Let's talk promo!

So... you sold a book. You had a publisher give you the nod, the e-mail or the call... right? Now what? You need to promo the heck out of your masterpiece and get noticed in this huge pie.

Eliza March and I are talking about the success of promotion and how important it is to get noticed so your work sells.

Stop on over to Eliza's blog by clicking HERE.

December Blues

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Not the holiday blues, not the "I ate too much blues." But the December release blues...

I posted a message on a loop not to long ago... it was a message to my author friends to help keep their chins up during the month of November and December. Unless you have a Christmas release you'll probably wish that your book that you've worked so hard for was released in any month other than December, right? I get it. December is a hard month to sell a book. People are busy, they aren't reading as much because of the hustle and hassle of the holidays.

So should you scale back on promo? Yes and no. At least in my humble opinion.

Work smarter. December is a good month to make some personal connections on the social networks. Talk to your fans, or give some holiday cheer. Talk with fellow writers and maybe give away a copy of your book or two. But spending a ton of time online posting excerpts and spamming the web probably isn't going to get you very far this month. People simply don't have time to check out your latest. But here is the good news... your book, the one you've spent a zillion hours writing and editing... that book will still be available in January and February and so on... Set up a "After Christmas Blog Tour" Make January your debut.

That is the beauty of e-books and small print publishers. We don't have a 7 week shelf life at the bookstore. We have a much longer window of time to tell the world how wonderful your book is. So work smarter all my author friends. And enjoy the holidays.

Video Blogging is BACK!

Some days I feel like I've fallen into the pit of promo and can't find my way out of it. But I have been on a kick to get back into what I know works... and V-logging works. So here it is, the next instalment of the 'Then things to do while you're waiting for your editor to get back to you.'

Brag Rag! ~~ Promotion on Tap

When I decided to write this blog... I considered how I might do a little shameless promotion, share with everyone my excitement over recent my recent reviews and tie in useful information about promotion.

You need to let me know if I managed to do all three.

I was called the promotional goddess this last week by Dayana Knight. I nearly spit out my coffee with that one. However, I do realize that I've done my share of research on the subject and truly try and find a new place to promo every week. Then I share that info with you guys via vlogs or yakking on loops or whatever.

Is it working?

Yeah! I'm happy to say it is. This last weekend I was up for Book of the Week at LASR's Whipped Cream and now I have this nifty button to place on my blog, website and newsletter. Not to mention Kilt Worthy has a lovely spot at the top of the Whipped Cream site. I shamelessly begged for votes via Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Blogger and Loops. Not to mention personal emails to nearly every writer I know.

You might say..."Well, that's nice and all, Cathy, but how does this equate to sales?"

I'll reply... "Well, little Miss Doubtful, in order to hit the bestseller lists on publisher sites and third party bookseller sites, you have to be selling books."

Have you released a book that never hit these lists? If so, can you pump up your promotion and make the next one surge to the top? And is there a next one? Because let me tell you, sister, book two sells book one each and every time.

I'll be filming my next instalment of vlogs on what to do while waiting for your editor to get back to you, this week. If you haven't seen these video-blogs, then click HERE, visit my youtube page and watch them all.

Now~~~ Plug, plug, plug... A glimpse of what the reviewers are saying about my debut releases.

Kilt Worthy riveted me, seduced me, and kept me glued to its pages. This story is romance. It embodies the reason I read this genre and I’d recommend this book in a heartbeat. ~~ Whipped Cream Reviews~~

...The loving was hot and the characters were strong ...This is the first work I have ever read from this author, but plan to read more from her as I hope you do. ~~ Seriously Reviewed 16/20

...Kilt Worthy is an intriguing, steamy time travel paranormal romance that will capture your attention from beginning to end.~~ Night Owl Romance 4 1/2 Hearts

If you are looking for a short story that packs a punch, then pick up Soul Mate. Ms. Bybee has delivered a delightful love story that is sure to please! ~~Manic Readers 4 Stars

Catherine has a wonderful sense of timing and her scenes and characters come alive beneath her ‘pen’... ~~~Long and Short Reviews

...I was carried away by the world that Ms. Bybee created... Ms. Bybee has a definite winner on her hands with Soulmate. I’m anxious to read more of this talented writer’s work. I give Soulmate Five Delightful Divas and my Top Pick for The Month of October.~~ Dark Diva Reviews

So, Dear Reader... Is my promotion working?

Shameless self promotion

Yep, I'm shamelessly self promoting. My trailer for Kilt Worthy is up for an award at You Gotta Read. So please step over and take a look and cast your vote.

http://yougottareadvideos.blogspot.com/

Thanks a million!