MY 7 STEP TWITTER PITCH PARTY PLAN!

A lot people make New Year's resolutions and by the end of January the majority of those resolutions fall by the wayside. I joined the bandwagon of resolutioners this year and made a list of writerly goals I wanted to accomplish in 2016.

One of those goals was to go in search of an agent and one of the best ways to find one is to participate in a Twitter Pitch Party. I know this because it was how I found Anaiah Press and my wonderful editor, Jessica Schmeidler. Jessica helped put me on the right path to the publication of my picture book, THE STORY CATCHER and, fingers crossed, I can repeat my luck with the new year.

But, in order to increase my chances of enticing an agent to look my way, I had to have a plan and maybe MY plan can help YOU capture the interest of YOUR dream agent as well:

1. WRITE IT DOWN
      
I made a long list of EXACTLY what I wanted to accomplish this year. I even bought a cool calendar to pencil in all the different Twitter Pitch Parties being held all around the blogosphere all year long.  I've studied each party and narrowed down which ones were right for the genres I write in and which ones I need to pass on.

2. REVISE, REVISE, REVISE

Now was the time to take those manuscripts back out and re-read them to make sure they are as polished and sparkly as I can make them. I have 7 completed picture book manuscripts with about 5 more in the final stages of revisions, 2 completed early reader narrative nonfiction chapter books with the third one in the process of being written, and 1 revised draft of a young adult fantasy novel. This shows me I have some choices on which Twitter pitch parties I can participate in.

3. MAKE A LIST

Next I've made a list of potential agents and will group each into some sort of sequential order so I can slowly check any off the list should they...or I...decide they are no longer the potential right agent for my work. Some Pitch Parties will let you know who some of the participating agents will be and you can cross match them against your master list to see who might benefit the most from your targeted pitches.

4. DO YOUR RESEARCH
 
Learn the likes/dislikes of the agents on your list. Check out their websites. Google their name and read their interviews. See what they saying on Twitter. In other words, take a little time to find out all you can about the people you plan to share your manuscripts with. For myself, it wouldn't do me much good to add an agent to my list who mainly represents women's fiction and memoirs. I write for children of all ages and want an agent whose writerly passions match my own.

5. PERFECT YOUR TWITTER PITCH

Take the time to decide the best 140 characters to describe your book. Realize certain hashtags MUST be included like #PitMad, #MSWL, or #PB which all count toward those precious 140 character limit. Ask the advice of those around you to see if the tone and hook of your pitch is right. Read the rules of the Twitter Pitch Party you plan on participating in and find out how often you can tweet your pitches. You would hate to be banned from participating because you failed to realize you can only tweet twice a day when you were planning on blowing up Twitter with your pitches every single hour!

6. POLISH YOUR QUERY LETTER

It's okay to go into these Twitter pitch parties for the fun experience of it all. You might even take time to read other pitches to see if YOU would want to read those books...to determine what might work and what falls flat. But in the back of your mind you should realize that the main reason you are going to a pitch party is to hopefully get a request for a partial or a full manuscript from one of them. When that chance comes you don't want to blow it by not having a sharp, attention-getting gem of a query letter just waiting to be shared with Ms. Potential Dream Agent.

7. PLAN YOUR SUCCESS

Finally, I do a quick check of all my social media outlets to make sure the information presented there has current contact information, make sure my blog has interesting content that my readers enjoy, and track my interactions with others through different channels to find out what works to help promote the STORY CATCHER entity as well as my own writing. I treat my writing career as a business and I measure the successes...both large and small...I make along the way so I can look back at the end of each year to see just how far I've come in following my dream of become an author.

To all my writerly friends who plan on participating in a Twitter pitch party over the coming months...GOOD LUCK! And right now, for myself, all I can say is...SO FAR SO GOOD!

Blurb: Addie comes from a long line of readers or "story catchers" as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own the wiggly words play tricks on her. She tries different ways to make those words sit still but it will take a little faith for Addie to become the next STORY CATCHER.

Buy Links:Amazon Kindle ¦ Paperback ¦ B&N ¦ Smashwords

JOIN THE STORY CATCHER FAN CLUB!Membership includes:

Membership Certificate

Bi-montly Newsletter full of mazes, puzzles, games, news, and other goodies

Reading Log for earning STORY CATCHER AWARD

 

STEPPING INTO THE FAMILIAR UNKNOWN

January is usually the time when you make a new year's resolution. Maybe to shed some unwanted pounds. Sometimes to add a little exercise to your daily routine and eat healthier. If you're a writer, you probably have a long to-do list of stories to write and manuscripts to revise in the coming months.

