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Happy Birthday #14 Marketing for Romance Writers #MFRWauthor @MFRW_ORG #RLFblog #Authors
Kayelle Allen here. Marketing for Romance Writers started in 2006 and is still going strong. All services and membership are free.
It began because, like all my friends, I was promoting, learning more about promoting, and asking friends about promoting. All the ins and outs of book marketing were starting to gel and I was beginning to understand the overall concept. Even so, I had a constant list of questions. Facebook was two years old. Twitter had been founded that year. Pinterest and Instagram were four years away. How was I supposed to promote on social media? Did I need a blog?
So many questions
My friends all had the same questions, and we would email each other and ask. Often, I’d get the same question several times in a row. I found myself going back to my “sent” file to copy an answer and resend it. I was asking questions myself, plus I took time to go find an answer if someone asked and I didn’t know. Eventually, I got more and more questions.
It was Halloween, and I was busy with all sorts of details of writing, and I got the same question from two different people. I remember thinking that there had to be an easier way to do this. I needed a way to let everyone know what I’d discovered at the same time, and if I had a question, get an answer from someone who knew. Yahoo Groups was established and well-used, so I decided to create one that all of my friends and I could use together. We could post a question there, and anyone who knew the answer could reply.
I set it up as Marketing for Romance Writers because that’s what all of us were at the time. Our current members are not all romance writers, however. They come from all genres. Looking back, I’ve often wished I’d named it Marketing for Every Writer. Of course, then the initials would have been MEW vs MFRW and our symbol might have been a black cat!
In 2006, we had 12 members. Fourteen years later, we’re in the thousands. We now meet on IO Groups and our staff of volunteers produces a monthly magazine. We coordinate multiple blog hops to bring traffic to member websites, including Book Hooks and MFRWsteam.
About MFRW
Marketing for Romance Writers is a peer-oriented mentoring group open to the entire literary community. Ask your marketing-related questions, or request help, advice, or opinions. You can learn how to create a professional image and use it effectively, as well as ask for opportunities to join other authors in promotional efforts. You can learn the business aspects of writing.
News about pitch sessions and calls for submission are posted on the Yahoo group. As a member, you can attend exclusive, member-only pitch events with publishers. Members can attend free, online workshops and seminars.
Marketing for Romance Writers is on most social media. The Twitter hashtags are #MFRWhooks #MFRWorg #MFRWauthor and #MFRWsteam, used for various weekly/monthly blog hops. See volunteers needed below for a chance to network while making a difference for fellow authors.
Find and Join MFRW
Marketing for Romance Writers IO Groups:
Main https://marketingforromancewriters.groups.io/g/main
Steam (Erotic) https://marketingforromancewriters.groups.io/g/steam
MFRW Magazine https://newsstand.joomag.com/en?q=Marketing+for+RomanceMarketing for Romance Writers Website http://marketingforromancewriters.org
Marketing for Romance Writers News https://www.facebook.com/mfrworg
Marketing for Romance Writers Promo https://www.facebook.com/groups/mfrwauthors/
MFRW Triberr Tribes
Books and Authors http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=31990
Business of Writing http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=48112
Erotic http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=40964
LGBT http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=41440
Mainstream http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=40921
Sweets http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=40922MFRW Blogs & Hops
MFRW Marketing http://mfrw.blogspot.com
MFRW Author http://mfrw-authors.blogspot.com
MFRW Book Hooks https://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com/
MFRW 52 Week Challenge https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/
MFRW Steam http://mfrwsteam.blogspot.comFree Promotion for MFRW Members
Follow us – we follow back.
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/mfrworg/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/161092-the-mfrw-book-place
LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/marketing-for-romance-writers-organization/
Twitter http://twitter.com/MFRW_ORGMFRW Volunteer Staff
Kayelle Allen, Founder & Blog Coordinator https://kayelleallen.com
Emerald, Facebook Coordinator http://www.TheGreenLightDistrict.org
Mona Karel, Moderator http://mona-karel.com
Rochelle Weber, Newsletter Publisher http://www.rochelleweber.com
Barbara Donlon Bradley, Newsletter Editor http://www.barbaradonlonbradley.com
Michelle Davis, Newsletter Editor https://twitter.com/michelle40768
Tina Gayle, Twitter Promo & Blog Hop Coordinator http://www.tinagayle.net/home.html
Kathryn R Blake, Blog Hop Coordinator http://www.kathrynrblake.com/
Lisabet Sarai, Blog Hop Coordinator https://www.lisabetsarai.com/
Alice Orr, Writing Tips Blogger https://aliceorrbooks.com
Dee S Knight, Blog Hop Coordinator https://deesknight.comVolunteers Needed
Goodreads Coordinator (posting books as requested) [edit: Fiona McGregor took on this role.]
