Self-publishing – Building a Team

Street Teams. You’ve all heard of them, right? Well, me neither until about a week ago, but the idea is that people join your team and in return for the odd freebie, they help promote your work. Well that sounds pretty win-win, but who has to do what?

There are no hard and fast rules, but generally, the team review the author’s work (honestly) on blogs, Goodreads, Amazon etc. In return, the team members might get freebie swag, advance review copies or signed paperbacks.

Now this I definitely like. So a street team is a bit like a fan club, only instead of a fridge magnet and six-monthly newsletter, you can get your hands on pre-pubished books from your favourite author. Why hadn’t this been in my life before now? I mean, what wouldn’t I do to get my hands on an advance review copy of the next Jilly Cooper book?

And then I got it. This wasn’t about what a street team could do for me, but what I could give back to them.

I have 9,000 followers on Wattpad – some message me, asking when my next book will be out because they adore #Forfeit and have just finished Distraction for the THIRD time. Distraction won’t be out for a few months yet, but I want those loyal Wattpad fans to get the first sneak peeks at the finished article.

To kick off my street team, I’m giving the first twenty Wattpadders who join a free Kindle version of Forfeit. Then I’ll pop their names into a rafflecopter hat and give away a signed paperback. And then there’ll be swag, everyone loves swag – I have my eye on Daisy themed wineglass charms, but one day I want to get Fugly Ho t-shirts printed (you have to read #Forfeit to get that)…

Who wouldn’t want to part of that team? 🙂

Want to read more about Street Teams?

http://blog.bibliocrunch.com/what-is-a-street-team/

http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/why-i-dont-like-street-teams/

Or buy #Forfeit?

#Forfeit Soundtrack – Chapter Two

‘I should go,’ she said, squeezing her reluctant toes into the wedge heels. ‘It’s going to take a very long walk up a bloody big hill to get rid of this hangover.’

While she gathered her phone and bag, he perched on the same windowsill he had the night before, but this time Winston would win the war. There was no way she was letting herself get involved with Xander – too young, too good-looking, too much like heartbreak waiting to happen.

‘Well, thanks for everything,’ she said, flashing a cheery smile. But Xander didn’t look up. He stared at his feet, the little muscle in his jaw twitching away. ‘Your Grandad would be proud.’

He gave a half-laugh but still didn’t look up. Was he cross with her again?

‘I really needed yesterday,’ she went on, ‘and…’

His frown deepened.

‘And well… that was the best… toast I’ve had in a long time.’

Finally, he raised his head, his eyes twinkling with amusement. ‘Come with me to a party?’

‘What?’

‘It’s my friend’s birthday in a couple of weeks and he has a huge party. DJs, dancing… like Pacha in a Windermere mansion. You can wear one of your three pairs of high-end shoes.’

Oh good God, no. Was he expecting more of the same? This was worse than the awkward phone number conversation. ‘Xander, I don’t want… I’m in the middle of a hideous divorce and okay, I totally needed a…but I don’t–’

‘It’s okay,’ he said, flashing an affable smile. ‘I get it, but I was thinking we could go as friends. We’ll hang out, have fun and you’ll see it’ll be okay for you to move in.’

‘Are you desperate for someone to do the cleaning while you play on your Xbox?’

‘Mrs Oxford down the road does the cleaning and I don’t have an Xbox.’

‘Then why?’

‘Because you’re fun.’

‘Fun?’

‘I don’t mean shagging. Friends, I promise.’

This was not the usual post-one night stand conversation. He wanted to hang out with her but not shag her… Well, that was okay. It was, wasn’t it? Besides, she had to give him a chance; his cottage was a dream come true.

Oh who was she kidding? Dancing, music and a new friend to play with – that was better than a dream come true. Not quite the life she’d planned when she moved to the middle of nowhere, but her smile grew. This would be okay, absolutely okay.

‘Is that a yes, Fitzgerald?’

‘Yes.’

As that Colgate smile took over his face, she shot him her cheekiest wink and left.

Looking for ‘Bouts not Boots

When I tell people I’ve written a book, their first question is inevitably, so what’s it about? Well, I’d reply, a bunch of overconfident, coked-up twenty-somethings playing extreme dares in the Lake District. It’s like Jilly Cooper meets the Swedish House Mafia. At which point, they’d valiantly try not to laugh. Jilly Cooper, in Cumbria… seriously?

Okay, so the north-western county is hardly littered with Cartier-sponsored polo internationals, but I’m determined to find a few nuggets of glamour, just to prove setting #Forfeit in the Lakes wasn’t a ridiculous concept. Surely there’s more to Cumbria than hiking boots, cagoules and farmers who’re overly familiar with their sheep?

Next week I’ll post a review of Simon Rogan’s restaurant, Rogan & Co, but to get warmed up, here’s a little glamour I found last weekend.

