Great News for Self-Publishers from Draft2Digital and Smashwords, Free Gift #selfpublishing #marketingebooks

 Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog!

This week I have news, updates and a GIFT for you!

Let's get to it!

FOR SELF-PUBLISHERS

Books, books, books!
💗💗💗

I have great news for you if you are a self-publisher. If you self-publish books and are with a traditional publisher, I have great news for you too!! 

In February this year, Draft to Digital acquired Smashwords (SW). These are two heavyweights in the self-publishing industry because they publish and distribute eBooks all around the world. Instead of the friendly rivalry for the last ten years or so, they decided to join forces to provide the best of both worlds for you. And as a result, for readers too.

The Pro-Writing Aid website states--"The acquisition will “enable 250,000 authors and publishers around the world to publish, distribute, market, and manage more than 800,000 eBooks and 11,000 print-on-demand paperback books.” 

The future looks wonderful for writers if you decide to publish wide through many distributors via Draft2Digital. Note, if you are published exclusively through KDP, you cannot add your books to other distributors.

This week is when I heard the good news from Dale L. Roberts in his video about transferring books published in Draft2Digital to the Smashwords Store. Yes, Smashwords has been added as a choice for selling books for you. That is big news!

Your book Your Words, Your Life Story: A Guide for Sharing Memories has been published to Smashwords.

Live status updates for this book: BorrowBox - Published on February 11, 2022, 22:30 PM OverDrive - Published on February 11, 2022, 23:31 PM Baker & Taylor - Published on February 12, 2022, 17:09 PM Apple - Published on February 12, 2022, 19:26 PM Barnes & Noble - Published on February 12, 2022, 21:06 PM Kobo - Published on February 12, 2022, 21:27 PM Scribd - Published on February 12, 2022, 21:27 PM Tolino - Published on February 12, 2022, 21:27 PM Vivlio - Published on February 12, 2022, 21:28 PM Amazon - Published on February 12, 2022, 22:05 PM Bibliotheca - Published on February 14, 2022, 10:39 AM Smashwords - Published on December 12, 2022, 16:36 PM This is the list of distributors  I have chosen to sell my books!  I added Smashwords this week.

Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, announced-- 

"December 6, 2022 - Big news today.  Draft2Digital authors can now distribute to the Smashwords store!  Readers can look forward to more amazing indie ebooks, and all authors can look forward to more readers browsing and buying books.  An important milestone following Draft2Digital's acquisition of Smashwords.  Learn more about what this means for authors and readers at the Smashwords Blog.  And separately, all Smashwords authors should expect an email today reminding everyone to enroll in our big upcoming Smashwords End of Year sale.

HOW TO TRANSFER YOUR BOOKS TO THE SMASHWORDS STORE

Let me tell you how easy it is to transfer ALL of your D2Dbooks over to the Smashwords Store.

Go to your account at D2D. When you log in, a screen will appear offering you the opportunity to distribute your book through Smashwords. Just click the button that will transfer the books to Smashwords. In just a minute, you will receive a notice the books are ready to be distributed through Smashwords as well as all the other distributors you have previously chosen for your books. It's like magic!

Finally! All of my eBooks are on the same page at Smashwords.
Click here to visit my SmashWords J.Q. Rose Author Page

UPDATES:

My mysteries and memoir published through SW by BWL Publishing are on my SW author page as well as the non-fiction books I have published through D2D. What an opportunity to get more eyes on our books, all of our books!

Now all of my books are available for 50% off
during the Smashwords End-of-Year Sale
December 15-31.

More good news!! Smashwords End-of-Year sale begins December 15, so all of my eBooks will be 50% off during this annual sale. What a fantasticopportunity to load up great reads into the new reading device you received for Christmas. Or for your old device too! LOL

Click here to find all of my books for 50% off from your favorite online bookseller!

🎅🎅🎅

Ho Ho Ho! 

Speaking of Christmas, I have a gift for you--a collection of short stories from 350 words in the story to about 1000 words. The perfect story length for you to take a break from the madness of the holidays.

This is not a gimmick. Your email will not be added to my newsletter when you

 click here to download the eBook.

This is a gift for you, my blog followers and friends.

My heart is happy when I share my stories with you and you giggle or groan when you read them. 

Time Out from the Holidays! A Collection of Short Stories

 The eBook is not available to buy online so you can't leave a review. If you have a minute, I would appreciate feedback about the collection or specific story. 

