Happy 35th Birthday to Stacy Deanne!

Hello All,

Well yes, I am back on my friend Shelia’s blog again and it’s a pleasure as always. I don’t know why I wanted to write this post just, wanted to feel special on my day I guess. What can I say except for the fact that I am blessed to be here for another year. I have to admit that I have a few butterflies in my stomach about turning thirty-five but part of learning new experiences is getting older and experiences are the best part of life.

You know when you’re a kid and you wondered how your life would be at thirty-five? You probably imagined yourself married and with kids. Maybe you are. I never thought about it much. I guess you can call me one of those people who never wanted to grow up. A part of me is stuck in my childhood but that’s what makes me unique. Isn’t it funny? When we’re kids we wish we were older and when we’re older we wish we were kids. LOL! I guess we’re never satisfied huh?

Well I have a lot to be proud about right now. I finally got my butt up last year and enrolled in college. Yep. I had planned to for a few years but I’d been procrastinating. I’ve never been to college. I started writing straight out of high school so this is a new experience for me and I’m loving it so far. I’m proud of myself, truly proud. It’s not many times one gets to say they are proud of themselves. I am doing something to better myself and that’s always a great thing.

As for my writing life, oh! I definitely can’t complain on that. I am doing wonderful with that. Yeah I had a fantastic 2012. I had support from all around the board. I am truly, truly blessed. I feel like finally, things are settling in.

I remember what my mother (RIP) always told me when I was going through the terrible twenties. Oh yeah I hated my twenties. I was a mental wreck. The only thing that kept me sane was writing. Mom told me that being in your thirties is the best part of your life. She also said that things get better as you get older. She’s right. The older I get, the more I accept myself. The older I get, the more I appreciate. The older I get, the happier I am just to be able to do what I love.

Well, that’s really all I wanted to say. Rarely do people get to take a glimpse inside a writer’s soul and I wanted to share mine. I am happy, truly happy to be turning thirty-five. And, I’m happy, truly happy to be me.

Best Wishes!

Check out my current release, The Season of Sin: http://tiny.cc/i809bw

Stay tuned for The Wild Life, the third installment in the Bree and Steven Interracial Suspense series coming July 2013 from Peace in the Storm Publishing.

http://www.stacy-deanne.net

Hi All,

I’m popping into Shelia’s lovely blog again to talk a bit about my new book, The Season of Sin. It’s book two in the Bree and Steven Interracial Romantic Suspense series and I bring out all the stops!

Albany Detectives Brianna “Bree” Morris and Steven Kemp are back of course and this time they help Homicide Detective Jayce Matthews invest the murder of Dr. Nadia Hollister, Bree’s friend and psychiatrist. When Bree is knocked out, Nadia is killed upstairs and from there secrets run amok.

I feel readers will find the characters engaging. None are predictable and you’ll spend as much time trying to figure them out as you do the mystery. This time the book focuses on Nadia’s family, mainly her daughter and the world of secrets that slowly gets uncovered during the investigation.

Bree and Steven are still going through the motions with their attraction for another but someone is thrown into the mix that complicates things further.

With The Season of Sin you will get kick-butt suspense, mind-boggling twists and eye-popping passion! It’s a book that lovers of all types of fiction will enjoy. There’s a little something for everyone no matter your favorite genres.

So if I’ve convinced you, feel free to check out my site and read more about the series.
Don’t forget to check out Giving up the Ghost, the first book in the series if you haven’t already!

About The Season of Sin:
Detective Brianna “Bree” Morris and her partner and ex-lover Steven Kemp are back. This time they are thrown head first into a gruesome homicide that brings forth as many secrets as it does clues.

Brianna’s psychiatrist, Dr. Nadia Hollister is stabbed to death in her upstairs bathroom. Brianna, who is at Nadia’s while the murder happens, is the only witness. Unfortunately she was knocked unconscious by the killer and only has the memory of the killer’s scent to go on.

Brianna and Steven sign on to help Homicide Detective Jayce Matthews solve the case. With Nadia’s journals as her guide, Bree learns that Nadia was keeping a devastating secret that has something to do with her adopted daughter. The renowned doctor was not whom she seemed to be and her secret may not have only got her killed but could ruin the foundation of her entire family.

