• RLF Gems

    Saying goodbye to the Romance Lives Forever blog #RLFblog

    As of today, Dec 1, 2023, I am closing Romance Lives Forever. Why? I'm organized and efficient, but with as much as I want to do going forward, I can no longer maintain RLF. I used Triberr to amplify the blog on social media, especially Twitter. The new requirements and limits from Twitter cut exposure by a huge margin. Triberr brought 80%+ of all readers to the blog. Since it's no longer active, that cost another huge drop in traffic.

    It costs a bit to run the blog, register its domain name, pay for the signup/reminder service, and it takes time to chase down people who send things last minute (or not at all). Plus I have to let authors know the service is available. Then I format the material, resize the images, upload everything, and schedule its promotion. Alas, time and money won out.

    I started the blog in 2009, and went to daily posts in 2010. I've explored many ways to do all this and still find time to write and market for myself. I hired an assistant last year, but only I can write the stories in my heart. I am loath to give up, not being a quitter by nature.

    When it's Time to Quit

    Last month, I heard Becca Syme (one of my mentors) say that it's time to quit when you no longer love what you do. Becca is brilliant. I took her Strengths for Writers and Write Better-Faster courses in the last 12 months. Each came with 6 months of follow up calls and targeted counseling. Changed my life in so many ways. Here's the video I'm referring to if you're curious. https://youtu.be/GRG5UeFYihE

    Daily monitoring this blog is not what I love. What I love is supporting other authors, and the blog was how I did that. I will still support them but in ways that leave time for my own priorities. It took more than a year for me to decide to do this (or rather, stop doing this). I almost didn't commit to 2023, but felt guilty for quitting. It wasn't until I heard Becca's comment last month that I gave myself permission to do what I had to do. She wasn't talking about blogging, or anything even close to what I was doing. She was talking about writing in the golden age of publishing (the new era we've recently entered), and how to know what to do next (or stop doing).

    The video was from Ream, which is a new subscription platform for authors. I've just launched mine. I attended an accelerator class with a handful of other authors in a small-group setting for mentorship. Wonderful support and I learned things I never expected.


    Some of the Many Authors Who Made RLF a Success

    Adriana Kraft, Alexa Aston, Alina K Field, Amber Daulton, Anne Kane, Brenda Sparks, Daryl Devore, Dee S Knight, Effrosyni Moschoudi, Faye Hall, Iris Blobel, J Arlene Culiner, Jami Gray, Jana Richards, Karen Cino, Kate Hill, Kris Bock, Linda O'Connor, Lisabet Sarai, Livia Quinn, NJ Walters, Seelie Kay, Tena Stetler, Tina Donahue, Veronica Scott, Vicki Batman

    I'll miss the blog. It's been a part of my life during most of my career as an author. I look forward to what comes after this, and having the time and freedom to pursue the next steps.


    Thank you for being part of my journey. If you'd like to support me and keep up with what I'm doing next, here's how:

    Become an immortal via my newsletter and get a starter set plus other exclusive perks. You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Enter my Ever-Expanding Empire at reamstories.com/kayelleallen and follow (it's free) to discover a whole new universe of exciting tales.
    Follow my Amazon Author Page and get one alert when a new story is available.
    Follow me Books2Read Author Page and receive one alert when a new story is available.
    Sign up for AuthorAlarms and the app will send you one email when I release a book. You can add and remove other authors on this app as well.
    Follow me on BookBub to receive a single email with each new book.


    Romance Lives Forever Blog (RLFblog) is closed as of Dec 1, 2023. Comments prior to 2021 have been deleted. This site will remain online until July 2025.


     
  • Author Interviews,  Character Interviews,  RLF Gems

    What’s ahead on Romance Lives Forever in 2023? 29 interviews for new books and your backlist #RLFblog #Books #Authors

    What's ahead on Romance Lives Forever in 2023? 29 interviews for new books and your backlist #RLFblog #Books #AuthorsIn 2023 the Romance Lives Forever blog will offer 29 different interviews. Download one that fits you or your characters. Think of ways you can leverage your book and get more than one interview out of the story. For example, sign up for a Book Release one month, then the next, interview your character about What’s For Dinner, come back the following month with Stressing the Hero/ine, and send me a Cover Love to use for fill ins when an author can’t make it. You can schedule monthly, and don’t have to use new books. It’s perfectly fine to use your backlist.