The venue was a riverside barbecue, the excuse my beautiful friend, Becky’s birthday. (psst. that’s her in the pic, not me)

The dress code was more welly boots than black tie, but the barbecue served rare breed pork and handmade burgers. Bunting and sweet peas adorned the marquees, and to top it all, the Pimm’s was served in cut glass punch glasses.

British retro cool at its best.

Glamour rating? 4/5 Louboutins for sheer class. Loved it.

Giveaway time! Who wants a Kindle Fire?

Natalie K. Martin

It’s that time again! Remember back in May there was a competition to win a Kindle Fire? Well, it’s happening again, and it’s stupidly easy. And, my book is up for grabs too. All you gotta do is click below to enter…take a peek at the other books up for grabs too. Good luck! x

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Self-publishing – Three days in

On Thursday 31st July, four years of writing, editing, rewriting and reediting came to an end as I finally published #Forfeit.

Like most authors, I seriously wanted to have that magical moment when an agent said, I love it, please sign with me, before negotiating a six figure, three book deal with one of the big five publishers. After submitting to three agents (one of them twice), I decided that route wasn’t for me. It’s way too demoralising.

Instead, I took heart from the ego boost Wattpad gave me: three million reads and nine thousand followers. If I can get just a fraction of that via Amazon, then I’ll be a happy girl. But how’s it going?

Thursday 31st : 63 sales

I’m blown away by the support of my friends and family. And also slightly terrified they’re all buying #Forfeit but will HATE it and be laughing behind my back. So far one friend read it the same day and loved it. Phew. Just before I go to bed, #Forfeit has a Kindle ranking of 3200 (ish). OMG.

Friday 1st August: 20 sales

Wake up to find #Forfeit has a ranking of 1137 – #58 in the Romance section. The ranks steadily worsen over the day, but sales still coming in and more fabulously, the glowing reviews – not all from people I recognise.

Saturday 2nd August: 12 sales

Whoop, whoop, the paperback goes live. Totally smiling. Also, the proof copy I gave away as a prize on Wattpad finally arrives at its destination in Jamaica. Great photo sent by Tassia, the winner.

So that’s the first few days of being a published author and I’m LOVING it. I’ve been blown away by the support of my friends and family. They’ve bought 77p Kindle editions; they’ve bought £8.99 paperback editions. They’ve done their bit and now it’s time to get #Forfeit out to new readers. There’ll be Facebook adverts, Kindle giveaways, paperback competitions, and it turns out, doing these things is nearly as much fun as writing Forfeit in the first place.

#Forfeit Soundtrack – Chapter One

‘Heads up!’

Daisy’s rugby-obsessed big brother had shouted those two words with reliable consistency as she grew up – instinct kicked in and she scanned the sky. The cricket ball headed straight for her, as did a fifteen-stone fielder. Oh God, should she run left or right? Rooted to the spot, she watched transfixed as the fielder leapt into the air, arm outstretched to catch the ball. He missed by at least two feet.

Duck! Duck, you stupid cow and the ball will miss you.

But the fielder wouldn’t. He flailed backwards and Daisy closed her eyes, preparing for the impact. Oddly, it came from her right as someone knocked her sideways. Her eyes opened in time to see a male hand pluck the ball from the air as his other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her to him. They fell, her head bashing the baked ground and she lay gasping for the breath he’d knocked out of her, all too aware of cricket pads and some divine aftershave. Was it the fit batsman?

The fielder stood where she had moments ago, grinning. ‘Nice catch.’

The batsman sat up, laughing, and tossed the ball to the fielder. ‘She certainly is.’ He leant over, his hair flopping into his eyes, and gave Daisy a curious smile. ‘Hello.’

Thank God for sunglasses because it was the fit batsman and his smile, one that had to be sponsored by Colgate, had Daisy staring like a loon.

#Forfeit is here!

It’s the #Forfeit Launch Day! It’s available on Kindle for the bargainous price of 77p or 99c!! Paperback coming soon.

Want to meet the characters…

#forfeit by Caroline Batten – Guest Post

Natalie K. Martin

I am BEYOND excited. Finally, Ms Caroline Batten is publishing her ace book, #Forfeit on 31st July 2014. I’ve been reading drafts of this for some time and she’s super talented, so I’m chuffed to have her on the blog for a quick Q & A. Without any further ado, I give you:

Give us a quick introduction to your lead characters?

Daisy’s 25 years-old and into dance music, up-cycling old leather jackets handbags into couture handbags and increasing her high heel collection. She’s teaching overconfident posh kids at a private school in the Lakes. It’s hardly her dream job, but she’s got bugger all option after Finn, her actor husband, threw her out.

Xander is our eye candy. He’s a trained chef, but is currently working as a glorified holiday rep.

Visual representation of the characters?

Daisy’s 5’2” with white blonde curly hair and isn’t what she would call,

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Cover Reveal!!

The lovely ladies at the Orchard Book Club have done a great cover reveal for #Forfeit and have a tasty excerpt for you too! 🙂