• Author Marketing

    Happy Birthday @MFRW_ORG 17 years of Marketing for Romance Writers #MFRWauthor #MFRWorg #Authors

    Marketing for Romance Writers


    Marketing for Romance Writers

    We are a peer-oriented mentoring group open to the entire literary community. Ask marketing-related questions, request help, get advice, or ask for 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 in a supportive environment.


     

    Happy Birthday #15 Marketing for Romance Writers #MFRWauthor @MFRW_ORG #RLFblog #Authors

    Marketing for Romance Writers started in 2006 and is still going strong. All services and membership are free.

    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 up the group 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. Fifteen years later, we're in the thousands on Facebook, we have a presence on Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and we hold blog hops like Book Hooks and MFRWsteam to bring traffic to members' websites. We now meet on IO Groups and our staff of volunteers produces a monthly magazine.

    MFRW Steam Hop Monthly blog hop for authors of erotic romance

    Book Retweet Day / MFRW Retweet Day

    Weekly blog hop for romance authors

    Find and Join MFRW

    Join us for Retweet Day 2x month https://mfrw.blogspot.com/

    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+Romance
    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/

    You'll find MFRW 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.

    MFRW Blog Hops

    MFRW Marketing http://mfrw.blogspot.com
    MFRW Author http://mfrw-authors.blogspot.com
    MFRW Book Hooks https://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com/
    MFRW Steam http://mfrwsteam.blogspot.com

    Retweet Days

    Promo RT Day (must use hashtag #MFRWauthor or #MFRWorg) - 2nd Wednesday every month

    Book RT Day (use a genre hashtag) - 3rd Thursday every month

    https://mfrw.blogspot.com/


    MFRW Volunteer Staff

    The volunteers that keep MFRW going are the best people in the world. I don't have to worry that something won't get done, and I don't have to remind anyone of anything. With a group like this, there is nothing we can't do. I owe them all the thanks. They are the real power behind MFRW. Their efforts make this group a powerhouse.


    Rochelle Weber, Newsletter Publisher http://www.rochelleweber.com
    Barbara Donlon Bradley, Newsletter Editor, Writing Tips Blogger http://www.barbaradonlonbradley.com
    Michelle Davis, Newsletter Editor https://twitter.com/michelle40768
    Ana Morgan, Newsletter Editor https://anamorgan.net
    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, Steam Hop Coordinator https://www.lisabetsarai.com/
    Mona Karel, Moderator http://mona-karel.com
    Alice Orr, Writing Tips Blogger https://aliceorrbooks.com
    Dee S Knight, Blog Hop Coordinator https://deesknight.com
    Fiona McGier, Goodreads Coordinator http://www.fionamcgier.com
    Babs Mountjoy, Jennifer Noseworthy, Nola Li Barr, Facebook Moderators
    Kayelle Allen, Founder & Blog Coordinator https://kayelleallen.com

  • Author Interviews,  Cancer Awareness

    Fear – the dreaded words “You have cancer.” Author Pia Manning @piamanning3 #RLFblog #CancerAwareness #Authors

    Dreaded words "You have cancer." Author Pia Manning @piamanning3 #RLFblog #CancerAwareness #Authors

    All my fears – of surgery, radiation, chemo, puking my guts out on a daily basis, losing every hair on my body, and dying – every one of them walked into the exam room right along with the guy in the white coat.

    And then he uttered those words we all dread hearing: “You have cancer.”

    The world, your world, stops.

    I know this from personal experience as both myself, my husband and several other family members have heard those words. I’m not sure anyone can say they don’t know someone who has been touched by cancer.

    Sure, we try to reduce our risk factors – quit smoking, lessen alcohol consumption, eat right, and exercise – you’ve probably heard this before. Unfortunately, there are factors that simply cannot be minimized. Everyone ages. Family history based on genetics can be a harbinger of future disasters waiting to happen.

    That’s scary as hell.

    One way to combat the risks associated with aging, lifestyle risks, and genetics is through early detection. No one (that I know of anyway) wants a colonoscopy or a pap smear, but the exams find cancer in its early stages. Other tests are simple blood draws, like the PSA (Prostate-specific Antigen) test, which measures a protein associated with prostate cancer.

    The love of my life celebrated his thirteenth cancer-free year because a PSA test found his disease before it spread.

    For women, a mammogram is the best way to protect themselves against dying of breast cancer. Caught early, breast cancer is highly curable. I have been cancer free for fifteen years.

    This does not mean that I worry any less when the mammogram reminder pops up on the calendar every year. A parade of ‘what ifs’ prances through my head. Should I cancel this year’s test? After all, I can’t feel any lumps – not that I felt my tumor fifteen years ago. Neither could the surgeon. And there it is. The reason I need to make that appointment. I shove the fear aside and call.

