Friday, June 6, 2014

One Author's Eye Opener: How D’vorah’s Book Marketing Challenge Changed my Vision



Welcome bloggers. Grab a cup of tea (or other beverage of choice) to enjoy with today’s topic, though I promise to keep it succinct.

I'll start with a question:  Have you ever accomplished something important only to learn you could have reached the same results by following a more direct path? That’s quite how I felt after writing my memoir last year and publishing it independently.

When I read D’vorah Lansky’s email in April inviting me to join her 30-day Book-Marketing Challenge, I felt certain I’d missed the boat: that is, I’d published without a clue as to what I would do next—not to mention that it’s an e-jungle out there. How could anyone claim to have a direct path for writers to reach their zenith, never mind their next rung on the book-marketing ladder?

Could D’vorah’s course help me? With the phrase “learning the hard way” looming large in my psyche, I signed up for her challenge.

Probably the single most unexpected outcome has been this marvelous lesson:  D’vorah creates a judgment-free zone where information is helpful regardless of where a participant falls on the learning continuum. Her forums are fun and informative even for less gregarious types.

Another impressive aspect of this course is that day after day D’vorah offered articles by subject-matter experts, and augmented these with live calls, audio presentations, checklists and other handy materials, making this a substantial learning experience. In particular, I will be applying two key strategies: collecting honest book reviews and guest blogging. Perhaps my loudest call to action will be to publish my book online (I hope within the month), as I now feel equipped to do. Did I mention this was all FREE (though for under $100 you can upgrade for even more features)?

So, how did D’vorah change my vision in her 30-day challenge? She and her team of experts catapulted me from a seemingly gormless spot by equipping me with knowledge, an action plan, a road map, AND many interesting acquaintances; for these gifts I am grateful!

About my memoir 

Water’s Edge: Growing Up in the Heart of a New England Village is set in pastoral Western Massachusetts and the Adirondacks during the 1950s and ’60s. 
It is a daughter’s introspective answer to the question of what happens when a woman gives up her dream of becoming a nun and marries a self-proclaimed Bohemian. In this poignant memoir of a young, inquisitive girl’s coming of age, we peer through a compassionate lens at pivotal events and conflicts fueled by her mother’s peculiar strictness and her family's legacy of secrets.


To visit my author page, go to: https://facebook.com/VickieNewmanBooks

For details on how to get a .pdf file of my memoir, in exchange for your honest review, or to buy a beautifully-bound book, send your email to me: VickieNewmanBooks@gmail.com. 

48 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Your book sounds truly intriguing. And, when my unread tower no longer threatens the world, I will be back.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hahaha, I can relate to your unread tower! Enjoy your selections.

Susan said...

I loved your memoir, Vickie.

Looking forward to many blog posts, too!

Hope your Saturday is delightful! Susan

Musings, Tea, and Me said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Thank you so much, Susan. I'm glad you enjoyed my memoir. Hope you also have a wonderful Saturday. - Vickie

Unknown said...

Yes, Vickie, it was indeed an eye-opening experience! I'm drinking tea, by the way, as I read this. I'm glad we met during this Challenge!

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Thanks for stopping by, Donna. I'm glad we met too - it's one of the fringe benefits of working together on a 30-day effort! Have to get a refill myself and hop along the blogs a bit.

Ann Goodfellow said...

I really hope that you can achieve your dream and get your book published. I enjoyed the challenge and all the information given, though at times is was quite overwhelming. I am starting small with daily input to my Facebook Author page, and will get on with other challenges fairly soon. Have a look at my FB page facebook.com/ann.m.m.goodfellow

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Thank you, Ann! Yes we have our work cut out for us, don't we? My philosophy is: "slow and steady...." I will be visiting FB and other blog hops for the next few days and will comment as I go. Best of luck and stay in touch!

Unknown said...

Hello from Spain: I just discovered your blog thanks to Susan's blog writingstraightfromtheheart. I really like your blog. I have a blog dedicated to Barbie dolls. I do situations of everyday life. I invite you to visit my blog: all4barbie.blogspot.com If you want to keep in touch. I became a follower of your blog.

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi: Welcome to the blogging world. I look forward to getting to know you. I too am a quilter and lover of tea cups. Have a wonderful week. I invite you to join us for Tea Cup Tuesday. Each week ladies picture anything about tea. Have a great weekend. Blessings, Martha

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Your book sounds really interesting. so happy to have found your blog and I'm a new follower!
hugs,
Linda

Peg said...

Looking forward to reading your book when I finally get this marketing rolling! My book is "Telling Secrets", a novel about a woman who must transform herself and her entire life when she discovers the truth behind the family secrets. Sounds like we have a connection!

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi Marta, So nice to hear from you! Thank you for stopping by and joining my blog. Susan is such a welcoming person - that was a great introduction she gave me. I am going to visit your blog the moment I finish answering my visitors' posts (won't take too long, hahaha). Susan is right: blogging is fun. Look forward to keeping in touch - Barbie dolls? The real live "Barbie's" son lives locally! His mom was her mom's model for the doll. Small world, huh?

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi Martha, Thanks for your warm welcome - I am so pleased to connect and look forward to hearing about (and seeing) your quilt and tea-cup posts. Enjoy your weekend too. Vickie

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Thank you, Linda. I'm happy you found me too! Thanks for signing up to follow. I helped my husband and son do the heavy job of mulching today, so my blog check-ins are spotty. I'll be very curious what my first guests' impressions and interests. Have a lovely weekend. See you soon

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi Peg, Hope you'll have smooth sailing with your marketing! Yes, it'll be fun to learn more about each other. Thanks for posting and for your interest. I'm intrigued by your title alone, so I'll be checking out your blog and book. Enjoy the weekend!

