Taking Your Book to the Next Level

As a fellow author myself I know it can be overwhelming for a new author starting out or the seasons author adjusting to the new changes. Publishing houses are becoming even more selective and Literary Agents are becoming an endangered species. However, authors still continue to crank out books.

If you don't have the right tools to compete then you will be left riding the bench waiting for your chance to play that may never happen. As with sports (you know I was an athlete so bear with me) you will need to show people you deserve to be on the playing field. You need to make you and your books shine.

Let's say you do know how to get your book published and it is a quality product. What next? You need to get out there and promote it. In order to promote effectively you will need the right connections. Do you know how to get interviews? Or even do them once you get them? How about reviews, book signings, or setting up a book release party? What about getting people to show up for a book event you are attending? Do you have marketing material? I am not talking about something you made on your own unless you are great with designing. I am talking about material people won't toss in the trash. If material looks nice people tend to keep. I know because it's what I do.

If you are serious about being an author then I can help. For many years I have helped several established and up and coming authors to succeed in the publishing world. I have done this by helping to market and promote their work. In essence I became their publicist. As an author most really don’t have the time or the right connections to get their name out there and to be known nationally. This is where I come in. Over the past decade I have established many contacts in the industry that are more than willing to interview, review, and market any author’s work I send their way. I have already done the work for you.

My tactics are proven. Last month alone I had over 600 ebook sales for one of my titles alone. I am not talking about a $.99 priced book either. I have not seen the paperback sales yet but I know I have sold plenty there as well. I am also not referring to one of my new releases. The book I am talking about is three years old. It sill has the same momentum as my new releases. The title is Seduction.com.

Readers will not by from authors they don't know. The key to success is getting your name out there. If they like you they will support you. It's the same way we do celebrities. If we like them we tend to buy their products, if not when shun them. What do celebrities have that you don't? A publicist. So get you today!

To find out more about what I can do for you or to contact me please visit www.okeeys.com. I am here to help you succeed.

Omegia Keeys
O.Keeys
Rise and Fall of a Track Strar
Single, Black, and Government Owned
The Not So Common Sense Guide for Authors

The Making of Rise and Fall of a Track Star

Post Origination: Guest Blog Post: Livetoread-Krystal.blogspot.com

In case you have missed me guest blogging on other blogs I will posting them a day or two after on my blog.

The Making of Rise and Fall of a Track Star

My son’s graduation was right around the corner and I couldn’t be a prouder parent. My son, born to me when I was merely a child myself, had broken the cycle and was moving on into the next phase in life of becoming a man. His graduation also opened the door to haunting memories of my past. It is what prompted me to write Rise and Fall of a Track Star.

For many who know me in my teens and early 20s I was viewed as a person who always seemed to achieving great things. What they didn’t see was how often I was ridiculed or looked down upon for doing so. See, I was the first person from my school to ever win the State Championship in Track and field, obtain a full ride track scholarship and go on to win a bronze at the Pan Am Games. What they didn’t know was I constantly in a battle—with myself and others in my community. 

Back in the States after winning the Bronze

with my son

Yes, I have achieved many things that others could only dream of, but I did it while being a victim. The more I achieved the more I was victimized. Some felt because I had a child as a teen then I didn’t deserve any of the things I had worked so hard to accomplish. Nothing was given to me. Through all the Nay Sayers and self-doubt I somehow kept going until there came a point in which I couldn’t take it anymore. Hence the title Rise and Fall of a Track Star.

I mention my son broke the cycle because all too often teenage parents or their offspring fail to complete high school. My son has not only done so, but is now in the Armed Services. Rise and Fall of a Track Star is a shift from my YA Novels and Erotic Novels because for the message to come across I wanted people to hear my own words, not one of my characters. I want others in my situation to know they are not alone and they can get past the hurt and pain. And to those who feel the need to put others down because we go against the grain, shame on you but because of you we shall rise. 

I’m a bullet…

I’m a missile…

I’m a rocket to the moon!

