Even casual readers of this blog probably know that I’ve written an independently-produced novel (in ebook and paperback form). One of the toughest challenges of any author--indie or traditionally-published–is marketing. Fortunately, Twitter, Facebook and other social media are incredibly easy-to-use, low-cost engines to get your book message out.
However, those channels of distribution are still rife with commercial clutter, distracting chatter and spam. Finding a way to get people’s attention is key. To break through, I wanted to try a tactic to achieve four goals:
Contest entrants have to be a member of the Pilate’s Cross Facebook page community
Members will be given three trivia questions about the book and/or author on Friday, Jan. 7 2011.
To play, entrants must email me (not post on Facebook!) the answers by 6 p.m. CST Sunday Jan. 9, 2011 to author (at) pilatescross.com.
I’ll print out and conduct a drawing from the correct answers received (and cross reference to ensure entrants are a member of the Pilate’s Cross Facebook community) to determine the winners.
To find the answers, entrants simply need to go to http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6806 and download the first 30% of the book FREE. It takes only a minute to register and get the download–which can be read on any ereader or even the very computer they’re reading this contest rules on–just select the “Online Reading” download option. All trivia questions may be answered by downloading (and yes, reading) the sample.
So if entrants go through all this hullabaloo, besides reading 30% of a fun little thriller novel, here’s what they may win:
Third Prize: Code for HALF OFF Download of the Pilate’s Cross ebook–available from Smashwords in any ereader format!
Second Prize: Download of the Pilate’s Cross ebook–available from Smashwords in any ereader forma
First Prize: Copy of the paperback version of Pilate’s Cross –autographed by the author!
GRAND PRIZE: Copy of the paperback version of Pilate’s Cross autographed by the author AND cover Illustrator David A. Terrill! PLUS a FREE Download of the ebook–available from Smashwords in any ereader format!
I’m using Twitter, Facebook, and Google Buzz to invite people to participate.
At this writing (roughly halfway through the contest), we have a few new Facebook fans, book sample downloads and a couple of entries. I’ll report back to let you know how it goes. Of course, you’re welcome to enter the contest, too!
We’ve had a great first year at AlexanderG Public Relations. 2010 has been a year of challenge, but also one of triumph. We want to help you succeed in the New Year–so please keep us in mind for your public relations, marketing and business management consulting needs.
What’s Being Said About Your Company Online?
We received some nice amplification of Alex’s recent interview with the Spiral16 blog:
You’re going to be hearing more about this as we get further into the social media age, but Alex Greenwood outlines the case for monitoring social media as a means of growing a business or other organization and protecting its interests. Isn’t that what PR is about?
Alex Greenwood likens social media monitoring to being out in the hallway, say, the Internet, listening to the talk there. How do you know your organization’s name will come up? You don’t until it does, or a reporter calls. But even if your organization doesn’t come up for a while, the names of competitors, or the emergence of new business conditions, will be generating buzz. If you’re listening, you’ll be gaining valuable new business intelligence.
“Companies and organizations that monitor the social media space today – and use the data to address problems and opportunities –are years ahead of the game,” Greenwood believes. “Aha,” he adds, “a competitive edge. Who doesn’t like that?” Read the rest here.
As the hours of this year grow short, we’ll close with an invitation to visit our website to sign up for new posts from our AlexanderG Whiz Blog. We’re also on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter–so whatever way you prefer to stay in touch, we hope you’ll connect!
Again, though 2010 was challenging in many ways for us all, we believe 2011 holds the potential for triumph. We stand ready to be part of the team that gets you there.
“…if your work is something you truly believe has everything it takes except the approval of some random gatekeeper, then here’s what you do: Shoot that gatekeeper (the bird).”
Getting (or giving) a Kindle, Nook or iPad this holiday season? Then how about a fun book to go with your new ereader? As featured on KCUR Radio, Pilate’s Cross is garnering some great reviews and enthusiastic fans. Based on a true story, this quirky mystery has been called “a total winner, ” “a page turner” and “intriguing” by readers.
