Re-vamp of the Werewolf Hunter Series is on the way

As with many of my titles, the rights to the Werewolf Hunter series are in the process of reverting back to me. This means my contracts are running out and I've chosen not to renew them.

I am in the process of re-editing, revising, and expanding each book in the series for re-release. I'm also doing the cover art on these myself this time around. Hopefully, I can accurately capture my vision (and all my reader's visions) of Lilith.

I'm doing this (releasing the books myself) in the hopes of reaching a larger portion of my target audience. Previously, Red (book one in the series) was sold in the category of erotica. It is NOT an erotic romance. Actually, it's the beginning of a paranormal series. There IS romance and eventually there IS erotic content. Just not in book one (the erotic part, I mean). Red sets the stage for everything to come. And there are LOTS of things going on in this series.

As I re-read and edited book one again, I didn't realize how much I'd forgotten about this series. Naturally, I remembered the basics because I wrote it. But I'd forgotten so many little things and character traits. I was very surprised.

Now, as I get to know these characters again, there will be more books to come. I'm re-reading my extensive notes on the series as well and plan to (once I've finished releasing the other titles) start back with the series.

Thank you so much to all my loyal fans of this series. You and your kind emails have kept Lilith Mercury alive.

Now, here is my latest cover art creation. I hope you like it.

Book Description: Dr. Alfred Moody saved her life, but the werewolf, Marco may hold the key to her heart. She’s torn between the man who saved her humanity and the one who makes her want to embrace the beast. WARNING: This series gets hotter as it goes. However, Book One is NOT erotic. Someday Lilith will have a happy ending, but this is only the beginning.

The more exposure the better, right?

If that first line conjures images of a mad flasher in a trench coat, don't worry. That's not the kind of exposure I'm talking about. I'm talking about getting exposure for your books. How can anyone buy something they've never heard of, right?

Now if you're like me, you don't have much money to spend on advertisements, even the cheap ones. Most of the time, I have NO advertising budget at all. But what I do have is time. I've been taking the advice of that editor who said that the very best advertisement is coming out with another good book.

I've got some pretty good evidence that she was right. Not that I doubted her. What she said made perfect sense to me. However, I see people advertising the same books sometimes when they haven't written anything new in years. I realize there are all kinds of reasons why something like this might happen. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not insulting those individuals. Not at all. I'm offering my opinion based on what I've personally experienced. That's all anyone can do.

Now, from my experience, after a year, sales trickle off on new books significantly. (Of course, sales trickle off before that, but that's when I've noticed the biggest drop.) However, each time I have a new release, sales increase for all my books. This increase continues to grow sometimes for several months.

This brings me to my next point, self-publishing is TOTALLY worth it. I've gotten more exposure with Frank and The Werewolf Tamer (my first self-pub title) than with ANY of my books with a traditional publisher. How much more?

In less than 2 months, Frank and The Werewolf Tamer, (including some free downloads offered as promo), has been downloaded roughly 2,000 times. Not all of those were free. Not even half.

My very best-selling book with a traditional publisher did not reach 2,000 sales for the YEAR.

That's what I call exposure!

Now, having said that, I made more money off the book with a traditional publisher in the first 6 weeks than I have so far with Frank. That was due in part to higher prices on the books and the fact some copies of Frank were offered for free.

I'm pricing my books as cheaply as I can and still earn a living in order to reach a larger audience. I've run some 99 cent promos, but I can't afford to leave my books priced at 99 cents. Writing is my only job. I need to earn a paycheck.

I'm sharing this in the hopes that it might help those who are still wondering what to expect with a self-published book. I believe the exposure is worth the time. People are enjoying Frank and The Werewolf Tamer and they are telling their friends. That's fantastic! I've never gotten so much word of mouth endorsements on a book before. How do I know it's word of mouth selling more books and not something else? Because I haven't done anything else. I haven't spent one single dime on advertising for Frank and The Werewolf Tamer.

I've done some guest blog posts, but that's it. Several authors were kind enough to let me be their guest and I'm sure that continues to help. My point is, it didn't cost money. You don't have to spend a fortune to sell books.

I'm sure this is great news to everyone who has to pay for marketing all on their own. Wait, that would be everyone. Ha. Ha. Ha. Sorry to burst that bubble. Even big names still pay for much (and in some cases all) of their marketing. Those banners with your book and smiling face right beside your name in HUGE letters, not to mention like 100 free copies, only happens in the movies.

Once Upon A Time has ruined Prince Charming.

Yes, I know this blog usually has material about writing. But, I also have listed at the top that there will be rants. I love the new TV series, Once Upon A Time. I haven't missed an episode. There are no spoilers here unless you haven't seen the show at all. With that in mind, I plan to share what's pissing me off.

