Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Guest Post and Giveaway with Wendy S. Marcus: Adding Diversification To My Discoverability Strategy

Wendy S. Marcus

The Hot Pink Typewriter is pleased to welcome talented friend and author Wendy S. Marcus.

The topic of Wendy's guest post is discoverability.
 
How do we, as readers, find new books and authors to love? And how do we, as writers, find new readers?
 
Wendy writes hot contemporary romances with strong heroes, feisty heroines and lots of laughs...a combination I truly enjoy.
 
Thanks so much for visiting with us, Wendy!

Hi Tina!

Thank you for hosting my visit to The Hot Pink Typewriter! I’m so happy to be here! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Wendy S. Marcus and I write medical romance for Harlequin Mills and Boon under the tagline: These aren’t your Aunt Mabel’s medical romances. They’re hot, sexy and fast-paced.

Like most authors, my interest in writing romance grew out of a love of reading it. And I still remember the book responsible for my ongoing romance addiction, Home to Copper Mountain by Rebecca Winters. A Harlequin Superromance I picked out of a box of old paperbacks at a school fundraiser about eight years ago.

I bet most authors don’t put yard sales high on their list of ways to improve their discoverability ~ how readers find their books among the millions of books available. No, authors need to be proactive in marketing. So we flock to places like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads. We toss ourselves out into social media desperately trying to make our message heard, “Buy my book. Buy my book,” while not actually screaming those offensive words at the risk of coming off egocentric and turning away potential readers.

We spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on advertising, websites, and contest prizes. We spend $7.00 USD to mail $5.00 books to readers across the globe. (Or maybe that’s just me who does that!) But you get my point.

With the glut of traditionally published, small-press published and self-published books available for purchase (and for free) on the Internet it’s no longer enough to write a good book. You have to find a way for readers to discover your book, read it, and hopefully review it - preferably with five beautiful stars that will gain the attention of other readers. And so on and so on and so on.

It’s with expanding my readership in mind that I’ve decided to add diversification to my discoverability strategy.

I’m thrilled to have my fourth and fifth books for Harlequin Mills and Boon’s medical romance line out in January 2013 (U.S. e-book editions releasing on February 1, 2013), Craving Her Soldier’s Touch, book #1 in the Piermont Sisters duet, and Secrets of a Shy Socialite, book #2. While both books are connected, each is written to stand alone. And my sixth book, Tempting Nurse Scarlet, book #6 in the upcoming NYC Angels continuity, will be out in May 2013. But after that, with six published books in my backlist, I am branching out in search of new readers.

I’ve already completed a short story for an upcoming edition of The Mammoth Book of… anthology, due to be published in late 2013. And I’m currently working on a book with a new publisher, Entangled Publishing, that I am very excited about, which should also be published in late 2013. Will I write more books for Harlequin Mills and Boon? I hope so. But for now my focus is on diversification and finding new readers.

Is this the best way to go? Should all authors diversify? Or is it better to stick with one publisher and develop your brand? I don’t have the answer. Maybe Tina will have me back for a follow up post in a year or so!

So what’s your take on discoverability? If you’re a reader, where do you go to look for books? What makes you choose one book over another?

If you’re a writer, what do you do to make your books stand out?

Two lucky commenters will be randomly chosen, via random.org, to win one copy of Craving Her Soldier’s Touch or Secrets of a Shy Socialite, winner’s choice.


SECRETS OF A SHY SOCIALITE 

CRAVING HER SOLDIER'S TOUCH

To find out more about me or my books:
 
Visit my website.

Find me on Facebook.
 
Tweet with me on Twitter.
 
Talk books with me on Goodreads.

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31 comments:

  1. TinaJanuary 31, 2013 at 12:14 AM

    Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Wendy. I really enjoyed your post. I usually "discover" new authors or books via word of mouth, social media and recommendations from Goodreads.

    I like your diversification strategy, and the idea of multiple publishers. Seems smart business to me. :)

    How do we make our books stand out? I want to know the answer to that one too. ;)

    Thanks again for visiting with us. The door's always open!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 31, 2013 at 4:59 AM

    Hi Wendy and Tina! Please don't enter me as I am lucky enough to have the books. They are fabulous too.
    I remember 'discovering' Wendy very well. It was via twitter when Fiona Marsden tweeted me that a Wendy S Marcus book is hot enough to melt chocolate. And yes it's true!
    Usually though most of my 'discoveries' are made at the library. I work my way through authors alphabetically and if the blurb grabs me I read it. If it's a great one I tend to buy every book they write.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 7:28 AM

    Hi Tina!

    I usually discover new authors from Groodreads, from Twitter, and occasionally from bestseller lists on Amazon. But I'm eager to see what visitors have to say. Thanks again for having me!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 7:32 AM

    Hi Tracey!
    Very funny! I still remember that tweet and your Twitter profile! Combining the things you love....chocolate and books. Chocolate books? Seems bonding over chocolate works!

