3 Ways for Authors to Connect at Comic Cons…

Getting to know Dr. Evil

Ever been to a Comic Con? I attended and worked at my first one recently, and I have to say it’s not what I expected. Diehard fans swim through the aisles, wearing costumes of their favorite super hero or from their favorite video game or movie. And it’s scary. These fans are true-blue, focused, and know what they’re looking for when they come to spend their hard-earned money. While I was working the aisle with my boss, Justine from Mirror World Publishing, I made some mental notes and came up with three ideal ways that may help authors connect better when showing their wares at a Comic Con.

Make your name (brand) known. This is part of your author brand, so have a banner along the table or a poster looming behind you that explains who you are, what you’re selling, and what you’re all about. Signage is so important at Comic Cons and any event you attend as an author. So show’em what you got!

Sharing my wares!

Work the floor. I bought a costume specifically for this! I dressed up as Robin Hood (one of the characters in Book #1 of The Last Timekeepers series) and handed out chocolate gold coins or wrapped red licorice to people passing by. When working the floor at any Comic Con or event, you should use the three ‘Ses’. Stand. Smile. Small talk. Be approachable (hence the costume) and for goodness sake, create a connection so that people will remember you!

Give away promotional material. This is a no-brainer. People LOVE freebies! That’s why I like giving candy away at author events. Stock up on postcards with your book covers on the front and info about the book and you on the back. Don’t forget to sign them either! Bookmarks are also a favorite among giveaways for authors, and my publisher had plenty on hand that offered 15% off if you buy directly from their website. What a deal! Be creative with your giveaways, you never know when you’ve made a fan for life!

Boss lady ready for business!

One last thing. It helps if you’re an active member of your graphic novel/comic community. Your networking is solid and your foot is already in the door. People buy from authors they know and trust. The fan base is the meat and potatoes of a Comic Con. Create your own fan base by connecting with people at events such as Comic Cons, continuing to build your author brand, and being authentic in the way you treat and help others. Trust me, this goes a long way with people, and may just get you noticed!

Have you attended any Comic Cons in the past? If so, which ones? Did you attend as a fan or vendor? Would love to read your comments! Cheers and thank you for reading my blog!

6 Authors + 5 Books = 1 Great Evening of Readings and Book Signings…

It’s been a busy summer of new releases from Mirror World Publishing, so they’re throwing a multi-author book launch event to celebrate! If you’re in the area or able, please come out and meet the authors of five new books. Here are the details:

When: September 3^rd, 2015

Where: Artspeak Gallery, 1942 Wyandotte East, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Authors:

Sharon Ledwith - Legend of the Timekeepers

Justine Alley Dowsett and Murandy Damodred - Unintended
Rita Monette - The Legend of Ghost Dog Island
Elizabeth J. M. Walker - She Dreamed of Dragons
Nate Friedman - The Coffee Monster

From children's to middle grade, young adult and adult, Mirror World Publishing is launching creative fiction novels in every age category! Come out and hear the authors read from their new releases, pick up a signed copy, and stick around for your chance to win free books! Plus there’s going to be cupcakes and coffee on tap from local vendors. Yum!

BTW – Rita Monette is the special guest star, as she'll be coming in from Tennessee! So don't miss this opportunity to meet her and get your signed copy of The Legend of Ghost Dog Island! Hope to see you there! Cheers!

Celebrating Readers and Writers in Muskoka at the NorthWords Literary Festival…

Something for Readers! Something for Writers! If you haven't visited the NorthWords Literary Festival website, I urge you to check it out to see what's happening Oct 3-5 in the heart of Muskoka:  http://www.northwords.org/. Launching the festival are 17 exciting Canadian Authors gathering for seven events in addition to the full day Writers' Workshop. This is the 4th year for NorthWords and the first time it is held in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada.

All of the authors will share from their work and experience in ways that will be of interest to both writers and readers. Seventeen published authors in one place is an incredible opportunity to learn about your craft from those who have faced the same struggles I have when I sit down at my computer to weave my tales.

This festival is also designed to entertain book lovers with the opportunity to speak with those whose stories transport readers to other times and places!

Here’s the weekend line up:

Friday, October 3:

Writers’ Workshop with authors, Anne Lazurko and Michael Wuitchik. Plus an agent panel discussion with Rachel Letofsky (The Cooke Agency), Olga Filina (The Rights Factory), Monica Pacheco (Anne McDermid & Associates Ltd.)!   9 am – 3 pm

Pitch Sessions: Looking to get your work in front of an agent?  Here’s your chance! Register to book a session with one or more of three agents!

