NOT ENOUGH NETWORKING

Authors have a very difficult job to do.

First we must right a novel, then we have to edit the novel. After that we have to approve a cover, write a synopsis (which is harder than you think) and then we have to begin marketing the novel. Then we have to come up with an elevator pitch. (more about this later)We must do all of this BEFORE the book is even out.

Then we must network but that is the hardest part.

You would think networking would be a great thing to do but it is not when you are only networking with other authors.

This is not something you want to do a lot of. Sure you want to network but who is your audience. Other authors? Sometimes. But most of the time, your audience is your readers.

Are you networking with them? Are you going where they are? Are you showing up at an event thrown by a friend, not as the guest but as the "celebrity" making a "guest appearance"?

Sounds corny, right?

But think about it. 

You get invited to a Christmas party. You go because you are supporting your friend. Once you get there, find out if there are readers there. How do you do that? Ask? duh! If there are a lot of readers, say about half of the crowd, pull the hostess to the side. Ask them if they wouldn't mind introducing you as an author and allowing you ONE MINUTE of their time to introduce yourself and your novel (elevator pitch) . 

Keep it to a minute because the party isn't for you. Even if you don't have a lot of readers in attendance, you may still be able to make a sell because they know someone who loves reading. 

Networking with fans is way more important than networking with authors. Why?

Some authors feel you are their competition and although they will be 'happy' for you, they aren't going to buy your novel and spread the word about you if they feel you are taking their potential sales. 

Instead, you need to network with people you are trying to reach. After all you wrote a novel for READERS, right?

So get out there and begin networking with READERS. They are you audience and remember use every opportunity to tell at least one person that you are a published author. 

What do you feel about networking? Do you do it a lot or is that "not your cup of tea''?

Let me know on my FB page or tweet me @bswanginwebster

DREAMING OF A....

What are you dreaming of?

Is it to write full time? Is it to vacation all the time? Is it to stop your 9-5 and do what you really want to do with your career?

Well, what are you waiting for?

It's true. Time waits for no one and time never stands still.

I know all to well that waiting does nothing but make you lose time.

Why are you afraid to do what you want in life?

Do you think that the inventor of Facebook decided he wanted to wait and start a new social media site?

Do you think that millionaires waited until they had enough money in the bank to begin investing in what they really wanted to do?

Everyone starts from zero. Everyone has the same opportunity to begin something from scratch. However, it is what you do with opportunity when it comes knocking.

Sometimes, it will never knock. Sometimes you have to be willing to tap "opportunity" on the shoulder and meet it where it is.

That's right. Go after what you want. Go after what you feel passionate about.

Don't wait for it to come to you, go after it.

Remember, dreaming of something doesn't make it happen.

Making it happen takes not only guts but it will make that dream a reality in no time.

MAKING THE BEST OF LIFE

Well here it is March 23rd (at the time of me writing this) and I am making the best of life.

I survived a snow storm on the second day of spring. 

I survived major surgery on Feb. 26th and I survived a severely broken ankle, foot and leg on Feb. 18th.

I'd say I have no choice but to make the best out of the life I am living.

It seems as if I have been living a nightmare for the past year. Things have gone steadily downhill, in terms of my health.

But you know what?

I'm still here; making the best out of my life.

See I could have given up, thrown in the towel and just gotten so down on life that I could have been miserable.

Now, this is not to say that I didn't.

I had my bouts with depression. 

I was on total bed rest for four (4) weeks. I had some really dedicated people in my life that shopped for me, brought me lunch and dinner and even bought my wine! They made me laugh and see how much they loved me.

I will never forgot them for making me see the sunshine when all I wanted to do was see clouds

So I started making the best of my situation.

I finished a novel! Yippee

I finished up my travel agent certification! Yippee

I even finished up my AA degree! Yippee.

It's amazing what you can do when you have time. 

I made the best out of my life and now that I am able to get out of the house. (I'm still in a cast for another four weeks) I am living life to the best of my ability.

Are you?

SITTING STILL OR LIVING LIFE

Well, I have done now. 

I broke my ankle in two places and a bone in my foot. 

So, what do I do now?

Since I am on total bed rest, I am going to finish up my novel The Stiletto Stalker.

I'm on bed rest for at least three weeks and this will give me enough time to finish up my novel and edits and then begin working on finishing up The Teachers Lounge.

I am not a person who can sit still for any length of time but this is making me sit still. 

Someone said, "You never sit still so you needed something to make you sit still".

That made me think. Most people my age (51) are working, enjoying a simple life and doing things that they love.

I am no different. I live my life, I enjoy adventure and vacations and that is what I love doing. 

I'm 51 not 91. And even if I was, does that mean that I can't go out dancing every week, hanging with my friends for happy hour once a week or going on mini vacations whenever my bank account says I can?

