Chanticleer Book Reviews

Tag: Chanticleer Authors Conference

  • The Official List of the Chanticleer 2014 Grand Prize Winners of the Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions

    The Official List of the Chanticleer 2014 Grand Prize Winners of the Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions

    Blue-Ribbons-300x2001.jpgWe are excited and honored to have announced the 2014 grand prize award winners at the second annual Chanticleer Authors Conference’s  Awards Banquet held on Tuesday, Sept. 29th, 2015 at the Hotel Bellwether by beautiful Bellingham Bay, Wash.

    Our next Awards Banquet will be held on April 30th, 2016, for the 2015 winners. Enter your book or manuscript in a contest, today!

     

    CBR– Discovering Today’s Best Books with the CBR BLUE RIBBON Writing Competitions!  

    The Chanticleer Grand Prize Award 2014 for Overall Best Book:

    Gregory Erich PhillipsThe Love of Finished Years (Manuscript) by Gregory Erich Phillips

    Gregory Erich Phillips was awarded the $1,000.00 Grand Prize Cash Award and the gorgeous Chanticleer Grand Prize Blue Ribbon along with his digital badge and golden stickers when the work is published. This is the first time a manuscript has won this prize!

     

    The Chanticleer Genre Grand Prize 2014 Winners are as follows:

    Enemy of Existence Yuan JurThe Cygnus Grand Prize for SciFi and Fantasy Fiction 2014 was awarded to: 

    Citadel 7, Earth’s Secret: Enemy of Existence
    by Yuan Jur

    View Cygnus Category 1st Place Winners

    five thousand brothers in law Shannon hagerThe Journey Grand Prize Ribbon for Narrative Non-fiction 2014 was awarded to:

    Five Thousand Brothers-In-Law: Love in Angola Prison
    by Shannon Hager

    View Journey Category 1st Place Winners

    The Only Clue Pamela BeasonThe M&M Grand Prize Ribbon for Mystery & Mayhem Fiction 2014 was awarded to:

    The Only Clue: A Neema Mystery
    by Pamela Beason

    View Mystery & Mayhem Category 1st Place Winners

    Legacy Jesikah SundinThe Dante Rossetti Grand Prize Ribbon for YA Fiction 2014 was awarded to:

    Legacy: Biodome Chronicles Book One
    by Jesikah Sundin

    View Dante Rossetti Category 1st Place Winners

    Gregory Erich PhillipsThe Chaucer Grand Prize Ribbon for Historical Fiction 2014 was awarded to:

    The Love of Finished Years (Manuscript)
    by Gregory Erich Phillips

    View Chaucer Category 1st Place Winners

    Not on My Mountain Jared McVayThe Laramie Grand Prize Ribbon for Western, Pioneer, Civil War Fiction 2014 was awarded to:

    Not On My Mountain
    by Jared McVay

    View Laramie Category 1st Place Winners

    Find Me Again Janet ShawgoThe Chatelaine Grand Prize Ribbon for Women’s Fiction and Romantic Fiction 2014 was awarded to:

    Find Me Again
    by Janet Shawgo

    View Chatelaine Category 1st Place Winners

    The Red Ribbon Rachel B LedgeThe CLUE Grand Prize Ribbon for Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Fiction 2014 was awarded to:

    The Red Ribbon
    by Rachel B. Ledge

    View CLUE Category 1st Place Winners

    An Ex to Grind In Deadwood Ann CharlesThe Paranormal Grand Prize Ribbon for Paranormal/Supernatural Fiction 2014 was awarded to:

    An Ex to Grind in Deadwood
    by Ann Charles

    View Paranormal Category 1st Place Winners

    The Manipulator Steve LundinThe Somerset Grand Prize Ribbon for Literary, Contemporary, & Mainstream Fiction 2014 was awarded to:

    The Manipulator
    by Steve Lundin

    View Somerset Category 1st Place Winners

    Now this is something to CROW about!

    Enter Your Book or Manuscript in a contest!

    Please note that the above awards are for submissions that we received in 2014. The award winners were acknowledge at the 2015 annual Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Banquet on Tuesday, Sept. 29th,2015.  The 2013 award winners were recognized at the inaugural Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards held September 2014. The winners of the 2015 Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions (works entered in 2015) will be recognized at the 2016 Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Banquet held in April 2016.

    We invite you to read the Chanticleer editorial book reviews of these stellar works. The reviews will be published on our website and in the Chanticleer Reviews online magazine. If they are not currently posted, they will be posted as they are reviewed! Congratulations, again, to the authors of these stellar works!   

    We are currently accepting works into the 2015 Paranormal and Somerset Writing Competitions and are accepting 2016 entries: CBR International Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions.

    We would like to thank our sponsors who make the Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions and the Chanticleer Authors Conference possible.

     

  • Chanticleer Authors Conference 2015 Schedule

    Chanticleer Authors Conference 2015 Schedule

    cac3-150x1501.pngSchedule of Sessions at the Chanticleer Authors Conference 2015

    This is the projected schedule as of September 22, 2015. Please check back frequently for updates and more details. Thank you!

    To find out more information about the presenters and their sessions, please click here! 

    Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 CAC15 Sessions and Events will take place at the Bellingham Yacht Club at Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, Wash. 

    9:00 a.m. Registration Opens in the BYC Lounge

    9:30 a.m.  Saturday  Sessions @ BYC

    • Fireplace Room: Characterization—Creating Memorable Characters to Keep Your Readers Coming Back – Pamela Beason, award winning author, private investigator, editor
    • Ward Room:  Social Media Savvy for Authors: Building and Author Platform Using the Best Social Sites for YOUR Audience, presented by Shari Stauch, CEO of Where Writers Win

    10:45 a.m. Saturday Sessions  @ BYC

    • Fireplace Room:  Community Marketing – James R. Wells
    • Ward Room: Platforms (not shoes!): How to Position Yourself as Expert on a Topic – Cami Ostman

    12:00  Saturday Casual Luncheon (included) in the BYC Lounge 

    1:10 p.m. Sessions and Workshops begin @ BYC

    • Fireplace Room: WattPad Wonderful, presented by Amanda June Hagarty
    • Ward Room: Barnes and Noble’s New Publishing Platform, presented by Stefanie Winger, Barnes and Noble Community Development Manager
    • Main Lounge:  BOOK COVERS – What you need to know – a ‘no holding back’ conversation! presented by Kiffer Brown

    2:10 p.m. Sessions – Saturday

    • Fireplace Room: Kindle World: What is it? And How Do You Get Your Works on this Elite Amazon Marketing Platform – Janet Oakley, award-winning author writing in a Kindle World.
    • Ward Room: How to Use BOOKS I LOVE App to Build Book Buzz,  presented by Elizabeth DiMarco

    3:10 p.m. Sessions – Saturday  

    • Fireplace Room: How Barnes and Noble Services Can Help You Increase Your Readership and Book Sales, presented by Stefanie Winger of Barnes & Noble
    • Ward Room: Taming Your Inner Critic by Cami Ostman, author, family therapist and a life coach.

