For the past couple months, I've been working on the foundation for my 2023 marketing strategy. This included learning about Amazon and Bookbub ads, researching authors and groups who are open to promotional efforts, and organizing author resources, like online groups I can visit for questions and ongoing promo ideas. Most importantly, I finally did what I have been trying to do for several years. I went through ALL of my filed marketing emails, plus reviewed most of the marketing files on my computer and MS Notes. Over 500 files/suggestions, some dating back to 2015!
Marketing can be so draining when you're just throwing something at the wall to see if it sticks. The result of this hard work is my marketing strategies now have some useful focus. Since I've already seen some modest results from the initial efforts, it gives me hope that if I continue implementing these ideas in a cohesive manner, I should be able to do my part to keep the lights on at the Hill house (smile). But the best part of all of this is that I can now GET BACK TO WRITING! I started Brick and Les's story this week, as you can see from this picture I posted for my FB and MeWe groups.
Fun fact? Those with better eyesight than me zoomed in on "orgasm denial," under my pinky there. Ah, my beloved readers - I can always count on you! Anyhow, I scribbled down about 9,000 words in two days. Brick and Les have been percolating in my brain for months, so I had copious outline material in my MS Notes file for them. My recent road trip to see my aunt gave me about forty more recorded snippets of dialogue, scene ideas and more to supplement what I already had.
Since Brick is an arson investigator, I'm reviewing YouTube videos on the topic so I can accurately reflect his knowledge in this field. You can't get me within a mile of anything related to science UNLESS it's for book research. My husband has to suffer my enthusiastic babblings over the endless facts I accumulate to build a characters' experience base. The other night I was hanging onto every word of a step-by-step lab analysis of charred wood, lol.
However, that very video provided me the title for the book! In order for ignition to happen, there has to be an ignition source, fuel and an oxidant. Considering that characters in a romance need elements like those to "ignite" their relationship, the term for these three things, the order in which they happen, got a big PING in my head. So here's our graphic from last month's issue, with a TITLE update! What do you think?
IGNITION SEQUENCE will be Book 12 of the Nature of Desire series. And, since Les is the sister of Rory of In His Arms and Thomas of Rough Canvas, it is very likely we will get to see how those characters are doing. We'll maybe even do a drop in on their family friend, Julie, and her Dom, Des, from Worth the Wait. You never know who is going to make a guest appearance in these books!
I had an amazing experience a couple weeks ago, even though I'm sure Raina, Ruby and Ramona, my Arcane Shot series witches, were rolling their eyes at me for being so surprised. The situation involved a family love story (my maternal grandfather and grandmother, pictured here), a missing necklace, and a bit of kitchen magic. It made a great blog post on GoodReads, so if you'd like to check it out, follow the link here.
My initial plan for 2023 was to attend SpaceCoast in Orlando, Florida if I made it to the top of the extensive author waiting list. However, during my ruminations about this year's conference options, my husband let me know what he'd like for his 60th birthday, which will happen this year. He'd like to go on a cruise, something we've never done before. Since I'll be turning 55, another milestone, it sounds like a nice gift for both of us.
Finances are tight for a lot of people now. In the book world, many midlist authors are scrambling to bring in enough royalties to keep doing this for a living. I am unbelievably fortunate that the decision I have to make is between the expense of a conference or a birthday cruise, rather than far more serious issues, like making mortgage payments or covering groceries. Since we all know family comes first, and Scott has lived 33 years with a workaholic author for a wife, I've therefore decided to postpone my future conference considerations to 2024 and do the cruise with him this year.
I will MISS seeing those of you who attend the 2023 reader-author conferences. I love the re-charge I get from rubbing elbows with you and my fellow authors. However, if you're ever in my neck of the woods of coastal South Carolina, don't hesitate to shoot me a note - maybe we can get together for a coffee! Don't forget, in the sidebar are ways you can get a signed book or swag from me YEAR ROUND. If there's enough interest, I'll also consider some fun online live events with you this year, like a virtual signing for Ignition Sequence or At Her Pleasure (Cyn's story in the Mistresses of the Board Room series, coming Fall 2023). We'll see how the year unfolds!
As always, THANK YOU for the many ways you all support my work, not only by purchasing my books, but by spreading the love to other readers, through reviews or direct recommendation in online groups or one-on-one to friends and family. It ALL helps!!
I hope you have a wonderful VALENTINE'S DAY. Let's check out our featured ebooks - they might just make the holiday even more romantic!
FEATURED EBOOKS! CLICK THE COVER OR TITLE TO DOWNLOAD.
