Richard Alan lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with his wife, Carolynn. They are the proud parents of three wonderful adult sons.He is a Vietnam combat and 101st Airborne Division veteran.
After an education in mathematics, a 17 year career in manufacturing engineering and a 22 year career in software engineering, he has started a career as an author. Richard writes novels about people trying to find their life-partner, soul-mate, the person they are meant to be with for life. His first two books, Meant to Be and The Couples, are available on his website and most online retailers.
Richard’s other interests range from mathematical analysis and photography to anything with an engine. His current projects include writing the third (Finding Each Other) and fourth novels in the “Meant to Be” series, and discovering the properties of functions of p-adic numbers. Having completed a potting bench for his lifepartner, Carolynn, he is busy driving her to watch salmon runs, visit National Parks, and anywhere that provides an opportunity to view her avian friends.
His latest books in the Meant to Be Series are Meant to Be and The Couples.
You can visit Richard Alan’s website, VILLAGE DRUMMER FICTION at www.villagedrummerfiction.com.
Welcome to Book Marketing Buzz, Richard. Can we begin by having you tell us a little about your book?
Meant to Be is about the joy and sorrow of striving to discover a life partner, a soul-mate, a person with whom we are meant to spend the rest of their lives with.
What is the first thing you did to promote your book once your publisher accepted your manuscript?
I am self-published. The first thing I did was arrange a book signing at local bookstore. I used e-mail and Facebook to advertise and I provided a poster to the book store. They also had their own advertising.
After that, what happened?
With the help of my wife, I created and maintain a Facebook fan page. I learned to Twitter and am growing my Twitter network. I write a blog, and belong to numerous groups of authors who help each other. I am doing a virtual book tour with “Pump Up Your Book” and I am participating in the Fourth Writers Platform-Building Campaign.
What’s your opinion on blogging? Do you see that it is helping sell your book or is it not making much difference in terms of sales?
I’ve only been blogging for three weeks. It has not impacted my sales yet. My network of really good bloggers is growing rapidly, so I hope to see a change soon. The writers’ blogging community is very generous with their advice and support.
I understand using the social networks to promote your books is also an effective marketing tool. Do you find it is or isn’t?
It is too early to tell, but I have seen others obtain success over time. It appears to be the most effective tool available at this time.
Besides blogging and using the social networks to promote your books, what other ways are you promoting your book?
I have been giving the first book away to many people, to increase awareness of my writing. I believe once people read it, they will want to read the subsequent novels. Although each book stands on its own, I think they are more fun and interesting if you follow them in order. We also have a lot of friends and family who are spreading word.
If you had to pick just one book marketing tool that you’ve used to promote your book, which would you say has been the most effective?
Selling to friends and family has been the most effective, but that does not generate enough sales. I haven’t found the best tool yet, but I hope the multiple social network efforts will do it.
What are your experiences with offline promotions such as book signings?
I’ve done three book signing events. They were not very effective.
Thank you for this interview, Richard! We wish you much success!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk with you.
