Mom & Dad... World War II

 Hap & Smitty

When I had lunch the other day with Kristina McMorris, we talked about WWII (that's World War II to you younger ones) and it made me think about my folks. Mom and Dad were both in the Army Air Corp. Mom was editor for the camp newspaper and my dad was the dashing pilot instructor. Back in the early days of the war the US didn't have enough pilots so every fly boy they recruited was stationed somewhere to train 18 year olds to fly. Scary, huh? Anyway, dad was up with one of his students, something went wrong, and the plane crashed. Dad ended up in the hospital and my mom went to interview him for the paper. They fell in love. Anyway, Kristina's story Letters From Home really brought that home to me in a big way. In fact, it inspired me enough to set aside some time to do research, so we'll see what happens. In the meantime, Kristina's book is amazing and I highly recommend it.


Minnette Meador
World Weaver...
www.minnettemeador.com

Promo Links for Romance Writers

3/24/11

In preparing for my promo campaign for my books this year, I thought I’d share the review/book sites that I found during my journey. This is by no means a full list. The first listing is the most amazing review list I’ve ever seen. Please Note: Most of these sites are for romances, so, my apologizes to my non-romance friends. However, I’ve starred the ones that do more than romance. I promise when I do another fantasy/sci-fi, I’ll put up another list for you.

Please feel free to add to this list or just post with a link and I’ll add it. M:o)

http://promo-reminder.blogspot.com/p/review-sites.html

All Romance eBooks

BittenByBooks

Coffeetime Romance         

Dear Author    

Enduring Romance           

Eye on Romance   

Fallen Angels            

Fresh Fiction  

Goddess Fish Productions

Joyfully Reviewed   

Literary Nymphs

Long & Short           

Love Romance Novels      

Lovers of Romance           

Manic Readers         

Night Owl

Novel Sisterhood

Pen & Muse  

Romance Junkies  

Romance Novel TV  

Romance Review     

Romance Room       

Romance Studio

Romantic Times  

She Writes 

Smart Bitches

Talking Two Lips    

Wicked Pixie

List of Romance Promo Sites...

QUESTION OF THE DAY:
How much do you think authors pay for their promotion?
A. $10
B. $100
C. $1,000
D. $10,000
E. They just mooch off friends.




THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011

Today was dedicated entirely to promotion and man! It is amazing how much time this takes. But the good news is I had a wonderful lunch with one of my favorite friends and authors, Kristina McMorris (Letter From Home Author). She gave me lots of tips and we ate yummy Macaroni Grill delicacies...

So here's the deal; I am now the proud owner of an AMAZING list of promo site resources and I'm going to put them in a word doc and post it over at FB on my Writers Room, Tips, Tricks, & Traumas. If you join the group, you can download the list. I will have it up on the site in the AM (sometime before 9am - I think).

Hey, we got a tax refund today too! Dinner out, ya'll!

Ta!~

Minnette Meador
World Weaver...
www.minnettemeador.com

PERILS OF PROMO & POSTINGS

(Don't forget - If you comment on my any of my blog posts this week, you'll have a chance to win a book!)
 
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
How far would you go to get the word out?
A. Not beyond my door.
B. Paste a note on my car window.
C. Scream it at the top of your lungs at 2:30 in the morning.
D. Run naked with a sign held above your head that says: "Hey! Look at me!"

Thursday, March 23rd
I did a bunch of promo stuff today. When I've done this in the past, I didn't have any money, so it was fairly simple; you continuously bother everyone you know telling them to buy your book, let you blog on their website, or post PROMO: announcements on every Yahoo Group, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc., etc., etc., you can get your hands on. This year I have a little money to spend and OMG (INFINITY) its like all those things magnified a hundred times. You have to contact the sites, find out about pricing, pick from a wonderful plethora of posting choices, get your book edited so you can turn it in early to get a review, get the book cover from you publisher, answer interview questions, write up about a thousand articles about yourself, and many, many much more disturbing things... and all of it has to be done in advance. Kind of hard when you're still working on the book! Anyway... that's what I've been doing today. You guys are going to be soooo sick of me by the end of the year!

