Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.htmlApril IWSG Day Question: Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, publicity for your book?
Several years ago, I participated in two consecutive A to Z Challenges. Last year, I had prior commitments. This year, my swamped life threatens to drown me, so I am unable to join in the fun blogging experience. I did not do any marketing or networking to my knowledge, but my sales from my first book increased during those times.
During the second year of the challenge, my theme was my town of Hannibal, Missouri, located on the Mississippi River. Our town features the boyhood home of Mark Twain. Each day I highlighted a historic site with a photograph and a snippet of our town's history. And believe me, this place is chocked full of fun, ghostly legends. Don't forget all the many establishments celebrating the life of Mark Twain. My oldest son and I ran around town, snapping photos of everything from the Old Jail House, to the new Wax Museum, to the famous Mark Twain Cave and the lighthouse. All of these adventurous places stirred to life a fresh, new contemporary mystery.
As I was standing on Main Street yesterday, the clouds rolled in (as did the rain) and the tourists. Haunted Wagon rides are now departing daily, taking sight-seers to all the deliciously spooky spots in town, including the old Baptist Cemetery (featured in Tom Sawyer) and the vacant lot where the famous Amos J. Stillwell murder took place. The house was so haunted that eventually the city tore it down. A story has been sitting right in front of me for many years. Of course, I've changed the name of the town to protect the innocent.
You never know where an A to Z blogging challenge may lead, but take full advantage of the opportunity to gather story ideas for later and inspiration for your next book!
You have some awesome posts. We learned a lot!
ReplyDeleteHeather
Aww! Thanks:) Those were fun times.
DeleteIt sounds like you have a creepy fun story waiting for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd a few more:)
DeleteI remember following you that year, that's where I found you in the first place! :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cdgallantking.ca/2017/04/things-are-looking-up-iwsg-april-2017.html
Awesome! That was a great time:)
DeleteIt's true. It totally could be the fodder you need. Research is the key to writing if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is! I've already planned my new MG book--an art mystery based off our town's museum and the famous paintings inside. I can't wait to get started!!
DeleteYay! Awesomeness. I can't wait to hear the updates as you work!
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ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer, I remember reading your posts, it was fun. Too swamped with work to participate in this year's A to Z Challenge!
ReplyDeleteSame here!! Until next time:)
DeleteYou did exactly what I did. I did two consecutive years and then last year and this year I skipped out on the Challenge. But who knows? I may do it next year.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a plan!
DeleteI'm sorry to have missed your A-Z on Hannibal--I have been there but only for an afternoon. Twain is a favorite author and have been blessed to have been able to research and publish a bit about his time in Nevada.
ReplyDeleteHow cool! That sounds amazing. Glad you got to visit. Stay much longer next time.
DeleteYour town sounds fantastic, and a great source of inspiration! My A-Z participation tends to require a couple of years recovery... maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteYes, several years to recover. LOL
DeleteI remember your Hannibal theme.
ReplyDeleteCool you now have another great idea.
Too many to count:P
DeleteI love how your theme inspired you! Hannibal sounds like a fascinating town too. I lived in Springfield, MO for a bit (for college) and I wish I had traveled the state more while there.
ReplyDeleteSuper cool! I've been there. Scenic hills down in that part of the state.
DeleteThat is great that a story popped in from it. Goldmine right there and now you are aware.
ReplyDeleteI would like to be a fly on your wall. Especially when you're on the phone talking to strangers. Do you rhyme all the time?:-)
DeleteYou're right about not knowing where the A-Z Challenge will take you. One year, I actually posted unpublished stories of mine - an anxiety-producing first for me! It all turned out wonderfully though. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I've read lots of those during my time doing the challenge. Lots of stress I'm sure.
DeleteThe idea of the house being so haunted they tore it down sounds fascinating! That's great that your town gives you awesome inspiration for stories.
ReplyDeleteDun, dun, dun. The plot thickens. My story is killer!
DeleteGreat that it led you down a fun, creative path. I enjoyed your theme too!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteInspiration can come from anywhere.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, I'm totally swamped this year too.
Agreed. Maybe next time.
DeleteThat is a good point. A to Z can help you find your next book!
ReplyDelete26 to choose from :-)
DeleteHi Jennifer good like with your haunted house story. I'm doing a light version of A to Z this year and limiting the number of blogs I visit.
ReplyDeleteWe took a class trip to Hannibal back when I was in high school. I'll bet the town has changed a lot since then.
ReplyDeleteI remember those posts. Good times. And spooky stories based on real events are fun to read.
ReplyDeleteE is for Experiment: Turning the USS Eldridge Invisible
Love the photos. It must have been fun gathering all those shots. Looking forward to your next A-Z challenge.
ReplyDeleteGreat pitch for A to Z! Thank you. Even if you aren't directly marketing during A to Z, the increased presence making for higher visibility can help. Boosting SEO is one big plus in favor of doing A to Z.
ReplyDeleteI remember your Hannibal series. That's one town that I'd like to revisit and spend more time in. Love the photo!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out