4 Self-Publishings Tips that will Give You Exposure

4 Self-Publishings Tips that will Give You Exposure

F.A. HuffmanLeave a comment

By the end of August, I plan on having my first novel available on Amazon. I’m scared out of my mind about doing so because of all the unknowns. Will people like it, will people read it, how do I make sure people even know it exists?

I’m sure if anybody reading this has self-published a book, or plan on doing so in the near future, you’ve had these same thoughts. We’re going to take a little journey through some things that we can all do to self-promote our books so that hopefully all of our hard work doesn’t go to waste.

Giveaway

I know we all are interested in making money and giving your book away isn’t going to do that, but everybody likes free things. While you may not make any money, giving your book away for the first day or so after its launch could end up getting you more exposure. The people that purchase your book during that time may leave a review, which will get your name out there, and if they like it, they will come back and purchase more books.

Reduced Price Offer

Once your book has been up on Amazon for a month at its full price, you can use their reduced price offer that comes with a KDP countdown. This will lower the price of your book, which you choose, for a certain period of time. The people who view your listing will see a countdown timer showing how much longer the book will be available at that price. This promotion will also boost your numbers sold, which will help to boost your author rating.

Pick a Niche Category

You need to search through Amazon to make sure you pick the best two categories for your book. You need to make sure that you pick a niche that is going to help you get to the top of the charts.

Social Media

You have to use your social media accounts in a smart way because overexposure can end up hurting you. Try to limit yourself to only three accounts like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. And don’t post multiple daily links to your book either. You will overwhelm your viewers and drive them away. It also helps to make sure that you have a picture with your link. People are more apt to click on a link if it comes with a picture.

That’s the tips I have for you today, but there are lots more out there. There are also a lot of websites that can help you promote your book as well. The thing to remember is that you have to work at it. No matter how good your book is, people won’t buy it unless they know it’s there.

Some self-promotion:

As you know, if you have read any of my other blogs, I have been published twice in Millhaven Press. You can still get both journals to read my stories.

Get Millhaven’s Tales of Suspense here

Get Millhaven’s Tales of Wonder here

Get both journals here

I don’t care if a reader hates one of my stories, just as long as he finishes the book. – Roald Dahl

10 Free Writing Contests

10 Free Writing Contests

F.A. HuffmanLeave a comment

When you set out on the quest of finding the perfect contest to enter, you have to be careful to not get scammed. Unfortunately, there are many people out there that will try to get your money by promising fame and fortune. Fortunately for you, I have found 10 writing contests that are free to enter that are scam free.

  1. L Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future

They have quarterly deadlines of January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1

Submissions have to be 17,000 words or less in science fiction or fantasy. The contest is open to all writers. Winners can get $1,000, $750, and $500, as well as an annual award of $5,000.

2. The Restless Books Prize For New Immigrant Writing

You will have to wait for the 2019 submission time, which has yet to be announced.

This is open to writers who are first-generation immigrants. They can win $10,000 for sharing their real or imagines stories. The contest changes each year as to what kind of writing they want, so keep an eye on their website.

3. Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award

The deadline is March 1 every year.

This is open to all African American poets with an award of $500 and a publication in Broadside Lotus Press.

4. Write the World

They have a monthly deadline.

This is open to writers aged 13 to 18. There is a $100 prize with a $50 runner-up prize. It also works as a writing workshop for the young writers.

5. The Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Non-Fiction

They have biannual reading periods in February and in August.

This is a contest for a creative non-fiction essay of no more than 5,000 words. The winner will be published in Lunch Ticket and will receive $250. Work cannot be published elsewhere.

6. W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction

The deadline is every year on December 1.

The winner gets $5,000 for a piece of writing that is set during a time when the US was a war. Submissions can be YA or adult novels.

7. Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards

Submissions are accepted between September 1 and December 31.

The work you publish has to have been published the previous year. These should be pieces of fiction or non-fiction that “contributes to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of the rich diversity of human cultures.”

8. PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction

They have an annual deadline of October 31 for books that were published during that calendar year.