Tomorrow is writing day... oh, and lunch with a wonderful author (I'm not worthy) Kristina McMorris, who has been an amazing mentor to me... Ta! :o)

Minnette Meador
World Weaver...
www.minnettemeador.com

Reviewing the Reviewers - NightOwl Romance

I have been busy this week setting up promo, blogs, and ads for my books coming out this year and it dawned on me: There are all these amazing sites out there that provide invaluable information to readers and writers alike, yet I hardly ever see them get reviewed. I'm going to try to change that. Once a week I will review a web site that I particularly like. I'm starting with...

I had the best lunch today with Tammy over at Night Owl Romance. I met her a couple of years ago when she first joined Rose City Romance here in Portland and instantly liked this wonderful lady. She and her husband have worked hard to make this one of the premier romance review sites on the internet. In fact, they are expanding rapidly into other genres as well; Sci-Fi/Fantasy, YA, Suspense, Erotica, and Paranormal.Here is just a taste of what they have to offer:

Science Fiction | Teen | Romance | Paranormal | Suspense | Erotica | Mainstream Reviews | Magazine | Contests | Web Hunts | Interviews | Author Sites | Chat | Blog | Promo | Free Reads | Contact

 

Tammy and her DH work tirelessly to get information out to the readers about the books that are coming out and help the writers get the word out. If you are a reader, I HIGHLY recommend this site; there is absolutely something for everyone. And if you're a writer, I HIGHLY recommend that you use this site and often. Thanks for a great lunch, Tammy! You are an angel...

Minnette Meador
World Weaver...
www.minnettemeador.com

STUNNING SHIPS & STOIC SACRIFICE...

 (Don't forget - If you comment on my blog this week you will be entered into a drawing to win a book!)

QUESTION OF THE DAY?
What is the role of a mentor in your story?
A. He should die poignantly so that his death propels the hero onto his journey.
B. He should sacrifice himself to the powers that be so the rest of the companions can move on?
C. He should find another job and move to Canada.
D. He should kill the hero and switch sides.

Which do you think my mentor did today?

TUESDAY, MARCH 22ND - 48K (8K since Sunday)

Researched: Egyptian and Roman Merchant ships, scabbards, map, maps, oh, and more maps, library at Alexandria (not in my book, but was distracted for a while), the port of Rutupiae (where the Romans landed and did their shipping in Britannia), reading livers, praying to Asklepios, and harbors.

The ship in the picture above is actually a form of my pirate ship... oops, I've said too much! Never mind. ~whistles~ I have come to the realization that writers are, after all, sadists. We torture our creations, make them suffer horribly, and then... torture them some more. And we smile all the way through, especially if the torture is particular gruesome. Sadists. 

Tomorrow, one of the first big reveals is going to happen... but not tonight.Been writing since 7:30 this AM and am ready for some mind foam... Ta~! :o)


Minnette Meador
World Weaver...
www.minnettemeador.com

TRAUMA & DRAMA...

QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Who would you go out with first?
A. A gladiator?
B. A Roman soldier?
C. A Greek doctor?
D. An ancient pirate captain?
Which, beside the gladiator, do you think is a good guy in my book?



MONDAY, MARCH 21st

So, I went in for my interview and I start back at my old job (but with new duties) starting on Monday. I had some wonderful advice and really appreciate everyone who responded, but I think there's a lot to be said about having money. I, for one, am all for it. Plus, I get to work with some very amazing people whom I really miss (you know who you are).

Because I have to start on Monday, this week is going to be a marathon. I have to finish my book (up to 46K as of right now, so only about 40K more to go - Yikes!!), get all my marketing set up, get my house in order (well, more order), and say goodbye to sleeping in, work outs when the gym is empty, and shopping on Tuesdays. ~Goodbye~ I am still jazzed...

Didn't have to do any research today (already know lots about Roman soldiers). My heroine got in big trouble today, the hero rescued her (better late than never), they now have three bodies buried behind them that will be found before they are out of the country, and my hero is being stoic... again! My mentor's number may be up tomorrow... we shall see. Oh, and I added tabs to my blog page ~squee~ I'm so good!

Tomorrow all...

Minnette Meador
World Weaver...
www.minnettemeador.com