WTF Facebook???

The world has been a buzz with the news of Facebook's new policies regarding business pages. What's my take on it? F*ck you, Facebook! Each time there's a policy update, Facebook makes it harder and harder for business pages to reach and market to their followers. It's bogus! 

Small business owners with a lot of followers will realize that it doesn't matter how many people are following if they are not paying Facebook to boost their status. Usually, a business owner would only boost a status to get the word out to more people and not just the folks who are following the designated page for the company. However, with the new rule, the thousands of fans an entrepreneur might have may never see a status unless it is boosted.

Read more: http://www.techtimes.com/articles/21102/20141130/facebook-is-killing-small-business-entrepreneurs-with-new-policy-rule.htm#ixzz3LnZxnyf5

According to the above article, Facebook has decided that they aren't making enough money from the ads they already have SPAMMING our News Feeds, now they wish to make small business owners and page owners in general, pretty much pay for every post. I have 1320 followers or likers on my Facebook Fan Page. That isn't really a lot, but it's still more than I can reach on my regular profile. The point of having the business page or fan page is so people can "like" it, see the updates and interact without having to become friends with someone they don't know and have their personal information available to a stranger. I completely get it and use the function myself on my personal profile. The problem isn't the purpose of the page, it's how Facebook decides to rob those of us who can't afford to spend thousands of dollars on marketing that we can't even be sure is going to pay off. 

Let me show you what posts look like now:

This is one of my "organic" posts. This means that it is original content that I posted, not containing any links, photos or information from any other source:

Out of the 1320 likers, 47 of them saw this post??!!!

That's just ridiculous. I mean, really??!! So I'd have to pay for people who have already liked my page to see my posts? How much sense does that make? If they've already clicked "Like", why the hell can't they see my posts? If they didn't want to see what I have to say, they wouldn't have clicked "Like" in the first place or can just unfollow me. 

Here's another post that is "inorganic", meaning I shared it from another source:

Out of the 1320 likers, 240 of them saw this post!!!

This is where I call bullshit on Facebook and its so-called policies. The say that the algorithms can somehow pick out the organic posts that aren't considered spammy and make them available to more followers, but this post is the exact opposite and was seen by more people. How do you explain that?? Basically, Facebook is full of crap! Again, why can't I post directly to my followers without having to take back doors into their feeds? How is this fair? What am I supposed to do about it?

Well, there isn't really much I can do. I've created a new group for my fans to join, I've join Tsu, which I don't think is going to be a lucrative as Facebook and Twitter, but I'm willing to try it out. Not to mention I'm on pretty much every other networking and social media site out there. Bottom line is, I refuse to pay a company that is in no way hurting for revenue. Facebook has become the only social networking site for people to share and interact since they blew MySpace out of the water years ago. 

Facebook is wonderful if you are using it to connect with your family, share articles with your friends and even play games with a community. Facebook can even be wonderful if you are a member of the many, many, many groups it has to offer about any and everything under the sun. But, Facebook is treating its business page owners like red-headed step-children. We are the exception to be able to take advantage of it's vast platform. Given the option to boost posts to reach OUTSIDE of our ALREADY ESTABLISHED networks is acceptable, but not being able to reach OUR FANS who've taken the time to seek us out is JUST PLAIN WRONG and borderline THIEVERY. Facebook is potentially stealing revenue from people like me who are hard-working independent authors and don't make much money in the first place. I'm forced to pay out more than I make, creating a deficit in my business funds and ultimately making it harder for me to generate the business Facebook potentially holds. I refuse to go broke for you, Facebook.

Please, please, please join my group, add yourself to my newsletter and even become a member on my website to keep up with me and my books and join in discussions. Help me reach you and I won't have to let Facebook come between us. Please don't break up with me!

xoxo

Lisa Logue 

Simply Smyrna Celebration

I live in a suburban city outside of Nashville, TN and periodically throughout the year the city holds festivals, or celebrations, for various reasons. Tomorrow night they are holding a celebration for the reopening of the train depot, which they've recently remodeled as the first step in the downtown revitalization project. Since they're holding this celebration my friend and I have decided to participate and support our city while they, hopefully, support us! If you live in or around Smyrna, TN please stop by!

Here are some photos of my supplies!

New Year, New Things

2014 is about to start and I'm chomping at the bit to get my show on the road. There are so many untapped resources out there for me, one of which is blogging. I've not been really good about blogging this year because I've been beyond busy with things outside of my writing world. I haven't had too much time to devote to blogging or writing much in general, but I'm hoping that will change in the new year.

