Believe!: #1 of my thirteen promotional steps by Mimi Barbour

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

#1 of my thirteen promotional steps by Mimi Barbour

5:57 PM | Posted by Mimi Barbour |

| Edit Post

Looking for the perfect gift for the romance reader on your Christmas list?

If you are, Together for Christmas is just what your want.

Read the back page blurb and excerpt on the bottom of The Vicarage Bench Page above.

Available at Amazon

Available at Barnes and Noble

Available at Wild Rose Press

I've just gotten a wonderful 5 star review from TBR - Goodreads

and would be proud for you to read it.

Another great review from Sizzling Hot Reviews

Night Owl Choice

Step #1 - of my thirteen promotional steps

I guess the very first thing I did after writing my first book was to look for a writer’s group in my area. Thankfully, my research took me straight to the Romance Writers of America and, much to my delight, I found the Vancouver Island Chapter of Romance Writers of America. (VIC-RWA) Without the guidance of others like me, I’d still be floundering around and wondering who to turn to and what to do next. All authors need support from their peers, and let me tell you, the input from their collective knowledge was invaluable.

In my last post I described the 13 steps I took to promote my work. Joining a writing group was #1 and maybe, for me, the most important of all. Right from the beginning, I met a lovely woman who is now a very close friend. She and I have formed an alliance of critique partner, brainstorm mate and supporter during the good times and bad. We all need that special someone who takes your writing seriously and is working toward the same goals. If you're lucky, you may have a family who understands and will be there when your manuscript isn't quite jelling, but they can only go so far into your world.

Workshops and classes that most groups present are also invaluable for an author trying to learn her craft. After all, we can't expect to know everything about the profession without input from others who are having the same experiences or who are now published and have already gone through rejections and learning curves that we all eventually travel. It's wonderful when a question arises and you're only an e-mail away from getting an answer.

I not only joined the closest RWA (Romance Writer's of America) chapter, but while befriending someone on Goodreads, lo and behold, if I didn't find a member of a local writing group WIP that I didn't even know existed. I joined them as well and it has been a wonderfully positive experience. I've met great new friends, quite a few published writers and others struggling that are very supportive.

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2011/10/gift-card-giveaway-hop-sign-ups.html

Please leave your comment and e-mail address

for a chance to win a
$15

Amazon gift certificate.

blog Promotion, VIC-RWA, WIP

136 comments:

Malvina Beatrice said...: Thanks! Happy Holidays & Have a Warm Christmas!

GFC: Malvina Beatrice
darkenf(at)rocketmail(dot)com; December 9, 2011 at 7:28 AM
Kah_cherub said...: I'm a GFC follower.(Kah_Cherub) ;)
thank you for the giveaway!

kah_cherub at hotmail dot com; December 9, 2011 at 7:59 AM
liz said...: Thanks for the giveaway!
GFC: arobinson45
arobinson45 (at) woh.rr.com; December 9, 2011 at 9:54 AM
Kayla said...: Fantastic giveaway! Love it!

raised.alternative@gmail.com; December 9, 2011 at 11:28 AM
BJ said...: Thanks for the giveaway
beejee77(at)gmail(dot)com; December 9, 2011 at 2:14 PM
Pinky Sade said...: Thank you for the giveaway!
gagaslab at gmail dot com; December 9, 2011 at 5:16 PM
Silverrose313 said...: Thanks for the giveaway!

silverrose313 at gmail dot com; December 9, 2011 at 5:24 PM
Jewel said...: Thanks for the giveaway & happy holidays. :)

jewel4jay(AT)hotmail(DOT)com; December 9, 2011 at 6:37 PM
Mrs. Sherman said...: Thanks for hosting!

momsbookshelfandmore@yahoo.com

Miranda Sherman; December 9, 2011 at 8:05 PM
Jen said...: Awesome giveaway! Merry Christmas!

jenniekcoupons at gmail dot com; December 9, 2011 at 8:08 PM
The name's Kara! said...: Happy holidays :D Thanks for hosting.

Kara DiDomizio
supersonic182@gmail.com; December 9, 2011 at 8:15 PM
ikkinlala said...: Thanks for the opportunity!

ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca; December 9, 2011 at 8:31 PM
marian said...: thanks for the giveaway!!
gfc-marian

mariannguyen16(AT)gmail(DOT)com; December 9, 2011 at 9:45 PM
buddyt said...: Thanks for the giveaway.

GC's are always useful this time of the year for buying gifts.

I Follow via GFC = buddyt

Have a happy and relaxing Christmas season.

