RRBC

SPOTLIGHT Blog Tour – Bethany Turner

Today, I welcome Bethany Turner on her Rave Reviews Book Club SPOTLIGHT Blog Tour. Bethany is sharing her first book in her Abigail Phelps Series – I’ve Loved These Days. Take it away Bethany!

When I began writing the Abigail Phelps Series, I chose the name Abigail because a) I like it, and b) it could be shortened to Abby, which I also like. I chose the name Phelps because a) my son had a teacher with the surname Phelps, and we loved her, and b) because it sounded okay with both Abigail and Abby. That was it. That was literally the extent to which I put serious thought into my lead character’s name. And my Abigail lived in Simsbury, Connecticut because figure skating plays a major role in her story, and Simsbury has an international training facility. Abigail. Phelps. Simsbury. That’s the entire origin story.

So imagine my surprise when my husband stumbled across the real Abigail Phelps, by way of the Abigail Phelps Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution…in Simsbury, CT. There was an entire history which I hadn’t known existed. The real Abigail Phelps had been the mother of three men who fought in the American Revolution, and was a part of the family which had essentially founded the town of Simsbury. The Phelps Tavern, Phelps Homestead, Abigail’s Bar & Grille, Phelps Road…Simsbury’s history is eternally intertwined with that of the Phelps family.

And I’d had no idea.

Once I did know, there was no turning back. My fictional Abigail’s story was forever changed with the knowledge of the real Abigail’s legacy. My novels, which had already been formed with the intent of blurring reality, took on the story of the real Abigail Phelps of Simsbury, CT. Last year I was asked to speak in Simsbury, and I had the opportunity to witness the historic Phelps landmarks for myself. My Abigail is her descendent, and her journey has been shaped by that legacy. As has mine.

Excerpt from I’ve Loved These Days, Book One in the Abigail Phelps Series

March 17, 1994

Dear Mrs. Onassis,

It was such a lovely gift to receive your letter. I did receive some advance notice that it was on its way, of course, but I can’t tell you how touched I was when it showed up in my mailbox. I’m so very sorry that your health is as it is and, as is often the case in life, I wish we didn’t wait for dire circumstances to force us into conversations which should have taken place years ago. And I want to apologize for my share of that blame.

The twelve years since you and I last spoke have not been without their challenges, have they? I’m not certain, however, that I can agree with your assertion that all of the difficulties between John and myself stem from that day. Truthfully, they go back further, and I shoulder the responsibility. Be that as it may, he and I are in a good place now, and I can’t ask for more than the friendship we have developed. It’s the most important of my life.

And then there are your other assertions, which I wish I could deny. I wish I could laugh about how far off-track you are, but of course I can’t. You’re absolutely right. He knows it and I know it, though I really had no idea that you knew it as well. I shouldn’t be surprised, I suppose. He always said you knew from the very first day – which is why you gave him the ring. That very first time you met me you knew that he would never be the same again, didn’t you?

For the record, I was never the same again either. And while times have changed and opportunities have been lost, I still know in my heart of hearts that I never will be. But we can’t go back, and we can’t undo. What’s more, I don’t really want to. While my life is not perfect, it is uniquely, ridiculously mine, and I would not trade it.

So, put away the regret. I have. It didn’t take me long to discover that it didn’t do me any good, and it didn’t do him any good. But thank you. Thank you for acknowledging that you wish it had gone a different way – there’s nothing wrong with that, is there? And while I don’t regret, I’m not too proud to admit that yes, I wish some things had gone a different way as well.

Please take care of yourself. Relish these days, surrounded by your friends and your family and your books, and the people and things that you love. And please know that my affection for you remains strong. You never said an unkind word to me, and I thank you for that.

And yes, don’t worry – I promise to take care of him for you.

With sincere affection,

Abby Phelps

Find Bethany Online!!

Twitter: @BTLiteraryStuff

Facebook: www.facebook.com/seebethanywrite; www.facebook.com/abigailphelpsseries

Website: www.seebethanywrite.com; www.abbyphelps.com

Pinterest – www.pinterest.com/seebethanywrite

Book Info:

I’ve Loved These Days – Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSWE6U4

Scenes From Highland Falls – Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSX6HD2

Two Thousand Years – Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSYL5UQ

Thanks to Rave Reviews Book Club for sponsoring the tour for Bethany. Please take a few minutes and investigate more about her Abigail Phelps Series. For more information about RRBC and these SPOTLIGHT blog tours see the website and if you join, tell them P. H. Solomon sent you.

Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. See the News page for announcements and remember to sign-up to receive news and posts by email. I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. New followers can download The Black Bag via free coupon today! Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.