    In the years post-diagnosis, My husband and I have experienced the joy of watching our children fall in love and had the pleasure of welcoming their wonderful spouses to our family. We’ve played with our grandchildren. Hugged each other. There have been countless joyful experiences that, but for our screening tests, we might not have had.

    Isn’t that reason enough to pick up your phone?

    P.S. Still scared? That’s okay. If you’d like to talk about it, email me: at piamanning@yahoo.com. Or contact me through my website at: www.piamanning.com

    Pia Manning Social Media

    I live in the northwoods territory of Wisconsin with my spousal unit, Blondie girl, and three spoiled felines. When not writing, I can be found dog walking, reading, playing Clash of Clans or crocheting.
    Twitter https://twitter.com/piamanning3
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pia.manning.71

  • New Writer Tips

    Don’t miss free access to Self Publishing Advice Conference Oct 29-30, 2022 #SelfPubCon #Writing

    Free Access for ALLi Members

    The Self Publishing Advice Conference offers two full days (10:00 AM - 10:00 PM) of information and insights for indie authors. Speakers include Joanna Penn, Mark Dawson, Nick Stephenson, Joel Friedlander, Jane Friedman, Mark Lefebvre, Mark Coker, Michael Anderle, Dean Wesley Smith, Kristine Kathering Rusch, Robin Cutler, Carla King, and my favorite -- David Gaughran.

    The Conference cost is $499, but is free to members of the Alliance of Independent Authors - ALLi. ALLi is a professional business membership organization that advices, campaigns for, and empowers self-publishing authors. The mission of this non-profit organization is ethics and excellence in self-publishing, and the provide authors with trusted advice, supportive guidance, and a range of resources. Benefits include contract advice, guidebooks, discounts and deals, vetted services, and much more.

    Membership levels in ALLi:

    Associate ($89USD)

    You are preparing your first book for self-publication. You could also be a student of creative writing, multimedia, or publishing with an interest in author-publishing.

    Advisory team – all questions answered
    Free author advice guides
    Private moderated member’s forum
    Selected discounts for author services
    Affiliate earnings program
    Approved Services directory
    Online advice conference
    Daily blog, twice-weekly podcast
    Associate member website badge

    Author ($119USD)

    If you’ve published one book or more, or are just about to upload your first book, this is the membership for you. This could be a full-length (50,000+ words) book for adults, a number/series of shorter books, or a children’s or poetry book."

    Advisory team – all questions answered
    Free author advice guides
    Private moderated member’s forum
    All discounts for author services
    Affiliate earnings program
    Approved Services directory
    Online advice conference
    Daily blog, twice-weekly podcast
    Author member website badge
    Public author-publisher profile
    Book listing
    Contract vetting
    General legal advice
    Blogging opportunities
    Speaker opportunities
    Interview opportunities

    Authorpreneur ($149USD)

    Authorpreneurs earn their living from self-publishing and associated business. This membership is assessed – you will need to show evidence of 50,000 book sales in the past two years and/or KU or business equivalent.

    Advisory team – all questions answered
    Free author advice guides
    Private moderated member’s forum
    All discounts for author services
    Affiliate earnings program
    Approved Services directory
    Online advice conference
    Daily blog, twice-weekly podcast
    Public author-publisher profile
    Book listing
    Contract vetting
    General legal advice
    Blogging opportunities
    Speaker opportunities
    Interview opportunities
    Authorpreneur member website badge
    Business development advice
    Dedicated literary agent
    Rights and contract consultancy
    Business, tax, legal, and contract advice and resources

    As a member of ALLi, I have seen the benefits already. When you join, you can join their affiliate program and help other authors gain the same benefits. Here are two links to join ALLi. This one has my affiliate link - https://selfpublishingadviceconference.com/?wpam_id=10337 and this one does not. Using my link won't cost you any more or less than this one. https://selfpublishingadviceconference.com

  • Author Marketing

    Free Access to Self Publishing Advice Conference 2022 #SelfPubCon #Writing

    Free Access for ALLi Members

    The Self Publishing Advice Conference offers two full days (10:00 AM - 10:00 PM) of information and insights for indie authors. Speakers include Joanna Penn, Mark Dawson, Nick Stephenson, Joel Friedlander, Jane Friedman, Mark Lefebvre, Mark Coker, Michael Anderle, Dean Wesley Smith, Kristine Kathering Rusch, Robin Cutler, Carla King, and my favorite -- David Gaughran.

    The Conference cost is $499, but is free to members of the Alliance of Independent Authors - ALLi. ALLi is a professional business membership organization that advices, campaigns for, and empowers self-publishing authors. The mission of this non-profit organization is ethics and excellence in self-publishing, and the provide authors with trusted advice, supportive guidance, and a range of resources. Benefits include contract advice, guidebooks, discounts and deals, vetted services, and much more.

