www – Wednesday – South Georgia Writer’s Guild

Today I wanted to share another organization I’m a part of. It is call South Georgia Writer’s Guild. (SGWG)

SGWG was formed by a handful of writers who all live in South Georgia. (Bet you never who have guessed that, right! *laughing*) We write from all different genres and have all different experiences. But that what makes this organization so amazing!

We have found that we can pull from each other and grow.
Over the past few years we’ve gone from a handful to almost 100 members.
We meet two times a month and have video meetings too.
There are writers from kidlit to romance to sci-fi to fantasy to gamers to (fill in the blank)!
We have hobbiest to intermediate to experienced. Indie and traditional.

YOU NAME IT!

Feel free to check out the South Georgia Writer’s Guild website and join the group, if you like!

Are you a member in a great group? Let us know who they are!

Until next time…
Happy writing!
~t

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www. Wednesday – KidLit.TV

http://www.   Wednesday   – KidLit.TV

Hi everyone.

Most of you know one of my passions is writing.

*bet you couldn’t guess that. LAUGHING* 

I’m honored to be a part of the KidLit TV team.  For those of you who haven’t checked out their website, it is full of videos that are kid-friendly.

STORYMAKERS: Features authors (and kidlit champions) who share something about a book of theirs. It could be an interview, or a yummy recipe, or a craft, or sharing other titles, and on and on. It’s a great way for children to see the people who are behind-the-book.

READ OUT LOUD: Who doesn’t like story time????? So gather around and listen in as someone (author/illustrator/literacy champion) reads a story and shares the artwork inside the covers.

READ, SET, DRAW!: Time to drag out your pencils, pens, markers, or water colors! Budding artists can learn first-hand to draw from illustrators!!!! How cool is that?!?

Podcasts: Many of the episodes are available as podcasts! You can always listen to an episode!

There’s a tab for crafts and thinking outside-the-box! There’s also Phil’s Fast 5 episodes, Two-In-A-Teepee, and so much more.

Check out: KidLit.TV, but be prepared to stay for a while!

Until next time…
Happy writing!
~t

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www. Wednesday – SCBWI

http://www.  Wednesday – SCBWI

If you have followed this blog for any amount of time, you know I write KidLit. (aka children’s books) This is my heart, my passion. I can honestly say, I would not be where I am professionally without SCBWI.

Society of
Children’s
Book
Writers
&
Illustrators

SCBWI is a world-wide organization which is broken into various regions. They hold national conferences and regional conferences. There is a bulletin that goes out, which shares valuable information. On the website you can find “THE BOOK” that has contact information for you to submit to various houses and agencies. There are grants you can apply for. And I haven’t even mentioned the people you will meet!!! They are your tribe. The people who really, truly get you!

There is a due to pay every year, but I have found it to be well worth the fee!

Check them out:  www.scbwi.org!

Until next time…
Happy writing!

~t

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#MarketingMonday – Reciprocity

Marketing can be daunting to say the least. I mean who wants to sit there and feel like they are bashing others over the head saying things like: “Buy my (insert product)!” “Watch this video!” “Have you seen this?” and yadda yadda on and on. No one, that’s who! It’s the down side of putting your products and yourself out there.

People ain’t got time for all that stuff!

So what can you do? One thing I have found more beneficial than anything else is RECIPROCITY! Or promoting others.

Reciprocity:   a social norm of responding to a positive action with another positive action, rewarding kind action

Yes, talk about other people in your field. Let them know what they say matters. Let them know that you find their post intriguing. Let them know that you think they are important in your field.

HOW can you do this?

• LIKE what they say.
• COMMENT on their posts. Ya know, be interactive on social media. ***cough, cough. SOCIAL-IZE! cough, cough***
• REBLOG, RETWEET, SHARE what they have to say. Spread the word! Give them some link-y love!!!

As you do this you will accomplish several things:

• Getting great content out into the world.
• Getting your name noticed by the poster. They notice who does this… trust me!
• Having your followers trust you for great content.
• Building your brand.

