A big thank you to readers of my books and this blog and
I hope you have a peaceful and enjoyable festive season
Cheers!
See you in the New Year!
Category Archives: Author Diana Jackson
16 Years of Blog Posts ~ What Next?
I began this blog on 9th December 2009, the year my first book RIDUNA was published by Pegasus Elliot McKenzie, 16 years ago.
There are many good reasons for authors to write blog post regularly. Here are mine:
- To publish writing news, events, appearances
- To continue to hone my writing skills for an audience
- To give background information about my books
- To give back to other authors by writing reviews and sharing the love of books
- To give readers a snippet of a picture of my life
- To have a continued presence on the internet
What have I enjoyed over the years?
- Interacting with readers
- sharing my writing life
- Receiving unexpected twitter messages or emails in response to posts
- the discipline of writing, albeit in small chunks
What I have not enjoyed?
- The self imposed pressure of writing posts when my mind is blank
- The worry from time to time that I don’t get many comments or likes, even though I’m content that my posts are reaching readers by checking the stats
- When the posts no longer came out on Twitter automatically.
Although I can’t say categorically that the effort has sold a huge number of books, it is a vital part of my author profile; my platform highlighting myself as an author.
What next?
I am having a break for a month to refresh, revitalise and relax and so hopefully, God willing, I will be back in January 2026.
Enjoy the festive season and for Christians among you, Have a joyous Christmas!
Filed under Author Diana Jackson, Blogs, Events, Writing
Free Advertising Advice to Budding Authors
A fellow writer said the other day,
‘It seems you can only succeed with your first novel if have a lot of money to burn.’
I mumbled some incoherent reply, but dwelt on it for a week or so. I decided I totally disagree, although I know what you do need is
time, determination, a willingness to try different avenues and a bit of personality.
Now, I have been in a bit of a lull since covid for various reasons, but many of the strategies I used before that time, are still pertinent today.
Write a blog
- Prove to the public that you can write.
- Keep a dialogue going.
- Ignore the number of likes and comments, just be pleased when you get them and always reply with thanks.
- Check stats from time to time.
- Don’t span but be creative as to how you advertise your own book, books. (background to writing, inspiration, location, similar books.
- Have guest authors and write reviews of other authors.
Use at least one other social media site
- For graphics and visuals use Instagram or Pinterest
- For reaching out to authors and readers by snappy phrases, sentences and news use Twitter, Blue Sky
- For videos there’s TikTok
- For a mixture there’s Facebook
- For reaching out to professionals and being serious about your author entrepreneurship use LikedIn
All the above can be free, including writing blogs.
Substack
Explore Substack, the most recent platform on which you can even make money for your writing. Some people have changed from their blog to Substack and have paying subscribers.
In Summary
None of the above are a panacea for lacking in sales of books, or no funds to pay for adverts, (which, incidentally, you can do on many of the above platforms for greater reach) and all need consistency and enthusiasm, reaching out to fellow authors and new and existing fans and readers.
Why don’t you make is a resolution for 2026 to have a go with at least two of the above!
If not, why not?
Happy writing …
Diana Jackson 