    Membership levels in ALLi:

    Associate ($89USD)

    You are preparing your first book for self-publication. You could also be a student of creative writing, multimedia, or publishing with an interest in author-publishing.

    Advisory team – all questions answered
    Free author advice guides
    Private moderated member’s forum
    Selected discounts for author services
    Affiliate earnings program
    Approved Services directory
    Online advice conference
    Daily blog, twice-weekly podcast
    Associate member website badge

    Author ($119USD)

    If you’ve published one book or more, or are just about to upload your first book, this is the membership for you. This could be a full-length (50,000+ words) book for adults, a number/series of shorter books, or a children’s or poetry book."

    Advisory team – all questions answered
    Free author advice guides
    Private moderated member’s forum
    All discounts for author services
    Affiliate earnings program
    Approved Services directory
    Online advice conference
    Daily blog, twice-weekly podcast
    Author member website badge
    Public author-publisher profile
    Book listing
    Contract vetting
    General legal advice
    Blogging opportunities
    Speaker opportunities
    Interview opportunities

    Authorpreneur ($149USD)

    Authorpreneurs earn their living from self-publishing and associated business. This membership is assessed – you will need to show evidence of 50,000 book sales in the past two years and/or KU or business equivalent.

    Advisory team – all questions answered
    Free author advice guides
    Private moderated member’s forum
    All discounts for author services
    Affiliate earnings program
    Approved Services directory
    Online advice conference
    Daily blog, twice-weekly podcast
    Public author-publisher profile
    Book listing
    Contract vetting
    General legal advice
    Blogging opportunities
    Speaker opportunities
    Interview opportunities
    Authorpreneur member website badge
    Business development advice
    Dedicated literary agent
    Rights and contract consultancy
    Business, tax, legal, and contract advice and resources

    As a member of ALLi, I have seen the benefits already. When you join, you can join their affiliate program and help other authors gain the same benefits. Here are two links to join ALLi. This one has my affiliate link - https://selfpublishingadviceconference.com/?wpam_id=10337 and this one does not. Using my link won't cost you any more or less than this one. https://selfpublishingadviceconference.com

  • Science Fiction Romance,  Two Tips

    Eileen Troemel author of Celtan Dilemma shares a #TechTip for Rocketbook and beacons @EileenTroemel #RLFblog #Rocketbook

    Eileen Troemel author of Celtan Dilemma shares a #TechTip for Rocketbook and beacons @EileenTroemel #RLFblog #RocketbookAn order from the captain of the ship creates a moral dilemma for Lieutenant Lillian Buckner in Celtan Dilemma a new Scifi Romance by Eileen Troemel. Does she become a traitor or a criminal? If she follows orders, she and her squad are war criminals. If she disobeys orders, they are traitors.

    Eileen, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We want to hear your tech tip, but first, please tell us about Celtan Dilemma.

    Celtan Dilemma is about a group of women who must choose to kill innocents including children or become traitors to their own species. Once they make their choice, they learn things are not as they’ve been told and the Celtan race offers options they’ve never had.

    Celtan Dilemma by Eileen Troemel

    Genre Scifi romance

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

    Traitor or criminal?

    Lieutenant Lillian Buckner receives orders to take her squad of women pilots out to specific coordinates and destroy an unarmed transport. Lilly must decide whether to be a war criminal by firing on an unarmed vessel or to be a traitor and disobey her orders. Her life and those of her six pilots depends on her decision. No matter her decision, the punishment may kill her if she returns to the human forces.

    Trust or Punish?

    Lord Hugh Korol fights against the humans. They invaded the Celtan’s territory and took sectors of space from them. The humans attacked their home world. When human women aid one of their unarmed transports, he must decide what to do to them. Can he trust the one he desires or will she break more than the fragile trust growing between them?

    Tech Tip

    With working a day job and writing, my eyes get tired of staring at a screen. I tried writing on a tablet but the transcription was problematic and it took more time to correct the words so I’d lose the flow of my writing.

    I love to write. Give me a spiral notebook and pen and I’ll write a complete novel that way. Except then of course, I have to type it up. I learned about Rocketbook and beacons at my day job but for my day job, I didn’t really need it. However, as an author, I saw a lot of potential. When I initially looked into it, it did not transcribe writing to words in a document it only took a picture. So I set it aside and did not use it. Fast forward a couple years, my middle daughter says mom do you want a Rocketbook. I asked if it could transcribe. She said no. I thought well I could try it and see if I could make it work. We got them and I set it aside to work on later. Then in my email, the company emailed to say here’s this new feature. You guessed it – Transcription. I had to try it immediately.

    You can get the Rocketbooks in a variety of sizes. I have three – flip pad (think police officer’s notebook), journal size 6 x 9, and then spiral size. My favorite is the spiral size. It has lines and I can fit a lot on one page.