    I'm so glad you enjoyed both books. Thank you for taking the time to write such wonderful reviews!

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  5. Jennifer ShirkJanuary 31, 2013 at 8:33 AM

    HI, Wendy!! Great interview. I didn't know we're Entangled sistas!

    I think branching out in various genres and publishers is a good way to go for extra exposure. That's why I wrote a novella. Something different and thinking it would be a good way to get different kinds of readers.

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  6. Jessica LemmonJanuary 31, 2013 at 9:01 AM

    Hi, Wendy! I love this post! Oh, if only I knew the answer to this conundrum! I can see both sides, becoming a "Mills and Boon" author vs. becoming an author who appears under multiple publishers. I'd love to hear a follow up (of where we all are!) in a year. :-)

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  7. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    Hi Jennifer!
    I saw you had a novella out with Entangled. Must order that! I agree that mixing it up makes us more visible to readers....at least that's the plan!

    Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    Hi Jessica!

    I'm glad you enjoyed the post! And conundrum sums it up nicely. But we've gotta try different things and see what works.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jennifer FayeJanuary 31, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    Wendy, great post! I can see this as a huge issue for authors. And especially for those who write fast and can turn out book after book.

    I hope your journey leads you to the most amazing places and you have the ride of your life. I'll be watching and reading. :-)

    BTW, as you already know, I LOVED your latests releases. Excellent!!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 12:35 PM

      Hi Jennifer!

      The life of an author is an interesting one, especially now. Thank you for reading and reviewing my books! I'm thrilled that you LOVED Craving Her Soldier's Touch and Secrets of a Shy Socialite! Can't wait to read you books!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  10. Eli YantiJanuary 31, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    I always love to know new author, usually i try to find them on facebook and I choice to buy one book more then another after reading synopsis or recommend friend or the cover book. Nowadays all cover book will make reader spend their money and I have one friend who do so :D

    eli_y83@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 12:36 PM

      Hi Eli!
      I'm attracted by book covers and back of the book blurbs, too!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  11. BobJanuary 31, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    Digital Book World recently released a study that said one-third of traditionally published authors also want to self-publish. Having spent 20 years in trad publishing and going into my fourth year indie, I would warn that it's not as easy as throwing a book in a meatgrinder like Smashwords. An eBook is organic.

    I formed my own publishing company in order to bring backlist out and then frontlist. It's a full time operation. In fact, we just decided we're really not a publishing company any more, we're a publishing partnership. We work for our authors. A radical concept that trad publishing never fully grasped.

    It's the best time ever to be a writer, with more options, but it's also a dangerous time.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 12:48 PM

      I can't believe Bob Mayer actually commented on my blog post!!! How cool is that? Because I'm a total fan of his blog. (I subscribe and everything!) And it was Bob's blog that introduced me to the term discoverability!

      Well Hi Bob! May I call you Bob? Mr. Mayer seems so formal.

      I don't think I'm ready for self-publishing just yet, but I sure do like the idea of doing my own quality control. That's been a major frustration I've had with traditional publishing. Being able to choose my own price point and offer deals is also quite attractive. But I don't delude myself to think I'm ready for self-publishing just yet. I still have more to learn. And I admit, I have been rather disappointed by some popular authors who have self-published - in my opinion - mediocre books.

      I agree it's a great time to be a writer.....and a reader! And I agree there are dangers out there. But I can't let fear of the unknown keep me from searching out new opportunities.

      Thanks so much for stopping by! You have made my day!!!

      Delete
  12. Fiona MarsdenJanuary 31, 2013 at 10:01 AM

    ROFL. I didn't expect to find my name on the comments here. I always worry a little when a favourite author diversifies. I've found sometimes I simply don't like what they are doing in the alternative market and that tarnishes the brand. One author I loved when writing sheikhs and alphas for HM&B branched into small town and cluttered up the stories with family and friends that were okay but I felt the core romances lacked the depth of the category. *irony*. ON the other hand I have a couple of other faves who seem to be able to write stuff I like in any genre. I suspect Wendy S Marcus will be one of the latter because I seem to like everything she writes even against my will. ;)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 1:00 PM

      Hi Fiona!
      Thank you for getting Tracey and who knows how many other readers interested in reading my books! I appreciate your wonderful reviews and blog posts and tweets/re-tweets. YOU are an excellent contributor to my discoverability!!!

      I plan to do my best no matter who I write for and I hope you'll continue to read and enjoy my books!~

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  13. Olivia MilesJanuary 31, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    Thanks so much for joining us today, Wendy! You've raised some interesting points, as have many of those who commented. This is a topic I have discussed at length with fellow writers, and one which can feel at times overwhelming with so many resources and outlets available to writers at this time. I think that building a solid brand is paramount, and that with this foundation in place, branching out to other publishers or forms of publication will only reinforce sales across the brand. Personally, whenever I find an author I enjoy, I tend to buy all their books, regardless of which publishing house they fall under. As for discovering new writers, I often browse and rely on back cover blurbs over reviews, which are inherently subjective. A certain amount of marketing and hype will certainly catch my attention, but ultimately, the writer still has to hook me enough for me to buy a second book.

