My First Blog Tour

By Narelle Atkins 

Last week I had the privilege of touring my debut book, Falling for the Farmer, with the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA). I’m a co-founder of ACRBA with Jenny Blake, an Aussie reader-reviewer-blogger. ACRBA started touring books in 2012, and I’ve reviewed a number of Christian books (fiction, non-fiction and children’s) as a member of ACRBA.

Jenny and I established ACRBA because we wanted to support authors by helping them promote their books. If I’m too busy to read and review a particular book or it’s outside my area of interest, I can still post the basic book information on my blog during the tour week. 

It’s a different experience when you’re the author with a book being toured. The ACRBA Tours are free. The only cost to the author or publisher is providing print copies to the members who request a review copy of the book. Electronic review copies are an option, which works well for international authors who tour their books with us. There are no international postage expenses or delays in waiting for the print books to arrive in the mail.

I appreciate the ACRBA members who posted the tour information and reviewed Falling for the Farmer on their blogs. Book reviews are a blessing and, as authors, we need to value the readers who take the time to share their opinions on our books. 

I believe authors will gain more from their blog tours if they interact with the blog tour participants. Authors can leave a thank you message on each of the blog tour posts. Authors can also show their appreciation by sharing the blog tour links on social media eg. Facebook and Twitter.

Book marketing can sometimes feel like an ‘all about me’ exercise. How many times have we heard authors say: What can I do to get my book out there and increase book sales? Blog tours provide an opportunity to promote the blogs belonging to the readers who are helping to promote your book. 

Have you participated in a blog tour, either as an author or reviewer? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. 

NARELLE ATKINS writes contemporary inspirational romance and lives in Canberra, Australia. She sold her debut novel, set in Australia, to Harlequin's Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line in a 6-book contract. 

Her debut book, Falling for the Farmer, was a February 2014 release, followed by The Nurse's Perfect Match in May 2014, The Doctor's Return in August 2014, and Her Tycoon Hero in November 2014. 

Narelle blogs regularly with Australasian Christian Writers and Inspy Romance. http://australasianchristianwriters.blogspot.com/ 
http://www.inspyromance.com/ 

She is also a co-founder of the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA).
http://acrba.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.narelleatkins.com
Blog: http://narelleatkins.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarelleAtkinsAuthor
Twitter: @NarelleAtkins https://twitter.com/NarelleAtkins

A TRIBUTE TO THE "JENNY BLAKES" -- WRITERS' HELPERS

A few years ago, I heard online about a lady called Jenny. I can’t even remember now just when and where I started to hear of her.  At first she was often just mentioned as “ausjenny” and it was some considerable time before I discovered more about her.

Many authors overseas as well as in Australia now know her through her blog,  Come Meet Aus Jenny where she has featured many on interviews, told about their books. This kind of exposure is invaluable to published authors. I noticed that Lisa Harris mentioned in her post on ICFW last Tuesday that it is essential for a writer to "get the word out" about her book, and "ausjenny" may not even realise how much help she has been to us.

In the last few years, things have changed a great deal with many more blogs now available to try and follow. However, at that time I personally had a very heavy schedule and found it difficult to keep up with the internet writing scene, especially blogs, but this “ausjenny” was one of the first I heard about as being an Australian in this Christian fiction blog arena. Okay, so I know now I was  rather slow to catch on as she has had her blog for the last five years.  

For some time I did not even know her real name, did not know until this wonderful woman who was supporting authors overseas began to help and focus more on the increasing number of Australian authors published in Christian fiction. Then I discovered this prolific “Writers’ Helper” was not a writer herself, has no ambition to be a published author. Eventually the news filtered through that “ausjenny” was a Jenny Blake who loves books, especially Christian fiction and was a volunteer at an Australian Christian bookshop. That was only the beginning of my discovering her many and varied talents.

