THE AUTHOR'S VISIBILITY KIT

The wind is howling across the Upper Midwest and through the Great Lakes region to make driving hazzardous and rattle the windows of this old house. I wonder if the power will hold, if the trees will stand and the animals find shelter. Snow in the forecast for this frozen but barren land and my garlic would benefit from it's insulating layer. 

I've received the cover art for my new novel and my editor signed off on it after I gave my "thumbs-up". It's nice to be afforded some input on this very important step. I know many writers are not given any. As I wait for permission to share,  I think its dark and portentous look will pique a reader's interest, a cover to entice the casual browser to stop, look, and pick it up. That magic moment when a reader steps into another world where they want to stay.

I received an Author Visibility Kit from my publisher, Unsolicited Press. The writer's job might start with the blank page but doesn't end with an ISBN number. From pre-publication, to a book's launch, to six-months out, to long-tail sales, the author's job is a relentless slog. 

Of high importance throughout the process, according to UP, is making use of social platforms. Their suggestion is to pick two or three and stay active, posting at least twice a week. The main ones are Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and X. I am already on Instagram and Facebook, and, with less frequency, Bluesky. Along with this beloved blog and my website and newsletter, I think I'm good. One can only do so much social media and still retain sanity and writing time. A newsletter is also highly recommended. If you haven't subscribed to mine, here's the link to my contact form.  If you get bored, you can always unsubscribe. Are there any social media platforms you use and recommend? Which ones are you on? I'm curious to know.

Even as I've been writing this, I see the snow has begun to fall. Snowfall always lifts my spirits, maybe from back when "snow days" were a thing and strapping on skates or grabbing a sled was commonplace. For now, I’m happy to snuggle in my slippers in this writing space

as I wait for the OK to reveal my new cover, first to newsletter subscribers, and then to a wider audience. 

And about those social  media platforms....I'd really like to know.