Self-publishing success tips from Tara Ames

As an emerging indie author of contemporary military and sports romances, I have enjoyed quite a journey into the world of self-publishing. Since I published my first book The Risk Taker, book 1, Alpha Aviators series back in August 2017, I’ve published a total of five books and two novellas, with three short stories featured in two anthologies and one boxed set. During this time, two of my works received awards, and I became a USA Today Bestselling Author.

And you’re probably wondering how I did it?

Professional Associations, Networking, & Volunteering

About ten years ago, I joined Romance Writers of America and became a member of Florida Romance Writers, an affiliated chapter of RWA. And I’m glad I did it. Not only did I make lifelong friends, but I had also gained valuable publishing insights while serving as the PAN Liaison and president of FRW.

Learn the Craft

By attending workshops and seminars and reading books on the craft, I learned the ABC’s of writing a romance novel. I strongly encourage aspiring authors to learn the craft first before drafting a manuscript. It’ll save you hundreds of painful hours later spent on rewrites.

Write Every Day

I’m in this career for the long run, and I write every single day. My goal is to publish five books a year. So far, I have published three in 2019.

Social Media/Website

If anyone is serious about writing, then don’t wait until the book is finished to create a website or open accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, ME WE, etc. Six months before my first book was released, I opened accounts and started making friends. Typically, I average two hours a day on most of these sites, posting and commenting.

Bookbub/Goodreads

Once your book is completed, open accounts on these two sites immediately and start gathering followers. They’re a great to resource for readers to find your books and post their reviews.

Network on Facebook

I’ve met so many wonderful authors on Facebook. Through them, I was able to participate in two anthologies, a boxed set as well as join author/reader groups. If you don’t understand how Facebook works, watch You-Tube videos and ask your friends or children or grandchildren. They can be great resources.

Marketing

There is stiff competition in the publishing market, especially in the romance genre. In order to gain notice and sell books, it is imperative to spend money on advertising, or you may find it extremely hard to sell your books.

USA Today Bestselling Author

I became one this past February when the boxed set I was in with fifteen plus other authors hit the bestseller list. It wouldn’t have happened if I had never opened an account on Facebook and networked with so many amazing fellow authors or wrote a decent novella-LOL.

In summary, here’s my best advice. Follow your passion and success will follow you. Don’t give up. Network. Learn something new about publishing at least once a week and write every single day.

About Tara Ames: 

USA Today Bestselling Author Tara L. Ames is a Michigan native with a penchant for creating highly sensual empowered stories about brave, hot men and strong-willed women. Now living in Florida, she writes every day in between taking care of her family, reading and enjoying the sun. Qigong/Tai Chi/Sudoku are her three biggest addictions besides chocolate

Website https://www.taralames.com/

Facebook Author Pagehttp://www.facebook.com/taralamesauthor

Facebook Reader Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/TLAmesTeamAlpha/

Facebook Reader Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/militaryromancebooklovers/

Amazon Author Page https://amazon.com/author/taralames

Bookbub Author Page https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tara-l-ames

Goodreads Author Page https://www.goodreads.com/taralamesauthor

Instagram http://www.instagram.com/taralamesauthor

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/taralamesauthor

Canadian Bestselling Author Vanessa Kelly

by Vanessa Kelly

 Hi, everyone, and my sincere thanks to the wonderful Romancing The Genres for hosting me. I’m delighted to be with you as part of the Canadian contingent!

Okay, confession time: I’m both Canadian AND American. I was born and raised in New Jersey (cue the NJ jokes!), but I’m now a proud Canadian living in the Great White North since 1986.

My sojourns since moving to Canada have taken me through grad school in Toronto, wanderings about the province of Ontario, winters in Florida, with a final touchdown in Ottawa where I now live with my hubby—who also happens to be my writing partner.

Confusing? Let me back up a bit and give you the formal introduction. I’m Vanessa Kelly, and I write award-winning, Regency-set historical romance (with a sidebar in Scottish romance).

My books include the bestselling Renegade Royals Series, which feature the dashing, intriguing, and illegitimate sons of England’s royal dukes, and The Improper Princesses Series, which feature the equally intriguing illegitimate daughters of the previously aforementioned dukes.

Although my heroes and heroines are all fictional, the idea informing both series is based on fact. The sons of George III, including the notorious Prince Regent, had LOTS of illegitimate children, some of them lost to the historical record. I thought it would be fun to create an entire family of half-siblings and cousins, royals born on the wrong side of the blanket but all determined to find romance and adventure.

And you know what? It WAS fun! You can find more about the books, including a ton of excerpts, from the Book Page on my website. From there, click on each cover for the description and where to buy links.

As much as I love Regency England, though, my next series takes place in Regency Scotland and stars Scottish heroes. I mean, who doesn’t love a handsome Highlander in a manly kilt?

My latest book, THE HIGHLANDER’S PRINCESS BRIDE, is the third and final book in the Improper Princesses Series, but it’s also a spin-off to the new series featuring the brothers of the Kendrick clan.

