Bridge Social Media

Booktrailers R US!

2012-02-06T05:06:00.005-07:00

Booktrailers are mini movies based on books. Just like movie trailers, they hook new readers, provide a means of going viral and helping to spread word of mouth, and feature the most commercial aspects of the book in order to appeal to as wide an audience as possible.

A few years ago, trailers were well over two minutes in duration, however it is now common for trailers to be under 50 seconds, or even divided into two, 30 second "teaser" clips - released a few months apart - to further build anticipation.

First generation trailers used static images, text overlays and appropriate music. They evolved to incorporate voice overs and a more sophisticated soundtrack, complete with sound effects for extra oomph. Today's third generation trailers incorporate video clips, actors, sets and even full production companies.

If the big guns in the industry are investing this amount of time, care, and finances to the development of a trailer, debut, indie or smaller press authors have to ask themselves...do I need a trailer for my book? And if so, how much am I willing to spend?

Do It Yourself

Indeed there are many authors who have created incredible trailers by themselves. Here's an example of an author-created trailer done right. The amazing Maggie Stiefvater uses stop motion, created the artwork and composed/recorded the music - all on her own.

If you wish to go this route, I have a detailed post on my website, HERE, on how to get started. However, not all of us are computer savvy, or have the time to put into developing an idea, writing the script, finding the images/music and editing your work in a video production program.

Outsourcing

Numerous trailer production companies are out there if you wish to hire a professional to create one for you. The cost of your trailer depends on your budget, what you envision, and how fancy you want to get. Here are some examples of high end offereings:

Lovesick by Tonya Hurley - completely animated, original music, big budget.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare: greenscreens, sets, actors, big budget.

And then there's Bridge

If you're looking for an affordable trailer, Bridge is proud to now offer trailer creation services. We'll take you from concept to finished product and even help you spread the word. Dawn and I are both authors, we know how important it is to ensure your trailer truly reflects your book. We also know how difficult it is to take on the many roles and promotional duties that authors face. We're authors, helping authors. We have the knowledge, skills, and creativity to produce trailers at a reasonable rate. So why not contact us for more details?

A Sample of our Work

We've just completed the trailer for Leap Books new e-serial project, Strangeways Versus the Blood Brothers.

Hey! There's an app for that

2012-01-04T10:46:00.001-07:00

Not sure what to do with your new Christmas smartphone ortablet? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. With so many new applications arriving daily, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of choice.

With the turning of the year, Top 10 lists are popping upall over the net. Here’s the 10 Top Social Media Apps – we bet there’s even afew you’ve never heard of. No, really.

10. Bambuser – www.bambuser.com

Available on more than 320 phone models, Bambuser allows youto share live moments from your mobile or webcam. Stream live video to yourblog or social media profiles – free. In2011, this social app became a tool for citizen journalism, creating a platformfor real-time news.

9. Shelby.tv – http://shelby.tv/

This user-friendly (and pretty) app gathers all of thevideos your friends are posting on social networks and creates a format thatallows for easy viewing. How smart is that?

8. Miso – www.gomiso.com

The first of a few TV-inspired apps, Miso claims to make TVwatching better. It’s a social media TV platform that allows you to share withyour friends what you’re watching, read trivia about a TV show and its cast(while the show is playing), find out which music track is playing and sharequotes with your Facebook and Twitter friends. Beware, though, if you’rekeeping your love of soap operas a secret, this isn’t the app for you…

7. Get Glue – www.getglue.com

The leading entertainment social media application. Shareyour love of shows, movies, books and music with your Facebook and Twitterfriends. Get fresh recommendations (based on your “likes”), stickers, and otherrewards. Oh my!

6. Financial Times– http://apps.ft.com/

Even if you’re not a regular subscriber of the FinancialTimes, you should at least check out this updated and industry-leading app. Mediaspecialists predict consumer usage of newspaper applications will increase by30% in 2012.

5. Zeebox – www.zeebox.com

If you’re not from the UK, you may not have heard about thisapp, but don’t let that sway you. The company has big plans for expansion.Dubbed as “your TV sidekick”, Zeebox is a social, immersive, and interactiveway to watch TV. You can share and tweet about what’s on, and it includes a“pop-up video” style feature that allows you to access information about prettymuch any question you have about the TV shows you’re watching.

4. Flipboard – www.flipboard.com

The app we’re most-excited to try! Flipboard is yourpocket-sized social magazine. The app connects to your social network andcollects articles, pictures, and videos your friends are posting – and thencompiled them all into a "magazine." And because it’s connected to your Facebook orTwitter profiles, you can comment and share right through the app.

3. Google Currents - http://www.google.com/producer/currents

The number one news-reading application in the UnitedStates. Users can download news content from more than 150 leading mediaoutlets – and you can make YOUR content available, too.

2. YouTube – www.youtube.com

If you’re thinking YouTube is just a website, you’re notseeing its full potential. YouTube is a successful app on your smartphone ortablet, but it’s also gaining steam as an app for some brands of connected TVs.Who knows…YouTube may soon be your next TV.

1. Facebook – www.facebook.com

Shocking, right? It’s no surprise Facebook holds a steadyposition at the top of the list, but what makes it so important now isn’t justit’s network potential but how it has been transformed into a media platform.People are increasingly getting their news by looking at what their friends aresharing on social networks. Isn't that how you found about your sister's engagement?

What did we miss? Feel free to share your favorite socialmedia apps throughout the year.

A Social Media Christmas

2011-12-14T06:03:00.002-07:00

It’s the most commercial time of the year. Primetime to sell…just about anything. Not that there’s nothing wrong with that, any social media marketing strategy is wise to incorporate seasonal tie-ins. There are some fantastic ones out there, from Christmas themed blog tours to festive giveaways.

But if you’re looking to utilize social media in a more giving sense, there are many options available. Promote your favourite charities via Facebook’s “Causes” app which “…strives to empower people have a positive impact on the world. We are a platform for people from around the world to raise awareness and funds for causes that are important to them.”

Perhaps it becomes a tool to simply reconnect. With old friends. Family. Skype and other free teleconference programs are fantastic for just this purpose. Having a family gathering? Why not bring your laptop and Skype in a relative from across the globe? Or visit a relative in the hospital with your laptop and present them with recorded video greetings from those unable to drop by.

Consider adding global/social awareness, or cause related shout outs amongst your usual canned or spontaneous tweets. Foster the idea of paying it forward by giving kudos to the creativity, social impact, or work of others you respect. Balance such tweets with your own product / brand promotion.

We’ve only mentioned a few ideas to get you started, but we do hope they inspire you in some way.

