promotion - Karen A. Chase

Ending a literary agent relationship

August 11, 2016 By Karen A. Chase

So, I have a confession. A few weeks ago my literary agent and I broke up. I’ve been quiet about it because it’s been so much to process, but it’s time to share so others can learn from my journey. My blog is often upbeat, so let’s have some fun with this sad story.

In the “we have to discuss our relationship” email, the agent admitted that in showing it to editors at publishing houses, she realized she didn’t have the resources (editor contacts/understanding of my readership) to sell my genre of book. She suggested I might consider finding a new agent.

Admittedly, my first reaction was…

How could this be after all our time editing, and talking about this book? Naturally, I asked myself, “Did I not ask the right questions about her specific contacts? Had I relied on her judgement over my knowledge of my readership?” Regardless, it became clear that we would only amass more rejections together.

I’m not going to lie. For about a week my mornings began like this:

After this stage passed, reality set in. I had to find a new agent. That meant query letters. Submission guidelines. The possibility of more rejections.

My first morning at the laptop felt like this:

But then I read an article about aiming for 100 rejections. Could searching for an agent in a specialized and subjective industry be about odds? If I secured my first agent after only 8 rejections, then out of 100, I’d have options.

So for the last two weeks, this has been me nearly every day:

I’ve been combing PublishersMarketplace, literary agencies and primarily using an online agent-search resource called QueryTracker to sort out who I’ve queried, being careful that they represent my genre.

That’s not to say my book is a fit for everyone. So I’m also like this when I look at my inbox each day:

I’ll keep you posted, but here are the stats so far: 50 queries sent. 7 rejections. 2 partial requests. 2 full manuscript requests.

I will go to the mattresses!

And for all you agents out there with a manuscript wish list (#MSWL) that includes American Revolutionary historical fiction with more battles than bodice-ripping, and a reluctant, yet likable male protagonist like Jamie in Outlander?

I’ve only one word…

5 years. 4 Goodreads Giveaways.

February 22, 2016 By Karen A. Chase

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Bonjour 40

by Karen A. Chase

Giveaway ends March 04, 2016.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Mon dieu! How has it been 5 years since my BONJOUR 40 trip to Paris? Five years since I met Dorothée and Bandit. Sixty months since I wandered those streets delighting in the joy of getting lost… Since then, the book has reached thousands, resulting in some amazing new relationships, and some lovely comments from readers both complimentary and inspiring.

As a thanks, I’m running a Goodreads Giveaway now through March 4th. Sign up for a chance to win one of 4 copies of BONJOUR 40: A PARIS TRAVEL LOG. It’s a world-wide giveaway (so share far and wide). And to Worth, Greg, Brenda, Jackie, and all my sweet readers and supporters… You have inspired me, too. The pen is still in my hand, and travel still moves my feet. Hugs and merci to all of you have come along on this delightful journey.

“This reads with the same pleasing, conversational, witty, engaging lope of Bill Bryson and Paul Theroux.”

“I literally cried while I wandered, with you, through Shakespeare and Company and sat, just behind you at the Mad Hatter’s Party. It is without a doubt, and I’ve many years on you lass, one of the finest pieces of travel writing I’ve enjoyed.”

“For my 60th, 8 women and I rented a chateau in Provence… Met so many people who are now lifelong friends. The magic of travel is awesome. Keep writing you owe it to your soul……”

“You helped me through a very lonely Christmas Eve. I have the flu and pneuma and could not be at my family’s Christmas Eve dinner. I fixed a pot of tea and read your book Bonjour 40. I felt like I was on vacation with you. Thank you for getting me through a difficult holiday experience.”

Self-Publishing Tips

January 31, 2014 By Karen A. Chase

Last week I discussed the changes I’ve seen in self-publishing. I gave a talk on the subject, and then just this week I attended another self-publishing panel discussion. Many ideas and tips came out of all that preparation and chatting, and so I thought I’d share the whole big lot of them in one document.

You can get it here: HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH LIKE A PROFESSIONAL

Please note that the links I have in here are not endorsing the companies listed (except of course my own). These are just some businesses and references I’ve come across that have helped me figure out the industry and self-publishing steps.

My biggest tip? Be curious. Write. Write. Write–of course. And then learn the industry like your livelihood depends on it. It actually does.

