Posts Tagged ‘facebook’

Apr

Social Media for Fun… and Maybe Profit

Posted by: Michell in About Writing, Irreverent Muse, Promoting Your Book

I have a confession to make: I love Twitter. I love all the cool people I meet on Twitter and I especially love interacting with them.

I love it so much, in fact, that it sometimes cuts into my word count.

But does that make it a timesink?

I say no and I say that because one of the important activities for a writer (in my opinion, of course) is to connect with people. You never know who you’re going to meet online and ultimately your success as a writer is dependent on the books you sell. To sell more books you need people to know about them. To get people to know about them you need something that makes people aware of your work.

What better way than to have people talk about it?

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t follow people on Twitter merely to shill my work. I follow people to make that connection with them. To trade ideas, converse and do all those things that people do when they talk. For example, JAHite and I are having some fun talking about being each other’s alter-egos.

JR Murdock and I connected and we are now collaborating on a book together. It is a story that we came up with together and I know is one that we are both having lots of fun with.

I have met many cool and interesting people who have increased my own understanding of the publishing industry (many have appeared on my podcast “Get Published”) and have pointed me towards information I would never have found otherwise. In fact, I met my publisher via Twitter.

You could say, Social Media has been very good to me. I know I would say that.

How else would I meet such a diverse group as all of you? From every continent on Earth, no less (well, maybe not Antarctica – ping me if I’m wrong). Using conventional methods that wouldn’t be possible. Getting all the different feedback and opinions can’t help but make me a more well-rounded person and improve my writing.

I’ve also discovered a huge body of work from my Social Media friends. Writing and art I may not have had the opportunity to experience otherwise. That can only be a great thing too.

So thank you everyone for being part of my online life. It is because of you that I have dared to reach as far as I have and do what I do.

Tags: facebook, jahite, jeffrey hite, jr murdock, jrmurdock, Michell Plested, mike plested, promotion, twitter, youtube

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Jul

Get Published Episode 35 – How Sandra Wickham’s Career has Evolved

Posted by: Michell in Get Published (Podcast)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Sandra Wickham joins me on today’s show. Sandra is a Speculative Fiction writer and professional trainer. She has an honour’s degree in English and Drama from McMasters University and she has recently had a story appear in the Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing Anthology, eVolVe. Sandra’s a lot of fun and was a pleasure to talk to.

I also address some feedback and talk about microphones for podcasting.

There’s lots of good information in this episode. I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for listening.

Show Notes

00:00 — Opening – Get Published Episode 35 – How Sandra Wickham’s Career has Evolved

Everything has to start somewhere and this is the start of “Get Published”

0:14 — Introduction – Get Published Episode 35 – How Sandra Wickham’s Career has Evolved

Welcome to the show.

01:32 — Promos: GalaxyBillies

03:20— Feedback – Get Published Episode 35 – How Sandra Wickham’s Career has Evolved (continued)

DanDanTheArtMan leaves voicemail feedback and Tim leaves a comment on the website
Tim asks about the tools and tricks I use for podcasting. I start by talking about microphones
Email feedback at getpublishedpodcast dot com with your comments or call the voiceline at (206) 203-2031

9:06 — Promos: Audio Market List

12:37 — Get Published Episode 35 – How Sandra Wickham’s Career has Evolved (continued)

Sandra Wickham talks about her evolution as a writer including her first published work in the new Vampire Anthology eVolVe. She talks about how important that anthology has been to her career thus far and the value of social media and a disciplined writing schedule.

41:29 — Promos: Billy Barbarian

42:57 — Closing

Thank you for listening. Let me know what you think and definitely use the voicemail line (206.203.2031) to your heart’s content!

Websites mentioned in this episode:

Audio Market List: http://AudioMarketList.com (audio market listing for writers)

Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing: http://www.edgewebsite.com

Billy Barbarian: http://jrmurdock.com/billy-barbarian/

Sandra Wickham website: http://www.sandrawickham.com/

eVolVe Horror Anthology: http://vampires-evolve.com

Flying Island Press: http://flyingislandpress.com

Tags: audio market list, balticon, conventions, diana rowland, edge science fiction and fantasy publishing, Evolve, facebook, flying island press, Galaxybillies, irreverent muse, jr murdock, laurie mclean, Michell Plested, sandra wickham, the boom effect, twitter, world fantasy con

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Jun

Balticon 44

Posted by: Michell in Irreverent Muse

It has been more than two weeks since I came home from my first Balticon. I wanted to take some time to really absorb all the things I saw and did before I spent any time talking or writing about them.

Let me begin by saying Balticon was something special. Someone very accurately said, “It is like coming home.” As odd as it may sound she was absolutely right.

It was home for so many different reasons.

Let’s start with the people. I have met many people online over the past year or so. Facebook, Twitter, email. I’ve gotten to know many of them reasonably well. I’ve even had the chance to talk with many of them via Skype for Interviews on Get Published and just for the sake of talking. None of those ways of communication hold a candle to meeting someone in person.

Over the course of Balticon I had the opportunity to really connect with many of those people and even meet several new ones. There were lunches and dinners together. Time spent in the bar and at gatherings in the Convention Suite and in people’s rooms. There were evenings just sitting outside talking. It was wonderful. Those people who were words on the screen or voices over Skype became 3-dimensional. It was wonderful.

Of course, Balticon is about writing and Social Media. I got to sit through many interesting panels where people talked about two of the things I really love: writing and podcasting. I got to hear many different ideas and opinions about the craft. Since I can talk about both podcasting and writing for hours, I was in my element.

Did I mention the people? I had the opportunity to go to many readings and live podcasts during Balticon. It was a blast hearing authors I know and like reading their own work. Seeing the passion and joy they have for it reminded me of why I do it too.

Books were, of course, prominent everywhere. Used book sellers, new books. Everybody jockeying for position and having fun doing it. I had the privilege to attend the book launches of Nathan Lowell, PG Holyfield and Patrick McLean. I also got to attend the big announcement by Tee Morris and Philippa Ballantine. Sharing in the joy of both events was a real highlight for me. I can’t wait for my turn to do the same.

Balticon is simply comfortable. Writers are in their element and are relaxed. It was so much fun to be able to shove any feelings of social awkwardness into the background and just enjoy each other’s company.

My final point, at least for this post, is the energy. All the creative people feeding off each other built the energy to a crescendo. I came home feeling revitalized and excited about all the possible projects that are out there. It has really served to drive me forward.

I can’t wait until I can go again.

Personal Update

Lots on the go as always. I’m still busily trying to find gainful employment. It has been a slow, uphill battle but I hope I’m gaining ground.

Writing wise, I got a short story rejection. I immediately sent it back out so that means two short stories are still doing the rounds. I’m going to resubmit my Fantasy novel again, but as a YA novel. I’ve had a couple people say they thought it would fit YA so I’m going to take a shot at it.

I continue to write GalaxyBillies and podcast it as I go. The story is now at more than 50,000 words. I’m aiming at 80,000 for the podcast version and expect the book version to finish slightly higher than that.

I’m also revising my MG novel at the suggestion of a publisher. They have expressed great interest in it should I successfully revise it and have given me some fantastic feedback. I’ve finished the first two chapters and I already see a much stronger book. I hope they agree with me.

Have a good week.

Tags: balticon, facebook, Galaxybillies, Get Published, Michell Plested, nathan lowell, patrick mclean, pg holyfield, philippa ballantine, skype, Tee Morris, twitter, YA