Davalynn Spencer
Davalynn Spencer here from Colorado where sunshine and green growing things have finally made an appearance. Today I’m happy to welcome veteran author Martha Rogers for her encore visit on CAN. June is Martha’s 79th birthday month and she doesn’t mind letting everyone know.
“I’m proud to be the age I am,” she says. Maybe that’s where she gets her great attitude about learning new things along the way in her writing journey.
Martha, how many books do you have published?
Martha Rogers
I have 13 full length novels and 3 novellas from traditional publishers and three new Indie books on Amazon
What are a few of your latest titles?
My last three books are a new series in The Homeward Journey. The titles are Love Stays True, Love Finds Faith, and Love Never Fails. The Indie books are Love on Trial, Forgiving Love, and Lessons on Love.
You were last featured on the CAN blog in 2012. What are the chief lessons you’ve learned about the writing life since then?
I’ve learned I’m never too old to learn more about writing and become a better writer. Also that marketing my books is not my strong suit.
An excellent point, Martha. Learning is ongoing. What are the chief lessons you’ve learned about promotion since your first visit here?
Love Never Fails by Martha Rogers
I don’t like promoting my own books, but it’s something I need to do. I don’t do it well at all.
When you’re faced with the task, what are the most effective means of book promotion you’ve tried?
Blog tours and compiling a list of influencers.
What promotional activities do you feel are the least effective?
Books signings have not gone well except at a library conference where I sold a good many books to church librarians.
Do you have a favorite way of connecting with your readers?
Through my blog and website. I’ve received a number of letters from readers through my website..
What’s the craziest promotional gimmick you tried?
I’m too conservative to try anything crazy with promotion. It scares me to think about it.
I so appreciate your candidness, Martha! Have you had anything funny happen while promoting?
That had to be when I spent 15 minutes or so with a reader and found out she thought she was talking to another author. A more famous one, I might add.
Have you seen God open doors you never expected in the promotion of your books?
He opened the door for me to attend the Church Librarians Conference the past three years and I really enjoyed it. It was well worth the time and money in resulting sales.
Do you have any top tips for new authors promoting their first book?
- Seek influencers.
- Ask for blog tours.
- Be willing to give away books.
- Find book clubs who will read and discuss your books. I have had a number of great book club speaking engagements where we discussed my book.
Thank you, Martha. You are certainly an encourager to so many.
Learn more about Martha and her books at her website and blog.
Have a great summer and keep writing.
