Forgive the retread nature of this, but this is an expanded version of my first post. I’m trying to get it on my website is I can get GoDaddy to behave…
Trying to launch my first novel in the “DISVNITVS” series (pronounced “diss-YOON-i-tuss”), “True Curse.” Paranormal suspense / thriller is a new kind of fiction from a new author (me).
The dreaded data dump…
As a new writer in a new genre, I thought writing the book and editing would be the hard part…WRONG! Lots more to do and learn. So many things are needed to get your work off the ground. Some many companies promise to “help” you. The typical response is a firehose in your face in the form of a web article/email with so much info and so many links, you need a full time staff to filter it to the applicable bits.
So now my inbox and browser bookmarks overflow with emails and articles are stuffed with well-intentioned correspondence that I can’t digest or go through. Just not enough time. Information overload . . . big time.
Eating the elephant one bite at a time…
So how do I eat this new writer elephant of tasks? How can I get my new paranormal thriller DISVNITVS off the ground? Start somewhere. Just try one thing. Take the first bite.
Because I’m a new author, there’s no name recognition, zero, zilch, nada. Thus, my first nibble (and the focus of this blog entry) is get my name and my novel series out there. To get recognized on the web, you must be on the web.
“What about search engine optimization (SEO)?” you say. I’m struggling with that too. By the way, Yoast is a godsend here. But first, I figure I have to have content to optimize. That means websites, social media, and blogs. Oh my!
I built an author’s website (https://www.wfrast.com). Then the Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/wfrast/). Aaaaand an Instagram Page (https://www.instagram.com/wfrast_author/). I haven’t even started on an Amazon Author Page, GoodReads Page…ad nauseam. Those bites I’ll delay until my book is closer to launch.
But a new writer needs a constant inflow of new content and that means a writer’s blog. I want to share what I learn and experience along the way. I want to try making being a new author a selling point. At least, it will be entertaining. Although my book is a paranormal suspense thriller, an inside view of the lessons I learn are important to any genre.
I’m very computer savvy, but I am forced to admit, blogs are out of my wheelhouse here. So many options… For now, I’m going simple. No RSS feeds, email marketing managers/software plugins…yada…yada…yada.
Stay tuned for more adventures of being a new writer. glub! glub!