Wine & Cheese with the authors, Anthony De Sa and Terry Fallis, 6:30 pm – 9 pm

Saturday, October 4:

The Saturday Morning Funnies - Richard Scrimger and Jim Foster will entertain you over Breakfast, 9 am – 11 am

Conversation with four debut novelists, Krista Foss, Ali Bryan, Janet Turpin-Myers and Anne Lazurko as they share lunch and the excitement of their first novel publications. 12 pm – 2 pm

Mid-Afternoon Chat with non-fiction authors, M.G. Vassanji and Patrick Boyer, 3 pm – 5 pm

  

Gala Dinner with novelists, Michael Wuitchik and Craig Davidson, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

  

Sunday, October 5:

Breakfast with Novelists, Michelle Berry and Catherine Bush as they share their literary journeys, 9:30am – 11:00 am

After Breakfast with Authors, Claire Cameron, Glad Bryce and Diana Aspin, 11:30 am – 1 pm

If you’re interested in attending this literary event, please see http://www.northwords.org/our-events/event-registration/  for event pricing and registration. So, if you’re in or near the area, please plan to attend. You won’t be sorry to rub elbows with some of Canada’s finest authors! Cheers!

6 Steps to Bolster your Self-Esteem…

Set Big Goals! I’m not kidding. Make plans to carry out how you’re going to achieve your humongous goals. This is so important. Think about it. If you’re going on a trip, you enter all the info in your GPS or purchase a map to mark out your destination. Businesses need business plans or the bank manager will look at you sideways when you come asking for a loan. What’s the difference when it comes to planning out your life goals?

Mark down your Values and Ideals! Set your big goals based on your values and ideals. Don’t make your goals to easy to achieve, instead aim high, and the higher the better. For example, some authors I know (me included) would love their novel or novel series to be turned into a movie. Or some authors would love to sign with a traditional publishing company, while others would rather go it alone on the self-publishing route. A word of caution—know thyself—don’t set your goals so far out of reach that you give up before you even get started.

Measure your Successes! This is so important. Define what the standard is for YOU, and no one else. Understand your strengths and weaknesses, and use both to help you accomplish your goals. Form alliances with other like-minded individuals or groups and delegate when necessary.

Stop comparing yourself to others! This is so hard NOT to do. But if you continually compare your successes to other people’s successes you’ll find that there’s always one person doing better than you. Better sales. Better book covers. Better stories. Better life. STOP IT! Your plans are not their plans. Stick to YOUR plan, and keep positive. The best thing you can do for yourself is to develop a positive mental attitude, and keep moving forward with purpose.

Recognize your Accomplishments! When someone you admire pats you on the back, don’t shrug it off. Take it. Embrace it. It’s good for you. People have a habit of fluffing off compliments, especially when they’ve earned it. So my take advice and savor that pat on the back for a job well done. Besides, it’s good for us to stand in the spotlight—it makes us shine all the more brighter!

Reward yourself! This is the icing on the cake. Make sure you select a reward that is consistent with the goal you have just achieved. Signed a book deal? Go out for supper to celebrate or buy those beautiful shoes you keep passing in the store window. Graduated university?  Car keys please! You get the idea. When I have a book release, I usually reward myself with an expensive bottle of cognac and a cigar (and I don’t smoke!). Go figure.

So, how do you bolster your self-esteem? Love to hear your voices…

Meet Sam Cheever - A.K.A. Santa Author...

by Sam Cheever

Some authors like to give stuff away and some don’t. I personally know one author who refuses to give away copies of her books and just gives bookmarks and trading cards away at conferences. No bling for her. She’s not alone. Promotional items cost money, giving away books takes sales out of an author’s pocket. But what about the old business adage, you have to spend money to make it? Does it apply to creative businesses as much as traditional ones? I think it does.

Nobody can chart a direct affect from a promotional item to a book sale. It isn’t possible to identify a monetary result, because it’s not a direct transaction. It really isn’t even monetary. It’s emotional.

People love getting free stuff. They especially love getting clever and useful free stuff. And when they get something they really like they generally remember the person who gave it to them. That’s why I love fun promotional items. When I start researching a new item to take to conferences or give out to new fans in their goodie boxes, my first goal is to find something nobody else has thought of. I rarely give out bookmarks anymore. I have boxes and boxes of them in my closet as proof! When I give away a print book I include a Romance Trading Card because those are collectors’ items and they’re more fun. I load heart-shaped memory sticks with free reads, book trailers, and first chapters and give those away. They’re useful, they bear my website and tagline on their shiny red surface, and they contain lots of fun reading and viewing that will hopefully inspire someone to buy one of my books. It’s a win-win! For my Declan Sands books (MM romance) I found a tiny tool kit with four screwdrivers and a tape measure. Again, useful, and bearing my website and tagline in case someone decides he/she needs a great book to read while repairing their computer with the toolset.

