Back-to-Back Book Releases
We welcome back Christy Reece, author of romantic suspense, who talked with us last August about breaking in as a new writer. Christy’s first Last Chance Rescue trilogy was released in 2009 and the series continues with three additional books this year. Recently, her publisher offered a third deal for three more Last Chance Rescue books to be released Spring/Summer 2011. Christy is generously giving away two copies of NO CHANCE and two copies of RESCUE ME to lucky commenters today!
Christy, thank you for taking time out of your incredibly busy schedule to be with us today!
Hi Kelsey, it’s great to be with you today. Thanks for asking me back.
Kelsey: Christy, would you explain back-to-back book releases for our readers who might not be familiar with the concept?
Christy: The books are released in a short time span, usually one a month. My first trilogy was released April, May and June 2009. The second one will be released February, March and April 2010.
Kelsey: How was the decision made to release your first trilogy back-to-back?
Christy: When I pitched to my agent, I had one book completed and had started on the second. Since the backdrop of the books is an organization, Last Chance Rescue, she saw the potential for a series. When she submitted to editors, she pitched it as a trilogy. Ballantine has been enormously successful with introducing debut authors with back-to-back trilogies. I was fortunate that they made the offer for three books and wanted to release them back-to-back.
Kelsey: How much time were you given to complete the first series? Subsequent series? And did you have any input in the time frame?
Christy: For the first trilogy, I had a lot of time. I sold in July 2007, but the first book, RESCUE ME, wasn’t released until April 2009. When I sold, I was almost finished with RETURN TO ME, so I turned it in early. That gave me almost a year to write RUN TO ME.
The second trilogy was a much shorter time frame. I contracted for the books in December 2008 and the due dates were June, August and October 2009.
I won’t say it was easy, because it wasn’t. But Ballantine wanted me to have six books come out within a twelve-month timeframe. I was thrilled with their support and never considered saying no.
Kelsey: Can you give us a feel for your start to finish timeline with each book and how that overlaps with other books? For example, marketing the first book and writing the third while editing the second.
Christy: Ninety percent of my time is spent on writing and only about ten percent on marketing. Other than my website, which I blog on twice a week, the only other thing I’m active with is Facebook. I have a special page, Dark Romantic Suspense by Christy Reece, I use for special announcements such as contests and new releases.
For the first trilogy, I did no advertising or promotion. With this new trilogy, I am doing some advertising and a blog tour, but most of my focus must still be the writing. Since I don’t always know when copy edits and page proofs will arrive, taking advantage of open time is especially important.
Start-to-finish timelines depend upon the book. Each story has its own personality and depending on how the story comes to me, that’s the amount of time it takes to write it. Of course, I have to pay attention to the deadline of each one, but I love to finish a book a few weeks before deadline so I can let it sit. Going back a few weeks after finishing and reading it again can give such a differently fresh perspective. However, it’s been a while since I’ve had that luxury. There is a definite overlap of writing one book and having to stop because copy edits or page proofs arrive on another book. But that’s the nature of the job. You shift gears and do what you have to do.
Kelsey: You mentioned in your first interview with us that you completed Rescue Me in two weeks by using Candace Haven’s fast draft method. Do you use that method for drafting all your books?
Christy: Oh, I wish I could. I’ve learned that each book has its own process. RESCUE ME was in my head for months, so when Candy’s class came along, I was ready to write it and it came quickly. RETURN TO ME took about five months to write and RUN TO ME took more than nine months.
In my new trilogy, NO CHANCE took only about seven weeks and that included two revisions my editor suggested, but SECOND CHANCE took a year. I wrote LAST CHANCE in about ten weeks, which included one revision. So, for me, it really depends upon the story itself. How well do I know it and the characters? Is the story headed in the direction of my vision for it? It’s all about the individual’s story process and not so much about my writing process.
Kelsey: How do you keep track of your characters and storylines while working on more than one book?
Christy: Five of the six books I’ve written so far in the series were secondary characters in the books before them. So I know the characters well enough that I don’t get them confused. Noah McCall, the head of Last Chance Rescue, is the only reoccurring character. I’ve enjoyed watching him go from a hard, seemingly heartless man to the happily married husband and father he is now. But there’s still a steely streak he maintains to get the job done.
Though Last Chance Rescue is the backdrop, the characters and circumstances are varied and unique to the plot, making them distinctive enough that there’s no way to get them confused.
Kelsey: Do you have a specific system for managing your time each day? For example, writing new material at a certain time, working on promo activities at another time?