This is meant to honor the best work of fiction published by an American author in a calendar year. The winner will get $15,000, as well as an invitation to read at the award ceremony in D.C. Four other finalists will get $5,000.

9. New Voices Award

The submission needs to be postmarked between May 1 and September 30 annually.

This is presented by the children’s book publisher, Lee & Low Books. This is open to previously unpublished children’s picture books of fewer than 1,500 words by a writer of color.

10. Madeline P. Plonsker Emerging Writer’s Residency Prize

The deadline for 2018 has passed and they have not announced the submission time for 2019.

Lake Forest College along with &NOW Books offers emerging authors under 40 a three-week residency. The winner will receive meals and housing, as well as $10,000 and publication of the manuscript. They will have to give presentations during the festival.

To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard. – Allen Ginsberg

How to Make Money As a Beginner in Writing

How to Make Money As a Beginner in Writing

F.A. HuffmanLeave a comment

You want to become a professional writer? Not a problem, and I’m serious about that. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that it’s easy, but it is achievable. There are lots of different ways to make money with your writing. You could easily make a little extra money on the side, and you just might be able to make it your full-time job.

The following nine things are a great way to get started making money as a writer.

Blog

All writers need to have their own blog. This is the best way for them to create an audience. There are also different ways that you can make money through your blog. This can be done through ads or a hire me link.

Guest Post

You’ve probably got a list of blogs that you like to read, why not try pitching them an article? There are a lot of blogs that will accept guest posts and will pay you for them. Make sure you familiarize yourself extremely well with the blog so that you can pitch something that they would actually want on their site.

Pitch Your Alma Mater

Your college’s alumni magazine has to have writers, and they really like having past students write for them. Read up on your Alma Mater’s pitch guidelines and then once you know what they want, pitch something to them. One great tip: if you are able to get an interview with an alumnus that is doing really well, you’ve got yourself a pitch.

Listicle and TopTenz

Sites like these will pay people for their most clever top ten lists. There are also other sites that like these pop-culture lists that are filled with GIFs. Try to find the ones that are hiring and pitch to them.

Self Publish

I’ve written a blog on this before. Publishing with Amazon couldn’t be any easier, and it’s a great way to get your writing out there. This way you don’t have to adhere to anybody’s rules but your own.

Sign with a Content Site

Content writers write things like how-to articles, and they even pretend to be invisible boyfriends. (It’s a thing, look it up.) Make sure you familiarize yourself with the website and that your writing is mistake free. You will have to take an entry test for some, so make sure that you are prepared to pass it before you start it. Some sites are better than others. These are great places to check out to make money as a freelance writer.

Copywrite

After you have learned how to write clean copy for websites, the next logical step is to become a copywriter. You can check out websites, such as Get a Copywriter, to find work.

Writing Contests

Contests don’t discriminate between beginners and experts. There are a lot of contests out there. Some are free and some require an entry fee.

Pitch for Jobs

This is probably obvious, but one of the first steps any beginner freelance writer can take is to submit some applications. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to succeed as a freelance writer with base level skills and a willingness to work.

If you are serious about making money as a writer, try these nine tips. See which ones work the best for, and go from there. Above all else, don’t give up. Work hard, and you will succeed.

We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect. – Anais Nin

Millhaven’s Tales of Suspense

Millhaven’s Tales of Suspense

F.A. HuffmanLeave a comment

The second issue of Millhaven’s Tales is ready for pre-order, so grab your copy today. This is full of suspenseful stories that all mystery lovers will enjoy reading. My cozy mystery, Just Desserts, is published in the journal as well.

I received my free copy last week, and the journal is full of amazing stories from some amazing authors. Not only are there mystery stories in this issue, but you will find crime and espionage stories as well.

There are nine stories in this issue.

A group of thugs bites off more than they can chew when they get interrupted by “Old School.”

What happens when one of your best friends is charged with murder? A cupcake baker sets out to find the identity of the real murderer.

Will a District Attorney be able to accomplish what he set out to do when he faces a multi-generational crime family?

Two detectives discover that more is going on in their town after a body is discovered at the city zoo.