Please leave a comment below or email me at jqrose02@gmail dot com. 

Thank you!

The Rose Courier

If you want to stay up-to-date with JQ, the Rose Courier is delivered quarterly to your inbox. Filled with articles, freebies, photos and fun! 

Click here to get your copy of the Winter edition in January.

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on this blog.

Happy Holidays from J.Q. Rose

 

Developing a Character in a Story Suspiciously Similar to Your Character Traits #storytelling #writingfiction #cozy mystery

 

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog. Today I am sharing a post originally published three years ago. This seemed to be a popular one, 

so I thought I'd post it again so I can play in the hot summer sun! 

I hope you are enjoying your summer to the max AND keeping comfortably cool. 

This was the July Question a few years ago at the IWSG Blog Hop.

What personal traits have you written into your character? 

Very personal indeed! My character, Lauren Staab, in my cozy mystery, Deadly Undertaking, is me! Let me count the ways.

Deadly Undertaking
Romantic suspense
On Sale at Smashwords $1.50

• Yes, she is the daughter of a funeral director just like me.
• She works hard and is reliable like me. 
• She eats the same food I do. 
• Her condo is decorated like a home I would have if I were 35 years old again. 
• The funeral home she works in is modeled after my Dad's funeral home.
• She overthinks things like I do.
• She's smart like me. (wink wink)

In fact, I had a very, very, very difficult time establishing this character because I was too up close and personal with her. When I finally separated me from Lauren and stepped back to get a different perspective of her, I was able to continue writing the book.

I have never had a problem developing a character and using my imagination to conjure her up. But since she was me (I?), I guess I couldn't get the brainstorming/creativity to flow. 

Have you ever had that problem when developing a character or discovered a character in a story who was like you?

Please leave a comment below and let us know your experience. Thank you!!

 ***

BIG NEWS FOR READERS AND WRITERS!

#Smashwordssale

Smashwords is having a 50% off SUMMER SALE through July 31! 

CLICK HERE to download my mysteries and memoir for $1.50. Find even more great reads from BWL Publishing at half off too!

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on this blog.

Click here to receive the quarterly Rose Courier edition
delivered to your inbox. It's not too late to sign up.
Filled with photos, updates, freebies, new book releases and more! Thank you.

IWSG: Problems with Creating a Book Title and Blurbs #IWSGbloghop

 

November IWSG Blog Hop #IWSGbloghop

Hello and Welcome to the November Insecure Writer's Support Group with our outstanding co-hosts Kim Lajevardi, Victoria Marie Lees, Joylene Nowell Butler, Erika Beebe, and Lee Lowery! Thanks so much for co-hosting!!

November 3 question - What's harder to do, coming up with your book title or writing the blurb? Both are challenging to write. In fact, I must admit I did not come up with book titles. What blurbs I wrote, my writer's group re-wrote. Is that cheating??? 

I loved my writer's group. We brainstormed on everyone's titles and blurbs. Why is it so much easier to help write another author's blurb and figure out a catchy title? I was disappointed however when they turned up their noses at my title for my memoir about the floral business and motherhood--Rose Petals and Baby Poop in favor of Arranging a Dream: A Memoir. Can you imagine that? 😄 ( I think I mentioned this before, so you know how badly my feelings were hurt...)

Janet, Wendy, Esther,Theresa
My group, the Koffee Kuppe authors.
When we started the group, noone was published.
Now, we are all published authors. Unfortunately, two of the gals have moved from the area,
and the other is not writing at this time. I really, really miss our brainstorming. Times change. 

Stepping away from your manuscript to get a bird's eye view is necessary to write the blurb. We know every detail of every inch of the manuscript. We are zoomed into the pages, but friends who have helped to shape the story can study the arc of the story from a distance and pick out the BIG story. It's okay to get help like I did. And much more fun than agonizing over a title or blurb while sitting alone facing the keyboard by yourself. In the end, you must make the decision what to use.

Titles? The best advice I can give is what another author told me. Wait until you are done with the book, article, blog post, etc. The title will be inside the pages, usually near the end. 

Do you agree? Please leave a comment below. Thank you.

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UPDATES:

Smashwords Sale

My mysteries and memoir are on sale for $1.50 at Smashwords during the Half-Off Holiday Sale . Grab some great reads from the authors at BWL Publishing. Click here to download now.