Christy: I wish I was a more organized writer, but my brain has a mind of its own. (smile) My routine is to check email, Facebook and blog comments before I start writing. Write for as long as the story flows, which could be ten minutes to two hours, take a break and then get back to it. Since Facebook is such a big promotional tool for me and I truly enjoy talking to people through it, I spend a lot of time on it, especially at night. Often, by nightfall, my mind is blurred so I can’t write. That’s when I do what little promotional things I do.
Kelsey: What do you like most about writing and releasing books in a back-to-back format?
Christy: I love the immediacy of pleasing readers. I understand getting invested or involved in a series and wanting the next book in my hands as soon as possible. It’s wonderful to be able to give them that.
With back-to-back books, the characters stay fresh in my mind, so I think that makes writing them a bit easier. And since new characters for the trilogy are introduced in the first or second book of each trilogy, I know them quite well.
Kelsey: How has your book release schedule impacted your personal life?
Christy: I’m fortunate to be able to write full time and my husband works long hours outside the house, so my focus can be on writing. When I started writing in 2001, other than working as a bookseller at Borders, it was my focus. In 2005, we relocated because of my husband’s career. I chose to not pursue another job for a while and concentrated fully on writing. When I sold, writing was already a full time job, I just wasn’t being paid for it.
Kelsey: Is it realistic to release three books a year on an ongoing basis?
Christy: I think it’s become much more common than one book a year. And some authors can write more than three. So far, three – four has been my limit. As long as I’m asked to write three a year and I can do it, then that’s what I plan to do.
Kelsey: What advice do you have for other writers about back-to-back releases?
Christy: If you have the opportunity to have back-to-back releases, I think it can be a great boost to your career and garner attention you might not receive as a single release author.
However, it’s not for everyone and certainly not the only way to build a solid career. There is the added pressure of producing books faster than an author might want to write. You have to do what’s best for your lifestyle and what you want from your career.
Thanks so much for inviting me back again, Kelsey. I’ll be checking back frequently, in case anyone has questions. Feel free to ask me anything. And just a reminder that NO CHANCE, the first book in my new trilogy, comes out Tuesday, February 23.
RU crew, take this opportunity to pick Christy’s brain about back-to-back releases and her series. Don’t forget she’ll be giving away two copies of NO CHANCE and two copies of RESCUE ME to lucky commenters today!
Be sure to join me on Wednesday for a peek at men’s definitions of romance and how they’d like to be romanced by a woman!
Christy’s Bio:
Growing up in a tiny community in Alabama boasting only one stop sign and a gas station gave Christy ample opportunity to create daring adventures in her head. When she wasn’t thinking of her story characters, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys kept her entertained and out of trouble. Later came the chills of Stephen King and the thrills of John Grisham, but the romance genre always held a strong place in her heart.
After leaving her career with a major insurance company, the characters in her head came alive again and Christy decided to write her own stories. And now, she and her characters couldn’t be happier.
A member of Romance Writers’ of America, the Southern Magic RWA chapter, the KOD chapter, and International Thriller Writers, Christy lives in Alabama with her husband, two incredibly cute canines and one very shy turtle.
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Christy -
We’re so glad to have you back at RU, especially in light of your ultra-packed schedule! I’m in awe of all you accomplish. Do you have any time management tips or secrets that you might share with our readers? For example, I don’t use it often enough, but I have a timer on my computer that I set for 30 minutes. It helps me get motivated to start a project/scene that I’m procrastinating on
.
Kelsey
Hey Kelsey, I so wish I had a secret formula that I could share. My number one focus is meeting my deadline. Before I was published, I set deadlines for myself. Not only did I know this would help me once I was published, it’s just something that has always helped me. I’m the most accomplished procrastinator I know. So as an unpublished author, if I didn’t set a deadline, I would edit and revise and polish and do everything I could to keep from submitting.
We all know how hard it is to stick your neck out and submit. Inviting others to read your work is so difficult. You make yourself vulnerable and it’s scary! But if you don’t finish the book, you can’t submit. And if you don’t submit, you won’t get published. It’s not easy, but it is that simple.
So again, no secret other than getting it done.
I enjoyed this interview and I’m interesting in reading these trilogies. I’m trying to write a little more seriously after writing for fun for a couple years and finding it hard going lately–it encourages me when I read about authors that seem to enjoy their work and are able to be so productive.
Hi Dudley’s Mom, great to see you here! Writing for fun is important. Good for you. I can’t say my writing life is filled with fun everyday, but I will say it’s always interesting! Good luck as you move toward writing seriously. Just don’t forget the fun as you do!
