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Interview–Jennifer Shirk

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(See Jennifer’s excerpt post earlier today!)

CTR: Today we are pleased to have Jennifer Shirk with us as we talk about all things romantic! We’re featuring the most romantic novels we can find and talking about romance in general, not just the kind on pages! After all, Valentine’s Day is almost here and it is “the day” for love and romance!

First, please tell us a bit about your book. A blurb, buy link, ISBN, and heat level are especially good to know!

JS: Thanks so much! My recent book Georgie on His Mind is definitely perfect for sweet romance lovers. Here’s a little bit about it:

Georgie on His Mind
By Jennifer Shirk
ISBN: 978-0803477827
Publisher: Avalon Books

Georgie Mayer has no boyfriend and rarely goes out. In short, she needs a life. Since she’s graduated college and returned back home, her brother’s protectiveness has been in overdrive, and she hasn’t been able to have any fun, never mind get a date.
So what’s a poor particularly attractive girl to do in a situation like this? The only thing she can do: find him a woman!
He’ll thank her for it in the end. That is, if his best friend Walt Somers would stop interfering with her plans. The handsome pharmacist has made no secret that he doesn’t approve of what she’s up to. Unfortunately, having Walt hanging around does strange things to her mind, and suddenly she can’t help but take a healthy interest in him. But how can Georgie entertain thoughts of the two of them together when Walt still treats her like his best friend’s little sister?

CTR: How do you define romance and romantic? Do you think these concepts are different today than they were say 25 or 50 or even more years ago? Is our parents’ or grandparents’ version of romance now passé?

JS: Romance for me is all about those initial tingles you get when that attraction first sparks or when you get that first sense of love, which is why my books center more on that sexual tension and awareness than the actual sex part. For me, something “romantic” is anything dealing with the expression or feelings of love.
Do I think concepts have changed? Well, if you ask my mom, she’d say YES romantic concepts are different. But personally, I think although there have been changes in our culture as far as sexual roles and expression, the general concept of romance and what is romantic is the same.

CTR: What is the most romantic gesture or moment you ever witnessed or were involved in? Please share as much as you feel you can””no private secrets required if it is embarrassing but you are welcome to dish at least to the PG-13 level !

JS: Well, I always thought it was very romantic of my hubby to save our first date dinner receipt. After he signed the check, he made a joke and asked me if I wanted to keep the receipt for our scrapbook. I laughed considering it was our first date, but apparently he had a feeling about me and kept it””along with other little mementos from our early dating. (So sweet!)

CTR: Do you think “romance” is dying out, and by this I mean the traditional “hearts and flowers” kind of romance? Even the chivalric sorts of romantic connections featured in some ““particularly older””novels? It sometimes seems like young people now are more interested in “hooking up’ fast and easy via the social networks and high tech devices and that “romance” does not play a big role in the changing pattern of today’s relationships. Do you agree or not? If so, is this a good thing or maybe not so good?

JS: Well, I think it might seem this way with the way social networking and maybe with what some movies portray what’s going on. But I think when people find that certain special someone, they do fall back on more traditional forms of romance.

CTR: What is your favorite romantic book, movie and/or song and why?

JS: Oh, my romantic book”¦I’m going to have to fall back on an oldie but a goodie: Jane Eyre. The feelings that they had for one another where off the chart. Plus Jane wasn’t your traditional beautiful woman. But she was beautiful to him. *sigh*
For most romantic song, I would have to say, “Our Love is Here to Stay”. (It was our wedding song)

CTR: Is Valentine’s Day one of your fave holidays? Do you have a happy memory to share or a funny story? Some of us have one about our school days, a gesture by a special someone we once dated, etc. How do you plan to celebrate this year with your SO, spouse or partner or are you on your own?

JS: I LOVE””no pun intended””Valentine’s Day! But I think it should be more than once a year. You know it’s funny, when I was in dating, the whole concept of gifts and candy and flowers were very important to me. But now that I’ve found my true love, I don’t care about that stuff. I just want to be with him. (and go out to a nice dinner) LOL

CTR: Do you consider yourself a sentimental (romantic) person? (i.e.) Do you save all sorts of little souvenirs and use them to bring happy times to mind? Do you have the corsage from you big prom pressed in an old book? Still remember “your song’ with your first serious love? Do you moon over chick flicks with sweet and happy endings? Do you think happily ever after is really possible? Or is it maybe better to be more cool-headed and practical instead? Does the kind of Victorian ruffle and flourishes attitude really fit in our modern world?