Carol T

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com; December 10, 2011 at 12:14 AM
Nikki said...: Thanks for the awesome giveaway and I hope your holiday season is filled with love and laughter!!
viajeradelmar@aol.com; December 10, 2011 at 12:29 AM
Jeanne said...: Thank you so much for the chance to win!
Rathouska(dot)jana(at)gmail(dot)com; December 10, 2011 at 5:05 AM
Anonymous said...: thank you for the giveaway!
dookiepookiebear(at)yahoo.com; December 10, 2011 at 8:04 AM
E.R. King said...: Thanks for the giveaway! Happy Holidays!
erittelking at gmail dot com; December 10, 2011 at 8:48 AM
Valette M. said...: Thanks for the giveaway!
Hopping through :)
pomegranatesunrise(at)gmail(dot)com; December 10, 2011 at 8:55 AM
Anonymous said...: Patricia Crowley
tcrowley122@hotmail.com

Happy Holidays! Thanks for the chance to win!!; December 10, 2011 at 9:25 AM
Ana Norte said...: Thank you for the opportunity!

GFC Ana Norte
aluisanorte at uol dot com dot br; December 10, 2011 at 10:14 AM
aurora M. said...: Great giveaway! Happy Holidays to you and your family this season
GFC=veltara
veltara(at)yahoo(dot)com; December 10, 2011 at 10:32 AM
ebaker said...: Thanks for the giveaway!
e(dot)baker219(at)gmail(dot)com; December 10, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Teressa Oliver said...: Thanks!
teressaoliver at gmail dot com; December 10, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Mk said...: Thanks for the giveaway! Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Mk
mk@popcornreads.com; December 10, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Library Lady said...: GFC follower Library Lady
adsanders77 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway!; December 10, 2011 at 1:06 PM
MandyRose said...: GFC: MandyRose
a.rose2295 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks for the giveaway!
Happy Holidays!; December 10, 2011 at 1:10 PM
Dani said...: Thanks for the giveaway!

GFC - Dani

ellepaulette@gmail.com; December 10, 2011 at 3:05 PM
Holly said...: Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Reading!

GFC (hhollyhal)
hhollyhal at gmail dot com; December 10, 2011 at 4:16 PM
Rasberryswrlgirl said...: Thanks so much for the giveaway. Please enter me. rasberryswrlgirl@hotmail.com; December 10, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Jennifer Messerschmidt said...: GFC follower
Thanks for the giveaway!

mpg12345(at)aol(dot)com; December 10, 2011 at 4:55 PM
SpadesHighReads said...: Thank you for hosting this giveaway and for participating in the Gift Card Giveaway Hop!! I hope you have a wonderful Holiday and stay safe considering the crazy Holiday drivers out there! =)
Also, I hope Santa gives you all you wish for!

GFC Follower: SpadesHighReads

TValeros18 AT gmail.com; December 10, 2011 at 5:26 PM
The Book Diva said...: GFC follower as The Book Diva

thebookdiva2011 at gmail dot com; December 10, 2011 at 5:37 PM
Sophia Rose said...: Thanks for participating in the hop and for the giveaway opportunity.

GFC: Sophia Rose

sophiarose1816@gmail.com; December 10, 2011 at 5:44 PM
Anonymous said...: Thank you for the chance to win your giveaway.
Merry Christmas
cindymacbeth at gmail dot com; December 10, 2011 at 6:11 PM
elin said...: Thank you for the giveaway!
GFC pinkflower
emilymeimei204 at yahoo dot com; December 10, 2011 at 7:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Thanks for the chance to win. joycemlinek1@yahoo.com; December 10, 2011 at 8:02 PM
Jennifer Mathis said...: merry christmas
gfc follower- jennifer mathis

meandi09@yahoo.com; December 10, 2011 at 8:41 PM
Wild N Mild $$$ said...: Thank you for the giveaway! Happy Holidays!
I follow you on GFC
Jennifer Rote
wildnmild4u (at) yahoo (dot) com; December 10, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Cricket said...: Happy Holidays
lilcrickit at gmail dot com
GFC Cricket; December 11, 2011 at 1:07 AM
Rebecca Graham said...: Thanks for the chance to win!

