I have a website

Hi All

Just to let you know I have finally created my very own website.  I know most of you think that's pretty run of the mill, but for someone like me it's a big deal.

Anyway if you've got a spare couple of minutes come and have a look www.isobelhartsbooks.com

X

Any romance bloggers

I'm keen to do a cover reveal for Compromise Agreement, my new book.  Let me know if you might be interested.  It's a contemporary adult romance.

Isobel

From O.C Shaw to Isobel Hart

I'm really hoping that those who have enjoyed my books have seen I am now writing as Isobel Hart - you will see the covers of What goes around comes around and Full Circle now have the new covers. I am setting up a web page and will post details - no other romance postings will come via this route. Come and find me on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/isobelhartbooks

In the meantime, to celebrate navigating Smashwords  What goes around is currently free on iBooks and presumably all the other sites
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/what-goes-around-comes-around/id948558871?mt=11

Fill your boots - and stay in touch (please)

Writing update

I've finally made a decision. It's been tough, but I'm good with it now I've finally made it. I have written the two books about Lily under my real name - because frankly I was proud of the accomplishment. It was something I did while between jobs, and a revelation how much I loved it. However, I still have to work full time - writing is my selfish pleasure - and unfortunately I'm not sure my company or colleagues will be as supportive as you have all been...

So, while my writing remains a much loved weekend pastime I am going to be doing it under a Pen name. I'm hoping some of you will find me and enjoy my stories as much as I enjoy writing them. I have finished a book and the good news is my first reader loved it, so I hope to have it out soonish, after editing.

In the meantime keep in touch and be happy,

O.C

A quandary for you

Like a lot of other writers I have to squeeze writing into the time I have left after a full time job and family.  I'm not looking for sympathy - I do it because it gives me real pleasure to do so.  The fact anyone enjoys what I write is a bonus that I never take for granted.  The challenge I face is that not everyone is into the sort of fiction I write, especially at work - even though I ever write on my evenings and weekends.

I figure I face three choices...

1) carry on writing as I am
2) start writing under another name - it means I'll have to start from scratch and build up a readership again
3) stop writing

I welcome your thoughts and advice

O.C x

Shooting ourselves in the foot?

I currently have more unread books on my iPad than ever before. The vast majority were freebies - I can't seem to help myself. I see a post by one of the many bloggers I follow and I can't help but one click it. If past history is anything to go by then many of them will be excellent. It's something I've done myself with What Goes Around Comes Around. It resulted in my book being in the top ten freebie chart for romance in the UK and top 20 in the US.

The pros of this are that people get to sample a book and, if they like the author, the hope is they will buy more by said author. That's the theory.

Unfortunately there are now SO many books out there for free, or priced at $0.99, that it takes a rare book indeed - or a much beloved author - to make me buy a book these days.

When I think about the effort and investment (time, blood, sweat, tears and money) I can't help wonder if we're not selling ourselves short? Do we value the work so little we want to give it away? Very few are blessed to make enough from writing to be able to choose it as our sole profession - forced instead to fit our passion in the small windows of time life allows us. Surely we're only making it worse for ourselves by charging so little?

So who wins? Well the readers get loads of free books - but like anything in life that comes too easily I fear (and I speak now as a voracious reader) we cease to value it. Amazon et al certainly benefit - loads of traffic to their sites and no royalties to pay.

I think we may have made a rod for our own backs. I have a love hate relationship with freebies. Love having loads of books to choose from, love seeing my books flying up the freebie charts, love thinking about readers, any readers reading my books. I hate seeing work (by any author) that takes many months to create being unappreciated.

I have no solution - I imagine I'll do other promotions myself in the near future. In the meantime, if the book you are reading costs less than a cup of coffee just think about how bloody amazing that is. If you like it consider saying thank you by leaving a review.

Peace out

O.C

If it's not one thing, it's another

You guys have been great. In fact the ones of you that are reading this have probably been my greatest supporters. I'm so very appreciative I can't tell you.
But I still need your help. Most of you know that independent authors like me are entirely reliant on recommendations from readers. I read something that told me 40% of my time as an author should be spent on marketing myself. I'll be honest, I'm not very good at it. I have barely any time to write in the first place (I work full time and have a family... Can you hear the violins yet?!) Add to that I'm British and we hate anything that feels like bragging - it's a recipe for disaster. Suffice to say it's a miracle I've sold any books at all!

So here's the thing - you can help me. Please leave a review (that goes for any of the books you read for any author), please like my Facebook page (O.C Shaw books) - it doesn't feel like promotion, more like chatting and I'm good at that. And finally, tell other people if you liked them - particularly any of the romance book blogger sites. I haven't set up a 'street team', I'm hoping people just might spontaneously say something. Naive huh?

Til the next time when I hope to have news about launch plans for Compromise Agreement.

Keep the faith :-)

O.C