Writers in the Storm

A blog about writing

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June 2, 2017

Summer Is Coming -- Let's Pimp and Promote!

Summer

Photo from Pixabay

Summer is coming up fast and here at Writers in the Storm we're marking the occasion with a little "Pimp and Promote." Of course, this always costs us some money, because we have to go out and buy lots of books. But there will be awesome "beach read" sales in next few weeks, so let's go for it!

How does this work?

To quote the genie in Aladdin, “There are a few provisos, a couple of quid-pro-quos…"

  • Pimp out somebody else’s work – this can be a favorite author, blogger, post or book you’ve read, a wonderful teacher or just someone who had profound influence on you as a writer or a person. Please limit your comments to one work.
    AND
  • Promote one of your projects that you’re excited about – a hobby, a blog, a book, or a new direction your writing is taking you. You decide. Just tell us about it in the comments! (Please restrain your enthusiasm to just one of your WIPs.) The rest of us will jump in and “ooooh and ahh” at you, and likely promote your project even further because we’re just so darn excited today.

We'll start things off by doing some P&P with the gals here at WITS...

Fae Rowen has been doing the final edits to launch her amazing books into the world. She's sharing the lessons in posts like 8 Easy Ways for Your Characters To Show Love. You can visit her updated website here. There's a wonderful short story about her stint in a convent.

Jenny Hansen does ghostwriting, WordPress sites, social media marketing and copywriting. Additionally, she's readying her first finished novel for submission and training at an accounting firm. You can enjoy her silly fun at her personal blog, More Cowbell. Her most popular non-writing post is 10 Creative Ways to Express Your Inner F-Bomb.

Laura Drake's latest story is part of an anthology with authors Christie Craig, Cynthia D'Alba, Katie Lane and Lori Wilde - When Things Got Hot In Texas. It's available for pre-order for 99 cents, y'all! And the price goes up in a few days when it releases. We're all ready to dive in when the book goes live on Monday.

Orly Konig's first book, The Distance Home, hit bookshelves in May and is receiving stellar reviews. Her next book from Forge, The Merry-Go-Round, comes out next year.

See? Easy-peasy. Only one of us wrote this, but all of us are represented - that's the spirit of P&P.

Don't be shy -- tell your pals! 

We are open for as many entries as you want, and you're welcome to send anyone who reads great stuff our way. We want to hear about it! Be sure to peruse the comments. You might find a few things you like in the plethora of pimping that’s about to ensue.

Thanks again for making WITS one of the top writer’s blogs. We appreciate you!

~  Fae, Jenny, Laura and Orly

54 comments on “Summer Is Coming -- Let's Pimp and Promote!”

  1. I'd like to pimp my friend Donna Galanti to any aspiring or debut novelists out there! She is launching a training series for debut authors on platform building, and giving away an info-packed cheat sheet on how to connect with readers before your first book comes out. If you sign up, she has a free goodie each week on building your author platform for debuts! https://www.yourawesomeauthorlife.com/

  2. Yaay for Pimp & Promote!

    PIMP: As an avid romance reader, I'll share the most recent book I didn't want to put down until I'd finished--Kait Nolan's Second Chance Summer. Two survivors of different tragedies find their happily ever after, beginning at a summer camp for adults. Such a good read with characters that drew me in and made me root for them. *happy sigh*

    PROMOTE: Yesterday was Release Day for my third novel, Breath of Hope! *WAHOO*
    I'm getting great reviews and the reader emails are heartwarming and shout worthy. An author couldn't ask for more! (romance/romantic fiction)

    Looking forward to reading the comments!

  3. Veronica Knox’s latest story is the follow up to ‘Twinter’ http://www.veronicaknox.com - a three part middle-grade time slip adventure. Book two ‘Time Falls Like Snow’ follows a pair of telepathic twins into the time portals of Bede Hall, a stately home near Hadrian’s Wall in England, with a mind of its own – essentially a supernatural ‘Downton Abbey’ for kids age twelve to Grandma. Estimated publishing date late summer.

  4. Great idea! Last Friday I wrote a blog post called "Pimping the Product." Like minds think alike! https://roughwighting.net/2017/05/26/pimping-the-product/ I find it so difficult to 'pimp' my own stuff. I'll PROMOTE an Indie author who I think is amazing - D. Wallace Peach. She writes fantasy (not a genre I generally read) and I'm still thinking of her book The Sorcerer's Garden a year after I read it. Well-written and fun read. And she has a fabulous blog https://mythsofthemirror.com/.

    1. I've become a believer of the "hive mind." It often seems like the same amazing idea floats around, waiting to be caught, doesn't it?

