Juicy Excerpt

For those wanting more "meat" than the usual excerpts, I'm running a long preview this week at Book Nibbler. Check it out and of course..................FEEDBACK!!!!

Take care.

Syd

Adventures In Advertising

I just posted the email below in some of my writers groups about what I discovered about the advertising game--and that's what it is, a numbers game. In researching advertising rates within the writing community, I now understand the Caveat Emptor statement. It's true--buyer, or writer, beware. All the "great" deals AREN'T deals at all. Anywho, take a moment to read and of course, send feedback! Smooches.

Good People,
Having been one that has made plenty of mistakes in this publishing game, I had to share what I've learned about advertising. First though, I want to say, I've done my share of advertising. $250/month ads, even signed on and got some for $150-200 if I got them for 3 months and I did--paid over time like a layaway and everything supposedly focused for readers of AA literature. Shoot, I never recouped the cost of the advertising. Did this over and over and finally I started looking for better alternatives. I mean, how long can you throw money behind the same ad and it still yields no sales, right? Like I said, I've paid my advertising dues.

NOW, what I've discovered is...if you go "beyond" your present boundaries, there is a whole 'nother advertising cost scale. Shoot, I just paid $12 for a 4 month banner ad. Then another author told me about another reader/writer site and I paid $25 for a year of advertising. Got me a webpage, book stays up all year and I'll be a featured author. AND I've found oodles of other sites that do the same thing. I mean, $10 - $15 (even at 1 month, this is a steal) shoot off an announcement/ interview/ feature spot to their hundreds of members and wahlah! You've got sales! And heck, I don't need but 1.5 of any title sold to recoup the cost.

I'm not saying that the $250 a month is a bad price...I'm just saying, you have options.

Lesson complete. Have a great night.

Syd

Peace out.

What Kind of Sexy am I?

Just had to take this little test when I saw it. And the funny thing is...its TRUE. No fudging, no retakes, no please make me somebody I'm not, it IS me. And the last little part about not toning it down...I never do anyway. Peace.

You Are Bad Girl Sexy

Girl, you are nothing but trouble. And that's hot.You've got the classic bad girl sexiness mojo going on. And your badass attitude makes men fear you -- and crave you. Don't give into people who say to tone it down. You're perfect as is.

What'>http://ynr.blogthings.com/whatkindofsexyareyouquiz

My, how the time flies!

One minute, its the beginning of Summer, the next, we're almost into Fall! It seems like I didn't get enough rest, vacation time or mind peace and its time to began again.

I've had some great news in the MY bookworld:

First off, Devil's Orchestra is still getting rave reviews. That makes me very, very proud.

Secondly, my story "Overhaul" did make it into the first edition of Caramel Flava, edited by Zane. I'm on page 230. That's 230.

Thirdly, Satisfy Me, which includes my novella "Her Wildest Fantasy" has a definite drop date of Dec 26, 2006. AND I just received a contract for the second one. I'm gonna wedge this door open a little wider and give them a full length novel in a minute.

And yep, looks like I'm doing a little touring again. I kick it off Oct 6 - 8 at the Marvelously Mature Weekend in Dallas, Tx. This event is hosted by Evelyn Paltry and I expect to have a blast. Grandmama's Mojo Still Working will be my headliner for that event.

Mid Oct finds me in Jackson at the Jackson Mississipp Reader's Club monthly meeting. Devil's Orchestra will play a ghoulish host for this event.

Oct 28 is my double-header day. I'm in Collins, MS for a booksigning from 10 - 2 followed by, going home, getting gussied up, and attending the Mississippi Best Awards, where I'll be up for Best Author- fiction.

November 9-11, I'm on the road again. Detroit, MI this time for the Motown Writers Conference. I hope to meet up and greet all those wonderful women writers I've been conversing with. It's time!!!!!

Well, that's it for now. I'll post more as my schedule unveils itself!