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Thursday, March 24, 2022

“The End” is only the Beginning – And a Giveaway!

 


In the traditional publishing world, it can sometimes take almost 2 years from the time the author signs a contract until the book is in the hands of the reader. But during that time, a lot of things take place. And once the author types, “the end” to their story, what lies ahead can be almost as challenging as writing the book—well almost.

After “the end”, the book goes through several stages of edits to make sure it can be as perfect as possible.

Another important thing happens even while the edits are taking place, and that is deciding on the title. It should be a tiny capsule revealing to the reader what the book is really about.

Snowbound Amish Survival is about exactly that. The survival of Amish midwife, Hope Christner and Hunter Shetler depends on not only surviving the worst storm of the season, but also some very nasty bad guys.

Among the Innocent is set near the St. Ignatius, Montana Amish community where a serial killer is targeting Amish girls. The danger takes place among the innocence of the Amish community. A definite contrast of good versus evil.    


  

Have you ever wondered how those amazing covers come to be? Teamwork. I love that my publisher seeks out my input in creating the cover. We work together to make sure the cover fits the story as best as possible.

A good tagline and blurb are equally important. A catchy tagline grabs the reader’s attention while an entertaining blurb can hold their interest.

With the important details of the book in place, the next step is getting the word out. That’s where you come in, dear readers.

Many of you have probably been involved with launch teams, or have helped your favorite author get the word out about their latest release by doing a review. Your help is so important to us as is your honest reviews.

Once the book is finally in the hands of the reader, that’s when the worrying begins. As an author, we hope we did the story justice, and that our readers will enjoy it.

I’m always curious what it is that grabs a reader’s attention and gets them to buy a book.

For a chance to win one of my e-books, tell me what gets you interested enough to buy a book. Is it the cover? The blurb? The title? Or maybe a familiar author?     

I will select the winner next Friday, April 1st. Be sure to include your email in the comment.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net


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27 comments:

  1. Patricia BradleyMarch 25, 2022 at 8:22 AM

    Hi Mary! The first line is usually what sells the book for me...after being intrigued with the title and cover. How's that for wishy-washy? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary AlfordMarch 25, 2022 at 2:23 PM

      I agree, Pat. If everything is perfect on the outside and the first few pages fall flat, you sure don't want to keep reading the book.

      Delete
  2. megsmomMarch 25, 2022 at 9:36 AM

    Mostly the author. Sometime, if the cover looks interesting I’ll read the blurb on the back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary AlfordMarch 25, 2022 at 2:24 PM

      I love that you have authors you love to buy. I have a few that no matter what they write I want to read it.

      Delete
  3. megsmomMarch 25, 2022 at 9:37 AM

    Forgot my email address.
    duellonlysisataolfotcom

    ReplyDelete
  4. WinnieMarch 25, 2022 at 10:22 AM

    I usually check out the cover, the title, and the blurb to see if it's something I think I'd like. If I've read and enjoyed other books by the author or the book has been recommended by a friend with similar tastes, that also would influence me to read the book. so I guess all of those things come into play.
    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary AlfordMarch 25, 2022 at 2:30 PM

      There is a lot to consider before purchasing a book. Recommendations can come in handy from someone who shares your tastes in genres.

      Delete
  5. bn100March 25, 2022 at 10:53 AM

    cover, blurb
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dawn NicolMarch 25, 2022 at 11:57 AM

    I usually stick with author's I know and love (and sometimes ones they recommend). I do usually wait until the book is on sale though. :) My favorite authors write mystery, suspense and/or romantic suspense (clean and/or with a Christian perspective). Dawn dot nicol at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary AlfordMarch 25, 2022 at 2:31 PM

      Those are some of my favorite genres as well. They are hard to beat.

      Delete
  7. Aunt CathyMarch 25, 2022 at 1:44 PM

    If it's a favorite author, or even one I am familiar with, that grabs my attention first. With those, I then read the blurb and make my decision. For unknown authors, it's the cover. If that doesn't appeal to me, I rarely go any farther. I guess I feel that if I am going to like a book, the author and I should somewhat be on the same wavelength and the cover gives me an indication of that. There are so many wonderful books out there, that I am becoming choosier. And I wait until the book is free or on sale.
    cpicha@earthlink.net

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mary AlfordMarch 25, 2022 at 2:32 PM

    Exactly. The cover can make or break a sale.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Shelia64March 25, 2022 at 2:52 PM

    the cover and back blurb draws me in and favorite author seals it!sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Martha T RobinsonMarch 25, 2022 at 3:10 PM

    I look for titles by familiar authors first, but a good book cover, or an intriguing title, or an interesting blurb can also entice me to read the book. I have been disappointed however--once the cover of the book had a bloody knife front & center--but the murder weapon was not a knife. There was no knife in the entire novel--which I was really grateful for--but why was it on the cover? And sometimes the title doesn't fit the book--and I am left wondering, did I miss something?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martha T RobinsonMarch 25, 2022 at 3:12 PM

      I forgot to include my e-mail--smartrobin2003@yahoo.com.Thanks!

      Delete
    2. Mary AlfordApril 1, 2022 at 7:09 AM

      Wow, Martha. No kidding. The cover should sort of reflect what the story is about.

      Delete
  11. Mary PrestonMarch 25, 2022 at 4:46 PM

    It's the author for me.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary AlfordApril 1, 2022 at 7:09 AM

      Yeah, I tend to give a lot of attention to authors I like to read.

      Delete
  12. DebbyMarch 26, 2022 at 5:09 AM

    With the cover I look further then the blurb sells me.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. DebbyMarch 26, 2022 at 5:09 AM

      debby236 at gmail dot com

      Delete
    2. Mary AlfordApril 1, 2022 at 7:11 AM

      The cover does pull me in. I either like it or I don't.

      Delete
  13. LindaMarch 26, 2022 at 8:20 AM

    A familiar author is first, followed by the blurb. I like some covers better than others but that's never the deciding factor.
    lhanberry1 at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Mary AlfordApril 1, 2022 at 7:12 AM

      I get it, Linda. I have my favorite authors who I am drawn to.

      Delete
  14. Alison BossMarch 26, 2022 at 9:16 PM

    The cover and blurb, or a familiar/favorite author are some of the significant things that get me interested enough to buy a book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of one of your ebooks, Mary!

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mary AlfordApril 1, 2022 at 7:24 AM

    I have a winner. Martha T Robinson you are my winner. Martha, I will be contacting your shortly. Thank you all for participating.

    ReplyDelete

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