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi Susan, Well we've been busy yard-workers! So much mulch so little time...or should I say: so many weeds? Hahaha. Arent' gardens lovely?

Terra said...

Hi Vicki, I came over from Susan's blog to say hi. I co-authored 2 books and so I know the need for marketing and figuring out what works. Best wishes on your book.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi Terra, Thanks for visiting and for wishing me luck w/ my book. I'll stop by your place in a few minutes! - Vickie

Unknown said...

Vickie, you had sent a message earlier which I was going to respond too after visiting your blog. I cannot find that message. Can you re-send?
Mike Orban

Chatty Crone said...

I am here from Susan's blog too. I am going on a blog vacation right now - so I won't be visiting for awhile. I am so sorry! Good luck - Susan is a great friend.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Sure, Mike....let me navigate my way there...

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi there! Have a wonderful vacation and when you come back I hope you'll visit again....if not, I'll come find you!

Linda O'Connell said...

Hi Vickie,
Welcome to blog land. As I sit her sipping a cup of blueberry tea, I am reminded of beautiful New England. Please drop by for a visit or to follow my blog.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi Linda,
So happy you visited, and thanks for your welcome to blog land! I'm going to refresh my tea and stop in at your blog for a visit! See you there.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Linda - I am one of your newer followers....I got confused because it looks like I might have to sign in to leave you a comment there - is that the case? Mainly I want to say that I love your site and your stories! That's why I signed up to follow you. However, for the past 30 days, I've been taking an online book-marketing challenge and I think my brain is on overload...Hope you can help me with regard to your blog's sign in policy....How did you do that?! BTW, I'm have an ginger-peach tea that is outstanding!

Anonymous said...

I've also been learning the hard way. I'm so glad I took the challenge. Good luck with your memoir.

Bookie said...

I have no book but I do write--fiction and poetry published in anthologies, magazines, and literary journals. I love tea!!! It is a big part of my day, my life. Greetings to your new blog! Drop by for a visit when you can.

Renee Alter said...

Hi Vickie, I am visiting your blog. I am wondering, though, don't you want your name to appear somewhere on it? It isn't even on your complete profile. I suggest adding your facebook fanpage link on this site as well. The only reason I know your name is because it is written by Hop 49. I also connected with you via facebook on Loretta's fanpage party.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Thanks, Roxanne! Glad I took it too, and happy to have met you as well.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Geesh, Renee, good points all! Thanks. Funny I noticed it on others' blogs but not my own. I'm going to fix that. I don't know how to link my author page, but will add the url....that should do it, right? Glad you visited and happy we connected.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Thanks for stopping by! Another tea drinker - great. I'm heading to your blog from here....

Unknown said...

Vickie, I'm so glad you are enjoying the book marketing challenge. Bravo to you for having the courage to "step on the path" and take action to achieve your dream. Can't wait to hear about your soon-to-be published book!

BECKY said...

Welcome to Blogland, Vickie! It's very nice to meet a kindred spirit!

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Thank you, D'vorah! I thoroughly enjoyed your course and will keep you posted.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi Becky, It's great to be here and meet wonderful fellow bloggers! Look forward to getting to know you.

Shirley Corder said...

Hi Vicki,
It's been good to meet up this week. I think you've liked my author page? I have liked yours. (The days have flown past so fast I've lost track!)
All the best for your book, and I hope we keep in touch.
Shirley in S.Africa

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi Shirley, Thanks for stopping in. Yes, I did "Like" your author page! Thanks for your good wishes.

Peggy's Hope 4 U said...

Vickie, it has been my great pleasure to walk through the judgment free zone by your side! I am so anxious to get to your book and I know it will continue to move and grow in the public's consciousness! I so look forward to continuing on the path by your side! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the encouragement!

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Peggy, You are a wonderful "bonus" of this 30 day challenge! Who knew I'd meet such an insightful intrepid author while drinking from D'vorah's fire hose of information? Thank you for your kind words and for the privilege of reading your book for an early and honest review....I LOVED it, as you know, and I admire all that you are doing in your community. It has been a humbling experience to find myself in the presence of wonderful people like you. Grateful our paths met at this exciting juncture!

Liz said...

I really loved your blog post. I love how you write! Gosh, I don't know what to type, it was just really authentic. I'm looking forward to getting to know you more, from one Massachusetts resident to another (I live in Billerica). Best of luck to you!

Anonymous said...

Hello Vickie, Your writing style is very clear and easy to follow. Yes, you have staged your book quite well. My book will be released in the next few weeks if I have it my way.

Feel free to sign up for my newsletter. There link in on the homepage of my website and you will receive a free report about realized wealth and well-being. www.jazzyeco.com

Have a great day.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi and thanks for your kind words.
Congrats on your book too! I'll be visiting. ;-)

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi "neighbor" Liz,
So glad you stopped by! Thanks for the compliment too....hope you'll visit again soon.

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Elizabeth, I just singed up for your report...looks interesting. Good luck with your release!

Unknown said...

Hi Vickie. We have a great deal in common: dogs and quilts. hehehe I wish you every success with your book and hope we continue our friendship

Musings, Tea, and Me said...

Hi Sharon, Glad you stopped by! Yes, I want to know more about your quilting and your dogs, too!