Rock*It Reads is a new concept that’s getting a lot of buzz – even USA Today is talking about it. Today’s Visiting Professor, author Monica Burns, is here to tell us all about Rock*It Reads and the authors who conceived of it.
I’d like to thank Romance University and Becke Davis for inviting me to blog today. What author doesn’t love getting a chance to chat with readers!
For those who don’t know me, I’ve been published for going on eight years now. I started out in ePublishing then progressed to traditional New York publishing. I still have my feet in those two venues, but I’ve just recently started releasing my old eBooks via the self-publishing route.
Self-publishing. It’s changing the entire publishing landscape. Authors have more freedom and readers have more choices. However, a quality read is one thing every reader wants in a book. Quality means different things to different people, but one thing’s certain, a competently formatted and edited story makes for a better book. It’s a criterion the reading community reiterates on a consistent basis.
When a reader buys a book, they want to be entertained. When they’re deep into the story, readers get really irritated when they’re continuously stumbling over typos, misused words, or other issues that an eye for detail would have caught. In other words, readers want to enjoy a great story uninterrupted, but finding a good read is like mining for gold. Word-of-mouth continues to be a primary source of readers finding a great story, but another way is an author brand.
One such author brand is Rock*It Reads whose members include Monica Burns, Pamela Clare, Lila DiPasqua, Cheryl Holt, Vanessa Kelly, Kris Kennedy, Margo Maguire, Mia Marlowe, Elisabeth Naughton, Sharon Page and Joan Swan. We are traditionally published authors committed to producing the best quality self-published reads possible. We do that by ensuring our self-published books receive a strong editorial review, go through a solid copyediting process, and are properly formatted for a multitude of popular eReaders.
Branding isn’t a new concept in marketing. It’s about creating a recognizable product. For instance, Ellora’s Cave is known for eErotic romance. Harlequin is another brand readers recognize. When you pick up a HQ Intrigue, Presents, SuperRomance, etc. you know the exact type of read you’re buying. It might be written by an author you don’t know, but as a consumer, you’re thinking, hey I enjoyed the last Intrigue I read, let me try this new one.
While branding isn’t a new idea, an author brand is groundbreaking in the self-publishing industry. Rock*It Reads is the first group of its kind to develop a specific logo for our self-published books. We each publish our individual works, contract with cover artists; copyeditors, content editors and formatters; and we set our own prices. But once we’re ready to release our self-published works, we add the Rock*It Reads logo to the cover and put it up on our website. We are not a publisher. We’re just creating a recognizable brand readers can trust when it comes to a quality read.
The Rock*It Reads logo is a visual representation of quality. It says the Rock*It Reads authors care deeply about giving readers the best possible reading experience by taking into account the little things that drive readers crazy. While you might not like the story, you’re getting a read that is strong on the basics of self-publishing. These are reads that can go toe to toe with any book a traditional publisher puts out.
One of the really positive outcomes the Rock*It Reads group has seen in its growth is our partnership with Barnes and Noble. We approached Barnes and Noble about the possibility of doing a column promoting the gems of self-publishing romances that might appeal to readers. Barnes and Noble were enthusiastic about our proposal, and as a result the Love Rocks column at BNReview.com was born.
We’re not a review column, and we don’t want to be. We’re not about analyzing books. We’re just a group of readers, who happen to be authors, chatting about self-published romances we’ve found and fell in love with. We want to build a community where we chat with readers about the self-published romances they’ve enjoyed reading. And like those readers, we’ll talk about books we’ve pulled out of cyberspace and fell in love with.
There were a great many puzzle pieces to work through before Rock*It Reads became what readers see now. It took a lot of hard work, but we believe it’s worth it. We also fully expect other groups to form and develop their own brands. We see that as a good thing for readers. Readers’ expectations for a quality read is what drove us to start Rock*It Reads.
As other groups catch onto the idea of author brands, readers can expect to find even more self-published gems they might not have found otherwise. Author brands that are committed to quality make it easier for readers to find books they’ll enjoy without the major pitfalls of books that don’t have a recognizable seal of quality. So check us out at RockItReads.com, I think we have a few of those gems you’ve been looking for in self-published romance.
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How many of you read e-books? Have you wished for higher quality standards in self-published books?
On Wednesday, weapons expert and literary consultant Adam Firestone answers questions about choreographing direct action scenes.
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Bio:
Monica Burns with Charles Paz (Mr. Romance 2009) at RT earlier this month.
An award-winning author of erotic romance, Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today.
From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.
Monica is a survivor, and it’s a topic she has become well versed in. A survivor of date rape at the age of 19, writing erotic romance has aided her in the life-long process of healing. Her writing has helped her reclaim some of her self-worth, and you can read her story here.