I'm working on a new business/marketing plan for 2014 and all of the things I need to do to get back in the saddle. Among them is finishing my series, but I'm sure you all have heard enough about that! I will be embarking on several other projects, as well as a possible collaboration if I can muster up the courage to trust someone else with a piece of my soul, as much of my writing is just that. Needless to say, I plan to be busy with a little bit of everything, including writing this upcoming year.

Over the next two weeks, I will have some free time and I will be (hopefully) posting some more information and possibly getting in on some blog rolling action. I have to do my research and find some good blogs to help me get started. Eventually, I will be looking into a Street Team and building up my swag packs for awesome giveaways, including work that isn't mine. I want to branch out to as many arenas as possible, without stretching myself too thin. I do have a family to look after!

Well folks, that is the short version of my outlook for 2014. I hope to see you all and many new faces over the next twelve months. Anyone else have exciting stuff going on in 2014?


xoxoxoxo
Lisa

Downhill is always easier!

I am so very, very happy to say that I am seriously nearing the end of Soul Covenant. I was worried for a while that I wouldn't be able to finish it, but I've surprised myself yet again. Thank heavens! There's nothing worse than staring at a blank screen for hours without a word spilling out. I'm just glad that's over.

Once I have finished that one, I will be moving on to Fiery Secrets. There is very little to start with there, but I will do my best. I have a feeling that my time frames are going to be a bit more skewed than I would have liked. I'll be moving soon so that will definitely throw a wrench in things. I just ask for patience as I know there are plenty of folks who are anxiously awaiting book three. I'll be releasing it as soon as I can, I promise!

In the mean time, there are a lot of other things that will be kicking off on the promotional side. I'll will keep you guys updated with the dates and things of when everything is scheduled. It's a new year and I'm doing my best to kick things off with a bang!

Well, I'm pooped and I have a long day ahead so good night, my lovelies! 

xoxoxo

Lazy News

I don't know about you all, but I haven't been doing much of anything lately. I think I might be getting some type of sinus bug, so I will be heading to Kroger tomorrow for some much needed medication. Due to feeling weird, I haven't gotten much done. I'm bummed by that, but I also didn't mind it at the same time. I don't have many lazy days with my schedule anymore!

But, I do have a few new things coming up that I wanted to let you guys know about, so here it goes!

Indie Author Network (IAN)
- Contests running through 12/15 for some swag prizes, free pdf book copies (Binding Secrets is included and it's signed!), and more!

Paranormal Book Club
- Votes for the "Best of 2012" going on through the end of the month! Vote for your favorites already listed, or add those you think should be in the running. 

Yezall's Serials
- Good friend and author buddy of mine, Yezall Strongheart, is offering free serial reads on her website. It doesn't hurt to check them out!

New Tumblr Blog
- I've set up a new blog roll on Tumblr for inspirational photos, music, quotes and so on as it pertains to my writing journey. Follow me to join in the fun!

New Cover Release
- I'll be releasing the new covers for Soul Covenant and Fiery Secrets before the end of the month. Char and I are working on the finishing touches for the Soul Covenant cover and once it's done I'll be dropping it for all to see!

Soul Covenant Release
- I'm in the middle of writing this one right now, but I'm shooting for the end of the month. Everything is on track and we're editing as we go so it shouldn't take any time at all. This will be a completely different experience for everyone and I'm completely stoked!

Love During Death Release
- My good friend and author buddy Rachel A Olson will be releasing another book in January 2013 that she co-authored with Jessica Humphrey. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to beta for her, but I've heard good things so far and can't wait to snatch this up! I'm in the middle of reading The Seventh Layer right now and I know I won't be disappointed. :)


I think that's just about all of the news I have tonight. It's after 11:00 pm where I am and I have to be up for work at 7:00 am. If tonight is anything like last night, sleeping should be fun! (NOT)

Good night folks!

P.S.- We decorated our Christmas tree last night. What do you guys think?

 

First Convention/Event...Success??

Being fairly new to the publishing scene, it's hard to determine what is a success and what isn't. Some dictate that success simply means you were about to hand out business cards and yell your name over the crowd, while others pose success as so much more. I haven't had enough experience to gauge success, but I'm getting there...I think.

This weekend, I participated as a vendor at the Handmade & Bound Nashville event. It was an arts festival/convention and they promote a little bit of everything. Although self-publishing doesn't constitute me making the books myself, I pretty much have done everything else, so I said what the hell and there I was. My wonderful and supporting boyfriend, Brian, toughed it out for the six hours we entertained a few people with the new learning experience.