  5. I'm once again pimping out Cruising Writers, with its next sail coming up September 10-17, with two Writers in the Storm guest favorites — Lisa Cron and Angela Ackerman — teaching on board. There's also an agent from Three Seas Literary and an editor from Sourcebooks, as well as a group of fabulous writers to hang out with all week. Not to mention an experience that will inspire your writing. You can find out more at http://cruisingwriters.com/retreat/7-day-western-caribbean-writing-retreat-cruise-september-10-17-2017/.

    As far as promoting what I'm up to, I'm editing a YA novel while studiously researching for a brand-new series that I'll be writing next. The idea was hatched on the last Cruising Writers retreat, and it's got me brimming with excitement. Can't say much more yet...

    1. Julie, this cruise sounds DIVINE! And so amazing to have Lisa and Angela as teachers. That ROCKS!! Oh have fun. Wishing you luck with your novel!

    2. I am so excited about the cruise, I can hardly stand myself! And I know I'm going to walk away full of knowledge and new ideas. *pinches self*

    3. Guys, I was amazed at how affordable these cruises are - and the speakers!!! Got SO much out of the one I did - and, Jenny, I'm SO jealous you get Lisa and Angela!

  6. What a wonderful spot to share! Ok, here goes:
    PIMP: love to pimp my friend Kate Brandes' debut novel THE PROMISE OF PIERSON ORCHARD. It just released last month. Hailed as Erin Brockovich meets Promised Land, about a Pennsylvania family threatened by betrayal, financial desperation, old flames, fracking, and ultimately finding forgiveness. Check it out - and Kate! http://katebrandes.com/books/the-promise-of-person-orchard/

    Here is my review. 5 Stars: A complex family drama heats up with the backdrop of a small town in distress
    I loved this book! You discover each character in alternating points of view along with the splintered divide of their family, and town, torn apart. You will quickly take up your own stance on the players in this family, a family filled with secrets, shame, and regret. Broken, they bash up against each other - some yearning to re-connect, some wishing for those they love to change, and some desperate to keep the bonds broken. Adding to this complex family drama is the backdrop of a small town in financial distress, whose residents are faced with the decision to partner with Green Energy, a corporation eager to drill for gas and forever change the landscape of the land these small town people know and love. When disastrous events come to bear, environmentally and personally, a storm may be the only thing that brings them all together. This is a powerful story with echoes of the mastery of Nancy Pickard's The Virgin of Small Plains. I couldn't put it down yet at times could hardly keep reading as I feared for the characters I'd come to love and hope for. A highly recommended debut!

    PROMOTE: I love sharing all things on the writing craft and business with a dash of inspiration. If you do too then you are invited to join my Your Awesome Author Life FB group and please subscribe to my YouTube channel!
    Your Awesome Author Life FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/YourAwesomeAuthorLife/
    Your Awesome Author Life YouTube: http://bit.ly/2pz04Yj
    Happy writing! 🙂

    1. Thanks, Donna! So happy you enjoyed the book. AND so excited about your new venture to help authors! Thanks for all the help you've given me. xoxo

  7. I've just released a novel perfect for summer reading--particularly if you binge watch HGTV. Comfort Plans--an architect and a contractor remodel an old German farmhouse in the Texas Hill Country, only to discover the house has remodeled them. History, mystery and heart--and it's available on Amazon or Kindle. Thanks for giving space to pimp and promote. Love reading these blogs!

  8. Pimping short story writer and poet Gabe Herron: https://www.gabeherron.com/
    While taking my own short story-writing journey of study, and the pursuit of refinement and polish, I've discovered Mr. Herron's unique down-to-earth voice, along with the intriguing twists and turns his stories take. I'm a great admirer.

    Promoting my first-ever published story in: https://youthimagination.org/ "Sarah's Journey." The novel I'm writing has benefitted from my work with short stories, and I hope to promote a published novel at a future date.
    @DLWilletteWritr

    1. I love that book! I bought copies for two writer friends for Christmas!

  9. Hello all,

    I’m taking the free Power of the Pen https://iwp.uiowa.edu/page/power-of-the-pen-2017-moocs course with a focus on identities and social issues in fiction and nonfiction. While taking the course I read Robyn Bennis’ debut novel The Guns Above http://www.robynbennis.com/ and loved it. Robyn created a fantastic story tackling her character Josette Dupre as the first woman airship captain with humor and action.

