Outside-the-Box Promotion by J. S. Marlo

 

Wide of the Mark

(Click here to buy)

   

 

  

To buy any of my books, visit

J. S. Marlo's Books

Today, I want to talk about promotion. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't receive an email titled: We want to promote your book... Want some help promoting your book... Enhance your book promotion with... 

The price is never listed in the emails. You have to go on their websites and scroll to find out how much they charge, and when I say they, I mean whoever is behind the website in some obscure corner of the globe. And they usually charge a hefty sum.

There are legitimate sites that do promotion, but they all seem saturated with books, so where is an author supposed to promote?

Some do book signings, and fairs, and conferences, but these aren't always feasible options in small or remote towns.

My eleven-year-old granddaughter, who lives five minutes away from me, is a competitive swimmer and a rep team hockey player. Every season, she is required to secure sponsorships for both teams. So, this year, I decided to try something different. I sponsored her swim team!

As a sponsor, my logo is featured on the swim team website, and during local swim competitions, for the entire season (Sept 2025 to Aug 2026). I'm hoping it will pique people's curiosity, generate foot traffic on my website, and since I'm a local author, maybe new readers.

Time will tell if it's an effective promotion, but since I'm also getting a thank you photo of my swimmer, it's a win-win in my book.

Happy Reading! 

Hugs!

JS

 

 

J. S. Marlo's Website

Partners in Crime

 Find me on the BWL site!

 

Writing can a lonely business. Book promotion need not be, if you have a partner in crime! I have partnered with many of my favorite fellow authors over the years.

Currently, I've teamed up several times with fellow BWL author Eileen O'Finlan, who lives in Western Massachusetts, driving distance from my Vermont home.

Together we:

*    Share the load on presentations-- half the work, 

      twice the fun!

*    Share expenses and driving on book tours

*    Advise each other  on writing and promotional         tips  that work

*   Go to conferences and enter awards contests           together. 

    (I'm happy to report that both of us have several winning books)

*   Are each other's biggest fans!

Lately we've found a link between our latest novels...the fascinating research we've encountered about New England witches and vampires. We developed presentations complete with projected power points and are taking it on the road throughout our area. Along the way we've had enthusiastic audiences and have even met a direct descendant of Salem witch trial victim Rebecca Nurse.

So, extend your friendship with fellow authors and put your wonderfully creative heads together. Find your partner in crime!

Running Behind by Janet Lane Walters #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #writing #Holidays #Release in December #Plotting new Book

 

Suddenly I realized it was my day to post on the blog. For some reason I've been runing a day behid for weeks. No excuses, really. As one ages, days seem to run into each other. So for the past few weeks, I've been pushing myself. Whatwith? First there's the December release of Seppal. I've been doing much promotion of the book. Trying something new with this one. I'll know if it works. That's Excuse no.1

Excuse number 2 is Christmas stockings. This year I have 17 to fill for an expanding fmily. The real problem is they must go out after Thanksgiving to make sure they arrive on time. Most of them will be sent out of state.

Excuse Number 3 is I've started plotting the last of the Moon Rising series - Keltoi and when I'm in that zone I lose hours and hours. The plot goes to bed with me and I often wake up with scenes ready to fit into the story. Once the plot is in line and it's almost done, I'll begin writing the story. That's the part I love, too. Next month I'll be back to my orderly self.

 

My Places

   https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

 

Photo Shoot

more on Eileen's books

Recently I had the delightful experience of visiting my local photographer Ana for a photo shoot at her studio for some new author photos.  

First stop: my favorite hair dresser Joanna's Glamorama for a styling.  Then, cross the street to Ana. (I love small town life in Vermont!) 

Ana also runs Anastasia's Closet a wonderfully curated vintage clothing store, so our session became a great dress up afternoon as well.  What fun!

First, Ana helped me get comfortable by channeling my inner Mary Poppins...

Then we got started on head shots. Only afterward did I realize that the dominant colors of both clothing and backgrounds were red, white and blue...fitting for an author of American historical novels, isn't it?

Then came the job of choosing among many expressions. For that I enlisted my readers on Facebook.  I was delighted with the result...everyone had an opinion, it seemed! Can you guess which of these was the favorite for my new official photo?

The reds....

 

 The Whites...

 The Blues...



Feel free to cast your own vote!

The winner.............

This one!

The Value of Blogging - Janet Lane Walters #Blogging #Promotion

The Value of Blogging

 

It’s all about promotion and there are many ways to get your name out there but a lot of them are expensive. Sure you can promote on Twitter and some of the other frees sites but think of the chances someone will see the post about your new release or your back list books. I’ve found blogging is a great way to go.  At present I have three blogs where I post at least once a month. My own, I do every day but I also promote other people there as well. It’s fun meeting new authors and while I might not read all of their books, I’ve found several new authors to read this way. The Books We Love Blog is one of my regular beats as is Sweet and Spicy Divas. Then once a month, I post on another blog. Usually on Marketing For Romance there are opportunities for blog appearances. Now this may seem like a lot but it takes me not long and that’s because I keep the blog posts short. I once read that if they’re over five minutes people won’t read them. Sometimes mine are longer but these are excerpts.

Another opportunity for getting out there is to do the monthly BookHooks on MFRW. This brings more exposure and perhaps a sale or two. This is a blog hop and I let my twitter followers and my followers on Facebook know about my appearances.

I also try to visit the blogs where my friends have been interviewed or featured in another way and leave a comment. I always learn something when I read the blog posts. I also know a little bit of feedback helps boost an author’s spirits. If I’m featured on someone else’s blog, I promote my appearance on the day of the event. Also I try to go in for a few days after the posting and read the comments and give a thanks.

So if you have a chance to blog somewhere, do it. And if you have a blog, think about opening it to other authors. I know some of you do. The trick these days to selling books seems to be exposure.