And sometimes January comes with the realization of a bittersweet goodbye...

For me, the new year brought with it an unexpected change in my agent status. Jessica Schmeidler of GOLDEN WHEAT LITERARY is an amazing person and I will be forever grateful for all she has done to help further my writing career.

I first met Jessica when she requested my STORY CATCHER manuscript from a Twitter Party pitch I had submitted. She was the first person in the publishing industry to believe in my work and I was thrilled beyond words when she offered me a book contract with Anaiah Press. Over the past two years my stories have been strengthened by her exceptional editorial skills and knowledge of what editors are looking for in their acquisitions. Golden Wheat Literary may be a young agency but I have no doubt Jessica will continue to provide exceptional support and guidance for her existing clientele. I wish her nothing but the best and am honored to call her my friend.

January...the month of new beginnings and sometimes, bittersweet goodbyes. I might be stepping into the familiar unknown once again, but I do so with a bit more confidence than this time last year and I have Jessica Schmeidler to thank for that!

Blurb: Addie comes from a long line of readers or "story catchers" as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own the wiggly words play tricks on her. She tries different ways to make those words sit still but it will take a little faith for Addie to become the next STORY CATCHER.

Buy Links:Amazon Kindle ¦ Paperback ¦ B&N ¦ Smashwords

JOIN THE STORY CATCHER FAN CLUB!Membership includes:

 
Membership Certificate

Bi-montly Newsletter full of mazes, puzzles, games, news, and other goodies

Reading Log for earning STORY CATCHER AWARD

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO GETTING PUBLISHED

I want to tell you a little story I don't think I've told anyone yet. It's about when I when I was offered a book deal for THE STORY CATCHER.

I'd pitched my story during a Twitter pitch party and received a message from my future editor, Jessica Schmeidler. A number of emails soon followed where she expressed her interest in wanting to offer me a book contract. I was so naive to the whole publishing process back then I didn't even understand what she was offering. I had to ask her to repeat herself to make sure I had heard what I thought I was hearing. I'm sure she was probably laughing at me (in a good way) and I can't blame her. It was funny when you think about it.

Here I'd been writing for more than 40 years. Most of those years were just for me but for the past 5 years I focused all my efforts on having one of my books published and now Jessica was offering to fulfill my dream of becoming an author.

But do you know what is even funnier?

Just how much I've grown as a writer and what I'm capable of doing going forward with my career.

I never realized just the fact that one book being printed by an independent publisher would give me credibility with people in the writing community outside of my friends. Less experienced writers are now asking ME for advice and I have to laugh because it was not too long ago I was in their shoes. I can still feel what it's like to be overwhelmed with everything involved and while in no way do I consider myself an expert at this whole publishing thing, there are now people out there who do and that concept is very funny to me.

I've learned handling all aspects of marketing and promoting my book may not be beyond my ability to do and again, people are coming out of the woodwork asking my advice about things like they think I know what I'm doing which makes me laugh.

I'm also learning that my book, THE STORY CATCHER, has a special meaning to many people and I think that surprises me most of all. I was fortunate. I never had trouble reading and my son was blessed with the ability to read at a very young age. Addie's journey, however, is similar to many children today who struggle to corral those wiggly words long enough to catch their own stories. People are already beginning to tell me stories of either their own struggle with learning to read or how their children currently are struggling. THE STORY CATCHER reaches out to all generations and may end up touching more hearts than I ever imagined possible.

But you know what? My amazing editor, Jessica, knew it all along. She told me people would like the wonderful illustrations and they have. She told me people would connect with my story more than I would realize and they are.

It's funny how we writers think writing is a solitary business where we're never sure if someone will like what we write. The reality of it all is we are just creating a canvas of words where everyone knows how to use the colors but we just got to them first. And THAT'S the funniest thing of all...

*************

I hope you learned something new today and be sure to check back tomorrow for the next post in my month long celebration!

Blurb:

Addie comes from a long line of readers, or “story catchers,” as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own, though, the words play tricks on her. Addie tries everything she can think of to corral those wiggly letters, but it  will take a little faith to become the next STORY CATCHER.

