Tis the season for giving and appreciating what you have. And it's a time for authors to nurture the important relationship between us and our most faithful readers. It's a time for us to think about what we've done for them lately to show them how much they mean to us.
But wait, you might be thinking, I give them books. I give them hours of entertainment. I give them a chance to escape into the pages of a carefully crafted world with characters they can fall in love with. I hand them my heart and soul on a platter and pray that they handle them with care.
All of that is absolutely true. But let's be honest. Unless you're an extremely rare bird, you're not writing just for the fun of it...or to share your creative largess with a lucky public. You're writing for money and hopefully fame.
There's nothing at all wrong with that. I freely admit that's what I'm doing. But that reality doesn't take away from the beauty of the friendships I've formed in my writing journey. It doesn't make me appreciate the relationships I'm building any less. So it makes sense, especially at this time of year, to think about how I can give back to them for their love and support. This year I'm doing that by giving my newest release, a collection of fun Christmas short stories based on my Bedeviled & Beyond world to my approximately 1,200 member newsletter list. It's my Christmas gift to them and I've asked them to share the book with their own families and friends. This is a one time offer but it's given from the heart. It's a season of giving so I'm giving to them and allowing them to give, if they want to, to their loved ones.
But the giving doesn't always have to come at Christmas. Throughout the year, I also send each of my newsletter subscribers a note and a gift on their birthday. Along with my heartfelt birthday wishes, I offer to send them either a free book or box of promotional goodies as my birthday gift to them. Yes, this costs me money and time. And it would be much more spendy if I didn't own rights and control for most of the books I send out, but it's an investment in my relationship with them so I figure it's well worth it.
Gifts to your readers can come in many forms. You can send them the spicy scene you were forced to cut from your latest book. Or write a short story based on a popular series that only newsletter subscribers will receive. You can offer monthly newsletter contests, as I do, so they have a chance to win a gift of your choice (I offer a $10 gift card to each month's winner.) You can offer new releases to them early and/or at a special discount only for them. The list goes on and on. You're limited only by your imagination. The old adage, it's the thought that counts, has never been more true. Readers who know that you're thinking of them and wishing to make them happy will be committed, loyal readers. And in return you get to sell books and make more friends. It's a win-win for all involved!
Bedeviled & Bah Humbug - 4 Fun Christmas short stories to make the season bright!
Based in the Bedeviled & Beyond world, this fun collection of Christmas short stories will put a smile on your face and turn every day into a Hell-i-day!#1. Astra Takes out the Grinch: Astra’s been conscripted to deal with a hairy, green demon who’s stealing presents and creating havoc. The Big Guy has grown increasingly tired of the Grinch’s antics and, this Christmas, has called out the big guns.
#2. Astra gets a Lump of Coal – Thumps an Elf: Astra is forced to spend Christmas in Satan’s backyard, helping the angels figure out how the green dragons are escaping Hell to terrorize the human realm on Earth. But in true Astra form, she figures out much more than that!
#3. The Year the Grinch Stole Santa: Astra is determined to take Christmas off so she’s been ignoring the nearly constant calls from the North Pole to help them find Santa, who’s disappeared just days before Christmas. But Astra learns the hard way that Santa’s minions will not be ignored!
#4. An Elvish Catastrophe: Astra and Darma are Christmas shopping at the mall when a pack of ninja elves invade the place and demand the execution of all faux Santas. Talk about little man syndrome…these ninjas have it in spades!
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bedeviled-bah-humbug-sam-cheever/1123009462?ean=2940157694999
iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1061451223
USA Today
Bestselling Author Sam Cheever writes romantic paranormal/fantasy and
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I liked your thought about giving back to the readers. Your idea is great! Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful holiday!
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