A warm welcome to author Kris Jacen joining us today to talk about her new release “Step Up With Me”, book 5 in the succesful With Me series.

Kris talks to us about writing and brought a giveaway for our readers.

Welcome Kris 🙂

Do You Write?

This was a question I’ve been asked for years. And for years my answer was “Nope and I have no inclination to. I just edit.” Oh how have I been eating those words for about fifteen months now. You see, I’d always had plot bunnies come to visit me and I would know which author to feed them to but when Mackey (one of the main characters from WAIT FOR ME) showed up sitting at the bar in the opening scene of his book, he took up residence and decided only I could tell his and Scott’s story.

I expected it to be a one and done. I wasn’t an author. I was an editor. I help authors tell the best story THEY could tell, not ME. But one became a series with number 5 (STEP UP WITH ME) releasing just a few days ago. So here I find myself an author!

What do I know about author things? Swag for conferences? Marketing a book? How to promo? Bookbub vs Goodreads vs Amazon Author central? I found myself swimming in the deep end quickly. Thankfully, I have some good friends (and I’m not naming names because, well, I always feel like I’m name dropping) that have taken me under their wings and given me some advice so I thought I’d share with those out there that might be having the same issues.

Number 1 – yes, you need to have an Amazon Author Central page. It’s an easy and FREE way to collect all your books in one place for readers to find them.

Number 2 – do not, and I repeat in all caps DO NOT, go to Goodreads “just to see what readers think about your book”. Not every book is for every reader and some readers are not quite diplomatic about this fact. I vaguely recall that I have an account at Goodreads but, honestly, I can’t remember how to log in. So do yourself a favor and skip that step.

Number 3 – swag for conferences. Find one or two items that stand for you/your books OR something that is super handy so readers will keep it and remember you. I have a few pieces of swag from conference many years ago that make me remember the author AND are useful. You do not have to spend hundreds of dollars on swag, just put some thought into it.

Number 4 – promo. There are many, many, many groups on Facebook that are FREE to join and are designed for readers to find new books to read. Make sure that you follow the rules of the group you’re joining and make sure that it’s relevant to your book (i.e. if your book is a M/M historical, promo-ing in a group that’s all about mysteries probably isn’t the best idea). Also on FB, be yourself; be nice; be real. You don’t want something to come back and bite you in your fourth point of contact (look it up – it’s an Army jumpmaster term) months or years down the road when you’re established.

Number 5 – and most importantly – have fun! Remember why you started writing. Something was inside of you that said “hey, I can tell this story.” Is it a job? Yes, it is but unlike the drudge of leaving the house every day to go to the “evil day job” I’m betting that you’ve got a passion for stories and that’s what lead you to writing.

STEP UP WITH ME (With Me #5)

Richard “Tank” Martin was a big boy from the start. Born weighing over 11 pounds, he didn’t stop growing. When he was in middle school, a football coach took him under his wing and finally explained to him the mystery of calories in, calories out and from then on it was all good for him. At least he thought. Being called to meet with his platoon sergeant and told that he was now part of the Army’s overweight program, sent him into a spin that only his crews can help him out of.

Dr. Jack Dillon thought his life was good and finally settled. Part of an active veterinarian practice, volunteering with a service dog organization, spoiling his sister’s triplets and training in sports jui-jitsu…the only this missing was a partner. He never thought that his world could be shattered with just a phone call even after being around his military friends.

Tank and Jack have been dancing around each other for months until Tank takes a chance and kisses Jack at their friends’ wedding moving their slow dance into a heated bump and grind. Can these two survive the changes coming their ways together or will all the changes break them apart?

Buy Links:

MLR Press

Amazon

Kris Jacen grew up just north of Boston, Massachusetts, met her soldier in high school but didn’t marry him until almost ten years later. She moved around with him and their daughters (born in two different states thanks to the Army) for the first 19 years of their marriage (they celebrated their silver anniversary in 2018) before settling in western New York.

She has been the Editor in Chief and Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints since January of 2008 and has never looked back. Working with the amazing authors at MLR has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. She also acts as editor, mentor and sounding-board for newcomers which lets her “pay-it-forward” and help authors realize their dreams.

You can find out more about Kris on her website www.krisjacen.com.

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/kris.jacen

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1027160227461354/

FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/krisjacenauthor/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/krisjacen

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kris-jacen

Amazon: https://www.smarturl.it/KrisJacen

Website:  http://www.krisjacen.com

Kris brought  an ecopy of book 1 in the series “Wait for Me” !
a Rafflecopter giveaway