Savvy Authors | From the Pen of Mae Clair

How Savvy Are You?

I’m taking today to give a shout-out to Savvy Authors, an exceptional online community of writers, brimming with resources. I joined Savvy on February 2^nd, pitched my novel, Weathering Rock, to Piper Denna of Lyrical Press on February 7^th and had a contract by the end of the month. Granted, that might be an exception to the rule, but none of it would have happened without the opportunity given by Savvy.

Savvy, however, is more than an outlet toward publication. Yes, they have several pitch sessions a year (the next is June 22^nd with Deb Werksman of Sourcebooks )but it’s also about learning, networking and having the support of other authors – – ranging from published and wildly successful to just starting out and never having submitted. There are forums, workshops, resources and events. It’s like falling into a moon-bounce (remember those?) of information and then soaring up on a giddy high.

Since joining Savvy, I’ve not only sold a book, but have learned how to build a WordPress blog, use social media effectively, put together a book trailer, write a synopsis, build a brand, and put together a query package, among other things. Premium membership is a mere $30.00 per year and most of the workshops I’ve mentioned have cost $15.00 each and span several weeks.

I’ve been involved in numerous writing groups, online and locally over the years, but can honestly say Savvy is worth every penny I’ve spent.

So . . . how Savvy are you? You might want to take this opportunity to find out through membership.

There is also a free membership package with limited benefits. Why wait? A savvy writer’s life is just around the corner!

Well, not really. Actually, I’m forging ahead by creating a trailer for Weathering Rock, my time-travel/paranormal romance scheduled to be released in October.

I’m currently enrolled in a class at Savvy Authors on how to put one together and have already taken a few exciting steps, including writing the script. The instructor had us break the plot of the book into approximately 20 short phrases. Turned out to be a lot of fun and really made me concentrate on the elements of my story.

So, do I need a trailer? Not sure, but I like the idea of adding a visual element. It’s also a challenge to sleuth out images that fit the story and, most especially, my hero and heroine. I know what they look like, and feel I’ve described them in a way that will allow readers to see them clearly. But finding images of people who match those pictures in my head? Gulp! Can’t say I don’t like a challenge.

Today’s question:
If you’re a writer, have you developed a trailer for any of your books or are you considering developing one? If you’re a reader, do you like viewing book trailers? They certainly seem to be sprouting up all over the place!