    4:10 p.m. Saturday DAILY PANEL DISCUSSION in the WARD ROOM – Ask the Panel Anything (almost anything) 

    5:10 It’s Happy Hour at the Bellingham Yacht Club – The Bar is Officially Open! 

    6:00 p.m.  Casual Dinner at the  BYC

    7:30 p.m. The Penny Stinkers Band starts – dancing sure to follow

    SUNDAY, September 27 – CAC 15 moves to the Hotel Bellwether

    Registration will be held in the Bellwether Ballroom

    • Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.
    • Sessions begin at 9:10 p.m. daily

    Coffee & Tea will be available in the Bellwether Ballroom

    Exhibitors and Sponsor Tables will be in set-up in the Bellwether Ballroom 

    The CAC 15 Book Room will open at 11 a.m. in the Bellwether Ballroom’s Atrium.

    • Book Room is OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC:
      • 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (Sept. 27, 28, & 29)
    • Book Room will be open for CAC participants at 9:30 a.m.

    9:10 – 10:10 Sessions – Sunday

    • Sub-genres in Fantasy and Science Fiction and How It Relates to Reader Expectations, presented by Lindsay Schopher, Steampunk Author and Writing Coach – Board Room
    • 7 Steps to a Great Author Website: It’s All About Function vs. Form, presented by Shari Stauch of Where Writers Win – Admiral’s Room
    • Riding the Radio Tiger, presented by John Trudel – Compass Room

    10:10 – 11:00 Sessions – Sunday

    • Rev up Your Writing Process with Agile Project Management, presented by Tom Wise and Nancy Bechtel-Wise – Compass Room
    • Story Telling in a Modern World, presented by Diane Isaacs – Admiral’s Room
    • Kaffee Klatsch  – Creating Your Indie Marketing Plan with Susan Colleen Browne – Bellwether Ballroom

    10:30 – 11:30 Bublish Webinar – Sunday

    • BUBLISH – How to Use Bublish, presented by Kathy Meis, CEO of Bublish and Joy Caps, Marketing Director – Board Room

    11:10 – 12:00 noon Sessions – Sunday

    • Digital Writers: Cutting Edge Resources and Tools of the Trade, presented by Dawn Groves, International Communications Expert – Admiral’s Room
    • Like Icarus Taking a Selfie: Driving Sales with eBook Discount Promotions – James R. Wells – Compass Room

    12:10 Luncheon with Keynote Presenter: Diane Isaacs, Bellwether Ballroom

    Sessions resume at 1:10 – Sunday  (Sessions are 40 – 50 minutes including Q&A unless otherwise noted).

    1:10 – 2:10 Sessions – Sunday

    • Website Options for Authors, presented by Rochelle Parry, Megabite Design – Board Room
    • My SciFi Publishing Journey, presented by Ben Coles, Titan Books – Board Room
    • Blogging for Writers: Doing the Least to Generate the Most, presented by Dawn Groves, Inter’l Communications Expert – Compass Room

    2:10 – 3:10 Sessions – Sunday

    • The Book Pitch, presented by Sara Stamey, Book Doctor – Compass Room
    • Creating Original Worlds, presented by Lindsay Schopher – Board Room
    • Book to Film Labyrinth – the art of loglines, high concepting and pitching, presented by Diane Isaacs – Admiral’s Room

    3:10 – 4:10 Sessions – Sunday

    • How to Set-up Mailchimp by Rochelle Parry, Megabite Design – Board Room
    • Children’s Books in Today’s Market, presented by Ben Coles, publisher of Promontory Press – Compass Room
    • Continuity Editing Tools and Tips, presented Diane Garland, Continuity Editor – Admiral’s Room
    • Kaffee Klatsch: Social Shenanigans, presented by Social Media Master Amanda June Hagarty – Ballroom Room

    4:10 – 5:10 Sessions – Sunday

    • Increase Your Author Website’s Traffic with SEO Optimization, presented by Gary Pickering, CEO of CLICKMONSTER – Board Room
    • Discoverability Tools & Strategic Planning for Heightened Visibility – PDQ, presented by Kiffer Brown – Compass Room
    • Daily Panel – Sunday – SciFi Fiction Authors – Admiral’s Room
      • Robert Slater
      • James R. Wells
      • Vijay Laksham
      • Jesikah Sundin
      • Moderated by Ben Coles, author of the Virtues of War series with Titan Books

     “Appy Hours” sponsored by BOOKS I LOVE mobile app – A New Book Discovery Tool

     The Book Room will be open.

    Official Opening Night Dinner with a Short Keynote Presentation by Cami Ostman begins at seven o’clock in the evening at the Bellwether Ballroom

    Monday, Sept. 28 the CAC15 continues at the Hotel Bellwether

    • Registration will be available in the Bellwether Ballroom’s Atrium beginning at 8:30 a.m.
    • The BOOK ROOM will be open to attendees and presenters at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
    • The BOOK ROOM will be open to the GENERAL PUBLIC at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
    • Exhibitors, Sponsorship Information, Coffee and Tea, etc. will be n the Ballroom
    • Sessions are 40 to 50 minutes including Q & A time unless otherwise noted

    9:10 – 10:00 Sessions – Monday

    • Managing Your Author Marketing Resources presented by Lindsay Schopher, Writing Coach — Board Room
    • How to be a Best Seller? It’s All About the Influence! How to Grow Your Audience Using Key Industry Influencers, presented by Shari Stauch, CEO of Where Writers Win — Admiral’s Room
    • Planning a Series – Pamela Beason  (ninety minutes) – Compass  Room

    10:10 – 11:00 Sessions – Monday

    • Working with Illustrators and Illustrations –  Ben Coles – Admiral’s Room 
    • Planning a Series continues – Pamela Beason – Compass Room
    • Kaffee Klatsch with Diane Isaacs and Kiffer Brown – The Ballroom

    10:30 – 11:30 Session Webinar

    • Creating TOMA (Top of Mind Awareness) with Readers presented by Joy Capps, Bublish – Compass Room

    11:10 – 12:00 Sessions – Monday

    • Riding the RADIO Tiger, presented by John Trudel – Compass Room
    • The State of Independent Publishing Panel Moderated by Sean Curley – Admiral’s Room
    • Creating TOMA Webinar continues until 11:30 – Board Room

    Monday Luncheon with Keynote Presentation by Diane Isaacs 12:10 in the Bellwether Ballroom

    Sessions continue at 1:10 p.m.

