Huckle Uncategorized

Marketing Madness!

I recently had a friend over and we went mad for marketing! We created calendars and timelines… it was insanity! I even created a TikTok on my particular brand of marketing… (echo… echo…) You can find it here!

The moral is, you need to start getting your content out early and often, and focus on what works for you.

So my friend, A. R. Grimes, is publishing her first book on September 10th and I couldn’t be more excited for her. She has helped and supported me from the beginning, more than any other person… or cat. You can go and check out her website here and see what she’s up to.

Over the next few months she’ll be telling her story of going from amazing writer to spectacular author. You could even hire her to be your ghost writer! You can follow her on her website, Instagram, or TikTok.

Cheers!

Huckle

Huckle Uncategorized

And the Winner Is…

Well, no one yet, it isn’t May 26th!

This is my reminder of the flash fiction available to everyone on my website. The image is below and your submission can be submitted to the comments here.

Photo by Tu00fa Nguyu1ec5n on Pexels.com

So far I’ve received two submission, both 500 words or less, so you don’t have to stress about length, this is really just for fun!

As a reminder, this is free, if you were worried. A way for us all to connect and get a few words written about something different and new.

Happy writing!

Huckle

Huckle Flash Fiction, Marketing, Newletter, publishing, Writing

I Want a Free Book!

Photo by Caio on Pexels.com

I’ve been playing around on my website. I figure out how to make my social media links ACTUALLY work… I hadn’t realized they didn’t work. I created a new page for newsletters! And now, today’s post, marketing.

Over the years I’ve met a lot of indie-authors who have helped me become the author I am today (yes Wes, yes Angela, I just said that to the internet at large!) I plan on highlighting them in the weeks to come, their books, their websites, and more about them. You should support more than traditionally published authors. People who do this on their own are amazing!

But wait, I teased you with a free book! My third book, Alphas, comes out on July 21, 2022. If you subscribe to my site before the cover reveal, you could win a free signed copy of the book.

But wait, you say, I’m already subscribed. Well, comment on this post that you’ve left a review about book 1 or book 2, and you’re set! If you’ve commented on both, you’ll be entered twice for being a long time fan. I believe in honoring those who’ve supported me!

Cheers!

Huckle

Huckle Marketing, Newletter, Writing

I Joined A Party…

Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com

Well, maybe not the kind of party YOU’RE thinking of… unless you know me. I joined a Cover Reveal Party! Now all of you are like, yep, that sounds legit! It’s a Facebook party, one I can do from the comforts of my home. And guess what, you can join… today even, and win prizes!

Photo by Jopwell on Pexels.com

The party exists HERE! And who is throwing the party? Author Lou Grimes! He even has a few of his books available for you to read to catch up in his series. It’s a total win win! Get in fast while the getting is good!

I hope to see you there. The party goes through the end of May.

Cheers!

Huckle

Huckle Marketing, Newletter, publishing, Writing

So you want to be on TikTok?

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

A couple of months ago I started on TikTok… and had no idea what I was doing. This is a pretty common opinion. Everyone I talk to on TikTok is muddling through their daily videos trying to figure out how to get followers, views, likes, comments, and shares.

I have it all figured out. (let the laughter commence!)

Photo by Mahrael Boutros on Pexels.com

Okay, okay, I don’t have it all figured out. But here is what I’d do if you want to follow in my fabulous footsteps… and my almost 1000 followers.

  1. Decide on the type of videos you want to make.
    • I want to sell my book, but those videos don’t get views on my account
    • TikTok is the LONG game.
    • Writing videos get views. So, those are the ones I make
    • I will sprinkle in book videos too with the plan of making more as I get more followers <a plan!>
  2. I believe hashtags help
    • I have seen a LOT of debates. Some say none, some say one or two, some say ALL the hashtags
    • I find the videos with hashtags help, the more the merrier
    • Some people say using hashtags with MORE followers is better. I find the ones with fewer followers work better, it’s like I’ve found my people.
    • Use focused hashtags, not just anything that pops in your head, the hashtags should align with the video you’re posting. I don’t use the same ones every time.
  3. This is BIG and I just started attempting this… it takes time – if someone engages with your account – ENGAGE BACK, make your community stronger.
    • I know, you’re thinking, ‘But Huckle, this will take forever!’, but trust me, it’s worth it. You don’t have to do a lot, but they’ve given you love, share it back.
    • Everyone is trying to grow their account.
  4. This is just me… don’t make EVERY video music only.
    • Maybe this is just me, but I need some talking… I will engage more if I can hear something from you.
    • I may be the only person who thinks this.
  5. Personally, I have found two (2!!) videos a day works best. When I have done a third, it doesn’t get views.
    • You can do the effects videos “what type of cheese am I?” and other silliness.
  6. If you are joining a community like #booktok, or #indiewriters realize it is a small community. People have opinions, be nice.
    • I had a friend who gave his opinions and got a lot of hate comments. We are all people, and if it isn’t helpful, maybe just swipe past to the next video.
  7. Only engage with the videos you want to see more of or you’ll be inundated with more of what you don’t like.
    • This goes with following as well. Follow what you want to see.
    • On the flip side, you don’t need to make a video telling people who you will and won’t follow, it comes off as rude.
  8. Personally, if I see someone with a bunch of followers and few they follow, I WILL NOT follow. I need followers. I follow who I think is interesting, but also to get followers.
    • Each person has their own opinions, but if you aren’t following, that is your choice.
  9. Going viral would be amazing… but not everyone does, it’s a slow game we’re playing.

