilities for posts, even months in advance. With TikTok, you can schedule video posts, multiple times a day, for at least 30 days in advance, sometimes farther. By scheduling posts in advance, you can maintain engagement with your audience, even when you’re not available. Use Social Media Management Tools: There are also some other Platforms like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Later allow you to schedule posts in advance across multiple social media channels if you're more savvy than myself. Silent but Present: Join a TikTok live, even if you don't have the energy to join in the conversation. I know it sounds weird, but even if you join and mute, you will be putting yourself into the algorithm. Create a Content Calendar: Plan your social media content in advance by creating a monthly calendar. Include a mix of promotional posts, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive questions to engage your audience. It sounds weird, but it could help. Especially if you keep the calendar as a part of your every day one. Recyle and Reuse: That's right! Recycling your posts/videos. Change the music, if you feel, change the times around so different audiences see it. An author friend of mine, Lacy Chantell advised me to use the same videos in a few weeks rotation. If you scroll through my posts on my profile, you'll see the same 10-15 videos used throughout a month. When I have time, I make new videos. Or, I use the same text but change the backgrounds. Keep Friends In The Loop: As friends, we don't want to see you fail. Need a break? Tell your village and ask them to post on your account for you. Even if it's self-promotion, if still keeps you in the algorithm and might even get you new followers. 6/18/2025 0 Comments New PLaces to write at homeFinding the perfect spot to write can sometimes feel like an adventure. While a desk or a cozy nook might be the usual go-to choices, exploring unconventional spaces in your home can spark creativity and offer a refreshing change of scenery. Here are some unusual yet inspiring places you might consider for your next writing session:
1. The Attic I mean, if you’ve got one and it’s not sweltering or freezing, the often overlooked attic can be a hidden gem for us writers. I’m sure the quiet atmosphere and unique view of the world from above (IF there’s a window) can set the stage for creative thinking. The closest thing I have to this is a garage attic space for storage where anything living goes to die. 2. Under the Stairs Do it like Harry Potter! The space beneath the stairs is often underutilized, but with a little imagination, it can become a cozy writing nook. I’ve seen a ton of people reconfigure the space for storage or a dog hideout, why not a writer’s hideout?! Decorate it with a small desk, (even one you need to sit on the floor for) some cushions, and ambient lighting to create a snug environment perfect for focusing on your writing. AND! I bet it’s a great place for “hide and seek” with the kids. 3. The Pantry Where all parents go to sneak a snack, writing in the pantry doesn’t sound all that weird. Surrounded by the comforting presence of food, you might find inspiration for culinary tales or simply enjoy the quietude of this tucked-away spot. Watch out for goldfish crackers on the ground though! 4. The Laundry Room While not the most glamorous location, the laundry room can serve as an unexpected writing haven. While the washer is going, you can concentrate on your words. Multitasking is what us mom’s are great at! And some SAHD’s, too. 😉 5. The Bathtub (Without Water) This one doesn’t seem so outrageous as I know a few writers who do their best work in the tub, with or without water. An empty bathtub can be a surprisingly comfortable place to write with the proper cushioning. Filled with pillows and blankets, it can become a snug little cocoon of writing. Just be sure to keep your electronic devices safe from any potential splashes! 6. The Closet And not just clothes closets, I’ve learned. Water closets work wonders, too. I’m not afraid to say that I’ve gone there for a peaceful cry when I’ve been overwhelmed. I bet writing in there would be fantastic. 7. The Garage Like the attic, make sure you can survive in this one. AC/Heater, dry from the elements, that sort of thing. Often seen as purely functional, the garage can also be a creative haven. Set up a small table and chair, and enjoy the change of scenery. The openness and rawness of the space can inspire new ideas and perspectives. ANNNND, another place to keep the kids guessing where you’re at. 8. The Balcony Currently, I am in the process of making my bedroom balcony a place for writing during the dry months. I might even be able to put a heater next to me for when it’s just chilly. Definitely not during the winter or when it rains. Even when a cover, Washington can get crazy with it’s rainfall. Hopefully this helps my fellow writer friends with ideas of where to get some space and peace (notice I didn’t say quiet), this summer to get some words in. Exploring some of these places in your house might just lead you to new ideas, too. 6/16/2025 1 Comment Summer + Kids = Writer's NightmareSummer break is a time that many families look forward to. The kids are out of school, the weather is nice, and there are countless opportunities for “fun.” However, for those who need to focus on writing, like me, the summer can be challenging. Balancing the demands of parenting with the need for quiet, uninterrupted time to write can be difficult, but not impossible. At least, this is what I’m going to tell myself for the next 2.5 months.
Challenges of Writing During Summer Break
Despite these challenges, there are several strategies that can help you carve out productive writing time during summer break: 1. Establish a Summer Routine
6/6/2025 0 Comments Summer events calendarBelow is my public appearances schedule so far for this summer. Still waiting to hear back from a couple of other events for possibly July and August though. Will keep you all posted. Hope to see you!  |
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