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It's Author Wednesday at For Whom The Books Toll. Desiree Holt is my guest today and she's giving a little insight to working with other authors on boxed sets. Thank you for being here today Desiree.
So you’ve been invited to be in a boxed set
A group of authors has reached out to you and said, “Hey! We’d like you to be in a boxed set with us. We’ll sell it for a couple of months for 99 cents, then each author can put their story up separately for $1.99 or $2.99. Wanna play?”
Your first thought is, ohmigod!! They want me! They really want me! The next thought is, holy you-kn0w-what! How do all these authors plan to work together seamlessly, plan a theme, decide on graphics, get the whole thing done without virtually tearing each other’s hair out? How can it be done and how can we all cooperate?
Easy peasey. The first thing you do is take a deep breath and realize that it will take a spirit of cooperation on everyone’s part. Is there a theme already established? If so, good. You know what to build your story around. If not, toss your ideas around and hope others like it but also be open-minded and willing to look at the possibilities that others suggest. The final theme may not be your first choice but if it’s one you can get excited about and write a good story around, you’ve taken step one.
Next comes suggestions for a cover. Again, realize you are part of a group and the graphics have to express the theme of the set not just your particular story. When you are ready to release your story as a single title, you will be able to design your own cover but for now be open to all possibilities as long as they are appealing and stick to the theme.
Next on the agenda is story length. Do you only write full length books? If so, and you can’t write short, this may not be the stage for you. Stories in box sets usually run the wide gamut from 15K-40K. That’s a pretty wide latitude. Some people can tell a complete story in as little as 15K, others need as much as 40K. But if you are up for the challenge, be aware of the parameters and write the story. As my son always says, the story is as long as the story is. You start at the beginning and when you get to the end, you’re done. The variation in length is usually appealing to readers so if you can comfortably within those length requirements then this is the place for you.
And by the way, don’t worry if your story ends up being 15K. Don’t worry that it won’t sell. The very first erotic story I sold was 15K and it’s still selling after seven years.
Be prepared to pull your weight in promoting the set. Make a list of your social platforms and the blogs you exchange with and other areas where you promote. Sometimes the group will decide to do a little paid advertising which requires a small amount from each author.
But here’s the most important thing. Deadlines. Yes, deadlines. To get a boxed set formatted and ready to upload there have to be hard and fast deadlines for each author. Schedule it in your calendar so you aren’t writing at two in the morning the day before it’s due. Nothing disrupts a working relationship faster than people missing deadline so be very, very conscious of what they are.
Okay, all the important stuff is taken care of. Now the formatter uploads the boxed set and ta da! Release day is here. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
I have two boxed sets about to release” Danger Zone: Tales of Military Passion and Five Alarm Alphas, about firefighters. Here’s one place to preorder them:
Danger Zone:
Demolishing the enemy, then blowing up the bedroom...they're the commanding alpha heroes we all love best, and nine of your favorite romance authors have brand-new stories featuring them. This very special box set is available for a limited time only, with all profits donated to Hope For The Warriors.
Five Alarm Alphas:
Men Hotter Than Fire!!! Eight Scorching HOT Brand New Stories Pre-Order Link: Five Alarm Alphas: Eight Sexy All New Romances
I've pre-ordered my copies, have you??
Also, don't forget about Desiree's new book, Finding Julia! Make sure to grab your copy today!!
Sometimes life is not fair. For Julia Patterson meeting Luke Buchanan opened the door to a new life and brought her to life as a woman. In his arms she learns for the first time how real passion and emotion can enrich your life. He claims her body with the pleasure of erotic sex and his heart with unrestricted love. But Fate was laughing at Julia, just as she is about to step over the threshold into a wonderful new life.
When her almost-ex-husband Charles is diagnosed with a fatal heart condition her divorce is put on hold along with the rest of her life. Turning her back on Luke and the intense passion and emotion they shared is the most difficult thing she’s ever done. But Julia has a secret, one that Charles has discovered and uses like a club. Thirteen years later when
Luke walks back into her life the passion and emotion are just as explosive as ever. Will they finally have their chance at happiness or will her secret destroy it forever?
Buy Link:
Amazon: Finding Julia
Desiree Holt has lived a life of excitement that brings the color to her writing. She was a summer fishing guide, a summer field hand where she was one of only three women working, a member of a beginning ski team that skied in competition (and no, no broken bones!). She spent several years in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her. She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio, and is published by four different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work: “Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.”
Find Desiree:
http://www.desireeholt.com
https://www.facebook.com/desireeholtauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1270681.Desiree_Holt
https://twitter.com/desireeholt
http://www.pinterest.com/desiree02holt/
Desiree has many many fantastic books, make sure to check them all out by visiting her website!
Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy busy schedule to be here today.
Please stop back next Wednesday, Sofia Grey will be here!
I like boxed sets because they have introduced me to many new exciting authors. I can't wait for the two box sets you participated in to release, Miz Desiree.
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