The Secret Life of an Author: Bunny Slippers and ReaderLove
All my life I had one dream: To be a published author.
Much like being a parent, there are so many things no one bothered to warn us about. The late nights, the bleary eyes, the temper tantrums. Yeah, those all hold true in parenting too.
For some reason, I had this vision in my head of being an author. I would blithefully write my books, send them off to a grateful editor and receive buckets of praise and adulation for the brilliance of my work. And then, magically, I’d make a bazillion dollars and end up on some talk show with a (very handsome) host (who wanted to father my babies). There would, in all likelihood, be movie deals which would, of course, result in me winning an Oscar.
I’m nothing if not realistic.
Cut to reality.
I am happy to report that I do gleefully write my books—in bunny slippers and pajamas, most of the time. Having recently turned to writing full time I can write them even faster and don’t even have to shower if I don’t want to. I do receive buckets of praise and adulation (more, perhaps than is good for my ego), but I am only making a fraction of the bazillion dollars.
It’s the other elements of my life that surprised me. Specifically, how much time and energy promotion can take. We’re talking Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, Goodreads and a host of other outlets. We’re talking research (not for my stories but of the IINDUSTRY), networking, blogging and more. We’re talking author loops and conferences and swag and chats and Facebook events and cover reveals and launch calendars. I could go on.
It’s all part and parcel of the job.
The fact of the matter is, author success is all about connections. Connections with readers and reviewers, authors and publishers, bloggers and service providers. To keep those connections alive, I make it a point to try and be personal. That means responding to emails myself. When I wake up, I will have 75 to 100 (or more) messages that require my attention. One of them may be a cheerful message from Goodreads that I “have 375 new messages.” While I am working my way through the list, another 25 may pop up.
Overwhelming? A little. But each and every one of these messages MATTER. Every reader matters. Every connection makes a difference.
But the personal touch does take a toll. Now, instead of putting in eight hours at the day job and coming home to write for a few (if I have the energy for it) I am putting in 12-16 hour days. Three to four on social media, and eight to ten writing and editing.
I never thought I would be working so hard.
So why do I do it?
Because I love it. Every minute. I love writing and editing, I love connecting with industry cohorts and I absolutely LOVE interacting with readers.
The best part of my job is hearing from readers, people who really love my work. THAT makes it all worthwhile.
If you have an author you love, know she is probably doing the same—if not holding down a day job as well. Authors make anywhere from pennies to a couple dollars on each sale, depending on the publisher, price and distributor cut.
What can you do to help?
A lot.
As a reader, you have more power than you may realize. Here are a few ways you can wield your muscle:
- Tell your favorite author you like her work. An email, a Facebook message, a tweet, a comment on a blog. It doesn’t matter. It will make her day.
- Buy your favorite author’s work. Don’t download it from a pirate site. Aside from the fact that some of these “freebie” sites are merely Trojan horses carrying viruses into your device, it’s just good Karma. Authors can only afford to write if they make some money at it.
- Share your faves with your friends. Industry studies show this is the #1 way readers discover new authors.
- Like their Amazon page. Believe it or not, that makes a HUGE difference in their author ranking, which in turn increases the discoverability of their books.
- Write honest reviews.
- Comment on blogs. Nothing is more depressing than working on a blog and having no one comment. In fact if you comment here, I’ll enter you in a contest to win your choice of one of my books—just as a thank you for reading this far!)
- If you really love an author, join her street team and band together with other fans to help your favorite author gain momentum. Momentum is gold in our world. It effects everything like a ripple in a pond.
So readers, take up the banner for your favorite author! Share the word. Help her achieve success as only YOU can. It is, after all, all about YOU. Without readers, we’re just talkin’ to the computer all day. Seriously. And that’s hardly any fun at all.
About Sabrina York
Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York is the award winning author of over 20 hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & sexy erotic romance to scorching BDSM. Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york, on Facebook or on Pintrest. Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on Amazon or wherever e-books are sold. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/ And don’t forget to enter to win the royal tiara!
