Friday, January 29, 2010
Reader Feedback: When bad feedback is actually good.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Back In The Loop
There has been so much human drama in my life since my last attempt at being a blogger that I'm not even going to attempt to address them. The good news though, is that I have a release date for my latest novel "Detour to Heaven." The date is March 23, 2010. Further good news is that the pre-release option to purchase is available at my Tate Publisher's web page. http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61566-119-0" Paperback or ebook versions are available. I will be posting a 30 second trailer on this site as soon as it becomes available to me. You can get information about both my novels at my web site http://www.annwinters.net/
I will share with you that I have had a major challenge in my life these past few months, but as always the Lord has sustained me each step of the way. The life trial is not over. However, I stand in faith and am confident that I will ultimately come out victorious, because I truly believe what the Word of God says. If God be for us, who or what can be against us? ( In context: Read Romans 8:31)
It's early AM here in California. It's a cool crisp morning. A morning of clean air that follows a good rain. I am amazed that the earth still stands as I wait expectantly with many Christians for Christ's return. Yet I praise God that it is a day He has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Now, having did my duty to fulfill my promise as an occasional blogger, I will close this one out and go catch up with my fellow Tate bloggers and see what's new in their world.
A belated Merry Christmas! May God bless you abundantly during the New Year with all good things through Jesus Chrsit our Lord.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Strangers and Reader Feedback
Authors, especially fiction authors are very well aware of how important "attraction" to your novel can be. Book covers for instance, can be an attraction or turn-off. Eye appeal is extremely important for book covers to gain interest to a book in the competitive world of publishing. As to non-fiction, personally I look for the title of a subject I might be interested in, rather than enticement of cover. That’s just my personal way of choosing non-fiction books.
Consider those things along with the all important "grab you" first few paragraphs or pages. I know some readers who never get past the first chapter of perfectly good books, simply because the first few paragraphs do not hold their interest. Also, readers can be turned off and put a book aside if there are too many errors, especially in the area of grammar. So as authors, we should pay rapt attention to grammar details, cooperate fully with, and listen to our editors when they make suggestions or changes. While as humans they can also error occasionally, the majority of the time they will be correct.
As a Christian fiction author, I'm also concerned that my novels carry a message that points the readers to the mercy and grace of God. Having said that, I'll share with you the following:
Shortly after my first novel Weapons of Light was published, I received an email through my web site from a total stranger. She shared with me that my book captivated her from the very beginning and was so grateful that she had read it. She ezplained that she had been on the verge of joining a witches' coven and reading my book changed her mind. I was so humbled by her email. There have been others, and I’m very thankful for them, who have given me positive feedback. But that first powerful reader feedback made the months of wondering if the book was good enough, working through production, and subsequent promotional efforts all worth it.
Tate Publishers' Mark Mingle, who is head of marketing, recently stated in an online blog that promotion and success can sometimes take much more time than we at first may realize. (Paraphrased) So when I get a little discouraged because things aren't moving as fast as I think they should, and I think sales should be better, I will remember Mark's words along with the kind stranger's response. And I will remember that my prayer had been if my novel changed just one life for the good, then it would have all been worth it. With that prayer answered, I am thankful for my success as an author, andI am eagerly looking forward to the release of my next novel later this year.
Having mentioned Mark's name, I want to also commend the rest of his staff for their excellent work, along with all of Tate's staff. Without their help and input to achieve my goal as an author, I would not be writing this commentary.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Another Successful Book Signing Event
For reasons that I won't go into, it's not always easy for me to get out and about to promote myself, so the help that I receive from my Tate marketing rep, Traci, is very valuable. Together we have co-ordinated my events. I'm not a top selling author at Tate, but I'm certainly consistent with successful book signing events, and I have gotten wonderful "stranger" feed back from my readers. So with humility, I consider myself a successful published author, thanks to Tate publishers and their wonderful staff. The couple of reviews posted on B&N and Amazon, have been favorable too.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Spring Is Busting Out All Over!