And guess what happens when you do this regularly??? People will start LIKING your posts. They will start COMMENTING on your posts. They will start SHARING, REBLOGGING, and RETWEETING what you have to say. You will see it come full-circle. Ya know, the whole “what goes around, comes around” kind of thing.  😉   Will it happen over night? No. Building trust and loyalty takes time. You will have to work at it. But it will happen!

There are several ways to find great content too…

1. READ. Do a search and see what you can find.
2. FOLLOW others on the interweebs. See what they have to say!
3. SIGN UP for blog post notifications. This way you will be able to read posts and easily share what you will.
4. LOOK at what is trending. See what is popular in your area.

I hope this gives you some ideas on how to begin to market yourself (and others).

Until next time…
Have fun writing!
~t

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Wednesday – www.traceymcox.com

Wednesday – http://www.traceymcox.com

This year I’ve decided to challenge myself more. I will be marketing for myself and my business harder. And for my clients also. Needless to say, the first website for me to promote is…   *shameless plug alert!*   my own:

www.traceymcox.com

As many of you know, I’m a small business. I write, illustrate, market, and crochet. On my website you’ll find information about my:

• books
• illustrations
• social media set up
• critique services
• marketing
• website design
• crochet products

I really do appreciate those of you who are already a client of mine.   *I really, really do!*   You all make my life an adventure. I can’t tell you how much fun I had crocheting this year. And seeing everyone’s response at the things I made.

Please visit my website and have a look around. Let me know what you think about it in the comments!

Until next time…
~t

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New Year – Motivation

Welcome to 2018, y’all!

It’s the time of the year of new-ness. I like to think of it as a turning of the page, a new chapter, a new book. The possibilities before you are endless. There are things out there you want to make better, want to try for the first time. I’m here to tell you to GO FOR IT!

Time is our worst enemy. We don’t know how much is left. If you want to write. WRITE! If you want to draw. DRAW! If you want to go back to school. REGISTER! Reach for the stars.

As many of you know, I detest making resolutions. I always feel as if I’m setting myself up for failure. And ain’t nobody got time for that. So instead of listing things I want to accomplish. I choose a word to inspire me throughout the entire year. Once chosen, I print it out where I can see it every day. Or re-look at when I get discourage. This year my word is…

CHIPS

No, not potato chips. Or wood chips. Or even poker chips. Although poker chips would fit perfectly in my field. As every thing seems to be a gamble!   *laughing*   But the chips of every day life, what you are doing, exposing yourself, and getting things done. This is the quote where I found my word:

So, my challenge to you is how will you stretch yourself this year? Do you like to make a New Year’s Resolution?   *it’s okay if you do*   Do you like to find an inspirational word? Or do you do something different? Let me know in the comments.

~ HaPpY NeW YeAr’S EvErYoNe ~

Until next time…
~t

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Wednesday www – SCBWI

Wednesdays I like to share websites that I have found beneficial. If you have been following me for a while, these will probably sound familiar. But I must say the ones I repeat, I repeat for a reason.

My first website to share for the year is SCBWI.org.

SCBWI stands for The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and is a world-wide organization and is broken down into different regions. I happen to be in the Southern Breeze Region, which is Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.

SCBWI holds two major conferences a year, and then most regions will host a conference separately. These are amazing opportunities for writers and illustrators. You get to take various workshops or attend different speeches. These can be from other writers/illustrators or agents, editors, and art directors. You get to meet people who will actually GET you! You have the opportunity to present yourself in front of the very people you submit too. You know, to make that personal connection.

You also have an opportunity to volunteer for your region. I volunteer with mine.  😀   Not only is it a great way to pay-it-forward, but the main speakers will see your name and know that you take your job, be it writing or illustrating or both, seriously and are not afraid to go the extra step.

There are dues every year, but I have found that it is well worth it. There is a bi-monthly newsletter, a monthly Insight newsletter, access to The Book, the opportunity to submit to many awards and grants, and much more.

For more information click over to SCBWI.org and check it out. If you are serious about writing or illustrating for children, you won’t regret it!

Until next time…
Happy Writing!
~t

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