I read Lethal Sin this month and posted reviews on Amazon, Bookbub and GR - loved it! Sexy mafia bad guy and bad girl clash and fall for each other. As far as Stella's Libra (and its fabulous cover), this is the FIRST in her Masters of the Zodiac series. Both books are FREE on KU and under $5 to purchase. Finally, did you know that Book 1 of NJ Walters' Blood of the Drakon series is FREE at multiple vendors? I've provided the Amazon link, but if you use another ebook provider, check it out as well. Dragon shifter hero and a librarian heroine!
[Reminder: Free or sale prices may be temporary, so grab them now in case that changes in the future!]
12/15/2019 - Vampire Master - Book 16 of the Vampire Queen series
08/2019 - Naughty Bits - re-release as a self-published title in print and ebook.
07/2019 - Vampire Queen's Servant - re-release as a self-published title in print and ebook.
6/30/19 - The Problem with Witches - A Crossover novel of the Arcane Shot and Knights of the Board Room series
RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES
Fall 2023 - At Her Pleasure (Cyn's story), Book 4 of the Mistresses of the Board Room series
Spring/Summer 2023 - Ignition Sequence, Brick and Les's story, a new Nature of Desire series novel
11/30/2022 - At Her Call, Book 3 of the Mistresses of the Board Room series
06/15/2022 - Arcane Chaos, Book 3 in the Arcane Shot series
GoodReads Blog - Whenever I have something half-way interesting to say (hopefully), I post it on my blog. Check out the latest, as well as the backlog of over 80 posts!
For my most up-to-date appearances info throughout the month, follow me on Twitter or "Like" my Author Page on Facebook - I'll keep you in the loop as things happen!
GoodReads Blog - Whenever I have something half-way interesting to say (hopefully), I post it on my blog. Check the backlog of over 80 posts here, on a variety of topics you may enjoy.
Wishful Wednesday Book Quote on Twitter - Having accumulated a lot of amazing quotes from my various reading materials, I share the joy, pleasure and inspiration from those authors every Wednesday on my Twitter. You're welcome to post your own responses to my offering! My Twitter handle is @JoeyWHill if you'd like to follow me.
For my most up-to-date appearances info throughout the month, follow me on MeWe, Twitter or "Like" my Author Page on Facebook - I'll keep you in the loop as things happen. And we'd love to have you join us on the Facebook JWHMembersOnly fan site. The members as well as myself routinely post content related to my books and our shared love of the erotic romance genre.
SEXY AND SASSY SIGNING 2020 - July 9-12 - next year's popular reader/author event will happen in Norfolk, VA. The theme is Sinful Fairy Tales! Click on the link above to find out more. You can also join the SASS Attendee group once you've registered.
2023 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
No conferences this year, as noted in the body of this issue, but I hope to do a couple fun online/virtual events. Don't hesitate to send me suggestions if you have a good idea for a virtual/live event!
Want a Kindle signature? My books are listed at the Authorgraph site, so if you'd like a "Kindlegraph", send me a request! Just go to Authorgraph.com, put Joey W. Hill in the search line, and it will pull up my books, with a "Request Authorgraph" button beneath each.
Want a signed bookplate for your print book and a bookmark? No need to be bummed about not seeing me at a book signing. Just shoot me an email at storywitch@PROTECTED with your mailing address and the title(s) of the book(s) for which you want a signature, and I'll send you personalized bookplates anytime, free of charge. And I always send it with a signed bookmark!
HAVE YOU CHECKED THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE?
I am ALWAYS delighted to hear from my readers, and I never mind answering your questions. However, about 90% of the general questions I receive on email can be quickly answered on my website, www.storywitch.com. And the cool thing is you get your answer in the time it takes you to do a couple clicks, versus having to type up your question and send it to me, then wait for me to emerge from my writing cave and check my email.
A lot of authors experience this now. Because we have so much more of a presence at FB, Twitter, and the like, it's easy to forget that most authors still maintain a website where you can quickly get info. On my site, you can not only find BLURBS and FREE EXCERPTS for every book I've published, you can find SERIES ORDER, including recommendations on which ones can stand alone or need specific titles to be read first. Under the In the Works page, you'll find information about UPCOMING RELEASES and what's percolating (the popular "will you ever write a book about so-n-so" question would be answered there).
Just go to my website, storywitch.com, and enjoy your visit. It is specifically and deliberately designed not to be flashy or confusing. Just look at the drop down menus at the top for what you're seeking.