I know that the last few years have been a very tough time for dear Jenny with health and family, including the passing of her mother. But has that stopped her doing what she can where and when she can to help authors? No way!

This is just one personal example. My husband’s publisher told him he really needed to do more promotion for his 31 Day Devotional series. While I’ve had a website  for a while now and finally ventured into having a blog, Ray and I are both technically challenged in this whole modern era of the internet. A writer friend told me how good Jenny was at setting up blogs,  so who did we turn to for help? Jenny Blake of course and she was wonderful.

Since then Jenny has been very involved in helping start online ventures for Australian writers. Currently, with Narelle Atkins, she is one of the administrators of our Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance , and the last few weeks the new Australasian Christian Writers Yahoo group and the new Australasian Christian Writers  blog.  What would we do now without you, Jenny?

I believe there are other Writers Helpers that so often we never really know about. These days, published authors simply have to be involved on the World Wide Web and promotion in all kinds of areas so readers know our books are available.  There are others like Ray and I who need heaps of technical help. I know I still have to spend far more time on social media and promotion than I want to. It takes up valuable time I’d much rather spend writing my books. How much harder it would be without our Jenny Blake.

So, here’s a very big “Thank you” to all those folk who love books, who have no ambitions to be writers themselves but seek to support us in practical ways  - as well as praying for us. May we never be tempted to take your help for granted or forget to thank God for you.

And, dear Jenny, this is my personal thank you for all your support and prayers for Ray and I as well as the heart you so obviously have for Christian writers.

Would love to hear comments from other writers around the world about their own invaluable  “Jenny Blakes”.  Perhaps there are other readers who would love to help writers "get the word out" about Christian novels. There may be some authors reading this who personally have been also helped by our Aus Jenny Blake over the years.

Mary Hawkins lives in Tasmania, Australia, with her retired minister husband. They have three adult children and six grandchildren. She is the author of 19 titles and is delighted her Heartsong Presents contemporary Search series and historical Great Southland series are now  available for readers again as e-books through Truly Yours Digital Editions 

Why join a blog alliance? A reader’s perspective

by Narelle Atkins and Jenny Blake (aka Ausjenny)

Jenny and I recently set up the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA). During our many conversations, I asked Jenny to share what a reader would gain from belonging to a blog alliance. I understand authors need to build a marketing platform and blog tours are one way authors can interact with readers and promote their books online. But, what exactly are the benefits for readers who join a blog alliance?

Jenny: There are a few benefits for readers, one being free books to read. With so many new books coming out and the cost of books, receiving one or two free books a month to read and review is a real blessing. Readers also get to know new authors. Readers who join blog alliances and are faithful in posting reviews will sometimes find authors contact them to promote their books which leads to more free books to review. Also, being in an alliance can bring new readers to your blog and open new opportunities. One other benefit is the html is provided for the post so the only additional information to add is a book review if you request the book.

Narelle: What inspired you to start blogging?

Jenny: I actually fell into blogging. I joined Shelfari, a site where you can keep a record of books read, leave reviews and connect with other book lovers. On this site I met Rel from Relz Reviewz who also has a book blog for Christian fiction. Through her I came in contact with Camy Tang (Author) and her blog. I became a regular follower and Camy had a meme (a few questions to answer) on her blog and challenged others to post on their blog. I had to join Blogger to post on the blogs and decided I could have a blog to post reviews. Camy's challenge was my first real post. I then started posting reviews. This was December, 4 and a half years ago. When I posted my first author interview with Mary Connealy I was so excited. My blog has developed since then to include an author interview most weeks.

Narelle: What information do you include in a book review?

Jenny: In a review I tend to use information from the book blurb, my impressions of the book but I do not give information that happens after the first couple of chapters. Authors often have hidden gems in books. For example one book I read the hero had a brother with health issues that were more an issue to the hero. The hero is trying to contact him and he is not answering. The brother then turns up where the hero is which leads to a few other interesting turns of events. In this situation the Author hasn't mentioned the brother in the blurb or the first few chapters as it's a surprise for readers. I would not mention this at all in a review no matter how much it impacts the book. I also like to say what issue the book deals with. For example if the book is dealing with trust issues or forgiveness I will mention this. You do not have to say why. If the book impacted you you can mention this without giving the story away.