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Starting an Author Platform Pt. 7: Why an Author Book Club Can Help

It’s been several weeks since I wrote about this series. However, I’ve had this topic on my mind for a while so I thought I’d address it today.

A book club for authors (as well as readers) can be a valuable piece of a writing platform that is often over-looked. The club can provide many resources for a writer. First I’ll share from the experiences I’ve had with my own club membership with Rave Reviews Book Club and then I’ll address things which you should consider before joining any such club/organization.

Here are a number of benefits I’ve found important as a member of a book club:

1. It’s largely a community of supportive authors interested in promoting each other from the strength of a group. This is very important since Rave Reviews Book Club now has over six hundred member. What I share over social media is vastly amplified. One of the upcoming changes with RRBC is an internet radio network which is important for learning to interview (you can learn from listening as well as being a guest). But also, your writing brand can be amplified in another venue that can generate sales for authors.

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2. Reviews can be tough to find, especially for new authors who are self-published. With my group membership, I’ve received a number of helpful, honest reviews that I likely wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

3. Information is readily shared about a number of topics. I can ask for thoughts on anything from marketing/promotions to writing technique and get willing answers that are helpful and timely.

4. Perhaps this goes with number one, but the encouragement is invaluable. I now have relationships with other authors who offer cheerful words, inspiration and gracious assistance. Also, accomplishments are celebrated which is keeps are lonely writer’s spirits afloat when writing gets tough.

5. I get to help other writers which is far more important than it seems. In this digital age, tooting someone else’s horn is important to networking and spreading your writing brand further.

Those are just a few of the useful benefits I’ve received from my book club membership as an author. But what are some of the caveats? Know what the club expectations are. I have to do 4 reviews from the club catalog per year (and I still have a few left to do). There are other club rules about the usage of the club’s monikers on the internet. You should be prepared to spend some time participating in some sort of support for fellow authors so your efforts will be reciprocated. Be aware of expected behavior with other club members – it’s good to hone your professionalism for when you are dealing with the public. You need to learn to give thoughtful, honest reviews. Lastly, be aware that there’s a monetary cost for membership and what you put into your membership with your actions is what you get out of it.

I’ve put as much as I can into my own membership and received a great deal back from my very helpful fellow members. So take some time and consider being a member of an author’s book club. Be careful with your choice and gauge whether any club is valid as well as what time you can commit to the requirements. Take time to understand what benefits you can expect from the club. There are any number of clubs and organizations that legitimately helpful to authors so investigate them and choose based on your needs.

Have you considered joining some sort of an author’s organization? What benefits would you look for in a club? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. See the News page for announcements and remember to sign-up to receive news and posts by email. I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. New followers can download The Black Bag via free coupon today! Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.

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Using A Promotional Strategy For Pinterest

Yesterday I read a post by Angela Ackerman entitled, 3 Ways to Use Pinterest to Promote Your Book. In it she discussed strategies to better use Pinterest that got me thinking. I thought I’d share some of my response today.

I already use Pinterest some with a few pins of my work. I’ve planned to add more and especially encourage fan art to share there later. But I really didn’t think that I had enough material to really share enough pins at the moment. However, what I’ve read from Angela opened my eyes.

Angela’s post suggests adding visual content with quotes from your work. I envisioned this material being taken from clipped parts of a cover or related pictures from the my self-made trailer from last year. It should be rather easy to add quotes to pin. So here’s my plan of action:

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1. Using Angela Ackerman’s post as a template, immediately create visual content with quotes from my book, The Black Bag. By pinning these, I have more content on Pinterest.

2. Next, I’ll link these back to other social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and Google+. From there I’ll monitor to see what the impact is.

3. As I monitor the impact of the initial effort, I’ll also prepare similar pins to share on Pinterest for What Is Needed which is a short prequel to The Bow of Destiny which I announced I’ll release during the early summer. Again, I’ll monitor the response but hopefully it will draw attention to my next release, The Bow of Destiny, in the fall.

4. During the summer, I’ll increase my Pinterest activity with The Black Bag and What Is Needed but also prepare pins for The Bow of Destiny to make available increasingly as the launch date approaches and afterward.

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5. I know several of my potential beta readers are on Pinterest so I can also ask them to re-pin my content on their boards as well as getting placed on that of the Rave Rreviews Book Club Pinterest board where I’m a VIP member. I think visual pre-advertising is important to the launch itself and this is one way of increasing my visual reach.

By the way, I’ve touted several of Angela’s books previously so definitely click the link to her author page on Amazon to see all she has to offer. She’s written some very helpful books for writers.

What are your thoughts about using Pinterest to increase the visibility of your content? How much do you use Pinterest already? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. See the News page for announcements and remember to sign-up to receive news and posts by email. I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. New followers can download The Black Bag via free coupon today! Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.