Want a SIGNED BOOKMARK? I have six beautiful bookmarks, each design representing one of my series: Knights of the Board Room, Nature of Desire, Vampire Queen, Arcane Shot, Daughters of Arianne and Naughty Bits. You can look at them here (click on the one you like for a larger view). Just shoot me an email at storywitch@storywitch.com with your mailing address and tell me which bookmark you want. I'll send you two of that design - one for you and one to share! NOTE: some of these show previous cover editions, but hopefully that doesn't detract from their appeal!
Want a SIGNED BOOK? Bummed because you can't make it to a signing? Just email me at storywitch@storywitch.com with 1) what book you want, 2) your mailing address, and 3) if you want me to personalize it to a particular name (Mary, Marie, Marissa, etc), or no personalization, just a signature and a cheery note. I'll shoot you an invoice and, once that's squared away, the book will be on its way to you!
Want a SIGNED BOOKPLATE? Want a bookplate for your favorite JWH book(s)? Just shoot me an email at storywitch@storywitch.com with your mailing address, the title(s) of the book(s), and I'll send you personalized bookplates anytime, free of charge. And I always send it with a signed bookmark!
Want to read BONUS CONTENT STORIES revisiting Joey's characters? She has over a dozen FREE novellas/shorts with easy BookFunnel download links. You'll find them all under the Cantrips (Vignettes) menu item on her website.
Want Joey to visit your BOOKCLUB? She is available for online bookclub meetings and even sometimes in-person clubs, within a reasonable geographic range. Don't hesitate to ask! Just email her at storywitch@storywitch.com.
"I have a question."
Answer: "Have you checked my website?"
I am ALWAYS delighted to hear from my readers, and I never mind answering your questions. However, about 90% of the general questions I receive on email can be quickly answered on my website, www.storywitch.com. And the cool thing is you get your answer in the time it takes you to do a couple clicks, versus having to type up your question and send it to me, then wait for me to emerge from my writing cave and check my email.
A lot of authors experience this now. Because we have so much more of a presence at FB, Twitter, and the like, it's easy to forget that most authors still maintain a website where you can quickly get info. On my site, you can not only find BLURBS and FREE EXCERPTS for every book I've published, you can find SERIES ORDER, including recommendations on which ones can stand alone or need specific titles to be read first. Under the In the Works page, you'll find information about UPCOMING RELEASES and what's percolating (the popular "will you ever write a book about so-n-so" question would be answered there).
Just go to my website at storywitch.com, and enjoy your visit. It is specifically and deliberately designed not to be flashy or confusing. Just look at the drop down menus at the top for what you're seeking.
HAVE YOU CHECKED THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE?
"I have a question." Answer: "Have you checked the author's website?"
I am ALWAYS delighted to hear from my readers, and I never mind answering your questions. However, remember a lot of questions can be quickly answered on my website. Just look at the drop down menus at the top for what you're seeking. You'll find BUY LINKS, BLURBS and FREE EXCERPTS for every book I've published. You can also find SERIES ORDER, including recommendations on which books can stand alone or need specific titles to be read first. Under the In the Works page, you'll find information about UPCOMING RELEASES and what's percolating (the popular "will you ever write a book about so-n-so" question would be answered there).
Find me online through my website email contact link (little envelope under Follow Me on the right side of home page) or email me directly at storywitch@storywitch.com. You can leave a question for me under my Author Profile on GoodReads. I'm on Twitter and Facebook (Author Page), and regularly stop in at the JWHMembersOnly fan group. I'm also on MeWe, if you prefer that platform to Facebook. If you'd like to see the pics that inspire some of my books, visit me on Pinterest, or check out my handful of videos on YouTube.
DIDN'T GET A RESPONSE?
Responding to my readers, and doing so in a very timely manner (within 24-48 hours), is extremely important to me. So if you have sent a communication to me in any medium noted above and have not received a response, a technical glitch has occurred. Either your communication did not get through to me, or my response did not reach you. If you suspect that's the case, use one of the alternative methods to send me a "Hey, Joey, I sent you a note through email (or social media platform, etc). Did you get it?" message, and we'll make sure we sort it out. I will never intentionally ignore my readers!
HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING MY NEWSLETTER PAST YOUR SPAM FILTER? - Whenever I issue a newsletter, I will post about it on the social media platforms mentioned above, to ensure it reaches the widest number of people possible. So if you're following me on any of them, you'll get a heads up. Or you can put https://storywitch.com/newsletter/?latest as one of your Favorite links. You can click on it anytime to see if a new newsletter has been released. I try to get a new issue out during the first 7 days of every month.
HELP ME WITH FOLLOWS/REVIEWS
NEVER an obligation, but when you follow or review me on Bookbub, Amazon or both, it increases my books' visibility and marketing options on those sites. And in return, you get a heads up about releases and sales!
Thank you so much for your support of my work!
