Update #6: Promo Site Scorecard, E-newsletter launch, & Other Goodies En Route.

G'day everyone.

I've got a lot of fun and interesting posts lined up over the next few months, and that's why I've been relatively quiet here lately. (Quality over quantity!) But here are some general updates and exciting changes here at Dream. Write. Share:

(1) NEWSLETTER LAUNCH:

​I'm sure you've noticed at the top of almost every landing page is a form to enter your email to subscribe to my newsletter. As it's gaining traction, I plan on launching the first issue 1/31/2018. Also, I'm celebrating it via a referral program: if you know 3 people who would be interested (genuinely!!!), have them sign up on the form in the "About" page, or click button below, and leave your name in the comments to get credit. Refer 3, get a $10 Amazon gift card- ends 2/28/2018.

Refer a friend here!

What it is: A curation of topics for readers and writers alike. The first issue will summarize highlights of top posts and topics to come. It will be monthly/bi-monthly, dependent on content, and will also contain exclusive content.

​What it isn't: SPAM. I won't e-mail every chance I get.

PS: If you sign up and have e-mail accounts that filter mail: Check your "promotions" tab-- the newsletter may land there.

(2) Keeping Promotional/Marketing Sites for Authors Honest (A newsletter exclusive):

Most businesses in other sectors live by their ratings on Yelp, Amazon, Angie's List, and/or the BBB. Reviews keep them honest and provide motivation to keep their products/services high quality.
I've come to notice, in the hell known as promoting and marketing books, that there isn't really a rating system for sites that promise exposure to your novel, short story, etc. Without reviews, authors should be cautious and selective about services they choose. But even after all that research, you won't know until you try it, right?

If you have Twitter, open the app and scroll down your feed and notice how many books are RT by various promo/marketing vendors. By now, I've used a handful of sites and had various experiences. So, what's an author to do? I'm no Angie's List (nor do I want to be), and I didn't test everything available, but I'll be crafting a "score card" for the vendors I used. It will be purely a objective rating system, based only on the facts. My purpose: To share with other indie authors so they can make educated decisions on what services to use. As I navigate the murky waters of marketing, I will continuously add to this score card and add tips. My first post will drop short after the first quarter (~late March). PS: If you have a positive or negative experience you want to share- shoot me a message and I'll add it. The more information we are armed with, the better.

**This is a Dream. Write. Share. newsletter exclusive. If you want this precious insight, please sign up with your email at the top of the page, because this will not be posted on this blog.

(3) FEBRUARY FUN:
February is a special month! The Just-Us-League will release its fourth anthology late in the month, and it's theme is Fairy Tale Retellings! You heard me. The incredible feedback and enthusiasm from the first volume was so strong, the team decided to select this theme again. Besides, there are more fairy tales just waiting for a new spin! Cover reveal, blurb, and even a stop on a blog tour will be released steadily throughout February, so stay tuned (Or just, you know, sign up for the email newsletter so you don't miss anything...)

(4) BOOK REVIEWS, AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, OH MY!
I have up to four books slotted for reading and reviewing!
Meanwhile, as a friendly reminder, if you're an up and coming author, you can sign up for a free author interview right here. I'd love to get to know you and support your work!

Author Interview Application

(5) The Aeonians - So, what's up?
My debut novel, "The Aeonians" has been out since November 2017. It's YA fantasy with lots of adventure.  For those that have read it, or considering it:

• The sequel, "The Shadow Warrior", will be released some time this year. The sooner the editing is done, the sooner it's released. When the cover art is available, I'll share it. (It's going to be AWESOME).
• I'm working on book 3, the conclusion of the Aeonian trilogy. This work is hurtling at a mind-numbing pace, so don't fall behind and give it a chance :)

And that's that for shameless self-promoting!

That's about it, folks.
See you around-
J.E.