    First time I did, I learned a lot. So I’ve written in a journal forever and in my journal, I write from top to bottom and side to side. So Rocketbook spiral, this is what I did. No. Leave plenty of space at the top and at the bottom there’s a QT code which the software uses to do it’s magic. Also don’t crowd your words or write edge to edge. It didn’t take me long to adjust my style for this.

    So at the end of the day when my eyes are blurry from looking at a screen but I still want to write, I pull out this spiral size notebook and write. It’s soothing, relaxing, and allows me to continue to write when I struggle with screen work.

    The software – app on your smart phone – takes a little to get used to but it is fairly simple. But you must have patience.

    Two things I’ve figured out. My scans go to my One Note. You can also send them only to your email and there are all sorts of options. So in One Note you have to have a page available. But I’ve found it comes in to One Note faster if I have my email open as well.

    At the top I write ## Title of Book ## This creates a tag in their software. So I add a number for pages – ## Celtan Dilemma 1 ## and ## Celtan Dilemma 2 ## and so on. This allows me to know if I’ve received each page I scanned.

    Now the transcription. I am right handed and have relatively neat handwriting. Things that mess up – when letters go below the line it will interfere with the letters on the next line. If I write sloppy, it will put odd things in. But for the most part, it does a good job and as they technology moves forward, I believe it will improve.

    This has all been about the books – what are the beacons and how can they be used? Oh I was excited to learn about the beacons. So these are little triangles you buy and can put on whiteboards – according to their ads and product information. The thing is when I read about them I thought of other uses for them.

    How many of you have spirals of your writing that you’ll do something with some day? Transcribing handwritten stuff is a pain. It’s time consuming and tedious. But here’s where the beacons come in. Open your spiral of handwritten materials, take your four triangles and the software and start scanning. It takes a little to get used to how to do it, but I scanned three handwritten poems in a short period of time. Now I have them electronically. Even if it’s not in a spiral (if you’re like me) and it’s on the back of an envelope or post it or something else, put your triangles around the text and scan.

    I have a handwritten cook book from my mom which I plan to use both the picture of the scan (so we can keep her handwriting) and the transcription of the text. When I’m done, I hope to have a family cookbook which includes family stories about food. Ultimately with this technology, I’ll be able to write wherever and however I want and transcribe it fairly easily. This will give my eyes a break and allow me more flexibility with my writing.

    Eileen Troemel author of Celtan Dilemma shares a #TechTip for Rocketbook and beacons @EileenTroemel #RLFblog #Rocketbook

    Where to buy Celtan Dilemma

    Universal Buy Link https://books2read.com/CeltanDilemma

    Eileen Troemel Social Media

    USA Today Bestseller Author Eileen Troemel writes action packed and emotionally powerful fantasy, scifi, romance. She’s versatile and writes in many genres. She’ll try almost any genre if it means she can tell a good story. In addition to her writing, she loves to read, crochet, and research genealogy. Her best days are spent with her family of three adult daughters and her husband or writing.
    Website https://eileentroemel.com/
    Twitter https://twitter.com/EileenTroemel
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EileenTroemelAuthor/
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eileentroemel/
    LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-troemel-6667825b/
    MeWe https://mewe.com/i/eileentroemel
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7868345.Eileen_Troemel

  • RLFblog and Rene's Getaway
    RLF Gems

    Hey Authors, Yeah You! Get Twice the Exposure of your books for #Free #Authors #RenesGetaway #RLFBlog

    Are you looking for even more exposure for your books?

    RLFblog and Rene's GetawayRene’s Getaway and Romance Lives Forever have joined forces so that you can reach even more readers. We both have space open on our blogs and we want you.

    Grab a spot on Romance Lives Forever:

    Feature your book on the Romance Lives Forever blog. Huge reach and a wide reading audience.
    You can book dates through the end of the year. There are open dates this month.
    We have a Fiction Furbaby interview for the animal side of shape-shifters. You can also talk about pets or animals in your books. A fun “Know Your Hero/ine” lets you answer quirky questions about your character, or put them through the wringer with “Stressing the Hero/ine”.
    Tell us what’s in their pockets in “Pockets and Purses.”
    You can choose your own date and get an automated reminder.
    Pop over and sign up here.
    Jan -Jun 2022
    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044daaab2ca2fb6-2022
    Jul – Dec 2022
    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044DAAAB2CA2FB6-20221
    Download forms and interviews here: https://www.rlfblog.com/author-interviews/

    Rene’s Getaway

    Rene's Getaway Book BlogOn Rene’s Getaway, feature your book with a growing reach and audience daily.

    If your book falls in the Romance, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense, Erotic (Must have clean covers and excerpts), Historical, or Paranormal genres, then grab your spot now.

    Do you have a book you want highlighted?
    Pick your date HERE.