Happy Holidays!

~~~

Religious affiliations aside, the following video is an interesting take on the Nativity story – told via social media sites:

Falling back in Like with Facebook

2011-11-30T09:24:00.001-07:00

Has your love affair with Facebook lost some of its spark?

Maybe it’s time to reconsider your relationship. For most ofthe 600 million Facebook users online today, the site began as a place to stayin touch with loved ones, or reconnect with friends of the past. A place toshare pictures and status updates. A unique games site.

But more recently, Facebook has become one of the greatestplaces to do business.

You’d be hard pressed to find any company – from fast foodchains to corporate firms – without a Facebook profile. According to therecently-released 2011 Spring Facebook Marketing Report, most corporations include a Facebook (and social media) componentas part of their advertising and communications strategy.

Sure there’s Facebook advertising for a minimal cost, butthat isn’t the key factor in determining social media success.

In 2011, the Facebook “Like” button became indispensible forpromoting web content. Surprised? Don’t be. From the report: “The Like function is the entry to Facebook’s user base from apiece of content and also has growing effects on search rankings, particularlyat Bing. Likes are gaining momentum on traditional link-back algorithms as asearch ranking currency.”

You can see it, right? When you “like” something onFacebook, you’re broadcasting via newsfeed that you “like” specific content –books, clothing, music, etc. Your Facebook profile is invaluable to companieslooking to specifically target consumers, and they’re using your “likes” tofigure you out.

You should be doing the same. A “like” helpsstart the conversation with some new users, engage existing users, and drivestraffic to your website. Not to mention, Facebook has stopped development onthe “share” function, which will leave “like” as the preferred method ofsharing content across the Facebook network.

If you’re in the business of promoting, it’s not the numberof friends you’ve amassed, but instead, the number of people who “like” you…whoreally, really like you.

Blogger Beware

2011-11-21T11:34:00.005-07:00

Last week, Dawn offered author, Jessica Bell’s recent blog tour as an example of social media done right. Through genuine, regular social media use, Jessica has forged a loyal and highly interactive fan base - exactly what every author, or social media marketing plan hopes to achieve.

But blogger, social media user – beware.

With this loyal and ever-growing readership comes great responsibility. A single blog post or Twitter update can tear down those hard-built bridges and connections – with hundreds, potentially thousands of readers exposed to a spontaneous venting session or ill-informed tweet.

Leaving you up for criticism, losing followers, respect and then there’s the fact that once your post is out there – you can’t physically remove all traces. The Internet saves everything. Don’t believe me? Check out the Wayback Machine, a site dedicated to archiving websites, blogs, etc. Plug in an URL and see the history of that site.

There have been several incidents of knee-jerk reactions or venting issues online over the last few weeks. Actor, Ashton Kutcher, one of the first celebrities to embrace the outreach power of Twitter, was blasted for making a “misinformed” tweet panning the firing of a university football coach – not knowing sexual misconduct was the root of the issue.

Read about his tweet here. As mentioned in the article, Kutcher handed control of his Twitter profile over to his marketing people until further notice.

Another blogger shocker, businessman and (would be? / soon-to-be?) author, Sebastian Marshall posted a rant on his blog, dropping f-bombs, quoting dollar figures and generally letting her rip at his publisher and the publishing industry in general. See his post here.

While Marshall has valid points regarding the often plodding nature of the publishing industry, and though some are touting this a publicity stunt before the launch of his book, it is THE poster child of what NOT to post. It is emotional, antagonistic, and reactive. If your goal is awareness and promotion of you or your work, a fostering of positive associations and building of relationships, then shock tactics may not be the way to go.

Be informed about issues before declaring an opinion. Educate yourself before sharing with the masses. If you do make an oops, follow Kutcher’s example and do what you can to acknowledge the error and make amends.

Be careful what you wish for, my friends, but ultimately - think before you post.

The Power of the Blog Tour

2011-11-17T10:16:00.001-07:00

Debut novels are tricky beasts.

If you’re not backed by a large publisher with a tremendousmarketing budget, it’s hard for any author to not get lost in the vast sea of new releases.

But Jessica Bell isn’t just any author.

Born in Australia, living in Greece, her debut novel String Bridge released last week byLucky Press, a small American publisher with a select list of literarytitles. Quite the international labyrinth, right?

Touring the U.S. (at least this year) isn’t a feasible option,so Jessica needed to integrate a marketing plan that capitalized on theplatform she’s been slowly building for almost two years.

Her blog.

Jessica has made quite a name for herself in the bloggingcommunity. Her posts are honest, from the heart, and regularly scheduled. Ifyou don’t think scheduling is a big deal, ask her 752 loyal followers how emptythey feel when she doesn’t post.

Jessica is also generous. Her thoughtful comments on themany blogs she follows are always welcome and often inspirational. She’s quickto tweet or facebook about her friends, and is a virtual cheerleader for dozensof writers.

So when she put the call out for help promoting her debutnovel, it’s not surprising 150 bloggers jumped on the String Bridge bandwagon. A blogging tour of epic proportions.

That feat in itself is amazing, but on November 11, 2011,Jessica staged an Amazon chart rush that netted staggering results.

By end of day, she’d climbed the charts and String Bridge hit #40 in New Releases,Literary Fiction (Amazon U.S), #43 Bestsellers, Women’s Literary Fiction(Amazon U.K.) and #77 Bestsellers, Women’s Popular Fiction (Amazon U.K).

For her wide fan base, her publisher, and indeed Jessicaherself, it was a champagne kind of day. Hundreds of tweets and facebook statusupdates cheered on her rising sales, and on that day, it was crystal clear String Bridge would stand out among thehundreds of debut novels also released on November 11, 2011.

At the same time, Jessica’s astounding blog tour continuedto roll on. (It ends this Sunday…) Five-star reviews popped up on Goodreads andAmazon. And sales of her soundtrack – yes, she wrote the lyrics for and sang analbum’s worth of songs for her CHARACTER, Melody Hill – began picking up steam.

The tour may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t meanJessica is slowing down. This incredible “little engine that could” just keepson chugging.

Not on the bandwagon? You should be! Here's how to find String Bridge.

Purchase links:

Book:

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984631747

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0984631747

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/string-bridge-jessica-bell/1100176600

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11502954-string-bridge

Album:

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/melody-hill-on-the-other-side/id465313522

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7ARNS/

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7G02A/

Jessica's Links:

String Bridge Website: http://www.stringbridge.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11502954-string-bridge

String Bridge Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv-hRMA0kqQ

String Bridge Merchandise: http://www.cafepress.com/janicephelps/8155170

website: http://www.jessicacbell.com/

blog: http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell

retreat & workshop site: http://hwrw.blogspot.com/

Social Media and Literacy

2011-11-08T05:04:00.007-07:00

Don't let your brain be zombie food....READ. (Note: Zombies Vs. Literacy is an app available via iTunes.)

We live in an information-based world. Each day sees new data hitting the Internet, often devouring bandwidth faster than we can supply the infrastructure. We’re navigating a glut of print and electronic material, ironically in a time of alarming illiteracy rates.

In June of 2000, Statistics Canada and 19 other countries conducted an adult literacy survey and the results allowed them to come to several conclusions (as per: http://www.literacy.ca/themes/clln/PDF/litforlife/canada.pdf):

· Those with higher literacy skills tend to be more involved citizens who participate in their communities and in society.

· Literacy is linked to economic success. Literacy levels determine the kind of jobs people find, the salaries they make and their ability to upgrade their work skills.

· Literacy also contributes to society's overall economic and social performance.

And the kicker for Canada:

Over 10 million Canadians are working at marginal or modest levels of literacy. This represents a massive loss of productivity for individuals, for society and for our economy especially as we enter a future where knowledge and adaptability will be essential.

Clearly, literacy, as well as the abilities to decode information and think critically are the foundations of individual and societal success.

So How Does Social Media Increase Factor In?

Well, there’s more to SM than just Facebook / Twitter, blogging and online newsfeeds. Libraries and educators are on the front lines of literacy, teaching the nuts and bolts of how to read and write and evaluate sources, as well as providing readers opportunities to cut their teeth on both print and electronic materials. And they are often the first to reach out and embrace social media tools that facilitate learning.

