And here we are again, covering all things related to the art of writing. Thank you for joining me on this adventure.
I hope you are all rested and ready to hit this week running hard. I am about halfway through the final edit on “Resurrecting Tobias.” No idea when I will be done with it but I’m still hoping for a publish date on the ebook of the end of May.
With the help of my friend Lizzy Davis, my new website is up and running. You can find it below.
http://williamdhollandauthor.com/
I will be posting excerpts from the book from time to time prior to publication, and as soon as I film the videos you will find those as well on the website.
Now let’s get down to business, and we’ll start with a quote.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Without promotion, something terrible happens… nothing!”
P. T. Barnum
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Although I certainly understand the quote above, and appreciate the benefits of promoting my own work, I still hate it. Recently I mentioned my distaste for people on Facebook who constantly bombard their friends with advertisements about their new book. I really do hate that, and I’m trying very hard not to do it….but…..
As writers, if we don’t promote our own works, then who will? We are constantly walking this tightrope trying to find just the right amount of self-promotion without appearing to be egocentric. It is hard for me because I really don’t like to draw attention to myself…but still….
TIP OF THE DAY
If you have written a book, start up a website for that book, or at the very least a website just for your “author site.” That way you can promote on that website and everyone who visits it knows what they are getting into when they do visit. Those of us who frequent Facebook often will be very appreciative.
WRITER OF THE DAY
Say hello to Lea, one of the nicest people in our writing community. You can find her on HubPages as Sparklea here.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
Hopefully this picture will give you an idea for your next article.
THAT’S IT FOR TODAY
Never fear, I will be back, unless, well, I don’t want to think of the unless. J Have a great day and I’ll see you again on Thursday.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Love the idea of a writer’s website and if I only I had more time in the day to also have that kind of a blog now, too. I try my best to showcase some of it on my Confessions site as my time permits, but do love how you have this separate site, too. That said I am off to design for two clients and no time for the weary now. Happy Tuesday Bill 🙂
Janine, I don’t see how you can possibly take on more. Stick with what you are doing. It is obviously working. Thanks as always my friend.
I loved your site, and was delighted to read an excerpt from your book 🙂
I have to set up a website…might contact your friend for some insight. Thanks 🙂
Thank you Ruchira! I’m glad you liked the book excerpt.
Hi Bill,
I have had my own website from some time now. I have learned that it helps in promoting my work by including a “signature post” on my WordPress blog posts that tell about who I am and always include a link back to my website.
Great suggestions, Donna! Thank you for sharing that with us.
That’s what we’re all here for, right?
That’s my understanding, Donna. 🙂
Bill, I know what you mean about self-promotion. It’s the one thing I dread doing, but it is also the one thing I know I must do. You happen to have a good handle on it. I like that you share yourself with your readers – that you’re not simply promoting your book, that you are taking us on a journey with you through the process, and that’s what makes it fun to follow you and the process of publishing a book.
I appreciate that, Marlene. I really struggle with this end of it. I really don’t like talking about the book too much, so I try to incorporate it into writing lessons so at least all of you get something out of it other than the name of my book.
I’ll have to check out your site. The last time I was there it was still under construction.
You almost look like you’re raising Tobias from the dead in the photo above. 🙂
Sha, someone had to raise him from the dead. Who better to do that than his creator? 🙂
Yes Bill, having your own website does help. I personally received a great deal when Maggie and I bought gringoboricua.com. Off of that I developed sub domains. It does suk spamming with our books, but we do have to market them. I would also suggest making a page for it on Facebook. Have a great day Bill.
All great suggestions, Greg, from a man who knows what he is talking about. Thank you!
Thanks Bill on the topic of a website.the other thing i like about the website is that anyone from around the globe can be a customer. the website can take orders and ebooks downloaded,can transacted into the set bank account and by then the author may be fast in dreamland.how wonderful? am contemplating that kind of easier life. regards Andries
Andries, your words are true. I love the idea of making money while I sleep. 🙂 Thank you for the comment.
Nicely done!
Thank you Kim!
Hello Bill!
I wanted you to know that I do have a writer’s website. I chat with you from time to time on Hub Pages; I’m aka Zainab. I recently launched my writer’s website, so I’m still formatting and trying out different types of content as I go along. So far, the experience has been great and the interaction from other writers has been really good. If you have a moment, please take a peak at my site and let me know what you think. The feedback will be greatly appreciated! 🙂
https://new3creationservices.wordpress.com/
Musu, I will do that. Thanks for visiting mine.
I know what you mean about hating self promotion…I do too. It seems like everyone is so busy I don’t wanna be a bother:) lol. I know…I know…gotta get over it right?
Kelly, you and me both. I hate to ask my friends for anything, so I really do understand. It’s nice to know that other writers feel the same way. Thank you!
Okay, I’ve bookmarked your new website so I can check in and see what you’re up to! 🙂 Looking very snazzy right now, Bill – great job!! You’re so right about the promoting thing – I still struggle a lot with it. A friend of mine said she never posts anything about her photography on her personal FB page because she doesn’t want to bombard her friends with stuff. I told her I disagreed. Some people who are friends just don’t want to “like” a professional page and don’t mind the reminder about what you do – in fact, some people have told me they like it because they forget! I don’t post every blog post, just the ones I think friends would find interesting – or one I’m particularly proud of. Twitter – well, that’s working a lot better these days and so is Google +. Anyway, it’s been a long day this side so I’ll stop this little story here and let you go and enjoy your day. Can’t wait to hear more about your book progress. Have a good one Bill! 🙂
Thank you, Mel, for sharing your thoughts on this. I use my personal Facebook page and so far nobody has gotten annoyed with me. As for Twitter, I hardly use it and really don’t know how to. I get a lot of action on Pinterest, so that’s nice.
Sleep well and thanks for always being here.
Hi Bill. You say so many ideas between the lines, tempting to put together what you message is. If seeing properly, on top of all the ” web-sites “, a mother of all websites – “Writers Webside,” for a special attention is needed for promotion to lead searching ones to a treasure they are looking for. Great idea, broadening spectrum what an artist really stands for as a valuable contribution to world near and wide. Isn’t it a mission of every human being? – Oh, my friend, we are – everyone is – promoting ourselves – as proverbial truth hangs upon us ” you ARE light of the world…” Then we say ” I do my best”- being helped to spread my wings and fly…let as many as want to know. ( My ‘Writers Webside’ got stuck in initial phase…)
Have a great- already a May- best time to present your book for printing.
Peace.
Michael my friend, Happy May to you and thank you! Yes, my friend, we are all promoting whether we know it or not….hopefully that promotion leads to happiness, eh?
blessings to you always
bill
Good morning, Bill-bro. I was in the middle of reading this very interesting article the other day – WHEN MY LIFE BLEW UP! I am back – which is a good thing, yes? lol
Now…back to the subject at hand. When The Amazing Alexandra first built my website – it repelled me. (that’s the best word i can think of). I didn’t quite know what the hay to do with it, and folks certainly weren’t pounding the door down. i’d been spoiiled. Patience and knowledge of the behind the scenes ‘why’s’ was lacking.
Now..i adore my website. Don’t know what i’d do without it!
Best of luck with yours my friend. I’m sure you’ll have folks swarming over in no time flat!!
You know i’ll be therexx
Interesting, Sis, that you didn’t like yours at first. Why is that?
Thanks for the kind words. I’m almost done editing and then it will be time to put up or shut up…and since I’m not real good at shutting up, I guess we know what will be happening. 🙂 Hugs pretty lady.