I suppose you could say (in a way) that this is about writing. It's about taking a well-known and loved character and turning him into a complete asshole. The way they did a re-write of Charming in Shrek was funny. This is not.

I realize that this is a series and they still have a ways to go. Naturally, there will be obstacles since the curse prevents everyone from living happily ever after. Still, bearing that in mind ... Do they have to make Prince Charming such a freaking jerk?!

He's awful! The writers have taken everything that was good and decent about the character and totally ruined him. Yes, they've taken a creative license here and in most cases there's nothing wrong with that. However, Prince Charming is a classic character. When you say his name, there are certain things that come to mind. People expect these things. You know, like charm for one thing. Heck, it's part of his name. Or what about decency and honor? And let's not forget faithfulness.

Let me explain a little better what I'm talking about. (For the purposes of this rant, I'm assuming everyone is familiar with the subject matter.) Example 1 - He led Snow White on. This was painful to watch, but an actual interesting twist. He chose to stay with his wife. (Midas' daughter) Okay. Fine. Now be man enough to live with that choice. (Until the writers work something else out.)

Example 2- After he's already made his choice, he can't stick with it. He continues to lead Snow on. And (to me this is the most painful) we find out that his wife thinks she might be pregnant. Seriously?! He's telling Snow how he has feelings for her and all the while he's doing Midas' daughter as much as he wants? "Yeah, baby, I love you. That's why I keep getting into bed with her." It goes beyond not being fair. Life isn't fair. I get that. He's an asshole.

Example 3 - After they find out that his wife isn't pregnant, he starts having an affair with Snow. In her defense, Snow White turned him down several times. The problem is, she loves him and you can only deny yourself something you want for so long.

Example 4 - He makes his wife believe that he wants to "make this right" and work things out with her. In this conversation she tells him flat out that she wants children. He not only goes along with it, but agrees to see a counselor. All the while, he's telling Snow that he loves her.

I think I've proven my point. The writers of this series have turned Prince Charming into a lying, cheating piece of shit. Sorry. I tried to choose my words more politely, but it didn't get the point across. They have ruined this character. I watch each week in the hopes that he will die.

Well, that and I have a crush on Rumplestiltskin. LOL

*deep breath* Okay. Rant over. Let's all continue with our regularly scheduled lives. Shall we?

I've got some good news

For those of you who are die hard print fans, Frank and The Werewolf Tamer is now available in print. Isn't that awesome?

It will be available within a week on Amazon to order. But in the meantime, you can order directly from Createspace. For those not familiar, Createspace is Amazon's print site. They handle all of their print on demand orders.

Now, for those interested in uploading books themselves, I thought I would share how easy Createspace was to use. Before this I had never formatted a book for print in my life. Honestly, it sounded like it would be hard. I was nervous. I shouldn't have been.

This site was so easy to use. They even offer suggestions on book size to offer you the best possible distribution. Good to know, since I didn't have a clue. The most difficult part (which still wasn't really hard) was the cover art. I designed and formatted my own. For the ebook, this was easy. But what about formatting for a print book? They give you measurements of how large your photo should be. Plus, you get a very easy to understand program to use on the site with a great preview tool. It took me a couple of tries to get the cover just right, but it was more time consuming than "hard."

They also gave me a code to enter to get a free proof copy of my book. It looks great! I couldn't be more pleased. I've even designed my own logo on the back:)

To purchase your copy: https://www.createspace.com/3787485

For those who prefer ebook format:

http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Werewolf-Tamer-ebook/dp/B006PU2JBW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328894649&sr=1-1

Goodbye Matt

Today I'm going to share something very painful in the hopes that I will never have to deal with this again. Writing is my therapy many times, so I'm going to write about it.

Years ago, I had a friend. A very dear friend whom I thought of as a brother. His name was Matt. From the time I was in 6th grade (changed schools) until my early twenties, we saw each other often. Hell, we just lived around the block from one another. I loved him with all my heart. He was family to me. Even after I got married, my husband really liked him too. We used to all hang out and go places together. My parents loved him too.

Then one day in 2002 when I was on my way to work, I stopped at a gas station in town. There was Matt. He told me he was moving. He'd gotten a better job somewhere but promised to keep in touch and visit. I hugged him that day with a heavy heart. I smiled and wished him well, but something inside me knew, I would never see him again. I was right.

One day he was my best friend, the next he'd dropped off the face of the earth. With all the technology we have today I know that seems impossible. But it isn't. I've not been able to find him on any social networks. I checked for listed phone numbers in the general area where he moved. But he wasn't there anymore. In 2006 I found an address way down in Florida where I sent a letter, trying to reach him. If he got it, I never knew.

Over the years I have dreamed of him until I can no longer take the heartbreak. These dreams are never exactly the same. They normally consist of me seeing him somewhere. Damn, it's good to see him. We talk about our lives, catch up. Then, when I go to hug him goodbye, I realize it's only a dream. I wake up with my heart broken all over again.