Once you start digging, you can unearth a surprising number of social media / technology resources with these very goals in mind - from ebook readers wit dictionary features and text-to-speech functions, to interactive storybook apps for your smart phone or iPad. Some teachers are incorporating the use of blogs and Twitter profiles as forums for supplementary learning. An ethics issue is presented, for example, and students voice their opinions in blog comments, thereby promoting critical thinking as well as communication skills – these activities may also engage otherwise shy or reserved students and empower them to voice their views, while in a classroom setting they may remain mute.

The use of “tech breaks” are being implemented in some schools as motivational tools to increase learning. Students are rewarded after a certain period of intense focus on a subject with a minute of social media access.

While Canadians struggle with ways to slay illiteracy, we’re not alone. Declining literacy rates are prevalent in the United States as well and organizations like 826 National (www.826national.org) have taken up the challenge, offering reading intervention, tutorial opportunities, and literacy awareness programs.

In hopes of supporting 826 National’s efforts, Leap Books has published, SPIRITED, a ghostly themed anthology featuring New York Times bestselling authors such as Maria V. Snyder, Candace Havens and other wicked talents with all proceeds going directly to 826. You can preview the anthology via Amazon and Barnes & Nobel.

SPIRITED 13 ARC Giveaway Winners!

2011-11-01T17:30:00.001-06:00

Each correct answer to our research questions was considered a new entry, winners were then selected from the correct entries via random number generator.

The winners of the SPIRITED 13 ARC giveaway contest:

Elizabeth M
Breia B
Charlotte H
Joanna W
David F
Melissa M
Amy C
Jen M
Renee V
Jolene H
Ashley D
Caitlin
Ashley L

Winners will be notified directly by a Leap Books representative regarding shipping details.

ENJOY!

String Bridge debuts today

2011-11-01T06:53:00.001-06:00

For many writers, November 1 marks the start of NaNoWriMo, a month-long write-a-thon whereby the ultimate challenge and victory is to complete 50,000 words.

But for our client Jessica Bell, an Australia-born author living in Greece, November is the beginning of a massive blog tour in support of her stunning literary debut, String Bridge. The novel releases today by Lucky Press.

"Greek cuisine, smog and domestic drudgery was not the life Australian musician, Melody, was expecting when she married a Greek music promoter and settled in Athens, Greece. Keen to play in her new shoes, though, Melody trades her guitar for a 'proper' career and her music for motherhood. That is, until she can bear it no longer and plots a return to the stage—and the person she used to be. However, the obstacles she faces along the way are nothing compared to the tragedy that awaits, and she realizes she's been seeking fulfillment in the wrong place."

A quick skim of Jessica's website will tell you a lot about her – she’s passionate, nurturing, beautiful, and freaking talented. Not only can she write – and believe us, Jessica CAN write – she is also a brilliant musician, even composing and producing a soundtrack for this novel.

It’s not shocking then, that the underlying thread of String Bridge is music. Even the writing is lyrical. Every word, every sentence, every paragraph is strung together like fine poetry, creating the vivid imagery that is vital in bringing the story – and of course the characters – to life.

Melody is a protagonist many women will relate to. There’s no debating that she’s made some difficult life choices, giving up music being the most affective. It's important to note that she made these choices of her own accord. Like many women, Melody sacrifices a dream – or what she believes to be the dream, and the story is not so much about “what if” but rather the consequences of making a tough choice and then learning to find her happily-ever-after.

You will either begin by loving or hating Melody – because Jessica’s writing has the ability to make you feel.

If you love Melody, you will adore her daughter Tessa, and loathe her husband Alex. The threads of their complex relationships are woven through a spider web of innocence, desire and guilt. In this difficult balancing act of being a mother, a wife, and a dreamer, it is no wonder Melody feels trapped.

Make no mistake though, this story is neither cliché nor boring. The plot twists are surprising, and often heart wrenching – but always page-turning.

Though String Bridge is Jessica’s first novel, there is nothing amateur about her craft. Character, plot, and the rich exotic setting meld into a literary debut that will leave you spellbound.

Purchase links:

eBook

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319369262&sr=1-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319370801&sr=8-1

Paperback:

Amazon.com: (Coming soon)

Amazon UK: (Coming soon)

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/string-bridge-jessica-bell/1030101696

Soundtrack:

iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=465313522

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7ARNS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317118328&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7G02A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317118484&sr=8-1

Jessica's Links:

String Bridge Website: http://www.stringbridge.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11502954-string-bridge

String Bridge Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv-hRMA0kqQ

String Bridge Merchandise: http://www.cafepress.com/janicephelps/8155170

website: http://www.jessicacbell.com/

blog: http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell

retreat & workshop site: http://hwrw.blogspot.com/

New novel on the horizon? Bridge Social Media can help you spread the word. E-mail us today to learn more about the social media services we offer.

Final round of Ghostuhunters contest starts now!

2011-10-23T10:58:00.003-06:00

Hey Ghosthunters! Still trying to unearth all of the authors featured in Leap Books’ latest haunting release, SPIRITED? Awesome! We hope you’re ready for the final round…

Your mission? Use your paranormal spidey senses (or your trusty EMF detector) to decipher the information and tell us which authors you'll find in the anthology.

Email your responses to bridgesocialmedia@gmail.com by noon, October 31, 2011.

Correct answers for each author will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a copy of SPIRITED.

Winners will be announced November 1, 2011.

Hint: Follow the SPIRITED Twitter and Facebook pages...you never know what extra clues you might unearth.

Here we go:

AURHOR 1: She can keep a secret, win an argument, pick up spiders, handle the sight of blood, subdue aggressive dogs, make a mean grilled cheese sandwich, and keep her sanity. And if that's not enough, this Spirited author can also write...poetry, middle grade, young adult, contemporary, and creative non-fiction. Her YA speculative novel Shifters will appear in 2012.

AUTHOR 2: Oast House is not this SPIRITED contributor's first short story to be featured in an anthology. She is one of 27 international authors included in Mon Coeur Mort (My Dead Heart), a collection of horror fiction. And her short story BEATING GOLD was one of six romantic tales in a special edition of Romance Stories Magazine. She began writing short fiction on a secondhand typewriter in her late teens.

AUTHOR 3: This SPIRITED contributor has a bleeding cool job - she reviews comics for DC! She's also writing a graphic novel based along with other novels and screenplays. Her first fantasy/adventure screenplay DEVASHARD is currently in pre-production. And if that's not cool enough, she will soon to launch a web comic called Daedalus Wax.

AUTHOR 4: From martians to witches, this California-dwelling author began writing fiction in the third grade. And even though he’s a (wee) bit older now, he still loves tales of dragons and giants, along with the reluctant young heroes who battle these fierce creatures. In addition to his story in SPIRITED, this author has published several short works in various places and is currently working on the finishing touches of his novel, Love and Taxes.

Good luck, Ghosthunters!

Watch October 30, 2011 for a special SPIRITED contest wrap-up post with even more chances to WIN a copy of the anthology everyone will be talking about.

Round 3 of SPIRITED contest starts today!

2011-10-16T10:08:00.000-06:00

We're giving you a chance to figure out whichauthors will be featured in Leap Books' latest release, SPIRITED - Ghosthuntersstyle!

So, how did you do with the first two rounds? Stillworking on them?  

This hauntingly good book stars some of the bestyoung adult authors to die for.

Your mission? Use your paranormalspidey senses (or your trusty EMF detector) to decipher the informationand tell us which authors you'll find in Spirited. 

Email your responses to bridgesocialmedia@gmail.com by noon, October31, 2011. Correct answers for each author will be entered into adrawing for a chance to win a copyof SPIRITED. Winners will be announced November 1, 2011.

Hint: Follow theSpirited Twitter and Facebook pages...you never know what extra clues youmight unearth.

 Ready for round three?

AUTHOR 1: It's a good thing Halloweenhappens only once a year, because this SPIRITED contributor loves a good ghoulfest. She'd admit to spending way too much on festive decor, including acollection of animated zombies and ghosts guaranteed to give the local trick-or-treatersheart palpitations. In fact, this writer enjoys all things of the heart,including a good paranormal romance, the occasional Nora Roberts marathon, andspending time with her three bull mastiffs. You know, just skulking around. Inaddition to her own list of works in progress, this author co-writes withanother Spirited contributor, and pens adult fiction under a pseudonym.

