Friday Roundup – 23rd June

I’m off to the Island for the weekend, so I’ll leave you with these 11 links to check out.  See you all again on Monday!

1.  Jessica Bakkers reminds us not to judge a book by its cover:

Don’t judge me

2.  Have a read of these winning stories from the Bloggers Bash writing competition. Well done to all!

http://sachablack.co.uk/2017/06/17/winners-of-the-2017-bloggers-bash-writing-competition/

3.  Julianne Q. Johnson on a Writer’s Path confirms what I was told by an agent- don’t start your novel with a back story:

Starting Your Story With Backstory? Don’t

4.  Thanks to Nicholas C. Rossis for this blog on the new Amazon KDP Reports tool:

https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/amazon-is-changing-its-kdp-reports-tool/

5.  Author Marketing Experts give advice on using Amazon keywords:

https://www.amarketingexpert.com/amazon-keywords-more-buyers/

6.  D.A Bale on Book Daily gives 8 ways to convince bloggers to review your book:

http://www.bookdaily.com/authorresource/blog/post/1966703

7.  Janice Wald gives us 25 ways to avoid writer’s block when blogging:

http://www.mostlyblogging.com/avoid-writers-block/

8. Thanks to Wendy Janes for these 5 proofreading checks:

https://85k90.com/five-final-proofreading-checks-help-writing-shine-wendy-janes/

9.  Meg Dowell at A Writer’s Path gives 22 ways to impress a first time blog reader:

22 Ways to Impress a First-Time Blog Reader With Any Post

10.  Guest author Gloria Kopp on Chris, the Story Reading Ape’s blog gives 7 tips for promoting your first self-published book:

7 Tips to Help Promote Your First Self-Published Book – by Gloria Kopp…

11.  Thanks to Hugh W. Roberts and Suzanne Bowditch for this info on backing up your WordPress blog:

https://suzannebowditch.wordpress.com/2017/06/16/backing-up-your-blog-content/

 

Thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape, Nikki McDonagh, OIKOS – Redaktion, BlondieAKA, How To eBook, A Writer’s Path, Don Massenzio, and Olga Nunez Miret for the re-blogs.

 

 

 

Friday Roundup – 16th June

1.  Thanks to Indies Unlimited for the opportunity to join in this Amazon Author Page Follow Fest:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/06/09/amazon-author-page-follow-fest-june-2017/

2  Dan Alatorre gives advice on gaining more Facebook author page likes.

How To Get More Facebook Author Page Likes

3. Raymond Crain on Mostly Blogging writes of ways to increase traffic to your blog:

http://www.mostlyblogging.com/generate-better-traffic/

4.  Lauren Sapala’s guest post on A Writer’s Path gives the most sensible advice on not comparing yourself to other writers:

Why We Compare Ourselves to Other Writers (and How We Can Stop)

5.  Blonde Write More gives some good advice here for writers:

How To Accept Literary Success Might Take Years To Achieve #SundayBlogShare #Writer

6. Thanks to Indies Unlimited for this advice regarding Vanity/Indie/Traditional publishers.

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/06/12/vanity-predatory-indie-trad-what-does-that-mean-again/

7.  Thanks to AuroraJeanAlexander on Writer’s Treasure Chest for this blog on writing a book blurb:

https://aurorajalexander.wordpress.com/2016/08/24/me-and-my-book-blurb/

8.  Pekoeblaze gives 4 things learned from four years of blogging:

Four Things I’ve Learnt From Running A Blog For Four Years

9.  Michael Cristiano gives advice on how to write a novel worthy of publishing:

Throwback Thursday: How to Write a Novel That Will Actually Be Worthy of Publishing

10.  If you have enjoyed this week’s Friday Roundup, please could you click on the link below and give me a vote for my Kindle Scout campaign.  Thank you!

https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/3IQ62RDNCFI3F

Thanks to Don Massenzio, Kim’s Author Support Blog, A Writer’s Path, Jean M.Cogdell, and Jessica Bakkers for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 9th June

1.  Thanks to Janice Wald at Mostly Blogging for this info on taking your blog to the next level:

http://www.mostlyblogging.com/better-blogger-2/

2.  Libro Editing gives advice on how to keep people engaged with your blog:

https://libroediting.com/2017/06/01/how-do-i-keep-people-engaged-with-my-blog/

3.  Maja Todorovic blogs about 3 commonly made writing mistakes:

https://ryanlanz.com/2017/06/02/three-commonly-made-writing-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them/

4.  Thanks to Gary Smailes for this blog on book advances and royalties:

https://ryanlanz.com/2017/06/03/a-simple-guide-to-book-advances-and-royalties/

5.  Terry Whalin advises on how to get a wealth of social media content:

http://terrywhalin.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/how-to-get-wealth-of-social-media.html

