Moving Forward With My Marketing Campaign 


I've hired a talented sketch artist to create "Profile Art" of the a select few main characters of Amethyst. These collectible sketches will be made available as part of the incentive package for my upcoming fundraiser. The story of Amethyst is told by Milican as he experiences the world around him. I like reading first person POV books and that's why I choose this point of view. I take the reader into Milican's thoughts along with a secondary main character who torments my troubled Milican. The artist now has a physical description of Milican, his motorcycle and a unique piece of art painted on his helmet.

I'm excited to see what she comes up with as a depiction of main character, Milican! 

www.Facebook.com/Amethyst-Discussion-Group/bookmark

www.Facebook.com/The-Platinum-Series-Amethyst/bookmark

Finished the 'author's edit'

I have finished my personal editing but as we all know we as authors really can't edit our own work. Amethyst still needs the professional touch to give it the polish it deserves. I'm looking into several options at this point. In talks with a self-publisher about going that route.
 
Also I'm working on my query letter to send out with my submissions to traditional publishers. This letter has to be perfect to have a chance to be noticed by a publishing house. So as you can tell I'm on the fence about my options. Self- publishing equates to getting my book in the hands of the readers sooner but I have to put the funds upfront, ouch, before I receive any profits from the sell of those books. Transitional publishing equates to a lengthy process of searching for a house to pick my book up to print, the possibilities of advances upfront then additional royalties after the sales.
 
I've given bits & pieces of the manuscript to trusted friends for their feedback and I've started to incorporate their suggestions into the book.

In the meantime I'm writing the follow up book, Garnet with a steady flow of the storyline playing like a movie in my head. The characters are telling me the story and I just have to type it. They live in me, constantly deciding new paths to take so I follow along to enjoy the ride. They fascinate me with their struggle and triumphs.

I can't wait to share them with the world, Stephanie J

The Debate

  Traditional Publishing or Self-Publishing? The pro's & con's... Traditional route, I may not picked up in a timely manner but the pay off could big substantial. They could love it and give me an advance to put it simply. Have more public announcement of the book through media channels.

  Self- Publish, I pay to have my book published up front but it's costly despite the reasonable payment plans. They, too have media access but I'd be paying for it out of pocket. Ouch, it's steep. I would need to sell 2,00 copies to be considered a best-seller & then 'maybe' just maybe a traditional publisher would be more interested in Amethyst & The Platinum Series as well. 
  
  All of this will be a waiting game hoping to get noticed. But the book needs tons of editing & revisions at this point. I'm doing what I can but I'm not an expert on such things. I'll get The Platinum Series: Amethyst in the hands of the readers as soon as I can. I know you're all anxious to read the story. I've been working on this for almost a complete year, March 28, by brother Patrick's birthday , it will one full year. 
  
 I'm so excited to have the feedback on whether or not my audience responds to my characters, Milican who struggles with life and love and his health. Amelia & Garreth, his parents, Link the best friend, Lily & Vivian as love interests and a large cast of supporting roles of interesting people, more tid bits to come. Thanks, Stephanie =D

  The lead man in Amethyst was named Merrick in earlier postings but I've since changed it to Milican. Zackariah Milican Merricks will be his full name in the books of The Platinum Series including Amethyst. I felt that I had to change it now due the popularity of Anne Rice's book entitled 'Merrick'. And since they are both are vampire books/stories, I didn't want to deal with any controversy therein.
  I had originally chosen Merrick as a version of my maiden name of Merricks so I simply switched it back to a surname replaced the 's' at the end. It sounds better that way anyhow, in my opinion. The name Milican is also a family name it was my Great-Grandfather's first name. I wanted to give my lead character an easily distinguishable name and one that had sentimental meaning to me and my family. My Grandmother was so pleased to hear that I was using her Father's name as the lead in my book. I have since added other family members as important characters throughout the book. Like an alias name Milican will use is my late Grandfather Archie Lee Thompson but I changed it to Archie Harrison Lee. Harrison is also a name ancestor. My family who will read will undoubtedly find hidden gems like this all over the book.
   I wanted to pay respect to my family who made me who I am by honoring them with roles in my books. So they're always the 'good guys'.