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August 2014 Round-Up and September 2014 Plan

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Books and Reading Wednesday postponed until Friday, because I am currently writing it! 😀

So, September already!

Actually this month felt rather normal compared to the others which have whipped by! It was still a busy month, but a bit more manageable at least.

Now a round up of August:

– Kept to schedule even though I completely skipped a week of writing.
– Posted every scheduled day.
– Started posting scheduled posts on a weekend.
– Got some great reviews for my books, including my newest, Prophecy of Stones.
– Connected regularly with other bloggers, who I have to say are some amazing, talented, and very supportive people!
– Found the ‘Home’ button on Facebook! 😀 Meaning I can share other authors links more effectively.
– Read 5 books (1 over target, oh yeah!)- Scandal of the Season by Sophie Gee, In Search of a Love Story by Rachel Schurig, Sins of the Father by Melissa Barker-Simpson, The Unraveling of Lady Fury by Shehanne Moore, The Camelot Code by Sam Christer
– Started my Books and Reading Wednesday posts!
– Managed to write a couple of short pieces.
– Had an amazing interview done with DKC
– Didn’t do well on marketing 😦

I really am going to have to market better and in an imaginative way!

I have hardly done any marketing and seeing as I am trying to make this my career I am just going to have suck it up and get to it 😀

I’m still tempted by trying my hand at drawing, which I took back up this month after having a break. I did a couple of fan art pieces (sorry about quality, my scanner hates me so I took pics with camera):

Daniel and Teal'c from Stargate SG-1

Daniel and Teal’c from Stargate SG-1

Anders and Hawke from DA2 (Far too obsessed with this game!)

Anders and Hawke from DA2 (Far too obsessed with this game!)

Maybe a teensy bit obsessed with this Stargate SG-1 too!

Maybe a teensy bit obsessed with this Stargate SG-1 too!

Would illustrations of scenes from a book be the type of thing that might get you interested in it? Any idea for other forms of imaginative marketing?

Anyway, moving onto September.

Plan:

1st-5th- Self edits of manuscript/ Hopefully come up with a title!
6th-14th- Vacation! Woohoo! 😀
6-21st- Off to the readers/Work on cover/ Work on blurb/ Create interest in my other books (aka. The dreaded marketing!).
17th- Mid-September Book Review.
22nd-29th- Final edits and read out/ Finish formatting/Drum up interest!
24th- End of September Indie Book Review.
30th- Release day!

Wow, that was a bit confusing 😀

Goals:

– Read 4 books (which I should hit as I plan to read A LOT on my vacation).
– Do some actual marketing instead of grumbling about doing it 😀
– Continue to actively support others and find new inventive ways of doing so.
– Write short and prompted pieces on regular basis.

Some other stuff that went on this month:

Elaine Jeremiah released her latest book, Reunion of the Heart!

The Amazing Winter (which should be her title with the amount she manages to accomplish!) got signed twice!

I won a copy of A Gift of Wings by Stephanie Stamm on the blog of L.Marie!

Blimey, that was a lot longer post than I meant it to be! Should be an exciting month 😀

How was your August? Have you got much going on in September?

–

Progress Report:

Status of fifth manuscript: Editing first draft.

Books read: 1/4

Mid-September Book Review: Read, need to write review.

39 thoughts on “August 2014 Round-Up and September 2014 Plan”

  2. Mishka, is there ANYTHING you can’t do? 😉 Seriously, your art is absolutely amazing! I would love to see illustrated scenes from your books – sounds like it would be a fun way of marketing and maybe make it a bit more fun, too.

    • Thank you so much! 😀 I love doing illustration, so it was something I was really thinking of doing for my books. And maybe a fun way of doing marketing as you say, instead of me feeling like I’m shoving the titles of my books in people’s faces!

      Thank you so much for compliment and kind comment 🙂

      • Self-promotion can be so difficult, can’t it? It’s hard to find a balance between marketing and being annoying! If you do decide to do illustrations, I can’t wait to see them. 😀

  3. The images are fantastic – you are a talented artist. I would definitely be interested in illustrated scenes from a novel, and it would pique my curiosity – make me want to learn more. Of course, you don’t need to do that because I already love your work! I still think it’s a good way to go though. I would be drawn to an unknown author that way.