Buy Links:
Amazon Kindle ¦ Paperback ¦ B&N ¦ Smashwords

 

THE STORY CATCHER FAN CLUB: Fan club membership includes:

Membership Certificate

Bi-monthly Newsletter full of mazes, puzzles, games, news and other goodies

Reading log for earning Story Catcher Award

Short story starring YOU!

http://donasdays.blogspot.com/p/story-catcher-fan-club.html

Book Trailer:

 

 

BOOK SIGNINGS, BOOK TRAILERS, AND MORE...

Saturday was a magical day for me and just a bit surreal. It was a culmination of five years of hard work on my part and the support of special people in my life who believed in my manuscript. I've always lived my life with a "pay it forward" mindset; helping others when I could, supporting great writers when I was able and now standing in that spotlight made me a bit nervous. Like walking on stage for a solo performance, I had to put on my "big girl" britches and deal with the raging butterflies in my stomach.

The lovely Michelle Avery, events coordinator at Barnes & Noble, made me feel right at home and even had a table ready for me smack dab in the middle of the store. I was there for five hours and had a chance to share Addie's story with many people who stopped by to chat with me.

I don't know if you can see it in the picture above but I even had a special pen to autograph my books with. I guess I should thank the National Pen company. They surprised me with a complimentary engraved pen for my personal use. While my budget will probably not allow me the luxury of ordering more, I felt quite the professional signing all those books with such a stately instrument!

I was pleasantly surprised when some of my Taekwondo students decided to come out and join the celebration. Here I am with Aubree as she adds to her book collection.

Hensley was another one of my afterschool students who stopped by to pick up a signed copy of my book. It was a pleasant surprise and helped to settle the whirling butterflies.

I was at Barnes & Noble due to an invitation from Dogwood's Elementary School librarian, Heather Palmer. Here she is in her festive Santa hat. Every year they have their annual Book Fair at B & N and a portion of my book sales will help with their fundraising efforts.

I was even asked to do a reading of my book for the children in the store that afternoon. It was my first "official" reading and I'm glad I'd had many years doing school visits where I read to children or I'm might have been too nervous to speak!

All in all I had a lovely time. Not only was I told they sold at least 75% of my books they ordered in for this event, I also picked up quite a few more members for my FREE STORY CATCHER FAN CLUB. If you don't know about all the free goodies members of my fan club receive just for signing up, you can read more about it here.

Barnes & Noble was extremely kind to help me celebrate the upcoming release of my book, THE STORY CATCHER, by Anaiah Press on January 20, 2015. You can pre-order through Barnes & Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-story-catcher-donna-l-martin/1120753878?ean=9780990908548), and through Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Story-Catcher-Donna-L-Martin-ebook/dp/B00PHJRVG0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1418015431&sr=8-3&keywords=the+story+catcher). I also received my first request for a school visit as well! May it be the first of many. **Fingers crossed**

Now, for my bit of news in the way of a surprise. Today is the official release of THE STORY CATCHER TRAILER. I hope you like it!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO PUBLISH A BOOK, Part Nine

The whole premise of this series is the fact it takes more than just a good story to get a book published. The people who make up the publishing "village" can include not only the author but others like editors, publicists, marketing executives, and other promotional personnel to ensure the word gets out about a publisher's latest addition to their lineup.

I've been exceptionally fortunate when it comes to working with a smaller publisher. Anaiah Press might be a newer, smaller company in the publishing industry, but their executive staff have more than 30 years of experience in getting the job done. The editing, proof reading, and illustrations for THE STORY CATCHER are done. The ebook and print formatting with Ingram is almost complete. Pre-orders will soon be available. Press kits and news releases are being created. Like soldiers getting ready to do battle, Anaiah Press is gathering the ammunition necessary to ensure my book has a fighting chance to make a place for itself in the publishing world.

Being the author, I must do my part. My connections with a local church provided me the opportunity to put information about my book in the hands of 1500 children. Another connection got me connected with Barnes & Noble and we are finalizing things for an author visit December 6th with a follow up book signing (maybe book launch party) in January. But there are other things I can do to boost the marketing power of my hard work promoting my book. Here are some ideas I will be considering and implementing:

1. FREE STORY CATCHER FAN CLUB...I've already set this up and have signed up a number of new members.  The free welcome kit includes a membership certificate, reading log, short story starring the new member, and a bi-monthly newsletter with book news, mazes, puzzles, games, and more.