AUTHOR 2: Research is key for this NewYork Times bestselling author.She's picked a lock, toured a maximum security prison, studied karate andlearned to ride a horse - all in the name of fiction. Not sure if this is yourparticular brand of poison? It will be if you read her thrilling series about ayoung woman who becomes a poison taster (how do you even get THAT job?) Or herbrilliant books about a magician who can capture magic inside her glasscreations. This talented writer has a black cat named Valek and loves totravel. In fact, you may have read oneor two of her travel articles.

AUTHOR 3: Chances are, you haven't readthis SPIRITED contributor's blog about books, video games and movies--becauseif you had, he'd have to change the title from "Least Read Blog." Butwe'd bet you will check out his debut novel, Failstate, whichlaunches early 2012. The story is about a superhero who is competing on areality TV show. Sounds fun, right? He's a husband, a father, a sci-fi writer,a bookstore and library terror, an all around geek--and at 6'6", atowering giant!

Good luck!

Next SPIRITED Ghosthunters post: Sunday,October 23, 2011

Round two of SPIRITED contest starts today!

2011-10-09T10:48:00.001-06:00

LeapBooks and Bridge Social Media are givingyou a chance to figure out which authors will be featured in Leap Books' latestrelease, SPIRITED - Ghosthunters style!

So, how did you do with last week'sclues? Still working on them? Refresh your memory here.

This hauntingly good book stars someof the best young adult authors to die for. Your mission? Use yourparanormal spidey senses (or your trusty EMF detector) to decipher theinformation.

Email your responses to bridgesocialmedia@gmail.com bynoon, October 31, 2011. Correct answers for each author willbe entered into a drawing for a chance to win a copyof SPIRITED. Winners will be announced November 1, 2011.

Hint: Followthe Spirited Twitter and Facebook pages...you never know what extra cluesyou might unearth.

Ready for round two?

AUTHOR 1: Lookingfor the inside scoop on Hollywood? This author can help. She's one of America'sleading entertainment journalists, hobnobbing with the likes of Tom Cruise,Nicolas Cage, George Clooney and Tom Hanks. She even wrote a biography on JossWhedon, the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her novel writingcareer began in 2008, when a friend suggested she give it a try. Good thing.She's gone on to pen six best-selling novels for Berkley, and now writes forthe Blaze line of Harlequin. In her spare time (ha!), she's the Vice Presidentof the Television Critic's Association.

AUTHOR 2: ThisSPIRITED contributor is guaranteed to get under your skin. She writes teenfiction to DIE for. A lot of teen fiction, actually. Aside from numerouspersonal projects, this prolific (and uber talented) author is co-writingseveral series with two of the other writers featured in Spirited.Isn't that LOVELY? Part writer, part musician, and full time geek, this authorloves tragic romance, werewolves, vampires, magick...and her two Labradorretrievers, Willow and Higgins.

AUTHOR 3: If writing'syour passion, this young adult writer can help. She's part of two great groups- Novel Teen, a site where reviewers, writers, and critics take a lookat good, clean teen fiction; and Teenage Authors, a fabulous resource foryouth interested in making their writing dreams come true. Raised in ruralAlaska, this author admits to having a fondness for Nancy Drew and the HardyBoys. Her latest novel will be published December, 2011.

Got it figured out? Email yourresponses to bridgesocialmedia@gmail.com. Remember, each correct answer getsyour name in the draw for a chance to win a copy of SPIRITED.

Good luck!

Next SPIRITED Ghosthunterspost: Sunday, October 16, 2011

WIN a copy of the SPIRITED anthology!

2011-10-02T09:46:00.000-06:00

Who are the masterminds behind Leap Books' latest release, SPIRITED anthology? Here's your chance to figure it out - Ghosthunters style.

This hauntingly good book stars some of the best young adult authors to die for. Each week, a new blog post will offer clues to help you figure out who they are. Your mission? Use your paranormal spidey senses (or your trusty EMF detector) to decipher the information.

Email your responses to bridgesocialmedia@gmail.com by noon, October 31, 2011. Correct answers for each author will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a copy of SPIRITED. Winners will be announced November 1, 2011.

Hint: Follow the Spirited Twitter and Facebook pages...you never know what extra clues you might unearth.

Ready?

1. This author redefines the short story! Her debut book won the grand prize in the first-ever cell phone novel contest by Textnovel.com. Since then, she's been spinning tales of love, loss - and, oh yeah, werewolves. Her series takes place at Junction High, where you'll be sure to run into Jess. But hopefully no spiders. This writer has more than a casual fear of arachnids.

2. Remember Sweet Valley High? This SPIRITED anthology contributor certainly does. She wrote one Sweet Valley Twins novel, and five books in the Sweet Dreams series in the 1980s. These days, she spends time writing her own books about Goths, psychics, mermaids, aliens, cheerleaders, clones, parallel worlds and ghosts - not necessarily altogether, of course. Over the years, she's amassed a collection of more than 5,000 books - most of them series.

3. Ready to get your freak on? This author can help! She writes teen fiction with BITE...werewolf bite, that is. She published her first story - four lines about a frog - at the tender age of 8, and has been writing ever since, gathering ideas from dreams, life adventures and movies. Especially the flicks of John Hughes, well-known for his cult classics The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and 16 Candles. As a high school DJ, this writer developed an eclectic musical taste, including the works of Corey Hart. The lyrics to "Never Surrender"are taped above her writing desk.

Got it figured out? Email your responses to bridgesocialmedia@gmail.com. Remember, each correct answer gets your name in the draw for a chance to win a copy of SPIRITED.

Good luck!

Next Spirited Ghosthunters post: Sunday, October 9, 2011

Let's meet at the Crossroads

2011-09-28T14:01:00.003-06:00

Hey public and school librarians! Don't miss out!

This October, 15 paranormal authors will meet young readers atthe Crossroads for a chilling blog tour that will Leave. You. Breathless.

From small to big-gun presses, debut novels to bestsellers, thesecond annual Crossroads Blog tour will offer teens unprecedented (and free)access to signed books, cool swag, and a chance for a spooktacular Skype authorvisit with best-selling author Rachel Vincent.

Tour organizer (and Bridge partner extraordinaire) Judith Graves(Under My Skin, Second Skin) has wrangled in seasoned authors and newbiesalike for a 7-day (October 22-29) promotionalcreep-a-thon.

Here's how it works:

Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research questionwill be on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page and each day the answer tothat question will be found within one of the different blog posts byCrossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blogposts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour -- Halloween.

Bloggers will be giving away a bevy of tricks and treats donatedby Crossroads Tour authors. At the end of thetour, on October 31st, compiled answers are sent to Graves and a grand prizewinner is randomly selected from those with correct and complete entries. Therewill also a live chat on October 28, bringing readers, authors and bloggers together for a finalcelebration.

Follow the Twitter feed @TheCrossroadsBT for more chances to winor "like" us on the tour's Facebook fan page.

For the full list of participating authors, bloggers and giveaways,check out The Crossroads event page.

Stillhave questions? Email Bridge at bridgesocialmedia@gmail.com.

Spirited: 13 Haunting Tales to Promote Literacy

2011-09-21T05:00:00.001-06:00

Bridge is thrilled to take on the social media promotion of an upcoming anthology offered by Leap Books. SPIRITED: 13 Haunting Tales promises to knock your Fall socks off with paranormal offerings from best-selling and debut young adult authors the likes of: Shannon Delany, Candace Havens, Maria Snyder, and more...

In the spirit of the "treating" Halloween season, Leap Books is donating profits from their sales of SPIRITED to 826 National, a literacy-based organization. 826 offers free after-school tutoring, workshops, and in-school programs because they believe that "strong writing skills are fundamental to future success."

Pre-order your print copy HERE. The ebook is set for release on October 31st, 2011 and will be available via Amazon.com as well as other online book merchants.

Bridge, in conjunction with Leap Books, will be hosting a 13 ARC giveaway, offering author interviews, bios and other SWAG giveaways here on our blog, the Leap Books blog, and also on the Spirited Facebook page.

Follow SPIRITED on Twitter: @Spirited13 and help spread the word about this worthy cause.

For a real thrill, check out the SPIRITED booktrailer:

Piquing your Pinterest

2011-09-14T11:50:00.000-06:00

When mybeautiful mother-in-law visited a few weeks ago, she did much more than justbring a few bottles of great B.C. wine. She introduced me to Pinterest.

Pinterestis a social media platform that allows you to create a virtual scrapbook ofthings that interest you – everything from artists you like and books you’veread, to do-it-yourself projects and recipes you’re itching to try. LikeFacebook, you can collect followers, network with like-minded peers, tagfriends, and comment on each other’s “pins.”

Soundsmore like a girl thing, right?

For themost part, yes. The majority of pins are recipe, craft, or home décor-related,though a simple search can pull up pins from just about anything. My husbandfound a pin on chair upholstery, and presto! I have new dining room chairs – ina color matching the curtains I learned how to make on Pinterest.

But canit be used for entrepreneurs? Hellz ya.

The pinskind of act as a gate, an entrance point if you will. If you like the image,you might re-pin it, comment on it , or suggest it to a friend. If it’sinteresting enough, you might even click on the image – which will then leadyou to a website or blog from where the picture originated.