Find Monica at her website, on Facebook and on Twitter. Monica also blogs at Barnes & Noble Review, Love Rocks.
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Hi Monica,
Thanks for joining us at RU! Glad you stopped by to tell us more about RIR.
Because of time constraints, I’m not reading much of anything right now. However, I would use the quality of the book’s cover as a starting point when making a self-pub selection. Then I’d move onto reading some sample chapters and the reviews, which I don’t typically do for trad.
Thanks again or being with us!
Tracey
Posted by Tracey Devlyn | April 30, 2012, 4:36 amTracey, I think your process of elimination is a great one. It’s actually the process I used when I’ve been selecting the indie reads I spotlight in the B&N “Love Rocks” column the Rock*It Reads brand is writing every other Monday at BNReview.com
The entire point of the RIR brand is to offer readers an even better solution than the one you and I have been using. Our brand represents quality, so when readers see it, they’ll know right off the bat that if they like the blurb, they’re going to know the odds of the book being an enjoyable read for them and that the overall formatting and quality of the read will exceed a lot of indie books out there.
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 8:42 amLove this idea! &, Monica, I love your covers! Gorgeous, delish & yummy!
Or should I just say: irresistible!
Posted by Ruth Harris | April 30, 2012, 5:22 amThank you Ruth. The Obsession cover is for an Indie book that releases in the next 10 days. Kim Killion did the design and it’s a good example of how an indie cover can be just as enticing as a NY book, which the other two covers are. And yes I love them too!
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 8:43 amHi Monica – Thanks so much for joining us today! I think this will be extremely useful to readers who are overwhelmed by the sheer number of self-pubbed titled to choose from.
If a self-published author would like their book to be evaluated by one of the RIR team, what is the best way for them to submit it for your consideration?
Posted by Becke Davis (Becke Martin) | April 30, 2012, 5:47 amMwah Becke for asking me guest post today.
If indie authors want to have their books considered for the B&N “Love Rocks” column they can find instructions at http://www.rockitreads.com/barnes-noble-love-rocks-column/
B&N has asked us to focus primarily on unknown authors for the time being so that we can pull out some gems from under vast array of books available. Our database is growing fast.
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 8:46 amHi Monica,
I’m about to publish my second e-book. I hear about self-publishing all the time. Some established writers find it a great way to publish their backlist. What is the best way to stand out from the crowd?
Mary Jo
Posted by Mary Jo Burke | April 30, 2012, 5:47 amMary Jo, If I had the answer to that question, I’d be a front runner like Marie Force and Barbara Freethy.
I think there are a couple of key factors: 1)writing a good book 2) being prolific and having a lot of books so impulse buy once they finish is important 3) adding in the next three chapters for reading 4) having a great cover 4) quality formatting 5) and a great amount of luck.
Truthfully, I think luck is one of the biggest factors. You have to be in the right place at the right time. At least that’s the case for me and others I know.
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 8:55 amHi, Monica. Thank you for being here. What an amazing concept! I love to support indie authors and Rocket Reads will make it so much easier to find a quality book.
You guys should franchise! LOL.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | April 30, 2012, 6:38 amHi Adrienne, We think it’s a cool concept too. It’s why we developed it. Just for clarification, we’re called Rock*It Reads… I inadvertently use the “e” myself sometimes because of the sound. LOL
Our goal with the brand is to do just what you said. Make it easier to find a good read. And yes, I’m thinking we could franchise!!
Keep an eye on the B&N column for good indie reads as well
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 1:51 pmMorning Monica!!!
How great to have you here…=)
I’ve been a “victim” of some really bad ebooks…oy. lol….I know about typos and little things that can escape editors, copy editors and authors, but sometimes wow – I’m just SURE no one has edited or even proofread that final draft!
It’s great what you’re doing – giving readers a quality read. We appreciate it! =)
carrie
Posted by Carrie Spencer | April 30, 2012, 7:02 amHi Carrie, this is precisely what we’re getting at. We’re not promising perfection. We’re promising that the books we put out are going through a vetting process that is the best we can possible have.
And we’re happy to provide quality reads. It benefits readers and us!
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 1:53 pmMonica – first and completely off topic – I totally dig your pitch cards. They are fantastic!
Second – I loved my e-reader and it is my gateway drug to all kinds of new genres and authors – many self published.
I love what you are doing and I can already see the growth f the cottage industry that supports self-publishers in the form of freelance editors and cover designers. What do you see coming next?
Posted by Robin Covington | April 30, 2012, 7:56 amRobin, I’m so glad those cards help. You’re not the first person to say so, and I’m delighted they’re of use. I know they sure helped me pitch well a number of times.
