IWSG Blog Hop: A New Way for Authors to Reach Readers, Shepherd.com #bookmarketing, #IWSGbloghop

 

Time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog Hop

#IWSGbloghop

Happy Holidays!!

Happy IWSG Day!!

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Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog and 

to the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop!!

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. To find out more, click this link:  Insecure Writer’s Support Group

The purpose of the group is 

* to share and encourage. 

* Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 

* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 

*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 

Click here to sign-up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Thank you to the awesome co-hosts for the December 7 posting of the IWSG-- Joylene Nowell Butler, Chemist Ken, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

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DECEMBER QUESTION

  

It's holiday time! 

Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?

Because I am retired, my schedule is pretty flexible, so I can write more on one day if necessary to meet goals. Or I can go play about any time I wish. Oh yes, someday you'll be able to do that too. But, remember to enjoy the present.

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NEW SITE FOR MARKETING BOOKS

I am pretty geeked up about a new place for marketing my books and shouting about other authors' books I have enjoyed. 

I have discovered Shepherd.com. 

Shepherd.com explains their innovative idea for marketing books--

"When it comes to books, human recommendations are always better than algorithms. 

6,000+ authors have shared five of their favorite books around a topic, theme, or mood. And we make it easy to find the books they recommend through a book you already love, an author you adore or a Wikipedia topic that interests you."

Arranging a Dream: A Memoir 
 J.Q. Rose

At the top of the booklist is the book the author wrote. I chose to feature, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir. I have the opportunity to tell visitors to my page who I am and share about my book.

If you peruse the site you will see each booklist begins with the title, "the best books..." 

I titled my booklist "The best books for extraordinary life stories about ordinary people." Since my book is a memoir, my recommended books are memoirs I have read and appreciated. Each booklist stays faithful to the author's genre. So, if you are promoting a sci-fi novel, then the five books on your list would be sci-fi books.

I wrote a little note about each book--not a review--but how it impacted me or some behind-the-scene interesting tidbit about the book.

Click here to take you to my book list on the Shepherd site so you can see how the page is formatted. 

This is a project by Ben Fox. Never heard of him? Neither have I, but he is a serial entrepreneur and avid reader. He has quite a vision and goals to compete and overcome Goodreads. This business idea has a great record since its start-up in April 2021. His energy and enthusiasm for building this site are contagious.

Click here to learn more about this exciting adventure into shouting about books for authors and discovering more books for your reading pleasure.

I enjoy reading mysteries, so I looked up mysteries and discovered my friend Joan Havelenge's booklist page about "the best whodunits books where you can never guess the ending." Click here here to find one of her books and the list of mysteries she recommends.

Oh, one more important note--there is no charge for this service. Yes! Ben does request authors get the word out to other authors to let them know about this opportunity for more exposure to their works. So that's what I am doing on this blog and in my social media. I am not receiving any compensation for posting about this company.

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Click here to sign-up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Thank you for visiting today. Please leave a comment below. Have you discovered Shepherd.com? Have you used it to recommend books or discovered new books? 

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