6. Thanks to P.H Solomon for these 8 Scrivener tools:

https://storyempire.com/2017/06/05/8-scrivener-tools-that-can-help-you-today/

7.  Thanks to Authors Publish for these 22 calls for themed submissions:

http://www.authorspublish.com/22-calls-for-themed-submissions-short-stories-poetry-and-essays/

8.  Mixtus Media gives 130 hashtags to use on Instagram:

https://www.mixtusmedia.com/blog/130-of-the-best-hashtags-for-authors-on-instagram

9.  Jerry Jenkins gives us 249 powerful verbs to use:

https://www.jerryjenkins.com/powerful-verbs/

10.  Jolina Petersheim gives 10 tips for re-writing a novel:

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/10-tips-rewriting-novel?utm_source=wir&utm_campaign=wir-nl-bak&utm_content=948812_EDT_WD170606&utm_medium=email

11.  C.S Boyack tells of his best promotional source:

https://storyempire.com/2017/06/07/my-best-promotional-source/

12.  Yecheilyah Ysrayl, a guest on Chris, the Story Reading Ape’s blog, gives 15 lessons she has learned about writing:

https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2017/06/08/63386/

13.  Kristina Stanley, a guest on Dan Alatorre’s blog,  explains the Feedback Editing App.

https://danalatorre.com/2017/06/06/the-feedback-app-for-editing-guest-blog-post-by-kristina-stanley/

14.  Michael Dellert gives some advice on writing a query letter:

https://mdellert.wordpress.com/2017/06/08/fiction-query-letters-how-to-write-one/

 

Thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape, Colleen Chesebro, Jan Hawke, Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie, How to Ebook, Writer’s Digest, and Don Massenzio for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup

1.  Reedsy gives sound advice on how to copyright a book:

https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-copyright-a-book

2.  R.L Herron asks ‘Why do you pick up a book in the first place?’

https://rlherron.com/2017/05/30/why-do-you-pick-up-a-book-in-the-first-place/

3. Thanks to Staci Troilo for this info regarding an author media kit:

https://storyempire.com/2017/05/31/author-media-kit-part-4-author-and-book-information/

4.  Nicholas C. Rossis gives us 7 essential skills that are needed to become a writer:

https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2017/05/21/7-essential-skills-you-need-to-become-a-writer/

5.  Evie Gaughan gives us the definitive publishing checklist:

https://eviegaughan.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/the-definitive-self-publishing-checklist-for-people-who-arent-very-organised-and-are-absolute-beginners/

6.  Lemon Shark shows us how to embed tweets into our blog posts:

https://sarahbrentyn.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/how-to-embed-tweets-in-your-blog-post/

7.  Ryan Lanz gives us some dialogue tags do’s and don’ts:

https://worddreams.wordpress.com/2017/06/01/15016/

8.  Michael Dellert gives us some info on query letters:

https://mdellert.wordpress.com/2017/06/01/fiction-query-letters-what-they-are/

9.  Pearls Before Swine advises on things to remember when seeking book reviews:

https://thepbsblog.com/2017/06/02/things-to-remember-when-seeking-book-reviews/

10.  K.D Dowdall writes about what makes bad writing bad:

https://karendowdall.com/2017/05/26/what-makes-bad-writing-bad-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2409

Thanks to Don Massenzio, Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie, Writer’s Treasure Chest, Kim’s Author Support Blog, and Nesie’s Place for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 26th May

I’m off to the Island this afternoon to recover a bit more – see you on Wednesday!

1.   Thanks to Dustin Atlas for this blog on descriptive/prescriptive grammar:

https://blogblawgblog.wordpress.com/2017/04/30/on-descriptive-grammar-and-banal-bigotry/comment-page-1/#comment-25

2.  Good advice from Xterra Web on dialogue and punctuation:

http://editing.xterraweb.com/xterraweb-book-blog/dialogue-and-punctuation

3.  Thanks to Rachel Poli for this blog on how to find beta readers:

https://rachelpoli.com/2017/05/17/how-to-find-a-great-beta-reader-you-can-trust/

4.  Toni Pike gives us 4 tips about KDP Select:

https://tonipike.com/2017/05/21/4-tips-about-kdp-select-for-beginners/

5. Barb Drozdowich gives us 6 ways for Indie authors to use Goodreads to network:

http://selfpublishingadvice.org/6-ways-for-indie-authors-to-use-goodreads-to-network/

6.  Have you added your link to the chain?

https://acookingpotandtwistedtales.com/2016/02/22/lets-create-a-fine-chain-by-sharing-the-links/

