Jan 31, 2015

WEBSITE FOR WRITERS

After SEVEN years of sharing writing tips, advice and discoveries, I've now moved my blog to my author website. You'll still get all the juicy secrets of the writing industry, enjoy guest posts from authors, publishers and editors, and learn techniques and strategies to get your work written and published. WAGGING TALES will remain active for anyone who's keen enough to search archives, but I hope you'll join us at the new blog: DREAM... WRITE... PUBLISH at:

Jun 3, 2014

STOP the Bully: How to Organise Author Events


Karen Tyrrell - author of STOP the Bully.

Today I'm sharing news and tips from Karen Tyrrell, a talented author, prominent social media enthusiast, generous person, mental health advocate, and one of the most organised authors I know. 

Given the opportunity to help Karen launch her new book, STOP the Bully, and interview her on any writerly topics, I wanted to know how she manages to pull all her promotions together. Enjoy the interview, there's some great tips, and one lucky reader who leaves a comment will receive a FREE ebook copy of STOP the Bully!

Karen, how are you promoting STOP the Bully?
As widely as possible! I sought support and reviews from Kids Helpline and Kids Matter Australian curriculum. I sent out PDF review copies to reviewers. I emailed press releases to newspaper, radio and media. I rang bookshops, explaining the top selling points for STOP the Bully, following up with book information sheets. Later I made appointments to show booksellers STOP the Bully.
I created Facebook event invitations and emailed out invitations too. I created an international Goodreads book giveaway event.  Co-incidentally I’m presenting a seminar at QWC (Queensland Writers Centre) on author branding, an Author in School program for Gold Coast Writers Festival and speaking at the CYA Conference, sharing STOP the Bully and my other mental health books.

How did you organize your book launch?
Four months ago, I chose STOP the Bully release date as May 31st. I booked into Black Cat Books in Brisbane, who I have a great relationship with.  I made sure my manuscript was Beta-read, critiqued, edited and formatted well before that date. After that I organised my Amazon launch, Blog Tour and release into shops.

How did you organise STOP the Bully Blog Tour?
I started months in advance, brainstorming authors and websites who supported me and my author brand.  I sent out invitations to find out who’s available for the Blog Tour. I included a radio interview, written interviews and reviews.  I pencilled-in a blog tour schedule then later I confirmed each blog hop. I’m giving away eBooks and signed copies for the best comments. My blog tour coincides with my Amazon launch.

How did you apply and get accepted into author speaking events?
Research! Research! Research! I applied for events via an expression of interest, plus I sent them a tailor-made bio. After applying I made sure I followed-up.

How do you keep track of all your writing submissions and author events?
I use a daily planner plus a monthly planner too. Each day I re-prioritise with a new to-do list with tick boxes, ticking off with red pen as I go. I tape up reminders and follow-ups onto my desk at eye level. Each night and morning I check my diary and motivate myself for the day ahead.


SYNOPSIS: Eleven year old Brian is hiding something. His life is falling apart. Dad aban-doned the family. Brian hates his new school. And now an aggressive bully attacks him every day. Can Brian STOP the Bully without revealing his shameful secret? 
STOP the Bully is a riveting junior novel to empower girls and boys with assertive strat-egies. The mystery reveals the bullying dilemma from all perspectives. 
STOP the Bully raises BIG issues: bullying, family break-ups, poverty, self-esteem, cop-ing with change, friendship, forgiveness and reconciliation. 
*5 STAR REVIEWS: Kids Book Review, teachers and school counselors. Aligned with Kids Matter: Australian curriculum. 
5% sales go to Kids Helpline to help Kids in Crisis. 
FREE teacher Notes FREE kids activities www.karentyrrell.com 

STOP the Bully Blog Tour & BookGiveAway

Empower KIDs with assertive anti-bullying strategies!
WIN: Signed copies and eCopies of STOP the Bully.
Leave a comment on any of the 15 hops June 2- 11
The MORE comments you leave the MORE chances you WIN.
WINNERS announced on June 16 http://www.karentyrrell.com

Blog Tour June 2-11
2 June STOP the Bully Release Party & Reviews http://www.karentyrrell.com
             Sally Odgers Interview http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com.au
3 June Jill Smith Review http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com
            Charmaine Clancy Interview http://clancytales.blogspot.com.au
4 June Kids Book Review CURLY Questions http://www.kids-bookreview.com
             Sally Murphy QUICK Questions http://aussiereviews.com/2014/06/karen-tyrell-blog-tour
5 June Melissa Wray Interview http://www.melissawray.blogspot.com.au
            Yvonne Mes Interview http://www.yvonnemes.com
6 June Ali Stegert Interview http://ali-stegert.com
9 June Bug in a Book Review http://buginabook.org/category/childrens-books
            Jackie Hosking Interview http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine
10 June June Perkins Interview http://pearlz.wordpress.com
           Robyn Parnell Interview http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com.au
11 June Nicky Johnson Review http://www.nickyjohnston.com.au/blog
              Literati Radio Interview 9am AEST http://www.blogtalkradio.com/laliteraticarpelibrum

STOP the Bully is endorsed by Kids Helpline and aligned with Kids Matter, Australian curriculum.
Download FREE children's activities and FREE teacher notes from www.karentyrrell.com

ISBN: 9780987274069 STOP the Bully is now available from Amazon.




May 20, 2014

WIN A KINDLE!

The competition to win a Kindle has been extended! I'll be holding a book launch at my local book store June 7, and all the people who come along to purchase a book and get it signed can go into the draw. The new closing date for the competition is June 14.

Online Book Launch

To celebrate the rising of Undead Kev I'm having a launch party and you're all invited! I'll be running an online book tour for Undead Kev and there will be some cool prizes; you could win a Kindle or an Amazon gift card, just by participating!
Win a kindle
The competition will run from now until the 31st of May and you can enter by:
  1. Purchasing a copy of Undead Kev
  2. Purchasing one of my other books (My Zombie Dog, or Dognapped? A dog show detective mystery)
  3. Blog about the book launch
To enter by purchasing one of my books, simply keep your receipt/order number and pop it into the rafflecopter entry form below. Hang onto your receipt for verification if you win! Purchases from the 1st of March to the 31st of May will be valid.

To enter by blogging, simply create a blog about the book launch, or email me for a pre-prepared blog post (this come in html format, you simply cut and paste it into your blog post. You can of course edit this post to suit your readers). Alternatively, email me some questions and I'll answer them interview style, or review the book in a blog post, including links to where the book can be purchased and to this competition page.
The winner will be announce here on the blog (and contacted via email) June 4th.

Enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway