Saturday, April 19, 2014

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Bend it Like Anna Campbell...@AnnaCampbelloz #historicalromance


I am so glad I have my blogs to whine on. I tend to limit my 'wah, wah' moments to here, forgoing the soap-box climate of Facebook and snarky twittersphere. When it comes to social media, a person can sometimes go too far with rants, or not go far enough to sell yourself and your books. Where's the happy medium?

I have been observing one of my favorite historical romance authors, Anna Campbell, for some time now. I love how she handles herself on social media. She's approachable, shares to a certain extent, but not enough to overwhelm you with TMI, (too much information) answers every comment/question everywhere (blogs, FB, Twitter) and thanks people for sharing her info and tweets. Hey,she doesn't have an assistant! She does it all herself! Also re-tweets in return. She's my kind of chick. Her sunny smile and outlook can brighten anyone's day. Anna is someone I'd love to sit down with a pot of tea and have a chin-wag.

She's supportive to authors. Before I became published, I visited The Romance Bandits blog nearly every day, commented, and even won books! (Oh, how I wish I had that time now, I miss visiting blogs for fun) Anna is entertaining and knowledgeable. We both love Poldark and other classic and newer BBC costume dramas! She's from Australia and I'm from Canada, so we seem to have a similar outlook on life. When I received my first ebook contract in spring of 2011, Anna contacted ME and asked if I wanted to be on The Romance Bandits to promo my book.
Anna now has a fan for life. What a boost for a new author. Will never forget it. She still congrats me on Facebook for my teeny accomplishments. Wow. Cheers!

 I try to bend it like Anna Campbell. I thank everyone I can, I try and support Romance and Erotic Romance authors through the Erotic Romance News Twitter account, RT'ing when I'm on-line. I started hosting a few book spotlights at the blog of the same name. Its not much, I'm still a bit shy, but I did just join a blog with Canadian romance writers and am trying to reach out in other ways~

In the meantime, I will continue to contribute when and where I can, share a little something now and then (though thanks to Facebook algorithms, I doubt many see it) and continue to write, hot, emotional stories just like Anna Campbell and try and have fun doing it!

New and aspiring authors, look to established writers (print and ebook) and observe how they handle themselves on social media. Watch the ones who handle themselves with friendly professionalism, the ones who stay clear of on-line drama, carry themselves with dignity, but  are approachable and encouraging without overdoing it. The ones that are eager to share their books and stories without going overboard with the promo.

Bend it like Anna Campbell.



(One of my fav Anna Campbell books, and bonus! Model Nathan Kamp on the cover)

CHECK OUT TEMPT THE DEVIL at Amazon

COMING SOON FROM ANNA CAMPBELL


WHAT A DUKE DARES
~ Grand Central Publishing -  26 August 2014
~ Harper Collins Australia - TBA
~ Mils & Boon UK - November 2014

PRE-ORDER FROM:




14 comments:

Susanne Bellamy said...

Well said and spot on, Karyn! Anna leads by example and is every inch a lady with a wicked sense of humour. She has inspired many new writers and I thank her for encouraging me along my journey too.

Unknown said...

Yes Anna is the friendliest Author on FB. I cant wait for her new book. Btw, I swear I saw this Cover Model of Tempt the Devil modelling for Christina Dodd's Once A Knight. Curious.. Curious..

Annie West said...

Karyn,

What a lovely post. I agree about Anna (and not just because she's a friend) but also because she shows such grace. Good on you! It's time consuming doing all the things we need to and some cheerfulness and good manners go a long way.

Unknown said...

Great post. Have to agree. Anna is such a wonderful person not only in the cyber sphere but in person too. Very supportive and such a lovely lady, you just can't help but love her.

And I'm a bit of fan girl too! So it balances quite well in my little world. :)

Angelina Jameson said...

I agree wholeheartedly! Anna is a true lady, generous writer and all around awesome human being.

Thank you for writing such a positive post, Karyn. It is great to see women lifting other women up.

Karyn Gerrard said...

I agree Susanne, Anna carries herself with a ladylike dignity and the wicked sense of humor just adds to the whole package, thanks for commenting!

Karyn Gerrard said...

Dewi, I am hard pressed to find anyone friendlier! The cover model on tempt the Devil has been on hundreds of romance books through the last 15 years so he may be the same one. Thanks for commenting!

Karyn Gerrard said...

'Grace', perfect word to describe Anna! There isn't enough cheerfulness in this biz, Anna gives more than her share. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Annie!

Karyn Gerrard said...

Supportive is another great word to describe her. Cheers and thanks for commenting, Efthalia!

Karyn Gerrard said...

I agree Angelina, we have lift each other up more! Thanks for commenting!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful and absolutely spot on post, Karyn. I'm a newbie published author (in novella length) and Anna has been nothing but encouraging and supportive. Her positive, professional and friendly manner on social media sets a high standard for us all to emulate. And I was happy to see that it's not just me (another fan girl) who drops by Romance Bandits, Karyn - I don't feel so stalkery now!!!

Karyn Gerrard said...

Jennifer, you nailed it. Anaa ios so supportive, I wish there were more authors like her. Thanks so much for commenting!

Julia Phillips Smith said...

I'm getting in the Anna's Awesome line-up! For all the reasons you describe.

Karyn Gerrard said...

I agree Julia, thanks for stopping by!