7.  Thanks to Steven Capps for this blog on traditional publishers and marketing:

https://stevencapps.com/2017/05/22/traditional-publishers-do-help-with-marketing/

8.  Thanks to Rachel Burton, guest author on BlondeWriteMore, for these 5 things she wished she had known when writing her first novel:

https://blondewritemore.com/2017/05/21/5-things-i-wish-i-had-known-whilst-writing-my-first-novel/

9.  Nicholas C. Rossis gives us 7 essential skills a writer needs:

https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2017/05/21/7-essential-skills-you-need-to-become-a-writer/

10.  Sharon E. Cathcart gives some insight on preparing for an author appearance:

https://sharonecathcart.wordpress.com/2017/05/21/frequently-asked-question-how-do-you-prepare-for-an-author-appearance/

11.  I found this on WordPress Discover regarding book promotion using widgets:

https://discover.wordpress.com/2017/05/22/book-promotion-with-widgets/

12.  Anna Dobritt asks the question – ‘Should I blog?’

https://amdobritt.blog/2017/05/22/should-i-blog/

13.  Thanks to Carla King for these 6 tech skills that every author must learn:

https://www.bookworks.com/2017/01/six-basic-tech-skills-every-author-must-learn/

Thanks to Pizzazz Book Promotions, Don Massenzio, How to Ebook, Chris, the Story Reading Ape, and Kim’s Author Support Blog for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 19th May

1.  Thanks to Sally Cronin for this list of author services and promotion sites:

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/author-services-and-promotion-sites/

2.  Thanks to Nicholas C. Rossis for these 10 WordPress tips for beginner writers:

https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2017/05/13/10-useful-wordpress-tips-for-beginning-writers/

3.  Thanks to Roz Morris for this blog on making a living as a writer using social media:

https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2017/05/14/making-a-living-as-a-writer-how-social-media-can-be-a-long-term-investment-for-your-career/

4.  Thanks to Am I Doing This Right? for these pitch contests:

https://johnrberkowitz.wordpress.com/2017/01/05/2017-pitch-contest-calendar/

5.  Have you voted yet?

http://sachablack.co.uk/2017/05/18/2017-annual-bloggers-bash-awards-voting-open-bloggersbash-bloggersbash/#more-6477

6.  Joanna Penn, guest author on Jerry Jenkins’ blog, gives authors 3 reasons not to worry about piracy:

https://www.jerryjenkins.com/3-reasons-authors-shouldnt-worry-piracy-protect-anyway/

7.  Thanks to Rachel Poli for this blog on how to radically revise your novel:

How To Radically Revise Your Novel

Thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape, Siefkin Publications, Don Massenzio, Just Olga, Sue Vincent, and But I Smile Anyway for the re-blogs.

 

Friday Roundup – 12th May

Still not back up to full speed, but I’ve added these ones below for you this week.

1.  Toni Pike, guest author on Chris, the Story Reading Ape’s blog,  gives us 13 things to do after publishing a new book:

13 Things To Do After Publishing Your Next Book – Guest Post by, Toni Pike…

2.  Ben Taylor, a guest on Nicholas C. Rossis’ blog, tells of 5 things he learned about marketing his first book:

https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2017/05/03/5-things-i-learned-about-marketing-my-first-book/

3. Writing Your First Novel gives some POV mistakes which are easily made:

POV-Common Mistakes

4. Thanks to Daily Infographic and re-blog by Chris, the Story Reading Ape for this info on the 10 commonly misunderstood words in English:

10 Commonly Misunderstood Words in English – Infographic…

5.  Thanks to Indies Unlimited for these tips on how to make a book signing event a success:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/05/09/tips-to-help-authors-make-their-festivalevents-a-success/

6.  Phoenix Rainez gives 10 tips on how to write book reviews:

https://phoenixrainez.wordpress.com/2017/05/09/struggling-to-write-book-reviews/

7.  Rachel Poli gives 9 steps to editing a novel:

9 Steps To Editing Your Novel

Thanks to Deanie Humphrys-Dunne, Don Massenzio, Chris the Story Reading Ape, and Angie Dokos,  for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 5th May

Here’s a few goodies for writers I’ve found this week.  Soon be up and running as normal – only another 4 journeys along the A14 to go and then I am DONE with hospitals and doctors for a few months at least…

1.  Mostly Blogging gives us 17 tips to generate more traffic to our blogs:

http://www.mostlyblogging.com/traffic-generation/

2.  Janice Wald at Mostly Blogging gives advice on how to boost blog traffic from StumbleUpon:

http://www.mostlyblogging.com/stumbleupon-3/

3.  Andrew Joyce shows that hitting the bestseller lists can be done if you work hard at it:

https://andrewjoyce.wordpress.com/2017/04/30/a-letter-to-a-dispirited-writer-friend-of-mine/

