Apr
18, 2011 | Filed in:
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Many, many thanks to Rachna Chhabria for giving me these awards:
I’m not sure what I’ve done to be blessed by these, but it’s so nice someone thinks enough of you to give them! You need to go to Rachna’s site if you haven’t been before. She has an amazing blog with wonderful writing suggestions and questions, and right now she’s got the most amazing list of other bloggers you might want to meet.
I’ve agonized over who to pass on these awards to. (Do you all take these awards this seriously?) It’s taken me FOUR DAYS to decide. Part of that is the ongoing sickness that will not go away combined with severe lack of sleep. Thanks, Springtime. I can always count on you.
However, I just read Roni Loren’s post on putting up a new website and I was so appreciative of this post’s information and also just her normal sunshine-y posts, I wanted to thank her. So Roni gets the Sunshine award from me.
And I’m giving the Sisterhood Award to Lynda Young because we’re both talking about platform today. We’re in SYNCH! Which is pretty amazing considering where she’s located.
Okay, so really, why did I choose these two lovely ladies for these awards? In reality, because we’re all three talking about platform/social connections today. In specific, I wanted to 
mention The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published
. I’ve been reading it for the past few weeks (yes, I am slow, but I’m also reading review-fiction at the same time and doing critiques) and I have to say I was right to be concerned about my blog. It’s doomed. I’m not taking it down – in fact, I want to see if I can incorporate it into a website, but I haven’t done with my blog what I should have from the get go. I’ve made mistakes. If you haven’t started your web presence yet, or if you’re like me and not published yet, now is the time to perfect your platform. Don’t wait! Go out and get a copy of this book. The authors do a great job of breaking down into pieces exactly how and why you need a platform as well as the best ways to build it. Will I be able to recover from my mistakes? Yes. Do I regret making them? I can’t say I do, since I made wonderful friendships. That said, friends do not necessarily equate with readers. Some of you will not be “into” ya/adult warfare historical fantasy, which means I haven’t done as good a job as I could have at reaching my audience. That’s why things will be changing around here. I can’t say when. Knowing me, it will take awhile, but I’m on-route. I’ve entered the highway and am out of the entrance lane, let’s put it that way. 🙂 Meanwhile, check out what Lynda and Roni have to say and also what literary agent Arielle Eckstut and author David Henry Sterry have to say on the subject.
(My editorial honesty-sense tells me I should confess, I have spoken with Mr. Sterry; however, I’d planned on suggesting this book as a must-read before then, so there ya go. LOL)
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I'll be interested in seeing your changes, but you aren't doomed. Just posting regularly is a plus. And I see a definite theme of posting about Asian/historical/fantasy. I always enjoy what I read here.
But yes, I think it's good to have a mission. Mine is to promote debut authors in YA and middle grade & promoting middle grade authors.
And hope you feel better soon and get some sleep.
Congrats on the awards! And congrats to the new winners as well!
Thanks for the info on this book. I appreciate it! 🙂
congrats on the awards and thanks so much for passing on the sisterhood award.
I'm with Natalie, I don't believe you're doomed. It's good to focus toward your specific market, but it's also good to branch out as well.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with your changes.
I haven't seen that award yet! Cool! And I love Rachna's blog.
As a writer of historical fantasy too (end of Roman Empire, a bit different than the Ron Empire 🙂 I pricked my ears when you mentioned a blogging platform for what you write. I should pay attention. I'll see about getting my hands on this book. I've been doing a wonderful Online Persona Workshop (Persona as opposed to Platform) via the Shrinking Violets blog. It's been very interesting (and revealing)… but i'm curious about what you've learned from this book too.
You deserve the award, Victoria.You have been a loyal follower and a great friend.
I am curious about this book, I too would like to know where exactly or which direction am I moving with my blog.
Eagerly waiting to see the changes you will make.
Congrats on your awards! I really love the emphasis of your blog and how you bring to life Asian fantasy. There just isn't much of it out there, yet I think there will only be a growing need for it.
I feel like I'm not reaching out specifically to the historical fantasy crowd the way I need to. The fact is, I personally know so many YA/MG/PB writers, I rely on their friendship here in town, but they're not my target readership! However, I'm thrilled to see I have reached some of my readers. LOL I do think I also need to broaden this blog's geographical horizons. I've been reading Scott Oden's Lion of Cairo and Lisa Yarde's sultana, both set in the middle east and I realized I'm not just in love with Asia. I love unusual settings in general. So the new site may well expand a bit on that score. Thanks so much to all of you for your affirmations. They mean more than I can express.
As for the book, I'm focusing on what it says about platform right now, but it says so much more than that about your career as a writer. If you're trying to publish in an unusual setting during an economic recession and publishing downturn, they give suggestions for where you might turn for agenting and publishing help. Seriously. This book is gold for someone like me.
Congratulations on the awards!
That book sounds helpful. And I've started building a platform for my writing – will announce it to the world when I'm ready.
Oh, and your notepads arrived. They're lovely, thank you so much!
Congrats on the awards.
I also made mistakes early on, but yes they are fixable.
Hey Victoria! Thanks for joining my blog, I'm looking forward to getting to know you.
Jai
Hi, Eve! Thanks for letting me know the notepads arrived. That's always good to know when you send stuff far away. ;D I'm glad to hear you're starting the platform. It's never too early, but it can get late!
Thanks for affirming that, Medeia. I really thought I'd done well for myself, but I see now I could have done just as well if I'd broadened my literary interests and made sure I was reaching the historical fantasy readers out there, rather than JUST sticking within the easier to find range of people I personally know. Sigh. Live and learn! 😀
Thanks for popping into see me, Jai! And for the follow. I really appreciate the reciprocation.
And now for some exciting news…
Monday I'll be reviewing Scott Oden's "Lion of Cairo" and Wednesday I'll have an interview with Mr. Oden and a giveaway of his book! YEAH!