The kids have completed four weeks of school since last month. My daughter made the cross-country team, church youth group and cub scouts have started back up, as well as my church small group and my husband’s tennis team, so we jumped back into a hectic schedule after summer break. I’m not complaining, though, it’s wonderful to have so many opportunities available again.
I’ve also spent the last month completing everything for my book, including gaining ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) readers, setting up e-book preorders and paperback formatting, creating and ordering bookmarks and stickers, and posting all over social media. Promoting myself isn’t comfortable to me, but I’m doing my best and learning along the way. And since my book officially released September 13th (!), I’m making this month’s Share Four Somethings, Take a Chance on Me-themed.
Something Loved
I really wanted to create bookmarks for my books because I’m a book nerd and thought it’d be really cool. I modeled them after my book covers and added QR codes so they can also share information about the books. They turned out so nice and I’m enjoying passing them out. (If you want some, send me a message!)
Something Gleaned
I learned so much this past month. I took part in my first BookFunnel promotion (where you give out free copies of books to people and encourage them to join your newsletter subscriber list). It amazed me how much it increased my list size. Time will tell if they enjoy the book enough to get the next in the series.
I looked into how to sell signed copies of the book, create stickers, and setting up a giveaway for a Take a Chance on Me Swag Box (there’s still time to enter if you’re interested in a free signed copy of the book along with a few other items related to the book – stickers, socks, chocolate truffles from my favorite local shop, recipes from the book, and an Asheville art print created by local artist Jeff Pittman – find out details here – giveaway ends 9/27/22).
Something Braved
This whole endeavor has been an exercise in bravery. I’m sharing a part of myself with the world and know the feedback won’t all be positive. Thankfully, I already have some experience with criticism regarding my work, so that won’t be new. Still, it’s never pleasant.
I emailed some authors I like who also write sweet romance books and asked them to help promote my book. Several agreed to share information in their newsletter and/or share on social media. It felt a little scary reaching out, but the worst they could say is no (and I heard that as well).
Something Achieved
This obviously won’t come as a surprise, but my achievement was officially publishing my first novel! It’s been a three-year process, from first draft to editing to querying to indie publishing, but I crossed the finish line! I’m looking forward to doing it again with the next book in the series. I’ve learned a lot and hope to take what knowledge I’ve gained with me to make my next launch go more smoothly. But, while it’s great to keep moving forward, I’m also taking time to celebrate where I am and how far I’ve come.
I also created a special page on my website to share a bunch of things related to the book. Click here to check it out!
Tell me about something you’ve loved, gleaned, braved, or achieved recently!
Congratulations on your new book! That is very exciting. The bookmarks are a genius idea. And so cute too. Your marketing ideas are all so clever. That would be the scariest part for me. But you’ve done it! I hope your book does really well.
Thank you! I think the marketing products were one of the more fun parts. Of course, I was concerned about how they’d turn out until I saw them, but that’s the perfectionist in me.
Congrats on the new book. I look forward to reading it!
I enjoyed “Accidentally Yours” this summer.
Visiting from S4S
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed Accidentally Yours!
Congratulations on your new book, Megan! Birthing a book is a labor of love. Celebrating and rejoicing with you in this three-year milestone!
Thank you! It’s been quite an adventure. I look forward to doing it again!
Congratulations on your new book, Megan, so much to celebrate here, a long journey now a dream true!
Thank you so much! It has been well worth all the work.
Congrats on the new book! I love the stickers and bookmarks 🙂
Thanks! I think they turned out great.
Congratulations on your book! It’s interesting to read more about the process of marketing it too.
Thanks! I’m happy to share my experiences if you want to know more.
Congratulations Megan!! As an avid book reader, I am ALWAYS excited when authors launch their book babies out into the world!! I have added your book to my GoodreadsTBR list and when I get to it I WILL leave a review 🙂 Just no promises on the timeline, LOL. I love all your ways of promoting your book. If you have any free little libraries around you, I would suggest maybe putting a copy in one or two. It’s another way to get your book around town, so to speak. I am not sure where you live in NC but The Book Lady in Monroe has a book section for local authors…maybe there is something like that near you? Anyway, congratulations again and I wish you the best of luck!!!
Cindy! Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your willingness to leave a review. Thank you for the suggestion to put them in the LFL around me. I’ll check them out!
Congratulations on publishing your novel and all the other achievements and victories that go along with that! How exciting!! I wish you the best with it. I’d love to read it, but I have no time at all these days. Visiting from SFS (late!)
Thank you, Kym!
I loved this themed version of S4S!! Congrats again – what a great accomplishment!
Thanks, Heather!