The police hunt for suspects but Nadia’s secret could wreck the lives of many, all who have motive to kill her.
The deeper Brianna and Steven dig into Nadia’s past; the more they question whether Nadia was the true victim after all.

Thanks, Shelia for welcoming me again! I look forward to readers continuing the journey with me as I explore further into this series.

The Season of Sin is available in print and ebook and for $4.99 on Kindle: http://tiny.cc/i809bw
Giving up the Ghost for $4.99 on Kindle: http://tiny.cc/ivgxn
Add The Season of Sin to your shelf on Goodreads: http://tiny.cc/z8mecw
Connect with me on Facebook and Twitter:
Facebook: http://tiny.cc/aqx43
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stacydeanne
Visit my site to keep up with me and my future releases: http://www.stacy-deanne.net

Characters can make or break a novel. It doesn’t matter if the novel is character-driven or plot-driven if you don’t have characters that the audience feel emotionally invested in then your book will be a disappointing reading experience.

Let me clarify because whenever people start talking about creating characters, folks get confused.  Some writers think that characters have to be likeable for an audience to care. This is false. There have been many characters people hated in some of the most successful books ever.  Audiences don’t have to like your characters but they should be able to connect with them. There’s a difference.

Below are in my opinion five of the biggest misconceptions new writers especially have about creating characters and my opinions of them.

Misconception 1: Characters Must Be Larger Than Life

Sigh. How many times have you heard some so-called writing expert say that your characters must move the world by their very being? Please.  The truth is that most readers prefer down-to-earth normal characters they can relate to. Unless you’re writing a comic book, most readers do not respond well to some superhuman-type character with stale, rigid emotions.  The most effective characters are those who mirror real-life people going through incredible situations.  We like to see normal people like ourselves doing extraordinary things. These characters evoke emotions in readers. It’s hard to relate or care about a character that seems to conquer every issue easily.  Characters shouldn’t ever be perfect or unbelievable.

Misconception 2:  Characters Should Be Memorable

Who made this up? No, what your characters do should be memorable.  Let’s be honest, only a tiny percentage of characters are remembered years after you’ve read the book. As long as the characters are entertaining enough to keep the pages turning, that’s the most important thing. Who cares if someone remembers your characters five or ten years from now? All you should care about is making the readers’ experience pleasurable. You can’t predict how a character will touch a reader no matter how they’re created. I’d rather someone just remember they read my book than any individual character.  Just create characters that keep people interested throughout the book and don’t worry about much else.

Misconception 3: You Should Describe a Character’s Appearance

This depends on the author. Some authors are very descriptive with their characters. They see them in their heads and they want the audience to see them the same way. Other authors never describe their characters physically. You don’t know their races, ages, how they look, anything. There is no right or wrong it’s just a matter of writing style. Sometimes it is important to describe some things about a character but by all means you don’t have to waste ten pages describing Susie from top to bottom. If you are gonna describe your characters make sure you describe what’s important and leave the rest to the audience’s imagination.

Misconception 4: You Should Base Characters on People You Know

Gosh I hope not. I don’t base any of my characters on people I know and wouldn’t want to. I don’t know anyone interesting enough to be in my books. Unless you know a serial killer, foreign spy or CIA agent, nine times out of ten who you know probably won’t make an interesting character. Now you can put traits of people you know into your characters but most likely people you know in real life wouldn’t be very interesting in a story. Focus on creating dynamic characters from your heart. Creating a person is the best part of fiction to me.

Misconception 5: You Have to Like Your Characters

No you don’t. I’ve written plenty of characters I didn’t like.  That’s what made me care more about them. I loved that I disliked them and the kind of people they were. It meant I did a darn good job creating a well-rounded character. Think of how you interact with people in real life. Aren’t there people you don’t like for whatever reason? Isn’t there someone who gets on your nerves or pushes your buttons and you might not even know why?  You wouldn’t expect to like everyone in real life would you?  Of course not so don’t feel you have to like your characters to create interesting ones. How you feel about your own characters has nothing to do with the price of tea in China. Make those characters jump off the page and into the hearts of readers and you’ve done your job.

Best Wishes!

Stacy-Deanne (Dee-Anne) is an award-winning novelist of crime fiction, mysteries and interracial romance. She is known as, “Interracial Romance’s First Lady of Crime and Mystery”. She is a 2011 AALAS Mystery Nominee.