Twitter Coordinator (approving followers, sending tweets)
Triberr Coordinator (approving blog posts within Triberr)
Pinterest Coordinator (pinning covers)We currently need coordinator volunteers for these sites. Each position takes about an hour a week, average, and can be spread over several days. If you have experience in these areas and would like to volunteer, please contact us! main+owner@marketingforromancewriters.groups.io
If you have questions about marketing your books, or you want to share an opportunity such as being a guest on your blog, join us. It’s okay to ask for guest spots too. The MFRW motto is “seek, teach, share, learn, succeed.” Services and membership are free.
The Success Story
Are you part of the Marketing for Romance Writers success story? Please share in the comments.
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A Question of Trust by Mona karel @MonaKarel #RLFblog #Romantic Suspense
Mona Karel, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your book.
A Question of Trust by Mona Karel
Genre Romantic Suspense
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
Lana Greene doesn’t care that most of the world sees her as avaricious and amoral. All the better for her to stand as a shield against those who would exploit the weaker. Until the day she comes up against a situation too difficult for her to handle on her own, and she has to reach out to her ex-husband.
Adam Roberts dedicated himself to keeping the world safe until his efforts took part of a leg and much of his self worth.. When Ty Randolph asks him to take on a simple escort he’s more than willing to help out his new friends.
But there is far more at stake than anyone realizes. Lana and Adam have to learn to trust themselves and each other to succeed in saving many innocent lives.
What’s your favorite down-home family style meal?
At one time, fried chicken and fresh biscuits. Now it’s more likely Chicken Molé or an Enchilada Casserole.
What is your go-to meal when you dine out?
Sushi. I would never try to make it at home. Or really good Chinese food
What are your hobbies?
Dogs…loving them, raising them, training them. Getting rid of the collectibles at one time I couldn’t live without
When you read for pleasure, what kind of books do you choose?
Romance. Good world building Fantasy or Space Opera. I use books as a buffer against the world and I can glut read (or re-read) whole series.
If the hero of your latest book called you on the phone, what would be a perfect ringtone for him?
Adam never likes to draw attention to himself. His ringtone is going to be subtle, maybe just a quiet buzz.Where to buy A Question of Trust
Publisher https://blackopalbooks.com
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Question-Trust-Stormhaven-Story-Stories-ebook/dp/B07HVV96DL/
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-question-of-trust-mona-karel/1129690204Mona Karel Social Media
Mona Karel wrote some of her first book on a portable typewriter, using the backs of salvaged paper. Sounds pretty sad, but it was the beginning of a new life, and makes for a great memory. Written mainly as Romance, Mona’s books also address other pressing matters such as spousal abuse, terrorism, and human trafficking, In the Stormhaven books, Mona honors those who gave their all and more to stand against evil. Stormhaven is a ranch in northern New Mexico where these people can ease back into society.
Website https://mona-karel.com
Blog https://mona-karel.com/blog
Twitter https://twitter.com/MonaKarel
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4878639.Mona_Karel
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Mona-Karel/e/B0052GL1R8 -
Know the Heroine from A Question of Trust by Mona Karel @MonaKarel #RLFblog #RomanticSuspense
Mona Karel, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We’re excited to find out more about your heroine, but first, tell us about the book.
A Question of Trust by Mona Karel
Genre Romantic Suspense
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG13
Lana Greene doesn’t care that most of the world sees her as avaricious and amoral. All the better for her to stand as a shield against those who would exploit the weaker. Until the day she comes up against a situation too difficult, too dangerous, for her to handle on her own, and she has to reach out to her ex-husband.
Adam Roberts dedicated himself to keeping the world safe until his efforts took part of a leg and much of his self worth. When Ty Randolph asks him to take on a simple escort he’s more than willing to help out his new friends.
But there is far more at stake than anyone realizes. Lana and Adam have to learn to trust themselves and each other to succeed in saving many innocent lives.Know the Heroine from A Question of Trust
Here are some fun questions to help us know your heroine.
It’s late, she’s bored. What does she do?
At one time she would have slept since her lifestyle didn’t allow her near enough sleep. Once she met Adam she was never bored.
What kind of food would she impulse buy if hungry?
Lana likes simple foods, homemade cakes, and fresh water. She’s never quite picked up the knack of baking so when she does have the opportunity she grabs the best and the freshest. Chocolate cake, cinnamon rolls…mmmmmmmmmmm
Describe the kind of clothes she prefers to wear.