2. CONTESTS & GIVEAWAYS...I'm tossing around a couple of ideas for a book launch contest and fan club membership drive. More details as we get closer to THE STORY CATCHER's book release on January 20th, 2015.

3. LINE UP REVIEWERS...I'm really feeling the support of this writing community. I now have 22 reviewers lined up and 3 people willing to provide a book blurb. This generous input will help future readers make an informed decision as to whether or not they want to buy my book.

4. SUBSCRIBER NEWSLETTER...I use MailChimp for my subscriber database and it had an incredibly easy newsletter template I can use to connect with my blog subscribers to let them know about my upcoming book release.

5. CONTACT LOCAL LIBRARIES...There is 1 main branch and 17 area branches just in Knoxville and they all  have the opportunity for author visits and reading time.  I've already chatted with the head of the acquisitions committee and because of my involvement with their annual Children's Festival of Reading, not only is she interested in looking at my book for possible inclusion in their inventory, but she also wants me to participate on their local author panel at next year's festival.

6. SCHOOL VISITS...As Center Manager of my martial arts school, I've connected with my local elementary schools for the past 12 years. I was allowed in schools when no other martial arts school in the area was allowed. Now I can use these connections to help spread the word about my book.

While these ideas are used by almost every author out there in promoting their books, next week I will talk about maybe some off-the-wall promotional ideas authors should consider as well. What promotional ideas have you used to promote your books? What worked for you? What didn't?

TALES FROM THE BAYOU: A Little Book Loving

I don't exactly remember what age I was when I began to read on my own...probably around 5 years old or so...but books have always held a special fascination for me. I started out with simple comic books like Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang. Even though I didn't know all the words, the illustrations filled in the gaps and flavored the story in just the right way to carry me along to the next one.

It was my drug of choice and my parents never had to wonder where I would be when I was out of their sight.  Follow the trail of books and there you would find me like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

I read a lot of different genres but for a short time I thought I would grow up to own a thoroughbred horse ranch out west. I lived for the idea I would raise horses and as a child I had an extensive collection of toy horses of all shapes and breeds. One of the most thrilling moments of my childhood was when I won an essay contest at my hometown library and received a copy of Marguerite Henry's MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE as my prize.  Oh, how I loved that book. I read it so many times I could almost feel the ocean's spray in my own face as in my mind I raced with those wild Spanish horses whose hooves pounded the sand as they made Chincoteague Island their new home. That book burned an impression on my mind that stays with me still to this day.

Now, years later when I've returned to my writing, I have a wish and a prayer for some day to write such a story for some other child maybe yet to be. To write a tale to touch the heart of an innocent and set them on a life long path of book loving. 

Maybe my picture book, THE STORY CATCHER, will be such a story for someone. My publisher, Anaiah Press, is doing a cover reveal today on their blog (http://anaiahpress.wordpress.com/2014/10/24/cover-reveal-the-story-catcher-by-donna-l-martin/).

I'd been sworn to secrecy for the past few weeks but now I can share the cover with you. I think my illustrator, Alyson Peterson, did a lovely job of capturing little Addie and the rest of her family.

I'd love to know what you think so please leave a comment below...;~)

Blurb: 

Addie comes from a long line of readers, or "story catchers," as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own, though, the words play tricks on her. Addie tries everything she can think of to corral those wiggly letters, but it will take a little faith to become the next STORY CATCHER.

My book is scheduled for release January 20, 2015. Kids can sign up now to become a member of my STORY CATCHER FAN CLUB by clicking on the tab in the sidebar. New members will receive a welcome packet full of goodies including membership certificate, coloring pages, mazes, puzzles, a STORY CATCHER reading log, and a short story starring THEM! They will also receive newsletters throughout the year with the latest Story Catcher events details!

COVER REVEAL: Renee Donne

***I will return to my IT TAKES A VILLAGE  series next week, but right now I'd like to give a shout out to my friend and fellow Aniah Press author Renee Donne. Renee's wonderful book HUNTER comes out June 9th 2015, and I can't wait to add it to my collection!***

Book Blurb:

Moving across the country isn’t Hunter’s ideal start to her Junior year of high school. She has no friends to hang out with, no beaches to lounge on, and she’s living just a few miles from the secluded hiking trail where her father died when she was a baby.