    Thanks again for the guest post! Congrats on your latest sale :-)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 1:08 PM

      Hi Olivia!

      I agree with establishing a brand. And I've worked hard to do that. But I find that in writing category romance for Harlequin, authors are lumped into the line they write for. I can't tell you how many times readers have said something like, "I don't read medical romance. I don't like how the heroines are always nurses and never doctors." They discredit an entire line of books, and thus the authors who write them, without giving my books a chance. So I plan to try to carry my brand with me as I write for other publishers who will hopefully expand my reach to the fans of their romances.

      Does that make sense?

      And I do the same thing. When I find an author I love I dig into their backlist. Jeeze, after I read my first Courtney Milan book, I lost a whole week of writing because I became a bit obsessed!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  14. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    I enjoyed reading this post. As a reader, I want a little of the same from favourite writers. On the other hand, wouldn't it be boring if notheing changed. I always feel change is with us all the time, but the most successful change is the under the surface current. Anne

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    1. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 1:11 PM

      Hi Anne!

      I agree. As readers - and even though I'm an author I am still a voracious reader - we expect certain things from the authors we come to love. But I've come across authors who I know will give me a great read regardless of whether I'm reading one of their contemporary books or a historiacl romance or even a novella. I want to work hard to be one of those authors.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  15. Natalie CharlesJanuary 31, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    Great post, Wendy. I tend to discover new authors by word of mouth, so I notice if a book is getting a lot of attention on Goodreads, Twitter or Amazon. As for branching out, I will tend to follow a writer I enjoy anywhere he or she goes. As long as they keep writing books I enjoy, I'll keep buying. :-)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 1:15 PM

      Hi Natalie!

      I will continue to read an author as long as they write books I enjoy, too! And I find a lot of new authors/books from my friends on Goodreads and Twitter. Too many books, I'm afraid!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  16. TinaJanuary 31, 2013 at 12:05 PM

    I'm jumping in because this is a really great conversation we have going here. :)

    If I find an author I love, I'm buying all their books, regardless of publisher–and even regardless of romantic sub-genre. Paranormal. New Adult. Romantic Suspense. Doesn't matter to me as long as I get my happy ending. ;) I'm wondering if this is true for most readers?

    As for authors, diversification encompasses a lot of ideas and/or strategies, as many vistors have pointed out and hinted at in the comments above. Book-length, genre, publisher, etc. There's so much to consider.

    I definitely see a follow-up post in our future.

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    1. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 1:18 PM

      Hi Tina!

      I'm not like you in the sense I follow some authors, take Christine Feehan for instance, where I only read certain series or genres they write. But I am very loyal when they put out a book in the series I'm following. (LOVED her Drake sisters books!)

      Thanks for stopping by! I love when a blog gets a lot of interaction going!

      Delete
  17. NasJanuary 31, 2013 at 4:05 PM

    Hi Wendy

    Great post. And I was reading through the comments and nodding my head, I agreed with all!

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    1. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 4:08 PM

      Hi Nas!

      Thanks for stopping by....and for all your help with my discoverability!!!!

      Delete
  18. NasJanuary 31, 2013 at 4:15 PM

    Hi Wendy

    Great post. And I was reading through the comments and nodding my head, I agreed with all!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Victoria JamesJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:31 PM

    Hi Wendy! Thanks so much for stopping by-and what an awesome post.

    Before I was pursuing publication, I would find new authors by word of mouth. Then once I really started writing, I started trying authors based on the lines they wrote for. Now that I've 'met' fellow authors, I find I'm piling their books onto my TBR pile...Now I'm off to add yours :-)

    Congrats on all your success :-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wendy S. MarcusJanuary 31, 2013 at 7:51 PM

    Hi Victoria!

    Before I started writing I used to love to go into my local Borders book store and find books on the Romance New Releases table. I kind of miss that.

    Thanks for your congratulations and for buying my books!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Tony Van HelsingFebruary 1, 2013 at 11:17 AM

    My wife once persuaded me to put down my Tom Clancy and read a Mills & Boon. While it wasn't the sort of the book I'd read, it wasn't what I expected either. Pretty sexy stuff. For some reason the male lead had golden eyes that turned black when he was angry.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wendy S. MarcusFebruary 1, 2013 at 12:32 PM

    Hi Tony!

    How long ago was that? Mills and Boon has a wide range of books with some very modern content now. My heroines are strong, professional women. (And their eyes don't change color - not a fan of that myself.)

    Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete

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