Most people say that they will "wait until they retire to travel and really enjoy life." Why should I do that? Why should I wait? Why should I do what most people would do? 

Even my grown children say, "Mom you should slow down" No ma'am and no sir, I will not.

I want to live a life that I enjoy. I don't ask anyone for anything. I pay for my own trips and I pay for the life that I want. 

IF you choose to wait, than that is your choice. I choose not to. That's my choice. 

So, while I have to be on complete bed rest., I will finish up my novels but just as I am sitting in bed writing this blog; I have just booked my trip to the Bahamas in December.

So either you choose the life you want or let others tell you what you should be doing.

Which one will you do? I think you know my choice. 

NEW YEAR AND NEW GOALS

It seems as if 2016 flew by in a blur.

For most of us authors, it was a year filled with lots of activity. There were lots of edits, rewrites, conferences, submissions and rejections that occured in 2016.

For 2017, it may be filled with the same but how will you approach it?

Will you take what you learned in 2016 into 2017? Will you submit your manuscript to more publishers? Will you rewrite that manuscript in your desk drawer? Will you attend another conference or maybe your first conference? Will you look at those rejections with new eyes and make improvements on your writing?

Whatever you do in 2017, remember that being an author is a privilege that a lot of people WISHED they had the courage to do.

Remember that you, yes you, can improve on being an author if you do one simple thing.

Be the best author you can be.

That means; attending workshops, conferences and seminars geared towards your genre of writing. That means not limiting yourself to one specific audience. That means taking time to market yourself to everyone; not just your family and friends. That means taking a leap of faith and submitting your work to a publisher, editor or doing it yourself.

Whatever you do; do it to the best of your ability.

I hope that your 2016 ends on a high note and that 2017 begins on a higher one.

See you in the new year.

REJECTION IS A GOOD THING

Rejection isn’t something that anyone likes to go through.

Being a published author, I worry about rejection.

Rejection from a publisher, an editor or from readers.

How do you overcome the fear?

By saying to yourself: I will be better for it.

Yes, rejection serves a purpose. 

It allows us to remember that we are humans and make mistakes. It reminds us that we are not perfect, no matter how hard we try to be. It also reminds us that we have to, correction, we MUST continue to get better in our writing.

Readers are not going to allow authors to sit back and push through mundane work. Publishers aren’t going to let authors think that don’t need improvement and if you have a good editor; they will make sure that they are pushing you to bring out the best words you have.

Yes, Rejection is hard but it is necessary.

So don’t just sit there crying because you have gotten another rejection (or your first rejection).

Dust yourself off, pick up that pen, paper, Notebook, computer or IPad and begin the rewriting process. 

Trust me, you will be glad that you did.

NO....I DON'T WANT TO SELL IT TO YOU!

Did you ever think you would hear those words come from these lips?

I surely didn't but that is what I wanted to yell on Saturday afternoon.

Every year I participate in the Dulles Expo event the Northern Christmas Market and every year I do very well with book sales.

This year was no exception. OK, well with one.

A young woman walked up and immediately began to look at the covers of my books. Normally I would be excited about this but this young woman was between the age of 10-12.

Before you start saying I should encourage her to read. She can read just fine. Before you say that I should encourage her to buy my books. Screech! Pump the brakes.

My books contain, in industry terms, "ADULT SITUATIONS" or "PG17" in movie terms.

There is sex, violence and language that is not appropriate for anyone younger than the age of 18. Yes, I know children nowadays have foul mouths and probably have more sex than me but that doesn't mean I agree with it.

So, with that said, I steered her to my publishers YA (Young Adult) line. She picked them up, read the back and promptly put them back down and went BACK to mine.

Her mom asked me if it was appropriate for someone her age. My answer

HELL NO! OK, I didn't curse but I said NO as strongly as I could without cursing. The mom turned to her mother (the child's grandmother) and said, "What do you think?" In which she said, "it's your decision."

So, I'm thinking its almost over.  Sure I lose a sale but it would be worth it. The mother then did something unexpected. She asked me to show her a passage. I turned to the most graphic part that I could remember at that time and she read it. Here is what I heard, "Oh my...wow...whoa"

Now I'm thinking. I'm free and clear and she hands me the book back, looks at her daughter and says, "Well if you want it, go on and get it."

WHAT! WHAT...WHAT THE HELL! and the girl says but there are two..can I have both of them! and her mother says, "YES...get both of them"

I nearly passed out right then and there! I was so flustered that I couldn't even take the money. I was in shock.

Then the mother asked, "Can you sign them for her?"

In shock, I signed them to JOCELYN and I have been bothered by this ever since. My question is:

Would you be shocked or would you look at it like a sale to a customer. I welcome your thoughts.

THE BALL DROPS IN FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO...