    1:10  Sessions – Monday

    • Community Marketing, presented by  James R. Wells – Board Room 
    • The First Five Pages, presented by Jennifer Snow – Compass Room
    • Compound Interest for Your Books, presented by Christine Smith – Admiral’s Room

    2:10 Sessions – Monday

    • WattPad Wonderful, presented by Amanda June  Hagarty – Compass Room
    • Book Buzz Your Way, presented by Kayce Hughlett – Board Room
    • Five Pillars of Engaging Readers, presented by Kiffer Brown – Admiral’s Room

    3:10 Sessions – Monday

    • Websites for Authors, presented by Rochelle Parry, Megabite Design – Board Room
    • Kindle World, presented by Janet Oakley – Compass Room 
    • Understanding Book Distribution, presented by Ben Coles – Admiral’s Room
    • Kaffee Katsch: Selling to Millennials and Digital Natives – Fox Deatry  – The Ball Room

    4:10  Sessions – Monday 

    • Increasing Author’s Website Traffic Using SEO Optimization, presented by Gary Pickering, CEO ClickMonster –  Board Room
    • Traditional Publishing from Pitch to Contract and Beyond, presented by Jennifer Snow – Compass Room
    • Daily Panel – Admiral’s Room

    5:10 – 5:40 AUTHORS’ PANEL Discussion in the Ballroom – Open to the Public

    “Appy Hours” sponsored by BOOKS I LOVE mobile app begins at 5:15 – Cash Bar; Complimentary Appetizers

    7:30 p.m. Join up with a restaurant group or strike out of your own! 

     

    TUESDAY, September 29th is AWARDS Banquet and Gala Evening 

    • Registration will be available in the Bellwether Ballroom’s Atrium beginning at 8:30 a.m.
    • The BOOK ROOM will be open to attendees and presenters at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
    • The BOOK ROOM will be open to the GENERAL PUBLIC at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
    • Exhibitors, Sponsorship Information, Coffee and Tea, etc. will be n the Ballroom
    • Sessions are 40 to 50 minutes including Q & A time unless otherwise noted

    9:10 Sessions – Tuesday

    • Top Twenty: “Outside the Box” Book Marketing Ideas! How Thinking About Your Readers Will Sell More Books, presented by Shari Stauch, Where Writers Win C.E.O. – Admiral’s Room
    • Keeping it Short: Writing Novellas, Novelettes, and Short Fiction to Enhance Your Writing Career and Increase Your Readership, presented by Susan Colleen Browne – Board Room
    • Selling to The Trade, presented by Bennett Coles – Compass Room

    10:10 Sessions – Tuesday

    • ACX – Audio Books: How to Make Your Books Available on this Platform for Today’s Busy Readers, presented by Janet Oakley – Compass Room
    • Like Icarus Taking a  Selfie – Driving Sales with Epub promotions – James R. Wells – Admiral’s Room
    • Kaffee Klatsch – Increasing Your Internet Identity’s Foot Print, presented by Kiffer Brown,  Christine Smith,  Amanda Hagarty, & Fox Deatry – The Ballroom

    10:30 – 11:30 Session – Bublish Webinar – Tuesday

    • Marketing with Metadata, presented by Kathy Meis, CEO Bublish – Board Room

    11:10 Sessions – Tuesday

    • Branding for Authors, presented by Steve Lundin – Admiral’s Room
    • Cooperative Book Publishing, presented by Sara Stamey of Bookview Cafe – Compass Room

    12:10 Luncheon with Keynote Presentation by Shari Stauch at Noon in the Bellwether Ballroom

    Sessions resume at 1:10 p.m.

    1:10 Sessions – Tuesday

    • SHOW ME THE MONEY: Pricing Strategies for Indie, Hybrid, Traditional, Digital E-books, and Print – Running Real-World Publishing Numbers –Discussion led by Pamela Beason, Susan Colleen Browne, and Ben Coles – Admiral’s Room
    • Continuity Editing Tools & Tips, presented by Diane Garland – Board Room
    • BOOKS I LOVE App – the App that Creates Book Buzz – Be on the forefront! Learn how to install, use the app, and share on social media. BookSnips, Happenings, Author Events, and More, presented by Elizabeth DiMarco, CEO of Books I Love app. Compass Room

    2:10 Sessions – Tuesday 

    • Yipida – a new platform for selling books, presented by Paul Wegenast, CEO of Yipida – Admiral’s Room
    • Children’s Books Market, presented by MaryAnn Kohl, Literary Agent/Publisher – Board Room
    • Marketing Business Models for Authors, presented by Jennifer Snow – Compass Room

    3:10  p.m. Special Session with Robert Dugoni, #1 Amazon Selling & New York Times Bestselling Thriller Author, will present a special session in the Ballroom.

    4:30 Daily Panel Discussion with Robert Dugoni – The Future of Publishing will be held in the Admiral’s Room

    5:45 Book Signing in the Ballroom Atrium

    6:30 Appetizers Served in the Ballroom 

    “Appy Hours” sponsored by BOOKS I LOVE mobile app

    The Chanticleer Writing Competitions Awards Banquet and Gala begins at 7:00 in the evening in the Ballroom

    Opening Remarks will be made by Robert Dugoni.

    After Awards Cocktail gathering to continue at the Hotel Bellwether’s Fireplace Bar and Lounge. Don’t miss out on the fun!

    Please continue to check back as we update the schedule and add more detailed information.

    Stay tuned!

    Please email KBrown@ChantiReviews.com for more information.

  • The SOMERSET 2014 AWARDS First Place Category Winners for Literary and Blended Genre Fiction

    The SOMERSET 2014 AWARDS First Place Category Winners for Literary and Blended Genre Fiction

    Chanticleer Book Reviews is honored to announce the First Place Category Winners for the SOMERSET  AWARDS 2014 for Literary and Blended Genre Fiction, a division of Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions.

    SomersetThe SOMERSET Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Literary and Blended Genre Fiction. The First Place Category Winners will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala held in late September 2015.