JS: I totally moon over chick flicks!! Happily-ever-afters are definitely possible and I love any sort of media that represents that. And I do have a scrapbook with all kinds of souvenirs and keepsakes (movie stubs, pictures, notes, tickets, our wedding invitation, etc..). I don’t look at it often, but when I do I marvel at some of the sweet and wonderful things my hubby wrote to me when we were first dating. All those special tingles come back.

CTR: Thanks so much for sharing with us today and I hope our reader visitors will be inspired to visit your blog, web site, social networks and other connections to learn more about your and your books. Please give us some ways to contact you!

JS: Sure! And thank YOU for having me!
Feel free to check out my blog: http://www.jennifershirk.blogspot.com/
And my web site: http://www.jennifershirk.com/

Or I love to be social on the following networks:
Twitter: http://www.jennifershirk.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Jennifer-Shirk/100000745044647
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jennyshirk

Brenda Whiteside - January/February Contest My Funny Valentine's Event - Ella Quinn My Funny Valentine's Event - Dani Elias My Funny Valentine's Event - Serena Pier

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0 COMMENTS

  • T. Anne

    I think Jen’s book is going to be my Valentine gift to myself. =) Can’t wait to read it. It sounds GREAT!

  • Cindy L

    I think in the past I put too much emphasis on Valentine’s Day. Now we like to make it special for our boys. We usually have dinner at home and make chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate covered oreos for dessert.

  • JoAnne Kenrick

    awww — – I always thought it was very romantic of my hubby to save our first date dinner receipt. After he signed the check, he made a joke and asked me if I wanted to keep the receipt for our scrapbook. I laughed considering it was our first date, but apparently he had a feeling about me and kept it—along with other little mementos from our early dating. (So sweet!)
    NOW that is ROMANCE!!!

  • Maria Zannini

    I think it is so sweet that your ‘then’ date asked if you wanted to keep the dinner receipt.

    He’s a keeper.

  • Kit

    Hi Jennifer,
    Lovely interview! Georgie sounds like such a cute story! Can’t wait to read it. Sounds like you certainly found your true love!

  • Gina Ardito

    You had me melting at the dinner receipt. That’s about the sweetest thing I ever heard. I dated one guy who used to introduce me to people as his “future ex-wife.” But the hubster? Even if he had saved the cork from our first bottle of wine, it would have been to complain how much it cost him. (He let me choose. Fool.)

  • Silke Juppenlatz

    Awesome interview, Jennifer!
    And I think Valentines Day is THE day every guy dreads. 🙂
    They have no idea how easy we really are. 😉

  • Clarissa Yip

    Great interview! Your hubs sound so sweet! Valentine’s day is definitely around the corner. Can’t wait to hear your stories!

  • Nina Croft

    I love Jane Eyre as well and your hubby sounds a real sweetie! Enjoy Valentine’s day!

  • Cyn

    I love the reason you give for writing sweet romances, and I agree with you completely (even though I write erotica). Those first feelings are so wonderful…sigh.

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@angela.knight.7161 has a new #writing #class Conflicts to Build the Perfect Climax  Improve your writing skills Strong conflicts drive readers to keep reading in order to discover who wins.  02-01-2025 https://bit.ly/AKBuildConflict

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@angela.knight.7161 has a new #writing #class Conflicts to Build the Perfect Climax Improve your writing skills Strong conflicts drive readers to keep reading in order to discover who wins. 02-01-2025 https://bit.ly/AKBuildConflict

Class Length - 4 Weeks

The basic building blocks of romance fiction are conflicts: internal, external, and romantic. Strong conflicts drive readers to keep reading in order to discover who wins.

No matter how beautiful the writing is, if the conflict isn’t strong enough, the reader will get bored and go read something else. Great conflicts, on the other hand, can turn a book into a bestseller and an author into an autobuy.

