Wednesday, April 5, 2017

#AtoZChallenge D is for Dolores

Following the suggestion of fellow blogger and amazing author Jemima Pett, I'm doing a very simple A to Z with characters from my writing and the books of my author friends! I'm just posting a brief profile, sometimes a quote, and the book cover with links. Though you may also see some of my typical reviews and the usual Friday Flash Fiction.




D is for Dolores

In a nutshell: Spunky and level-headed member of the Viridian System team, keen to better her situation.

Biggest secret: Per the author: Her big secret is that she appears to be hankering after a baby even though she thinks she’s infertile.  Well, hankering after Pete’s baby, to be specific. (Ms. Pett's comment on this revelation: "Is that a big secret?  It surprised me.")

Favourite line: Lars, Pete, Maggie and Dolores are travelling in alien space and have encountered a spacecraft apparently crewed entirely by females.  "Why don't you guys make tea or something?” Dolores suggests, as she continues to attempt to communicate with the aliens.

Dolores features in the Viridian System books, by Jemima Pett. Check her out right now with the Viridian System Sampler. Book 1 of the series, The Perihelix, will be reissued around November, and work is underway on Book 2!
http://www.ppbooks.co.uk/



Today is also IWSG post day!

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group (click on the badge above for the list) and connect with your fellow writers - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Since I'm neck deep in the A to Z Challenge, as well as still trying to get the Pismawallops PTA #3 ready for editors, I'll use the prompt and keep it brief.

The Question: Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, publicity for your book? What were the results?

Well, as you can see if you've read my blog so far this month, the answer is yes. And of course, in a way that's what it's all about--getting noticed, and hopefully getting readers. But there's a difference between promoting your blog--which is what I've done in previous years--and promoting your books. This is my first time doing the latter, so I don't know yet if there will be results. 

Because I do think we all need to stick together (and yeah, okay, because I don't have characters for every letter of the alphabet), I'm also highlighting the work of some of my fellow indie writers. Jemima Pett gets top billing, largely because this was her idea :) but you'll see some others appear, too. 

I guess I'll be able to report next month if I see any spikes in sales. I'll admit I'm hoping there are--my sales have been pretty much in the area I'd call "depressing." The odd thing is, that doesn't really stop me from wanting and needing to write more books. It only bugs me when I stop to look at it. That has led me to not look, which leads to not doing much promotion--clearly not a good cycle to fall into!

How about you? Have you used A to Z to promote your books as well as your blog? What were the results?

©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2017
As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated! 

11 comments:

  1. I am going to google Dolores
    Thanks for sharing

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    1. I'm keeping the pressure on the author to finish those books and get them out, because I really love the characters :)

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  2. ... er, the author is under enough pressure at the moment, thanks. I also put a fairly depressed comment on the IWSG post today, since the lack of a list for the A to Z seems to have killed my visitors. Thank goodness for my existing pals, like you.

    Dolores seems to be coming through the books to emerge as the star. I just wonder what she's going to get up to in book 3.

    Jemima on Distractions

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    Replies
    1. It seems like it's taking a little longer to get visitors, and mostly I suspect from my own visiting. I'm usually one of the last to get on the comments for each letter.

      Dolores is a star, though of course I'm pretty fond of Pete and Lars :)

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  3. Getting noticed is really what's it's all about. :)

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    Replies
    1. Yup. And that's always a strange thing for many of us writer-types, who are kind of introverted.

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  4. I'm happy with the amount of new visitors due to A - Z so far. What a diverse crowd of bloggers! Thank you for visiting!

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    1. There is an amazing range of topics being blogged about.

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  5. You've actually spawned the idea for me to draw my characters and maybe use them for the challenge next year! I already have 6 characters drawn, just need to digitalize it and add color. I haven't participated in a few years due to the stress of the challenge and life being so overwhelming. If things calm down, maybe I can make it happen. :)

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    1. Hey, that gives you a whole year to do the illustrations--you can manage that.

      These posts I've done are really fast and easy, so the fact that I didn't do much in advance isn't so bad :)

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  6. My blog always promotes my books in a subtle way, because I write about subjects of interest to those who would enjoy my books. I've found quite a few readers this way.

    As for your sales, the great advantage to being indie is there's lots of things you can do. Guest posts, low-cost newsletter ads (some are better than others, so research is key), refreshed covers, Goodreads giveaways, a temporary sale. I know the feeling of an Amazon ranking dip...it's not fun. But the power is in your hands, which is awesome!

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