So let’ssay you write a weekly blog about…monsters. And you want to share that sitewith your new network of Pinterest friends. You upload a picture from the blog,and then link it there. Wrap it up with a quirky caption, “This blog just mightsave your life!” Voila.

As soonas you pin that to your scrap board, your followers are alerted, and the pingoes onto the giant virtual corkboard, visible to all Pinterest users.

Unconvinced?Last night, I pinned a link to the Most-Wanted Monsters blog. It was re-pinned18 times. Not bad for an initial run, and I have only a handful of followers.

Stillwavering? My 15-year-old stepdaughter told me last night that she receivedPinterest requests from 10 of her friends last week. Their top pins?Entertainment related – reviews on books and movies they’ve watched, clothesthey want to buy, actors they’re crushing on, and music they’re listening to.One friend even has a virtual scrapboard tribute to Jersey Shore.

As withall social media sites, it’s imperative to weigh the pros and cons beforediving in. With Pinterest, it’s even more important – because checking out allthe cool ideas pinned by everyone else can be distracting, and highlyaddictive.

Especiallywhile “pinning” and drinking a fabulous glass of Therapy vineyard merlot.

Happy pinning!

Size Matters

2011-09-07T20:37:00.000-06:00

As an author navigating the expanding world of social media, I've been following the chatter. You know, the discussions about Twitter and Facebook, and how these sites will soon replace traditional websites and blogs. Huh, odd to think of any website as traditional, but then, in an era where a top ten hit from two months ago is considered a classic, I guess the term applies. Anyway, I disagree with this line of thought. And here's why.

Size matters.

Oh, get your mind out of the gutter, I'm talking content, not enlargement.

Each element of your online presence serves a different purpose, has varying established "lengths" of content needed, and each is required to create a well-stocked social media arsenal.

Your website acts like your full-page Yellow Pages ad. Sure, not much changes from year to year, but when someone's looking for you, their fingers will walk them to this catch all calling card. It's eye candy. A visual representation of your brand and the underlying themes inherent to your product. It's informative. Background info / bios, location and contact information are provided. And most importantly, it says a lot about you. If someone is searching you or your product, believe me, you want them to get the most information from one main source.

That's when you wow them - when they've gleaned enough about you to want to know more.

Then your blog kicks in. Here you'll offer concise, current, trendy, off the cuff (but brilliant) posts that draw your readers further into your world. They'll get the inside scoop on what makes you tick and see for themselves how others interact with you via witty reader comments. It is here where they will discover the behind the scenes aspects of you and your product - even be privy to contests or other promotional opportunities. Consider a blog to be the equivalent of a DVD commentary for your favourite TV series, providing connections, sharing information and making the experience that much more personal.

Perfect, you're building relationships. What better locale to celebrate those relationships, than in the community setting of Facebook? Here you can commiserate, promote, inform and learn from your growing Facebook neighbourhood of readers at a water-cooler level. You can share information, show support of others with similar interests and entertain/captivate/enthral your friends in brief wall messages that link to your more in depth blog posts.

And now for the quicky. Twitter is immediate. It's your take on life. Right. Now. If you have something to promote, it had better be happening today. Twitter chats are real time discussions, making them very....real. Thoughts aren't filtered, but they can be profound. Or they can be profoundly filtered....as in the quotes of others that you deem fit for sharing. Twitter generates action. It functions as a way to unite likeminded individuals and inspire them to, in turn, broadcast support for causes. Twitter is the town cryer. Got a cool blog post to share? Tweet about it to generate sparks of interest. 140 characters, the perfect want ad.

When you view the various online mediums in this light, it's clear (or it's clear to me, at least) that websites and blogs serve a vital and ongoing role in your marketing campaign, complementing their short and sweet counterparts.

Standing out in a blogging crowd

2011-08-31T08:11:00.000-06:00

With an estimated 330 million blog posts published annually, it can be difficult to stand out in an online crowd. But if blogging is your social media platform of choice, following a few simple guidelines can help you increase your readership and start building those important relationships.

1. Assume people won’t actually read your post. Ouch, right? Sad, but true. A Jakob Neilson study found that only 16% of people will read a blog post word for word – they’ll skim the rest. Bottom line? Keep your key messages near the top.

2. White space, white space, white space! Big blocky paragraphs of text are not only hard to read, they’re hard on the eyes. Increase your post’s readability – and scanibility – by providing plenty of white space.

3. Use numbers or bullets for lists or other key information. Offsetting text this way is easier to digest and will register with readers more effectively.

4. If you’re selling something, do it softly. Aggressive sales pitches and used car salesman-type tactics will turn readers off. Instead, use your blog to build relationships – your honesty and credibility will go a lot further in making the sale in the long run.

5. Get the facts. Lots of them if you can. As you build your readership your opinions are far less interesting than the prospect of learning something new. Harsh, we know. Sorry.

6. Use enticing and descriptive titles. If you’re too vague or overly creative, you may not attract readers to your blog in the first place. Consider using keywords that will ensure your post shows up in online searches. Tagging posts with key words also helps with this.

7. KISS: Keep it simple, stupid. Big words can bog down a post – and deter a reader. Never talk down to your audience; however, rather than trying to impress your readers with your vocabulary, wow them with your thoughts and facts.

8. Less is more. Words, that is. Try and keep your posts to about 800 keeper words – anything longer and you’ll increase skimming…or the reader will assume it’s too much work before they even begin. If you truly have THAT much to say, break the post into two.

9. Highlight or bold key concepts, words or calls to actions.

10. Support your post with a great illustration or photo. But not just any picture will do. When choosing an image, remember to consider its relevance, quality, and target audience appropriateness.

Anything to add? What factors compel you to read a blog post – or even more importantly, what keeps you going back to a blog again and again?

- Dawn

DIY Social Media

2011-08-24T05:47:00.000-06:00

A bridge can be a shortcut across murky waters. And when we’re talking about searching the Internet for timely, authoritative and even witty information regarding social media - why struggle to navigate the unpredictable waves and whitecaps of Google searching when others have compiled the info in one handy resource?

Ah, that’s the beauty of sites like www.socialfresh.com made up of marketing specialists who have taken on the task of educating the masses regarding all things social media. They provide everything a do-it-yourselfer needs to know. From conferences, articles and even “living books” with content being continually updated, you’ll find a plethora of information and educational opportunities.

So, check them out. We did, and we will be visiting them often.

_____

Speaking of bridges, we're pleased to announce the winners of Jessica Bell's String Bridge ARC contest (chosen by random number generator):

Michael Di Gesu and Gisselle!

We'll be contacting you for your mailing addresses.

String Bridge - Review & CONTEST

2011-08-17T05:52:00.000-06:00

“Greek cuisine, smog and domestic drudgery was not the life Australian musician, Melody, expected when she married a Greek music promoter and settled in Athens, Greece. Keen to play in her new shoes, though, Melody trades her guitar for a proper career and her music for motherhood. That is, until she can bear it no longer and plots a return to the stage – and the person she used to be. However, the obstacles she faces along the way are nothing compared to the tragedy that awaits, and she realizes she’s been seeking fulfillment in the wrong place.”

A succinct description of Jessica Bell’s literary debut, String Bridge – but a humble account of what is truly a beautiful, compelling novel.

I met Jessica virtually through her blog, and struck by the honesty and lyrical quality of her regular posts, I became a loyal follower. Each week, I learn something about her, and the more I read, the closer friends we become – kind of by accident, I suppose, though I’d prefer to think of it as fate. Sometimes I even like to believe I’m the only one, but as her 700+ blog followers would likely attest, Jessica just has a natural attraction about her, beyond her obvious outer beauty.

Jessica’s blog employs a conversational tone, and through her writing, she has the ability to turn the mundane into the extraordinary. Such is the case with String Bridge.

I can count on two hands (and maybe one foot) the number of literary novels I’ve read cover to cover. String Bridge I’ve read three times, and will likely read again – and again. Perhaps it’s the musical quality of every paragraph, or Jessica’s ability to draw out every emotion…whatever the reason, it’s hard to put down once you’ve picked it up. No really. I dare you.