4.  Judy Cullins gives some info regarding power words:

http://bookcoaching.com/use-power-words-to-spice-up-every-page-of-your-book-or-website/

5.  Thanks to Rachel Poli for these May/June writing contests:

May/June 2017 Writing Contests

6.  Thanks to my fellow Creativia author Sahara Foley for this list of free Creativia books up until 15th May 2017:

http://saharafoley.com/may-2017-free-amazon-books-by-creativiapub-authors-1st-thru-15th/

7.  Brave and Reckless gives some tips on gaining more WordPress followers:

Brave and Reckless’Advice for New WordPress Bloggers– Part 1

8.  Diane Tibert gives 5 words that will weaken sentences:

5 Words that Weaken Your Sentences

9.  Thanks to Meeka’s Mind for these tips on publishing via Word and CreateSpace:

https://acflory.wordpress.com/2017/05/04/self-publishing-via-word-and-createspace-page-setup/

Thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape, Annette Rochelle Aben, and Jean M. Cogdell for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 28th April

I haven’t been too active on social media this week as I’m into the 5th week of radiotherapy and one of the side-effects (among many) is that I really can’t be bothered to do much writing or blogging at all.  However, here’s a few blogs to help writers that I have seen when I can stay awake long enough…!

1.  Jawad Khan on ProBlogger gives us 3 techniques to build our email lists:

https://problogger.com/3-email-list-building-techniques-you-need-to-use-in-2017/

2.  Interesting blog by Roz Morris regarding self-published/traditionally published books:

https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2017/04/23/a-plea-for-reviewers-can-we-open-up-a-dialogue-about-self-published-books/

3.  G. L Cromarty tells of the benefits for writers of using Scrivener:

8 Reasons why Scrivener is my writing tool of choice #amwriting #writing #writingtools #Scrivener

4.  Beth Bacon at DBW writes about the audio book boom:

http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2017/trending-up-whats-fueling-and-feeding-the-audiobook-boom/

5.  Thanks to Barb Drozdowich for this info about networking on Goodreads:

6 Ways for Indie Authors to Use Goodreads to Network…

6. Thanks to Writing Insight Success for this blog on editors’ skills:

https://aclark2831.wordpress.com/2017/04/24/the-editors-greatest-skill-of-all/

7.  Dan Alatorre gives 3 tips for a successful book promotion:

3 Tips For A Successful Book Promotion

8.  Lindsay tells us of some writing mistakes that newbie bloggers make:

https://lindsaylovinlife.wordpress.com/2017/04/27/writing-mistakes-newbie-bloggers-make/

Thanks to HowToEbook, Firefly 465, and Chris the Story Reading Ape for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 21st April

1.  Thanks to The Incompetent Writer for this free writing course:

A Free Writing Course For You

2.  Check out these FREE Creativia books for April, courtesy of Sahara Foley:

http://saharafoley.com/april-2017-free-amazon-ebooks-by-creativiapub-authors-16th-through-30th/

3.  Blonde Write More tells of things learned one year into writing a novel:

Things You Learn A Year Into Writing A Novel #MondayBlogs #Writers

4.  Roberta Pimentel gives us 5 ways to drive more readers to our blog site:

http://robertapimentel.com/2017/04/17/3-ways-to-promote-your-blog-for-free-efficiently/

5.  D.G Kaye reminds us to be careful when sharing Amazon book links:

https://dgkayewriter.com/are-you-cleaning-up-your-amazon-links-be-careful-sharing-book-links/

6.  Nicholas C. Rossis gives us 6 low cost ways to market books:

https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2017/04/13/10-low-cost-ways-to-market-your-book/

7.  Nominations for the 2017 Bloggers Bash Awards are now open:

http://sachablack.co.uk/2017/04/17/nominations-for-the-2017-bloggers-bash-awards-are-now-live/

8.  Story Empire gives some tips for a successful book signing event:

Tips for a Successful Book Signing

9.  Reedsy gives advice regarding building dynamic characters:

https://blog.reedsy.com/dynamic-character

10.  Sandra at Build Book Buzz reminds us not to obsess over one star reviews:

https://buildbookbuzz.com/one-star-reviews/

11.  LibroEditing gives advice on entering a new line and paragraph:

How to start a new line, paragraph or page or indent a paragraph in Word 2007, 2010, 2013 or 2016

Thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape, Don Massenzio, and Kim’s Author Support Blog for the re-blogs.