Contests and Giveaways:Exploring the World of Indie Author Marketing with S.L. Dearing

Jan. 21, 2013 - PRLog -- Author S. L. Dearing has written a novel of paranormal, epic fantasy with a touch of dystopian ideology, which is set in the ruins of what was once Southern California. She has done so without the aid of a traditional publishing house.  Many would be quick to assume her novel isn’t good enough, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.  Her reviews on Amazon and Goodreads are within the 4 to 5 star range.  Most Indie authors are exceptional, but have chosen a different path, for any number of reasons.

“I chose to be an independent author because I didn’t want to do all the leg work and reap none of the benefits.  I also didn’t want someone telling me what my story should be, nor did I want to give away the right to publish my work should the publisher decide to remove my work from print.” Continued, Ms. Dearing. “I think that there is room for all publishers…big traditional houses, small houses, indie houses and self-publishing authors... I just chose an untraditional path.”

Ms. Dearing has been exploring the world of indie author marketing that has included social media sites, like Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter; most recently, the world of contests and giveaways.  Ms. Dearing is currently competing in a contest called Writer’s Got Talent (http://www.WritersGotTalent.com).  The brainstorm of Bruce Goldwell (http://www.brucegoldwell.com), this contest is a way for authors to connect with one another and help each other on the road marketing triumph.  Set up like an XFactor for writers, it implores the opinion of the public to find the most talented writers and move them on to the next level.  The writers in turn promote each other and the contest.

S.l. Dearing said, “When I began, I started to contact bloggers and book reviewers (NarlyNut's Book Lovers, Cynthia Shepp Book Reviews & Editing, The Library at the End of the Universe and Great Minds Think Aloud) and many were not just reviewing, but promoting giveaways.  I decided to join in and have noticed my book sales slowly increasing; in addition, I have made a number of friends and new connections.  I believe the Indie Authors two best friends are other authors and the blogger-reviewers.  The obvious next progression was the wonderful opportunity to join in on Writer’s Got Talent.”

The road to success is almost always a bumpy one, but it would appear that authors like S.L. Dearing are attempting to smooth the way by engaging in a pay it forward attitude that can only prove to be beneficial to everyone involved.  The Writer’s Got Talent (https://www.WritersGotTalent.com) contest is continuing for three more weeks, go and see the indie author talent and vote for your favorite.  

The Gathering: Book One of the Lia Fail Chronicles is available on Amazon and through S.L. Dearing’s website (https://www.sldearing.com). One Amazon reviewer wrote, “Like an Arthurian legend with a decidedly feminine twist, The Gathering is the ideal antithesis to Medieval fantasy, placing the action in the future but borrowing heavily from the past. Alia Stark is a strong character that leads the way to a promising future after "the end of the world.”
The novel reads swiftly without bogging down the reader with too much needless information or sidetracks that deter from the main story. Fantastic creatures, mystical powers, and a moral center grounds the themes of family, love, and rebirth.”