by Jennifer Chastain, @JenniferCwrites
Congratulations! You’ve just signed your first publishing contract—yay you! You’ve spent untold hours in front of your laptop, researching characters and locations, filled out your SEQ and the Novel Academy Lindy Hop, written your novel, turned in the manuscript to your editor and are now waiting for the dreaded edits. Whew. You’re exhausted and in desperate need of some down time. You’re probably thinking, what am I supposed to do now besides relax?
Promote your story.
I know. If we were having a conversation, you’d more than likely remind me that your publication date is a year from now, and you don’t have to worry about that kind of stuff.
The sooner you can gain a following of readers, the more books you can potentially sell. Let’s face it, in today’s world of Instagram and Facebook selfies, self-promotion is the key to selling any product, books included. I know, if you’re like me, I don’t like to do this, but it is part of being a successful author.
To stay motivated and build anticipation for your story, here are some suggestions:
- Write a lead magnet. What is a lead magnet, you ask? Well, essentially this is a free story you offer to readers. You can then build your reader base (by collecting their emails). Post your story link in social media and those that are interested can download the story.
Below are a few suggestions for shorter stories:
- Novellas or even Novelettes are a good way to introduce others to your writing style. You want dedicated readers, and if they love your story, they will tell others. Word of mouth is the best way to generate interest for your novel. Novelettes are four to five chapters in length, while a novella is ten chapters. Use your Novel Academy tools to help you.
- Short Stories. Writing a short story is a good way to flex your writing muscles, as you have a word limit. You must use concise language and move your story along at a quicker pace. Short stories are 2500 words.
- Flash Fiction. I’d never heard of flash fiction before joining the writing community. Flash
fiction is typically under one thousand words. The story moves along at a lightning-fast pace. You can check out Spark Flash Fiction for some ideas. They publish an online magazine that features different themes. And a published story looks great on your writing resume too!
All this is good, but you still have questions, right? I’m sure you’re thinking, “what will I write about?” Check your publishing contract first to ensure that you can write a short story about your minor characters. Perhaps they don’t need a full eighty-thousand-word novel to tell their story. Perhaps you can tell us how they met. Give your readers a teaser, or prequel. Did they meet as teenagers and then rediscover each other later in life? Or do they meet someone who sparks their romantic interest, with the possibility of more? A short story or flash fiction piece gives your readers a preview of an event that will happen in your novel. How about writing a short story that isn’t related to your upcoming release?
Book Funnel is the platform I use to deliver my free short story. In exchange, the readers must subscribe to my newsletter and share their email address.
Don’t forget to join book promotions with other authors. Established authors not only offer wisdom but can help you build your readership. Book funnel offers free promotions you can piggy-back off.
These are only a few suggestions, many of which I’ve learned through trial and error.
Remember, don’t give up and keep writing! “One day, you’re going to be somebody’s favorite author!” Author unknown.
He’s a man on the run.
Undercover ATF agent Jack Spencer has been running away his entire life. His last assignment has him questioning who he really is, what he believes, and who he can trust. When his cover is compromised, and he’s injured, he must disappear in order to survive.
She wants a fresh start.
After five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, ex-Army medic Maggie Coleman wants a quiet life, one without emotional trauma. The peace and serenity of the Hawai’ian Islands is just what the doctor ordered. Then Jack crashes into her life, taking her on a rollercoaster ride into the unknown.
Now, they’re running for their lives.
Maggie and Jack flee the Islands only to find their every move is anticipated. As the days wear on, they form a bond that transcends their situation, and they must learn to depend not only on each other, but God as well. When they finally reach the safe house in the mountains of Montana, Jack and Maggie hunker down and wait for reinforcements. Before help arrives, Maggie is kidnapped, and Jack has only one option—offer himself in exchange. Failure is not an option. Because if he does, they both stand to lose more than just their budding relationship.
Ever since she was a little girl, living in her small town in New York State, Jennifer Chastain has always been a voracious reader. As a teen, she dreamed of embarking on epic adventures and exploring the world, just like all the characters in her favorite books. Instead, she writes suspense-filled romantic adventures, full of faith. A northern transplant, she has grown to love the grace and charm of the South. In fact, she even married a native Charlottean. Jennifer is a member of ACFW, ACFW-NC, and Novel Academy. Several of her other stories were finalists in the Blue Ridge Mountains Foundations contest and she was a finalist in the Touched by Love contest, sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers. Her contemporary romance stories contain themes of redemption, grace, and forgiveness. A hopeful romantic, Jennifer loves dark chocolate, Diet Coke, and good romantic movies. She and her husband have been married for over 25 years and they are permitted to co-exist with their black rescue cat. Find her at: https://linktr.ee/jenniferchastain