Category Archives: Marketing your novel

July 17, 2015 · 4:56 pm

I’m happy to share my latest reviews and news ~ Exciting stuff!

There have been a lot of positive vibes on line in the last month about ‘Murder, Now and Then’.

Here are a few of the reviews:

Karen Dahood of www.bookpleasures.com

Many many thanks to Karen for that one, and she kindly mentioned it on her own blog too:

Are you a silver surfer? about one of my characters, Elizabeth.

Then Rose English gave the novel 3 roses, her highest accolade:

https://roseenglishukauthor.wordpress.com

Thanks Rose. I am most grateful.

Wow! I’ve reached Barnes and Noble.

and hushushbiz.com.

One I’ve already mentioned, but I’m really proud of is a five star review on

Reader’s Favorite

There are a few more on Amazon too!

… and finally an author I have enjoyed reading, MJ Moores on her Infinite Pathways.

Just to remind you, if you live in the Bedfordshire area I’m giving a talk in The Swan Hotel, Bedford, the posh one on theSwan Murder Flyer

bridge and Embankment. It is a beautiful setting for a talk ‘Murder in the Library’ at The Swan – tea and cake included in the £5 entry ~ excellent value ~ which needs to be booked.

Here’s a link to Love Bedford for more details, with whom I am indebted for arranging this exciting event, which starts at 2pm on 3rd August.

Why not make an afternoon of it and pop in and join me for lunch beforehand, in their wood panelled foyer?

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July 10, 2015 · 7:12 pm

The Swan Hotel Bedford – Steeped in History and Surrounded by Character

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The Swan Hotel Bedford

The Swan Hotel Bedford was rebuilt by Henry Holland for The Duke of Bedford in the 18th Century and is an imposing building on the Embankment, the River Ouse flowing beside it – is a perfect place for walkers, runner and rowers. Bedford Bridge was probably originally wooden and built by the Saxons but it was the Victorians who first enjoyed the suspension footbridge further along the Embankment, probably the most photographed view of Bedford. The hotel is virtually opposite St Paul’s Church and the Market Place and so it is a

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The Embankment Bedford

central location for the town and spots of historical significance.

Castle Mound is next to the hotel and The Cecil Higgins Museum and Art Gallery is within the grounds behind the castle. Only a few minutes walk you can reach The Bunyan Centre, a museum dedicated to Bunyan and close to the place where it is alleged that he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress – many landmarks of which are in Bedfordshire. Another interesting and unusual place within east walking distance is the Panacea Museum, described as ‘a garden of Eden in the Centre of Bedford.’

Recently refurbished, The Swan Hotel oozes history with its chandeliers and wooden panelled stairs and yet their lunch menu is reasonably priced and would be a haven after a busy morning shopping or visiting the sites.  I have not been to the spa but have put it on my ‘to do’ list, having seen the photos on the hotel website.

I am excited that I will be holding an event at The Swan Hotel on August 3rd at 2pm.  ‘Murder in the Library’ – a fantastic setting to talk about local history and how an unsolved murder near the village of Wishamstead in 1919, inspired me to write my murder mystery ‘Murder, Now and Then.’ This will be accompanied by tea and cake, all for £5, but it needs to be booked.

You can either let me know and I’ll put you on the list or, better still, pop into the hotel reception or give them a call.

Swan Hotel Reception:  01234 346 565  email: info@bedfordswanhotel.co.uk

or contact me: diana@dianamaryjackson.co.uk

Swan Murder Flyer

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June 22, 2015 · 4:27 pm

The ‘Taylor Swift’ Factor and why it has empowered me – No More Free Books

I was heartened when I listened to the report on singer Taylor Swift’s stand on royalties for singers against Apple and thrilled that they have capitulated.

I am neither famous, nor do I have the same following as Taylor Swift – I apologize but I hadn’t heard of her until today, but I quite like the sound of her music. I vowed to keep up to date with the music world but since I no longer teach 16 to 19 year olds, that promise has slipped somewhat, and I find my taste going backwards rather than forwards – bring back The Zombies I say, or Fleetwood Mac.

I digress. I received a royalty report from KDP yesterday and out of the 112 downloads over 90 of them were free. It was my own decision to have two free promotion days, encouraged by the hard working Indie Lit Fest 2016 committee, and I was extremely happy with the publicity and to be involved, but the book in question, ‘Ancasta Guide me Swiftly Home’ took two years to research and write and another six months to bring it out into print in a professional manner – including a custom made book cover and paying several hundreds for an edit and proof read.

I have made a decision.

You don’t have a plumber popping by and saying, ‘Oh, you can have this service on me,’ or a car insurance firm saying, ‘You’ve been such a loyal customer, you can have the next year on the house.’ No!

Our work has a value and if we believe in it I feel we should make a stand.

From now onwards I will have promotional days for my novels when I reduce them, to say 99p – I may write some related short stories which I will give away for free too, but I will never give away books – except for the original promotional purposes, reviews, to thank those people who have supported me so much along the way or for a competition or special giveaway when a signed novel is lovingly posted to the prize winner.

Who is joining me in this writer’s revolution? (or can convince me otherwise?)

Do you know, now that I’ve said this I feel soooo much better.

What about you? What do you think?

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