New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight explains how she designs conflicts for maximum punch, then uses them to construct a climax that is both unpredictable and powerful. She provides students with worksheets they can use to design their own conflicts, then determine how to resolve them in an emotionally satisfying way.

She will also provide a character creation tool and plotting grid.
Sneak Peak with Lesson 1 https://bit.ly/AKlesson1
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Make no mistake, Declan Flynn is not a good man. He’s never claimed to be. He’s rich, powerful, dangerous…and, apparently, on someone’s kill list. When he wakes up one night, tied to a chair in a dank basement, Declan is certainly less than pleased—and in a killing mood of his own. Then she appears. His most unlikely savior.

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But fate is often funny, and she’s in the wrong place at the right time in order to save one very ungrateful and gorgeous billionaire. She’s a low-rent PI, he’s crime royalty (if you believe the gossip) and she may have just stumbled onto the first big case of her career. Now her job is to protect her new client—and in order to do that, she plans to stick to Declan like glue. He’d better get used to having her around. Intimately close.

First, he could have saved himself. Second, there is no way that Declan ever intends to let Marley go.

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Someone wants Declan to suffer. To pay for the crimes his father committed. To unmask the predator who is now hunting both Declan and Marley, they will have to face the hell of Declan’s past. Monsters aren’t born. They’re made. Declan was made into a monster long ago, and this beast will do anything to protect the angel that slipped into his world.

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Amazon

https://coffeetimeromance.com/horn-of-winter-by-keri-arthur/

Horn of Winter by Keri Arthur
(A Relic Hunters Novel Book 5)

Revenge is a dish best served cold…

When Bethany Aodhán, resident—and reluctant—relic hunter for Deva’s Fae Council, is assigned her next task, little does she realize just how many unwanted ghosts it will raise.

The missing relic—Borrhás’s Horn—enables the user to raise elements of winter against their enemies. It quickly becomes clear that the Horn is now in the hands of a powerful witch who has very specific targets in mind—everyone involved in the hunt for Agrona’s Claws.

As the attacks intensify, and buildings—and people—are frozen and destroyed, Bethany and Mathi Dhār-Val, her Elven handler and friend, race to uncover who is behind the attacks and reclaim the Horn.

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As the attacks grow ever more violent, it becomes clear that Bethany is now in their enemy’s crosshairs

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Or will winter’s icy embrace take them all?

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See more of Gail's audio books here

https://coffeetimeromance.com/the-dratsie-dilemma-by-g-l-carriger/

The Dratsie Dilemma by G. L. CarrigerThe San Andreas Shifters
A heartwarming urban fantasy from New York Times best selling author Gail Carriger about redemption, destiny, and the enduring strength of found family (and caffeine). Narrated by Darcy Stark (AKA Shea Taylor).

Once upon a time, Trick went up against the sea and lost. Badly. Or so he thought.

What the sea decides to keep, it keeps forever.

Trick is a dratsie shifter, a river otter. He is charming, loads of fun, and just a little bit slippery. He’s running from a past he can’t forget, and he’s landed unexpectedly in the chaotic comforting embrace of a small town cafe and the world’s queerest pack of werewolves.

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The San Andreas Shifter books stand alone and do not need to be listened to in any order, but if you’re a stickler, this book comes after The Enforcer Enigma.

Delicate Sensibilities?

This paranormal romance contains M/M sexy times, horrible puns regarding oceanography, and clumsy mermaids in high heels. Not for the faint of heart (or mouth or tongue).

©2024 Gail Carriger (P)2025 Gail Carriger

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Audio Books for Laurell K. Hamilton
 

 

 
Mistral's Kiss

 	A Novel (Merry Gentry, Book 5)
 By: Laurell K. Hamilton 
  Narrated by: Stella Hunter 
 	Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
 	Release date: 01-28-25 
 	Language: English 
 	Not rated yet

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A Stroke of Midnight

 	A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 4
  By: Laurell K. Hamilton 
  Narrated by: Stella Hunter 
  Series: A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 4 
 	Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
 	Release date: 01-21-25 
 	Language: English 

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A Kiss of Shadows

 	A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 1
  By: Laurell K. Hamilton 
  Narrated by: Stella Hunter 
  Series: A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 1 
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 	Release date: 12-03-24 
 	Language: English 

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 	A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 3
  By: Laurell K. Hamilton 
  Narrated by: Stella Hunter 
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 	Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins
 	Release date: 12-10-24 
 	Language: English 

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 	An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel
  By: Laurell K. Hamilton 
  Narrated by: Kimberly Alexis 
  Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 1 
 	Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
 	Release date: 08-20-09 
 	Language: English 

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 	An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel, Book 11
  By: Laurell K. Hamilton 
  Narrated by: Cynthia Holloway 
  Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 11 
 	Length: 15 hrs and 45 mins
 	Release date: 04-30-19 
 	Language: English 
 

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Narcissus in Chains...

