Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2024 and #IWSG Distractions

I have won because all of my posts are posted. (There were some issues getting a few to post at the intended times.) I wish I had pre-scheduled all of them like I usually do, but life didn't work out. I did visit and comment on about 80 blogs in April.

• Do you believe your blog saw an increase in traffic and comments during April 2024?

Yes. Not as much as in previous years, though.

• Did you check the MasterList to be sure your entry was correct?

Yes. 

• Will you do the challenge again next year?

Yes. 

• Have you followed the social media of the A to Z Challenge?

Yes. 

• What was your favorite comment left by another A to Z participant on your blog during the challenge? 🏆

This one, on the first day, is probably my favorite from the month.

• Did any other A to Z participant make you and your blog feel especially valued this year?

Yes. Ronel, our wonderful graphics person. Her comments really got me through this year. 

📣

Also, a huge thanks and shout-out to Natalie Aguirre, Locksley, Timothy S. Brannan, Frewin55, Donna B. McNicol, and TWW for your comments.

• Do you have a favorite blog that you found during the challenge this year?

Yes.  https://coinofnote.com/ A history blog with ancient coins. Love it! @CoinOfNote

• Do you feel you had a positive impact on the Blogging Community during the hop?

Yes, I hope so!

• Did you invite or encourage any other bloggers to join the challenge?

Yes. 

• Will you consider doing the challenge again next year?

Yes, you betcha! 

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Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com

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InsecureWritersSupportGroup.com

Shout-out to Alex and the awesome co-hosts for today: Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

May 1 question - How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

I hate distractions. "I love you, but leave me alone for an hour." 

Yup, they derail me, especially if I have to do something about the distraction. If whatever the distraction is can be done in less than five minutes, I'm fine. Any longer, it'll take me out of my mindset. 

Zero Errors #AtoZChallenge

Zero errors...

Nothing, seriously nothing, will cause errors to be found like publishing.

What will you do when readers find your mistakes?

Do you fix them and re-upload your manuscript so future readers have a better experience? 

Sometimes there are limits to the number or corrected copies allowed. But most self-publishers allow chances to update fixes.

• Even the most famous authors make mistakes.
• Different styles make some errors debatable. 

 

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Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com

You Want More Books #AtoZChallenge

You want more books.

Because readers may want more. One book can sell another. If a reader likes a book, they might see what else the author has to offer. This is why many authors give short stories away for joining email lists and such. They like the free sample, they come back for more. 🤞 That's the hope and goal.

So don't stop at just one. Write more books. Enter more writing contests. Keep readers coming back for more and telling others about you. Keep making connections. 

 

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Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com

X, Facebook, Instagram, and the Social Media Promotion Circle #AtoZChallenge

Promoting a book using social media is almost required nowadays. Doing it too often will annoy your followers and cause them to flee. People don't want to just see ads. (Proof is in the people who will pay extra on streaming services to not see commercials.) 

Your fans do want to know you have a new release.

They just don't want to be "hit over the head" with the message constantly.

Getting five followers to share a post about your new release is known to be good for sales. More so if those shared posts get liked and shared. Likes give you evidence that someone saw the post. 

The Social-media Promotion Circle:

First, a possible reader learns your book exists via social media.

Second, that possible reader goes to the buy site and considers your book.

Third, your possible reader acquires your book.

Ideal Fourth, the reader leaves a review and gives stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Astounding Fifth, the reader shares their thoughts about your book on their social media!

🤩 Magical Sixth, followers of that reader learn your book exists. ⭕ Circle repeats.

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Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com

Winner for Contest #AtoZChallenge

If you held a contest, mention your winner. Congratulate them on your blog and social media.

https://jlennidorner.blogspot.com/2024/04/find-title-atozchallenge-win.html  I appreciate the comments, but I'm not sure that I found any extra title suggestions I especially want to use. "Dark Bequest," was pretty close though. Thank you, Frewin55. 

Maybe 

Dark Bequest at the Shamlin Ruins

Thoughts?

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Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com

Verify Publication #AtozChallenge

Verify Publication

Tale as old as ... well, as old as self-publishing online.

You think you've done everything right. Uploaded your correctly formatted manuscript, correctly sized cover, spell-checked book description, and intriguing author biography. 

But then the publication date rolls around, and your precious book isn't for sale?

First, Amazon uses the Pacific timezone. So it might not be available until a certain time during the hours they use.

Second, something could be wrong. Contacting customer service is known to have mixed results.

Ideally, have a friend buy a copy on release day to verify that it works, that they get the product you intended, and that everything looks as you desire. 

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Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com

Update Profiles #AtoZChallenge

This was touched on yesterday. Update your social media profiles and biographies to include your new publication. Books sell better when readers know they exist. 

This may seem like a foolish checklist item. But consider if someone writes a nice review and tries to tag you when they share on social media. How do they know they've found the right author? There are new sites cropping up all the time. Maybe you don't have one listed in your book bio because it didn't exist at the time of publication. This is why it's best to keep sites updated as much as possible.
 

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Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com