Check out her recent release: “Giving up the Ghost” the first installment in her interracial romantic suspense series.  Book 2, The Season of Sin will be released January 2012.  Her books are available in ebook and paperback. Giving up the Ghost is available in hardcover as well from Black Expressions.
Giving up the Ghost @ Amazon: http://tiny.cc/ivgxn
Read more about Stacy and her releases here: http://www.stacy-deanne.net
Facebook: http://tiny.cc/aqx43
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stacydeanne

COMING DECEMBER 27, 2011 MORE DRAMA IN BETWEEN THE SHEETS

FIND OUT DELILAH’S FATE IN RUTHLESS!

For those with a Kindle or Nook, I would like to suggest the suspenseful and engaging story– Giving Up the Ghost by Stacy Deanne.

Albany Detective Brianna “Bree” Morris is having the year from hell. A sadistic admirer has been stalking her for months and now her friend Cheyenne Wilson has been beaten and left for dead.

With her ex-lover and faithful partner, Steven Kemp, Bree thrusts herself into the case. It’s not long before they believe two unrelated British men are connected to the attack. Michael is a womanizing artist with a ferocious appetite for rough sex. Simon is a wealthy free spirit looking for love in all the wrong places, but has one too many skeletons in his closet.

Bree struggles to determine fact from fiction when it comes to Michael and Simon but her attempts are blurred by Michael’s manipulation and her sexual attraction to Simon, who Steven’s convinced cannot be trusted.

Meanwhile the stalker does everything in his power to get close to Bree and his obsession evokes a spiral of violence.

Bree must trust her heart to find answers but her heart leads her to the most dangerous man of all.

“Giving Up The Ghost” is BOOK ONE of Stacy’s crime/mystery and interracial romance series featuring the strong willed and fiery detective Brianna “Bree” Morris and her lovesick, hot-tempered partner and ex-lover Steven Kemp who debuted in Stacy’s award-winning 2008 novel Melody.

Q & A Session with “Giving up the Ghost” Characters Bree Morris and Steven Kemp

By Stacy Deanne

Hello All,

I had the best experience a writer could ever have!  The main characters of my new interracial romantic suspense series, Brianna Morris and Steven Kemp popped up! So of course I couldn’t let these two go without doing a little interview.  It was very interesting and I know you’ll love it! This is how it went…

Days Earlier

Stacy: So Bree and Steve I’m so excited to have caught you! I mean seems like you hardly have time for your good ole’ buddy Stacy anymore and…

Steven: Can we wrap this up? I have a photo shoot at two.

Stacy: Oh uh, really? You have a photo shoot? For what may I ask?

Steven: Character Magazine.  Jeez Stacy didn’t you know?

Bree: Uh obviously she didn’t if she asked, Steve.

Steven: Oh here we go. In bitch mode again, Bree?

Stacy: Uh you guys…

Bree: Just like you to think a woman’s a bitch for making you look stupid. If that were the case then every woman in your life would be a bitch right?

Stacy: (laughs) Ouch. Good one, Bree.

(Hi-five)

Steven: Oh yeah so funny.

Stacy: Come on and be nice at least for a little bit. Just tell us a bit about yourselves, your goals in the story and a little about the series from your perspectives.  Bree?

Bree: Well…

Steven: Hold it. Why does she always get to go first? Am I gonna spend another book being second to Bree?

Bree: I’m the main character.

Steven. So am I. 

Bree: Share then. Jeez! Go on and go first. Is it really this serious?

Stacy: Go on, Steve.

Steve: Oh yeah, well hello everyone. Some of you already know me. I’m Detective Steven Kemp and I’m with the Albany Police Department. I debuted with Bree in Stacy’s 2008 novel, “Melody”. We…

Bree: They already know this stuff, Steve. The people don’t have all day and neither do I.

Stacy: Just try to be brief.

Steven: (exhales) Well, Bree and I are very close, best friends I guess you’d say. We used to be lovers until she kicked me to the curb.”

Bree: I did not kick you to the curb.

Steven: I’d do anything for her and she has my back too.  In “Giving up the Ghost”, we go on a very, shall I say, interesting adventure.  Our friend Cheyenne Wilson is beaten and almost dies.  We have to find out who did it. Twists and turns run amok and even though I was there I still can’t believe all that went on. You’d have to read it to see.

