Welcome to Day 5 of #NJ12DaysOfAuthors (May) Series! @JennyHinsman1 #AngelOfDeath @RRBC_Org

GIVEAWAY:

At the end of this series, 1 lucky visitor will win a (12) Kindle e-book pack which will include a copy of each book featured in this series + a $10 Amazon gift card!  Simply leave a comment below to be entered into the drawing!

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On the 5th day of the May “12 Days of Authors” Series… Nonnie’s gift to you…

AUTHOR, JENNIFER HINSMAN!

Author bio:

I grew up in Colorado and attended and The University of Colorado in Boulder where I received a bachelor’s degree in business marketing.  I now live in Michigan with my husband and two sons.  I also have two rescue animals, a dog and cat, that are part of the family too.  I’m a huge animal lover and support animal rescue organizations that help save all types of animals.  I’m an avid reader and love to escape with a great book.

NJ:  Hi, Jennifer!  Since we’re running a bit behind today, let’s just get to it!  Is your author name a pen name or your birth name?

Jennifer:  My birth name.

NJ:  How long have you been writing?

Jennifer:  I’ve been writing since high school, short stories, poems, journaling and such, but I finally published my first book about ten years ago.   ANGEL OF DEATH is my latest.

Blurb:  

Friends from college, Tancy and Audrey love one another like family. They grew up in very different worlds, one poor, with absent, drug-addicted parents, the other with wealth and privilege. As roommates, they delve into the seedy world of escorts as they try to solve a cold case murder from Tancy’s childhood. Chance meetings and twists of fate alter both their lives. Romance, steamy sex and danger await the women, as everything about the murder is uncovered. Shocking details emerge that change their lives forever and reinforces the bond of true friendship.

NJ:  I have been in this business long enough to know that quite a few readers have a purchase price point and will only spend so much on an e-book. How do you price your books and what is your logic behind the pricing? 

Jennifer:  I do like to price my books low so that people will give them a try since I’m not famous yet.  I also like the idea of Kindle Unlimited, I know for myself I have taken a chance on a lot of books that I may not have otherwise tried because I felt like I wasn’t losing any money in the process.  Perception can be a very good thing.  That being said, I have been delighted with most of the books I’ve taken chances on and my hope is that people will do the same with my books. 

NJ:  I got on Twitter many years ago because my social media manager at the time, told me that I needed to be on Twitter. He did not give me an actual reason as to why (I had to learn my “why” on my own), just that I needed to be there.  What was your main reason for getting on Twitter?  For support? For fun? 

Jennifer:  Initially it was for support, and I found it with RRBC!  I learned a lot too.  I really started having fun with Twitter as well and made lots of author friends that have helped me along the way.  I also found readers and some very good books to read myself. 

NJ:  That’s awesome, Jennifer!  RRBC has put so many of us on the virtual map!  Now, what other social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) do you use to market your book(s), and have you found them to be beneficial?

Jennifer:  I have used Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Pinterest, Goodreads and WordPress.  Twitter and Facebook have been the most beneficial though by far.  The others have been, just OK. 

NJ:  I know.  I love Twitter!  More-so than any of the others.  Jennifer, supporting others is a huge part of my identity. I believe that when you invest your time and support in others, you find that your circle grows by leaps and bounds of others giving the same to you. When I first got involved heavily on Twitter, I was pushing others more than I was pushing myself – I continue to do so. Do you support others on social media?  If so, how?

Jennifer:  I certainly try to; I firmly believe that you get what you give.  I do a lot of retweeting on Twitter.  I try to do shout outs and likes when I see them and make others aware of blog tours or special promotions.  I let friends and followers know when I’ve read a great book especially from an indie author. 

NJ:  Do you actually take the time to read tweets from others before you retweet them, or do you just hit “retweet” without ever engaging in the tweet?

Jennifer:  I do a little of both to be honest, if I have gotten to know the author or have read their books, I’ll often retweet no matter what.  I try to be careful as well though, because there has been a time or two where, for example, I might love the picture posted and am getting ready to retweet and then read the content and realize it would have been a major mistake. 

NJ:  I am different in that I read every tweet that I RT to ensure that it is something that I can stand behind, etc. For everyone’s information, I don’t RT books that I haven’t read that might state “It’s the best book ever!”  I want my word and my opinion to mean something to others so I am very selective about what I tweet out and what I stand behind.  Just as you know certain celebrities will not attach their names to just any and everything (i.e. Barbara Streisand, Oprah Winfrey, etc.), I’m that way.  I know we’re all super-busy (some of us busier than most) but, it will serve you better to read each and every tweet that you decide to support.  Now, if you could map out the perfect way that you would want others to support you on social media, how would you ask your followers to support you? Just imagine that everyone who reads this interview will run out and follow you.  How could they best support you?  What would you have them do? 

Jennifer:  The best way to support any indie author is to read their book and post a review.  If you liked the book, please let everyone know!  Tag me in your post, tell other readers to get a copy, give them the link. 

NJ:  OK.  We all learn something new almost every day while on social media and I like sharing what I have learned with other authors, in hopes that it will benefit them in some way. Have you come across any writing resources that might benefit other authors?  If so, share 2 or 3 of them with us, please. 

Jennifer:  I find a lot of posts that will list synonyms for overused words, I love saving those.  I have also explored the idea from other authors of outlining stories, which I’ve found somewhat helpful as long as you have the whole vision for your story.  There have also been some ‘virtual’ workshops that writers can use as well as author groups like RRBC that constantly offer ideas. 