I have an enormous sense of community here in the (what some residents still consider a small) city where I live and I am so pleased that my first book signing event of the year is with an established Christian bookstore, Vine and Branches, that has just recently changed ownership.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Review of "The Shack"
In between working on my latest novel and waiting for April to start working with my editor and entering production of my second novel with Tate Publishers, I have been reading. I just last night, finished reading "The Shack" by William P. Young.
When writing reviews, my goal is respect for fellow authors and their craft, along with truth in my opinion as a reader. On a personal level, as a Christian, I cannot endorse "The Shack." Even though it is fiction, as I said, it strays too far from the basic gospel message of the Bible. As a Christian fiction author, I always try to remain true to the message of Jesus as I "hear it" from the Word of God.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Quiet Concentration
During this New Year, I will be applying all that I have learned since the release of my first novel, Weapons of Light, in May of ‘08, about promotion and sales, to both novels. I can hardly wait for the results. It’s not only the idea of “making money” but the thrill of seeing your hard work and love of the craft succeed.
I truly do love to write, and have started my third novel, a mystery set in the beautiful state of Alaska. Duh? I would be inspired to do Alaska; I suppose since the Lord gave me the gift of writing, he is using it to have me stretch my brain a bit to learn of the great and mysterious weather pattern state. I am very excited about this project, and each day am eager to get to it, to see what I’m going to write.
Honestly, the surprise is genuine. After wondering what my next story line or project was going to be for some time, (If you check my web sight for "works in progress" you will see that I already thought I had the agenda in control.) Ha! The muse had something else in mind. I woke up one morning about a month ago, with the whole story line start to finish The hard part? Filling in the pages between “Chapter One” and “The End.” It’s also the fulfilling and fun part for me, because I truly do not know what I’m going to write next.
I am thrilled and thankful for the gift of writing. Never a dull moment!
Write on!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
It's Official!
What wonderful news to report! (Don’t you just love good reports?).
It’s now official. My new novel, yet untitled, has been reviewed and passed by my acquisitions editor, and will begin production sometime in the early New Year. How exciting!
To fully understand my excitement you would have to know me personally and the sometime bizarre circumstances of my life course. Since you are not privy to that, let me just say that God is awesome and His mercy endures forever! In all things, I have been victorious and blessed. Plus, now, I am at liberty to use the obvious gift of writing that the Lord so generously bestowed on me.
Since English and writing were not my majors or minors while in school and the little college education I did manage to attain, focused mainly on business economics -- the gift of writing can definitely be attributed wholly to God. That being said let me say this: as I wrote in my profile, I’ve always loved to put pen to paper and come up with prose, but the timing and circumstances just wasn’t manifest until I was of a mature adult age. This proves to me yet again, that God’s timing in our lives cannot be underestimated. If we are patient, He will fulfill his purpose for us.
Timing: God often uses some of His children to help others. If we look at the comment I just made, from a Christina perspective, me being a late blooming author, in a very competitive hard to break into publishing world--Tate, I feel, was used to help me attain the goal and degree of success as an author that the Lord intends for me.
So, I’ll close this blog entry with: Thanks to all of my supporters who happen to read this, and thanks once again to Tate, for making my little star shine brighter.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A JOYOUS NEW YEAR TO ALL.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Ann Finally Makes Another Blog Entry!
In my first entry, I also stated that I’m a proud Tate Publication author, and that still stands. I am continually impressed by their efforts to assist and serve their authors and possible authors who are in acquisitions, production, or published. In addition, I can not praise Tate’s post publication marketing teams high enough. They go the extra mile, sometimes voluntarily making suggestions and giving input of how the author can assist in the marketing pursuit. Great partnership!
I have, and am currently experiencing the above service and consideration. My first novel is doing well for its short life in publication, thanks mostly to my marketing rep. My 2nd novel is pending acquisitions review. Whatever the outcome is, I have, and always will back Tate Publication for their integrity, excellent staff, and author relations.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Creating A Reader Fan Base
The secret to building a fan base varies, and goes in many different directions. The number one factor is building relationships, and this starts during the production of your book. First by building anticipation of the release date, with local media, reviews, and even setting speaking events at your church, local clubs, whatever avenue may be open to you, to discuss how you became a writer and the road to publication. I have found that the reading audience is very interested in how an author got started in their career. All of this requires thought and a real desire to succeed—plus hard work. Good things rarely come easy. Tate authors have an advantage to building a fan base, because they have the full co-operation of their personal marketing representative. These valuable people are ready to make contacts, and assist you in any way available to them.