I sold a few copies, put the bug in many ears and ultimately got a feel for what I need to do from here on out. It wasn't incredibly fun, as work is work, but it was more fun than my desk job!! I got to meet some really nice and talented people all while promoting each other and listening to some good music.

Overall, for the very first event I think it went fairly well. Hopefully, I'll be a little more in my element next time. Here's a few photos that we were able to take :)

Alright, so I lied

Each time I write a post, I always promise to post again soon. Obviously that doesn't happen and I can't figure out why it's so hard for me! It's true, I'm rather busy, but I am also not a very interesting person. I have regular every day problems and irritations (which I don't think any of you care about) and nothing really stands out. Really, the only interesting thing I do is write. But how do you write about writing?

That's where my problem lies. I strive for deadlines, marketing, editing, meetings and such and for some reason I don't feel like any of those things interest you guys. I mean, do you really want to know how many words I write a night? Or that one of my sons had a bad day in school? Or how about what type of paper I have to write for my current class? Lol...I didn't think so.

Needless to say, I'm pretty boring. Well, I guess I should say I'm boring to read about, but my life is pretty crazy. There's always something going on, on any given day, at any given time. That's just my life and how I'm used to living it. 

So as a means of trying to bring you all something other than my nonsensical ramblings, I'll be hosting some authors on here as part of a blog tour. We'll be posting some information about them, their books and where to buy them. Feel free to comment and share. At the end of the tour, I'll have my own announcement and some awesome new stuff to show you guys.

Keep checking back! I'll be posting tour dates shortly...

Much love
~Lisa <3

Where it stops, nobody knows...

Anyone else in need of a vaca? I know this girl is! 

The cover vote was a success!!! You all voted this cover in for Binding Secrets and with a few added touches, it will be just as epic as the story itself! For a teaser, click the picture!!!

 

For the last few weeks, I've been working closely with the Indie Author Network (affectionately called IAN). We've been creating a new interactive fansite for a group of incredibly talented independent authors and it's been exciting and exhausting at the same time. The members of IAN are all self-published, hard working and incredibly dedicated authors. I've never met a greater group of people!

The dead line for Fire & Ice is inching closer (I know, it's freaking me out!), but I have faith I will complete it in time. Char is working on a great cover for me and I can't wait to see it! Writing this novella has actually been pretty refreshing. I enjoy taking time trips every now and again to see how my characters lived before I knew them! I know it sounds cheesy, but I'm only a vessel folks! My characters are all alive inside my head...and no I'm not schizophrenic! *Sigh*

Currently, I'm reading The Ancient Fae by Terry Spear. I've enjoyed The World of Fae series and look forward to more from her. I decided that I needed to recharge by reading a nice, long novel and Terry sure did deliver! 

On a side note, I've met a new author recently. Her name is Rachel Olson and I think she has such great potential and a contagious positive attitude. She's definitely someone to look out for. Rachel is currently writing a Sci-Fi novel and is also co-writing on another project. Her vision is definitely intriguing and while she's not yet published, I'll definitely be buying her debut...won't you? :) You can view some of Rachel's writing here.

Well folks, I'm off! I promise to write you all more often once the whirlwind settles. Stay tuned for more teasers and special offers!

xoxoxoxo

Whew...what a day!

I can hardly contain my excitement! Recently, I've become a member of Angie's Diary, an online writing magazine, and some of my work has been featured here. I've been working closely with Indie Author Network, IAN, and we're going to be rolling out some great features shortly. Yay! It's incredibly awesome to be moving forward on more avenues!

Also, I've been in contact with a local bookseller and they're considering carrying my novel! On top of that, they are very interested in holding book signings and other events since I'm a local author. Cool, right?! It figures that instead of taking time off I'd be working in a different fashion. My boyfriend probably hates me for it -.-.

I'm also a part of a wonderful group on the site BookRix. It's called Reviews & Critiques and our aim is to offer those who normally don't get an opportunity for their books to be read a chance to get much needed feedback. We'll review short stories, poems, novels and just about anything else you can think of across all genres. Your reviews will be posted wherever you ask both on and off site. It is a small group, as we are new, but we're more than willing to read your stories! BookRix is a free site, so if you don't mind sharing works with the community, we're here for you! Simply click the link below and you will be directed to our wonderful little spot!

http://www.bookrix.com/_group-en-reviews-critiques

Look forward to seeing you there!!!