The real Lana prefers to wear comfortable clothes, slouchy socks, and happy shoes. Party Girl Lana, her usual persona, wears clothes just this side of indecent and shoes that make her feet weep. When most people see her in Party Girl Lana mode, they miss the bright mind constantly at work making things happen.
Does she know how to fix things?
She knows how to fix a party, how to fix the evil done by human traffickers. She’s not so good at fixing her love life but she gets there eventually.
She tried to do something and it went badly. Tell us about it.
In A Question of Honor, Lana was following up on an anonymous tip about a Navajo girl in danger. The tip came from Sydney’s nasty ex, and Lana ended up in the hospital.
How does she act around children she doesn’t know?
Often these children are the ones she’s trying to protect. On the outside she’s matter of fact, calm, and stays that way until the danger is past. Inside she’s weeping and screaming.
What is she like first thing in the morning?
Lana learned to wake up fast. She’s on her feet and ready to solve the world’s problems. This is before she met Adam. Now she’d just as soon stay in bed.
Can she use chopsticks?
She’s used them, but she’s not super proficient. One time she got a splinter from a restaurant chopstick.
Does she drink coffee? If so, how does she take it? If not, what does she drink instead?
She drinks coffee if she has to but her preference is for high quality water, hot, with lemon slices.
What apps would she have on her phone?
GPS, and whatever gibberish Party Girl Lana might need to help hold her cover.
Android or iPhone?
Whatever she has in her hand at the time. If it works, she’s good with it.
Earrings or unpierced ears?
Pierced, though she rarely wears long earrings since they get in the way.
Tattoos or unadorned skin?
Unadorned. Tattoos are too easy to use for ID
Personal vehicle or public transport?
At home she has a dependable aged SUV.
Recycle or toss?
Recycle
Thanks for helping us get to know your heroine!Where to buy A Question of Trust
Publisher https://blackopalbooks.com/
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Question-Trust-Stormhaven-Story-Stories-ebook/dp/B07HVV96DL/
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-question-of-trust-mona-karel/1129690204Mona Karel Social Media
Mona Karel became convinced at an early age that her life would not really begin until she was about thirty five. She has no idea what precipitated that thought, but she claims she was a strange child. Until reaching that age, she led a peripatetic existence for many years, criss-crossing the country, working with horses and dogs—and waiting tables to support her other jobs. At thirty five, when many people are well into raising their families, Karel settled down to “real” work as a buyer and expediter. She married a high school teacher, which led to over twenty years in Southern California.
Karel can’t remember a time she wasn’t reading, though she doesn’t remember much fun with Dick and Jane. Her preferred stories involved dogs and horses, and once she had gone through every horse book in the high school library, she started in on Civil War stories. They rode horses, didn’t they? At that time Romance was swashbucklers and Gothic, and many preferred the stronger heroines of Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. Then Karel discovered Romance in the form of Silhouette, Candlelight, and RWA, and her life was complete. Karel has since retired to New Mexico, where she lives in the wind at 6,500 feet with her Salukis. When not writing or going to dog shows, Karel works at a solar related firm.
Website https://mona-karel.com/
Blog https://mona-karel.com/blog/
Twitter https://twitter.com/MonaKarel
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/MonaKarel
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Mona-Karel/ -
Happy Birthday Marketing for Romance Writers #MFRWauthor @MFRW_ORG #Authors
Kayelle Allen here. Wow, has Marketing for Romance Writers grown! Back in 2006 when I started this group, I was a busy author with four books. I was promoting, learning more about promoting, and asking friends about promoting. All the ins and outs of book marketing were starting to gel and I was beginning to understand the overall concept. That said, I had a constant list of questions. Facebook was two years old. Twitter had been founded that year. Pinterest and Instagram were four years away. How was I supposed to promote on social media? Did I need a blog?
I had friends who had similar questions, and we would email each other and ask. Often, I’d get the same question several times in a row. I found myself going back to my “sent” file to copy an answer and resend it. Not that I wasn’t asking questions myself, but I think because I’d take the time to go find an answer if someone asked and I didn’t know – I started getting more and more questions.
It was Halloween, and I was busy with all sorts of details of writing, and I got the same question from two different people. I remember thinking that there had to be an easier way to handle this. I needed a way to let everyone know what I’d discovered at the same time, and if I had a question, get an answer from someone who knew. Yahoo Groups was established and well-used, so I decided to create one that all of my friends and I could use together. We could post a question there, and anyone who knew the answer could reply.
I set it up as Marketing for Romance Writers because that’s what all of us were at the time. Our members are not just romance writers, however. They come from all genres. Looking back, I’ve often wished I’d named it Marketing for Every Writer. Of course, then the initials would have been MEW vs MFRW and our symbol might have been a black cat!