Despite the book’s clear literary quality, the pages are not padded with unnecessary fluff or bogged down with clichés, and confusing metaphors. Every word is carefully chosen, every sentence tightened.

It’s tough not to talk “craft” when speaking about Jessica’s writing – her talent is blatant both in String Bridge and her self-published poetry collection, Twisted Velvet Chains. But the novel is so much more than a pretty read.

Melody’s life is anything but easy, and for anyone who has ever chased a dream, it’s not hard to understand she’s living in the shadow of regret and “what if.” Her relationship struggles feel painfully real, and her love for her daughter is raw, and beautiful. Which makes her decisions less impulsive, more selfless.

And often heartbreaking.

That ache is skillfully broken up by humor, offering relief when the emotion could overshadow the story. Instead, it’s a compelling story about a talented young musician striving for personal and professional balance. With a whole bunch of life thrown in the mix.

The plot line may seem somewhat common. Jessica’s interpretation is anything but.

- Dawn

HEY! Want to win an advanced reader copy of String Bridge? BRIDGE has two copies to give away. To enter, simply comment on this blog post. But hurry! Deadline for entries is August 24, 2011.

Social Media Contests

2011-08-10T05:56:00.000-06:00

A proven way to gain more followers is to host a social media contest. However, it can be tricky to retain those followers as loyal members of your social media community. Some are just in it for the prize, others will be genuinely interested in you and your online presence.

There are two approaches to contests:

Random – on a whim you decide to broadcast a contest for your current followers. You post one or two announcements, sit back and are content with however many entries you get.

Planned – you spend considerable time developing a plan to implement a contest, have specific prizes and will measure the success of the contest based on new followers, activity generated and evaluating how many of those new followers remain after a week or two.

Both methods work. Actually, a blend of the two results in both structure and spontaneity which will keep your followers keen and their attention fixed.

Here are a few tips to ensure your social media contest has the best chance at drawing attention and keeping some of the crowd around for the long haul:

Random contests work best when there is still some thought involved. Ensure you post your contest at peak social media hours for your current followers. Are they more active on the weekend? The evening? Target those times.
Have a solid start and end time. Don’t drag contests out too long or you’ll lose impact. Best to give a firm deadline, do the draw or select your winner and make sure to announce who got the prize.
Ensure your SWAG or giveaways are fun and worthy of a contest. If you’re giving away a single bookmark or magnet, beef up the prize with a quirky Pez dispenser or other candy/trinket related to your product in an unexpected way. Be creative.
Encourage followers to retweet or share the contest info to their own followers to maximize exposure.
Promote the contest at regular intervals, but be warned all out spamming your social media sites during a contest could cost you followers who may be annoyed by such marketing. Again, this is why contests should be short and sweet.
Select winners in a fair manner whenever possible. Subjective contests like who has the best poem, or creates the best mock slogan for your product can be fun, but may intimidate followers. Instead of choosing one entry over the next, thank each and every entry and then consider putting them all into a draw using a random generator like:http://textmechanic.com/Random-Line-Picker.html orhttp://www.mathgoodies.com/calculators/random_no_custom.html

And now for a little ABBA, The Winner Takes It All:

Three Truths and a Lie

2011-08-03T08:08:00.000-06:00

A 2011 study by Socialnomics suggests that 80% of North American companies are using social media for recruiting.

You don’t have to think too far out of the box to validate that stat – a quick run through my Twitter feed last night advertised no less than three job opportunities, not to mention a myriad of potential collaboration projects and contests.

But running a social media campaign for a company – versus your daily status update to let Mom know you’re alive – isn’t as simple as creating a Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr profile.

Before you jump into corporate social media, consider these three truths…and the lie.

TRUTH -- Everyone Must Work Together

All departments. All employees. The entire company must sing from the same social media songbook. What’s the company voice? What’s the policy on status updates and blog entries? Who is responsible for it? And what are the consequences of rogue Tweets? Create social media policies all employees understand – and follow.

TRUTH – Top Management Must Be on Board

Until the boss buys in, securing the resources for an effective social media campaign is going to be a long, uphill battle. Pitch with a plan, and back it up with statistics – a quick Google search will net you plenty. Social media doesn’t have to be all-consuming, but it IS going to require company resources.

TRUTH – Don’t Expect Overnight Success

Even YouTube sensation Justin Bieber had to go through a process, albeit a somewhat more glamorous one than most of us. Sure, you’ll have a video that will go viral, but then what? Building your social media community takes time. Measure your success in stages, not the number of hits on one particular post.

LIE – You MUST join every social media site in the world

Why set yourself up for failure? It’s impossible to keep up with ALL of them, but you should spend the time figuring out which ones will be most effective. Is your target audience using Twitter? Facebook? LinkedIn? Focus your efforts there.

Not sure where to even begin? Whether you’re a one-employee show or a business of 500, Bridge can help focus your social media plan.

The Social Media Monster

2011-07-27T06:41:00.000-06:00

On the Bridge website we highlight several meanings of the term “bridge.” However, bridge can also be defined as “a transitional passage connecting two subjects or movements." Stay with me as I bridge several segments.

Dawn and I co-write a series of middle grade non-fiction books, Most-Wanted Monsters, where we share quirky and strange lore about various beasties. On our blog this week we’re featuring sea creatures such as the Loch Ness Monster.

Cryptids are such fun.

Anyway, I actively search the Internet for unusual articles featuring social media and was intrigued when I came across this one via the Globe and Mail: Aussie swimmer warns athletes over social media ‘monster’.

The article features Australian swimmer Geoff Huegill, who warns "fellow athletes against injudicious use of social media at next year’s London Olympics, saying it could ruin their careers. A frequent user of Twitter, the 32-year-old said he was concerned that International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidelines on the use of social media were unclear. 'To all of the athletes who actively use their Twitter accounts, my only advice would be to really think before you hit that send button,' Huegill concluded.”

How’s that for bridging monsters?

Huegill’s right, of course, social media provides opportunities to both gain or lose face - depending how utilize it. His advice need not be restricted to lovers of brine, waves and nose plugs.

Social media is indeed a tricky beast and we’re creating its lore 140 characters at a time. The power, speed and ramifications of a single careless Tweet or status update can be witnessed by the world. You never know when it might take a bite out of your future – current or potential employers could come across such posts and there goes that job prospect or promotion.

However, fear of foot-in-mouth/Twitter feed shouldn’t keep you from embracing social media. For those of you using social media for business or marketing purposes, follow these general rules of thumb to steer clear of trouble:

1. If you receive a negative comment on any of your social media sites, don’t respond in kind. Provide facts if clarification is needed, but resist a personal attack.

2. Ensure your settings are such that you are able to pre-approve comments before they are posted. Therefore avoiding spam, inappropriate comments, etc.

3. Keep your social media posts/comments as positive and directly related to your marketing goal as possible. I’m not saying you can’t be “social” with your social media. However, while Twitter may seem like a great place to vent about the guy who cut you off, or the reviewer who just slagged your book/product – these kinds of posts won’t help your image. They’ll just provide more fuel for the fire.

4. Plan your topics/Tweets ahead of time so you’re not scrambling and are less likely to send an inappropriate message. A plan will focus your efforts and you’ll be rewarded when you’re befriended by members of your target audience.

5. Social media is about relationships, bridges, connections with people…sales and/or product recognition may result, but you have to be willing/interested/enthusiastic about reaching out and engaging your followers - or you’ll simply lose them.

Now that would be monstrous.

Enter to win Twisted Velvet Chains

2011-07-20T07:43:00.000-06:00

Self-publishing is still a tremendous leap for writers, despite its rising popularity and a collection of new statistics demonstrating its financial potential. In a society where fresh fiction is busting the seams of every bookstore or e-reader, the DIY model sometimes represents fulfillment of “the dream” – publication.

But for Jessica Bell, whose literary novel String Bridge will be traditionally published by Lucky Press, LCC this November, the decision to take her poetry collection into her own hands has more to do with controlling her own destiny.