Christy, thank you for sharing today. A deadlines can be a great mind-focuser, but do you ever have other story plots, settings, or characters pop up that distract your focus? What do you do with them?
Ana
Hey Ana, thanks for the question. Yes, story lines and characters often pop into my head. Sometimes I’ll ignore them, but if they’re really pesky and persistent, I have a folder I keep for future story ideas. I’ll just make a few quick notes and that seems to satisfy them for a time.
And sometimes, I realize I can use one of those characters that, at first, didn’t seem to belong to the story. My characters surprise me every single day!
Hi Christy!
I loved reading your story and wonder if you had any doubts when asked to produce three books in such a short time? Do you approach each new book with a completed outline? Last, what’s your writing schedule like, is there something you had to give up to stay on schedule?
Thanks so much for your time.
Thanks so much, Tereasa! Doubts? Oh my yes! Each time I’ve been offered a contract, I had those doubts. Can I do it? And then, can I do it again? Actually, every time I sit down at my laptop, I have those doubts. Being a published author hasn’t changed my doubt quotient at all! It seems that every time I sit down and begin to write a new book, it’s like I’m starting from scratch and I’ve never written a book before. It’s still scary. But it’s my job.
On outlines, it just depends. I’ve written complete books without an outline. Others, I’ve written a hundred pages or so, stopped and wrote the outline. And others, I’ve written the outline and then wrote the book. I wish I had a process that I used for each book. I don’t. Each one has its own process and if I don’t let the book have its way, I’ll stare at a blank screen for days.
Have I given anything up? Hard to say. I do put in more hours now than I did before I sold. However, before I was published, writing was my career. I just wasn’t being paid for it. So, other than the extra hours, my life hasn’t changed a lot. I don’t read as much as I used to, which I really miss. So, if there’s one thing I’ve given up that I sincerely regret, that would be it.
Christy -
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry over your comment about how writing every book is different. So far (after 4-ish manuscripts), I’m finding that to be the case and was so hopeful I would find a process that would always (okay, maybe not ALWAYS) work for me. Oh, well!
K-
Kelsey, sorry. Just saw this post. Yes, I feel the same way. If it worked once, why not again? Writing a certain way or process might work for others, but not for me. I’ve come to the conclusion that my process is no process. LOL. So, I guess that’s a process after all.
Hi Christy,
Welcome to RU! Thank you for the fabulous interview.
Creating a series with an overall story arc and character arcs must be difficult to setup. Knowing when to introduce secondary characters for subsequent books and so on.
Does this process get a little easier with experience? What do you use to help you keep track of your world building?
Thanks!
Tracey
Hi Tracey, thanks for the question. I so admire authors who can explain how they knew to introduce a character and why they did it when. My stories are told to me by the characters. And if it’s time for a secondary character to come in, then he or she will appear. The phrase/term of, ‘writing into the mist’ probably explains my writing as well as anything. I may have an outline and have a good idea how the story should go, however, my characters and the story always take over.
I’ve only really struggled with one secondary character and that was in RESCUE ME. Noah McCall, the head of Last Chance Rescue, was such a forceful individual I almost considered letting him be the hero of the book. However, my heroine wasn’t in love with him. She told me this early and I had to respect her decision. Noah actually didn’t want the heroine as his love interest either, but his personality was so forceful, I knew I had to write his story as soon as I finished RESCUE ME, which was RETURN TO ME. And now, though he had his own book, he’s in every subsequent book. But he’s content to remain a secondary character in them and I think we’re both happier for it. (:
Since each book is a stand alone, even within a trilogy, I don’t worry too much with world building. Early on, I explain about Last Chance Rescue and it’s purpose. From then on, the story belongs to the hero and heroine.
Hi everyone! I’m just popping in for a moment. I’ve got to get my sweetheart off to work and then I’ll be back with you. Keep the questions coming. I look forward to chatting wit you all today!
morning Christy!
I’m impressed with your back to back releases as well…wow. time management is so NOT my strong suit! do you ever have problems (carpal tunnel or back problems) just from sitting at the computer for so long? or do you take breaks regularly? weird question I know….=)…but after suffering a tennis elbow from “over-mousing” I always wonder if other writers have the same problems!
carrie
Hey Carrie, not a weird question at all! Yes, I have the occasional backache and wrist problem. I do try to get up and stretch every couple of hours. It’s not healthy to sit in one place for a long time. I am fortunate that I have two writing companions who are always with me. They’re furry and four-legged and often demand walks, treats and multiple hugs, so if I’m sitting for too long, they’re more than happy to get me up and moving. (:
Do you need to recap at all when moving to the second and third, so it reads like a single title for the reader who hasn’t seen the first one, or can you just move ahead assuming the character development from book one will carry through to book two? Is that clear?
