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Sharing Your Gifts with the World: Why We Write |
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| April 8, 2015
Hi Friend,
I wanted to start off this newsletter by saying congratulations to those of you who sent in your first chapter to the Genre Novel First Chapter contest as part of the San Mateo County Fair Literary Stage I'm judging. I have 13 entries to judge, which I'm told is a good showing for a first-year contest. I'm looking forward to reading and scoring your entries.
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On to other news...
As I was sitting at my desk thinking about reaching out to you in my weekly newsletter, I was feeling reluctant. I felt scared, shy, hesitant... I sat with it and realized that there wasn't a truly good reason for not sending out my newsletter to you.
What was stopping me was this new way I'm showing up in the world and the quiet whisper wondering, "Will they like the new me?"
Who is this new me? I don't even know.
All I know is that I'm shifting things a bit in my biz, still helping novelists through coaching, but now adding courses at the Barany School of Fiction, and doing more media, and looking at ways to showing up bigger both as an expert and as a novelist.
Whew! I'm creating big art pieces... I'm listening to a lot of podcast, educating myself about marketing. I'm prepping new stories, and editing the third book in my trilogy -- a big deal. What I'm becoming is still unclear to me, and yet I show up and create.
How many of you create and are not 100% quite sure what is being created out of you? (Raising your hand?! Nodding?)
I'm doing a lot of work getting ready to market my next fiction book, a collection of my 4 romance novels, plus a bonus short story. I am marketing it, since the book is on pre-order. I'm prepping the print edition. I've a Facebook party planned. I've started querying book reviewers. I've mapped out a plan.
And I'm scared. How will this book be received? I'm coming out in a bigger way as a romance writer, a particular flavor of romance writer who creates magical tales of romance and adventure to take you to new worlds where anything is possible. (That's my Clear Message by the way. You can learn how to write your Clear Message here.)
This share brings me to why we write. I believe our fiction is our gift to the world. Fiction allows people to escape their daily life and dive into another life. When they close the book, they feel refreshed, renewed, and hopefully know themselves a little better. Fiction allows us to go away so that we can come back to ourselves, so that we can come home.
That is why I write. What about you? Why do you write fiction? And why do you want others to read your fiction?
What I'm really talking about is marketing.
What is your biggest book marketing challenge and what feelings are stirred when you read what I'm doing and when you think about book marketing for your own books?
Hit "reply" and let me know.
I know for myself I've just felt shy, like a colt who wants to stay in the safety of the barn.
So I've been taking myself to school with the studying I mentioned above and by taking my Writer's Adventure Guide workbook and adapting to it to my book marketing needs. (You can grab a summary of the book here to adapt to your own needs. You do need to sign up to grab it.)
Because I'm a writer who teaches, I can't help but put what I learn into how-to format -- I think it's how I cement my own learning! -- so I'm working on a series of articles on: - How to Write an Author Bio
- Marketing Prep for Novelists: 11 Key Pieces to Prepare Your Author Promotions Even Before You Finish Your First Book
- 5 Steps to Drafting Your Author Brand
- Book Marketing Checklist
- Book Marketing Timeline
- Book Marketing for Novelists Who Are Introverts (I'm sure there's a sexier way to say that!)
What else do you need to know? What else do you want to know?
Yep, Hit "reply" and let me know!
♥
Quick reminder: You can join my 30-Day Writing Challenge to Preparing Your Novel anytime!
Join us in the class! I'm be preparing 3 novellas and sharing that on my social media channels.Please share with your friends.
==> All the details for our current and upcoming courses here: http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/barany-school-of-fiction/
Follow along with the hashtag: #30daywc on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. |
| | | REMINDER: Check out my interview with Kiala Givehand on the Generations Literary Journal Podcast!
I give tons of writing tips, and I even read an excerpt from Henrietta The Dragon Slayer!
Make sure you subscribe in iTunes to support this small press that publishes poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction by writers of all ages.