Audio Books for Laurell K. Hamilton





Mistral`s Kiss

A Novel (Merry Gentry, Book 5)
By: Laurell K. Hamilton
Narrated by: Stella Hunter
Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 01-28-25
Language: English
Not rated yet

Regular price: $18.00

Pre-order: Try for $0.00








A Stroke of Midnight

A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 4
By: Laurell K. Hamilton
Narrated by: Stella Hunter
Series: A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 4
Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
Release date: 01-21-25
Language: English

Regular price: $22.50

Try for $0.00








A Kiss of Shadows

A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 1
By: Laurell K. Hamilton
Narrated by: Stella Hunter
Series: A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 1
Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 12-03-24
Language: English

Regular price: $22.50

Try for $0.00








Seduced by Moonlight

A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 3
By: Laurell K. Hamilton
Narrated by: Stella Hunter
Series: A Merry Gentry Novel, Book 3
Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 12-10-24
Language: English

Regular price: $22.50

Try for $0.00








Guilty Pleasures

An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel
By: Laurell K. Hamilton
Narrated by: Kimberly Alexis
Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
Release date: 08-20-09
Language: English

Regular price: $18.00

Try for $0.00








Cerulean Sins

An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel, Book 11
By: Laurell K. Hamilton
Narrated by: Cynthia Holloway
Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 11
Length: 15 hrs and 45 mins
Release date: 04-30-19
Language: English


Regular price: $24.75

Try for $0.00








Narcissus in Chains...
...

1 0
@laurellkhamilton has a #new #audible #books #MerryGentry #astrokeofmidnight  Check out her other audible books  @amazon https://bit.ly/lkhaudio

@laurellkhamilton has a #new #audible #books #MerryGentry #astrokeofmidnight Check out her other audible books @amazon https://bit.ly/lkhaudio ...

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Uncle Basil's Demise by Karen Dean BensonUNCLE BASIL’S DEMISE
KAREN DEAN BENSON
ASIN:  BODJ4C673Z
October 2024
Satin Romance
Satinromance.com | Amazon
E-Book
$5.99
385 Pages
Historical Romance/Mystery
Rating:  5 Cups 
Blurb

Amidst the gas-lit streets of 1870 London, twenty-two-year-old Tamsin’s world is shattered when she discovers her beloved uncle, a retired Lieutenant Detective for Her Majesty, dead at his desk. It is midnight and sounds from her uncle’s library woke her.

Determined to uncover the truth behind his untimely demise, Tamsin embarks on a perilous journey of deception and investigation. With the clock ticking and suspicion mounting, she must navigate the dangerous labyrinth of Victorian society to unmask a killer lurking in the shadows. A killer who may take her life as well. Perhaps a killer who is close to her.

Finding a welcome ally in Harrison Spenser, a criminal law student, whom her uncle mentored, Tamsin and Harrison race against time to unravel the secrets of her uncle’s final moments.

Can the two amateur sleuths uncover the sinister truths hiding behind the façade of respectability, or will the secrets of Uncle Basil’s demise be buried forever?

The Review
Fans of both historical romance and historical mysteries are going to love this book. First in what I hope will be a long running series, it features and intelligent and fearless heroine in Tamsin and her equally appealing partner in investigation, Harrison. Uncle Basil was so much more than just the retired civil servant Tamsin knew and loved, leading to many questions of who wanted him dead and why. Tamsin while determined to find her uncle’s killer also has legitimate worries about her future as an unmarried orphan of uncertain financial status. I was only sad that we did not meet Uncle Basil before his passing; he sounded like a fascinating person.