I have knit caps with my website on them, book lights with twisty stems, mouse pad planners that double as notepads, and lots of other fun stuff. Call me Author Santa. Yeah, the stuff costs and I have no way of knowing if I’ll recoup my investment in book sales. But when people receive a goodie box or promo item from me they remember it and hopefully they’ll remember me. In fact, people often come up to me at conferences and exclaim, “Oh, you’re the one with the great promo stuff!”

I just grin and offer them something else from my red velvet bag. ‘Cause I’m selling fun and smiles…hopefully I’ll even sell some books!

Happy Reading Everybody!

Bitten by Paranormal Romance gives Cupid a 4 – A Pack Howl! "This is a delightful and sexy story of competition not only in the office, but between a cupid and a demon."

Long and Short Reviews: "Cupid Only Rings Twice was a very cute story that was short but entertaining.”

This Valentine’s Day, Rori’s gonna meet an honest to god Cupid. And he’ll use more than arrows to win her love.

Rori Foster is too beautiful to find love. Men just can’t seem to look past her exterior to recognize the human being inside. 

Unfortunately he’ll have to save her from the bad intentions of a cocky Love Demon first. But Damios is determined to protect her. Even if he loses her in the process.

To read more or purchase Cupid Only Rings Twice please click the vendor's name.

Musa Publishing | Nook | Kobo | Sony | ARe | Kindle | Amazon.uk | Amazon.ca

Sam Cheever writes mainstream romantic suspense and fantasy, all heat levels; and Declan Sands for M/M romantic suspense and fantasy. Her books are fast paced and fun loving. Not one of them will solve a single world problem, but you definitely won’t be bored while reading them!

Sam’s published work includes 40+ works of young adult, romantic suspense, and fantasy/paranormal. Her books have won the Dream Realm Award for fantasy, been nominated and/or won several CAPAs, were nominated for Best of 2010 with LRC and The Romance Reviews, and won eCataromance’s Reviewer’s Choice award. She is published with Ellora’s Cave, both Romantica and Blush; Changeling Press; Electric Prose Publications (her own imprint), Musa Publishing, and Red Rose Publishing.

She lives on a hobby farm in Indiana with 11 dogs, 2 horses, and one husband.

Learn more about Sam Cheever on her blog Eclectic Insights. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter. You can also find Sam on Goodreads.

One Lovely Blog Award…3 Awesome Authors

Thanks to the lovely and talented middle-grade/young adult author Lisa Orchard, I’ve been tricked, er I mean tagged as a recipient of One Lovely Blog Award. If you’d like to know more about this winsome and talented author and her books for tweens and teens, then head straight over to her website: http://www.lisaorchard.com/ and see what Ms. Orchard has been up to!
 

Now, it is my duty as a recipient of this award to reveal seven random facts about myself, so on with the revelation:

#1. I used to work for the local animal shelter four years ago. After a few visits in the emergency room – and getting second looks from the doctors – I decided that writing suited me (and my body) much better. Though, I did manage to get a book out of the experience!

#2. My better half and I started a graphic trade business in the early 80s when computers were but a whisper amongst the printers, and the invention of the fax machine was the best thing since sliced bread. We finally sold our company in 2004 to start a new life up in the wilds of Muskoka.

#3. Most of you know I love single malt scotch – but do you know my favorite brand? GLENMORANGIE – The Original. Three ice cubes, two fingers (three if I’m feeling brave).

#4. I fainted at couple of times while giving presentations in front of class during my high school years. Yup. Not a lover of public speaking, but in this business I know I have to make an effort and just do it. Maybe I can find a big enough pillow to land on?

#5. For the last seven years I’ve either been a part of or participated in the Muskoka Novel Marathon. This yearly event is a fundraiser for our local literacy council where about 30 sleep-deprived writers sit in the same room over the course of three days to compete for a chance at publication. Can you say energy drinks?

#6. I’ve just recently signed with local literary agency Walden House (Books & Stuff) to represent a new psychic teen series I’ve created entitled, Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls. The first book in the series is about a 15-year-old girl who can communicate with shelter animals. Hmm, wonder where I got that one from?

#7. This fact I’m borrowing from my author peep Lisa Orchard because it hit home for me: I really miss my dad. He’s been gone almost thirty years, but there’s still a void in my life that wishes he was still here to fill it.

Okay, the following victims authors who I’ve chosen to receive One Lovely Blog Award are:

Eleni Konstantine: http://eleni-konstantine.blogspot.ca/

Marci Boudreaux: http://marciboudreaux.wordpress.com/

Sara Daniel: http://saradanielromance.blogspot.ca/

Congrats, ladies! And thanks to everyone for stopping by and sharing my award with me! Salute!