Next week Kim, Carol, and I are speaking at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library on Promo.
Why promote yourself?
Name recognition is an important reason why readers buy books. If a reader knows your name they are more likely to buy your book than one written by someone they never heard of. Of course, other writers are also readers so they can be your first source of networking.
Name recognition also plays a role in obtaining representation from an editor or agent. If you have been around long enough for your name to be recogonized they know you are serious about your career. It helps, but don't forget you need a great novel for them to buy.
If you are not yet published, you are just starting out, where can you start promoting yourself?
Writing Organizations – This is a great place to learn the craft of writing and to get your name out there when you network at meetings and online. Many organizations have some sort of loop for you to communicate with other members of your organization. Remember, writers are also readers. Always be respectful to others. It's just good manners too.
Romance Writers of America is where I learned the craft and business of writing from newsletters, local chapters, online classes both free and paid for, conferences, speeches on CD/tapes, critique partners, etc. The local chapters are where I do most of my networking. There are also the meetings where I have made life long friends.
Romance Writers of America –
http://www.rwanational.org/Local AZ Chapters:
Desert Rose -
http://www.desertroserwa.org/Meetings are held in Tempe the last Tuesday of the month.
Valley of the Sun
http://www.valleyofthesunrw.com/Meetings are held in Glendale the second Tuesday of the month.
Listing of 118 US Chapters -
http://www.rwanational.org/cs/about_rwa/chapters_listing/us_chaptersSpecial-Interest Online Chapters:
The Beau Monde Regency Special Interest ChapterCeltic Hearts Romance WritersChick Lit Writers of the WorldElectronic and Small Press Authors NetworkElements of RWAFaith, Hope, and Love, Inc. (Inspirational Writers)
From the Heart Romance WritersFuturistic, Fantasy and ParanormalGolden Network ChapterGothic Romance WritersHearts Through History Romance WritersMystery/Suspense Chapter (Kiss of Death)Outreach International Romance WritersPassionate InkPublished Authors Special Interest Chapter/PASICRainbow Romance WritersRWA HeartbeatRWA OnlineScriptsceneYoung Adult Special Interest ChapterOther chapters my romance-writing friends have found helpful.
Sisters in Crime -
http://www.sistersincrime.org/ (Has a local AZ chapter - meets every 3rd
Wednesday at Carumbe Cafe in Scottsdale.)
International Thriller Writers.
http://www.thrillerwriters.org/Published authors can be active members, unpublished are affiliate members.
They hold an annual conference called Thrillerfest
There is an expansive list of writing organizations at
http://novelspot.net/node/1154Once you feel you have an idea of what you are doing, then it is time to join social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter. Your fellow writers will be glad to help you get started. You can also attend our free workshop next week in Scottsdale. I posted all the details last Sunday.
Until next week,
Happy Writing!
Tina LaVon
Kim Watters here. Today I'm here to talk about NewYear's goals. You see, I don't make resolutions. They're too easy to break. For me, a goal makes me more accountable (at least in my own mind). I don't set lofty ones--or try not too--because they would be too easy to modify. So my goals for me this year are to sell two books to Love Inspired, go to the YMCA to work out twice a week, and get and stay more organized. I can't seem to function very well if things are messy and I can't find what I'm looking for. This past year has been extremely hard because I moved and things are still in boxes and bins in my garage, and nothing has been filed, it's just sitting in a banker's box. Now that the holidays are over, it's time to get everything in its place. A quality I hope to instill in my children!