The Rose Courier

Click here to sign up to receive 

updates, articles, freebies, photos and fun in the Rose Courier. 

Once a month delivery to your inbox!

Enjoyed this post? 

Click here so you never miss out on future Focused on Story blog posts.

Thank you.

IWSG Blog Hop: Money and Marketing #IWSGbloghop

 

Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog 
AND the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog Hop

Always on the first Wednesday of the month.

#IWSGbloghop

Happy IWSG Blog Hop Day!

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 join.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Thank you to the awesome co-hosts for the June 2 posting of the IWSG: J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!

June 2 question - For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?

The quick and easy answer to this question is, "I don't know." I never thought about planning on a time to re-visit the first draft. Again, I don't know if the timing depends on my writing experience. I believe it depends more on how frustrated I am with the finishing of the draft. If it has been difficult, then I leave it until I can't sleep because ideas of how to fix it keep me awake at night! 

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Money and Marketing

 Money and Marketing
Bag of cash
Image by Mudassar Iqbal from Pixabay 

My memoir was released in January. I was pleased it reached #1 in the new releases category, so I decided while the buzz was around the release, I would pay a person to do the promotion for me. I added my humble attempts of doing it too. I did sell copies with the paid marketing. Plus I bought a FB ad and ran it for 5 days. I broke even after splitting the royalties with my publisher. 

The virtual book tour ended in February. Big thank you to my friends I have met through IWSG for getting the word out about the release. The hoopla around the release has disappeared even though I have been pretty consistent in shouting about the memoir on FB groups. But, sales have dropped, really dropped. 

I have a few presentations scheduled for this summer and am considering attending craft fairs and festivals. But to reach readers on a larger scale, I have pretty much reconciled I will have to spend cash to get the book in front of them. But will it be worth the expenditure? 

I have seen reports on how much the NY publishers spend on making their books into best-sellers and how much successful indie authors allocate 1000s of dollars to advertising to make their books #1.

Do authors have to pay their way to sell books?  I guess I have been naive all these years thinking a well-written story, a well-designed book cover, catchy description and the right keywords will do it. But, I am doubting that assumption now.

Selling books is like selling shampoo or cars. The more advertising, the more sales. We have to recognize we are in business, and our books are our products. 

What are your thoughts on this? Do you rely on free, organic, word-of-mouth advertising or do you pay for ads? Where is the best place to get the most bang from your marketing buck? Thank you.

Click here to visit more bloggers in the IWSG Hop.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Arranging a Dream: A Memoir
by J.Q. Rose
Heart-tugging and Inspiring

And speaking of marketing...😊😎😉

My books, released by BWL Publishing, are 30% off with the code RK43L during the Spring into Summer Smashwords event during the entire month of June!! 

Click here to download them now!

The Rose Courier

Click here to sign up to receive the updates, articles, freebies, photos and fun in the Rose Courier. 

Thank you.

Happy New Year, Goals for 2020, End of Year Book Sales at Smashwords: 75% Off

HAPPY NEW YEAR
2020!!

Make 2020 the year to tell your life story! But the project is too overwhelming to consider? Life story teacher and published author, J.Q. Rose, can help. She'll guide you through her new release, Your Words, Your Life Story: A Journal for Sharing Memories.

Click here to join the FB group, Telling Your Life Story and Memoirs Circle, and share your journey with others like you.

Your Words, Your Life Story: A Journal for Sharing Memories
by J.Q. Rose

REVIEW: 5.0 out of 5 stars

A Must-Read for Journaling

Format: Paperback

***This book is for anyone considering journaling. More of a storyteller than a writer? It touches on audio and video journaling as well. The author has even created a private Facebook Group for journaling support. 
A must-read for folks who want guidance in leaving family stories for future generations. It also makes a great gift. Sandra Cox

***In an email to me a reader called the book "beautiful."

GOOD NEWS! 75% OFF Year End Sale from BWL Publishing, my fiction publisher. 

75% off Books released by Books We Love Publishing at Smashwords till the end of the year. Now's 

the time to pack that new reading device with incredible ebooks including my cozy fiction and thriller books. 

Click here to download my romantic suspense and thriller novels now for only $1.00 to $1.25 each!

Mysteries on Sale Now at Smashwords!