Happy New Year! It's 2012!

Hello everyone. I took a slight holiday break. I really needed it. But it's the New Year and I wanted to take time wish everyone a prosperous, safe and healthy year ahead. With that in mind, I thought I'd tell you what I have in store this year. I will start narrowing my focus on my blog. I won't be doing as many book reviews, simply because I just don't have the time with upcoming book releases, conferences, book signing, etc. Not to mention I need to write, and go over edits for my other books due in the summer and the fall. But I will have guest posts from other bloggers and readers who will do some of the book reviews instead. I will focus more on resources for writers and bloggers, and I will have more author interviews and Q&A's. The reason I will focus on more writing and blogging resources is due partly to my own book, If I Had My Way, a collection of short stories being released on the 1st of February. I discovered many resources that writers, aspiring writers or bloggers may find valuable on my literary journey and I would like to share them with everyone else so they can be more productive and more aware on their own blogging or writing journey.

I hope everyone continues to stay with me on this journey. I have some great interviews from some fabulous authors in store in the next few weeks. Also, for those who signed up for my newsletter, be on the lookout this week for an email from me with a Free copy of my short story, Tandrin Drive. I hope you enjoy it. And for anyone that wants an opportunity to guest post for a book review on my blog, just send me an email (blog@lenasledge.com). If you have a book already in mind, that's great too. However, keep in mind, my blog does not write book reviews for children's literature or non-fiction.

Have a happy New Year everyone! Thanks for making it with me to 2012!

P.S. If you would like to receive a free copy of Tandrin Drive, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter.

I have yet to name my newsletter so I thought you all might be able to help me. What do you suggest I call my newsletter?

Sign Up For My Newsletter by Email

5 Reasons Why Authors Should Blog

The other day I attended a power chat where like-minded individuals come together to discuss ideas and help each other stay focused and motivated as they work towards their goals. We discussed several topics including branding, blogging, building platforms, networking and the process of publishing and writing to name a few. Well most of you know I have several books slated for release soon. The first book releasing is If I Had My Way and the second book that will be released is Waiting on Heaven. Now with the release of my books I know it is vital to have a platform. What may you ask is a platform? Well, Writer's Digest describes a platform as all the ways you are visible and appealing to your future, potential or actual readership. So what does building a platform have to do with blogging? Well, since having a platform is dependent on your presence in the community, on the web, in your environment and in your surroundings, your platform speaks for you. It says who you are, without you having to be physically there. So what better way to build a platform than to blog?

I know as a writer myself, blogging seems like another gig to add the mountainous list of things to do on top of writing, reading, book revision, proposals and book signings; not to mention daily tasks that are not associated with writing. So why should authors make the time to blog?

Here are five reasons why author may want to consider blogging

1. It's a simple, easy and a free way to build a platform. You could use hosted blogging platforms like Blogger for example which is free and easy to setup, especially for beginners. There are other hosted blogging platforms like Wordpress, Typepad, and Tumblr (although Tumblr is more like re-blogging) just to name a few of the more common hosted blogging formats. Or you could invest in a stand alone blog if you want more flexibility or control over your blog, but this usually incurs some cost.


2. It also provides a way to keep your readers or potential readers informed about events, book signings and  book releases. It allows authors ways to interact with readers as well as granting them access to authors on a more personal and intimate level if preferred.


3. If you are self-published, it can open up new opportunities for traditional publishers and/or agents to find your work and get a sense of your writing style and voice. It could very well lead to a publishing deal, freelance jobs or speaking engagements. 


4. Social networks are always changing. Do you remember Myspace? Authors should have a common community where they can interact within their own social community and maintain consistency even throughout all the constant changes of social media. 


5. It's free promotion for your book and a way to build your brand. (I will discuss what a brand is in a later post) So stay tuned. :-)

There are no rules when it comes to blogging or choosing a blogging platform. Do what best suits you and your writing career. Blogging may not be an viable option for you right now, but it is definitely something to think about. 

For blogging resources check out the following:

• Mashable
• Blogging Tips
• Problogger

Do you think blogs are great tools for authors? Do you blog?

