My MASSIVE To Do List

I had a great time at Balticon this weekend even though I was busy with 10 panels/workshops. It was wonderful to see everyone and hanging out with my writer friends. Now I need to get back to work. Here's a list of what I need to do before I can go relax at the beach on June 25:

• Revise SCENT OF MAGIC
• Write a short story for THE BEST LAID PLANS anthology
• Write a travel article about Australia for b Magazine
• Write a synopsis for TASTE OF DEATH (bk 3 in the Healer series)
• Write a synopsis for another series to be written after Taste Of Death
• Prep for talk for the Valley Forge Romance Writers
• Present to VFRW
• Attend the Book Expo in NYC in June
• Prep for Seton Hill's residency (I'm teaching two classes) and writer's conference (I'm leading one workshop) Here's the link: https://alumni.setonhill.edu/page.aspx?pid=673
• Attend SHU's residency and writer's conference

The list is rather overwhelming...impossible maybe?  I also have a number of family obligations as well (graduation parties, concert, birthday party), plus packing for the beach vacation.

Shall we take bets? Will Maria finish her TO DO list? Yes or No? 

I'll post updates as I work through the list :)

The Power in a Reader's Touch - Part 2

by Bri Clark

This is about 24 hours late and it is completely my fault reader dears. My life goes at a Warp 9 speed. So when anything not on my usual schedule happens (ie a child gets sick, a cat decides she wants to wear my bra, I drop a phone in a toilet) my mojo gets thrown for a loop. So apologies to Maria and ya'll as well.

Last week I introduced ya'll to 2 things. 1. You readers are powerful. 2. Amazon Algorithm. If you missed The Power in a Reader's Touch: Part I go here Now if you thought I was going to try and explain in more detail AA then I'm going to introduce you to disappointment. This is a post for readers and frankly you don't need to know all that. Not to mention it changes all the blasted time.

However, I'm going to introduce ya'll to one tool of manipulation. Cue the dada dumdum music followed by the drum roll.....

REVIEWS

I heard that sigh. I'm so glad we've moved passed the eye rolling.

Reviews are one of the components that will help move a book up in ranking on Amazon. That's the simple math of it. The more reviews the better. They don't have to be grand or long. Just honest. And while you're at it once you get done posting that review and it give you the option to share via Facebook and Twitter do it. I heard a rumor that once an author gets 20 reviews whether good or bad AA will start suggesting that title to readers when they are browsing. But that was a rumor.

Not only do reviews help authors they can be great for you reader dear too. For readers with blogs they post their reviews on they can receive books for free through several sources. With the expectation of a review I'll have you keep in mind.

1. Netgalley: "NetGalley delivers secure, digital galleys to professional readers. If you are a reviewer, blogger, journalist, librarian, bookseller, educator, or in the media, you can use NetGalley for FREE to read and request titles before they are published." That's the official explanation from Netgalley. But in short you get ARC's (advanced read copies) that means they may not be perfect grammatically. I adore Netgalley. I get all my favorite books before they release for free. And they've even used my reviews on the Amazon listing and in the book itself. How cool is that?!

2. Blog Tour Companies: Blog tour companies are very popular with the invention of the eBook. No longer do authors have to pay to travel all over the US to have a hit or miss book signing. This is exactly as it sounds. The ability for an author to visit with a reader base from anywhere that is connected to the internet. Become a host. Get on their mailing list and they will send you books that are up for review. Warning though the copies are predominantly in eBook format. I'll name a few companies I've worked with that you might want to look into becoming a host for.

• Bewitching Blog Tours
• Partners in Crime
• Goddess Fish
• Coffee Beans and Love Scenes
• Sizzling PR

And that's it for today reader dears next week I'll share some tools and a layout for when how to do a review. Thanks Maria for having me. [Thanks for another wonderful post Bri!]

About Bri...

No stranger to adversity there are three things that make Bri Clark the ultimate womenpreneur. Failure, Work Ethic, Ambition, Strategy She works as a strategist, author and speaker as well as a consultant and promoter for multiple publishers. After moving to Boise from Tennessee she was quickly dubbed “The Belle of Boise” for her hospitable nature, forward attitude, and sassy nature.