Good luck.

Tips, thoughts and corrections are all welcome. What do you know?

Learning to Publish

June 28, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

The panel of authors at the James River Writers Show. (Left to right) Julie Geen, me, Deb Dudley, and Meg Medina.

The tables have turned a bit with my writing, and I’ve recently been asked to speak at writing workshops. The first show was at the Roanoke Regional Writing Conference Series (see pics here), talking about taking a blog to book. My second was here in Richmond at the James River Writers Show on a panel about building an author platform. In both cases, I discovered that although I had been asked to come share my expertise since I published my first book, I still have so much to learn.

The publishing industry is changing rapidly, so that the old models about publishing are not the same. It used to be that there was traditional publishing (book deal, advance, royalties) or there was self-publishing. But now… there are more and more groups springing up in between, and so many more options for authors to craft their career path, instead of waiting to be picked up by agents and publishers.

The most important thing I’ve learned from preparing for and doing these talks is that I must continually study the industry. I have to be curious. I have to read–mostly online, because it’s changing too fast to put it into print. I need real-time data. I thought I would share a few tidbits and resources.

Visit AgentQuery.net
The best general info to get the gist on standard things in publishing.

Read Writers Digest and Poets and Writers

Embrace Google and search for:
• Tips for writing conferences
• Developmental editing vs copyediting
• Author Platform
• Author Blogs
• Why authors tweet
• Social media for authors
• Why book trailers
• Createspace versus Lightning source
• Book publishing royalties
• Non-traditional publishers
• (and whatever baffles you about publishing)

So, what does baffle you about the industry?

Oh La La. Bonjour 40 is now an International Award Winning Book

May 20, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

In addition to the three awards for Independent Book Publishing, Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log has also garnered a 2013 International Book Award. In all competitions, her self-published book competed against small- to mid-sized independent publishers, university and museum presses, and corporations that publish fewer than 50 titles a year.

Jeffrey Keen, president of USA Book News who hosts the international competition says of the awards, “The 2013 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the world.” Over 1000 entrants submitted not only books but marketing materials. Chase’s self-published book was among those selected by a “distinguished panel of industry judges who bring to the table their extensive editorial, PR, marketing, and design expertise.”

Bonjour 40 also won an IPPY Silver Medal for best Travel Essay in the Independent Book Publishers Award, and in the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards it won a Winners Medal for Best Design Non-fiction, and a Finalist Medal for Best Travel/Travel Guide.

“Needless to say, I’m simply thrilled, and it shows me, once again, that I’m helping to change the stigma for independent authors. Self-publishing doesn’t have to mean unfit to publish.”

While this award doesn’t include a swanky event gala in New York, Chase will be flying high knowing Bonjour 40 is heading into the Book Expo in New York touted by three award companies for both writing and design.

The newest press release about the award can be downloaded here.

Bonjour 40 is available with over 100 original photos on Amazon.

BONJOUR 40 Print Wins Three Book Publishing Awards

May 7, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

I am THRILLED to announce that my first print book, Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log, has won three (yes, three) independent book publisher awards.

Bonjour 40 won an IPPY Silver Medal for best Travel Essay in the Independent Book Publishers Award, and in the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards it won a Winners Medal for Best Design Non-fiction, and a Finalist Medal for Best Travel/Travel Guide.

What does this mean? It means a trip to New York City at the end of the month to attend the awards ceremonies (both of them if I can swing it, as they are on the same night). More importantly, I think it shows me that self-publishing is changing. In just the IPPY awards, the book went up against over 5000 participants from small- to mid-sized traditional publishers and university presses. Self-published used to mean unpublishable, but that stigma is changing as we are judged and win among the professionals.

Everything about this book (writing, design, photography, editing, production) was self-published, but I didn’t do it alone. So, a great shout out for those who helped me proof the book, and thank you to Kristen Weber and April Michelle Davis who helped me professionally edit the manuscript. Stay tuned for news and pictures from the trip to New York, and if you haven’t yet read it, I hope you’ll skip on over to Amazon and say Bonjour 40!

If you would like to share, publish or read the formal MSWord Press Release about Bonjour 40 wins, please do so.

Bonjour Self-Publishing

April 12, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

Where can you learn about self-publishing? How about the library?