I am anxious to read your work.
Deni
Hi Deni, thanks for the question. I don’t do a lot of recapping. I do make the occasional reference to a previous book, but since each story has new characters and a new focus, there isn’t that much overlap.
To explain a bit better, Last Chance Rescue is the backdrop of the series. One or both of the main characters in each book is employed by LCR. Once that’s explained, the focus is on the rescue mission and the hero and heroine’s developing relationship.
And if you get a chance to read my books, hope you enjoy them!
Christy,
Thank you for the great tips. My question refers back to your editing process. Your write a first draft, then edit only once before you submit to your agent? I think what I am wondering, is many times authors say the phrase “spew it on the page” and then go back and edit. Do you find it better to write slower and edit less? Hope this makes sense.
Hey Jane, thanks for the question! I don’t do a lot of editing until I’ve finished the first draft. If I find myself editing a previous days work, I know that I’m really just doing it to procrastinate and not write.
Every writer has their own way of doing things. My way is my way but it’s certainly not perfect. There is no one way to write a book. You just have to figure out what works for you. And, as mentioned previously, every book I write is a different process. After reading interview after interview of some of my favorite authors, hoping I could follow their guidelines and do things better, I’ve come to accept me and my process.
Good morning Christy,
However you do this back to back thing is definitely working for your readers! You know we love your stories. As a reader, I LOVE books in trilogies to come out close together. It just helps keep the story flowing and works well with my need for instant gratification. So looking forward the the 23rd. Anyone who hasn’t read your books needs to put that on their to do list for sure.
Hey Kara, you sweetheart! Thank you! I don’t know what I would do without the wonderful group of readers who come by weekly to chat with me on my blog and on Facebook. I so love talking with you!
Thanks for coming by here. Look forward to hearing what you’re recommending today for Recommend Monday!
Hey Christy!
I read a few authors who do the trilogy of books and i really do enjoy them that way as well as the single titles. With a trilogy if i love the first book I’d already wanting more so if the next one is coming out in a few months i keep that excitement til it comes out. If your new this is good cause it keeps you out there. Otherwise i might forget if i had to wait a year. Of course once i am hooked on you i’m hooked for good. lol I do follow you on Facebook and your blog and i like that some authors hang out at Facebook and interact with their readers. It is a great tool for self promotion. This is a great interview i was wondering how long it took to write a book and it makes sense that it can vary so much according to the details of it. Can’t wait for your new book to come out!
Hey Lisa, thanks so much! Great to see you here. I love Facebook and the opportunity it gives to interact. It’s so cool to find out about what people are reading and how similar and different we all are.
And of course, if anyone has friended me on Facebook, you know that I am a Criminal Minds addict and am always up for a discussion about it!
So glad you’re looking forward to the new trilogy. Not long now!
Hi Christy. Thank you for being with us today. Great interview.
I’m curious if the pressure of back-to-back releases ever became overwhelming and, if so, how you worked through it.
Thanks!
Hi Adrienne! Thanks for the question. Yes, it does get overwhelming from time to time. My husband is my sounding board. I don’t know what I would do without his support.
I chose this career and this is what I want to do. I know how blessed and fortunate I am to be able to do what I love and get paid for it. Also, I have a dear friend who is also a published author. When I need a kick in the butt and a pep talk, she’s the one I call. She’s a straight shooter and always makes me feel better.
I would like to know when and how you knew you wanted to be a writer? I’ve always thought it would be a great job (because my imagination is an active one lol) But at the same time I don’t know if its something I could do.
Hi Crystal, great to see you here! I’ve always had characters in my head running conversations all the time. Occasionally they would be vivid enough for me to write a chapter or two, but nothing more. Then, after I left my career, I decided to challenge myself to see if I could write an entire book. From then on, I knew it was what I wanted to do.
I encourage you to sit down and try it. Even if you never pursue publication, the feeling of accomplishment in completing a book is wonderful. Millions of people want to write a book, but not everyone who wants to write completes one. Once you’ve completed one, not only will you have accomplished something many only dream about, you can determine if it’s something you want to continue. Good luck!
Good morning Christy!
