Grow Your Author Platform Organically on Facebook in 2024
By: Ginger | Posted on August 30, 2024
While newer social platforms like TikTok often steal the spotlight, Facebook remains the king of the hill when it comes to author engagement and audience connection. With its unique ability to foster deep, meaningful interactions and its unparalleled reach, Facebook is still a critical tool in an author’s marketing arsenal. But how can you make this platform work for you, especially when organic growth feels like an uphill battle? In today’s blog, Ginger offers actionable strategies to transform your Facebook presence from a stagnant page into a thriving community of engaged readers. Plus, he shares a treasure trove of relevant hashtags to use in your posts, helping you draw in future fans, not just the ones who have already discovered you. So read on for a quick guide on how to use your Author Page to supercharge your social game. Recently, I was asked why most of the articles I… Read More >
Self-Help Novels To Guide Your Goals
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on August 27, 2024
You may feel you’re behind on your New Year’s resolution for a better you, but it is never too late to work on yourself, your goals, or a healthier lifestyle. Today we have put together a list of highly rated self-help novels that our Hidden Gems ARC readers got their hands on first. See what speaks to you! Fluent On The First Try by Federica Lupis Struggling to learn a new language? Achieve fluency with ease. Author Federica Lupis, fluent in four languages and with over a decade of experience in language instruction, will guide you through the process with enthusiasm and a touch of humor, inspiring you to continue learning. You will discover how to allocate time for language learning, stay motivated, and make consistent progress. “I’m a native English speaker just starting out learning Arabic. I bought this book because I figured it’s a short read and it… Read More >
Elevating Your Thrillers with High-Stakes Conflict
By: Ginger | Posted on August 23, 2024
In every great adventure or thriller, there’s a moment when the heroes seem destined to fail, where the odds are so overwhelmingly against them that victory feels impossible. It’s these high-stakes moments that grip readers, keeping them on the edge of their seats, with hearts and minds racing in anticipation. But crafting such scenes isn’t just about throwing your characters into peril—it’s about creating tension that feels real and stakes that resonate deeply with your readers. In today’s blog, Ginger discusses the art of incorporating high-tension scenes into your adventure stories and thrillers. With a variety of examples pulled from popular fiction, he explores why it’s crucial to make your heroes’ success seem uncertain, yet, when achieved, retrospectively inevitable. To do this, he offers practical tips on crafting climaxes that deliver both surprise and satisfaction. The addition of these unforgettable moments will lead your readers to experience the thrill of… Read More >
Popular Romance Novels for your Summer TBR list
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on August 20, 2024
Are you in search of a summer fling? Want to melt over a HEA? Today we’ve rounded up a collection that includes 5 romance novels that have been popular and well-liked by Hidden Gems ARC readers. Which ones are you adding to your TBR? Keeping Kyle by Harper Cross With nearly 50 ratings and a 4.6 average star review on Amazon. Keeping Kyle is the story of veterinarian Cami Vaughn who discovers a dog trafficking ring in her town. She knows she has to put a stop to it. But when she is nearly caught rescuing one of the dogs, Kyle Rogers, a volunteer from a pet rescue organization saves her. Kyle vows to protect her, all while the two begin falling for each other. But Kyle has secrets, and Cami has to know she can trust him. “Heart warming story. Cami, vet and notorious rescuer of abused dogs. Kyle,… Read More >
Why Character Redemption Arcs Matter and How to Write Them
By: Ginger | Posted on August 16, 2024
Character redemption arcs hold a unique power in storytelling, transforming flawed or even villainous characters into figures of empathy and inspiration. But why do these arcs resonate so deeply with readers, and how can you, as an author, craft a redemption journey that leaves a lasting impact? In today’s blog, Ginger explores the significance of character redemption arcs and offers a range of techniques to help you weave them into your own work. Drawing from examples in popular fiction, Ginger illustrates what makes redemption arcs both believable and satisfying, making the process of applying them to your stories clearer and more accessible. Whether you’re looking to add emotional depth to your characters or simply create unforgettable narrative twists, understanding the “why” and mastering the “how” of character redemption arcs can transform your writing. Like millions of Americans, I’ve been glued to the hit Amazon Prime TV show The Boys. It’s… Read More >
Learn Something New with these Non-Fiction Books
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on August 13, 2024
Whenever you are looking to learn something new, develop skills, or just brush up on something you are already familiar with, non-fiction books are a great source for this type of information. Our Hidden Gems ARC program sends out all sorts of books like this, for free, to our readers. Here are some recent ones that our subscribers enjoyed and found valuable. Positive Parenting Made Simple by Raffael Lyon and S.K. Braga With 200+ ratings and a 4.8 star average, Positive Parenting Made Simple by Raffael Lyon and S.K. Braga outline how to build a strong bond with your children. CR describes in their five star Amazon review why you should add this to your TBR list, “…The book is unique with its comprehensive coverage, offering practical tools for building a strong parent-child bond. The book is an empowering guide for parents seeking a joyful and fulfilling relationship with their… Read More >
The Importance of a Satisfying Ending
By: Ginger | Posted on August 9, 2024
As writers, we spend countless hours crafting the beginnings and middles of our stories, ensuring every plot twist and character development hooks our readers. But what about the ending? The final act of your story is more than just the conclusion—it’s the culmination of every narrative thread, every character arc, and every emotional beat you’ve woven throughout your work. It’s what your readers will remember long after they’ve closed the book. In today’s blog, Ginger demonstrates that while a well-crafted conclusion is a critical component of any successful story, getting it wrong can undermine the entire reading experience. Through a variety of examples, both successful and disappointing, he explains what goes into an ending that really resonates with readers. Understanding the importance of a satisfying conclusion can transform your storytelling, ensuring your readers are left with both a sense of fulfillment and a desire for more of your work. By… Read More >
Intriguing Mysteries That Will Keep You Guessing
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on August 6, 2024
One of the most amazing things about the mystery genre is that there truly is something for everyone. No matter which side of the spectrum you prefer, we can all agree that page-turning intrigue is a must. If you’re looking for some intriguing mysteries to read, this list of books loved by our Hidden Gems ARC readers is for you. Murder Most Persuasive by Jessica Berg With 40+ ratings and a 4.6 star average, Murder Most Persuasive by Jessica Berg is the final installment in the Eliza Darcy Mysteries series, a cozy mystery for those who enjoy a little romance with their mysteries. Alice H. describes in her five star Amazon review why you should add this to your TBR list, “A book loosely based on the famous Wuthering Heights mystery, a modern Eliza, as mistress of Pemberly, a beautiful Georgian mansion, is trying to restore the depleted coffers due… Read More >
From the Mailbox: Direct Sales Success
By: Ginger | Posted on August 2, 2024
Once in a while, a topic discussed on the blog generates more questions than usual and sharing the answers with the community would be more beneficial than simply replying directly to the author. Ginger’s recent Direct Sales series is one such example of this, where the interest in the topic has been high and some of the questions being asked are shared by many. Skipping the big online book retailers to sell directly to readers is a beefy topic, but one that is becoming more popular these days. Still, direct sales success is by no means a given, even if you can navigate your way through the complexity of the initial setup. There are other factors that go into whether it is right for you, and the questions Ginger is answering today reflect some of those concerns. I recently completed a series of blog posts outlining my experiences with direct… Read More >
