Will Dickerson

I am grateful to Writer’s Edge for the thoughtful service and guidance it provided to this novice writer.  Not only did Writer’s Edge place my book proposal in front of a wide array of publishers, but the person who reviewed my book was very encouraging and offered much in the way of helpful advice.  After heeding most of the advice and making some necessary changes in my manuscript, my proposal was accepted by Wipf & Stock Publishers.  The book was then published and released in July 2021 under the title, The Fingerprint of God: Reflections on Love and Its Practice.

Patty Houser

Writer’s Edge Service! That’s what I tell everyone who asks me how I got my book published. I always thought the hard part would be writing the book. But the hard part was finding a publisher. I quickly became discouraged because most publishers no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts. At first I was skeptical, but figured I had nothing to lose. So, I took a chance. Two months later, I received a call from an acquisition’s editor at Bethany House, a subsidiary of Baker Publishing Group. Had it not been for Writer’s Edge, I wouldn’t be an author today. Thank you, Writer’s Edge!

Jolene Erlacher

Writer’s Edge was a godsend for me.  I gave birth to twins in November and did not have time to pursue individual publishers.  I prayed and told God that I was going to send my sample chapters to Writer’s Edge.  If He wanted me to write this book, I needed Him to provide a publisher!  He did!!!  Thank you so much for your service!!!

Dr. James Banks

You were the means through which my first book, The Lost Art of Praying Together, was successfully published through Discovery House.  I am now on my eighth project with Discovery House.

As a former first-time author, the service that you provide in opening doors is invaluable and unique.

God has used you to touch well over a million lives through the writing ministry He has so mercifully allowed me to have, and I’m deeply grateful.  The opportunity to encourage others in prayer (especially the parents of prodigals) is Kingdom work.

Thank you, Writer’s Edge Service.  I send this with a prayer that your work will continue to encourage and inspire many.

Dr. Sarah Sumner

Ever since I found the Writer’s Edge, I’ve been recommending it to other writers.  It’s a very effective way of “getting found.” 

Soon after I posted my latest proposal to them, two different major publishers [WaterBrook & Bethany House] contacted me directly.  Although I ended up landing a contract with yet a third publisher [Fortress Press] whom I submitted a proposal to independently, I still think it’s worthwhile, even for seasoned authors, to post on the Writer’s Edge.  For me it was a positive experience and well worth the money because I got personally acquainted with editors from two different publishing companies that I wasn’t connected to before. 

So much of getting published is finding the right fit—the right publisher for your book.  The Writer’s Edge can help you with that.  

Social Media Marketing, for Novelists, Is Relationship Building

by Beth Bacon

Reprinted here from DBW Daily [newsletter@digitalbookworld-hub.com]

What is social media marketing for an author? If you’re fairly introverted, humble, or shy, you may not like the idea marketing your own work.  But social media marketing does not have to mean getting on a loudspeaker and booming out self-lauding messages. That model for promotion is not necessary. Instead, think about marketing as building relationships.

Walk in your audience’s shoes

Marketing for authors can be all about friendships—cultivating two-way conversations with your readers and potential readers. Start by thinking about your book from your readers’ perspective. Walk in their shoes. What does your book mean to them, really? What are the underlying emotions that your book brings out? What needs in life does your book fill?

Think about how your book fits in to their frame of mind, then write about those themes in your social media and on your blog. Stick to those themes, again and again, in social media. The readers who respond to those themes will come back, again and again, for your unique perspective.

Be part of your audience’s community

What kind of community is your book part of? Maybe the characters in your book take part in an affinity group— model airplane hobbyists, for example, or twenty-somethings who love to shop for shoes. Go where your characters go and get to know those communities. Show up in person at events that attract the kinds of people that would like your book.

Talk about those affinities in your blog and on social media. Online, think about where your community congregates. Even if it’s a loose-knit electronic community that follows a few web sites—visit those sites regularly. Know your readers and reach them where they are.

Put feedback loops everywhere

Relationships are about give and take, listen and talk. All of your social media communications should be two-way communications. You can connect to your audience via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest and Goodreads. Those vehicles all allow for two-way communications. Spend time there. If social media is a chore for you, then schedule social media sessions into your day the way you might schedule an undesired exercise session.

Create feedback loops wherever you can. Make it easy for people to sign up for a mailing list on your site or email you directly from your ebook. Once you get a bunch of email addresses, you can start an infrequent newsletter just to stay connected.

Marketing is a relationship

Listen, reach out, and think about what your audience is saying. Your readers will eventually give you ideas on new marketing activities and meaningful discussion topics for your social media conversations.

 

 

About Beth Bacon

Beth Bacon is a children’s book author and runs www.e-booksandkids.com. Contact her via Twitter @ebooksandkids.

I was grateful to discover the proposal from Scott Hubbartt at Writer’s Edge.  I always review carefully the recommended proposals from Writer’s Edge, and it’s rare that I don’t find at least one that grabs my attention.  The contribution of Writer’s Edge benefits all of us in publishing.
Bruce  Nygren
Senior Acquisitions Editor
Multnomah/Waterbrook, a division of Random House

Dr. Linda J. Solie

Thank you to Writer’s Edge for the invaluable service you provide unknown writers like myself in notifying potential publishers of our work! [My] reviewer was so encouraging to me I just wanted to thank that person and let them know what happened with this proposal. The book was published and released in September 2013 by Bethany House Publishers under the title, Take Charge of Your Emotions: Seven Steps to Overcoming Depression, Anxiety, and Anger.

James W. Miller

The Writer’s Edge was an easy and effective way to get in contact with just the right audience for Hardwired.  The structure is user-friendly, the staff are accessible, and it worked exactly the way I hoped!  They cut through a jungle of distractions and dead-ends to make publishing a reality.

Laura Frantz

After realizing how difficult it was to get an agent, I submitted to the Writer’s Edge. The day after my work was posted two major publishing houses contacted me and asked to see a partial of my historical fiction novel. Although this didn’t pan out, two more major publishers contacted me as well as several smaller houses. I realized then how well respected the Writer’s Edge is in the publishing industry. Within 9 months I had a 3-book contract with Revell/Baker Publishing Group.

If not for the professionalism of this wonderful service, I’m sure I would still be spending fruitless hours trying to find an agent and break into the market.  I reccommend this service to everyone pursuing publication. I’m so thankful for all that the Writer’s Edge has done for me. — Laura Frantz