THINGS ARE CHANGING

This blog was started years ago when I first started writing. As most things go with time, it needs a change. Since we started Mantle Rock Publishing, I've been writing a blog there also, and with this blog, a blog for teen girls from church and the MRP blog, I'm spending way too much time on blogging. Something has to go. It will be this blog.

I invite you to go to www.mantlerockpublishing.com. I have a blog there, mostly about writing and what is happening at MRP and the writing industry. I'm getting ready to do a face lift with this website in the next few days. I hope to have it completed by the week-end.

If you go to MRP, you'll find books you can order through us at a cheaper price. You'll also get to meet the authors we represent. You'll even be able to purchase books before they release. We're thinking about a book club where members can buy books at an even lower price.

I'm excited about the change. I'm trying to decide on a look right now. I really think my website is immature and boring, so I want to jazz it up and make it prettier and more user friendly.

There will be a RSS feed where you can sign up for the blog to be delivered to you. I know I have it with this blog, but I'd never gotten it for MRP. A lovely person at my web host was kind enough to tell me what I needed to know. Thanks Jamee V.

I appreciate those of you who have stuck with me through the years. I'm not leaving you, just moving to another place. I think I'll be able to spend more time having a better blog. I hope you will follow me.

Have a wonderful day and I hope to see you on www.mantlerockpublishing.com/blog

TERRIBLE TUESDAY

Yes, today is a terrible Tuesday. I don't have many of these days, but this has hit me with a vengeance. My allergies have turned into something worse. My hubby has gone for another kind of medicine, something to help the congestion in my chest.

When you are self-employed, you don't have sick days. Man, I wish I could! Instead, I have to work with a tissue in one hand and my other on the computer keys. Not fun. It's been almost a week since I started sniffling. This should be over soon. Please!

Things are in limbo right now with Mantle Rock. I'm deep in an edit and waiting to hear from the Library of Congress with numbers for another book. I've ordered a proof, but so far it hasn't come. I'm anxious to get it because I think it is a beautiful book. It's always good to look over it before I approve it for publication.

I'm taking more email addresses for my newsletter. If you are not on the list, and haven't received one yet, please reply to this post. For safety reasons, put your email as ddd at ddd dot com. That way it can't be copied. If you want to send me a personal email, please email me at kattanderson4 at gmail dot com.

This is it for today. I'm still working on my blog and trying to get it all in one place. I'll let you know as soon as I do.

DO AUTHORS NEED A PLATFORM?

This is a little authory today, because I'm working on this platform thingy. Since I"m working on a platform for Mantle Rock Publishing, I thought it might be interesting to hear some of your views.

All authors hear the word "platform" from the day they start writing. Everyone tells them they need one, but no one hardly ever tells them how. The how part for me is the hardest thing to do. But here it goes.

1. If you want to be recognized by your peers, other authors, you have to get yourself out there. That includes social media, blogs, comments on other blogs and plain old word of mouth. It takes time, but if you are diligent and work on it every day, it pays off.

2. Do you do social media? Most of us have a Facebook page, but as an author, do you have an Author Page on Amazon? I'll admit that I haven't checked mine in a while, but you need to. One of my friends, a multi-published author, tells me she links every blog to her author page, Facebook and other social media pages. To be honest, I hadn't thought of linking my blog to my author page. I do link it to Facebook and Twitter.

3. Do you know how many friends you have on Facebook? I hadn't thought about that for a while, but I have a lot. Not all of them are regular followers, but I do get several comments from close friends. That's part of your platform. Try to post something on Facebook each day. You'll be surprised how many people will read what you write.

4. Talk to your friends. Word of mouth is the cheapest way to build up a platform. When you think about it, how much time do you spend with friends who have like interests? I find I talk a lot to friends about books. Several of them have become fans of the same authors I am. I've introduced them to a bunch of new authors and that has helped that author's fan base. One thing I tell authors when we sign the contract is to talk, blog and go on loops about their book. Start early. As soon as I send them a cover, I want them to start showing it and being proud of what they have done. No one can talk about your book like you can. You are excited and your voice and use of words show it.

5. Are you a member of writing loops? I'm a member of American Christian Fiction Writer's. We are a dedicated bunch of authors, both published and unpublished, who want to write Christian fiction. We have a loop, zones, teaching programs, conference and just about anything else you can think of that pertains to writing. This is one of the best ways to get noticed in the writing industry. Write on loops and have your signature line with your future and past books on it. 

6. Write a blog. I've been reading Michael Hyatt's blog recently about platform. He has some very good things that should help all of us with our writing. When you write your own blog, link it to your Facebook, Twitter and Author Page on Amazon. Let people know what you are doing. 

There is so much information out there about platform, and I encourage every writer to build a good platform, a good fan base. Find something you are interesting in doing and work that into your blogs. We all have our specialties.  There are things we all do that can help us build a fan base. What do you do and how do you feel about platform? I may be all wrong about this, but I believe if people know who we are and what we do, we'll sell more books.

CATCHING UP

Labor Day threw me off this year. We didn't do anything, but I was getting ready for my newsletter and time went by so quickly. I hope I'm back on track.

I'm also hoping for some cooler weather and rain. My allergies are giving me fits. Our neighbors on both sides mowed their yards yesterday, and I went to the mailbox in the middle of their mowing. That was not a good idea when you're allergic to dust. I'm also allergic to perfumes and last night was not a good night at church. I don't know why so many women, and men, want to put on a bunch of smelly stuff. It really gives me fits. I'm all stuffed up now, but I will be better by Sunday and ready to go again.

Mantle Rock is booming. We're received two contracts and another one is on the way.

 Amy C. Blake signed with us for her Young Adult book, Whitewashed. I loved the book about a college freshman and the events in her life. Really, it is a good book for anyone, but I'm sure late teens and early twenties will enjoy it and can identify with it. It will be published February 15, 2015.

Hope Toler Dougherty signed with her book, Irish Encounter. I've always enjoyed books about older people. We have too many about pretty young  things. This is a book about a mature, fortyish widow. It's still a very young forty and it's a romance. Yes, there is still romance after forty. Hope's book will release May 1, 2015.

I'm so excited to be receiving a contract from Pam Harris. Pam is in my writing group, KenTen Writers, and I've known her for a couple of years or more. She's a teacher and former principal. Her book is Ghosts of Graceland. Yes, it is Elvis' Graceland. I've wanted to publish this book since I read it last year. It's a tween book and the pace will keep you and your child wanting to read more. Ghosts of Graceland will release March 15, 2015.

Editing is the most tiring thing for me to do, but it has to be done. I'm editing a large novel by Dr. Patrick Johnston, Eva's Sacrifice. Eva will be released January 2, 2015. This is a very exciting. It's a suspense and well written. I met Patrick at American Christian Writers Conference and talked to him last year. He's a very energetic doctor with nine children, which he and his wife homeschool. I don't know when he writes, but he is a talented writer.

I'm making cookies today for our college granddaughter. She and her roommate are probably starving. These are the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever made. The recipe is in the back of Heartsong by Nicola Furlong. It's worth the price of the book to get the cookies. We make them with white chocolate and butterscotch chips. Delicious!

Right now we cannot take anymore children's books until 2016 and I'll only be taking one that year. We have three to print in 2015 at this writing. Although children's books are easier to print, they are also harder to sell. I'm really looking for more general fiction, romance and suspense. We have three Biblical historical books with a children's edition for each book contracted for 2015. It's already a busy year.

Sorry I missed writing Tuesday. I'll try to do better next week.