Friend Bri on FACEBOOK
Tweet with Bri on TWITTER
Link with Bri on LINKED IN
Circle with Bri on GOOGLE+
Watch Bri on YOUTUBE
Buy Bri's books on AMAZON

The Power of a Reader's Touch

Today I'm thrilled to have a guest blogger - the bestselling author Bri Clark who is one smart and savvy lady.  Long time followers of my blog may remember her other guest post: GMC and we Ain't Talking Trucks - that post has the 4th highest page views of my blog (it was 3rd, but Scent of Magic Cover Art knocked it out).

This blog is the first in a series that I will post every Wednesday. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)

The Power in a Reader’s Touch
By Bri Clark

There is one element that defies publishers whether Indie, a big NY house, or the self pubbed author, a force that controls even the almighty Amazon, Walmart and Barnes and Noble. This power is a humble presence. It is so humble in fact, it does not realize its own strength.

Whom am I speaking of? What could be so strong that it could defy traditional publishers and even Amazon?

It is you my dear reader.

I see your scoffing smirks and those rolling eyes. Once you can focus, again keep reading. You won’t be sorry.

I’m going to take a few short blog posts and show you the power that you hold with a specific emphasis on Amazon.

Amazon (and there are at least 6. As in there are Amazon countries like the UK and Spain.) is the mackdaddy of sales for an author at the moment. It might be different for traditionally published authors but for the most part, they are the ones sending out the biggest checks. The great thing about what I’m about to show you is that it works within all Amazon sites. So pay attention.

For my first lesson in awakening you to your amazing powers dear reader is to introduce you to the Amazon algorithm.

Some say it’s a myth like Nessie in loch Ness or an at home hair removal system that doesn’t hurt. However, it is in fact real.

To understand AA (Amazon algorithm) you have to understand the US credit rating system. But wait no one gets that! You’re right. I’m joking! LOL But it is a good metaphor. No one really understands how exactly to get that almighty score that opens the creditors door just like no one knows exactly how to get their book to the top of the Amazon charts.

(Side note the whole point to getting your book up in rank on Amazon is so people will see it. The more people who see it. The more sells you receive.)

Why should you care about AA or how far up in rank a book gets if you aren’t even the author?

Because dear reader if books don’t sell authors can’t write. No matter the way they publish, nobody is going to waste their time in an endeavor where there is no return. At least not for long and no one with any sense.

Can you imagine what would have happened if there was no Magic Study or Fire Study?! I see worldwide riots! [thanks Bri]

“But Maria was traditionally published and under contract they had to publish them.” You might be saying and to a certain degree, you are right. But that doesn’t mean they had to do such a good job or that they had to offer a deal for the Glass series. And wasn’t that last book a doosey of a twist? Maria does know how to weave a plot I tell ya!

The whole point to this series I’m presenting is that I want you to understand the power you hold with just a little time, money, and words.

That’s it for today reader dears. In the next lesson, you’ll learn the first way to manipulate AA. And don’t worry it’s completely G…no wait PG rated.

About Bri Clark:
No stranger to adversity there are three things that make Bri Clark the ultimate womenpreneur. Failure, Work Ethic, Ambition, Strategy She works as a strategist, author and speaker as well as a consultant and promoter for multiple publishers. After moving to Boise from Tennessee she was quickly dubbed “The Belle of Boise” for her hospitable nature, forward attitude, and sassy attitude.

Connect with Bri
Friend Bri on FACEBOOK
Tweet with Bri on TWITTER
Link with Bri on LINKED IN
Circle with Bri on GOOGLE+
Watch Bri on YOUTUBE
Buy Bri's books on AMAZON
Website and Blog

A Day in the Life

I'm guest blogging today on Sit Read Cook's blog about a typical day for me - there are pictures of my desk and various toys that keep me company :)  We're also giving away a signed copy of INSIDE to a lucky winner - open internationally of course! 

Here's the link: http://www.stitchreadcook.com/2012/05/day-in-life-of-maria-v-snyder-giveaway.html

Also I'd like to CONGRATULATE Maria on winning the Special Prize Package offered during the Double Promo with author Dana Marton!  (not me - another Maria ;)

You still have a chance to win one of 12 books if you post a comment by 11:50 pm EDST tonight on my Facebook status here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/mvsfans/posts/10150787697329322?notif_t=feed_comment  I'm celebrating over 3000 likes by giving away lots of books!!