Living in Wyoming isn’t all bad, though, thanks to Logan, the handsome veterinary assistant at the animal clinic where she lands an after school job. And he seems just as interested in her as she is in him.

As Hunter begins to settle into her new home, she learns more about the circumstances surrounding her father’s tragic death, and it may not have been the accident everyone believes. Something dangerous lurks in the woods, and Hunter might be the next victim.

Book Trailer:

Link: http://youtu.be/g4G2QXKegf0

Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23125830-hunter

Anaiah Press: http://www.anaiahpress.com

Author Bio:

Renee Donne is a native Floridian with a penchant for writing books with a western theme. In her head she's a world traveler and an amateur chef. In real life, she's a hometown girl with an affinity for fine wine and good friends. Her favorite place to write is sitting on her veranda, overlooking the beach.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO PUBLISH A BOOK, Part Five

It's incredible the number of things that need to be done before a book's release. And I'm not even talking about the editing, revising, proofreading, illustrations, formatting, binding, creating ebook files, or any of the other things my publisher, Anaiah Press is doing as we count down the final days before my book, THE STORY CATCHER, is born on January 20th of next year.

I'm thinking about how an author has to be prepared on THEIR end by release day. This week I'm focusing on future book reviews of my manuscript. When I signed my book contract, the head of Anaiah's marketing/publicity department, the lovely Melinda Dozier, sent me some "homework" to do in preparation of my book's release and one of the things I needed to provide is a list of anyone who might be willing to review my book when it comes out. 

The only way to find THAT out was to ask and boy, was I overwhelmed with gratitude at the number of people eager to help me out. I quickly created a STORY CATCHER STREET TEAM and here are some of the wonderful supporters of my work who told me they would be happy to review my book:

Newbauer,Connie

Bain, Karen

Milhollan, Robin

Cox, Tracey M

Snow, Meradeth

Taylor Saba N

Irwin, Christine

Jensen, Stacy

DeWitt, Johnell

LaCroix, Debbie

Call, Kirstine

McPherson, Kim

Lin, Emily

Reid, Jennifer

Cho, Tina

Brock, Belinda

Hill, Susanna

Sadd, Donna

Marple, Joanna

Bayar, Amanda

Vucak, Stefan

Schrauben,Cindy

Weibel, Erik

Others signed up to be part of my book tour and still others will show their support through the actual purchase of my book. I have tremendous respect for those willing to review my book and I value their honest opinion of THE STORY CATCHER. I know some will like it while others might not find it to be their cup of tea. But that's okay! I value ALL reviews...positive and negative...because I see validation of my work in the good and challenges to improving the commercial appeal of my stories in the bad. Always a lesson to be learned on that path to publication.

I've also listed some blogs and websites below who offer all types of book reviews. Some support the smaller presses, some are on a much larger scale but ALL have one thing in common...a deep, sincere love of books!

School Library Journal...http://www.slj.com/about-us/review-submissions

Publisher's Weekly... http://publishersweekly.com/pw/corp/submissionguidelines.html

The Children's Book Review... http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/media-kit/submission-guidlines

Bergers Book Reviews...http://bergersbookreviews.com

American Library Association... http://www.ala.org/offices/booklist/insidebooklist/booklistproc/proceduressubmitting

Kid Lit Reviews...http://kid-lit-reviews.com/policies-ratings-reviews/review-policies/

Kirkus Services...https://www.kirkusreviews.com/author-services/indie/

Midwest Book Review... http://www.midwestbookreview.com/get_rev.htm

YA & Kids Books Central... http://www.yabookscentral.com/info/10892-write-a-review

The Horn Book...http://www.hbook.com/about-us/submissions/

Book Page...http://bookpage.com/content/submission-guidelines

Booklist Online...http://www.booklistonline.com/get-reviewed

Association for Library Service to Children... http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb/ncbsubmissions

Library Journal... http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/about/submitting-titles-for-review/

The New York Times... http://www.nytimes.com/content/help/site/books/books.html

Through The Looking Glass... http://lookingglassreview.com/books/

Kids Reads...http://www.bookreporter.com/book-submission-inquiry

Readers Favorite...https://readersfavorite.com/

What about you? Do you know of a book review blog or website to add to my list? If so, please share by commenting below.

Oh yeah...one other thing. How do you like the latest promotional piece I made today to help support my new brand identity?