This is a great interview! Very interesting to learn more about your writing habits and how your fantastic characters come to life on the written pages. I’m in the “love the trilogy” camp. Trilogies are like a gift that just keeps on giving.
As you are aware, I’m sold on your books and have enjoyed each and every story, along with every character. I’m always anxious for the next Christy Reece book and I highly recommend your books to anyone and everyone. Not only do you give a great suspenseful romance, but your readers get a book written with great care for detail and editing. These are qualities I truly appreciate when reading.
Anne, thanks so much. Those words are music to my ears! Keep on spreading the word and I’ll keep on writing! Promise.
Great to see you hear. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Christy
Although I’ve been a fan since your first trilogy, it’s interesting to learn new info about your writing processes & how they differ from book to book. I, like Kara, enjoy the books being released close together. It’s probably harder on the author but it must help when the characters & stories are interconnected. I think your writing is incredibly smart, your characters are so well fleshed out & even your villains are so intriguing. How do you find
the ideas for the villains.
Hey Mary! As a reader, I’m a huge fan of books being released close together. If they’re related in any way, it just makes sense to release them within a few months of each other. If they’re further apart, I have a tendency to forget and have to go back and reread to get caught up.
And thanks for the compliments on my writing and my characters. On writing villains, I can’t really tell you how I come up with them. I think my most memorable one to date. At least in the books that have been released is Donald Rosemount from RUN TO ME. I’ve seen discussions about him on writing loops and such. And while that makes me happy to know I’ve created such a memorable character, I don’t know how he came to be. As I wrote, he just became more complex and evil. And to him, everything he did was totally justified. I think those kinds of villains are the scariest. When there’s no concept of wrong doing and no conscience to guide them.
Thanks so much for coming by. Great to see you here!
Hey, Christy! Great interview. I’ve always wondered how you balanced the back-to-back writing. It’s something I aspire to.
Can’t wait for the 23rd!
Hey Gwen, thanks so much. Can’t say I balance anything really well but thankfully, so far, things get done and the books get written.
So glad you’re looking forward to the 23rd!
Hello Again. In a previous post you talked about editing mostly after the draft is done. Do you find yourself cutting blocks of text to improve pacing, moving things around, saving parts for the next book? And do you write from beginning to end or are you a quilter? And how has this changed since you began writing on tighter deadlines?
Thanks!!
Deni
Hey Deni, again, it just depends upon the story. If it’s coming to me, I’m going to want to spit it out as fast as possible. If I get stuck, yes, I might go to a scene that I know will occur later on in the book. I don’t think I’ve written a part that I’ve decided needed to be used in another book. I have some ideas that are in some unpublished manuscripts that I’ve used, but I’ve never used anything already written. I want to keep it as fresh as possible.
When I go back and edit, I have read scenes before and realized they just weren’t working. To me, a scene has to have it’s own goal. If it’s just there to fill space or it’s a pretty piece of writing, I will cut it.
In my upcoming trilogy, NO CHANCE was much shorter when I sent it to my editor. After she read it, she wanted two more chapters and an additional love scene. So I didn’t cut out anything in it. In SECOND CHANCE, I had three different beginnings for the book. Also, I ended up cutting a scene that I absolutely loved, but it added nothing to the story. I just really liked it, but knew it had to go. In LAST CHANCE, my editor loved the story the way it was, but the hero did something she just couldn’t forgive him for. I disagreed but saw where she was coming from and made the change. It turned out much better because of her input. Actually, all my books have been improved tremendously because of my editor. She’s brilliant!
I don’t think I write any faster, slower or even different than I did before I had publisher deadlines. If the story is there, I want to get it out asap. If it’s not, I have to let it simmer a bit.
Great questions!
Maybe it’s different for romance than it is for science fiction and fantasy, but I’ve always been told not to mention the possibility of a series in a query letter. If you’re interested in doing back-to-back releases, it seems like that would have to be different. Did you mention that your books were a series when you submitted them, or did you wait for your agent to bring it up?
Hi Debra, great question. Yes, I’ve always heard that too. If the agent or publisher sees the potential for a series, they’ll be the ones to head down that path. And, at least for me, seems like it would be pretty presumptuous to tell them that.
When I wrote RESCUE ME, it wasn’t with the intent of writing a series. Though Noah McCall, the head of LCR, was insisting on his own story, I still saw this as two books, perhaps three. I only queried about four agents and in my queries, I didn’t mention other books, only RESCUE ME. However, I did explain about Last Chance Rescue. I received two rejections immediately, one request for a partial and one agent never responded at all.