Narelle: What do you do if you request a review copy and don’t like the book?

Jenny: I have had this happen to me. Most recently it was because of the language in the book which was fine for America but in Australia it was swearing. I wrote to the co-ordinator of the blog alliance and explained that I just could not read any more of the book because of the language. I still posted the html but because of the language I put a note that the book may offend some Australians. In other cases I have requested a book only to find when I started reading the book I found I just couldn't connect or didn't like the book so I didn't finish it but again I let the co-ordinator know I just couldn't get into the book. I have learnt what genres I like now and can normally tell by the blurb but in some cases the blurb can be misleading and not give an accurate description of a book.

Also, if you don't like a book and would give it under a 3 star rating, you may want to email the co-ordinator and let them know explaining why you didn't like the book and ask if they still want you to review it. Not everyone will like all books. Personally if I don't like a book after a few chapters I do not keep reading. Even if a book is only a 3 star you can still review the book and mention the positives and mention why you didn't like the book. If I can't give a book 3 stars I will not put up a review.

Narelle: Do you have any advice for readers who are thinking about blogging and reviewing books?

Jenny: My advice is just do it. Blogger is so easy to use and if you are new at reviewing just put down your thoughts for the book without giving away secrets or the plot. You will find your way with practice and people will get to know you and your voice. Decide what you want your blog to be about and how often you want to blog. Some people will set up a schedule where as others will post when they have a review to put up. Try to post at least twice a week at regular intervals.

If you're interesting in joining the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance, please visit the ACRBA blog. International members are welcome. http://acrba.blogspot.com

JENNY BLAKE (aka AUSJENNY on most blogs and forums) is an avid reader from Australia. She started a library at church with most of the fiction books being donated by her. When not reading she enjoys watching cricket, in fact you could call her a cricket fanatic, scrapbooking and cross stitch. She volunteers at the local Christian bookshop where she can recommend fiction to customers. She has a book blog where she reviews books and interviews authors. Her goal is to help promote new books and encourage authors.

http://ausjenny.blogspot.com

NARELLE ATKINS writes contemporary inspirational romance and lives in Canberra, Australia. She has published Bible Studies on Smashwords and blogs regularly at http://30MinuteBibleStudies.wordpress.com

To learn more about Narelle, please visit her website.

Introducing the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA)

by Narelle Atkins and Jenny Blake (aka Ausjenny)

We are excited to announce the launch of the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA), the first blog alliance to cater for the Australian Christian book market. We will feature Christian fiction, non-fiction and children’s books in blog tours starting in November 2012.

If you blog regularly, have a love of books and are interested in writing book reviews, please check out our blog and consider joining our alliance. Membership is free and we welcome both Australian and overseas members, although overseas members may only have the option of electronic review copies of books.

We welcome book submissions from Australian and overseas authors and publishers, although we may give first preference to books by Australian authors. We will also consider high quality self-published books that are well edited.

We are touring fiction books during the first week of the month and non-fiction or children’s books during the third week of the month. Below is our Blog Schedule for November and December.

November 2012
Fiction 5th - 9th: Return to Baragula by Mary Hawkins (ICFW blog member)
Non-fiction 19th - 24th: Bethlehem's Warrior (31 Day Devotional) by Ray Hawkins (ICFW blog member)

December 2012
Fiction 3rd - 7th: Back to Resolution by Rose Dee
Non-fiction 17th - 21th: Strength Renewed: Meditations for Your Journey through Breast Cancer by Shirley Corder (ICFW blog member)

For more information, please visit http://acrba.blogspot.com