     

     

     

    Congratulations to The SOMERSET FIRST PLACE Category 2014 Award Winners:

    • Social Issues:  Thomas McNeely for Ghost Horse
    • Satire: Steve Lundin for The Manipulator, a Private Life in Public Relations
    • Literary: Tom Glenn for No-Accounts, Dare Mighty Things
    • Contemporary: Judith Kirscht for Home Fires
    • New Adult: Tanya Fife for Lost and Found in Missing Lake 
    • YA/Juvenile Fiction:  E. F. Winters for Memeloose, The Island of the Dead
    • Adventures/Suspense: Jim Hennigan  for Recording a Kill
    • International Intrigue: Rian Everest for The Tangerine Trio
    • Mainstream: Nancy Adair for Soon Coming
    • Women’s Fiction: Jessica H. Stone for The Last Outrageous Woman
    • Blended Literary Fiction: Michael Olin-Hitt for The Homegoing 

    Honorary Mentions:

    • Enid Harlow for Good to Her
    • Thomas Whaley for Leaving Montana
    • Kate McKenna for True Stories of Local Heroes
    • Angela Brackeen for Lark, in Her Element
    • Laurie Fitzpatrick for Niello
    • Michael Hurley for The Vineyard
    • Ken Swarmer for Family of the Year

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    To view the 2014 Somerset Finalists whose works made it to the short list, please click here.

    Good Luck to the Somerset First Place Category Winners as they compete for the Somerset AWARDS 2014 GRAND PRIZE position!

    The 1st Place Category Winners compete for the SOMERSET AWARDS 2014 GRAND PRIZE position. The 2014 SOMERSET category winner was announced at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala in September 2015. See the Grand Prize Winners.

    The deadline for The SOMERSET Awards 2014 was November 30, 2014.
    The deadline for The SOMERSET Awards 2015 is November 30, 2015.

    GRAND PRIZE Overall SOMERSET  Awards 2013 Winner was:

    Jeremy Bullia for Individually Wrapped

    The OVERALL CHANTICLEER GRAND PRIZE WINNER for 2013 came from the Somerset Awards: Michael Hurley for The Prodigal

    To view the 2013 SOMERSET Award Winners, please click here.

    To enter the 2015 SOMERSET  Awards, please click here. The deadline is November  30, 2015.

    To enter your work into a Chanticleer Writing Competition, please click here. 

    CBR’s rigorous writing competition standards are the reason literary agencies seek out our winning manuscripts and self-published novels. Our high standards are also another reason our reviews are trusted among booksellers and book distributors.Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media, L.L.C. retains the right to not declare “default winners.” Winning works are decided upon merit only. Please visit our Contest Details page for more information about our writing contest guidelines.

    Please do not hesitate to contact Info@ChantiReviews.com with any questions, concerns, or suggestions about CBR writing competitions. Your input and suggestions are important to us.

    Thank you for your interest in Chanticleer Book Reviews international writing competitions.

  • Awards Banquet Information, Books By the Bay Book Fair, and the Chanticleer Authors Conference

    Awards Banquet Information, Books By the Bay Book Fair, and the Chanticleer Authors Conference

    cac3-150x1502.pngIn less than 3 weeks, the Chanticleer Authors Conference, with Awards Banquet, and the 3 Day Book Fair will begin (CAC15)! It is an exciting and busy time here at Chanticleer Reviews!

    We’ve had requests for more information about the annual  4 day CAC15 event that will take place on September 26, 27, 28, & 29, (Saturday through Tuesday Evening) 2015 in Bellingham, Wash. Of course, there is more detailed information on the Chanticleer Reviews website.

    Here is a quick synopsis of what to expect at CAC15.

    First of all, attendees may register for the complete four days, three days,  two days, one day, or just the Awards Banquet day. There are many options to choose from to accommodate most schedules.

    Lodging is available at the Hotel Bellwether, rates starting at $189 per evening OR the Lakeway Best Western, rates starting at $118 per night including shuttle service to and from the Lakeway.

    Saturday, Sept. 26th sessions and events will take place at the Bellingham Yacht Club, at Squalicum Harbor on beautiful Bellingham Bay.

    • Registrations open from 9 a.m.  until 5 p.m.
    • Coffee, tea, and soda will be available along with snacks (included with registration)
    • Sessions begin at 9:30
    • Casual Luncheon (included with registration)12:30
    • Sessions restart at 1:30
    • Last session ends at 4:45 p.m.
    • “Appy Hours” sponsored by Books I Love will begin at 5 p.m.
    • BYC opens doors to membership
      • Cash (no host) Bar available
      • Appetizers will be provided
    • Casual dinner buffet begins at 6:15 (included with registration)
    • The Penny Stinkers Band (live music and dancing) starts at 7:30 p.m.

    Sunpdf2015 conf-poster-11x17print-outlines (1) (2)day, Sept. 27th we move to the luxurious Hotel Bellwether located on beautiful Bellingham Bay and the BOOKS By the BAY BOOK FESTIVAL begins!

    • Registration open from 8:30 until 5 p.m. at the Hotel Ballroom Foyer.
    • Book Room Manager will be available for Book Drop-off beginning at 9 a.m. at the Hotel Ballroom Foyer.
    • Coffee and Tea will be available adjacent to the Book Room and Exhibitor’s Hall
    • Sessions begin at 9 a.m.
    • Book Room open from 11 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
    • Keynote Luncheon Presentation begins at 12:30
    • Sessions begin at 1:30
    • Author Panel Discussions (open to the public) 4 p.m.
    • “Appy Hours” presented by Books I Love begins at 5 p.m.
    •  Cash No-host bar
      • Appetizers available at 6 p.m. (included)
    • Book Room closes at ~6:30 p.m.
    • Buffet Dinner with Announcements and Keynote Speakers 7:00 p.m.
    • The party continues at the Lighthouse Bar at the Hotel Bellwether

    Monday, Sept. 28th the conference continues at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether located on beautiful Bellingham Bay.