I had a great time speaking with this author before I went out and partied for New Year's Eve!

Check out Damien DSoul and how he markets while living in Nigeria

Give the gift of books

I thought it would be great for you to see what I plan on giving for the holidays.

Take a look at what +We B Swangin' Show hostess +B Swangin Webster will be giving for the holidays.

Merry Christmas everyone!
Christmas Gift Ideas

'TIS THE SEASON....

Yes, it's that season again and today I come with a few words.

Instead of going out and spending hundreds of dollars, why not spend some of that money to give the #giftofreading to someone.

Books make a great gift and not just  my books! Any Books!

Books should replace TV at least for a couple of hours a day. Our children know how to 'power up' get to the next level and kill every alien on +XBOX 360 +PlayStation and +Nintendo Life but do they know how to read?

This season buy those teenagers, children and the adults on your list some great gifts.

If you are buying them a +Kindle Deals or a +NOOK load it up with a couple of books that they like to read.

That is the best gift you can give. I know I will be gifting books for my reader friends!

Happy Holidays

I HAVE GONE AND DONE IT

I made someone's list.
Yes, me and I am so very excited.

I made +Cyrus Webb list of top 50 novels to read in 2014!

Boom Boom shake the room people!

Ok, if you haven't noticed; this means the world to me! Christmas has come early for me and I am so ecstatic I could burst.

To make this list is an honor that is not taken lightly. My novel hits a very hard subject. It deals with self-esteem issues and domestic violence. The story follows Cheryl and Kevin and their idyllic family life; to the outside world that is.

Inside their home, there is violence, alcoholism and self-esteem issues; not only with the parents but also with the children.

Only when a stranger overs a way out does Cheryl believe she deserves more; but is she willing to make the ultimate sacrifice before it is to late.

The novel hit the shelves on August 1, 2014 and has taken the Washington DC area by storm. I have gone on tour with some great authors and I have been asked to speak to multiple book clubs and civic groups.

If you want to take a look at this great honor, please click here: Cyrus Webbs Presents Top 50 of 2014

Then head to my Facebook page: Author B Swangin Webster Fan Page and LIKE the page and join me in my journey.

I also have a radio show and this will be a topic tomorrow. We B Swangin Show and join me on TWITTER at +We B Swangin' Show

 

BEAUTIFUL LIFE

My life can be better but right now why would I want it to be. I'm living a +BeautifulLife.

I'm on the radio every week. I'm hosting a weekly radio talk show on +WLVS Radio and I am having the time of my life!

I'm also an author and the great reviews keep coming in for Let Me Just Say This.

I'm also the grandmother of seven grandbabies and got the news that I will be a Nina again..this time of TWINS!

HOLY COW..twins! I'm in love with them already!

So, this blog is nothing more than to tell you that I am living a beautiful life.

If you want to see me, tune in today at 4pm on http://listenvisionlive.com and see my beautiful life!

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

The holiday season is fast ending but I have had a fantastic time enjoying the most wonderful time of the year.

My I Pod has had +Christmas Town music in it since December 1st. My +Christmas Forest and village has been bringing delight to many people who passed through my home and my Christmas cheer has been unstoppable.

Atlas, the season is drawing to a close but I hope you made great memories. I made some great memories with some new friends from the +DMV Weekenders, to a new wife of a special friend to spending some great quality time with my grandchildren and my children.

It doesn't matter what gifts were under the tree; what mattered is that the family was together and together we watched Christmas classics like; +Charlie Brown Christmas and +The Grinch and +National Lampoons Christmas and my new favorite +ELF

All of the laughter and the jokes and the gifts and the decorations will forever be captured in my memory and will live on through photos and videos.

Take this time to make sure that you tell the ones you love how wonderful this time of year was for you and make sure that you make the new year a memorable one.

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

I know you started singing that Christmas tune as soon as you read the title. Yes, it is the most wonderful time of the year.

It's the time of the year when all good little boys and girls are making their list and checking it twice. It is also the time of the year that retailers are hoping that people will come and spend their hard earned money at their store.

Did you know that it is also the time of the year that small businesses hope to make up profits to keep their stores open for another year?

On the Saturday after thanksgiving, it is 'small business' shopping day. That means that all of us should support the small business. That also means small publishing companies. How many of you would take the chance and shop a small business or small publisher for some great gift ideas?

I did and I found some GREAT bargains! Most small publishers offer their newest releases around this time of year. Think of the authors that you will support by buying from a small publisher. Penguin, Random House, Kensington; they all don't have to worry as much about profits because they will have the loyal fan based. Smaller presses rely on us to support their authors and hope that in the process, you find a new author and become a fan.

If you have small business that you support, why not share their name here. If you are an owner of small publishing company, why not leave a comment so all of my loyal followers can find you and possibly find a new author to support.

Happy Shopping!