Friends of the Richmond Public Library have invited me to host their May author event to chat about all things self-publishing.

Friday, May 3 ~ 7:00 p.m.
Main Library ~ 101 East Franklin Street
Davenport Special Collections Room

When I first launched Bonjour 40, the blog, I had not intended to write a book based on it. However, once the publishing notion came along, I thought perhaps I would use this book, my first, as an experiment. By navigating self-publishing for both the e-book and print versions, I’ve learned a few things. I wish I had someone over a year ago who knew what I know now.

You can. We’ll chat about:

• Tips for blogging
• Going from blog to book
• E-book versus print
• Amazon, online retailers, and bookstores
• Self versus traditional publishing
• Self-promotion for self-publishers

I hope you’ll join us. Reward? Self-publishing know-how from a been-there, done-that author. Plus, two attendees receive a free signed copy of the book, and one of my Paris photographs.

Sharing Writing on Facebook

March 1, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

487761_454400684592300_746774314_n — On Facebook, it’s important to turn away from writing, and speak to those who are following along.

Social media promotion is a big part of what authors are required to handle on our own, and growing a fan base takes more than just time. More importantly, it takes a willingness to chat with readers in the right way, especially on Facebook.

Insights in writing
There has been the belief that introverted writers sit with a drink in hand at 10 a.m. being tortured by plot twists. Sharing honest behind-the-scenes details about my sober process, has helped readers see how I really write. A fellow writer, Steena Holmes, recently asked Facebook fans to help define traits of a new character. Her readers felt like writers for a while, connecting them to her story. Brilliant.

“Reach” is better than “like”
The world sees how many “like” my author Facebook page, but Facebook shows me how many people are talking about my posts with others. That number is my “reach.” So while I only show about 170 “likes,” my reach during the height of a recent promotion was closer to 550.

Inspiration and perspiration
There is a balance between waxing on about the research and the work, and providing an escape and inspiration. Posts with quotes or comments on the writing and book world get just as much interaction as longer opinion posts.

Tag and share
Give credit. If I mention another writer, a post, or a quote, it’s important to tag the photo or properly share the post to give credit of its origin. Writers supporting writers will get us all more readers.

What Facebook tips for writers do you have?

My First Radio Interview

February 13, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

I just did my first radio interview about Bonjour 40 and writing!

Tim Bowring of 102.9 WHAN Radio invited me into the studio to chat about Bonjour 40, about writing, blogs and more.

For you writers out there, we also chat about my experience in self-publishing, editing a book, turning a blog into a book, and using secret Pinterest boards as a research tool. Thanks so much, Tim, for having me on your show! Nerve wracking? A bit. Fun? Absolutely!

Hope you enjoy it. Click and take a listen.

KChase_WHANRadioInterview

Korbella Bonjour 40 Winner

February 11, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

A big warm hug and thank you to all of you who joined in and helped spread the word. We had so many fabulous new readers join in on our Korbella/Bonjour 40 giveaway.

Congratulations to Kathy Perdue! She’ll receive the gorgeous Korbella’s Charmes de Paris necklace with a retail value of $525, and an autographed copy of Bonjour 40, the special photography edition. (She was randomly selected using the Rafflecopter giveaway app., but I love knowing that a woman who devotes her time and her career to helping SPCA animals has a little good karma returned.)

We had many fabulous comments on the question of what the Eiffel Tower represents for you. Below are the favorites:

• History’s sense of its own beauty.
• Paris!
• Love of life. (I ran my first marathon and got engaged in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower)
• The best week of my life, spent with my best friend in Paris.
• Romance, History, Possibility
• Best trip ever!
• Parisian beauty
• Dreams
• It’s a uniquely recognizable symbol of Paris-can’t wait to see in person!
• The answer to a lifelong dream. I have wanted to visit Paris and the Champs Elysee since I was a child and began to learn the language. That desire is still with me.
• Paris! La Vie en Rose…
• Adventure, whimsy, dreams, confidence, self-expression, art, culture
• Icon, style, dreams, height, viewpoint, aspiration
• Heaven
• Our visit to Paris in 1994 with two of our very best friends!

Overwhelmingly, the most common response was “Romance!” I feel the same way, my dear readers and new friends. Sigh… oh how I do. Happy Valentine’s Day. May you all one day find romance in Paris as I did.