Reckless Beginnings by Tina Hogan (VBT, guest post, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

I am happy to share a guest post by author Tina Hogan Grant (who I am fascinated to learn is the daughter of a science fiction author whose works I have enjoyed), who shares...

MARKETING TIPS

by 

Tina Hogan Grant

If most authors are like me, this is an area that at times can feel overwhelming. Writing the book was the easy part. Now we have to learn marketing. I am learning new things everyday and researching tips and ideas by reading an endless list of books, browsing the internet, talking to other writers and joining many groups to interact with others. Marketing is time consuming and tedious and results do not happen overnight. It takes time to figure what works and will bring results. It’s a case of trial and error. Some methods will works, while others fail miserably.

Here is a list of what I am doing to promote my book.

Have a website - It’s a no brainer that you will need a platform where readers can see your work, get updates and get to know you on a personal level. Be sure you use a custom domain name that people will recognize. Mine is www.tinahogangrant.com. Set it up as soon as you can and add content that will engage your readers and entice them to keep coming back. On my site I do the following:

●      A weekly blog

●      Contest

●      A day in my life

●      Author’s corner with interviews and book reviews

●      Top ten lists

●      Writing tips

Be on social media: Social media is huge and I believe a necessity when it comes to promoting your book. I think the most important ones to be a part of are Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. These are the three where I post the most. Make sure you have an author’s page on Facebook. Join some writing, reading and author groups. Interact within the groups. Post regularly on twitter and Instagram. Don’t just talk about your book. Talk about what you are currently reading, a day in your life, your writing progress, your goals. Make it interesting and mix it up.

Podcasts & Media: If you can get a podcast or media interview that is great. Send them an email describing your book, why you wrote it and how people will benefit from your story.  You never know, one of them may contact you.

Hold contests: Once my book is available I plan on holding a weekly giveaway on Facebook for one signed copy. You can also organize giveaways on Goodreads and your website.

Book clubs: Contact book clubs on and off line to read your book. Offer to attend a discussion about the book either in person or via skype.

Contest: Enter your book in contests. There are hundreds online to choose from. Some are free. Other have a fee.     

 Do a virtual Book Tour : Spread the word about your book and get the exposure you need with virtual book tours. Fees vary depending on what kind of tour you want but i think they are worth it, versus trying to organize a tour on your own.

These are just a few idea I have to market your book. Everyday I try and think of new ways to promote my book and apply different methods to see what will work and what won’t.

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Reckless Beginnings

by 

Tina Hogan Grant

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GENRE: Women’s Fiction  (based on true events)

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BLURB:

Tammy Mellows, a fourteen-year-old native of England, was shocked when her father and troubled older sister, Donna, moved to the States.

With her family now separated by divorce and divided by an ocean, Tammy felt helpless when she learned Donna had run away and couldn’t be found.

Thanks to her father insisting she stay behind in England to finish school, Tammy could do nothing for the next three years but pray that Donna would be found safe.

When Tammy’s lifelong dream of moving to the States was finally fulfilled, she had high hopes of looking for Donna. But with no leads and faced with turmoil in her own life, there wasn’t much Tammy could do.

After a forbidden secret love affair and a catastrophic dispute with her father, Tammy eventually meets Steven, settles down and has his child, only to discover he is a heroin addict. Thrown into a life of drugs and violence. Shadowed by his addiction, she becomes the silent and forgotten one. Living in fear of what Steven might be capable of and struggling alone to provide for her young son.

What consequences might she face if she leaves Steven? Is she ever going to find her sister alive? Will she have enough courage to conquer the impossible challenges of her twisted world and still come out on top?

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EXCERPT

“What should I do?” Tammy asked. “Should I come over there or should I call him on the phone?”

Joanne sighed. “Well, your father doesn’t want to see you right now.”

“What?”

“He needs to calm down and accept this in his own time. It may take him a while and, if I were you, I wouldn’t rush him. Let him call you when he’s ready.”

Tammy couldn’t believe her father didn’t want to see her. “Does he hate me?”

“No, he doesn’t hate you. You’re his daughter. He’s just upset right now. He’ll come around eventually. Just give him some time.”

Tammy was astonished. She didn’t realize how much this was going to hurt her father. Their relationship had always been good and they’d never experienced any conflicts, up until now. Lost in her thoughts, Tammy’s head buzzed with questions and fears. Mainly, she feared her father would never forgive her.

Buy Links may be found here

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Tina Hogan Grant was born in England and grew up in a small town on the Yorkshire Moors. She is the youngest daughter of science fiction author, James P. Hogan. After moving to California, she became a commercial lobster fisherwoman, fishing off the coast of Southern California for ten years with her husband Gordon.

For fourteen years, she’d had a notion of writing her debut novel “Reckless Beginnings”. But it wasn’t until the sudden death of her father in 2010 and a battle with breast cancer a year later that she made the decision to get it done. Seven years later, she finally completed it. She is now working on a sequel titled,  “Better Endings.”

She currently resides with her husband in the small mountain community of Frazier Park in Southern California. Together they enjoy anything that involves the outdoors, fishing, hiking, kayaking and riding quads.

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway




The tour dates can be found here