Featured Fiction Friday: Meet Carrie Turansky

This year’s Frasier Contest has come to a close. Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists, and our Grand Winner! In order to have the Frasier each year, we introduce the Judges on our blog. Its our way of giving back a little bit to the published authors who help us help YOU! So lets meet one of the Judges that made it all possible: Carrie Turansky, with her new book The Governess of Highland Hall!

Q: Carrie, would you give us a little blurb about your the story?

A: Fans of “Downton Abbey” and the English Edwardian-era will love the romance of The Governess of Highland Hall where governess Julia Foster must find her place when she is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help,

Returning to England from the mission field in India, Julia Foster accepts the position of governess at Highland Hall to help support her parents. But she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected. Sir William Ramsey, widowed and left to care for his two young children along with the two teenage daughters of his deceased cousin, is consumed with saving the estate from financial ruin. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith. Will Julia and William be able to cross the great class divide that separates them, or will the pull toward power and wealth keep them from finding a future together?

One Thing Marketing: Ten Tips for Event Marketing Part 2

Two weeks ago we talked about the first five tips I picked up along the way as I planned for my very first book launch party. The party was a blast! You can check out Part 1 here. Five more event marketing tips coming at ya today:

6) Give people the opportunity to stay connected after the party

Something like a launch party or book signing can be a great one-time interaction between you and readers, but how much better is it if you can find a way to stay connected after the party? I mentioned in Part 1 that I did a pretty big giveaway as part of my launch party. We had five grand prizes, worth about $25 a piece. In order to enter, though, people had to sign up for my newsletter list. I now have an avenue for staying in touch with these readers.

Other ways you could stay connected: Send a “thanks for coming” eblast to attendees, give them an incentive to visit your website after the party, post party photos on Facebook and invite attendees to tag themselves, etc.

7) Collect information

Going along with that last tip, because your attendees cared enough to come out to your event, they’re people you’ll want to consider for future launch teams or other book promotion opportunities. So don’t miss this chance to data-gather. Collect names and email addresses, for sure!

Featured Frasier Judge Kerry Nietz!

This year’s Frasier Contest has come to a close. Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists, and our Grand Winner! In order to have the Frasier each year, we introduce the Judges on our blog. Its our way of giving back a little bit to the published authors who help us help YOU! So lets meet one of the Judges that made it all possible: Kerry Nietz, with his new book Amish Vampires in Space!

Q: Kerry, would you give us a little blurb about your the story?

A:“Jebediah has a secret that will change his world forever and send his people into space. The Amish world of Alabaster calls upon an ancient promise to escape destruction. Then end up on a cargo ship bound for the stars. But they are not the only cargo on board. Some of it is alive…or used to be. Now, with vampires taking over and closing in on the Amish refugees, these simple believers must decide whether their faith depends upon their honored traditions or something even older.”

Q: What is one piece of writing advice you could give to the MBT Audience?

A: I’m sure it has been mentioned on this site before, but the key to being an author is perseverance. That applies to all aspects of a writer’s life.

You need to persevere in writing the book. You need to make the time each day (or at least, every weekday) to sit down and write the thing. Set a daily goal for yourself each day and reach it. Push through the difficult areas. Take advantage of those times it is smooth going—write more! But get to the end. Then persevere through the editing phase, even if it means you need outside help.

Feature Fiction Friday! Meet James L. Rubart

This year’s Frasier Contest has come to a close. Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists, and our Grand Winner! In order to have the Frasier each year, we introduce the Judges on our blog. Its our way of giving back a little bit to the published authors who help us help YOU!

So lets meet one of the Judges that made it all possible: James L. Rubart, with his new book Memory’s Door!