A vigilante goes after a criminal underworld who uses a pizza place as a cover for their dirty work.

In this “Hitchcockian” tale of suspense, jealousy, a cheating spouse, and revenge take center stage.

In an alternate reality WWII story a small group of soldiers saves the world.

What happens when you can’t trust anybody in the underworld poker shows?

The cover story of this issue is a tribute to the Continental Op or Phillip Marlowe.

Pre-order your copy of Millhaven’s Tales of Suspense here.

You can pre-order a bundle of the first and second issues of Millhaven’s Tales here.

Make sure, if you haven’t yet, pick up the first issue, Millhaven’s Tales of Wonder, here.

 

Writing a Horror

Writing a Horror

F.A. HuffmanLeave a comment

I just got finished with another short story. This time I tried my hand at a horror/dark fantasy type story. I’m planning on submitting this to the next issue of Millhaven Press. Whereas all my other stories that have been published through Millhaven have also been published on here, I’m not going to add this one to my website. The only way to read it will be through Millhaven. So, I’ve been inspired to write a little blog about writing horror stories. They can be tricky.

Horror, if you’re not aware, means “an intense fear of fear, shock, or disgust.”

When it comes to horrors stories there are five main things you will find:

  1. They deal with wicked or malevolent characters, phenomena, or deeds.
  2. They cause feelings of disgust, fear, or shock, and a sense of uncanny. This means that things aren’t always what they seem. There is a strong sense of the unknown.
  3. Horror stories will cause intense emotion, environments, tones, and moods.
  4. They have shocking and/or scary story revels and plot twists. All of the evil characters are very, very real.
  5. Readers are immersed in the macabre.

So how can you convey these five things in your writings? Here are six tips to help you.

Strong, Pervasive Tone

Mood and tone are the two elements that create the feeling of your story. The right mood and tone can cause the reader’s spine to tingle before any of the characters have done anything dangerous.

With horror, the frightening and dark tone is typically how most writers go. Making things that shouldn’t move, the move adds a frightening tone. Write a scene that most people aren’t going to want to actually live.

Read A Lot of Horrors

No matter what kind of genre you like to write in, you have to read a lot of books in that genre. While you are reading, you can take notes to see how those writers evoke feelings of disgust and fear. Some great horror authors include Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allen Poe, and Bram Stoker.

Give Bad People Good Motivation

The bad people in your stories should never be doing things “just because” they can. That’s boring. Give them a really good reason as to why they are getting ready to hurt people. Reveling their reasoning can be part of the mystery as well

Use the Importance of Tragedy

The best way to write horror is to implement tragedy. The best stories will have tragedy as a character flaw seen through stupid choices and missteps. These basics of tragedy have become so obvious is nearly cliche. It’s those moments where you’re screaming “Don’t go in there stupid” because the character is oblivious to their own personal danger.

The important thing is to remember that all the horror-filled scenes all depend on character flaws. They wouldn’t be in their scary situation if they hadn’t made the decision to walk into the woods alone or run to the attic where there is no escape to get away from the serial killer.

Tap Into Human Fears

An easy way to make sure you arouse fear in your readers is to use some of the most common fears out there. Things like the:

  • fear of animals
  • fear of flying
  • fear of the dark
  • fear of heights
  • fear of another person’s unknown desires
  • fear of ugly or disorienting environments

Think of how you can use these types of situations in your stories to evoke a more natural fear in your readers.

Terror VS Horror

Both of these things have their place in horror stories, but you need to know the difference. According to the Oxford dictionary, terror means “extreme fear.” Horror means that you are also causing disgust and surprise. This means that horror should not only have extreme fear but a sense of surprise and revulsion. Here’s a quote from Stephen King:

I’ll try to terrify you first, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll horrify you, and if I can’t make it there, I’ll gross you out. I’m not proud.

There you have it. Try these tips the next time that you decide to write a horror story.

Before you go, check out these links and purchase the first two copies of Millhaven’s Tales.

Get Millhaven’s Tales of Wonder here

Pre-order Millhaven’s Tales of Suspense here

Pre-order a double pack with Millhaven’s Tales of Wonder and Suspense here