It's 4:50 a.m. and I've just woken from another such dream. I can't take it any more. I just want to let this go. He may have moved a lot, but I have lived in the same house, on the same street. Until recently, I had the same phone number. And my parents still have the same number. He hasn't called. He hasn't written. He hasn't stopped by. As much as it hurts to admit, maybe I wasn't as important to him as he was to me.

I'm writing this to say goodbye. Stop haunting my dreams. I'm tired of waking up crying. Dreams of you have a way of showing up when I feel lonely and I need you most. It's cruel. I'm sick of it. This ghost of a memory that feels so real has got to let me be. So, wherever you are, Matt .... I'm tired of missing you. Goodbye.

Marketing and difficult decisions

As authors, we're often faced with many difficult decisions when it comes to the way our work is presented. After all, readers base their opinion of our work on that presentation. The most important thing is the book itself. It should be engaging, well-written, and entertaining. Not to mention thoroughly edited.

Beyond that, there's the cover art, the blurb, and many other factors that are often out of our control. Unless, you self-publish.

The rights on many of my previous titles are in the process of reverting back to me. What does that mean? It means my contracts are running out and I have chosen not to renew them. This is a business decision that I put off for as long as I could.

Many people have written to me about the Lilith Mercury series. I promise, I am NOT abandoning Lilith. This series is part of the books that are returning to me. Unfortunately, there will be a delay in the books being re-released, but it will happen. Hopefully, the first 3 books in the series will be available again for readers by the end of the year.

The reason I delayed this for so long (besides honoring my original contract length) was I didn't want to inconvenience my readers. However, I feel this story was never given the chance it deserves, due to marketing.

First of all, Red, book one in the series, was sold in the category of erotica. That is grossly misleading. Book one is definitely NOT erotica. This led many people to complain about a lack of sex. I can't blame them, they thought they were purchasing an erotic title. Also, the blurb is written in a way that leads people to believe Lilith will end up with Marco at the end of the book. This is also terribly misleading. Naturally, I got complaints that there wasn't a "happy ending."

Well, of course there wasn't! This is the beginning of a SERIES. Lilith Mercury will have a happy ending some day, I promise. But not at the end of the first book in the series. Unfortunately, the book had already been out for 3 years and many sequels released before it was ever marketed as a series.

All of this was out of my hands and I apologize to everyone who was disappointed.

Soon, however, the series will be re-released and marketed as it was intended. The blurbs will be worded in a way to not mislead people, but to let them know what they're getting. And just as importantly, the books will be sold in the correct categories. While the series does get hotter as it goes on (that was always my intention) book one should never be mistaken for erotica.

To my loyal fans of this series, bless you for sticking with me. And to all those who have written to me, asking about the next book. it will come, I promise. I appreciate your emails from the bottom of my heart.

The Lilith series will return, revised, re-edited, and expanded. And better than ever!

Patience might be a virtue, especially in marketing

But that doesn't mean I have any. For those of you out there working on writing your first book, there's something else staring you in the face. Something you may not have thought of. PROMOTION AND MARKETING. Basically, they're the same thing. Call it what you will, it's driving me crazy.

Many people are still under the false impression that a publishing company covers all of the costs of marketing. They believe that all they have to do is turn in their book and POOF it magically gets advertised. Um...WRONG.

Even if you're already a big name in the industry, not ALL of your promotional efforts will be paid for or arranged by your publisher.

And if your an indie author you're totally on your own. You are responsible for many things you might not think of as marketing, but it is. Such as the presentation of your book. This includes the layout and text (does it look professional, free from errors and typos, etc.,), the blurb (Is your book description interesting?) and the cover art. People DO judge books by their covers and this part is crucial.

Not only are all those things vitally important, they are just the bare minimum.

What I know I want to know and I'm sure many others are asking is, "What really works?" I really wish I knew. As both a traditionally published and independent author, I'm still struggling to figure this out after 4 1/2 years in the business.

Here's a rundown of my efforts. (based solely on my opinions and observations) I will share what I believe worked and didn't work so far.

Print ads - One of the first things I did when my first book came out was start looking into print advertisement. I researched where (which kinds of magazines) my readers (target audience) were most likely to find me. After all, it wouldn't do much good to place an ad in a magazine romance readers would never see.

I took part in a joint ad with other authors in Realms of Fantasy. (By the way, that magazine is now out of business.) At the time it had a good reach and was distributed in many local bookstores. To me, that was a plus.

The ad cost me $120. It looked nice and I was very proud. However, the first QUARTER of royalties from my first book only earned me around $450.

