Where do the readers hang out?

Oh, this poor neglected blog. I always have the best of intentions to write at least three times a week. Instead, I'm working on once a month. *sigh* Well, I'm here today. And boy, oh boy, do I have something to talk about.

I read a blog post today about writers and readers. The point was made that the writing industry isolates the readers. It got me thinking about all of my favorite blog stops and websites. The blog in question posted a quote from JA Konrath:

"Here’s the deal: Readers are my customers, not writers. Readers don’t even know who the Big 6 are. They don’t care.

I’m mentioned a lot in the publishing community, which is small, closed, and uninteresting to anyone who isn’t in it. But because we’re in it, and we care about it, we incorrectly assume that because writers know who I am, readers must as well." (Emphasis by the original blogger. Read the full article here.)  

Now, it's only 7:33am, and I've only had one and  a half cups of coffee so bear with me this morning. I'm sure this entire post will be riddled with mistakes and I may rattle on. If we're insulating our readers, how the hell does a newbie like myself reach these lovely people?   We're told, as writers, to have accounts on any and every site out there: Facebook, Myspace, LinkdIn, Goodreads, Google+, Wattpad...the list goes on and on. I've forgotten half of my passwords for these accounts. But are the readers on these sites, or are they only good for networking. Of course, most writers are readers, but a majority of readers aren't writers.

A voracious reader would have no reason to check out my LinkdIn profile. Why would they? Nor would they head over to She Writes to see what I'm up to. Notice I'm not linking these pages to my personal profile. I guess it would be smart to, but other than fellow writers, no one cares.   I have enjoyed getting to know so many people on Facebook, and get the opportunity to chat with authors whom I greatly respect. But, other than hardcore fans, readers aren't going to scour the social network for a new book. They're going to ask their friends for suggestions. They'll go to Amazon and scroll through the first few pages for a good read.   There is so much on the Internet about how to find readers, how to find your particular market. But these sites are almost always geared toward the writers, not the actual readers. Where are these people? Where are they hanging out? And, if you're not Stephen King, or JR Ward, how do the lowly newcomers get the people to come. If you write it, they will come? Nope. Doesn't work that way.    

                                                      If you build it, they will come.

  We spend countless hours researching, traveling to conferences, attending online classes, improving our craft, reading EVERY SINGLE BOOK out there about writing and marketing....they don't help. Okay, they help with our writing, but they don't help us find the people whom would buy our books.   Does anyone know the answer to these questions? Have you found the secret room where the urban fantasy fans, or the paranormal lovers are hanging out? Are they peeking through the windows laughing at us? And, do they care if we're on the radio, or are interviewed on the morning news? Could they care less if we're highlighted on someone's blog? Sure, review blogs are helpful, but how many readers go to them? Are they, too, geared toward the writing world?   Please, if you have an answer to any of these questions, feel free to point the rest of us in the right direction.

Life always seems to get in the way!

I am so closed to finishing my latest novel I can taste it. However, every time I sit down to write something comes up. I have been blessed to stay home while my husband works. Even with not working outside of the home I still don't seem to have enough time in the day to get everything done. As if my plate isn't full enough, now I have two months to pack up a household of five (not counting all the critters), find a house, and get us moved. I really don't mind packing, it's the moving part that sucks. There never seems to be anyone in town when I need them.

So, I got to thinking: there has to be others out there with secrets to time management. I've heard of some who break everything down in time increments. You know, two hours for writing, two hours for networking, two hours for marketing, two hours for housework. What I'm curious about is those of you who work outside of the home. How the hell do you find time for everything?

Personally, the way I've been doing things lately (before the news of our quick move) is every time I hit a wall in my writing, I get away from the laptop and do some housework. When it's time for a break from manual labor, and if the story hasn't rebooted itself in my brain, I move over to networking and marketing. Granted, neither have been done to the extent they both need to be lately, but I'm trying.

I have a script to write for Voices of Valhalla which is do by the end of the month. As the publicity chair of the St. Louis Writers Guild I'm not thinking it would be uber professional if I were to turn it in late. Nah, not so much. So, do the math...moving, housework, three children (two with substantial special needs), pets, writing my novel, writing a script, networking, blogging, marketing, etc, etc, etc.

Anyone know where I can buy a few extra hours a day?

Do I have anything important to say?

I woke up in the mood to blog, then realized, there's nothing truly important enough to denote a chunk of space to blurb about. There's more a swarm of ideas and thoughts running through my head this morning.

For one thing, my self-published e-book is doing fairly well so far. Granted, it's not yet available on Nook and other such appliances, but it will be shipped to B&N, Apple and others sometime this week. Therefore, though I told you all it was already available, it won't actually be available for download until sometime next week.

I've been researching marketing and promotional ideas at an exhausting rate lately. My back is aching from all the hours I've sat in front of the computer, but I think I'm finding some really great resources.

One blog I found interesting was by Amanda Hocking. In this link I've provided she details (in her own way) how she came about her self-published success. Strangely enough, she's now being represented by Steven Axelrod of The Axelrod Group. I wasn't aware she had planned on signing with an agency, but I also don't know her personally, nor do I make it my business to keep track of everyone else's decisions.

I've also found a great download by John Kremer titled 50+ Ways to Tweet. This has been a little more work than I had anticipated, but I've found some very interesting people, or I guess that would be Tweeple, as well as some interesting links and nuggets of info.

Of course, Writer's Digest is a wonderful community of writers from every genre who hold a wealth of information for all writers. I've made some awesome friends from that site, and even found my writer's group by going there.

That's all I can think of this morning with such low amounts of coffee in my system, but if you can think of anything I didn't post, feel free to link us all to it!

Until next time, Happy Writing!

It's Been a While...

Sorry for the absence, y'all. Don't worry, I was thinking about you...well, kind of. I knew my absence wouldn't exactly interrupt anyone's day or cause anyone to lose any sleep, but I did miss the comments and replies from my lovely friends and fans.

Now for the updates and news...You can now go to my website at clparks.com to pre-order your copy of Repeated Life or send an email to clparks@clparks.com and leave your contact information. Remember, the more people pre-order, the faster the book will be published. So, the book's fate lies in your hands....dun dun dun. Yes, that was the ominous suspense music playing after that last comment.

Okay, so the fate doesn't totally lie in your hands, but it's cool to think your pre-order could make a difference in the swiftness of publisher approval. That part isn't a load of manure.


Next topic...I've been researching lately on marketing ideas. My agent suggested a book to me today by John Kremer called 1001 Ways to Market Your Books. He's also published a book (which I think I own) called Publicize Your Book. I haven't finished the latter, so I'll let you know what I think when I'm finished with it. I posted a previous blog about the typical avenues of marketing such as the social networks Facebook, MySpace, LinkdIn, and Twitter. I'm on all of these sites, so if you haven't befriended me yet, head over and do it now!

So, that's all I have for today. I've got to get back to writing and researching...two of my favorite AND least favorite things to do. Hey, writing and researching are the most enjoyable things in the world to do (next to certain intimate things, of course) until you run into the proverbial concrete wall.