Twisted Velvet Chains is a collection of poems following the experiences of one woman growing up with a bipolar, drug-addicted, gothic musician mother. Each poem represents specific moments of their life that embrace vivid rich imagery, and illustrate the turmoil of emotions both experience while together.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush, I’m really proud of this poetry collection,” Jessica says. “It’s different and powerful, and worth reading.”

That’s putting it mildly. People who have never before been drawn to poetry are clamouring for the book – and the reviews on Goodreads, Amazon and universal blogs offer high praise.

“Twisted Velvet Chains is a vivid, unexpected gut-kick, rarely seen in poetry,” writes poet and artist Alaine DiBenedetto.

Author Mark Van Aken Williams says this: “In Twisted Velvet Chains you enter a landscape that is sensual and metaphysical, comic and tragic, where Gothic Neanderthals give birth to songs, and little girls’ vulnerabilities leak out from the pages. Jessica Bell is a shapeshifter; explorer of childhood memories, and observer of existential loneliness, alienation and detachment.”

Jessica admits she wasn’t looking for that kind of praise – though the accolades are certainly appreciated. She simply wanted to share her book, and prove to herself that she didn’t need to be validated by a publisher.

“I want to be confident about it on my own,” she says. “I still get to ‘say’ my book is being published by a reputable name. A name. Just like Prada is to fashion. And let’s face it, poetry is hard to sell. Even well-known poets are lucky to sell 50 copies of their collections.”

To help boost her personal sales, Jessica continues to maintain her social media networking, building a database of people who know – and support – her work. Just as with traditional publishing, Jessica knows she must work hard and spend as much time marketing her work as she does writing.

In the end, that kind of dedication to both will pay off.

Today, Jessica is featured on Jim Murdoch’s blog, The Truth About Lies. Go there! You won't want to miss this in-depth interview and review.

Jessica is connected on the social media network (of course!)

Friend her on Facebook

Connect with her on Twitter

Read her honest blog, The Alliterative Allomorph

Hey! Want to win a copy of Twisted Velvet Chains? Bridge has two signed copies to give away. To enter, simply comment on this blog post by Wednesday, July 27, 2011 and we’ll randomly select two winners. Good luck.

Social Media's Looking Up

2011-07-12T13:44:00.000-06:00

Bustling cafes with tables spilling out onto the street, rich capachinos served with wafer-thin chocolate cookies, and the drone of hundreds of conversations being punctuated by bursts of laughter. Limestone cliffs, aqua water, and families picnicking on the beach. These are my impressions of Paris and the Normandy coast.

Beyond the change of physical landscape, what I noticed as the greatest difference between North Americans and our European counterparts is our relationship with social media.

Europeans are not quite as co-dependant.

Sure, they carry cellphones and might occasionally check in for critical information, but in my travels this summer the only people I saw obsessing over wifi access were the tourists. Hunched over their smartphones, they missed the point of a vaycay - not to mention some amazing views. All that time fiddling with network settings, the frustration, the desperation reeked of withdrawal. I know, I went through it too. But after the third day, I decided to leave my cell phone off and only login once a day (usually late at night) via my laptop and the hotel's wifi.

And you know what? I was still able to keep up on all the news back home, put out any writing / business related fires, and post some photos of my trip.

Constant connectivity wasn't required for me to have a good time. I learned to live in the moment. It was liberating.

North Americans are fighting for cheaper International roaming / cell phone rates so we can keep in contact with our loved ones, employees/employers while spending time abroad. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I completely agree that the inflated costs of International roaming are ridiculous and hampers vital communication. However, I also see that lower rates means more time spent plugging into cellphones, laptops and less time lifting our heads to actually look up and absorb the historic beauty that surrounds you while abroad.

So why aren't Europeans as addicted to social media? In North America social media often replaces face-to-face interactions even when all parties involved live in the same city, the same town, or work in the same office. We socialize online, work online and even get married online. We're a people spread out over huge expanses of land. Our houses are larger, our vehicles too (there are no jacked-up pickup trucks in France). We're used to space.

In Europe, it's the opposite. Houses are modest, they live in two room city apartments, their cars are small - scooters or pedal bikes thrive on the narrow streets. Washrooms are uni-sex and make a broom closet seem expansive.They meet in cafes because there isn't room at home to cook and have guests. They're outside more because inside is sweltering and cramped. These people don't need social media to stay in touch - they're already rubbing shoulders.

Ours is a different world. But that doesn't mean we can't strive for a healthy balance between living life and posting about it. If you're feeling overwhelmed by social media, you just might need a plan of action to rein it in. While we may not be able to send you to Paris, Bridge will have you looking up at the world again in no time.

Strategy key to keeping above water

2011-07-06T08:52:00.000-06:00

When a good friend received her latest publishing contract last week, she forwarded it to me - not because she could barely contain her excitement (though that was certainly part of it.)

But rather, to point out a number of *new* clauses that had her raising her eyebrows. Under the marketing heading, her publisher had asked several specific questions:

1. Do you have a social media marketing strategy?
2. Do you have a blog? How many followers do you have? How often do you maintain your blog?
3. Do you have a Facebook author page? A fan page? How often is it maintained? How many friends/fans do you have?
4. Do you have a Twitter account? How many tweets a day do you post? How many followers do you have?
5. Are you connected on any other social media sites? Please specify.
6. How much time do you spend maintaining your social media sites weekly? Daily?

Whew!

My friend IS quite socially connected, and could answer all of the publisher's questions - but something about her responses made her uncomfortable. She spends about an hour a day keeping up with her Facebook, Twitter and blog - but suddenly wondered whether she was doing enough.

She isn't alone. Over the past few months, my e-mail inbox has been flooded with requests from new and established authors asking - or begging - me to "add" them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.

These requests are normal, even old hat. But what's new is the prefacing statement I've seen much more frequently as of late: My publisher has asked me to boost my social media presence. Can you please help by adding me on _____________.

Navigating the social media waters can be overwhelming. Keeping up with friend requests and blogs you're following is tough enough without adding your own site maintenance to the ever-growing to do list. But it doesn't have to be.

Too often, we plunge into the deep without a full understanding of what's beneath the surface. Without a clear map, it's easy to get lost - and difficult to stand out in a crowd. It's not enough to just have 5000 Facebook friends. It isn't enough to tweet when you remember. Not if you're using social media for more than keeping in touch with family.

Whether you're new to social media, or you were one of the first to join Facebook, it might be time to look at creating or revising a marketing strategy.

- Dawn

PS - Not sure how to develop a social media marketing plan? Looking for creative ways to integrate your ideas? Bridge can help!

Bridge welcomes Jessica Bell

2011-06-29T12:36:00.000-06:00

If Jessica Bell could choose only one creative mentor, she’d give the role to Euterope, the Greek muse of music and lyrics.

And not because she currently lives in Greece, either.

The Australian-native author certainly has her roots firmly planted in music, and admits inspiration often stems from lyrics she’s written. The daughter of a semi-famous rock and roll duo, Jessica grew up surrounded by song – it seems logical she would travel a similar path. Over the year’s she’s written, and recorded, dozens of songs…but that’s where the similarities with her mom and dad end.

Jessica has no aspirations of being a rock-and-roll legend.

But she will be known for her writing.

She began her career as a poet, drawing from her musical background and etching her thoughts and feelings onto a lined notepad with a freshly sharpened pencil. Those stanzas soon turned into sentences and paragraphs, and in November 2011, Jessica’s debut novel, String Bridge, will be published by Lucky Press, Inc. Two months ago, she self-published a collection of raw, edgy poems called, Twisted Velvet Chains.

You only have to read one poem, or the first chapter of her novel, to understand how music has magically influenced her fiction. Her prose has a wonderful lyrical quality that transcends preconceived (and often incorrect) literary boundaries. As Jessica would concede, every word, every sentence, every paragraph is written and re-written until the page sings.

And what a voice she offers. Nevermind the astounding soundtrack of haunting original tracks Jessica has produced for her debut novel, her author voice is sharp, witty, and positively dripping with talent.

Jessica’s work overflows with exquisite description, perfect metaphors, tight dialogue, and brilliant use of sensory detail. Somehow she has the ability to take a seemingly ordinary three-chord type story and turn it into a mainstage event.

But isn’t that what being a songwriter - a poet - a storyteller - is all about?

