Branding: A Deeper Look At Me

Here I am?
Do you know me?
If not we it's nice to meet you.

For this post I looked at me and asked those who know me a few questions.

I'm going to start with my tagline. But first I'm going to admit something. Back in 2009 when I first found out I was getting published I wasn't ready. I thought I'm going to write first and figure out the rest when I need to. WRONG! I wish I had at least dipped my toes into the promotion and business end of things.

Okay back to taglines. Here's a few I like, and links to some great authors websites:
 
Brandy Walker Passionate, Breathtaking Romance. http://brandywalker.net/

Tilly Greene Scorching romances full of twists, turns and ties. http://tillygreene.com/

Nina S. Gooden Love That Breaks Bonds! http://www.ninasgooden.com/

Lissa Matthews Where the men are NAUGHTY http://lissamatthews.com/

Shannon Stacey fun contemporary romances and more http://shannonstacey.com/

Jaci Burton Passion On The Edge http://jaciburton.com/

Okay, now here's mine:

Rita Sawyer Giving You It All. Romance. Passion. Laughter. www.RitaSawyer.com

Now we're going to go over those questions I talked about.
First, does my tagline encompass all my books?
The consensus here was yes, which is a relief. I hope all my books have romance and passion, but the laughter is key. If you're not having fun doing whatever you're doing why do it? That's not to say I don't enjoy tugging at people's heart strings. I just like my stories to have a good balance of ups and downs.

Okay next up is the logo I use on my self-pubbed books.
 
I know what you're thinking. What's the difference? Nothing in the text, but that was my point. In this case I wanted to say the same thing, but hopefully in a more eye catching way.



Since this goes in the back of my books I still had to ask myself How is this going to help me with promotion? After some friendly discussion with a little help I came up something I could put on my promo items.

I know it's the same thing. BUT different. This I could use. And boy did I. Book 3 in my Heiresses In Aprons Series is Martinis, Manicure & Mud Pies. My promotion guru and favorite daughter (she's my only daughter) designed these mini business cards,

 and we put the logo on the back. Then we punched a hole in the bottom and attached them to these mini-martini glasses filled with candy covered chocolates and a gumball olive, or candy fruit slice.

I think they came out great. I like to try and do something original and little special for events. I'm always on the look out.

What does any of this have to do with my brand? That's what I'm trying to figure out. I think I'm getting closer.

I would love to really go with the humor angle a little more. I've even sat on a few humor panels at, Authors After Dark, a romance readers conference I go to every year. The problem here is I don't set out to be funny. It's kind of something that just happens. Honestly it was one of my publishers who first decided my novella A Damsel Without A Dress was a romantic comedy, not a straight contemporary romance.

It was readers who told me my Heiresses series has a chick lit feel. I was totally thrilled with that. Book 1 Shit Kickers & Stilettos hit the chick lit bestseller list at ARe

That's enough thinking for now. I'm going to shut off the business side of my brain and write.

Author After Dark Featured Author Interview: Tilly Greene

AAD Featured Author Interview: Tilly Greene

Welcome Authors After Dark 2014 featured author Tilly Greene!

 Yah!  I’m so glad to be here … thank you for having me.  Grap your cup of coffee, tea or whatever your poison is … mine is Coke … and let’s natter.

Is this your first year attending AAD?
HA!  Ummm, NO!  I’ve been going to AAD since day naught and have loved every one.  Each year is slightly different but what’s the same is the fun to be had.

What brings you back to AAD?
Reconnecting with people and meeting new ones, those are the two things AAD offers and they never grow old.  There’s loads of fun to be had, book chatter to indulge and parties to flutter around, but honestly it’s all about the people who attend.  I could care less where they are held because I rarely leave the hotel or see my room for that matter … there is that much happening!  I think last year I was up and ready to play by 10 and in bed by 2, sometimes 3, and it was all fun and I have the pictures to prove it.

Do you have a book coming out before AAD you want the attendees to know about?
 I do, thank you for asking.  Pleasured in London, a contemporary erotica with bondage and ménage a trois short, is the second book in my Pleasured in… series and will be released in June by me.  Come Back, my new shape shifter based in New York City is the first in a trilogy and out in July through Torrid Books.  Both of these will be available as ebooks.  As for paperback, well, I plan to have a super secret surprise book, fingers crossed, and then there’s Branded – my contemporary multicultural western BDSM anthology with A Wild Ride, that can only be found in Branded.

Tell us about the party you’re hosting at AAD!
There are two I have a hand in.  One is the cocktail party before the Bookies, which I adore!  They honor people in the industry, from bloggers to writers, and that is not done anywhere else.  At the cocktail party I should be able to unveil the super secret surprise book … ooo, three s’s, must be special!  The other event is the Paranormal Party.  Both are totally different and will be fun to attend.  Oh and there will be goodies to collect as well!

What panels will you be on at AAD?
I’ll be sitting on the multicultural/interracial, multiple partners, shifters and a readers rule panel … all different, good fun, full of information and goodies, cool swag goodies!  Oh, and I plan to have a bag of stuff like an AAD t-shirt and a mug to giveaway at one of the panels, sweet!

We’re all excited about the book signing. What books will you have on hand to sign and sell?
 I write what I ready, everything, so it’s a mixed bag of delight.  Zandia is a futuristic and empowers women, Highland Heat is a shape shifter and you can’t help but fall in love with the hero Hamish Buchanan, Mythological Messes Redux has six Greek mythology stories where I’ve extended the traditional myth for a new and better ending and a few of them you’ve probably never heard of, and I can’t forget my new book, Branded, which I told you about above … cowboys are so bloody sexy, especially when they’re into BDSM!  Did I mention most of these books have BDSM in them?  Yeah, when we say I write it hot, it’s steam with the ladies bound and taken!  Not one of these books is the same, not even the super secret surprise book.  What I can say is they all would make a fantastic read while sunning yourself poolside or curled up on the couch … I’m all about the read!

Where can readers find you?
When I’m dodging deadlines, I am EVERYWHERE!  First there’s my WEBSITE, like BAM, everything to know is there. Then there’s  Facebook [it’s a habit] and my FB Profile [please, like me, I have so few ], Pinterest [totally addicted to clothes I’d never wear and hot dudes], Twitter [is where I drop random tidbits that float through my mind] and when I have a free minute I add to my Hot Thoughts Blog.

Can’t wait to see you all in Charlotte … make sure and hunt me down to say Hi!  I love meeting new to me people