@maleslie11

That's our twitter tag name, what's yours?

It's pretty funny, but a few years ago, maybe even less then a year ago I was not going to use twitter.  There was no way, no how that I would find myself Tweeting.

Ha, so much for that.  I really enjoy using Twitter, but Amy still isn't too keen with it, but I think it is one of the greatest ways for people to communicate, network, and find great books.

Twitter has become a great source to connect with other authors, readers, reviewers, bloggers, and just about any other crazy or cool person we want to meet.

To use Twitter, you have to use another language - it's like texting, but not quite the same.  Somethings have #tags and everyone is an @something.  Instead of using the word you, you say u.  That way u don't use up the 140 characters that u get when u tweet.  Yeah, imagine that, I say things in 140 characters or less.

If you haven't checked out Twitter, give it a shot.  Our tag is at the top and if you are already on Twitter or if you are going to join, post your tag and we will follow.

LET THE TWEETING BEGIN!!!

Oh and as is customary for all Tweeps, here are some of the people we follow.  Please give them a look and a follow.

@HilyBee
@stuffmikewrites
@paulanthonyspen
@LGSmith12
@WilliamDeen
@susankayequinn
@melcom1
@heidirubymiller
@FuelOnline
@Dearharts
@JamiGrayAuthor
@RickGualtieri
@Raine_Thomas
@ByDennisSheehan
@PaulHenry5
@ePrintedBooks
@ShelleyBuck
@MikeWellsAuthor
@LoriWilsonNBC

That's not everyone, but it's a good start!

M. Goodreads

Going back to what Nathan had asked the other day, what social networking sites do you use?


It seems like everyone and their mother has a blog now-a-days and a Facebook page. Then, don’t even start on Twitter. If I could just get as many followers as a simple peacock in NY that jumped off a building, how did he get so many followers? Of course there are the select few using Google+ but the rest of us have to wait.

You could even count the discussion boards on Amazon, if you would like.

That really isn’t what I want to talk about though. I want to talk about Goodreads. Have any of you tried it yet, because I finally started using my account and I am becoming quickly addicted. It is an entire online community build around the idea of a book club and it is awesome. All you need to do is go on, make some friends, join some groups, talk about books, get recommendations, and oh yeah read.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, do so, I think you will find it to be as interesting as I do. Also, if you are already on Goodreads and looking for a new friend, look us up, we’re listed.

M. Marketing

My least favorite aspect of the writing/self-publishing process is marketing.  I know that you have to get yourself out there and introduce your work to the world, but it isn't easy.

Between blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and community events; you have to set aside a large portion of your time to put yourself out there.  Then you have to hope that people are receptive.

I do have to say that in the community, people have been very receptive to our journey and attempt at self-publishing.  Facebook is somewhat more difficult, the people on there are a hard egg to crack and every once and a while will download the book.  Then there is Twitter.  I have started to meet some amazing people through Twitter, people I wouldn't have ever imagined, but still you can't just go on every day and push a book.  You become boring.

So how is it done?  How does someone with a macaroni and cheese budget break into the world of publishing?  Is there something that you are doing that maybe we aren't?

Tuesday Night Fright

I know that I usually blog on Monday and Friday now, but a strange occurrence happened tonight.  It all started just like it always does.  I sat down at the desk and pulled up the internet connection, attempting to get my social networking done for the night. 

At first the buttons on my keyboard started shaking and the thing lifted almost clear off of the desk.  There it just remained hovering over the desk as if suspended by strings.

Amazingly next, the screen of the computer started turning and did a complete 360 on its pedestal.  It was creepy, it was strange, but that wasn't it.

A loud beeping noise started to play from inside of the CPU and forced me to hum the tune in response, otherwise the consequences would have been unspeakable.  The only true comfort was that it seemed to accept my out of tune respones.

So there I was, in my chair (with the NY Giants logo on the back), humming to the sounds, watching the spinning monitor, and trying my best to wrangle up the keyboard.  At first I thought a priest would be in order, but when one of my children came down to see what was wrong, everything went back to normal.  And, I feel the only way to heal is to share my experience.

Oh and by the way, really all that happened was that my new found addiction, Twitter, wasn't working.  That is almost as scary as a possessed computer, right? 

Have you gotten to the point with the social networking craze that I have?  Do you feel anxiety when Blogger/Twitter/Facebook aren't working?