Bree: Just when we got close to a lead something threw us off track. Stacy knows her stuff.

Stacy: Aww thanks, guys. Do you think you two will ever get back together during the series?

Bree: I think that’s up to you, Stacy. But I’d like to tell the audience that they will not be disappointed with “Giving up the Ghost”. It’s a story where they will not only be entertained but also learn so much about themselves. It will make you examine your feelings about a lot of different things. There are some very serious things going on and it’s not all just about entertainment.  I reached my limit dealing with that stalker and all.

Stacy: Please share more about that.

Bree: I want those who’ve gone through the same thing to know there is help out there. It’s a serious crime and you should be aware before things get out of hand. It snuck up on me and it can sneak up on others too.

Steven: That’s right. Never know what nut you’ll attract.

Stacy: Well I am so glad we did this! Anything else?

Steven: Yeah we’d like the audience to get ready for “The Season of Sin”, the second book in the series coming late 2011.  We’re involved in a homicide and nothing is, as it seems.  Check it out.

Bree: It’ll be in print April first, guys!

Stacy: (laughs) Thanks guys for sharing!

Steven: Yeah maybe now Stacy won’t be so stingy and will share some of that royalty money.

Bree: Oh you’re on that kick again, Steve?

Steven: Damn straight. Publishers should pay characters. We do all the work.

                                                End of Interview

Thanks all for popping in. I hope you check out “Giving up the Ghost” for more of Bree and Steven. As you can see, they are very entertaining and you’ll never know what will happen next.

Best Wishes!

Giving up the Ghost (Book 1 in the Bree and Steven Series) Peace in the Storm Publishing

Genre: crime/mystery, interracial romance, suspense, detective fiction

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Ghost-Publishing-Presents-ebook/dp/B004QZ9OXO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1299672324&sr=1-9

Nook: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Giving-Up-The-Ghost/Stacy-Deanne/e/2940012238443/?itm=22&USRI=peace+in+the+storm+publishing

Free Sample: http://www.stacy-deanne.net/files/Giving_up_the_Ghost_Free_Sample.pdf

To read more about my past titles and me: http://www.stacy-deanne.net

To get an inside look inside the series visit the new Bree and Steven Series site: http://breeandstevenseries.webs.com

Stop Sending Out Mass Emails About Your Book through Yahoo and Gmail?
By Guest Blogger Joy Farrington

One of the arsenals in an author toolkit is email marketing. Newsletters and e-blasts are easy to make, helps you stay connected with your readers, and can be very cost effective. I encourage all authors to create an email marketing campaign for their book.

 However, I have one huge pet peeve that I hope you’re not guilty of doing. I hate when I receive an email which includes a lonnnnng list of every Tom, Dick, and Harry in that person’s address book. If you are still sending out mass emails by CC –ing (carbon-coping) everyone in your address book-leave me off your list.

Matter of fact, how about we stop sending out mass emails through Yahoo or Gmail. Not only is it considered tacky, it’s also considered spamming.

To stay spam-compliant, email addresses must be invisible to others on your mailing list. In other words, to keep the privacy of your mailing list in tack, Jane@randomemail.com shouldn’t know that John@randomemail.com is also on your list. Not only is the act of sending out a mass email without masking everyone contact information on your list illegal, it’s also unprofessional.

Therefore, it’s time to upgrade the way you communicate with your readers by investing in a company that can help you manage your mailing list while stayinh opt-in compliant. There are several companies to choose from and to help, I’ve listed some of the more popular (and my favorite) ones.

Best Overall Services

Constant Contact

When people began scrambling for an email marketing solution, Constant Contact was one of the first companies ready to meet their needs. Constant Contact has prices starting at $15 and has over 400 email templates that you can choose from. Constant Contact also offers online surveys and event marketing services to help you announce and manage your next event (including taking payments). For more information, visit http://constantcontact.com.

Best Templates Designs

iContact

My personal favorite is iContact because they offer the best templates, I’ve seen. With over 650+ templates and growing, iContact meets the need of anyone looking to create a distinctive email campaign. iContact also has an online community and gives you the option to automatically archive your newsletters and e-blasts online (a handy tool if anyone ever ask to see your previous newsletters or you would like to archive your newsletters on your website). Prices starts at $9.95 and for more information, visit http://icontact.com. 

Best Price in Town

Mail Chimp

Mail Chimp is different from the other companies because they offer free services for up to 1000 subscribers. If you’re just building up your mailing list or want to test drive email marketing without tapping into your budget, this is the company for you.  The only flaw I have with Mail Chimp is they only have a few dozen email templates available. Since I consider myself the Template Queen and can pimp out any template to meet my needs, this is a definite point in the negative column for them. Outside of that, I think they offer a great service at fantastic rates.

Which company do you prefer to use for your email campaigns? Share your favorites here.

Author, Joy Farrington is the CEO of Lit Diva, Inc. a company which specializes in online book marketing. She is also the editor of Nubian Lit News an AA literary based blog and the host of Between the Sheets, an online radio show.  Her most noted interview to date was with acclaimed author, poet, and activist, Nikki Giovanni. Currently, Joy Farrington is working on the next book in the A Literary Diva’s Guide series. She lives in Miami, Fl. Websites: http://thebookclubexpert.com, http://litdiva.com, http://nubianlit.com

The Entitlement Factor: “I’m Suppose to Be Published!” Say What?
By Guest Blogger Stacy Deanne

It didn’t take much at all for me to come up with something to write about where this is concerned. Let’s talk about the new breed of unpublished writers and their entitlement attitude.

I’ve noticed there is a new brand of writers who seem to think that someone is supposed to publish their work and they don’t wanna hear anything saying otherwise.  Yet what comes along with this attitude is not the normal one that might help gain publication. No, most of these arrogant new writers believe that what they’ve written has either never been done before (yeah right), can’t be done better (don’t make me throw up a corn chip while laughing), or that they’ve gotten some new idea that will change the world.

One thing any writer can’t afford to be is cocky. I don’t care if you’re unpublished, published, best selling, etc. Writing is an industry where you can have a hot book one season and a string of flops the next. The industry and what it wants changes so much that anyone can be whisked out of the flood gates.

But come on, I gotta speak on this. Where do these type of new writers come from? The Planet of Pitiful because they sure as heck aren’t from earth if they think they will get published with this type of attitude. I see a whole new crop of newbies coming up thinking they know everything and thinking they have some “designated” spot for publication or getting an agent.  Let me just say a few things because it’s getting out of hand.

1)      You’re Not the First to Ever Write That Type Of Book

You aren’t the first to think of what you thought of so don’t think you are. Get over it. If any writer can write something today and think it hasn’t been done, I’d swallow my foot if they can prove it. I’ve found that the main people who claim they are so unique have actually taken some idea that was big a long time ago yet they act like us mere mortals are too stupid to know it.

2)      You Are NOT Some Great Undiscovered Talent that Agents and Editors Wanna Keep Down

Because you’ve Written the Most Brilliant Piece of Literature Since Hemingway and they Just Can’t Market It.

Okay I really did throw up the corn chip on this one. No further explanation needed.

3)      It’s Not Other People’s Fault if You Can’t Get Published

Why the blame game here? It’s no one’s fault if you can’t get published. It’s not yours either. People need to realize that sometimes publication, especially for a specific book is just not gonna happen. Doesn’t mean it won’t at one point but just might not be when you expected it.  Writing is an industry where you cannot try to dictate it and please don’t try to plan it out. You’ll fall short every time and end up disappointed and bitter.  That won’t help you.

4)      Jealousy of Published or More Successful Authors Gets You Nowhere

Man how pathetic.  There are actually newbies who spend their time bashing other writers, some who are their friends just because the publication princess hasn’t kissed them and turned their work into a NYT best selling novel.  Hmm. Look you are only hurting yourself if you have this attitude. The best part of being a writer is to be supportive. Rewards come to you that way. Erase the negative energy and hate and concentrate on what you’re doing. It’s not your business what the next author does, how much they sell, what they write, their deals, etc.  This leads to a slow painful process of bitterness and once that sets in you will definitely lose your way.

5)      It’s Not a Conspiracy to Keep Your Unpublished Novel from the Public!