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com; December 11, 2011 at 1:52 AM
mandala said...: GFC follower (mandala). Thanks for the chance!
mandalarctic at gmail dot com; December 11, 2011 at 3:37 AM
amandawk said...: THanks for the great giveaway!
amandarwest atgmaildotcom; December 11, 2011 at 7:56 AM
susan1215 said...: follow via GFC

s2s2 at comcast dot net; December 11, 2011 at 8:45 AM
Linda Kish said...: Thanks for the chance to be included for your giveaway. Have a joyous holiday season.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com; December 11, 2011 at 9:16 AM
Jackie said...: I am a new follower on GFC (Jackie)
Thank you...and enjoy the holidays!
jackievillano at gmail dot com; December 11, 2011 at 9:17 AM
Mary Ellen said...: GFC follower - Mary Ellen Thompson

methom@earthlink.net

Happy Holidays and thank you for the chance to win!; December 11, 2011 at 9:39 AM
DarcyO said...: Happy Holidays! Thanks for the chance.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net; December 11, 2011 at 10:15 AM
collifornia said...: GFC: collifornia
Email: holliister at gmail dot com; December 11, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Adri said...: Thanks for the giveaway!!! :)

adri_love@sbcglobal.net; December 11, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Rhianna said...: Happy holidays & thanks for the giveaway!

-- Rhianna
always.and.never AT gmail DOT com; December 11, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Reading Angel said...: Thanks for the giveaway :)

Also, interesting post on writing groups!

dukesangel002 AT yahoo.com; December 11, 2011 at 12:55 PM
nodizzies said...: Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

jadedlittlegirlx AT gmail DOT com; December 11, 2011 at 1:06 PM
scottsgal said...: thanks for the chance - happy holidays
msboatgal at aol.com; December 11, 2011 at 1:43 PM
Megan said...: Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

AmethystDaydreams at zoho dot com; December 11, 2011 at 3:07 PM
Mary said...: Happy holidays and thanks for joining the hop.

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com; December 11, 2011 at 3:22 PM
Unknown said...: love this giveaway- thanks for the chance!

catherine0807@hotmail.com; December 11, 2011 at 3:58 PM
Munnaza said...: Thank you so much for this giveaway! I follow you on GFC as infalliblyyours or Munnaza, and I'd love to enter.

Munnaza
infalliblyyours@gmail.com

Happy holidays!; December 11, 2011 at 4:15 PM
brookea_2006 said...: Thanks for the giveaway!

GFC: brookea_2006
email: brookea_2006 at yahoodotcom; December 11, 2011 at 4:20 PM
Diannosaurreads said...: ty for the giveaway!
name: diana k
email: iboughtcupcakes at gmail dot com; December 11, 2011 at 5:26 PM
desitheblonde said...: desutheblonde@msn.com
i am on here as desi theblonde; December 11, 2011 at 6:11 PM
Jessy B said...: Thanks for the giveaway!
jessyisawinner(at)gmail(dot)com; December 11, 2011 at 6:15 PM
Jennifer said...: gfc jennifer
thanks
jlkalman26 at gmail dot com; December 11, 2011 at 7:30 PM
donnas said...: Happy Holidays! Thanks for the chance!!

GFC follower

bacchus76 at myself dot com; December 11, 2011 at 8:23 PM
June M. said...: Thank you for the giveaway! I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season!
GFC follower: June M.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com; December 11, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Alicia said...: Love meeting new writing friends. Thanks for the giveaway.

aliciacald at gmail dot com; December 11, 2011 at 10:17 PM
SarahSparrow said...: Thanks for the giveaway!

captainsarahsparrow at hotmail dot com; December 11, 2011 at 10:19 PM
astroqueen67 said...: TY for the giveaway! Follow on GFC as astroqueen67. Holly Swint astroqueen67(at)hotmail.com; December 12, 2011 at 1:15 AM
Michigan_Mom said...: Thanks for the awesome giveaway!! Happy Holidays :)

Kelly Burroughs Crowell - kjb1977 at live.com; December 12, 2011 at 3:21 AM
vadeluna07 said...: Thank you so much for the giveaway!

vadeluna07@yahoo.com; December 12, 2011 at 4:16 AM
Crazylicious85 said...: Thanks for the giveaway!

Allison Lancaster
crazylicious85 at suddenlink dot net; December 12, 2011 at 5:01 AM
JR911 said...: Thank you for the chance, have a great week! email in profile.; December 12, 2011 at 5:02 AM
Tiffany Drew said...: Thank you for the wonderful giveaway :)

GFC follower Tiffany Drew
jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net; December 12, 2011 at 6:23 AM
Linda Henderson said...: Thank you for the excellent giveaway. I hope you have a joyous and safe holiday season.

GFC as seriousreader

seriousreader at live dot com; December 12, 2011 at 6:25 AM
Liese2 said...: Thank you so much for the giveaway!
sqwalker2@hotmail.com; December 12, 2011 at 8:53 AM
Maureen said...: Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Holidays!
mce1011 AT aol DOT com; December 12, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Christin said...: Thanks! christinbanda
christinbanda at yahoo dot com; December 12, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Unabridged Bookshelf said...: Thank you for the giveaway!