Maura
Reviewer For Coffee Time Romance & Morehttps://coffeetimeromance.com/uncle-basils-demise-by-karen-dean-benson/

Uncle Basil`s Demise by Karen Dean BensonUNCLE BASIL’S DEMISE
KAREN DEAN BENSON
ASIN: BODJ4C673Z
October 2024
Satin Romance
Satinromance.com | Amazon
E-Book
$5.99
385 Pages
Historical Romance/Mystery
Rating: 5 Cups
Blurb

Amidst the gas-lit streets of 1870 London, twenty-two-year-old Tamsin’s world is shattered when she discovers her beloved uncle, a retired Lieutenant Detective for Her Majesty, dead at his desk. It is midnight and sounds from her uncle’s library woke her.

Determined to uncover the truth behind his untimely demise, Tamsin embarks on a perilous journey of deception and investigation. With the clock ticking and suspicion mounting, she must navigate the dangerous labyrinth of Victorian society to unmask a killer lurking in the shadows. A killer who may take her life as well. Perhaps a killer who is close to her.

Finding a welcome ally in Harrison Spenser, a criminal law student, whom her uncle mentored, Tamsin and Harrison race against time to unravel the secrets of her uncle’s final moments.

Can the two amateur sleuths uncover the sinister truths hiding behind the façade of respectability, or will the secrets of Uncle Basil’s demise be buried forever?

The Review
Fans of both historical romance and historical mysteries are going to love this book. First in what I hope will be a long running series, it features and intelligent and fearless heroine in Tamsin and her equally appealing partner in investigation, Harrison. Uncle Basil was so much more than just the retired civil servant Tamsin knew and loved, leading to many questions of who wanted him dead and why. Tamsin while determined to find her uncle’s killer also has legitimate worries about her future as an unmarried orphan of uncertain financial status. I was only sad that we did not meet Uncle Basil before his passing; he sounded like a fascinating person.

Maura
Reviewer For Coffee Time Romance & Morehttps://coffeetimeromance.com/uncle-basils-demise-by-karen-dean-benson/
...

3 0
The Kristmas Project by Mary MartinezTHE KRISTMAS PROJECT
Wintergreen Village Series, Book 1
MARY MARTINEZ
ASIN: B0CW1BTWNG
October 2024
Mary Martinez
www.marymartinez.com
$4.99
271 Pages
Rating:  5 Cups 
Blurb
Kristmas Noel Holly was born in December. Her parents hated everything about the season, so why had they named her after Christmas? Kris’s childhood memories were not filled with peace and joy, more of dread. She’s ecstatic when an invitation arrives to a prestigious conference in Germany for the first week of December. Her salvation to avoid the festivities.

Nicholas Joseph Holladay loves the season, every decorated tree, carol, and Hallmark movie. Nick’s idea of a perfect Christmas for his daughter doesn’t include a business trip. He loves his job ten months out of the year, so he’ll accompany Kris. He hopes to remedy Kris’s holiday workaholic tendencies by rekindling the special magic of the season for her. He plans to take Kris to the famous holiday markets and show her how much she misses while working.

Will his plan succeed, or will he ruin their working relationship?
The Review
Kristmas Noel Holly may carry the ultimate Christmas name but his is one Scrooge who wished people would stop believing in the myth.  I found myself disliking Kristmas but after getting to know her the reader can only feel sorry for someone who has never felt love.  The writing of Mary Martinez is superb and provides the reader a Christmas romance worth reading.  Each character takes a life all their own.  The reader feels welcomed into the chaos of the season.  I highly recommend the writing of Mary Martinez and her story of a lady Scrooge who is learning the reason for the season, but will she learn to late?

Delane
Reviewer For Coffee Time Romance & Morehttps://coffeetimeromance.com/the-kristmas-project-by-mary-martinez-2/

The Kristmas Project by Mary MartinezTHE KRISTMAS PROJECT
Wintergreen Village Series, Book 1
MARY MARTINEZ
ASIN: B0CW1BTWNG
October 2024
Mary Martinez
www.marymartinez.com
$4.99
271 Pages
Rating: 5 Cups
Blurb
Kristmas Noel Holly was born in December. Her parents hated everything about the season, so why had they named her after Christmas? Kris’s childhood memories were not filled with peace and joy, more of dread. She’s ecstatic when an invitation arrives to a prestigious conference in Germany for the first week of December. Her salvation to avoid the festivities.