In 2006, we had 12 members. Eleven years later, there are 2420 of us, plus 6781 on Facebook, 3875 on Twitter, untold numbers on Goodreads, and 1492+ on Pinterest with 54 boards and over 790 pins. Our staff of volunteers produces an award winning newsletter and in 2018, we will publish a monthly magazine. How can we promote for you?
About MFRW
Marketing for Romance Writers is a peer-oriented mentoring group open to the entire literary community. Ask your marketing-related questions, or request help, advice, or opinions. You can learn how to create a professional image and use it effectively, as well as ask for opportunities to join other authors in promotional efforts. You can learn the business aspects of writing.
News about pitch sessions and calls for submission are posted on the Yahoo group. As a member, you can attend exclusive, member-only pitch events with publishers. Members can attend free, online workshops and seminars.
Marketing for Romance Writers promotes for its members on most social media. Get your book cover pinned on one of the MFRW Pinterest boards, and show off your cover models. Share your tweets with the MFRW street team and get them shared on Twitter. The hashtags #MFRWorg #MFRWauthor and #MFRWhop promote for you. You can get interviewed on BlogTalkRadio. Link your blog to a community hop via a unique software “ribbon” with exciting themes, and draw readers to your site.
Find and Join MFRW
Marketing for Romance Writers Yahoo Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarketingForRomanceWriters/
Marketing for Romance Writers Website http://marketingforromancewriters.org
Marketing for Romance Writers News https://www.facebook.com/mfrworg
Marketing for Romance Writers Promo https://www.facebook.com/groups/mfrwauthors/
Free Promotion for MFRW Members
Follow us – we follow back.
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/mfrworg/
Goodreads http://is.gd/mfrwgoodreads
Google+ http://bit.ly/mfrworg-gplus
LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/marketing-for-romance-writers-organization/
Twitter http://twitter.com/MFRW_ORG our hashtags are #MFRWauthor #MFRWorg #MFRWhooksMFRW Volunteer Staff
Kayelle Allen, Founder https://kayelleallen.com
Emerald, Facebook Coordinator and Editor http://www.TheGreenLightDistrict.org
Mona Karel, Moderator, Blog Hop Coordinator http://mona-karel.com
Paloma Beck, Blog Director http://www.romancebeckons.net/index.html
Rochelle Weber, Newsletter Publisher http://www.rochelleweber.com
Barbara Donlon Bradley, Newsletter Editor http://www.barbaradonlonbradley.com
Michelle Davis, Newsletter Editor https://twitter.com/michelle40768
Libby McKinmer, Newsletter Editor http://libbymckinmer.com
Mari Anne Christie, Newsletter Editor http://marichristie.info/
Reet Singh, Goodreads Coordinator http://www.reetsingh.in
Lisa Lowe, Goodreads Coordinator (website under construction)
Zeenat Mahal, Goodreads Coordinator http://www.zeenatmahal.com/
Tina Gayle, Twitter Promo Coordinator http://www.tinagayle.net/home.html
Carmen Stefanescu, Blog Coordinator http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.com/
If you have questions about marketing your books, or you want to share an opportunity such as being a guest on your blog, join us. It’s okay to ask for guest spots too. The MFRW motto is “seek, teach, share, learn, succeed.” Services and membership are free. Are you part of the Marketing for Romance Writers success story? Please share in the comments.
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Character Interview: Kendra Weiss @MonaKarel #RLFblog
 Mona Karel, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. We’re excited to
interview your character, Kendra Weiss from the book, My Killer My Love.Genre: Paranormal RomancePublisher: Black Opal BooksCover artist: Pepper O’Neal and Mona did the cover togetherLength: 324 pagesHeat rating: SensualTagline: An immortal enforcer is sent to punish an innocent woman,
and discovers the soul he’d forgotten he possessed.Blurb: She came to the woods to heal and found evil lurking among
the trees… Upon her grandmother’s death, Kendra inherits a cottage deep within
an ancient forest, along with the powers given only to certain women in her family—powers
she doesn’t know she has. Recovering from a vicious attack, Kendra returns home
to the remote cabin determined to heal both her body and her spirit. But the forest
is ailing, too. Evil stalks its dark places, turning its quiet glades into a battlefield.