Things to consider when building a reader fan base. Will it be a short fling, or a long-term relationship? Just as we do in personal relationships, we must work to keep our fan base intact by continuing to be interesting and from an author’s perspective, marketable. How do we do that? By delivering a superior product—an interesting, or inspiring piece of literature—one that captivates and holds the interest of our readers, should be number one priority. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, so it’s important to give fans something to talk about, long after they have read the book.
In the publishing world, readers are valued commodities, and we must cherish them. Write with your niche fans in mind; go to your audience, with the purpose to please them, rather than to sell to them. If they like the product, they will buy it.
In the business world, we hear of customer relations, to further the growth of a company. In the publishing world, the same principals apply. We must please our readers (customers) by giving them the products they want, to keep them coming back.
Points to remember: Know your readers—their interests—what is hot in your niche market. Exceed their expectations by writing the best book you can, possibly a best seller.
Friday, November 7, 2008
At Times Marketing Can Come Easy
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
What Makes A Great Church Leader?
The story goes: My mom attended a revival meeting one evening, pregnant with me and my eight-year-old brother in tow. The guest speaker at the end of the service, looked at my brother, then my mother and spoke these words: One day this young man will be a great preacher.
You know the term you hear, gone wild? Well, with my brother that was an understatement. He entered his teens and started a lifestyle that left no doubt in any one's mind that a preacher he would not be. He drank, he gambled, he chased women. He was not following in the footsteps of Jesus, for sure!
He married and had two children before the call finally became reality in his life. He went forward one evening at a small Baptist church in California. From that moment on there was a dramatic change in my brother. The pastor of that church took him under his wing and while my brother studied, prayed and did what he felt was the Lord's will for his life, the pastor would allow him to speak at evening services now and then.
In the ministry there is a term: separate the man from the pulpit. With my brother that is how the Lord thought me to do so. I would listen to my brother speak and be amazed, because the person I would hear from the pulpit was almost like a different person, as the Holy Spirit gave him utterance. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit my brother's natural love of people and winning personality transformed into Christ's love and quest to save souls.
My brother went on to pastor three Baptist churches in California, each one grew and prospered under his leadership. His out-reach programs were something to behold.
After they moved to Arkansas and settled in, the church grew into thousands for membership. Their children all attended and graduated college, and have, every one, wonderful careers. Their first born son first pastored a large church in Texas and is now senior pastor of an almost mega membership church in LA. He has his father's mantle, double portion.
My beloved brother went home to be with the Lord, right in the middle of my book production last year. He had battled a major illness, and survived. There was no apparent illness at the time of his death. He sat in his easy chair one night and simple went to be with the Lord. He had spent the past weekend with his four sons golfing, and had spent meaningful time with loved ones. My sister-in-law believes that the reason for his death only the Lord knows. She opted not to have am authopsy done.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
One More Time
Once upon a time, blogging wasn't that difficult for me. I always had much to say and seemed to be able to find things of interest to blog about and humorous things to comment on, pertaining to my writing or everyday experiences.
I don't know what happened--perhaps my lack of inspiration was due to a recent major change in my lifestyle, or the lack of having a person to be in love with. Who knows? The desire to blog is present, but the topics are lacking. Could it be maybe, that all subjects are covered in the blogging world?
My last attempt at blogging, believe it or not, produced stress. Yes, stress! I felt guilty because I wasn't updating my blog as I see the really interesting (in my opinion) bloggers do, some on a daily basis. Humm . . . not good. Of course not good--because a writer should never compare themselves to other writers, it only leads to disappointment in oneself. Writers should be their own unique selves! And with that uniqueness they will find their audience.
So, having said all that, I'll end this first entry with the promise that occasionally, I will update my blog! Stay tuned, for there will be a post in the next day or so, from my heart, about Tate Publishers.

