Monday, March 2, 2015

Interview with Author Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones has been a reader even before she could read. She has always loved books and would pretend to read even before the skill to read sunk in. She has loved to write for almost the same amount of time. Kathryn has published 7 books to date. Two mysteries, two Christian fiction books, two nonfiction books and one middle reader. She has also published short stories and articles for newspapers and magazines throughout her 20+ years as an author.

Welcome back to my blog, Kathryn. You have a book that helps authors market their books. Please tell us about Marketing Your Book on a Budget and give us some examples.

Marketing Your Book on a Budget is an easy guide to use in navigating the marketing world. And because I update the book every year (usually in January) the writer receives the most up-to-date information on reviews, blog interviews, book trailers, contests, and more. For example, book trailers using Animoto.com are easy and pretty pain free. Any video under 30 seconds will not cost the writer a penny, and anything above that will cost them very little. I pay $30 for an entire year of use. And this use includes video, photos, music and text. After your trailer is created you can share it on your blog, on YouTube, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

Each and every idea in the book has been tried out and tested in the "Kathryn Jones Factory" of market testing. That means I won't include something in my book that hasn't worked for me. If it doesn't work, if I see no results, the idea gets booted. You will notice that there's not a chapter on creating a news release or getting your books in libraries, and that's because I have found little to no success in these arenas. What I have found successful is found in the book along with direct links to places to market your book for free. Most of these ways are found online, but some of them are 'old school' and still very effective.

It sounds like a perfect book for authors. What kind of research did you have to do before writing this book?

My first book was published in 2002. Since that time I have done all of my own marketing, and have weeded and pruned. The research came about as I was trying things out. Once I could see success, whether that success was new readers or new sales, I counted the idea a success and included it in the book.

At the end of every year I go through the book and take out links, sites, and so forth that no longer produce results for me. And I add new things that I have since discovered that have increased interest.

It is good to know that you update your book. Here is a question that I love asking authors on my blog. It’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

The real me... hmmmm... I love chocolate and will eat it along with every meal of the day if it's in the house. The good news is that I exercise every morning doing Wii Dance to ward off the pounds. :)

What a perfect routine for eating sweets! Thank you, Kathryn, for visiting my blog. I think it’s time for all authors to consider this book because it may help you spread the word about your novels.

18 comments:

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Kathryn and Linda,
Thank you for this interview. Marketing is such a difficult task, but is so important, especially for writers since we do most of it ourselves. This will be helpful to lots of people.

Mary L. Ball said...

Hi Kathryn, It's great that you share marketing tips with authors.

I often find myself between a rock and a hard spot. I can't afford to promote on sites that attract readers, but that often the only way to reach booklovers.
I would love to win a copy of your book!
Mary L. Ball
jgrace2u@yahoo.com

AshleighSwerdfeger said...

Great interview! I too, could eats chocolate with every meal lol. Sounds like a good book for the beginning author.

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones said...

Thank you, Gail. I have often thought that marketing in the 'hard part' after you've got the book published.

Mary, Just do what you can. I find that interviews bring in results as do book reviews, and neither of these cost a penny.

Ashleigh, Chocolate is a given! I think I do my best writing when I've had a bite or two!

Unknown said...

This is the type of book every author needs! Great interview, very intriguing.
authorbrookewilliams@gmail.com

Linda said...

Kathryn and Linda,
Thanks to sweet Linda for hosting this informative site and to Kathryn for being willing to share her information.

Marketing is difficult, so I'm eager to learn some of your secrets. I hope to be a winner of your book giveaway.

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones said...

Thank you, Brooke. My marketing book makes things simple. I have many links included that offer opportunities for authors to share their work, and all for free.

Thank you for reading, Linda. Marketing can be difficult, but it can actually be a lot of fun, too!

Unknown said...

Writing is the easy part. Marketing however...
I've always liked gorilla marketing ideas. Thanks for sifting the slush and finding the nuggets.

J "Joy" Dawn King said...

I agree that writing is the easy part. I remember the exact moment when I realized that I was going to have to self-promote. I didn't know whether to cry or bang my head against the wall.

This is a resource that all writers need and I thank you for offering it as a giveaway. It would be lovely to win.

Thank you both for a great post.

jdawnking at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I'm with you on the chocolate, Kathryn, and your book sounds like a great idea for those of us who primarily self publish. It would be an excellent resource book to have handy, and read over and over. Thanks much for sharing. :)

Unknown said...

Kathryn, I really enjoyed your class last year at Write Here in Ephraim. I continue to use the suggestion you gave about giving out postcards with my book and links on it. I always carry the cards on me wherever I go because you never know when you will get into a conversation with someone and need to have a card handy.

Unknown said...

I am using this great reference guide. It is updated each year and contains only valuable information—the stuff that no longer applies is removed, and new information is added. It is to the point and well written, and the price is so reasonable.

Anonymous said...

I pubbed my 1st book (The Female Assumption: A Mother's Story, Freeing Women from the View that Motherhood is a Mandate) five months & 2 days ago, and it earned Best Book of 2014 two months after it was pubbed in a contest. So I'm doing something right! But I'm always anxious to learn more. I'd love to win a copy of your book MelanieHolmesAuthor eleven at gmail dot com (I always spell out my addr to avoid spambots) - thx

historical romance author, Donna Hatch said...

I love chocolate too! This is a timely discovery. I am always on the look out for new ways to market my books and have recently starting making a real study of various marketing methods. Thanks for sharing this. I look forward to learning new ideas.

Ginger Monette said...

What a great resource! People can't read a great book unless they know about it!

Would love to win a copy!

~Ginger Monette
treeoflifeauthor@gmail.com

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones said...

Thank you, Chris. I don't like 'slush' much either. 'Nuggets,' however, are a different story. :)

The good news about promotion, Dawn, is that it can actually be a lot of fun. Who would have thought?

Diane, thank you for your comments. I always try to write with a little chocolate in hand :)

Robin, I'm glad you enjoyed my class. I'll be there this year as well. Two classes will be taught, one on marketing the other on creating your own book trailer.

Thank you, Brad. As one of my mentoring students, you always bring great ideas to the table for me to try out.

Anonymous, That first book is always the hardest. Congrats!

Donna, Thank you for your comments. Happy chocolate eating!

Ginger, Hopefully my marketing book will help you to get a bit more noticed. Thank you!

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones said...

Ginger, You are the winner! Thanks everyone for entering!

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations, Ginger! I know you'll enjoy this book.