Julia Barrett's World

I need to take a moment to focus on my fellow authors - enough with the me…my…mine crap.

So, the good. Author Brynn Paulin has a sweet, hot little number on the Amazon Kindle bestseller list - way to go, Brynn! As of 5/25, she’s rated at number 69 - a good erotic romance position! Here’s wishing Brynn much well-deserved success. Hey Brynn - Beauty and the Feast just got listed in Amazon’s Kindle store! Yay! Now back to you…

http://www.amazon.com/Punished-Taboo-Wishes-ebook/dp/B003BEEAFS/ref=pd_ts_kinc_69?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text

Another good. My secret on-line lover, Mia Watts, has written a dynamic post about do’s and don’t’s for aspiring authors. I think a whole lot of us who try to make writing our livelihood consider her words to be pretty much spot on. The post is entitled, Tips and Tricks, and she posted it on 5/25. Thanks, Mia.

http://www.writersevolution.blogspot.com/

These two tips are my faves:

4. “Don’t Diva. No, seriously, don’t. You aren’t all that. None of us is. Just because someone asked you to submit, or had you sign a contract, there is ALWAYS someone who knows more than you. Acting like there isn’t just makes you a huge ass. If you didn’t realize it before, figure it out quickly… WE ALL TALK. No shit. The editors from multiple houses chat with each other and know the authors who pull power-plays. The authors writing for multiple houses and discover your assiness won’t play nice if you’re going to shit on them. The publishers chat amongst themselves, too.
It is rare indeed where I lay out my cards and piss off a publisher. I’ve done it. Just makes sure it’s deserved.
Readers know when you’re self-absorbed. Keep it in mind. I don’t want to hear any of you say, “Do you KNOW who I AM?” or I’ll smack you. It’s for your own good, so say thank you and move on.

5. Never stop learning. You are not the all-knowing grand poobah of authorhood. Learn from your peers even if you think you’re better than them. New authors tend to have a temporary superiority complex. That’s okay so long as you get over it and realize that every person in the industry and out of it has something valid to offer. Learn from it and use it in your writing. It makes you a better person and a better author.”

The good. Author Katalina Leon and I agree that romance and erotic romance writers are not stupid. We may come from a variety of backgrounds and educational experiences but generally speaking, we are a well-read bunch of folk. Check out the comments from yesterday’s post on philosophy.

The bad. I got dog poo on my hand yesterday when I was walking my dog. He stepped in another dog’s poo and I had to clean it off with piles of grass and leaves because my dog was so totally grossed out he refused to take one more step with that poo on his foot. So as a result, we were both grossed out.

The badder bad. My author friend, Regina Carlysle, is going through a very challenging time and needs good thoughts, prayers if you got ‘em and just general positive vibes sent her way. Regina is another one of those big-hearted, generous, supportive authors who has held my hand many times over the past three years. All the power that is given to me is sent to you, Regina. Hang in there. You are loved.

Tomorrow: Mythology.

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More posts coming but we’re busy making eggs benedict with waffles and watching the NCAA softball regionals.

I’ll get back to you later with a new post and/or posts.

I’m so embarrassed! Katiebabs mentioned me on her WTF post today. I accidentally ratted out a friend. Aaaack! Sorry!

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Yeah, some days it’s like that!

Rebecca at Dirty Sexy Books wrote a genius piece back on February 23 entitled -

The Ten Biggest Mistakes Authors Make On Their Websites.

You can check it out here: (and I asked her permission to quote her, thanks Rebecca!)

http://www.dirtysexybooks.com/Dirty_Sexy_Books/Home/Entries/2010/2/23_The_Ten_Biggest_Mistakes_Authors_Make_on_Their_Websites.html

The first mistake she mentions is the lack of a website. I have to agree. In this internet age I’m shocked when I try to find information about an author and her books and google turns up bupkiss!

The second mistake? No blog. She’s right - every single day isn’t necessary but a once a week would be nice. I do get frustrated when I hope to hear what other authors are up to and they have a site, but the last post was a year ago. Where are you, my friend?

Uh-oh, the third mistake is to bury our stuff under a nest of links. Guilty as charged? I try to keep my links to the side but sometimes I wonder if I have too many - but I love those links! Each one means something to me. I’ll try to keep in mind, simplify and minimize!

Fourth - link bait for bloggers - Ladies, we need a hook so bloggers find us interesting, you know, like a freebie, a short story that ties into our upcoming release, a freebie for readers and fans. Okay - workin’ on it!

Five - ignoring your website - that kind of ties in with Mistake Number Two.

Six? A picture of myself? Are you effin’ crazy? I have deep and abiding personal reasons for NOT having a photo. I do have an icon. I know it’s not exactly me, but my icon is a smiling redhead, like me! If you read Captured, you know what I look like and you know what kind of potty mouth I have.

Seven is very important, IMO. Mistake Seven - They don’t promote anyone but themselves. This one is of such significance that I think I’ll quote it in its entirety:

Your website is one of your best marketing tools, and so this statement might seem counterproductive, but don’t always talk about yourself. That’s right, talk about other books, places, and people too. It’s uncomfortable to visit a site that sells itself too hard, so to avoid that trap, spend some time promoting your favorite authors. I love to visit Charlaine Harris’s website because she blogs about what she’s reading every few weeks. Maybe you’re wondering, what if I read something that stinks like a road-kill skunk? Then preserve your reputation and don’t mention it (let an asshole like me stomp on it), but be sure to give props to the books that you DO like.

Mistake number Eight - We forget to mention and/or link to the reviewers who review our books. Rebecca suggests a separate review page that contains links to all our book reviews. Again - workin’ on it!

Number Nine - Author’s don’t interact with their fans. Well, I do and most authors I know do. My fans are precious to me. If they take the time to comment or email me, I will reply. I’ve been on the non-receiving end. I’ve written to authors to tell them how much I enjoyed their books and I never hear, so…their books come to mean less to me. On the other hand, when an author responds, his/her books come to mean a great deal more.

Last but not least - Number Ten - We don’t offer a high-resolution image of the cover. Sorry, my website won’t always support a high res cover image and I suck at sizing. Some authors are really savvy. They know exactly how to fix these things and they are on my most admired list.

I am terrible when it comes to taking advice - stubborn, headstrong, impulsive, but Rebecca has made some excellent points. I’m trying to learn how to learn when it comes to this blogging stuff. Thanks!

In other news - Beauty and the Feast - waiting for your recipes and go visit with the delightfully irreverent Chris and her kitties at Stumbling Over Chaos to see how to win a copy. http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/

Brynn Paulin is hosting me over at Wednesday Wonder Writers: http://brynnpaulin.blogspot.com/

Stop by!

Author Donna George Storey has a great little novella in The Cougar Book - Comfort Food. I have a copy of the book to give away, signed by me cuz I have a story in there too - great minds think alike! Speaking of websites, here’s hers -

http://www.donnageorgestorey.com/

Okay, done for the day! Julia

P.S. Just finished: Game Change. Just started: The Lady in the Tower.

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