When a strangely beautiful man appears at her cabin intent on punishing her for
a crime she didn’t commit, Kendra needs all her strength to protect her forest,
her life… and her heart. Can she learn to use her powers and to trust Mykhael
in time to save the ancient forest?He came to the woods to redeem himself and found an innocence
that would be his undoing… Throughout his long life, Mykhael has struggled, often
in vain, to please the Atrahasis, immortal overlords of the sacred places in the
universe. Now they have given him one last chance to redeem himself. He must punish
the person they think desecrated an ancient forest in Northern
California. But when he meets Kendra, he realizes he’s doomed to disappoint
them once more. Not only is she innocent of the crime the Atrahasis have accused
her of, Kendra is the missing part of the soul Mykhael didn’t know he still possessed.
Can he defy the Atrahasis yet again and live long enough to save the only thing
in his life that matters?Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-killer-my-love-mona-karel/1102269106?ean=9781937329006Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/61404Bookworks, Albuquerque
http://www.bkwrks.com/book/9781937329006What are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?Kendra Weiss is in her mid twenties. She’s been a folk dancer
but with her injury plus her grandmother’s death, she’s come back to the cottage
to heal herself and, as it turns out, the forest.Mykhael Alastor, oh, he’s ageless. Seriously. He would have stopped
aging when the Atrahasis offered him an opportunity to right all the wrongs he encountered,
around mid to late twenties. Which three thousand or more years ago was quite an
advanced age. He’s an enforcer, a guardian of the sacred places on Earth.Interview with Kendra Weiss
Tell us about yourself.“I’m afraid I’m
a bit of a disappointment to my family though they try to say otherwise. My father
controls large corporations, my mother is the ultimate hostess and my siblings are
at the top of their field. I was uncomfortable in that life as a child, so they
let me stay at Gran’s cottage deep in the Sequoias.”Tell us about Mykhael Alastor.“Mykhael’s had a
rough life. He was rejected by his father, one of Atrahasis overlords, though he
was known as the god Alastor, whose duty was to ensure the sins of the father were
visited upon their sons. Kind of grim, don’t you think? Since his mother was not
of the Atrahasis, he grew up away from the family and alone after his mother died.
In spite of this beginning he became a soldier, then a war lord, then was offered
a position with the Atrahasis. Even though his life has been one of war and fighting,
he loves sunlight and the natural order of things.”What do you think is your strongest point?“Oh, I’m not much
really. I learned to keep the garden growing and how to live here in the woods.
For a while I performed with a folk dance group, which was great fun until I had
a set piece dropped on my legs and couldn’t dance any more. I guess my strongest
point is being too stubborn to give up when other people might.”What would Mykhael say is your strongest point?{smile} “Mykhael
really likes my cooking. Seriously, I guess he’d agree I don’t give up easily…oh,
here he is.”“Yes, and just in
time. It sounds like you’re once again bending reality, my dear. Let’s see, hmmm…a
disappointment to your family? And they LET you stay at the cottage?” Sigh.
“My darling you really don’t need to hide yourself from these people, after
all they want to read your story. Kendra’s grandmother recognized the power in her
as a baby, and asked that she be sent to be raised in the woods. They resisted until
they realized Kendra didn’t belong in their modern world. They could not be prouder
of their ‘fey’ daughter even when they don’t completely understand her. As far as
her strongest point, stubborn does come to mind. But even more her inner self glows
with the light of her power, which she has never used to her own benefit. Although
she does bake a marvelous loaf of bread.“Now let’s see about
these other questions, since you seem hesitant to be truthful about yourself. Hmmm,
weakest point, you have none except you don’t think enough of yourself. You grew
up here in these sacred woods, a magical area for sure. I’m not going to let you
wish for something different in your life since all of your life brought you here
to be with me in these woods, and isn’t that your fondest wish?”“Am I not allowed
to answer questions for myself? And here I thought you’d become a more modern man.
Now let me answer my own questions…oh, a place of perfect refuge–““I do believe you’re
blushing my love. Do you really want to tell them about your refuge…our refuge?”“Why not let them
read what Mona had to say about it?”About the Author
Mona Karel is the writing alter ego of Monica Stoner, who has
lived her life in a manner guaranteed to give any parents gray hairs. She’s been
a dog groomer, horse trainer, stable manager, waitress…then at thirty five took
a job as a buyer’s assistant at a nuclear power plant. A few years later she married
the man she’d loved for far too long, and settled down for a while. During this
passage into normal life she rediscovered her love of writing. Of course she couldn’t
do that the easy way either, completing numerous manuscripts which will never see
the light of day while learning her craft. Distractions abounded, including her
long time involvement in pure bred dogs and her husband’s amazing artistic talent.
Eventually her characters called to her to be set free upon the world, and she braved
another round of submissions.Find Me Here
Website: http://mona-karel.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MonaKarelPinterest: http://pinterest.com/monakarel/Amazon
Author: http://www.amazon.com/Mona-Karel/e/B0052GL1R8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1