Chandra
unabridgedbookshelf(at)gmail(dot)com; December 12, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Rae M. said...: Thanks for the chance to win!

Rae M.
rae.gwendy(at)gmail(dot)com; December 12, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Reader Riah said...: thanks! mariahoverlockATgmail.com; December 12, 2011 at 1:58 PM
Nay Nay said...: Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win such a great prize! <^_^>

reneebennett35 at yahoo dot com; December 12, 2011 at 2:06 PM
LisaILJ said...: Happy Holidays!

GFC: LisaILJ

leyser73 at yahoo dot com; December 12, 2011 at 2:11 PM
Sherry said...: Thanks for the giveaway.
sstrode at scrtc dot com; December 12, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Krystal Larson said...: Happy Holidays and thank you very much for the chance to win! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom I love your background!; December 12, 2011 at 3:19 PM
Shadow said...: Thank you for the great giveaway! Happy holidays!!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com; December 12, 2011 at 3:38 PM
Nikki said...: Thanks for the giveaway!

GFC follower - loverofanimals49

loverofanimals49@yahoo.com; December 12, 2011 at 4:00 PM
kristina shields said...: thx so much!

spicedice45@gmail.com; December 12, 2011 at 4:04 PM
Helen said...: thank you for the awesome giveaway
helldog3 at aol.com; December 12, 2011 at 4:43 PM
Book Flame said...: Thanks for the chance to win

bookflamereviews at gmail dot com; December 12, 2011 at 4:55 PM
Judy said...: Thanks for your giveaway!!!

Judy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com; December 12, 2011 at 5:37 PM
Marie said...: Happy Holidays!

marielay@gmail.com; December 12, 2011 at 5:52 PM
latishajean said...: What a great giveaway thank you so much!
GFC follower-latishajean
tishajean@ charter.net; December 12, 2011 at 5:59 PM
Juana said...: Thanks for the chance!

GFC follower = Juana Esparza

jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com; December 12, 2011 at 6:14 PM
Shannon Jaymesmom Gallagher said...: Thanks for the giveaway! Very nice of you!

Shannon Gallagher
lovescrissangel at hotmail dot com; December 12, 2011 at 6:30 PM
The Romanceaholic said...: Thanks for the giveaway!

Happy Holidays!

Jess
romanceaholic at gmail dot com; December 12, 2011 at 6:56 PM
Tara W said...: Happy Holidays and thanks for the giveaway!
GFC follower: Tara W
mizztuts AT bellsouth DOT net; December 12, 2011 at 7:12 PM
jacque said...: I wish I could find a local writer's group! thE only one I foudn had disbanded! Thx for the chance!
gfc jacque stengel
twinmomx5 at gmail dot com; December 12, 2011 at 7:51 PM
Marianne said...: Thank you for participating in the Blog Hop. i follow you via GFC. i couldn't really try for the gift card without following!

marianne[dot]wanham[at]gmail[dot[com; December 12, 2011 at 8:19 PM
TayteH said...: Thank you! I like your background. The swirls and the bight blue. :D
GFC-TayteH
thunter_5@yahoo.com; December 12, 2011 at 8:28 PM
Michelle @ Book Briefs said...: Thank you very much!

chelle2006[@]aol.com

gfc-Michelle Adams; December 12, 2011 at 8:47 PM
Angela Cisco said...: Thank you for the chance!
angelacisco79 (at)yahoo(dot)com; December 12, 2011 at 8:51 PM
Denise Z said...: Thank you for participating in the fun. Together for Christmas looks like a fun read.
GFC- Denise Zaky

dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com; December 12, 2011 at 9:31 PM
Anonymous said...: thanks for the giveaway and good luck :) scg00387 at yahoo dot com; December 12, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Tara said...: Thanks for this giveaway!

TaraTagli at gmail dot com; December 12, 2011 at 11:36 PM
Nicole@The More the Merrier said...: Thanks for the chance to win!

spyblue78(at)gmail.com; December 13, 2011 at 12:24 AM
maria g said...: Thanks for the great giveaway :)

hookedonafeline999 at yahoo dot com; December 13, 2011 at 1:12 AM
acm05 said...: Thanks for participating in the hop.

