Day 3! The Gift: A Parable of the Key FREE TODAY!

FREE
At Amazon

See it at It's Write Now


Currently

• #3 in Christian Self-Help
• #3 in Christian Classics & Allegories (Kindle Store)

Best Posts of Summer

As I have been reflecting on this summer and all I have experienced, I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to keep writing. Though the pandemic has shut some things down for writers, namely book signings and speaking events, I have yet been given the privilege of searching my soul for the truth of why I write. And it seems that readers fall right in line with me.

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

None of us write to hide. We write to be seen. We write to be heard. I would imagine that's why the most popular post this summer has been "Do you write to be average?" There's not a person I know of who doesn't want to leave a legacy of some kind to the world. Whether that legacy is a recipe, a story of their life, or a photo album of their adventures. 

Second, we want to win! In "Why Would You Want to Enter this Contest Today?" I shared my newest release, "I Walked With Jesus". Evidently, there are a few of us out there [tongue in cheek] that hope to win. I am waiting for the results and will let you know when I have them. 

Photo by Wesley Eland on Unsplash

Third, we want to know what others are thinking. In my post "Reviews of I Walked With Jesus" I shared multiple reviews from readers and what they thought about my newest book. Reviews help a reader decide on the purchase of a book. Will it be something they will like? 

Will it fill a need for them? Will it change their life? Many readers reading inspirational books hope they will take away something that they will be able to carry with them through life.

Fourth, we don't want to miss out! When the contest held at Novels Alive was almost over, I put out a post, "Just hours away from ending!" Perhaps you were one of those who kept telling yourself you were going to enter the contest and the days' sort of slipped away from you until the very end. Sometimes, life is like that.

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Fifth, we forever want FREE stuff! "Free book until August 30" focused on my previously published book, "Enlightened: My Personal Journey with Christ Through Scripture Journaling". I remember, years ago, when I won a Seals & Crofts album from a radio station. That record was like gold to me for many years! And all I had to do was to be the 10th caller!

Thank you to all of my readers!

Half a Dozen Superb Ways [I have discovered this time around] to market my book

As I was thinking about what I might share with you today it came to me that I have done a few things differently this time around to market my book. I have always marketed, but I haven't always wanted to spend any money doing it. I figured there were enough FREE places to get my name out there that I didn't need to spend any money to do it.

What I have discovered this time around is that I still need to be careful with my money, but that, with a little research, I can get my name out there forking out a few bucks. 

Photo by Visual Stories || Micheile on Unsplash

The first thing I read is that I needed to get reviewers before my book came out. I'd heard this before, but the sage advice added something I'd never heard before. Make a goal. They suggested a minimum of 30 reviewers in place before the release date. 

Can I tell you, this was a lot of work! As of yesterday, I am in need of 4, and my formal release date is August 30, so I feel like I still have some time. [Maybe you can help?]

I began to find reviewers asking people I knew personally, then online and from my list of followers, both on my blog and on my newsletter. And then I looked at blogs that had a list of book reviewers on their blog tour! On one particular blog, I received 6 yesses from the book tours listed, so that tells me something! [Though not all of them reviewed, they did give a thumbs up to post my book on their blog]. Unfortunately, I don't have the link for you. Fortunately, I have the list of the six blogs. They are A Blue Million Books, Wall-to-Wall Books; foreverreading@gmailcom [future post in the works], Novels Alive, Quiet Fury Books, B for Bookreview, and Margaret Yelton; mafyelton@msn.com; facebook.com/margaretfyelton.

One of the memes created by Novels Alive

From this list, I paid $25 to have Novels Alive create some memes for me and to post throughout the day on Twitter; something I have never done. Everything else was free. I currently have over 200 entries for the contest, and among the final count, one winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of my book. I wrote a blog post and shared an excerpt from my book, and was given an "About the Book" section, book description bio, links, and author photo opportunity.

 Photo by Katie Harp on Unsplash

Another thing I have done is to go through my list of #hashtags. I have been collecting hashtag ideas for a long while but have used them rarely. I am trying to use them when I send out my social media.

On the day my book was released, I sent out a new

book trailer with short quotes from reviews I'd received. Although I have done this before, I had never thought to release the video on the release date. I pay a yearly fee to Animoto.com for the service to create these book trailers. They are easy to do. I am no techie and they make the process simple.

Another thing I have done this time is to offer my previous eBook, "Enlightened: My Personal Journey with Christ Through Scripture Journaling" for FREE. [You have through the 30th of August if you'd like a copy]. Often, if readers can get a free book, and they love it, they will more than likely purchase your new book.

Yes, marketing your book takes a lot of time and work, but I have found [once again] there are many people out there, both authors and readers, who want to help you - even if it's for a few additional bucks. 

 

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

No kidding!

Grab your favorite chocolate bar while you're out shopping, reading a book, or taking a break from all the busyness! Or grab a bar like this, and eat off a piece every hour you're out today!

If it's covered with chocolate, go for it!

You may also want to grab this book. It's free today.

Conquer Your Goliaths this Black Friday

I don't know about you, but I used to stand in the long line of my favorite department store the morning after Thanksgiving.

It was cold and unbelievably tiresome.

Once I asked a lady in front of me why she was waiting in line at 5 a.m. 

"Socks," she said.

I couldn't believe it, but then I could. 

I'd been coming to these Black Friday events for years, standing in line with my daughters, and sometimes with friends or family members. There was something about racing for the deals and getting to them before someone else did that I found exciting. 