Victoria Knight, illegitimate daughter of royalty and a very proper governess, travels to Scotland to tutor the wild Scottish brothers of Nicholas Kendrick, Laird of Arnprior. Think Seven Brides for Seven Brothers meets The Sound of Music (set in Scotland), and you’ve got it!

THE HIGHLANDER WHO PROTECTED ME, the first Clan Kendrick book, will be released at the end of October. You can find more info on the book and read an excerpt on my website.

Oh, and the books I write with my hubby? Those are under my V.K. Sykes pen name. Together, we write award-winning contemporary romance and also romantic suspense.

Our USA Today Bestselling sports romance series is called The Philadelphia Patriots, and it features a fictional MLB baseball team with some VERY hunky heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

We also have a small town romance series called Seashell Bay, and a romantic suspense series based in the sunny but sinister climes of Palm Beach, with more of those on the way. 

You can read about our sexy contemporary romance books on our V.K.Sykes website.

And, of course, you can find lots of blurbs, excerpts, and bonus content on my Vanessa Kelly website. If you sign up for my newsletter, you’ll receive a free short story, too.

Hope to see you there, and happy reading!

Vanessa

Social Media links:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Canadian Bestselling Author Sharon Page

I'm Sharon Page, author of over 20 Regency historical romances and now two 20th century historical women's fiction novels—An American Duchess and The Worthington Wife, both published by Harlequin HQN.

Research Trip to England

I’ve had many fun experiences as an author, but taking a research trip through England was one of the most enjoyable. My plan was three-pronged: to see Regency settings in London, the streets where Jack the Ripper prowled (for a future book idea), and the moors of Dartmoor.

My research on Dartmoor would lead to my first major self-published book, Escape with a Rogue. (The gorgeous cover is by Croco Designs.)

 Here's one of my first views of the moors:

Here's the blurb for Escape with a Rogue:

Can a gently bred young lady prove that a notorious gaming hell owner who escaped from prison is innocent of murder? Wrongfully convicted, Jack Travers has spent two years in jail, first on a dismal prison hulk, then in isolated Dartmoor Prison. Can Lady Madeline Ashby heal his wounded heart and troubled soul?

In the story, Lady Madeline is determined to prove Jack’s innocence and she helps him escape Dartmoor Prison. At that time, local farmers brought in their goods for market days, a fact that allows Madeline a chance to sneak in.

Above is the entry gate to the prison. I stayed in a lovely inn that was the former prison governor’s house. I was able to walk in my character’s shoes—even following a track across the moors that I use for their escape route. All went well until I found a fork in the trail. Desperate, I even asked the sheep for directions and they weren’t impressed. In the end, I made a choice—fortunately it was the right one.

The moors are still remarkably desolate. There are many dangerous bogs.

Back in London, I toured Mayfair and even went up to the front steps of White’s Gentlemen’s Club on St. James’s Street, a setting I have used in many Regency England-set romances. A friend and I took our pictures there (though the doorman came out and told us it was for members only).

It was a dream trip. I took hundreds of photographs to have for reference (including the ones here). And the research came in handy for my latest book, The Worthington Wife, set in the 1920s in England.

Thanks so much for having me here.

Sharon

About the Author

Sharon Page is a New York Times and USA Today Bestseller of historical romance. She has also penned two romantic women’s fiction titles, An American Duchess and The Worthington Wife. A mother of two, she lives in Canada.

See all of Sharon's novels on her website www.SharonPage.com. 

Subscribe to Sharon's newsletter for announcements, special excerpts, book tidbits, and giveaways!

Contact Sharon on  Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter 

An Awesomely Funny Connecticut Lady

By Robin Weaver

I must confess. I didn’t understand this month’s theme. I thought I kinda-sorta got it, but to be sure, I did what I always do (with my grammar, you’d never guess I was an author, write?)

Anyway… I asked my critique partner, Linda Lovely. Another confession--I didn’t understand her either. Not because she’s not clear and concise (she is), but I have a short attention span and lost interest when she said I couldn’t promote a fellow Genre-ista.

“Say what?”

Even though I hadn’t fully grasped this month’s concept, I was convinced any article about a Linda Lovely novel would work. Apparently not. Double Tut! (Still, don’t forget to check out her new book, Bones to Pick, available this October from Henery Press!).

As I was rambling before, er… I mean saying before, I decided I’d promote another of my all-time favorite authors, Ms. Kristan Higgins. I had the pleasure of meeting Kristan at a RWA conference and got to know her a little better when she visited our Carolina chapter. I’ve never met a nicer, or funnier lady. Is there a more perfect combination?

Not that Kristan needs my promotion. She’s a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America's RITA Award. Her sixteen novels (every single one is awesome) have been translated into more than twenty languages and have received dozens of awards and accolades. 

What makes Kristan so fabulous? First and foremost, she creates the most intriguing heroes and heroines—messed-up but totally lovable ladies you’ll be convinced you’ve seen in your mirror) and hunky, hunky guys you’ll want to see in the same looking glass.  If you’re also an author, you should use her books as a guide for creating totally likable characters—fictional people readers will cheer on to the very end (pun intended). Obviously, read her books for fun before you go psycho-analyzing.