    For myself, I’m excited to be starting an internship soon working with social media and marketing. I write about writing and whatever topic curiosity has led me to at my blog Get It Down https://clashinski.wordpress.com/

    1. I'm in that course too, Christine! All the articles and books have been so fascinating. I'll check out your blog...you and I do a lot of the same work. 🙂

  10. What fun seeing all the comments. You guys are amazing.

    I have to pimp Bloom. It's a fabulous Facebook community for readers and hosted by the Tall Poppy Writers. We discuss books and life and more books. And there are plenty of giveaways. It's my happy place when I want to escape from politics and negativity on social media. 🙂

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/Bloomwithtpw/

  11. Thank you for this. I would like to mention A Bookish Affair where readers and writers meet in Roswell NM, June 23-24. Mark your calendars if you are anywhere near the Land of Enchantment. More information and history of the event here https://choosingebenezer.com/.

  12. I am waiting for August when Allison Brennan's book Shattered comes out. She has a novella to keep us occupied coming out June 19 that has her heroine Lucy Kincaid and her other heroine Maxine Revere in it. It's a two novellas in one book thing.
    I'm just toddling along working on a paranormal fantasy novel The Wizard, the Witch, the Wolf. 🙂

  13. I'm taking notes and heading to my bookstore. So many good books out there. May I promote my first? DIVIDED LOYALTIES, my Civil War story about an Irish girl who decides in the aftermath of the Battle of Antietam, she will become a battlefield nurse — no matter what her father says and the man with the gun be damned.
    It's being published by blackrosewriting.com July 27.
    And I'd like to offer a shout out for a colleague, Patricia Panahi, whose Veil of Walls offers a glimpse into a girl's life in Iran during the rein of the Shah. Couldn't put it down.

    1. Clean, professional and pretty, Marie - I like it! Has anyone EVER said your name right the first time? Your brain kind of inserts that missing 'r'.

  14. Sitting in my office, coffee in hand, appreciating being home, and figuring out how to get a shower.

    My Pimp: The Summer That Melted Everything, by Tiffany McDaniel. It's a finalist in the WFWA Star Award, and I'm loving every second of reading it. Bliss Ohio, 1984, a boy meets the devil - and he's not at all what you'd think: http://dld.bz/fM7RC

    My Promote: got the best review I've ever read of a book, and it was MINE! Squee! http://www.chezshay.online/2017/06/02/days-made-of-glass/

  15. Laura. I always say my last name is a 'trick' name. I used to be offended but no more, The brain just 'sees' that familiar word rather than Staight.

  16. Wow, lots of great reading. Okay, here's a pimp for a new-to-me writer named Jack Bowie. His debut novel is called The Saracen Incident and it's awesome. Truly engrossing. Think a beltway thriller with intimate knowledge of the setting, and a high-tech computer network background.
    On my part, my historical novella, Crashpad, is out of editing, the cover is almost complete and it will be available electronically from Rendrag Publishing in a week or so. Yes, it's set on a college campus in 1970.

  17. Thanks for this opportunity!
    PIMP: I’d like to give a shout out for the books by Brynn Chapman. Her book, The Requiem Red, is one of my favorites. https://www.amazon.com/Requiem-Red-Brynn-Chapman/dp/1942664850/
    PROMOTE: My first book, THE GHOST CHRONICLES, was just featured in an article by IPPY Magazine as one of the “best indie YA books we have seen in the past year, from both self-publishers and small presses”. https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Chronicles-Marlo-Berliner-ebook/dp/B017DWXPTA/
    Here’s a link to the article if you’d like to check it out:
    IPPY Magazine Feature Article http://independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=2188
    My next book, THE GHOST CHRONICLES 2, comes out in July.

  18. I would like to pimp Luna Saint Claire's "The Sleeping Serpent". It is an incredible book that most definitely plays with you head and leaves you questioning life and people like Nico. This book will stick with you long after you are done!

  19. Thank you Sabrina for the mention! A narcissist can take you for a ride! Luna’s obsession with a charismatic yoga guru provokes a storm that shatters her perceptions of identity, morality and self-worth—uncovering her secrets and pain.

  20. Thanks for all the recommendations to add to my reading list 🙂

    I've just pre-ordered my copy of my friend, award-winning author Karen Osman's book, The Good Mother. I can't wait to read it. http://amzn.to/2tpl6Oy

    I also just finished Jessie Bell's memoir, Dear Reflection: I Never Meant to be a Rebel. Full of raw, honest angst.

    I'd also like to share my upcoming writers' retreat in Indian Harbour, NS (Canada) coming up. It's not in the summer but if you're making summer plans and are looking into late fall it might be something interesting to look into 🙂 http://www.ocpublishing.ca/workshops-retreats.html

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