Featuring a cool cover by the talented Mr. Terrill, this ebook will soon be available as a paperback, too. But with ereaders being all the rage, we hope you’ll save a tree–and some cash–and take us up on this special Black Friday offer: order Pilate’s Cross from the publisher website today and get 75% off the cover price. That’s right–get a copy of this quirky thriller for only $1.00! Just click here and use discount code JJ48P at checkout.
Over 10,000 authors and publishers around the world now use Smashwords as their ebook publishing and distribution platform. Watch the slide deck below to learn why.
I’ll be interviewed on KCUR 89.3 FM’s Central Standard on Monday at 10 CST. Also appearing will be Paul Miles Schneider (besides being a gifted graphics producer at T2+Back Alley Films he has written the acclaimed novel Silver Shoes). You can stream it on the internet if you’re not in the KC area. We will be talking about book marketing, ebooks, book trailers and of course, our books!
Regular readers of this blog may recall that I published an ebook and recently premiered a book trailer. Pete Dulin of Present Magazine of Kansas City interviewed me about the book and the trailer. Here’s an excerpt:
PresentMagazine.com: How long did it take to write the book?
Greenwood: “I wrote the first draft in three months – six days a week, three to four hours a day. Yes, I will cop to the cliche’: I wrote that first draft on a laptop in the Starbucks at Country Club Plaza.
The finished book people are reading today on their iPads and Kindles took about eighteen months and six drafts. I did about four “polishes” on top of that.”
PresentMagazine.com: How did the idea for a book trailer come about?
“Readers have told me they thought they could easily see Pilate’s Cross as a movie. That’s why I’m so excited I got the chance to work with the talented crew at T2 + Back Alley Films of Kansas City.
This never would have happened without the vision of T2 + Back Alley Films CEO Teri Rogers. She’s a courageous innovator, always looking ahead to that next undiscovered country. When I told her about my book, she immediately suggested a trailer. Not many firms of T2’s stature are doing trailers. I had given a trailer some thought, but never dreamed a nationally recognized digital media agency like T2 would work with me.
The trailer really transports you right into the world of Cross Township – like a movie. I wrote a treatment and a script, and then T2’s team created a concept that I think just blows away most book trailers. Their concept and screen execution was teamed with Wheeler Audio of Kansas City to record actors and mix sound.
I will also join T2’s Paul Miles Schneider (besides being a gifted graphics producer at T2 he has written the acclaimed novel Silver Shoes) on KCUR Radio’s “Central Standard” show Monday, October 25 at 10 a.m. CST. (You can stream it on the internet if you’re not in the KC area.) We will be talking about book marketing, ebooks, trailers and of course, our books!
Stephen King on creative writing classes….I have to agree. Some of the most tedious hours of my life have been in creative writing classes.
Not every writer is good and not everything written by good writers is great.
That’s true, and the idea that someone can tell you how to create is ridiculous. Certainly you can learn structure, format, discipline and tricks of the trade, but even my grandfather–who had more than 30 of his books published–could never give me the secret of how to make a good, solid story.
The idea of teaching a fledgling writer how to be the next Hemingway–or Stephen King– is like teaching a tone-deaf person to sing. You can’t do it.
Either they can create or they can’t.
To keep this from being a complete downer, I will say this: you can write if you work your butt off. You may be like me, terribly average with an occasional “good one” that comes from that hard work (and reading this helps). And if that “good one” is satisfying, then keep writing. But if it’s all frustration and “where’s my book deal?” then you might want to try singing.
Okay, another shameless plug for you to buy my mystery novel!
Getting (or giving) a Kindle, Nook or iPad this holiday season? Then how about a fun book to go with your new ereader? As featured on KCUR Radio, Pilate’s Cross is garnering some great reviews and enthusiastic fans. Based on a true story, this quirky mystery has been called “a total winner, ” “a page turner” and “intriguing” by readers. 