FOLLOW SABRINA
Like my Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks
Follow me on Twitter @sabrina_york
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817917.Sabrina_York
Check out my Pintrest boards: http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/
Like my Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Sabrina-York/e/B00856PDEO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1382929432&sr=8-2-ent
Check out my Barnes & Noble Author page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/sabrina-york
Follow me on Ellora’s Cave: https://www.ellorascave.com/index.php/authors/index/author/slug/sabrina-york/
CURRENT PROMOS
Most recent release! DARK DUKE, Steamy Regency http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Duke-3-Noble-Passions-ebook/dp/B00ID8MAJU/ref=la_B00856PDEO_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394219319&sr=1-10
Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/
Newsletter & tiara contest: http://sabrinayork.com/sabrinas-contest-and-newsletter/
Enter to win a signed print copy of scorching Regency romance, Dark Fancy on Goodreads! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17409083-dark-fancy
Books by Sabrina York
Adam’s Obsession (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)
Dark Duke (Erotic Regency, Ellora’s Cave) —Coming soon
Brigand (Erotic Regency, Ellora’s Cave) —Coming soon
Dark Fancy (Erotic Regency, Ellora’s Cave)
Devlin’s Dare: A Tryst island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary)
Dragonfly Kisses: A Tryst Island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary)
Extreme Couponing (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)
Fierce (One Night Stand, Decadence Press)
Five Alarm Fire (Erotic Contemporary for the High Octane Heroes Anthology, Cleis Press)
Folly (Erotic Regency, Ellora’s Cave)
Heart of Ash: A Tryst Island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary)
Lust Eternal (Erotic Fantasy, Ellora’s Cave)
Pushing Her Buttons (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)
Making Over Maris (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)
Man Hungry (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)
Rebound: A Tryst Island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary, Available on Amazon)
Rebound is now available on Smashwords
Rising Green (Erotic Horror, Ellora’s Cave)
Saving Charlotte (Erotic Contemporary for the Smokin’ Hot Firemen Anthology, Cleis Press)
Smoking Holt: A Tryst Island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary)
Training Tess (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)
Trickery (Erotic Contemporary with Magical Elements, Ellora’s Cave Hex Line)
Tristan’s Temptation (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)
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Sabrina,
Excellent post. I haven’t read your work as of yet, but will definitely put it on my to do list. 🙂
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Sabrina I just love reading your books and can’t wait for when you do another because they are so good bibbiesparks@yahoo.com.
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Sophia, thanks for commenting! I hope you enjoy my work! Remember, I have a free teaser book you can download to check out samples of my work!
Happy reading!
Sabrina
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I don’t normally read F/M stories but I read some of Delilah’s and so will read more of others like yours. I do try and promote my favorite authors when I see they have posted about a new book and I share it on Facebook and even talk to friends about reading some of her work. I know what you mean when you say you love the writing. I am not a publish author yet but I am dream of my future of seeing my work in print.
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Squee Toni!
Thanks for that! I do try to write as fast as I can…but make sure my books are edited well too. 😉
Sabrina
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Just wanted to say, YAY, Sabrina! Not everyone gets to say that they’re living the dream! 🙂 Write on!
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Best of luck EB! I was stubborn too and worked at it for years with no traction. My advice is keep at it…and while you’re working on it, keep making connections in the industry. Those friendships will serve you well when you’re published.
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I love your books Sabrina York! And I love following authors! You are one of my favs to follow because you interact with readers so much. I feel overwhelmed sometimes just following, I cant imagine how you handle it all!
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🙂 Denise! I so appreciate all your support! Love the way to share my books with your friends and review and comment…
You are awesome!
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Hi Sabrina! Great post…now back to writing, we need more books please 😀
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Big fan of Sabrina……keep the books coming
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Thank you Flchen1!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
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🙂 On it Laurie!
Back to wok, I promise…
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Thank you Jodi! Yes, that is the plan.
😉
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Love the idea of bunny slippers and pj’s and a tiara. Love your books.
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Sabrina..I just love your writing and you! No else wears the things I make better than you do! <3
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LOL Chris…not all at the same time!
Well, maybe… 😆
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Thank you Hollie! You know I lurves my magic scarf!!!! 😛
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I have so many favorites. My grandkids and my books are my two favorite things. Thank You
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Hi Sabrina! *waving* Love the bunny slippers! Would you believe I haven’t read Pushing Her Buttons yet? 😀 Love you!
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I always love these author in sites! They defiantly help prepare me for when I eventual publish a book!
Love your novels!!!!!
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Great post, it is a ton of work, and your writing is awesome.
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Thanks for Stopping by, Ava!
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Pansy! What are you waiting for? 😉
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Thanks Lauren…Yes there are so many things I’ve learned that surprised me. I could write a book. 😆 And I may…
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Thank you Joany! You are a doll!
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I 100% agree on the blog comments. It doesn’t have to be a long comment. Just a simple “Great post” would be appreciated. After a while, you start wondering if anyone was actually reading.
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just popping in to share the love. You forgot the tiara…it makes up for the bad hair mornings.. and brings a whole new level to the fashionable Bunny Slipper/PJ combo for the comfy writing ensemble….
I love that you are living the dream – and taking us along for the ride!!
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LOL Crystal! Too true. EVERY comment makes a difference! And it is great to see you here!
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Ah yes, Gaele. Of course, the tiara! Although it hardly covers up MY bad hair days!!!!
Thanks for stopping by! 😉
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I like telling authors that I like their books. I do like yours. I have been lucky to meet the authors I loved in childhood. One day, I hope to meet more of my current favorities.
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Rock on Rachelle! Trust me…authors LOVE hearing it!
😛
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What an interesting post! I love when authors share their personal feelings. Your enthusiasm is wonderful. I look forward to reading your books.
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Thank Book Lady! Did I mention you can try me out with my free teaser book??
Here’s the link! http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/
🙂 Sabrina
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Just found Sabrina, I’m so excited to get started reading her work. I started on Rebound and finished it in 2 hours total reading time. Awesome read!
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😉 Sally!
Welcome to the sparkly side! We are so happy to have you!