    • Registration open from 8:30 until 5 p.m. at the Hotel Ballroom Foyer.
    • Coffee and Tea will be available adjacent to the Book Room and Exhibitor’s Hall
    • Be sure to sign up for reserved spaces at local restaurants. Sign-up sheets will be located at the registration table. Each restaurant group will have a Dinner Diva or Divo to lead the way. All are with walking distance.
    • Sessions begin at 9 a.m.
    • Book Room open from 11 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
    • Keynote Luncheon Presentation begins at 12:30
    • Sessions begin at 1:30
    • Author Panel Discussions (open to the public)
    • “Appy Hours” cocktail networking presented by Books I Love begins at 5 p.m.
      • Cash No-host bar
      • Appetizers available at 6 p.m. (included–adjacent to Book Room and Open Bar)
    • Book Room closes at ~6:30 p.m.
    • Dinner Time: Reservations with Chanticleer’s Dinner Divas and Divos at begin 7:15 – 7:30
      • The Hearthfire
      • Giuseppe’s Al Porto
      • Kiru Kiru Sushi
      • Anthony’s Seafood
      • The Lighthouse at the Hotel Bellwether
      • The Loft (casual dining)
      • Nicky’s Bella Marina (the best Fish and Chips in town/Burgers/fresh salmon ) located near the BYC — very casual.
    • The party continues at the Lighthouse Bar at the Hotel Bellwether

    Tuesday, Sept. 29th  Tonight is the Awards Banquet at the Hotel Bellwether Ballroom

    • Registration open from 8:30 until 6:30 p.m. at the Hotel Ballroom Foyer.
    • Coffee and Tea will be available adjacent to the Book Room and Exhibitor’s Hall
    • Sessions begin at 9 a.m.
    • Book Room open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
    • Keynote Luncheon Presentation begins at 12:30
    • Sessions begin at 1:30
    • “Appy Hours” cocktail networking time presented by Books I Love begins at 5 p.m.
    • Author Panel Discussions (open to the public)
      • Cash No-host bar
      • Appetizers available at 6 p.m. (included)
    • Book Room closes at ~7 p.m.
    • The Annual Chanticleer Awards Dinner with Announcements followed by the Chanticleer Awards Ceremony 7:15 p.m.
    • The celebration party continues at the Lighthouse Bar at the Hotel Bellwether

    Blue-Ribbons-300x2001.jpg

    What May First Place Award Winners Expect at CAC15:

     

     

    • First Place Awards Designation on Name-tag
    • Gold Award Seals for books (seals will be placed on award winning books that will be for sale in the book room) and will be given to First Place Award Winners upon picking up registration packets.
    • Priority for Book Signing Events at Books By the Bay
    • Recognition at the Awards Banquet (on screen)
    • Presentation of Chanticleer Blue Ribbons at Awards Ceremony – on stage
    • Group photo with other 1st Place Award Winners of the related genre
    •  All First Place Category Winners will compete for the Overall Genre Grand Prize (i.e., CLUE, CYGNUS, Chatelaine, etc.)
    • The Grand Prize GENRE Award Winners will be announced after all First Place Category Winners (in attendance) for all genres have been recognized.
    • The Overall Genre Winners will compete for the CHANTICLEER BEST BOOK GRAND PRIZE of $1,000 will be the last award announced

    Any Finalists attending will be asked to stand and be recognized at the Chanticleer Awards Banquet.

    The Books By the Bay Book Fair will be held at the Hotel Bellwether on Sun., Mon., & Tues. from 11 a..m. until 6:30 p.m. The book room will be open to the general public for 3 days. Parking and admission is free.

    Upon picking up your name badge and program, you will receive your gold stickers to put on your books in the book room. If your books were shipped ahead, we will adhere the stickers to the winning titles.

    And then a few weeks later, you will receive your digital badges to use for websites, digital media, Internet and Social Media, and your winning title will be placed in the queue for receiving its Chanticleer Book Review package. And, of course, there will be more goodies to come!

    Bublish

     

     

    • Each 2014 First in Category winner of each genre competition will receive a 6-month subscription to Bublish’s Authorpreneur Dashboard.  Winners will be contacted by email after the Genre’s Official List of First in Category Winners has been posted on the Chanticleer Reviews website. 
    • Each of the Ten Genre Grand Prize  winners will receive a 1-year subscription to Bublish’s Authorpreneur Dashboard and a one-hour social media intensive session with Bublish professional social media experts (a $370 value for  each of the Ten Genre Grand Prize Winners). Prize to be awarded at the 2015 Chanticleer Authors Conference Awards Banquet for Best Books 2014.  
    • The Chanticleer Overall Grand prize winner will receive one-week of social promotions of their book through all Bublish social outlets (Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Pinterest) AND an email blast to all Bublish readers.  This is valued at $500 for the week of social promotions and $225 for the email blast.  Prize to be awarded at the 2015 Chanticleer Authors Conference Awards Banquet for Best Books 2014.  

    Now that is something to CROW about!

    Don’t Delay! Register Today! 

    If you decide to attend, please accept these discount codes to use for registration:

    • $100 off from 3 or 4 day package: D4MQ9J2UD72M
    • $50 off from the one or two day registration package: 50OFFCWCCAC15

    https://www.chantireviews.com/save-the-date/

    If you are planning to attend, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can send you information about the book room, etc.

    Don’t delay! Register for CAC15 today!

    There are also conference specials for two different hotels at two different rates. These can be found on the website.

    As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at KBrown@ChantiReviews.com

    THE SCHEDULE WILL BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY! Thank you for your patience!

  • The PARANORMAL 2014 AWARDS First Place Category Winners for Paranormal and Supernatural Fiction

    The PARANORMAL 2014 AWARDS First Place Category Winners for Paranormal and Supernatural Fiction

    Chanticleer Book Reviews is honored to announce the First Place Category Winners for the PARANORMAL  AWARDS 2014 for Supernatural Powers and Paranormal Fiction, a division of Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions.

    paranormalawards for supernatural storiiesThe PARANORMAL Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of  Supernatural Powers  and Paranormal Fiction. The First Place Category Winners will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala held in late September 2015.

     

     

    Congratulations to The PARANORMAL FIRST PLACE Category 2014 Award Winners:

    • Blended Genre: Ann Charles for An Ex to Grind
    • Urban/Edgy:  Stephen Cost for The Fall  
    • Contemporary Gothic: Linda Watkins for Mateguas Island  
    • Time Travel/Shifts: Norman L. Johnson  for Disappeared
    • International Thriller: John Trudel for Raven’s Run
    • YA:  Alan Burke for Jesse
    • New Adult: D.L. Koontz  for Crossing into Mystic
    • Angels and Demons: Lisa Voisin for The Angel Killer
    • Legends and Lore: Nikki Broadwell for Just Another Sunset
    • Adult Paranormal: Jennifer Kohout for Storm
    • Supernatural/Mystery: Sara Stamey  for Islands 

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    To view the 2014 PARANORMAL Finalists whose works made it to the short list, please click here.

    Good Luck to the PARANORMAL First Place Category Winners as they compete for the CLUE AWARDS 2014 GRAND PRIZE position!

