Today marks the first week after my latest novel, ANGEL
LOVER, went on sale. I've tried to keep up with the
demands of promotion, but I must tell you, that stuff isn't easy. I have
thirty stops on a virtual
blog tour,
including three interviews, nine guest posts, and an online chat with
readers.
Writing guest posts are a mix of fun and stress. I try to share my everyday
personality in each post so
potential readers feel they know a bit about who wrote the novel and why. I
called this fun because I
enjoy sharing the whys and hows of putting together my stories, plus I view
guest posts as a less
formal
celebration of my love of pop culture. The purpose is to connect to readers,
and I hope I interest a
few to
give a newbie writer a chance.
The flip side, of course, comes from the time sink that's necessary to make
each post different and
interesting. My audience tends to be romance readers who enjoy paranormal
with urban fantasy flavor.
So,
tough-as-nails heroines, vulnerable heroes, and villains who leap off the
page. The stress pops up
because
it's difficult to say, "No, really, this book is perfect for you" without
coming across as an echo of
every
author selling something.
After the first day, I started avoiding the Internet. I didn't want to
refresh my Amazon page to see if
I
nudged the sales rank one or two points. I only went to that retailer and
Goodreads to check for
reviews I
was expecting from folks who signed up to get an Advanced Reader's Copy of
the novel. Did I avoid
reading
the reviews? Honestly, nope. I know I pleased some, and disappointed others,
but that's all right. It's
normal.
I jumped on Twitter and Facebook, my usual social media haunts, and
interacted with folks through
retweets and general chit-chat, but I paid attention to just how "pitchy" my
posts were. Again, I get
the idea
behind promoting my work. I want people to know I have a new novel and an
ongoing series available.
What I refuse to do is flood social media with annoying and desperate "buy
me" messages.
ANGEL
LOVER doesn't look like a break-out hit, and I'm fine with that. I've
released my third full-length
novel, the few reviews I saw were mostly positive, and those who've enjoyed
my work want
more. I think I'm doing this author branding thing right. Slow and steady. I
got this.
Tricia Skinner is an author of passionate dark fantasy. She began her writ
ing career as a business
reporter and wrote for The Detroit News, Investor’s Business Daily, MSN, and
The Houston Chronicle.
Raised in Detroit, Tricia graduated with a BA degree from the nationally
acclaimed Journalism Insti
tute
for Media Diversity at Wayne State University. She also earned a Masters of
Liberal Studies — Creative
Writing degree from Southern Methodist University. Diversity in genre fic
tion is dear to Tricia’s
heart.
She is represented by Laurie McLean, co-founder of Fuse Literary Agency.
When not writing, Tricia can be found reading, lifting weights, or geeking
out over games, movies, and
music. She has a Tom Hiddleston obsession, and she is Team Vader. Her family
includes three Great
Danes (so far).
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
The Nephilim are bound. Their powers cursed. But half-angel Kasdeja will
do anything to free them
from Heaven’s tyranny. When Kas is approached by a striking, mysterious
woman, she tells him his
greatest enemies hold the key to his freedom.
Mariel keeps herself shrouded in secrets, using them to hide her true self.
For she is not just
employed
by the Renegades–enemy fallen angels—she is a double agent, working on the
sly for Heaven. Her
directive is to seduce the gorgeous Nephilim—despite her insecurity about
such sensual acts.
For Mariel is playing a dangerous game, and falling for Kas could only cause
trouble; her assignment
isn’t just seduction. It’s destruction.
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