Come on, dude. It is not that serious. Just because you get rejected (like everyone else has and will) doesn’t mean it’s some conspiracy. Uh, maybe the book needs work. Maybe you can’t write. Maybe it’s just not the right time. The point is you cannot always pinpoint why your novel isn’t getting out there. Sometimes it is you and your writing. But a lot of newbies don’t wanna hear this. They think it’s a knock to their character if you politely say, “This needs work.” When people take the time to help you, they really are trying to do just that. But this jazz about some big world domination thing to keep your little book from being published because it’s so great and people are scared of what it will become, wow…just wow.

Okay you took your breath yet? You probably going, “Stacy’s tripping out. People don’t really act this ridiculous.” Oh yes they do. Just hang around some writing forums and one or two of these folks will pop up. Sometimes they come right behind each other like mindless cockroaches.  The moral of this little piece is to check your attitude and outlook. Are you being realistic? Are you really, really doing all you can and working hard? Or are you just expecting it to fall into your lap?

I remember what it was like to be new and I never, ever had this type of attitude.  Some people don’t know the difference between confidence and conceit. It is not your right to be published, if it happens it’s because you worked hard and deserve it. No more and no less. It’s really sad that some new writers have killed their destiny before it has a chance to happen because of their attitudes.  I always wonder when I meet up with one of these misguided souls, “What planet are you from? Are you for real?”

I’ll ask the next one and see what they say.

Stacy-Deanne is an Award-Winning Crime/Mystery & Interracial Romance Novelist. Author of Giving Up The Ghost Book 1 (Coming 2011 Peace in the Storm Publishing) To learn more, visit: http://www.stacy-deanne.net

Catchy title huh? You know how I do it. Anyway, notice how I didn’t say “book” promotion. I said, “author” promotion. Glad you picked up on that. It’s the biggest point of my post.

This won’t be one of those boring posts about promotion that goes over the same old stale tips. I don’t have the time to rehash something that’s been written a million times and I’m sure you got clothes to throw in the washer and food to cook. So let’s get this show on the road shall we?

In my years of writing I’ve learned a lot of things. I admit I’m still learning. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that not every type of promotion works for every author or every type of book. The biggest mistake of new authors especially is promoting their book to everyone on the planet. This might seem like the thing to do when promoting but you missed Book Promotion 101 somewhere along the line and might need to take a class if you think this is effective book promotion.

Uh hello, it’s not.

Why oh why ol’ wise, Stacy? You might ask. Because I don’t care how talented you are or how wonderful your book is. It does not appeal to everyone on the planet. This is why knowing your audience is so important. Problem is, a lot of authors don’t know their audience from a hole in the ground. Don’t worry, a lot of authors struggle to figure out who their audience is. Pick one thing, yep just one thing about your book whether it’s fiction and nonfiction and use that as your promotion angle. Then get to work.

Stacy you sure? Just one thing? What if my book fits a bunch of different tastes and genres?

I said pick one angle that your book covers, the best angle and go with it. I can’t tell you how to determine that but it will take research of how books in that area are doing and what has the biggest audience compared to just picking anything you wanna promote about your book.

Below are some kick a– promotional tips that will set you above the rest.

1. Your Brand

You wanna establish your name for yourself and not just your book. Promote your NAME. You’ve written a book and it’s out there in the masses! Be proud of it. Authors are public figures, literary celebrities so act like it. Don’t be shy. Go out there and promote with confidence and style. Promote yourself because being a published author is news in its own right. Treat yourself like you’re important and others will too. Build your brand and strengthen your name. This will be the base of your entire platform and will bring you a faithful audience who will buy your books from now until eternity.

2. Facebook

What can I say? It’s an author’s best friend when it comes to promotion. Just when I thought social networking was going down the tubes, here came Facebook. Sure it takes you a while to warm up to it and even like it, but it’s worth it. The best thing about Facebook is that you’re not one of a million authors on their promoting like you’d be on book sites and writing sites. You don’t wanna be hocking your book in the mist of a million other folks hocking theirs. Facebook is a wonderful way to promote yourself as a brand and not just the book. You have many ways to promote on Facebook and if you follow proper etiquette then it will work out well for you. You also get to meet some wonderful people along the way. Don’t make it only about building a name. Have some fun too.

