Welcome Guest Blogger: Kristina Stanley

I’m delighted to have mystery author Kristina Stanley guesting again this week. Kristina’s doing something amazing by launching her second full-length mystery, BLAZE, just three months after DESCENT was released. She’ll also be hosting a Facebook launch book party (the link’s at the end  of her blog). Kristina’s written an excellent piece called “Launching a Novel”. Enjoy!

Somehow I thought once I had a novel published the stress would disappear. To use a cliché, the joke is on me.

BLAZE will be released one week from today, and I can tell you releasing a second novel is more nerve wracking than releasing the first one. For the first release, I wonder if people were nice to me because DESCENT was my debut novel. Now, am I expected to be good at book launching? This thought is what is stressing me out. So deal with it, right?  

My way reduce stress is to be organized, and since I’ve organized my thoughts, I’ll share and maybe I can help someone out there with their launch.

Here are the steps that led to launching DESCENT and BLAZE:

1. Sign with Imajin Books (http://www.ImajinBooks.com )
2. Submit full manuscript to editor (editor and I both did 3 passes at novel)
3. Send ARC to authors for a blurb to go on inside and outside cover
4. Cover designed and agreed to by all
5. Early praise received on ARC added to cover
6. Write dedication, acknowledgements and letter to reader for inclusion on inside of book.
7. Imajin Books sends edited manuscript to proofreader
8. Imajin Books publishes novel, and I sit back and relax (ha ha).

Basic Launch and Post – Launch Process:

1. Find places to guest blog and write a unique post for each site.
2. Create author page on Amazon (or update for second book).
3. Create a Facebook Launch party. Find authors who are willing to donate books for giveaways, advertise the event, and host the event.
4. Send copies of novel to reviewers. This needs to be done early.
5. Blog on my site 5 times a week. I used to blog twice a week.
6. Comment and follow other blogs about writing, reviewing, and publishing.
7. Participate in other Facebook launch parties and donate my novel as a gift.
8. Promote other authors’ books and book launches.
9. Promote novel on blog, Pinterest, Google+, Goodreads, Facebook (both personal and author site), LinkedIn, Twitter, online magazines, AuthorsDen, and Tumbler.
10. This may be obvious, but say thanks every time someone helps me in the smallest way.
11. I don't have an email list, but I probably should. This will be what I add next to my process.

 The journey of publishing is one big learning curve. So here is what I’ve learned so far:

• It’s easier to sell books than to get reviews.
• Other authors’ Facebook parties are a great way to increase visibility.
• Not everyone will like your marketing methods and negative feedback is never fun.
• I enjoy blogging and connecting with others online as much as I enjoy writing.
• There are many generous people willing to help.
• When Facebook friends shared they bought DESCENT others bought DESCENT too. This word of mouth concept really works.
• Promoting others widened my network.
• Marketing is hard work.

 In the spirit of launching books, my Facebook launch party for BLAZE (https://www.facebook.com/events/1630121803934943/) is next Sunday, October 25th from 4 to 6 PM EST. I would love to see you there.

For added Facebook excitement, Debra will be giving away a copy of DEAD MAN FLOATING at the BLAZE Facebook launch party. If you’re not familiar with a launch party, drop on by and chat with authors, maybe win a book, and socialize online. I’ve met some fun online friends this way.

Kristina’s Bio:

Kristina Stanley is the author of the Stone Mountain Mystery Series. Her books have garnered the attention of prestigious crime writing organizations in Canada and England. Crime Writers of Canada nominated DESCENT for the Unhanged Arthur award. The Crime Writers’ Association nominated BLAZE for the Debut Dagger. She is published in the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.

Before writing her series, Kristina was the director of security, human resources and guest services at a resort in the depths of the British Columbian mountains. The job and lifestyle captured her heart, and she decided to write mysteries about life in an isolated resort. While writing the first four novels, she spent five years living aboard a sailboat in the US and the Bahamas.

BLAZE:

Instead of exchanging vows, Kalin Thompson spends her wedding day running from a forest fire near Stone Mountain Resort, and the pregnant friend trapped with her has just gone into labor. Meanwhile, Kalin’s fiancé, Ben Timlin, hangs from the rafters of a burning building, fighting for his life. Can the situation get any hotter?

When the fire is declared as arson, finding the firebug responsible becomes Kalin’s personal mission. In the course of her investigation as Director of Security, she discovers that some people will go to extreme measures to keep her from exposing their secrets.

DESCENT:

When Kalin Thompson is promoted to Director of Security at Stone Mountain Resort, she soon becomes entangled in the high-profile murder investigation of an up-and-coming Olympic-caliber skier. There are more suspects with motives than there are gates on the super-G course, and danger mounts with every turn.

Kalin’s boss orders her to investigate. Her boyfriend wants her to stay safe and let the cops do their job. Torn between loyalty to friends and professional duty, Kalin must look within her isolated community to unearth the killer’s identity.

I love to connect with people online. I can be found at: 

www.KristinaStanley.com

Follow me on twitter, let me know you read this blog and I’ll follow you back. @StanleyKMS

Or comment on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KristinaStanley.Author

If you're looking for something to read and you haven’t read DESCENT yet, now is your chance before BLAZE comes out. Find it at:  http://mybook.to/Descent

And if you have read DESCENT, I’d be very excited if you pre-ordered BLAZE http://myBook.to/BLAZEbyKristinaStanley

Thank you, Debra, for hosting me.