Nicholas Joseph Holladay loves the season, every decorated tree, carol, and Hallmark movie. Nick’s idea of a perfect Christmas for his daughter doesn’t include a business trip. He loves his job ten months out of the year, so he’ll accompany Kris. He hopes to remedy Kris’s holiday workaholic tendencies by rekindling the special magic of the season for her. He plans to take Kris to the famous holiday markets and show her how much she misses while working.

Will his plan succeed, or will he ruin their working relationship?
The Review
Kristmas Noel Holly may carry the ultimate Christmas name but his is one Scrooge who wished people would stop believing in the myth. I found myself disliking Kristmas but after getting to know her the reader can only feel sorry for someone who has never felt love. The writing of Mary Martinez is superb and provides the reader a Christmas romance worth reading. Each character takes a life all their own. The reader feels welcomed into the chaos of the season. I highly recommend the writing of Mary Martinez and her story of a lady Scrooge who is learning the reason for the season, but will she learn to late?

Delane
Reviewer For Coffee Time Romance & Morehttps://coffeetimeromance.com/the-kristmas-project-by-mary-martinez-2/
...

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8 Steps for Starting an Author Newsletter by Kayelle Allen

As an author, building a direct line of communication with your readers is invaluable. One of the most effective ways to do this is through an author newsletter. Not only does it allow for consistent engagement, but it also serves as a platform to share updates, promotions, and personal insights into your writing journey. If you're considering starting your own author newsletter, here are eight basic steps to set you on the right path.

Step 1: Define Your Purpose
Before diving in, it's crucial to define the purpose of your newsletter. Do you want to share book updates, writing tips, personal stories, exclusive content, or engage your readers in a more interactive way? Understanding your primary objective will guide your content and style. Remember, your audience should always be at the forefront of these considerations. What value can you provide them?

Step 2: Choose an Email Marketing Service
Once you have a clear purpose, it's time to select an email marketing service. There are several options available, such as Mailerlite, ConvertKit, SendinBlue, Substack, and EmailOctopus. Look for features that fit your needs, such as customizable templates, automation capabilities, segmentation options, and analytics to track open rates and click-throughs. Some platforms offer free tiers, which can be perfect for getting started. Here are two I suggest (with affiliate links):

Mailerlite – many bells and whistles

Sendfox – simple and easy for newbies

Step 3: Build Your Subscriber List
Now that you have a service in place, it's time to start building your subscriber list. Make sure to create a clear and inviting signup form on your author website and social media platforms. Here are a few strategies for encouraging sign-ups:

- Offer a Freebie: Provide a downloadable eBook, short story, or reading guide as an incentive for readers to join your list.

- Promote Across Platforms: Share your newsletter signup link on your website, blog, social media accounts, and at the end of your published works.

- Engage Your Existing Audience: If you have a social media following or previous readers, leverage that c...

8 Steps for Starting an Author Newsletter by Kayelle Allen

As an author, building a direct line of communication with your readers is invaluable. One of the most effective ways to do this is through an author newsletter. Not only does it allow for consistent engagement, but it also serves as a platform to share updates, promotions, and personal insights into your writing journey. If you`re considering starting your own author newsletter, here are eight basic steps to set you on the right path.

Step 1: Define Your Purpose
Before diving in, it`s crucial to define the purpose of your newsletter. Do you want to share book updates, writing tips, personal stories, exclusive content, or engage your readers in a more interactive way? Understanding your primary objective will guide your content and style. Remember, your audience should always be at the forefront of these considerations. What value can you provide them?

Step 2: Choose an Email Marketing Service
Once you have a clear purpose, it`s time to select an email marketing service. There are several options available, such as Mailerlite, ConvertKit, SendinBlue, Substack, and EmailOctopus. Look for features that fit your needs, such as customizable templates, automation capabilities, segmentation options, and analytics to track open rates and click-throughs. Some platforms offer free tiers, which can be perfect for getting started. Here are two I suggest (with affiliate links):

Mailerlite – many bells and whistles

Sendfox – simple and easy for newbies

Step 3: Build Your Subscriber List
Now that you have a service in place, it`s time to start building your subscriber list. Make sure to create a clear and inviting signup form on your author website and social media platforms. Here are a few strategies for encouraging sign-ups:

- Offer a Freebie: Provide a downloadable eBook, short story, or reading guide as an incentive for readers to join your list.

