As we sat in a west valley coffee shop, Jerry Simmons reminded me that I break the rules in this publishing industry game. Honestly, I hadn't realized how often I do things my way, and how much worse (driven, focused) I am now that I'm totally Indie.
I've been at this gig for nine years now, so it isn't that I'm ignorant of the rules. It certainly isn't a masked (or outright) rebellion.
My focus is on my audience. I want to deliver a stellar performance to my readers with everything I do. It has been a long journey to get to this point, but I'm pleased-as-punch to be here now.
When it came time to put together the cover art for Storm Surge, I decided to replace the usual review quotes on the back with a white box for the reader to write their own review. Read that again. I put in a white space for the reader to write their own review of the book. (There is a screenshot of it in the current newsletter posted on my website.)
As soon as I had the proof book in hand, I tested the notion with a marker and was thrilled that it dried quickly and did NOT smear.
So the WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW CAMPAIGN was born. With every purchase of Storm Surge comes a free Sharpie ultra fine tip marker. Check the prices on my books...Storm Surge lists at the same low price as the first two books in the trilogy. The marker really is FREE.
So there you go, you're in charge of the reviews. Betcha never saw that before. I know this isn't going to catch on with any other writer or publisher, but someone please cue the music for 'Ol Blue Eyes to sing My Way!
The story isn't complete until you listen to Frank Sinatra (here): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w25TylDyQBY
Newsletter pdf, be patient while it loads: http://nadinelamanbooks.com/pdf/brag5-09.pdf
Jerry Simmons: http://www.writersreaders.com/
Friday, May 1, 2009
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When Paul Fenton stops for breakfast in a small town, he gets more than he bargained for in the process.
When two-hundred-year-old human remains are discovered on one of Neptune's moons, Earth's history falls into question.
Emily's husband persuades her to try thalidomide to ease her symptoms as she is unaware of the devastating effects.
Who is the women's shelter bomber? Melissa Ryan suspects that her husband knows.
Further developments with the Wilder family.
A hidden past shakes the O'Donovan family to its core
A swirl of emotion and choice, set in Cape Town, South Africa
Love is a constant, but it comes at a price.
When the road ahead is unclear, sometimes you have to rely on trust.
The struggle between good and evil is ages old. It gets all the more complicated when the good guys aren't all good and the bad guys have redeeming qualities.
Story of a land mothering two races of people – the light-skinned and the dark-skinned.
A gifted Ukrainian ballerina comes into possession of a mysteriously coded address book.
Six passengers' lives change for better or worse after they arrive in Honiton.
Resilience and love in a harsh and unforgiving age
Kathryn's Beach
High Tide
Storm Surge
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the most unique ideas--innovative and interactive--I've seen in a long time.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Blogging at Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites pick, www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
What a clever idea.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book!
Thank Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteYou know me, I really like to interact with readers. I can't wait to see what they think of this, my latest wild idea.
Nadine
Hi Linda, nice to meet you. Coming from a cover artise, that is quite a complement. I hope this isn't a big flop!
ReplyDeleteI went to your blog. It looks great. I want to follow you, but couldn't see how to do it. (I'm new at this blogging stuff.)
Nadine
Great idea.
ReplyDeleteHow about asking readers to write their review, take a digital photo of it, and email it to you... to be displayed on your blog?!
:-)
All success
Dr.Mani
Author: "Think, Write & RETIRE!"
http://ThinkWriteRetire.com
Wow! That's a good idea too, Dr. Mani.
ReplyDeleteI usually ask if I may post comments on my review page, after the comment is made, so it is unscripted. http://nadinelamanbooks.com/reviews.html I might have to add more pages for all the Storm Surge reviews. (LOL, not me, my web designer - can you imagine a dyslexic person writing web codes?)
In the May newsletter, along with the screenshot of the back cover, I asked for the reviews, if people want to share them. I think I might have to try your idea of the pics, if you don't mind. That would be really fun, I think. Now you have me thinking...
See the screenshot on the second page, in the "this is really cool" section. http://nadinelamanbooks.com/pdf/brag5-09.pdf
Nadine
Wow, keep the ideas coming! These are great ideas!
ReplyDeleteNadine
I think the three tenors do nice job with "my way" when they honor Frank.
ReplyDeleteI know me best, I hopefully know readers best; My Way has got to be best.
enjoy the freedom
Thank you Allan,
ReplyDeleteThose first moments of freedom, you look up, eyes shielded from the sun, feeling the breeze - then it hits you that you ARE free. Wonderful thing.
Here is the Three Tenors link. Frank really seemed to enjoy the tribute. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMj4x_48GVc&feature=related
Nadine