    Here’s where to download the interviews. https://www.rlfblog.com/author-interviews/

    I’ve updated them. Be sure to download the newest versions rather than use old ones. If you’ve been on the blog before, the info I ask for will be a snap, because I’ll have your data on file.

    Social Media on RLFblog

    The blog uses the hashtag #RLFblog, and the hashtags most often associated with it are #Romance #RomanticSuspense #suspense #historical #contemporary #PNR #paranormalromance #paranormal and #SciFi. Readers here love those genres, but there are dozens more.

    Twitter generates about 85% of the traffic to the RLF website, mostly because it is fed from Triberr — which did a great job. Because of my followers, the tribemates I associate with and their followers, RLF has a reach of over three million. The program works because it brings new readers, and reminds current ones of new material. It provides an average of 45 – 50 mentions on Twitter every day, and since each post has the guest author’s Twitter handle in the title, that means the guest gets mentioned too. If you aren’t using Twitter, you’re not getting the full power of this blog’s reach. Please consider signing up, and while you’re there, I’d love it if you’d follow me. https://twitter.com/kayelleallen

    Take Advantage of our Reach

    Sign up for a book cover spot on the front page of RLF and take advantage of the traffic this blog generates. Did you know there are multiple authors who plan their appearances based on the dates of book releases? Why? Because RLFblog gets the word out about new books and helps authors get their name in front of readers.

    Sign Up for the RLF Newsletter

    I’ve created a monthly newsletter for authors on RLF, and subscribers will have access to special interviews and features. The first email has a tip sheet of organization ideas. Here’s the link if you’re interested. https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/d6p7k3

    Sign Up for a spot on the blog

    You can see all the signups available by visiting the signup page. The site will email you a confirmation, send a reminder, and even include links where you can download an interview for the site.

    Interviews

    RLF has over 20 different interviews you can download and fill out, or you can write an article. All the interviews have a space to feature your newsletter, and we use Yoast SEO to enable you to tell Google and other search engines how your want your post to be found. You’ll see the info near the top of each interview.

    Be A Keeper

    Please join me at Kayelle’s Keepers, a Facebook group for readers. I’m planning to host takeovers and I’d love to feature RLF authors as guests. Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayelleskeepers

    Thank you…

    The blog has grown and changed in response to your requests, and I hope you’ve found it helpful. If there is something you’d like me to add or change, please let me know. Thank you for your support. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, and I hope to see you back soon.

    — Kayelle Allen

  • RLF Gems

    #RLFblog 2021 Awesome Authors: Thank you @alicerauthor @TenaStetler @VickiBatman @mmarvellab @Marsharwest @MFRW_ORG +more

    Whether it's vampires, sweet romance, small town romance, sexy romance, or anything in between, RLF has an author who writes it! This blog always offers great authors and great books.

    RLF shared 304 posts this year. The blog was closed for almost two weeks when a move went badly. Fortunately, no data was lost and it's all back on track. The bloggers listed here had the most comments received this year.

    Alice Renaud

    MFRW_ORG (annual salute to Marketing for Romance Writers)*

    Mary Marvella

    Vicki Batman

    Marsha R West

    Tena Stetler

    Every author on RLF is special to me, and over the years, have become friends. I read a lot of books too! In 2022, I hope to have all of you back to visit, and to invite a whole host of new friends to join us. Happy New Year! Here's to a wonderful year in 2022.

     

    *Join the MFRW IO Group here: https://groups.io/g/marketingforromancewriters

    #RLFblog 2021 Awesome Authors: Thank you @alicerauthor @TenaStetler @VickiBatman @mmarvellab @Marsharwest @MFRW_ORG +more

    You can pick your own date, and the blog will even send you a reminder.

    Come Share Your Book!

    Jan - Jun 2022

    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044daaab2ca2fb6-2022

    Jul - Dec 2022

    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044DAAAB2CA2FB6-20221

    Inviting #RLFblog readers and authors - join Kayelle's Keepers!