3. Working With Other Authors (Cross Promotion)

Don’t be selfish and just out for yourself if you wanna sell books. You give something to get something but do it because you want to. Cross promotion with other authors in your genre is a key component to top-notch promotion for any author. You need to get familiar with other authors in your genre and they need to get familiar with you. How can you connect with readers if authors in your genre don’t even know who you are? Also, showing support of others is a wonderful thing to do. When you are supportive of other authors, it gets around and nothing sells books like an author with a fabulous reputation. People love to work with others who are supportive and if you expect people to support you with word of mouth you better get up and do the same. But I’d do it because I want to, not just to expect something in the end.

4. Be A Person and Not Just An Author

When promoting your brand and book, remember to be a person sometimes too. When you’re social networking don’t just make it all about your book. When you make friends, do it because you really wanna connect with others for purposes other than driving sales. You can catch more potential fans if they see you care about their problems or wanna interact with them personally than you can just shoving your book down everyone’s throat.

5. Provide Samples and Free Reads

It’s been proven that this day and age, readers are pickier with the books they buy. I know I am. I got sick of throwing away money on books that sucked. Those days are over with. Not only can providing samples to readers help them out but it also increases the author’s sales and fan base. When you have a new book coming out, make sure to upload a sample on your site and others to tempt readers’ appetites. Readers love free reads and this alone will pass around the net like wildfire. You’ll build up hits to your web site and hopefully the sample will make people a longtime fan of your work. If you aren’t sure how to offer free reads, dust off some of those old manuscripts that you intended to get published but never did. The edited ones, not the first drafts. Upload them as a free ebook/PDF onto your site and let people download them and if readers enjoy your writing they won’t hesitate to put your future titles on their TBR lists. This does wonders for the author’s popularity because there are tons of sites that list free reads and you’ll get a lot of attention.

6. Repay Favors

Always remember those that helped you. Throughout your journey of writing and publishing you will continue to build contacts. These contacts often help you get the word out about your book in some kind of way. Don’t let it stop there. If you’ve been given a promotional opportunity, a great book review or some mention on someone’s site or blog, throw a little love their way sometimes. Keep up with what they are doing and if they need a helping hand with spreading the word about something, step up and help. It’s not just important to build contacts but to keep them. Remember, contacts are valuable and if you treat people right and show you’re appreciative for what they’ve done, they will continue to support you.

Now get out there and show them what you’re made of. I’m out!

Visit my website to learn about my fourth book, “Giving Up the Ghost” coming April 2011! http://www.stacy-deanne.net.

Thanks for the opportunity, Sheila! You’re a doll!

Thank you Stacy. Great advice.

Stacy Deanne’s second book “Melody”, published by Strebor/Simon and Schuster, will be in stores June 3, 2008.

7 Random Thoughts with Stacy Deanne

By Shelia M. Goss

What’s one thing (besides writing) that you enjoy doing?
Listening to music

What’s your favorite quote?
“One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.” —- Joan of Arc

What television show best describes your life and why?
I would have to say “Eve” because the sitcom showcased a young, positive, intelligent, independent black woman doing her own thing on her own terms.

What is your most valued possession?
My computer!

What would your best friend say about you?
That I am very reliable, funny, dependable, easy to talk to and I try my best to give good advice.

What does love mean to you?
Love is the basis of everything for me. I couldn’t be happy without loving someone or someone loving me back. It’s the strongest and most important emotion we could ever feel. To love is to be loved. Love makes everything in life worth while.

What is your favorite outfit to wear and why?
A tall Tee with a pair of jeans or Capri pants.

About Stacy Deanne’s New book Melody:
Melody Cruz is certain her sister’s new boyfriend, the wealthy, charming and handsome Keith Taylor, has a dark past that he will do anything to hide. Wanting to protect her sister, Melody works to uncover Keith’s secrets, not realizing that in doing so, she is sacrificing her own safety—because Keith will go to any lengths, dangerous or violent, to keep himself in control.

At the same time, a man named the “Albany Predator” has been brutally raping black women throughout the city, and Melody is convinced that her best friend is the rapist’s next target. Detectives Brianna Morris and Steven Kemp are placed on the case, determined to bring the sadistic felon to justice. But when things couldn’t get anymore complicated, all evidence is turned around to reveal a surprising suspect.

To learn more about Stacy Deanne, go to http://www.myspace.com/stacydeanne or http://www.myspace.com/everlastingbystacydeanne or she can be reached via email: stacydeanne1@aol.com.