    • I’m glad you think it’s a good idea! It’s been something I’ve been thinking of for a while, and a different way to try out marketing, which I really don’t like doing 😀 I’m wondering, like you say, if something visual might capture a potential reader’s interest more than an excerpt or quote.

      Thank you so much for your kind comment! 🙂

  6. Wow. That’s you trying your hand at drawing????? Oh man! I might as well give up now! I remember the runes and the map you drew. I agree with Callum. You’re really good.

    • Thank you so much 😀 I do love illustration and really wanted to be a comic book artist at one point, but I’m not patient enough for that!

      Thank you so much for the kind comment! 🙂

  7. Well, now, how is this fair that you’re a talented writer, artist and book trailer-maker (like the new title? :P)? Kiddin’, of course, but seriously, I feel like there’s nothin’ you can’t do. Yes, illustrations of your work would be a cool and clever way to market, very interested in that.

    • Thank you so much 😀 I do like my creative stuff, but stick me with anything that isn’t creative and I’m pretty stuck!

      Glad you think it’s a good idea, I have been pondering it for a while and think I will definitely give it a go after vacation.

      Thank you so much for the kind comment! 🙂

  8. Whoa! Your illustrations are awesome 😀 ! They’re got a really great comic-y, but realistic feel to them. Have you ever thought of writing a graphic novel? Or maybe having a special illustrated edition of one of your books, kind of like how Lewis and Carrol did it with Alice in Wonderland?

    Anyway, sounds like you’ve got a pretty big schedule up for September, and I’ll be cheering you on just the same 🙂 !

    • Thank you so much! 😀 I actually really wanted to write and draw my own graphic novels when I was younger, but found I didn’t have the patience for it!

      Love the idea of a special illustrated edition of the books though! Great thought!

      Thank you so much for the kind and motivating comment 🙂

  9. I love illustrations in books, and yours are great! I wish I could draw that well. You’re amazingly organized, too. Congrats on accomplishing so much last month! Marketing is always the most difficult thing for me, as well. I’m hoping to get more done now that the kids are back in school. Enjoy your vacation!

    • Marketing is a bit of a drag, and it’s definitely one of my least favourite parts of being an indie author 😀 But it’s got to be done if I want to succeed!

      Thank you so much for the kind comment 🙂

  12. I am working on some marketing stuff as well. Might I suggest bookmarks and business cards? I know I am about to order some business cards in the next few weeks, and possibly even some bookmarks. Postcards would work as well. You’re cover art is awesome, so I don’t see designing bookmarks/postcards/business cards being an issue for you, but if you do happen to need help, check out Kat Mellon’s work: http://www.kmwritingdesign.com/. It’s amazing. It’s probably short notice now, but the next time you go on vacation, you could always “accidentally” leave some marketing tools behind. 🙂

    • I like the idea of bookmarks! That’s a great idea, and not something to difficult to get up together.

      Thank you so much for the suggestions, definitely think I will be taking them on board 🙂

      • You’re always welcome. I’m also currently looking into some local fairs and festivals to set up a booth at. 😉

  13. You’re a great drawer! I actually think it would be nice to include illustrations in stories–I myself was planning to do so for one of my stories 🙂

    • I think most people nowadays are really visual, so illustrations and art can really help. Though it’s a struggle to include it in eBooks, as I found out in my last book! 😀 Worth it in the end though.

      Thank you so much for your kind comment 🙂

  15. Good luck with all your goals. By the way, I am a HUGE fan of SG1, I used to have all the box sets but they proved too much to lug around every time we had to move. I used to live in Southend in Essex and every now and then I would see a car with the number plate SG1 – cool, huh? lol

    • I love SG1! Has to be one of my most favourite shows (hence all the fan art :D). Box sets do tend to be a bit of a burden to lug around, especially ones as big as the stargate one!

      Thank you so much for the kind comment 🙂

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