Maybe I'm getting old, but, nowadays I prefer staying indoors to do my shopping. It's warmer, not nearly as tiresome, and I can take a nap if I want to.

That being said, some of the joy is missing. I don't get to talk to anyone in line or buy a cup of cocoa to warm me up. Like buying a real Christmas tree, you lose a little when you by the fabricated kind.

Still...

There's the warmth.

I suppose I'm going to vie for warmth again this year. How about you?

If you decide to stay inside, or if you're in one of those long lines at your favorite department store, you might just want to take a moment and order something for free. I may not be able to help you conquer the long lines and cold hands, but I will more than likely be able to help you out with those other unmentionables. Those things most of us keep hidden.

God knows what they are and so do we. And he will help us with those things, whatever they are. Things like listening and trusting in Him. Being optimistic even when things are the darkest. Keeping that tenacious spirit; never giving up, and being constant with Him, no matter what anyone else says or does that we may not like.

Here's where you can get it: Amazon 

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY: Are You a Good Neighbor?

I think I'm a pretty good neighbor. Still, there are times I can be stingy about my books and who I believe deserves them for free.

After all, I work very hard on my books, have to pay out some money to get them delivered to my home and try to keep my prices fair for those interested in buying them.

But there are times I feel it. You may have felt it too. You're talking to your neighbor, and something he or she says reminds you of one of your books. Maybe it's a character, maybe it's the plot, maybe you don't really know why you're thinking of that particular book, but you are.

What would it mean to your neighbor (they don't actually have to live next door for them to be your neighbor by the way) to receive a free gift from you just because?

Today is National Good Neighbor Day, and if you've been following my posts and tweets lately, you may have a pretty good idea of what I've been paying attention to. I am simply amazed that on any given day of the week, there is a day to think about, maybe even honor something.

And it's simply amazing what I've learned.

So, today I'm hoping to do something. I'm not sure who's going to get a free book from me. It might even be you. :) But I'm listening.

LAST DAY! The Feast: A Parable of the Ring eBook FREE

In preparation for my new book release, The Gift: A Parable of the Key, due out September 1, 2015, I will be offering book 2 in the Parable series for FREE. Currently The Feast is #5 in the Self Help category! Let's keep it going!

Book 2

Just click this link to get your FREE eBook! It's FREE August 25-29.

Pre-Order The Gift Today!

Paperback of The Gift is NOW AVAILABLE!

Order your copy here

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the contest and offering of my first Parable book in eBook format last week and the the paperback contest the week prior. I appreciate your willingness to try out a new book!

Until tomorrow!

Kathryn

SCRAMBLED: A Susan Cramer Mystery FREE! Last Day!

My cozy mystery, Scrambled, will be up for free today through September 6.

That's the eBook!

This is a great time to read the eBook in preparation for book two, Sunny Side-Up to be released in October!

Get the eBook here

Listen to the Sunny Side-Up trailer 

Today's the Last Day for the FREE eBook!

Freedom is such an important thing. Freedom to choose, freedom from oppression, freedom to speak your mind...

Freedom to give away FREE books!

If you haven't yet seen the great deal going on with my book, Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones, NOW is the time to check in and get it!

The eBook is FREE through the 5th!

Once you've read the book I would really appreciate a review! You may also be interested in reading book two, The Feast: A Parable of the Ring.

GREEN FRIDAY IS HERE!

As promised, today is not Black Friday here, it's green!

What does that mean for you?

Following this post, share with everyone your best kept writer's secret. Maybe you write in an out-of-the-way place. Perhaps you don't work at a computer. Or maybe you have no idea what to call your genre of writing because it's so new. Maybe you don't have any writing secrets to share and just want a free copy of my book! That's okay, too. Just say so and you'll be included!

My first 10 responses will receive, free of charge, Marketing Your Book on a Budget.

Please include your email address so I can contact you and get further details for shipping your book.

That's it!

Happy Green Friday!

Kathryn

LAST MINUTE GREEN FRIDAY DEAL: http://idea-creations.blogspot.com/2013/11/last-minute-black-friday-deal.html. YOUR CHOICE OF THE EBOOKS LISTED ON THE BLOG POST ABOVE FOR ONLY .99 CENTS! BUT YOU NEED TO ORDER EARLY!!

Green Friday? You Bet

You've probably heard of Black Friday, unless you've been living underneath a rock. But, have you heard of Green Friday?


Photo by: Kumaravel, courtesy of Flickr

Now, green is typically the color of grass in the summer (if you water it, of course) and trees in full foliage, and spinach and green beans. BUT it is also the color of money.

Photo by: Dave Barger, courtesy of Flickr

So this is what I'm going to do on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Offering my marketing book for FREE. That's right.

But there's a catch. There's always a catch for free stuff. And here it is:

On Black Friday, read my post for that day, make a comment and include your email address. That's it. I will choose the first 10 responses to receive Marketing Your Book on a Budget, for FREE!

Why am I doing this?

First, I want to thank you for reading me. Life is busy and reading even one blog a day may just be reaching for the moon. Second, authors are typically in need of a bit of cash and there's nothing like getting something you need for free; third, I will be coming out with the updated version of my marketing book in January of 2014.

This updated version of Marketing Your Book on a Budget; is just that. It's updated, meaning you will find even more ideas on how to market your book.

Why not get a head-start with the 2013 version?

So, keep my blog in mind on November 29, and post your comment.