NJ:  Authors are always seeking good formatting services. Who do you use to format your books, and would you recommend them? 

Jennifer:  4WillsPublishing did an amazing job with Angel of Death for me and made it super easy. 

NJ:  Why, thank you!  That was kind of you to share.  Can you share with our audience 2 or 3 of the top methods you use to market your books?

Jennifer:  Run promotions, do giveaways and encourage reviews.  Once some good reviews come in, blast them on your social media platforms.  Join an author group like RRBC. 

NJ:  Jennifer, you’re filled with great advice today!  For those of you who haven’t picked up on it yet, RRBC is the place to be if you’re an author!  It’s also a pretty cool place for readers, too!  What is the one bit of writing advice you would give to any author, experienced or newbie?

Jennifer:  Patience is something you will need.  If you enjoy writing it will somehow come together. 

NJ:  Is your reputation as a writer important to you, OR might we look up one day and find that you are in a Twitter brawl with someone?

Jennifer:  It’s important to me.  I try not to get too political or one sided on Twitter because I don’t want to alienate potential readers/fans, but I will say if was pretty difficult to do that the past four years.  I can confidently say that I have not been involved in any on-line brawls, nor do I ever plan to be.

NJ:  Good for you, Jennifer!  In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between the writers you see today around social media, versus the writers of old? (Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain, even Stephen King)

Jennifer:  I suppose the biggest difference would be that you didn’t really know the author’s personality, maybe what they looked like, how they behaved or what their beliefs were about day to day things.  Today, with social media, authors have flooded the internet.  There are so many it is sometimes overwhelming to me.  Authors, including me, have personal pictures, personal opinions and sometimes unflattering things typed and shared for the world to see. 

NJ:  True.  That’s the downside of the internet.  I loved the fact that you didn’t know too much about the authors of old.  I’ve tried to pattern myself after that model – it’s an easier (and less messier) road to travel.  Do you value professionalism in the literary arena and worry that the lack thereof makes it harder for those of us who wish to be taken seriously in this business? Or, does the unprofessional behavior of some around social media not bother you at all? 

Jennifer:  It makes it tough I think, because the whole world sees it.  Even when a person deletes their temper tantrum, for example, millions have already seen it and saved it or taken a picture of it. 

NJ:  BINGO!  You hit the nail on the head with that one.  Your poor behavior, once you let it out online, will follow you everywhere you go for the rest of your life.  Even when you think others have forgotten about your bad behavior, WRONG!  We all still remember vividly.  Jennifer, if you have ever received any, how do you handle not-so-flattering reviews of your book(s)?

Jennifer:  As long as it is constructive and tells me something I can use, I really try to take it to heart and use it.  Negative reviews always hurt, but when you put creativity out in the world it comes with the territory, not everyone is going to like it. 

NJ:  And that is so true.  The business we’re in requires that the skin on our back is as tough as an alligator’s.  You won’t last long in this industry if you “attempt” to retaliate against someone who gave you a not-so-glowing review.  So many authors have gotten accustomed to being lied to about their writing, that when the real truth stands up and points a finger at them, they lose it – completely become unhinged and embarrassingly so.  I’ve seen this more times than I’d like to recount.  Sadly, I’ve heard many say, after witnessing how an author poorly handled a negative review, that they would never touch another one of that author’s books again.  I mean, who in their right mind would?  Knowing that you would be expected to give a glowing review on the read even if it wasn’t deserving – basicly, you’re feeling that you have to lie.  And now that I’ve gotten on that topic, let me ask – do you appreciate honesty regarding your writing because you know that only honest feedback allows you to grow as a writer, or are you one of those who would prefer that others lie to you and tell you only what they know you want to hear?

Jennifer:  Like I said previously, as long as it’s constructive and honest, I don’t mind it at all.  I realize with good comes bad as well. 

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OTHER QUICK FACTS ABOUT JENNIFER…

• Writes under Romance, Thriller & Mystery genres
• Writing is her hobby
• Indie
• 2 books to date
• Angel of Death is her most favorite out of the 2 as it is a bit more polished.  Amazon, $2.99 / FREE with Kindle Unlimited

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FOLLOW JENNIFER ON…

Twitter:  @JennyHinsman1

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Guests, thank you so much for dropping by to support Jennifer on Day 5 of the May “12 DAYS OF AUTHORS” Series!  It would be awesome if you would pick up a copy of her book above, and after reading, share your review to Amazon.  Ensure that you leave her a comment below, and also LIKE her feature before you leave, for your chance to win the grand prize package listed above!  We’d both appreciate it if you would share her feature to Twitter and Facebook, as well. 

To follow along with the rest of the features in this series, visit the “12 DAYS OF AUTHORS” home page!  There will be a new feature tomorrow!  I’d also love it if you would #follow my site, as well as following me on Twitter @NonnieJules, as my truest joy is in service to others.  I’d love to support you, too!

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FEATURED IN MY #NJ12DaysOfAuthors Series?  Click HERE to sign up!

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DISCLAIMER:  Any guest material appearing at WATCH NONNIE WRITE! is not edited, proofed or changed in any manner by the the owner of this blog. Material is posted as it is written and submitted.  It is not my place to make changes to someone else’s writing, as what I view as needing correcting, just might be the way the author intended the material to read.

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