Ms. Higgins also tries to mention Derek Jeter at least once per book. For us Yankee fans, that alone is reason to read every page. And I can’t repeat this often enough; she’s funny. She’s funny…okay, you get the message.  To give you an example, she tweeted her favorite editor comment about If You Only Knew: "You've used the word 'whore' 15 times so far.”

She’s read Gone With the Wind, her favorite book, fourteen times.  Which means (and I speak with full, unsubstantiated authority here), that even though she lives in Connecticut, she’s a Southerner at heart. Right? (See, I really do know when to use right and write. 😊.)

The title for Kristan’s book, Somebody to Love comes from the Queen song. No one can say she doesn’t rock it. Okay, my analogy is a bit corny, but Kristan clearly has good taste in music and her book is every bit as good as the classic song.

If all the reasons I’ve documented aren’t enough to convince you to speed your fingers over to Amazon to order a Kristan Higgin’s novel, there’s one more thing. Most of her books have a dog in them. Just because Kristin believes life without a dog is pretty lonely to contemplate.

Here’s the blurb from Kristan’s website about her latest book, On Second Thought:

Ainsley O’Leary is so ready to get married—she’s even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn’t anticipate is being blindsided by a breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her older half-sister, Kate, who’s struggling with a sudden loss of her own.

Kate’s always been the poised, self-assured sister, but becoming a newlywed—and a widow— in the space of four months devastates her. Though the sisters were never close, she starts to rely on her sister, especially when Kate learns her late husband was keeping a secret from her.

Despite the murky, blended-family dynamic that’s always separated them, Ainsley and Kate’s heartache binds their summer together, when they come to terms with the inevitable imperfection of relationships and family—and the possibility of one day finding love again.  

Hopefully, you’ll love Kristan’s books as much as I do.  Happy reading. And happy summer!

 A fun summer read for you or your teen...

   Fun summer reads for you.

This Day in History: May 16

by USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Holt

I am fascinated by the tidbits gleaned from historic newspapers. Whether that's because I'm always on the lookout for story ideas (I write Victorian-era Sweet Romance, set in the American West), or because I'm fascinated by history, I can't say. Probably  both.

Let's take a look at May 16, 1881. Only 136 years ago today. Specifically, in the frontier city of Atchison, Kansas. The Monday edition of Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas, issued (Monday) May 16, 1881 shows two sides of an ongoing debate--despite the legislation.

 

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Wet vs. Dry. 

The above snip of the newspaper says the prohibition law has been in complete operation for three months.

Prohibition in the early 1900s is the stuff of legends. Everybody knows about speakeasies, bootleggers, and the like. Did you know the temperance movement was all the rage in the early 1880s?

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

We all know the category of citizen with whom beer and whisky had fallen out of favor--and the citizenry with whom such beverages were very much desired. Doesn't take a PhD in sociology or history to understand that.

 

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchsion, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

But as an amateur historian who writes novels set in the historic American West, getting the details right MATTERS.

I heavily research details of my novels...and I'm getting better at this. My earliest books weren't as thoroughly researched, but like playing the piano, we get better at things we keep working at, right?

If I were to set a story in Atchison (North-Eastern corner of the state of Kansas), in 1881, I'd make sure much of the conflict in the story arose between those who wanted liquor and alcohol to remain available and those who didn't.

Because the ONLY person who didn't know about the prohibition efforts might be the ONE man in history who ended up in the paper...a man in 1881.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

 

Where is Atchison, Kansas? Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Why? Why does it matter?

This same issue of the historic city newspaper tells far more of the story than a simple "success" of prohibition laws.

I'd have to research far more to understand what prohibition law was in place, and why some businesses were able to sell wine, liquor, and beer--apparently with full appreciation by the populace and in the good graces of the law. Because if I didn't, sure as shootin', one of my readers would, and they'd call me on it.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Readers are savvy. They come from all walks of life--some hold PhDs (and yes, they read romance!), some LIVE in the historic city of Atchison, Kansas. Some are amateur historians and for one reason or another know a great deal about the social issues of the day.

An even better reason? I never have to wonder what to write about. Story ideas leap into place when I study primary sources (such as vintage newspapers), understanding that merely because something is in print does not guarantee it's a fact--lies are easy to print). Vintage newspapers, books published in the era, public addresses, everything along those lines are a treasure trove for authors of historical fiction. A bonus: readers appreciate historical accuracy.

 

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

As referenced in the following notice about cases brought before the judge, public intoxication was still against the law, though alcoholic beverages could be purchased in town...despite the prohibition laws.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Another fun tidbit about Atchison, entirely unrelated to the 1881 published differences in alcoholic tolerance: Atchison is purportedly the most haunted city in Kansas. Now that could be fun to write about.

 Related Articles:

This Post will be live in a few days--on May 21, 2017 and thereafter.

Hi! I'm Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author.

I write frequent articles (or view recent posts easily on my Home Page, scroll down) about the nineteenth century American West–every subject of possible interest to readers, amateur historians, authors…as all of these tidbits surfaced while researching for my books. I also blog monthly at Sweet Romance Reads, Sweet Americana Sweethearts, and Romancing the Genres.

I love to hear from readers! Please drop me a note. Or find me on Facebook.

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