- Promote Across Platforms: Share your newsletter signup link on your website, blog, social media accounts, and at the end of your published works.

- Engage Your Existing Audience: If you have a social media following or previous readers, leverage that c...
...

4 1
Shelly Laurenston/G.A. Aiken Newsletter (1-15-2025)

Books  Series  News  Contact  FAQ

Hello, everyone.

Hope everyone had a good New Years. I spent it at home with just me, G, and my non-alcoholic champagne. I’m glad I did because last week I had to let my sweet Gaius go.

It broke my heart and was a very hard decision to make, but after three different discussions with three different vets in the same practice over a two-week period…

One of them warned me that G may not be that dog that ever stops eating. Normally, loss of appetite is a very clear signal that it’s “time.” But G never lost his appetite. So, he got tons of treats those last few days. He got ice cream and bacon and steak; even a delightful, triple-cream brie. He got to say goodbye to all his favorite friends and I was with him until the last, holding him tight.

Do I miss him? Every day. Do I wish he had another twenty years of life but as he was at 5 or 6? Yup! Do I wish he could have shared these years with my Maxie…? Probably not. I worry what Max would have done to my good-natured boy. Max got me because I was NOT looking for a friendly dog that loved everyone. At the time, the two of us were meant to be together, bound by our mutual rage and distrust. Gaius, however, was sent from my mother from Elysian Fields. She was worried I would never be social if I got another paranoid dog with rage issues. And, as always, the woman was right.

As it is, I have sort of gone back into my protective cocoon. I’m not in the mood to speak to anyone and I have work to do, which gives me enough of an excuse to not go outside unless I have to.

I am planning on getting another dog sooner rather than later so that I don’t get too used to being a recluse. I might have already had one by now except I abruptly remembered that I have to call in for jury duty for a week at the end of January. I don’t want to bring a rescue dog home, only to abandon him for a few days at a kennel. I worry he or she will think they’ve been abandoned again and I don’t want them thinking that. So once jury duty is done, I can focus on next steps. Because, quite honestly, the silence in the house is deafening. I keep loo...

Shelly Laurenston/G.A. Aiken Newsletter (1-15-2025)

Books Series News Contact FAQ

Hello, everyone.

Hope everyone had a good New Years. I spent it at home with just me, G, and my non-alcoholic champagne. I’m glad I did because last week I had to let my sweet Gaius go.

It broke my heart and was a very hard decision to make, but after three different discussions with three different vets in the same practice over a two-week period…

One of them warned me that G may not be that dog that ever stops eating. Normally, loss of appetite is a very clear signal that it’s “time.” But G never lost his appetite. So, he got tons of treats those last few days. He got ice cream and bacon and steak; even a delightful, triple-cream brie. He got to say goodbye to all his favorite friends and I was with him until the last, holding him tight.

Do I miss him? Every day. Do I wish he had another twenty years of life but as he was at 5 or 6? Yup! Do I wish he could have shared these years with my Maxie…? Probably not. I worry what Max would have done to my good-natured boy. Max got me because I was NOT looking for a friendly dog that loved everyone. At the time, the two of us were meant to be together, bound by our mutual rage and distrust. Gaius, however, was sent from my mother from Elysian Fields. She was worried I would never be social if I got another paranoid dog with rage issues. And, as always, the woman was right.

As it is, I have sort of gone back into my protective cocoon. I’m not in the mood to speak to anyone and I have work to do, which gives me enough of an excuse to not go outside unless I have to.

I am planning on getting another dog sooner rather than later so that I don’t get too used to being a recluse. I might have already had one by now except I abruptly remembered that I have to call in for jury duty for a week at the end of January. I don’t want to bring a rescue dog home, only to abandon him for a few days at a kennel. I worry he or she will think they’ve been abandoned again and I don’t want them thinking that. So once jury duty is done, I can focus on next steps. Because, quite honestly, the silence in the house is deafening. I keep loo...
...

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