I love the “label” of cottage industry, because I think you’re seeing a lot of that already falling into place.
As for what’s coming, I think that depends on how things shake out with Amazon, B&N and the Big 6. I do not believe print will go away. There are still too many people who like to read mass market print. However as the baby boomer readers and younger folks knowing nothing but technology I think eReaders and eBooks will only continue to grow. I think Europe is on the verge of the same kind of explosion we’ve seen here in the US. I know my sales in the UK are stronger than in the US. But maybe those two negative reviews have something to do with that. LOL
I do believe Amazon will drop that 70% royalty rate in the near future as I think their primary purpose was to drive sales of the Kindle and gain market share. When they’ll drop that rate is hard to say.
Right now the it’s the wild, wild west and I’m trying to avoid getting hit by a stray bullet. LOL
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 1:59 pmOMG, that is the sweetest picture of you and Mr. Romance. I saw him all over at the conference, but seriously, I never saw him look as good as he does in that photo with you!!!
Posted by Joan Swan | April 30, 2012, 7:57 amJoan, I have that effect on men. *snort* But he is cute as a button, and someone actually asked if he was my husband. LOL I didn’t share that with the DH LOL
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 2:00 pmYep, it was RU’s Jennifer Tanner who thought Charles was Mr. Monica. He’s a real sweetie! It’s a great picture of BOTH of you!
Posted by Becke Martin Davis | April 30, 2012, 2:12 pmHi Monica!
Love the idea of Rock*ItReads.
I’ve got several self-pubbed books on my Kindle that I couldn’t finish. The grammar and punctuation errors, and the awkward sentences and info dumps were too distracting. But that’s not to say I haven’t read some great self-pubbed books. One of the best romances on my Kindle was written by a man, whose hero broke every rule of romance and still redeemed himself.
Thanks for being with us today. (I still think you and Charles make a cute couple.)
Posted by Jennifer Tanner | April 30, 2012, 8:08 amJennifer, I understand that issue of errors and content editing. When I went back to revamp my novella Love’s Portrait (reissued last Sept) I was appalled at what I considered poor characterization and content editing.
I think I totally improved the read, but not everyone will agree, but I’m happy with my wonderful copyeditor Rosie Murphy who totally rawks at content and general copy editing
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 2:02 pmJust a note to let you all know that Monica has a couple unavoidable meetings at her day job, but she’ll be here to visit with us as soon as she’s free!
Posted by Becke Martin/Davis | April 30, 2012, 8:15 amI seldom have meeting, and today of all days, OMG a 3hour meeting that should have been 1, and everyone was pointing fingers all at me naturally. **sigh*
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 2:03 pmPersonally I read a fair amount of self pubbed books, and it’s not too tricky for me to figure out which ones will deliver on the basics of quality from the covers, blurb, and reviews. Usually I don’t even need the sample to accurately guess whether it’s been professionally edited. As you said, that doesn’t mean I will like the book, just that it’s covering the publishing basics. I think readers are becoming more and more savvy about this – well, they will have to.
Thing is, I actually have seen coalitions like this before. No one has cared, because the authors didn’t have big enough brands for it to matter. I would probably be willing to buy from every author included in RiR right now, but that’s based on the strength of their own author brand, not the logo. I would not have expected any of those authors to put out ugly covers or unedited work anyways, so the logo doesn’t add much for me personally. However, I do appreciate that you guys are innovating, and I look forward to reading the new books!
Posted by Amber | April 30, 2012, 8:43 amAmber, I think it’s great that you can generally hit the mark out of the gate with your selection of reads. Unfortunately, most readers can’t, which is why we formed the brand. We heard enough complaints from readers that we thought we’d answered the need. I think we’re doing that. Plus I think that if someone has read X author under our brand but hasn’t seen XX author before but they’re in our brand, a reader is apt to be more inclined to read XX author. It’s a win win for both sides I think.
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 2:07 pmFolks, have meetings all day so will come back and answer as I can. The day job has to take priority until I can make enough money to work on my clock not someone else’s. LOL
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 8:56 amWe’ll see you when you can get here, Mon!
Posted by Becke Martin/Davis | April 30, 2012, 9:27 amGot back and I think I hit all the comments. I’ll be popping in later after I’m home from work and had dinner with the family.
Posted by Monica Burns | April 30, 2012, 2:07 pmHope your evening is less stressful!
Posted by Becke Martin Davis | April 30, 2012, 2:13 pmMonica – Thanks so much for explaining how Rock*It Reads works. I look forward to your blogs at Love Rocks!
Posted by Becke Martin Davis | April 30, 2012, 6:32 pm