    The 1st Place Category Winners compete for the PARANORMAL AWARDS 2014 GRAND PRIZE position. The 2014 PARANORMAL category winner was announced at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala in September 2015. See the Grand Prize Winners.

    The deadline for The PARANORMAL Awards 2014 was October 31, 2014.
    The deadline for The PARANORMAL Awards 2015 is October 31, 2015.

    GRAND PRIZE Overall PARANORMAL  Awards 2013 Winner was:

    The_Watcher_Final_Cover_60Lisa Voisin for The Watcher

    To view the 2013 PARANORMAL Award Winners, please click here.

    To enter the 2015 PARANORMAL  Awards, please click here. The deadline is October  31, 2015.

    To enter your work into a Chanticleer Writing Competition, please click here. 

    CBR’s rigorous writing competition standards are the reason literary agencies seek out our winning manuscripts and self-published novels. Our high standards are also another reason our reviews are trusted among booksellers and book distributors.Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media, L.L.C. retains the right to not declare “default winners.” Winning works are decided upon merit only. Please visit our Contest Details page for more information about our writing contest guidelines.

    Please do not hesitate to contact Info@ChantiReviews.com with any questions, concerns, or suggestions about CBR writing competitions. Your input and suggestions are important to us.

    Thank you for your interest in Chanticleer Book Reviews international writing competitions.

  • The CLUE 2014 AWARDS FIRST PLACE Category Winners for Suspense and Thriller Novels

    The CLUE 2014 AWARDS FIRST PLACE Category Winners for Suspense and Thriller Novels

    Chanticleer Book Reviews is honored to announce the First Place Category Winners for the CLUE  AWARDS 2014 for Suspense and Thriller Novels, a division of Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions.

    Clue Awards for Suspense Thriller NovelsThe CLUE Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of  Suspense and Thriller Fiction. The First Place Category Winners will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala held in late September 2015.

    Chanticleer Reviews is proud to be a literary affiliate of the Historical Novel Society.

    Congratulations to The CLUE FIRST PLACE Category 2014 Award Winners:

    • Historical: Rachel B. Ledge for The Red Ribbon  
    • Romantic Suspense: Mimi Barbour for Special Agent Francesca  
    • International Intrigue/World Events: Lawrence Verigin for The Dark Seed
    • Contemporary Mystery/Suspense: Pamela Beason for The Only Clue
    • Private Eye/Noir:  Keith Dixon for The Bleak
    • Police Procedural: Jode Susan Millman for The Midnight Call
    • Spy/Espionage: Michelle Daniel for The Red Circle
    • Psychological Thriller: Rebecca Nolen for Deadly Thyme
    • Cozy/Amateur Sleuth: JoAnn Basset for I’m Kona Love You Forever
    • True Crime: Gayle Nix Jackson for Orville Nix: The Missing JFK Assassination Film 

    Honorable Mention:  Susan Holmes, Deadly Ties, A Waterside Kennels Mystery  

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    To view the 2014 CLUE Finalists whose works made it to the short list, please click here.

    Good Luck to the CLUE First Place Category Winners as they compete for the CLUE AWARDS 2014 GRAND PRIZE position!

    The 1st Place Category Winners compete for the CLUE AWARDS 2014 GRAND PRIZE position. The 2014 CLUE category winner was announced at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala in September 2015. See the Grand Prize Winners.

    The deadline for The CLUE Awards 2014 was September 30, 2014.
    The deadline for The CLUE  Awards 2015 is September 30, 2015.

    GRAND PRIZE Overall CLUE Awards 2013 Winner is:

    cover3Clyde Curley for Raggedy Man

    To view the 2013 CLUE Award Winners, please click here.

    To enter the 2015 CLUE  Awards, please click here. The deadline is September 30, 2015.

     

    To enter your work into a Chanticleer Writing Competition, please click here. 

     

     

     

    CBR’s rigorous writing competition standards are the reason literary agencies seek out our winning manuscripts and self-published novels. Our high standards are also another reason our reviews are trusted among booksellers and book distributors.Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media, L.L.C. retains the right to not declare “default winners.” Winning works are decided upon merit only. Please visit our Contest Details page for more information about our writing contest guidelines.

    Please do not hesitate to contact Info@ChantiReviews.com with any questions, concerns, or suggestions about CBR writing competitions. Your input and suggestions are important to us.

    Thank you for your interest in Chanticleer Book Reviews international writing competitions.

  • The SOMERSET AWARDS for Literary and Contemporary Fiction 2014 Official Finalist Listing

    The SOMERSET AWARDS for Literary and Contemporary Fiction 2014 Official Finalist Listing

    The Somerset Awards writing competition recognizes emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of  Literary and Contemporary Fiction. The Somerset Awards is a division of the Chanticleer Awards International Writing Competitions.

    SomersetWe are pleased to announce the SOMERSET  Awards Official Finalists List for 2014, otherwise known as the “Short List.” The Official Finalists Listing is comprised of entries that have passed the first three rounds of judging from  the entire field of entrants. To pass the first three rounds of judging, more than sixty pages of the works below  have been read and have deemed worthy by the CBR judges of continuing in competition for the SOMERSET Awards FIRST IN CATEGORY positions and their prize packages.

    Congratulations to the SOMERSET AWARDS 2014 FINALISTS:

    • Steve Lundin  for The Manipulator: A Private Life in Public Relations  
    • Emily Ruth Verona for Steady is the Fall
    • Ken Swarner  for Family of the Year 
    • Nancy Adair for Soon Coming 
    • Nathan Smith Hips for The Misfit’s Companion
    • Patrick M. Garry  for Finding Flipper Frank
    • Jim Musgrave for Freak Story: 1967 – 1969
    • Thomas H. McNeely for Ghost Horse
    • Michael A. Smith for Lightening’s Child
    • Kate McKenna  for True Stories of Local Heroes 
    • Ian Bull  for The Picture Kills
    • Jim Henniger for Recording a Kill
    • Laurie Fitzpatrick  for Niello
    • Michael Olin-Hitt for The Homegoing
    • Rian Everest for The Tangerine Trio
    • Michael Hurley  for The Vineyard
    • Jodie Bain for Inside the Walls of Matacalli City Zoo
    • Janet K. Shawgo  for Find Me Again 
    • Thomas Whaley for Leaving Montana
    • Faith McCune for Duffy’s World
    • Angela Brackeen for Lark, in Her Element
    • Rebecca L. Matthews for The Light Within 
    • Judy Kelly for That Ever Dies So Young
    • Tanya Fyfe for Lost and Found in Missing Lake
    • Drew O’Brien for The Sin of Mother Mary
    • Jessica H. Stone for The Last Outrageous Woman on Earth
    • Tom Glenn for No-Accounts
    • Maren Higbee  for Lana Fray and the Grand Plan
    • Jacab Larison for The Ones We Leave Behind
    • E.F. Winters for MEMELOOSE: The Island of the Dead
    • Enid Harlow for Good to Her
    • Kenneth Stokes for His Father’s Eyes, His Father’s Words, & His Father’s Ways 
    • Ginger Cucolo for The Knoll
    • Judith Kirscht  for Home Fires 
    • Roni Teson for Twist
    • Nicki Royall Peet for The Shaman’s Daughter
    • Diane Finfrock Farrar for The Door of the Heart
    • Jim Gillian for The SADM Project

    Good luck to all the Somerset Awards Finalists who made the Short List as they compete for the First In Category Positions!