Book Trailers for Thursday: Input Needed

Hey all. Hope everyone is having an awesome Thursday. Book trailers are primarily used as a promotional tool to get readers interested in buying the book. I admit I watch movie trailers all the time, especially when I'm bored but mainly to get ideas of what I like and don't like in regards to book trailers. I am currently having a book trailer made for my upcoming novel, "Waiting on Heaven." Woohoo! So, I figured I'd post some book trailers that I personally like and see what you all thought of them so I'd know if creating future book trailers would be beneficial to me in the long run. 

*Room by Emma Donoghue is by far my favorite book trailer. You have to watch it.*

After watching the trailers tell me... 

• Does a trailer make you want to buy the book or at the very least make you interested in finding out more info? 

• Have you ever bought a book after viewing a book trailer?

• Do you actively search for book trailers?

• Do you prefer words across the screen or voice-overs?

• What are some of your favorite book trailers?

Your input is greatly appreciated.

Blessings!

Enjoy the book trailers!

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Room by Emma Donoghue
Release Date: September 13, 2010
(Litte, Brown and Company)





Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

Release Date: December 21, 2010

(St. Martins Press)

 

The Black Prism by Brent Weeks

Release Date: September 1, 2011
(Orbit Publishing)

Crave by Melissa Darnell

Release date: October 25, 2011
(Harlequin Teen)

 

Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen

Release date: September 20, 2011

(HarperTeen)

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Don't forget to check out this week's 

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

A FREE PERSONALIZED, AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF "MONEY CAN'T BUY LOVE" BY NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR CONNIE BRISCOE

CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE INFO:

Donna Hill and Connie Briscoe Interviews Coming Soon

This week has been hectic. I'm trying to get my blog mojo back. What have I been up to? I've been putting the finishing touches on my book with my editor. It's like going to school. I'm thrilled when she sends my work back to me and I notice there is not alot of red. Then there have been a couple of times when I see so much red, I am appalled at myself. But that's the great part of editing, getting it polished so the readers don't see red, right?

Well, my book is coming out this fall, it's called Waiting on Heaven. So stay tuned for that. Plus, I have an anthology called If I Had My Way, which is a collection of short stories due to release in September. Each short story will be sold separately or you can buy all ten short stories as a collection sold as an anthology. I will be giving away the anthology (all ten short stories) to the readers of my blog as an eBook for those that want to do a review, interview or just want it to read in exchange for an honest review on Amazon. My way of saying thank you for the support.

Also, next week I will be posting the book trailer for Waiting to Heaven and hopefully soon thereafter I will post the book trailer for If I Had My Way.

What else...hmmm. Oh I can't forget this. My interviews with Donna Hill and Connie Briscoe will be posted next week. I'm so elated. These two women are phenomenal. If you don't know who they are, I will give you a crash course. Ready?

~Donna Hill ~

She has more than fifty published titles to her credit since her first novel was released in 1990, and is considered one of the early pioneers of the African American romance genre. Three of her novels have been adapted for television. She has been featured in Essence, the New York Daily News, USA Today, Today’s Black Woman, and Black Enterprise among many others.

~ Connie Briscoe ~

She  has had seven novels, one novella, and one nonfiction book published. Her first novel, Sisters and Lovers, sold more than 100,000 hardcover copies and about 500,000 copies in paperback. It's one of my favorites, I have it on my shelf now. So I suppose I was one of the 500,000.

Did that jog your memory? Hope so. If not, that's okay. I will bring you up to speed next week with each of their interviews. So stay tuned and check back because I always love your feedback.

Another giveaway, The Hill and Briscoe Book Giveaway, will run during the interviews with Donna Hill and Connie Briscoe. Winners will be chosen from followers who comment on the Donna Hill or Connie Briscoe interview. One winner will receive a book written by Donna Hill and the other winner will receive a book written by Connie Briscoe. Winners will be chosen by Random.org. I will announce which book is up for the giveaway at the time I post the interview.


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Also don't forget to enter the Back to the Books Giveaway Hop. I am giving away two lovely book baskets filled with lots of bookish treats and relaxation for U.S. residents. And $25 towards purchases at the Book Depository for international participants. So anyone can enter and win. Click Back to Books Giveaway Hop for more details.

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That's all I got today. Stay tuned for the start of the blog hop and have a happy Wednesday.