Want to connect with Jessica? Who wouldn't! Guess what? She's fully connected on the social media network:
Follow her blog: The Alliterative Allomorph
Check out her Facebook
Connect with her on Twitter

And check out this incredible trailer for String Bridge, published November 2011 by Lucky Press, LLC

Marketing to DIE for: Social Media for Authors

2011-06-09T17:38:00.000-06:00

This is an article originally published in the May/June issue of WestWord, the Writers Guild of Alberta magazine. While it's already a smidge dated (Myspace reference), there's loads of great info about social media and its impact on a bevy of young adult fiction authors in various stages of their publishing careers.

It's longish, but goodish. ;)

Marketing to Die for: Social Media for Authors

By Judith Graves and Co. (authors from The Class of 2k10)

Newbie and pro authors alike are hacking and slashing their way through the battlefield called Social Media (SM) on a quest to get the most bang for their virtual bucks. SM is the blanket term for an ever growing number of “Internet-based applications…that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content.” (Thanks, Wikipedia).

Basically the Internet has become a medium for businesses (and yes, authors are sole proprietors) to connect with customers on a social platform that then encourages those customers to go forth and spread the word about products—all without the business needing a hefty marketing budget. The currency of SM is time, and it’s challenging to know where that time is best invested.

I wanted to get a feel for how other authors, in various stages of their careers are handling the SM storm. As a member of the Class of 2k10, a collective of 23 debut young adult and middle grade authors from across North America, I figured the Class was a reasonable demographic to poll. We started out with a group of shiny new authors, authors who have been published previously in non-fiction or adult fiction, peppy middle-aged authors with burgeoning computer skills, and perky young things bursting to tell you about their new iPhone app.

Most members of the Class had a website or blog before they were published. Denise Jaden (Losing Faith, Simon Pulse) had great success with hers. “My website was helpful in the agency search, as I found out my agent loved several of my projects, not just the one I was querying, when it came time for her to offer representation.” This is especially true when connecting with young adults says Alexandra Diaz (Of All the Stupid Things, Egmont USA). “I think any author, particularly with children's books where the readers don't know a world without Internet, would be doing themselves a disfavor by not having at least a website.” Once she had a contract, Kristina McBride (The Tension of Opposites, Egmont USA) was keen to develop a web presence. “After I accepted the deal, I realized I was way behind the other authors who would be published in 2010, and scrambled to join everything I thought I could manage.”

Some may argue that a web presence isn’t necessary, says Leah Cypess (Mistwood, Greenwillow/HarperCollins). “There are plenty of successful authors—Megan Whalen Turner, for example—who have almost none. But as a debut author, I think you're stacking the odds against yourself [if you don’t].” And at the extreme end of the SM spectrum is Shannon Delany’s (13 to Life, St. Martin’s Press) road to publication story. “I won the first-ever cell phone novel contest in the western world, which essentially required me to be involved online through Textnovel.com and encouraged the creation of a directly related blog and my involvement in Storycasting.com. My web presence wasn’t huge, but I recognized a need for it early on. After winning, it was in part due to an online press release (another bit of online presence) that I got contacted by a movie producer and an editor at the publishing house I eventually signed with.” If that doesn’t convince you, nothing will.

Not only is having an SM presence helpful with getting published, it’s also a great way to interact with your audience. And believe me, you want to interact. SM is one whopping word-of-mouth machine. However, the buzz will be short-lived if you reduce SM to the equivalent of an infomercial. “Be a real person, not an ad,” advises Jeri Smith-Ready (Shade, Simon Pulse). Smith-Ready, author of the WVMP Radio series of adult novels is making her teen debut in 2010. “To me, social media is about forming relationships. Talk to people. Don’t think of it as a billboard for your latest book; think of it as a way to make new friends. I believe that with any kind of “networking” (ugh, I hate that word), relationships should always come first—be a nice person and the rest will follow.”

SM has also created veritable social butterflies out of dungeon-bound authors. Janet Fox (Faithful, Speak/Penguin Group) “I like connecting with people "virtually"—I have a lot of friends I've never met but feel connected to.” And through Internet-based groups like the Class of 2k10, “it's one thing to work all day alone in one's office on a work of fiction, but it's another to spend lonely times fretting about all the other issues (publicity, marketing, research, etc.) I love having a community I can turn to for support.” Michele Corriel (Fairview Felines: A Newspaper Mystery, Blooming Tree/Tire Swing Press) feels “it's vital to participate in everything I can to make sure when my book hits the stores people know about it. I also love
the companionship among the authors [in the Class]. It's so nice to know we are all
sharing this unique experience together. It's not just the advantage we
have as a group, but the group itself.” Bonnie J. Doerr (Island Sting, Leap Books), loves the support. “We share leads, news, ideas, successes, and disappointments, both personal and professional. I finally have siblings! Lots of them.”

For blogs, Class members use Blogger and LiveJournal. ARCs (advance reader copies) and/or swag giveaways generate the most traffic. “I’ve done blog talk radio and have several more BTR shows lined up,” says Delany. “I’ve hosted blog tours for other authors in the past and am doing one to coincide with my book’s release in June.” Author blogs and websites work in many ways, says Shari Maurer (Change of Heart, WestSide Books), “When people are learning about your book, they like to be able to go to a website to get more detailed info. Plus, the bloggers often seem to head to my website when they want to learn more about me or Change of Heart. Many of them use my book description, straight from the website, so I'm guessing they've been there.”

MySpace is waning, while Facebook is great for casual conversations with readers and other authors. Author /reading specific sites like Goodreads, JacketFlap, and IndieBound are great for building a fan base and endearing oneself with independent booksellers. Twitter has been a fantastic resource for spreading the word about the Class, as well as building buzz for our releases. There are infinite promotional opportunities with Twitter book release parties, hashtag chats, trending topics, and re-tweets. It can be overwhelming. Swati Avasthi (Split, Knopf) admits, “I have found some of it a little confusing at times. I'm not sure, even now, that I understand what makes a good tweet.” [NOTE: Check out the fabulous blogger, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, (http://www.inkygirl.com/a-writers-guide-to-twitter). She has created an invaluable list of Twitter tips.] Building on the popularity of YouTube, and our increasingly visual natures, booktrailers (mini movies based on your book) and vlogs (blogging with video) are powerful media forms for authors.

SM has influenced all of our writing careers, often just 140 characters at a time. Our advice? It’s best to explore the various sites and see what fits your personality. Jaden has a great approach. “I figured I’d give everything a fair shot, try it for a while, and if it felt uncomfortable or forced, I’d probably drop it. I haven’t felt that way with anything to this point.” Once the SM bug hits, it’s addicting. “It's exciting to see my book being talked about!” says Avasthi, “I love finding reviews or conversations about my book. I think the buzz has been wonderful.” Reviews from bloggers can drive buzz and result in swift sales. Cypess shares, “I've been fortunate in that so far, the bloggers have been very kind to Mistwood, and I think it definitely has built up some buzz. There have been a number of readers, including librarians, who have said things along the lines of, I've wanted to read this book ever since I read X's review.” SM allows for more casual author/reader interactions. Smith-Ready agrees. “For younger people, the Internet is more integrated into their lives, and from what I’ve heard, teens want a closer relationship with authors than adults do. When I was a teenager, my imagination was intensely engaged with the characters I read in books or watched on TV. So I’m looking forward to discussing Shade with readers who have that level of interest in what the characters are thinking and feeling.”

Once you’re firmly in the grip of SM, your next challenge will be finding a balance between writing for promotional purposes and writing your work in progress. Fox admits, “Sometimes I need to shut it off myself—leave it alone so that I can truly be creative.” Doerr feels the same, “I MUST learn to control the social media. Right now it seems to be controlling me. I need to find time to return to my writing.” McBride will be launching a series of blog posts “where I’m attempting to list all the helpful resources that I used to make the jump from aspiring author to professional author.” I’m sure SM advice will be a large part of her discussion.

In short, the ways and means of utilizing SM are limited only by your creativity. Delany admits, “If I’d debuted even just five years ago none of these things would have occurred to me, but now they’re becoming second nature.”

Find out more information about the authors quoted in this article at www.classof2k10.com. And if you’re feeling brave, follow me at http://www.twitter.com/judithgraves.