    More than $30,000 dollars in cash and prizes will be awarded to Chanticleer International Blue Ribbon Awards Winners annually.

    cac3The SOMERSET First Place  Category award winners will compete for the SOMERSET Grand Prize Award for Best Literary  and Contemporary Novel 2014. Grand Prize winners, blue ribbons, and prizes will be announced and awarded on September 29th at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala, Bellingham, Wash.

    The First In Category award winners will receive an award package including a complimentary book review, digital award badges, shelf talkers, book stickers, and more.

    We are now accepting entries into the 2015  SOMERSET Awards. The deadline is November 30, 2015. Click here for more information or to enter.

    More than $30,000 worth of cash and prizes will be awarded to the 2015 Chanticleer Novel Writing Competition winners! Ten genres to enter your novels and compete on an international level.

    Who will take home the $1,000 purse this September at the Chanticleer Awards Gala and Banquet?

    Last year’s Chanticleer Grand Prize winner was Michael Hurley for The Prodigal.

    Last year’s SOMERSET GRAND PRIZE Award winner was Jeremy Bullian  for Individually Wrapped.

  • The PARANORMAL AWARDS for Supernatural Fiction 2014 Official Finalist Listing

    The PARANORMAL AWARDS for Supernatural Fiction 2014 Official Finalist Listing

    The Paranormal Awards writing competition recognizes emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of  Supernatural Fiction and Legends & Lore. The PARANORMAL Awards is a division of the Chanticleer Awards International Writing Competitions.

    paranormalawards for supernatural storiiesWe are pleased to announce the PARANORMAL Awards Official Finalists List for 2014, otherwise known as the “Short List.” The Official Finalists Listing is comprised of entries that have passed the first three rounds of judging from  the entire field of entrants. To pass the first three rounds of judging, more than sixty pages of the works below  have been read and have deemed worthy by the CBR judges of continuing in competition for the PARANORMAL FIRST IN CATEGORY positions and their prize packages.

    Congratulations to the PARANORMAL AWARDS 2014 FINALISTS:

    • Kim Hornsby  for The Dream Jumper’s Secret  
    • Norman L. Johnson, M.D. for Disappeared 
    • Glen Alan Burke for Jesse
    • Stephen Cost for The Fall
    • John D. Trudel for Raven’s Run 
    • Ashling Gowell  for Cryptic Thoughts
    • Lisa Voisin for The Angel Killer
    • Melinda Viergever Inman for  Refuge
    • Sara Stamey for Islands
    • Nicolas del Pozo  for Time Spent Apart 
    • Linda Watkins for Mateguas Island 
    • Brian M. Oldman for Arena of God
    • L.A. Wild  for Chance the Darkness
    • R.E. Steedman  for Falling
    • Joanne Jaytanie  for Chasing Victory & Payton’s Pursuit
    • Catherina Constantine for Wickedly They Come
    • Ann Charles for An Ex to Grind 
    • Nikki Broadwell for Just Another Desert Sunset
    • Monte French for Mischief, Mayhem, and the Blue Men of Minch
    • Janet K. Shawgo  for Find Me Again 
    • E.E. Holmes for Spirit Prophecy: Book 2 
    • Kaylin McFarren for Buried Threads
    • AVH Conover for Clare
    • Jennifer Kohout for Storm
    • Erica Stevens for Captured
    • Rebecca Nolen for The Dry
    • Karen Monahan Fernandes for Strega
    • Linda L. Creel for Eyes of Aeden
    • Debra K. Roberson and D. L. Koontz for Crossing into the Mystic
    • Laura Fitzpatrick for Niello
    • Bruce Rettig for Midnight Stone
    • Paula Heath for Quest: The British Vampire Series (Orphans of a Loveless God)
    • E.Z. Graves for Love Zombies of San Diego
    • Judith Ashley, Diana McCollum, & Sarah Raplee for Love & Magick: Mystical Stories of Romance
    • Jeff A. Clements for Aphilion

    Good luck to all the PARANORMAL Awards Finalists who made the Short List as they compete for the First In Category Positions!

    More than $30,000 dollars in cash and prizes will be awarded to Chanticleer International Blue Ribbon Awards Winners annually.

    cac3The PARANORMAL First Place  Category award winners will compete for the PARANORMAL Grand Prize Award for Best Supernatural and Paranormal Fiction Novel 2014. Grand Prize winners, blue ribbons, and prizes will be announced and awarded on September 29th at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala, Bellingham, Wash.

    The First In Category award winners will receive an award package including a complimentary book review, digital award badges, shelf talkers, book stickers, and more.

    We are now accepting entries into the 2015 PARANORMAL Awards. The deadline is October  31, 2015. Click here for more information or to enter.

    More than $30,000 worth of cash and prizes will be awarded to the 2015 Chanticleer Novel Writing Competition winners! Ten genres to enter your novels and compete on an international level.

    Who will take home the $1,000 purse this September at the Chanticleer Awards Gala and Banquet?

    Last year’s Chanticleer Grand Prize winner was Michael Hurley for The Prodigal.

    Last year’s PARANORMAL GRAND PRIZE Award winner was Lisa Voisin  for The Watcher.

     

     

  • The DANTE ROSSETTI 2014 AWARDS for Young Adult Fiction Official First Category Winners

    Chanticleer Book Reviews is honored to announce the First Place Category Winners for the DANTE ROSSETTI AWARDS 2014 for Young Adult Fiction, a division of Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions.

     

    Dante Rossetti Awards for YA FictionThe Dante Rossetti  Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Young Adult, T’weens, New Adult, & Children’s  fiction. The First Place Category Winners will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala held in late September 2015.