I met my agent at a conference and pitched RESCUE ME. When she heard about the organization, she’s the one who asked about a trilogy. Light bulbs began to explode in my head. Of course I could write more with LCR as the backdrop. Duh, why hadn’t I thought of that before?
I’m most fortunate to have not only a brilliant editor but an equally brilliant and very savvy agent.
Hi Christy,
Congrats on the upcoming release. I’m love back to back releases. It’s great to have the second and third book releasing when the first book is still fresh in your mind. I’m amazed to learn that you wrote “Rescue Me” in two weeks.
Hey Jane, thanks so much! Regarding RESCUE ME. I will acknowledge that I was inspired. I had come to a crossroad in my writing. After some brutal rejections and contest scores, I just didn’t seem to be getting anywhere. So, I decided to forget about pursuing publication for a while. I sat down to write a book just for me…one I would want to read. Not only was I able to write it quickly (again thanks to Candace Havens and her Fast Draft class) but I found my voice. Everything was different about the way I wrote. It was one of the most freeing experiences I’ve ever had.
I’ve not written a book that fast since then but I will always love that book because I truly believe I found myself as an author in those pages.
I will be looking for these tomorrow! It’s vacation week for the kids and you KNOW I will need something good to keep from locking them outdoors (KIDDING!) What I would like to know is have you planned your VACATION yet? You’re gonna need one! And, do you see yourself keeping up this pace for a while? I give you lots of credit!
Hi Bren, thanks so much. The first trilogy might be a little hard to find now, since the new trilogy is about to come out. There are still some at the larger bookstores though. And, of course, they can be ordered from Amazon and any bookstore.
Vacation? LOL. No, but we’re not big vacation people. I enjoy my work, so I’m going to take it with me wherever I go. Once a year, I go to the RWA convention and try to fit in a day or two of sightseeing of the city. So far, at least for the past few years, that’s been vacation for me. I do dream of going to the beach for an extended period of time because I love the sun and ocean, however, even then, I would be writing. (:
I don’t know how long I can write three a year, but as long as I’m asked to do it, that’s what I intend to do.
Thanks for stopping by. If you get a chance to read my books, hope you enjoy them!
Bren
You will love them I’m sure! Enjoy!! I’ve been hooked ever since I first opened Rescue Me!
Aw, thank you, Crystal!
Hi Christy. Thanks for the great interview.
I’m just working on my first series proposal for my agent and I’m having a difficult time putting a completion date down for the first book.lol I’m afraid I wouldn’t give myself enough time (in the middle of selling two homes and then moving to another) to finish the first book even though I know I work well under pressure. I hope it’s normal to feel this way.
Hi Kim, I think that’s very normal. It’s scary giving an exact date to a publishing professional. But if you work well under pressure, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Having those deadlines does have a tendency to help you focus. Good luck!
Wow, Christy, you are an inspiration. Thanks for such a great post.
I’m curious when you mention that you didn’t do much promotion on the first trilogy. I’ve been told that I must have a marketing plan to submit as part of my pitch . What was your experience?
Thanks again for your time.
Barb
Hi Barbara Ann, I’ve never been asked to come up with a marketing plan. Different publishers do things differently. Or was this something your agent asked you to do?
From what I can tell, no one really knows what kind of advertising/marketing works and what doesn’t. My agent, bless her, advised me to write the best book I could and to have a website. Those were the only two things she told me to do. So I have a website that I update regularly and I continue to try to write the best book that I can each time.
I did purchase a couple of ads this time and I’m doing a blog tour around the week of my release. I don’t know if that will increase sales, but I wanted to try it to see what happens. It’ll be interesting to see if the additional things helped.
Thanks for the question!
Christy & all -
You guys were busy out here today (my yesterday
)! Christy, as always, thank you for being such a generous and delightful guest. It sounds like you have so many people who are in love with your wonderful stories and other who can’t wait to try them.
Have a wonderful week, everyone!
Kelsey
Hi Kelsey, thanks so much. Visiting here is always so much fun! I so appreciate all the great questions!
I’ll keep an eye out and will be glad to answer any late posts. And just let me know who the book winners are.
Thanks again!
Christy, I’ve had my head buried in my writing and haven’t read much lately – a big no-no for a writer – but as you said, only so much time. But I am absolutely going to seek out your books after getting to know you and hearing your fans rave.
Thank you so much for your time and considerate answers. It was a pleasure to attend.
All the best,
Deni
Deni, thanks so much. I loved being here. And if you do get the chance to read my books, I hope you enjoy them!