Happy new week everyone. I hope you had a fantastic weekend. Today’s marketing tips are from the author of The Curse of Time, Marjorie Mallon.

1.  I’d recommend joining professional writing groups such as SCBWI: https://www.scbwi.org/.The Society of Children’s Writers and Book Illustrators is a fabulous group of authors and illustrators. There are many activities and opportunities to get involved with: from socials, to writing seminars, agents parties, critique groups, the scrawl crawl (for illustrators and arty writers!) as well as book club discussion SCBWI has introduced me to a wider community of self-published and traditionally published authors. This has culminated in a very special book/marketing event which is to be held at the Cambridge Central Library on 9th February.

2. Network and spend some money! It is vitally important to build a tribe of friends who will support and encourage you. Writing can be a lonely business! These connections bring opportunities to share your work via author interviews, blog posts, and don’t forgetto reciprocatein whatever way you can by reviewing, offering author interviews and spotlights. These blog tours can encourage ‘new readers,’ who might read and review your book. I’d recommend spending a little money to widen your reach by trying a reputable blog tour company. I would highly recommend bloggers such as Jenny Marston who organised my blog tour with the added bonus of reviews too.

3. Entering competitions. This can be a fantastic way to build your confidence and to encourage readers to pick up your book. If you have some success howeversmall, shout out about it. It’s not bragging- it’s just a writer’s way of saying I love writing, I’ve achieved a little success and that makes me happy.

My recent successes include: winning first prize at the Bloggers Bash Blog Competition with my cheeky flash- The Queen’s Dress Down Day https://mjmallon.com/2018/05/24/winners-of-the-2018-bloggers-bash-blog-post-competition/

And first prize with a murderous piece of flash for Charli Mills Flash Fiction with another humorous one entitled Mr Blamey. https://carrotranch.com/2017/12/19/winner-of-flash-fiction-contest-7

Even if you don’t win you might receive a surprise email like I did recently from Wasifiri: https://www.wasafiri.org/offering a free critique of writing from the literary consultancy Cornerstones:https://cornerstones.co.uk/

I was very excited about this and I think it’s a great scheme. But, I was unable to accept this wonderful opportunity for women writers as the small print called for me to belong to one of the following unrepresented groups: low income, a BAME writer, memberof the LGBQT community, disabled, a student, or over 60.