I hope this helps. If you have other thoughts, add them to the comments! If there are enough, I’ll do a follow-up! Don’t forget to join my page if you haven’t!

Cheers!

Huckle

Huckle Flash Fiction, Newletter, publishing, Writing

Flash Fiction

Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

I’ve heard many people talk about writers block, or hitting a wall in their writing and wanting to know what to do to help. I’ve often suggested things like flash fiction, but not everyone knows where to go to find flash fiction. Well, look no further. I will offer a monthly image. You can write, and I will showcase the winner’s work as well as promote anything they may have coming up.

This is a safe place. No one will be mocked, only honored for the words you are willing to share! The first flash fiction prompt can be found here:

https://huckleberryauthor.wordpress.com/flash-fiction-1/

I hope you enjoy! Share with others, I look forward to reading what you write. If you have ideas for future images, drop me a line at wolfhealer217@gmail.com.

cheers!

Huckle

Huckle Newletter, publishing

The Award For the Ugliest Cover Goes to…

Hi my friends! Did you know that my third book comes out on July 21st?! I bet you did. I created a coming soon cover… Here it is:

I know, don’t quit my day job! Either of them… ANY of them! I sometimes wonder how many day jobs I have… none of them are cover art. Don’t worry, I’ll get a real cover made, and it will be beautiful. It will have the title: Alphas. It will have a red wolf and black wolf on it… and Jade. Those are the ideas I know I want. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine.

Again, I’ll remind you:

  • You can pre-order the ebook of alphas here: mybook.to/Alphas
  • You CAN’T pre-order the paperback, Amazon doesn’t allow that. You’ll have to wait until July 21, 2022.
  • If you get a friend to sign up to the website, they can win a free signed copy of the book – mailed in the continental US.
    • If they (or you) comment (or email me) that you were the inspiration for them signing up, YOU are eligible as well. Two entries in one!
    • And if you get 10 people to sign up… you are entered to win 10 times!

If you want to be an ARC reader – Advanced Reader Copy, let me know! You’ll get a copy of Alphas early. You read it and if you are so inclined, you review on Goodreads with a note saying you received an advanced copy of the book.

Cheers!

Huckle

Huckle Newletter, publishing, Writing

Is There Such Thing As Bad Followers?

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

I’ve recently been hit with the TikTok bug. Okay, it isn’t a bug so much as a hope for free marketing, a word I feel is as close to a swear as they get. There is SO MUCH ADVICE!

  • Only follow book people (I don’t)
  • Only allow people who want to read YOUR book to follow you
  • Create one to three videos a day (or is it ten!!!)
  • Watch other people’s videos (TO THE END) or it will hurt them
    1. Along with this, like, comment, share… Show the love
  • Create videos with controversial content
  • Create videos with book flips (OR DON’T!!)
  • Create videos with the latest sounds…. or don’t
  • Allow the bots to follow you… or don’t (bots are BAD FOLLOWERS!)
  • Get to 1000 followers so you can…
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

You can see where this gets to be confusing. What have I done over the last few weeks? I have tried to make two videos a day, three if I’m REALLY pushing it. When I got sick there were a couple of days of just one video.

I usually pretend I’m talking to a friend and chit chat to the phone, but that’s me. I find a topic, and give as short a video as I can. Personally the videos that are all music I don’t tend to stay for. I also won’t stay for really LONG videos unless the person is fun to listen to. I figure it’s the same for others. If I treat the viewer as a pal, then maybe they’ll stay to listen.

What I haven’t figure out is, how to get more comments. OR, how to get the views to translate into people reading my books.

So, does this work as free marketing? I assume it will work…eventually. It has worked for others. At the end of the day (or start, since that’s when you’ll find me in the app) it IS free, and there is no harm in seeing my mug talk talk talking away.

Photo by Javon Swaby on Pexels.com

Cheers!

Huckleberry

Huckle Newletter, publishing, Writing

Marketing’s a… lot of fun?

Photo by energepic.com on Pexels.com

My first book, Wolf Healer, came out in December. The excitement and terror fought for center stage. I just published Epsilon, book 2. Though my emotions are similar, there is a third emotion that gets added to the mix, exhaustion.

Not at writing, ask anyone who knows me, writing is my balm for a long day. The hardest part of all of this is marketing. Asking people to read my book…please! Give it a chance, buy it, read it, review it, suggest it to a friend. It isn’t in my wheelhouse.

I am finding that I don’t mind making tiktok videos… I know, that surprised me as well! I don’t know that it’s getting people to read my book, but maybe it will work eventually! I’m the turtle.

Photo by Charlotte Youlten on Pexels.com

I guess what I’m trying to say is, my third book, Alphas, is available for pre-order. I was going to push books 4-6 out quickly as well, but I may wait. Give them a bit more time. There is a bit of a time jump between book 3 and 4. I’ll talk with my team, those wonderful people who help me get my jumbled words from my brain to yours. But I’m hoping book 3 will be out in July.

Cheers!

Huckleberry Rahr