Grab it here: http://tinyurl.com/lfha4a5 Hashtags for sharing: #genlitpodcast #generationslit
In other interview news, I'll be a guest again on Newbie Writers Podcast next Friday, April 17. If you haven't checked out this fun podcast by Bay Area writing coach, Catharine Bramkamp and funny Australian, Damien, then do. You may enjoy their human and fun word-related segments, and learn greats tips from their guests. (No last name on the site!) I'll let you know when it goes live. |
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| | The "Prepare Your Novel for $1/day for 30 Days" home study course is live!
I'm preparing three romance novellas this April during the course, continuing my Touchstone series.
Why don't you join in the course with your story?!
http://school.bethbarany.com/
While this course is self-paced -- do it on your own time -- I answer all questions posted in the forums within one day during the business week.
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| | Romance On-Preorder: Order Your Copy Today!
I'm super excited to announce my romance collection is on pre-order with Amazon!
Touchstone Series: Romance Novella Books 1-4
You get all four of my paranormal romance novellas plus a bonus short story, "Falling in Love Again" featuring Rose and Julien from the first story in the series, Touchstone of Love.
Travel to worlds where anything is possible—time travel to Medieval France; a cute Santa’s elf hiding in plain sight in San Francisco; a mystery under the city of Paris that only love can unlock; and, roses, destiny, and a mysterious labyrinth.
Pre-order here: http://bit.ly/TouchstoneSeriesBB
| | | Party! Wednesday, April 22, 10am - 5pm Pacific.
You're invited to my Facebook Book Launch Party celebrating my new collection, Touchstone Series, Romance Novella Books 1-4 (Plus Bonus Short Story).
Click here to join: https://www.facebook.com/events/631930940272977/
Join us for fun, goodies, giveaways, surprises, and more fun!
If you're a published romance author, indie or traditional, and would like to be a guest at this party, hit "reply" right away to let me know. I have 2 more spots! |
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If you have any questions about my author coaching, book marketing, cover design or publishing consulting services, just reply to this email and we'll help you out within 24 hours during business hours, Monday through Friday, when we're not on holiday.
All our best,
Beth & Ezra
beth@bethbarany.com http://bethbarany.com/
♥
ABOUT US
Beth and Ezra Barany are award-winning, best-selling novelists, who have worked with over 100 authors to help them get their books written and published.
♥ Happily married for over 15 years, we’re passionate about writing, storytelling, and guiding authors to achieve their dreams.
♥ We offer coaching, change work sessions, book marketing coaching (Beth) and cover design (Ezra), for novelists. More at bethbarany.com. You can schedule an appointment here: http://bit.ly/AppmtWithBeth.
ABOUT BETH BARANY
Beth Barany is an award-winning novelist and the publisher of Author Entrepreneurship Magazine. She runs a blog for and by writers, Writer's Fun Zone, and recently launched a school for novelists, the Barany School of Fiction.
Beth writes YA fantasy and sweet/sensual paranormal romance, and how-to books and courses for genre novelists, including her home study coaching guide, The Writer's Adventure Guide: 12 Stages to Writing Your Book, a Hero's Journey adaption with you the author as the hero in your own journey/adventure of writing your book.
For play, Beth takes walks, paints, watches movies with Ezra, travels, and has coffee with friends and family. And plays with her two cats, gardens, and does capoeira. And sleeps. She loves sleep.
Lots of Free Resources for Writers: http://authorentrepreneurship.com/ http://baranyschooloffiction.com/ http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog http://writersadventureguide.com/
SOCIAL MEDIA: Let's connect in a way that's right for you!
Follow: http://www.twitter.com/beth_barany Follow: http://instagram.com/bethbarany Like: https://www.facebook.com/bethbarany
And more! Pin: http://pinterest.com/bethbarany/ Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbarany Friend: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4169630.Beth_Barany Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/StreetEye1001/
Photo Credit: by c. 2014 Vivienne McMaster |
| | | | | In connection with the operation of this newsletter and business, Creativity Sparks features in the Newsletter affiliate links, including links to Amazon.com (“Affiliate Links”). Barany Consulting earns a commission from the Affiliate Links which commission is based on the number of sales that are made as a result of users of the Newsletter clicking over to the Affiliate Link and purchasing from the Affiliate Link a product and/or service. |
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