     

     

     

     

     

    The DANTE ROSSETTI FIRST PLACE 2014 Award Winners are:

    • Steampunk: Padgett Lively for Odette Speex: Time Traitors, Book 1
    • Contemporary: Gretchen Wing for The Flying Burgowski
    • CyberPunk: Jesikah Sundin for Legacy: The Biodome Chronicles, Book 1
    • Romance: Roni Teson for Twist
    • High Fantasy: S.A. Hunter for Elanraigh: The Vow
    • Blended Genre: Nely Cab for Fruit of Misfortune: Creatura Book 2
    • Science Fiction: Chris Pawlukiewicz for Dreams of a Red Horizon
    • Dystopian: Scott Smith for  An Outcast State
    • Mythological:  Stephanie Keyes for The Star Catcher
    • Lighthearted/Humorous:  Elizabeth Barlo: Ruth 66
    • New Adult:  Tiana Warner for Ice Massacre
    • Teen Fantasy: Elisabeth Hamill for Song Magick
    • Tweens : Mark Murphy  for The Curse of the Thrax
    • Children’s: Kirsten Pulioff for The Escape of Princess Madeline
    • Manuscript: Ben Hutchins for The Lackawanna Prophecies: Black Shadow
        
    • Honorable Mentions:  P. J. Martin for Riding with Crazy Horse (manuscript)

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    To view the Dante Rossetti 2014 Finalists  whose works made it to the short least.

    Good Luck to the Dante Rossetti First Place Category Winners as they compete for the Dante Rossetti Awards 2014 GRAND PRIZE position!

    The 1st Place Category Winners compete for the DANTE ROSSETTI AWARDS 2014 GRAND PRIZE position. The 2014 DANTE ROSSETTI category winner was announced at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala in September 2015. See the Grand Prize Winners.

    The deadline for entry submissions into the Dante Rossetti Awards 2014 was April 30, 2014.
    The deadline for entry submissions into the the Dante Rossetti Awards 2015 was April 30, 2015.

    GRAND PRIZE Overall Dante Rossetti Awards 2013 Winner was:

     th_148175890X-100x1501.jpgTom and Nancy Wise  for Borealis Genome

    To view the 2013  Dante Rossetti  Award Winners, please click here.

    To enter the 2016 Dante Rossetti Awards, please click here. The deadline is April 30, 2016.

     

    CBR’s rigorous writing competition standards are the reason literary agencies seek out our winning manuscripts and self-published novels. Our high standards are also another reason our reviews are trusted among booksellers and book distributors. Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media, L.L.C. retains the right to not declare “default winners.” Winning works are decided upon merit only. Please visit our Contest Details page for more information about our writing contest guidelines.

    Please do not hesitate to contact Info@ChantiReviews.com with any questions, concerns, or suggestions about CBR writing competitions. Your input and suggestions are important to us.

    Thank you for your interest in Chanticleer Book Reviews international writing competitions.

  • CAN YOUR BOOK SALES BENEFIT from SOCIAL MEDIA POSTINGS? by Kiffer Brown

    sharedcontentSocial Media takes time and effort to do effectively.

    Social Media has a steep learning ramp.

    Social Media is a moving target.

    Social Media doesn’t get direct one-to-one results.

    Social Media can be a pain in the neck and frustrating!

    So WHY do it?

    Because it does accelerate book sales—if done effectively!

    Here are some statistics and opinions from Expert Book Marketers and Publicists regarding Social Media:

    • Social Media builds Title and Author Brand Awareness
    • 75 percent of Readers who are actively ‘online’ say that Social Media influences their reading habits.
      • Keep in mind that 80 percent of Americans are on-line. The higher the education and household income levels, the greater the chance that a person in the U.S.A. will be online. The younger the adult, the more likely that they are on-line and connect to the Internet on a regular basis.
      • Internationally, there are more than three billion Internet users (Internet Live Stats).
    • Social Media is increasingly becoming one of the more effective methods of discovering new titles, book lists, and authors.
    • Word of Mouth Buzz is still the largest influencing factor in Reader decisions. According to Nielson’s studies, 92 percent of all buying decisions are influenced by Word of Mouth Buzz.
    • Social Media is increasingly becoming a new method of communicating “Word of Mouth Buzz.”
    • Focus on connecting with Facebook Friends and Twitter Followers—not just collecting them! Huge numbers of “Likes” and “Followers” do not insure WORD OF MOUTH BUZZ. Instead use effective content to connect with your Readers’ minds, hearts, and passions.
    • Four out of five marketing experts state that Social Media postings increase website traffic by driving new visitors and re-connecting previous visitors to their websites.

    All these points add up to gaining and maintaining Top of Mind Association with Readers! Social Media is an effective way to achieve and maintain ToMA.

    And ToMA creates Word of Mouth Buzz!

    • ToMA is built steadily.
      • Your postings should be consistent.
      • Your postings should engage your targeted Readers.
      • Your postings should help your Readers have something to talk about, to buzz about.
      • Your postings should help your Readers with their social media postings. What type of information, visuals, statistics, and buzz is interesting to your targeted Readers that they will find compelling enough to share with others?
    • Are you having to buy your FB Friends and Twitter Followers with prizes and free giveaways?  Instead of that, give them gifts out of appreciation for being part of your “Street Team,” or a loyal fan, or an evangelist about your work. Let potential Readers know how much you value your Readers! Build a following by creating ToMA!
    • Involve your Readers (and potential Readers) by asking them to share their opinions, and relevant experiences, and photos, etc. Connection is a two way street!
    • Social Media  will become more and more interactive. Word of Mouth is a real and natural conversation even if it using the latest in Internet technology.
      • Remember: To be interesting, be interested! Start a conversation, listen to what is being said, and then respond. 

    The bottom line is that WOM comes back to ToMA. Social Media postings can be an effective means to ToMA, thereby generating WOM. WOM is created by one person telling her friends about something (your book perchance?) and her friends telling their friends, and so on. In today’s digital world, the telling is also being done via the Internet and no longer just at the water cooler or over the backyard fence.

    To answer the question: Can Your Book Sales Benefit from Social Media Postings? I’d say, a resounding YES!

    Inform, Involve, Engage!

    peoplenetworking-1024x4861.png

    Kiffer-Brown-CBR-e1410393860379.jpgWe invite you to read Kiffer Brown’s blog posts on:

    Creating Shared Content to Engage Readers

    Creating Identity and Branding for Authors

    Establishing Credibility and Competence as an Author