    A Special Invitation!

    Please join me at Kayelle's Keepers, a Facebook group for readers. I'd love to have RLF authors and readers join me.

    Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayelleskeepers

    Be sure say hello and mention you're a reader or author from RLF when you join!


     

  • RLF Gems

    What’s ahead on the Romance Lives Forever blog for 2022? 25 interviews and opportunities #RLFblog #books #authors

    What's ahead on the Romance Lives Forever blog for 2022? 25 interviews and opportunities #RLFblog #books #authorsIn 2022 the Romance Lives Forever blog will offer 25 different interviews. Download one that fits you or your characters. Think of ways you can leverage your book and get more than one interview out of the story. For example, interview your character about What’s For Dinner, then come back the next month with Stressing the Hero/ine.

    Here’s where to download the interviews. https://www.rlfblog.com/author-interviews/

    I’ve updated them. Be sure to download the newest versions rather than use old ones. If you’ve been on the blog before, the info I ask for will be a snap, because I’ll have your data on file.

    Social Media on RLFblog

    The blog uses the hashtag #RLFblog, and the hashtags most often associated with it are #Romance #RomanticSuspense #suspense #historical #contemporary #PNR #paranormalromance #paranormal and #SciFi. Readers here love those genres, but there are dozens more.

    Twitter generates about 85% of the traffic to the RLF website, mostly because it is fed from Triberr — which did a great job. Because of my followers, the tribemates I associate with and their followers, RLF has a reach of over three million. The program works because it brings new readers, and reminds current ones of new material. It provides an average of 45 – 50 mentions on Twitter every day, and since each post has the guest author’s Twitter handle in the title, that means the guest gets mentioned too. If you aren’t using Twitter, you’re not getting the full power of this blog’s reach. Please consider signing up, and while you’re there, I’d love it if you’d follow me. https://twitter.com/kayelleallen

    Take Advantage of our Reach

    Sign up for a book cover spot on the front page of RLF and take advantage of the traffic this blog generates. Did you know there are multiple authors who plan their appearances based on the dates of book releases? Why? Because RLFblog gets the word out about new books and helps authors get their name in front of readers. There’s a link on the upper left side of the blog that says Share your book cover with readers. Click that to reserve your spot.

    Sign Up for the RLFblog

    You can see all the signups available by visiting the signup page. The site will email you a confirmation, send a reminder, and even include links where you can download an interview for the site.

    Interviews

    RLF has over 20 different interviews you can download and fill out, or you can write an article. All the interviews have a space to feature your newsletter, and we use Yoast SEO to enable you to tell Google and other search engines how your want your post to be found. You’ll see the info near the top of each interview.

    Be A Keeper

    Please join me at Kayelle’s Keepers, a Facebook group for readers. I’m planning to host takeovers and I’d love to feature RLF authors as guests. Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayelleskeepers

    Thank you…

    The blog has grown and changed in response to your requests, and I hope you’ve found it helpful. If there is something you’d like me to add or change, please let me know. Thank you for your support. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, and I hope to see you back soon.

    — Kayelle Allen

  • Contemporary

    #RLFblog Awesome Authors @alicerauthor @AlinaKField @brenda_sparks @cbclarkauthor @DeeSKnight @donnavstone @loreleiconfer @njwaltersauthor @TenaStetler @VickiBatman

    Whether it's vampires, sweet romance, small town romance, sexy romance, or anything in between, RLF has an author who writes it! In 2020, when all of us wanted a means of escape (to ANYwhere else), this blog was a haven. There were always good authors and great books.

    RLF shared over 360 posts this year, even with me taking a few more days off than usual (I needed a break!). Not all the authors who blogged are listed.

    These are the bloggers who shared the most and chatted the most (in alphabetical order).

    Alexa Aston
    Alice Renaud
    Alina K Field
    Amber Daulton
    Bernadette Jones
    CB Clark
    Dee S Knight
    DV Stone
    Karen Cino
    Lorelei Confer
    Lyndell Williams
    NJ Walters
    Tena Stetler
    Vicki Batman

    I should be in there since I blog once a month, but I saved room for others. As it was, I couldn't fit everyone's @name into the title, but I tried. These authors are the ones who have been on RLF the most, or who have garnered the most comments.

