by Lorhainne Eckhart

You’re a new author. Your book’s published, your dreams been turned into a reality. It’s an exciting time… well it should be. Except, you find out the publisher doesn’t promote your book for you. You need to do all the work. Then you ask yourself, what exactly does my publisher do for me anyway? But let’s save that for another blog.

Next, you’ve discovered all these outlets of people, who’ll take your hard-earned money– for promotion, advertising, help with social media, create your website, arrange blog tours. The list goes on.

First, let’s talk about websites. You need one…everyone knows this right? You have to have an online presence. You want your website to look professional, so you hire a website designer to create your masterpiece that shows off your book, your buy links, all about you, and your other books. They do a fantastic job, your website looks great, but then you find out you can’t make any changes. You have to pay this website designer to make all changes for you. They control it. It’s on their timeline. And you think, how could I have been that stupid. Well it’s easy… you didn’t think to ask the question. And it’s not a good thing to give up that kind of control, with the amount of changes we need to make to our websites to keep them updated. If you decide to go the route of hiring a website designer, make sure one of the first questions you ask is: Do I have access to make changes? Who owns my website? And make it a condition before you hire anyone to design your website, you have control over it. Otherwise walk away and find someone else.

Can you do it yourself? Absolutely. Website hosting companies now have basic templates that are pretty easy to use. They walk you through the set-up, so you create your own website. It won’t be anything spectacular, but it’s a start and you can save yourself some dollars. But remember, everything you choose to do on your own is time consuming, and takes away from your writing. Look at your budget. How much are you willing to spend?

Now I need to credit Amanda Hockings for this next brilliant idea. It was one of her blogs that I read, and by the way I’m one of her fans and followers. She points out all the people ready to take our hard earned money, and do all these promotions for us. We pay them, and then they don’t produce. Her suggestion, which I followed through on and then added too, hire someone to do all you’re PR, graphic design, help with social media, and pay them 10% of your royalties. It’s a win win situation. It’s in their best interest to make sure you’re a success. If you don’t make money, they don’t make money. Put it out there. I can honestly tell you that I would have leapt at an opportunity like that.

Now on a final note with websites, and blogs, you need to make it really easy for people to follow you—to get in touch with you. Make sure your Twitter,  Facebook, Goodreads, your blogs, all your social media links are easily accessible, and linked; one easy click to follow you. And yes, you need to have those online social media accounts, and you need to be an active participant. How else are your readers going to find your books.

You also want to make sure you have an email link to contact you. Make it as easy as possible for people, your fans, to find these links to contact you. Put your links everywhere. Nothing turns off fans more than having to search your website, and/or your blog for ways to follow you, or to send you an email. Now take a look at your blog, your website, your social media accounts and ask yourself. Do I have an online presence, and am I easy to find?
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From Lorhainne Eckhart, Author of The Captain’s Lady, comes a Romantic Mystical Suspense that sizzles with passion and unforgettable drama.

“A wonderful tale of courage, and real-life choices that’ll keep you riveted.” Mimi Barbour, Author of, The Vicarage Bench Series

Marcie Hollis is a Wiccan, who’s always played by the rules. That’s until she meets Dan McKenzie, a man who she believes to be the knight in shining armor she’s been searching for all her life. However, Dan’s not who he appears to be. He lures Marcie into his world of lies, greed and high-grade marijuana. But fate intervenes on Marcie’s illicit trip for Dan to New Orleans, when she’s robbed in a crowded airport. The thug not only makes off with her suspicious backpack, he knocks her down, her head slams on the concrete floor, and she loses her memory right in the path of DEA agent, Sam Carre.

After a six-month investigation into the activities of a big time drug dealer crumbles, the same day damming evidence is found stuffed in Sam’s locker – evidence suggesting he’s the notorious leak on the team, Sam jumps on the first plane home. Arriving in a crowded airport in New Orleans – his reputation and loyalty are in question. But even though Sam’s tired, disillusioned and haunted by a past that gives him no peace, he stops to help an attractive stranger when she falls in front of him. Then in an act of chivalry, he takes her to his home until the police can identify her. When questions arise about Marcie, and what she’s involved in, the answers lead them to the exact felons Sam investigated in the Pacific Northwest.

When her illusive memory returns, this complex case pushes them both to explain the unexplainable, and leaves Sam with a haunting question. Was she set up, or was this a game she played? Sam’s forced to make a choice, walk away from the attraction that connects them, or risk losing everything.
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Lorhainne Eckhart began her writing career in 2008, when she published her first novel, The Captain’s Lady, a Contemporary Military Romance. Lorhainne Eckhart is a member of the RWA, Sisters in Crime and Victoria RWA. She makes her home on beautiful Vancouver Island, and lives in the country with her three children. The mother of a special needs child. And one of her greatest gifts was having to learn, organization, structure, and how to stay focused on what’s really important in life. She lives by simple rules, the same she teaches her children. Stay honest, be impeccable with your word, never take advantage of anyone, and treat everyone with respect. She’s an advocate for children with special needs. Passionate about preserving our environment, wildlife, and protecting what natural resources we have left, so there will be a future for our children.

Lorhainne loves her garden, nature and all animals. When she isn’t being a busy Mom, working on, and promoting her next novel, you’ll find her horseback riding on the trails, working in the garden, or outside enjoying nature.

Lorhainne is an avid reader and writer. She writes romantic suspense, but enjoys reading novels from all genres. Some of her favorite authors include Suzanne Brockmann, Tess Gerritsen, Nelson DeMille, James Patterson, Karen Robards, and Karin Slaughter.

Her latest novel, The Choice, Book One of Walk the Right Road Series, is a romantic, mystical suspense. And explores an issue most women have fallen victim to at one time in their life. The masterful predator who preys on vulnerable women, and clouds the invisible barrier between right and wrong. What would you do for someone you love?

LEAVE A COMMENT AND BE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR A FREE EBOOK COPY OF THE CHOICE. LORHAINNE IS GIVING AWAY 3 COPIES – THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS! (be sure to leave a contact email address in the comment section or email your contact information directly to Lorhainne.)

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