Being short on cash, I didn't try this again. However, one of my publishers was kind enough to choose another book of mine to place in an ad that they paid for in Romantic Times Magazine the year before last. Sales for the book in question were low, despite the fact that the ad (which I couldn't have afforded) was beautiful.

Print ads are impressive, but in my opinion, they are a total waste of money.

Online ads - There are a wide variety of these available. Some work and some don't. In my experience the cheaper ads pay off more as you don't have much invested. Plus, I'm working on a nonexistent budget.

I've put a $5 ad up at Coffee Time Romance on several occasions and saw an over all jump in sales for the quarter in which the ads appeared. It was a small jump. We're talking about 50 copies above average for the entire quarter. Not big at all, but well worth $5.

The biggest return I ever saw on an ad was in ARe's newsletter. (All Romance Ebooks) I placed a cover ad for $15. I think the price has changed since then. I sold 84 copies of the book in question THAT WEEK. The combined sales for the month on the title I advertised alone was $238 above what they had been the month before. That's for the MONTH and not the quarter. Of course, this book was also with a larger publisher. That could have made a difference as well. However, at the time the title had been out for over a year.

In my opinion, ads in online magazines and forums are well worth the price.

As for social networks - I have no idea if promoting on social networks pays off or not. My thing is, I don't want to spam people. I took part in Triberr for a little over a month and ended up dropping out of a very large tribe. For those not familiar with Triberr, basically it's a way to have lots of people re-tweet your blog posts all over Twitter. Yes, that's really simplified, but it suits the purposes of this post. Many of the people in my tribe didn't post about topics of interest to my twitter followers. Sure, I picked up about 100 followers, but I also lost a lot. They felt like they were being spammed and I must agree. I've stopped following people who's Twitter feeds are nothing but non-stop advertisement.

Maybe a much smaller tribe with a focus on paranormal romance might work. Who knows? On the whole, I found Triberr to be a huge pain in the butt. I'm still in 2 very small tribes about marketing for authors.

Facebook - I have a fan page and a personal page. I've heard many experts say how you should keep your personal page seperate. I think that's bull. I don't post anything on Facebook that I wouldn't say in public. I'm not one of those people. I don't have drunken pictures or lots of F-bombs or photos of my family so that someone can stalk them. LOL I'm there to network. If I happen to find an old friend from school, great.

The idea of seperation might work for those in a different industry, but not for me. In my case, I think it would be counterproductive. I am what I do. I write. I am a writer. What the hell difference would there be in my pages? Not much. I talk more on my personal page than I do on my fan page. The fan page is mostly for updates on books and blog posts.

Sure, I post links where my books can be purchased. But that's not the only thing I post. Does it work? Who knows.

Myspace - This is almost totally pointless as everyone has migrated to Facebook. However, I keep it updated with new statuses through Ping.fm. This lovely little service updates all your social networks at once:) I've got mine set to update my Twitter, Myspace, Facebook, and Yahoo accounts all at once.

Goodreads - Many people swear by this. I'm not one of them. I do have an author page at GR and I have rated a few books, but not many. I have my page set up so that the RSS feed from my blog shows up there, giving me a chance to reach a larger audience. The reason I don't go to GR often is simple, I feel unwelcome. Many of the reviews there (and not just for my books) are mean-spirited and just flat rude. It seems to be a hangout for the more venmous to converge. Now if you're on GR and are a nice person, don't be offended. I'm sure there ARE nice people there. I've met one or two. But like I said, not many.

Linkedin - I have an account, but haven't taken the time to get to know how it works. I have too much to do as it is!

Amazon forums - See my opinion about Goodreads. It applies here as well. AUTHORS ARE NOT WELCOME ON AMAZON FORUMS. DO NOT GO THERE.

Yahoo groups - I have one of these too. I'm also a member of many. I chat occasionally and post about my books. Does it work? I have no idea. I visit yahoo groups less and less often as I'm beginning to believe they do nothing at all for sales.

Coffee Time Romance forums - I'm not sure if these boost my sales or not, but I love the people there. I would go just for fun, even if it didn't help me sell more books. Plus, you get to update your signature line with your latest book info. Everyone who sees your signature is another potential customer, right?

Wow. I'm exhausted just LOOKING at this post. LOL I'm certain I've left things out, because I'm constantly marketing.

Oh, I've also got a Website and (you know this because you're reading it) a Blog.

I've done this post to try to help my fellow authors who are out there wondering what works. As I search for the answers to the same question, I'll share my findings with you.

And just in case you're interested, here are the links to where you can find me.

Website - http://www.traceyhkitts.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/traceyhkitts/info#!/pages/Tracey-H-Kitts/73968579374

Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/traceyhkitts

My Coffee Time Author Area - http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=1394

I'd like to finish with some words of wisdom. As a very wise editor once told me, the very best promotion is writing another good book. Now that, I can handle:)