Anne
acm05atjuno.com; December 13, 2011 at 7:02 AM
Laurie Carlson said...: Congrats on this accomplishment!!! I knew about My Cheeky Angel (I posted it on my blog - remember!!) I did not know about this one!! CONGRATS!!!
Thanks for this giveaway!!!
Good luck with this book! I will check it out!!
Laurie Carlson
laurieisreading at gmail dot com; December 13, 2011 at 7:54 AM
Laurie Carlson said...: Hi Mimi!
You have a LOT of Christmas books out! I saw them all on Amazon!! CONGRATS!!!
Laurie Carlson
laurieisreading at gmail dot com; December 13, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Melanie McCullough said...: Thanks for the giveaway!
Melanie.M.McCullough@gmail.com; December 13, 2011 at 10:00 AM
meandmom said...: Thanks for having this giveaway. Have a nice holiday.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com; December 13, 2011 at 12:02 PM
geschumann said...: GFC-Gloria
Thanks for the giveaway! Have a blessed Christmas!

geschumann at live dot com; December 13, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Rosie Hong said...: Thanks for the giveaway!

abbydillon16 AT yahoo DOT com; December 13, 2011 at 12:51 PM
kswederski said...: Thank you for the giveaway!

GFC - kayswederski

kayswederski@yahoo.com; December 13, 2011 at 2:44 PM
Pauline said...: Thank you for the great giveaway - (emscout9 at Hotmail dot com); December 13, 2011 at 2:52 PM
Christine A. said...: Great giveaway, thanks. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
GFC- Christine A.
your1chef at aol dot com; December 13, 2011 at 3:03 PM
Maria said...: Merry Christmas! Thank you for the giveaway!

Maria
mariamusings at gmail dot com; December 13, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Kelley said...: Thank you for the Giveaway! I am following your blog and through Google+ Looking forward to your reviews!

Kelley Johnsen
Kelleynutrition at gmail dot com; December 13, 2011 at 4:55 PM
tweetyscute said...: Thank you for the giveaway.

ninajanke @ gmail com; December 13, 2011 at 5:01 PM
Chi Kittie said...: Thank you for this wonderful giveaway.

I am new follower to your blog through Google Friend Connect. (Chi Kittie).

ChiKittie(at)gmail(dot)com; December 13, 2011 at 5:12 PM
Sheila said...: New GFC:Follower Sheila

Thanks for the chance!

ssdawn2002(AT)yahoo(DOT)com; December 13, 2011 at 5:21 PM
Chantel said...: Thank you for the giveaway!
Merry Christmas.

cwilliams127 at gmail dot com; December 13, 2011 at 5:39 PM
Velvet Hubler said...: Thankyou for the great giveaway!

velvethubler at yahoo dot com; December 13, 2011 at 5:51 PM
mbreakfield said...: Thanks for the giveaway.
Happy holidays!
GFC follower Marlene Breakfield
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com; December 13, 2011 at 6:02 PM
Monja Blue said...: Best wishes and thanks for a chance to win this fantabulous gift card giveaway hop!
MonjaBlue(at)gmail(dot)com; December 13, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Laura H. said...: Happy Holidays! Thanks for the great giveaway and for participating in this blog hop!

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom; December 13, 2011 at 6:26 PM
darkangel_1988 said...: Thanks for the giveaway!

Memrie
darkangel231988(at)gmail(dot)com; December 13, 2011 at 6:54 PM
Laurie said...: thanks for the giveaway

laurie1993@verizon.net; December 13, 2011 at 7:29 PM
JaclynsMusings said...: Thank you for the great giveaway and for participating in this giveaway hop!
Wishing you and your family a very happy hoilday season!
~Jaclyn~
http://www.jaclynsmusings.com
jaclynsmusings(at)gmail(dot)com; December 13, 2011 at 7:35 PM
Laura said...: Thanks for the giveaway!
BookcaseLaura AT gmail DOT com
Laura; December 13, 2011 at 7:41 PM
Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...: Thanks for participating in the blog hop

GFC- Lisa Richards
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/; December 13, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Robin Blankenship said...: GFc Follower as Robin Blankenship

robinblankenship@Gmail.com; December 13, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Amy (ArtsyBookishGal) said...: Thanks for the giveaway!
Merry Christmas!
Amy // amyismyfriend at aol dot com
GFC = ArtsyBookishGal; December 13, 2011 at 8:26 PM
Jasmine Marie said...: Thanks! Happy Holidays!

GFC: Jasmine Marie
thebookishmama at gmail dot com; December 13, 2011 at 8:34 PM
Krysykat said...: Great giveaway!

Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com; December 13, 2011 at 8:43 PM
Mimi B said...: Well the contest is over and the winner for the $15 Amazon certificate is E.R.KIng.
Thank you all so much for participating. For those of you who are following me now, I thank you sincerely.
I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful, warm and happy Christmas Season and the very best in 2012.
xo MIMI; December 15, 2011 at 12:15 PM