Book Awards, Book Recommendations, News, Publishing & Promotion, Young Adult

5 More Great Reads from the CYBILS Young Adult Speculative Fiction Nominees

My last post shone a spotlight on Five Must-Read books from the CYBILS 2017 Young Adult Speculative Fiction nominees. But there was too much awesome to fit in just one post. If you love fantasy, science fiction and magical realism as much as I do, you’ll love these books too! The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell – In the present day, magic is all but … Continue reading 5 More Great Reads from the CYBILS Young Adult Speculative Fiction Nominees

Rebecca J. AllenDecember 13, 2017June 2, 20191 Comment

Author, Interviews, Publishing & Promotion, Writer's Life, Young Adult

The Call with Gita Trelease, Author of Enchantée

We all love “the call” posts. When revisions needed in our work-in-progress seem endless or a rejected query has us ready to give up, they’re the reminder that the next step will happen. We’ll get an agent and sell a book…eventually! Today’s post is very close to my heart. Gita Trelease’s Enchantée (Flatiron/Macmillan, 2019) is a gorgeously-written YA historical fantasy set in pre-revolutionary Paris. It’s … Continue reading The Call with Gita Trelease, Author of Enchantée

Rebecca J. AllenNovember 27, 2017June 2, 20192 Comments

Publishing & Promotion

How to Sell to Libraries

You might believe that traditional publishing will give you access to bookstores and libraries. The problem is few publishers offer a sales team. As far as indie authors are concerned, they are left to approach libraries on their own. In order to figure the details out, I meet with Tamar Kreke (Adult and Technical Services Coordinator) and Kay Webster (Youth Services Coordinator) from Greene County … Continue reading How to Sell to Libraries

Sussu LeclercJune 19, 2017June 18, 20173 Comments

Publishing & Promotion

Book Marketing Part 2: Your Mailing List

Last month, I talked about how to build your platform: https://thewingedpen.com/book-marketing-p…re-your-best-bet/. This month, I will talk about how you can bait your readership further. A sale funnel will turn an indifferent audience into a warm audience. Your audience is made out of readers and writers like you. Think of your future audience not as potential buyers, but as a group of people who love the … Continue reading Book Marketing Part 2: Your Mailing List

Sussu LeclercMay 1, 2017June 14, 2017Leave a comment

Publishing & Promotion

Book Marketing Part 1: Fans are Your Best Bet

Whether you are a traditionally published, or an Indie author, or a hybrid author, you will be in charge of marketing your novels. Many authors do not realize that they must treat their writing as a business. As an entrepreneur, your job is to make sure you have a constant source of income. Just to be clear, by a traditionally published author, I mean someone … Continue reading Book Marketing Part 1: Fans are Your Best Bet

Sussu LeclercApril 3, 2017April 4, 2017Leave a comment

Book Awards, Book Recommendations, News, Publishing & Promotion

Behind the Scenes: My Experience as a Cybils Judge

This winter, I was able to serve as a judge for the Cybils, an award for children’s and young adult authors and illustrators. Established by bloggers, the Cybils recognize work that combines literary merit with popular appeal. I’d been following the Cybils for a few years, and knew that it was a well-respected award. I’m a book blogger, too, at Kid Book List, and when … Continue reading Behind the Scenes: My Experience as a Cybils Judge

Kate HillyerMarch 27, 2017January 10, 20193 Comments

Publishing & Promotion

Creating Your Social Media Platform

Welcome to the third post in the Basic Marketing for Authors series. Diving into social media, or even dipping your toes in, can be terrifying! Especially if you’re like me and grew up when face and book were two separate words. We know social media is a great resource for connecting with writers, industry professionals, and learning tips about our craft, but it’s also a great … Continue reading Creating Your Social Media Platform

Halli GomezMarch 15, 2017April 4, 20174 Comments

Creativity and Craft, Publishing & Promotion, Writer's Life

Creating Your Website

Welcome back to my series Basic Marketing for Authors. In the last blog post of this series, Creating Your Brand, I mentioned there are many uses for your brand including social media, promotion material, and websites. Today we are focusing on websites. A scary, but necessary part of your platform and career-long marketing. (Who am I kidding? It’s all scary!) Okay, you have your brand. How do you use that … Continue reading Creating Your Website

Halli GomezFebruary 15, 2017April 4, 201710 Comments

Creativity and Craft, Publishing & Promotion

Star in MG / YA Magazines

Although often not lucrative, magazine publications can offer you many benefits. They help your name get out there and stand out from the crowd of writers; they can give you a unique insight into the publication world; they can help you be more productive and serve as experimental pieces; they can help you connect with other authors; you might attract the attention of an editor … Continue reading Star in MG / YA Magazines

Sussu LeclercFebruary 10, 2017June 1, 20192 Comments

Publishing & Promotion, Writer's Life

Twitter 101 for Writers

Over the holidays, my father-in-law mentioned that a friend had just written a book, his memoirs about the Vietnam War. Since my father-in-law knows I write, I felt like I should offer to help his friend, but I write middle grade and young adult stories. What useful advice would I have? Then I asked if his friend was on Twitter. He wasn’t. That opened up … Continue reading Twitter 101 for Writers

Rebecca J. AllenFebruary 8, 2017June 2, 20196 Comments

Publishing & Promotion, Writer's Life

Creating Your Brand

Welcome to “Creating Your Brand,” the first in a three-part series on basic marketing for authors. BRANDING If you are like me, a complete novice in the area of promoting yourself, this is the place for you. In 2016, I made it a priority to learn all I could about this subject. I had one-on-one brainstorming session with a published author and marketing specialist, attended workshops with … Continue reading Creating Your Brand

Halli GomezJanuary 11, 2017April 4, 201713 Comments