    Every author on RLF is special to me, and over the years, they have become my friends.

    In 2021, I hope to have all of you back to visit, and to invite a whole host of new friends to join us.

    Happy New Year! Here's to a wonderful year in 2021.

    Awesome Authors Who Blog: @alicerauthor @TenaStetler @donnavstone @cbclarkauthor @AlinaKField @VickiBatman @brenda_sparks

    Sign up for a spot on RLF:

    Reserve a date Jan - Jun 2021 https://bit.ly/jan2jun2021

    Inviting #RLFblog readers and authors - join Kayelle's Keepers!

    A Special Invitation!

    Please join me at Kayelle's Keepers, a Facebook group for readers where you can host takeovers and be a featured author. I'd love to have RLF guests sign up.

    Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayelleskeepers

    If interested in a takeover sign up here: https://forms.gle/NoJCt2YG6rjYmSqJA  There's no obligation by signing up. Just a show of interest.

    Be sure say hello and mention you're a reader or author from RLF when you join!


     

  • RLF Gems

    What’s ahead on #RLFblog for 2021? New interviews and opportunities #books #authors

    What's ahead on #RLFblog for 2021? New interviews and opportunities #books #authors2020 was a long year and I know you are glad to see it end. The Romance Lives Forever blog added three new interviews for 2021: MC (Motorcyle Club), Pockets & Purses, and Anthology/Boxed Sets. Download one that fits you or your characters.

    Here’s where to get them. https://www.rlfblog.com/author-interviews/

    For those interested in being on more blogs, check out the Book Promotion Directory (2021 Edition) by Deena Rae Schoenfeldt, which lists blogs by type, available post types, and more. RLF is one of the blogs listed. The book is available on Amazon and also wide.

    Social Media on RLFblog

    The blog uses the hashtag #RLFblog, and the hashtags most often associated with it are #Romance #RomanticSuspense #suspense #historical #contemporary #PNR #paranormalromance #paranormal and #SciFi. Readers here love those genres, but there are dozens more.

    Twitter generates about 85% of the traffic to the RLF website, mostly because it is fed from Triberr — which did a great job. Because of my followers, the tribemates I associate with and their followers, RLF has a reach of over three million. The program works because it brings new readers, and reminds current ones of new material. It provides an average of 45 – 50 mentions on Twitter every day, and since each post has the guest author’s Twitter handle in the title, that means the guest gets mentioned too. If you aren’t using Twitter, you’re not getting the full power of this blog’s reach. Please consider signing up, and while you’re there, I’d love it if you’d follow me. https://twitter.com/kayelleallen

    Take Advantage of our Reach

    Sign up for a book cover spot on the front page of RLF and take advantage of the traffic this blog generates. Did you know there are multiple authors who plan their appearances based on the dates of book releases? Why? Because RLFblog gets the word out about new books and helps authors get their name in front of readers. There’s a link on the upper left side of the blog that says Share your book cover with readers. Click that to reserve your spot.

    Sign Up for the RLFblog

    You can see all the signups available by visiting the signup page. The site will email you a confirmation, send a reminder, and even include links where you can download an interview for the site.

    Interviews

    RLF has over 20 different interviews you can download and fill out, or you can write an article. All the interviews have a space to feature your newsletter, and we use Yoast SEO to enable you to tell Google and other search engines how your want your post to be found. You’ll see the info near the top of each interview.

    Be A Keeper

    In 2021, you are invited to join me at Kayelle’s Keepers, a Facebook group for readers. I’m planning to host takeovers and I’d love to feature RLF authors as guests. Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayelleskeepers and sign up if interested in a takeover here: https://forms.gle/NoJCt2YG6rjYmSqJA  There’s no obligation by signing up. Just a show of interest.

    Thank you…

    The blog has grown and changed in response to your requests, and I hope you’ve found it helpful. If there is something you’d like me to add or change, please let me know. Thank you for your support. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, and I hope to see you back soon.

    — Kayelle Allen