Omegia

Author, Youth Advocate, Motivational Speaker, Women’s Empowerment Speaker, and Entrepreneur

http://fromthemindofomegia.blogspot.com/

Definition of Success

I learned early on that my level isn’t the same as everyone else’s definition of where I should be. For me success is any milestone I cross which propels me forward in my career and life in general. That being said, this past weekend in Decatur bust my definition wide open. With every book sold my spirit soared further and further into the clouds. I am surprised I was able to come down in order to write this blog. 

This festival boasted a myriad of talent writing in every genre you could imagine and some I never heard of. With so many authors to choose from I am overly thankful they found their way into my booth with cash and credit card extended to purchase. Those who didn’t purchase took a flyer in order to by online later, and guess what from checking my ratings on Amazon this morning it seemed as if they did. 

 Me inspiring young minds

Even without the dozens of books I sold at the event I would have still been happy because my name and pen name is getting out there to the masses. More people learning I exist is a level of success to me. You never know whose hands it may fall in.

 Me spreading my seduction

My simple affirmation is to keep on moving forward. Had I given up on book one I wouldn’t be where I am today. Now, people feel confident in my work to pre-order my new work. Some lady bought all 5 of my titles on hand and handed me cash for Rise and Fall of a Track Star to send to her. I was accustomed to the online pre-orders but cash in hand from a stranger….wow!

My question to my aspiring and established authors out there is what is your level of success? Is it too high for you to relish in immediate gratification or so low you are only happy to sell to your family?

Until next time!

Omegia Keeys

Decatur Book Festival Excitement

I am counting down until Friday, the day I hop on the road for destination Decatur Book Festival. Though I have been to many events I must admit that this one tops all the rest. The atmosphere, the people, and of course the sales! The people of Decatur, GA know why they are coming out and that is to buy books. I have my Erotic Fiction and YA all packed up and ready to go. I will find humor in the men sneaking peeks at my books and be surprised when the old couples purchase with a grin (they are my favorite). Events like these make being an author all the more enjoyable. Look out GA here I come.

Passionate Playmates, Seduction.com, Can You Keep a Secret? for my erotic titles and Unloved and The Baby Girl for my YA. I will also be passing out flyers for Rise and Fall of a Track Star. Yes, it is finally in the final stages of publishing!! I am even taking pre-orders from my website. www.omegiakeeys.com.

So if you are in the area this Labor Day stop on by and pick up a great read by yours truly along with books by your other favorite author.

Until Next Time,

Omegia Keeys

Humbled by Words

This morning started off rocky for me as most Monday’s do. I dragged, staggered around, and somehow managed to get my four year old together to make it out the door on time. Once the house was silent I patiently waited for my pc to boot up in order to check my email. The usual, spam, horoscope and oh what is that a message from the Passionate Writer Publishing editing department. Instantly I was in turmoil. What if the critique tells me to rewrite half my book, what if the editor misunderstood what I was try to convey with my story, what if…oh skip it I clicked on the message to open it and silence the uncertainty. What I read humbled me. I saw the words powerful, wonderful, touching, important book in the notes section. I had to reread the file name to make sure it was actually meant for me.

As a writer we all want our work to be accepted but never in a million dreams did I dare to think that I could move anyone. Write a story that one can enjoy, yes, but this…this was more than I can take. My sole purpose of writing my story was to help others and now I know it is possible. I thank my editor for showing me that I could. 

Here is a snippet of Rise and Fall of a Track Star.

“What the heck is wrong with you? She is a freshman and you’re a senior. A state champion senior.”

All I could do was shrug my shoulders. I was trying to catch my breath and he was stealing all my air. He couldn’t care less.

“Act like the star you are or get the hell off my track.”

I looked at him out the corner of my eye to see if he was serious. Vein popping out the middle of his forehead, nose flared—yes he was serious. More serious than the first day I stepped on this very same track as a Red Devil and he tossed me a shovel telling me to get to work clearing snow from the lanes of the track. It was the first day of the outdoor season and we were practicing no matter what. That was officially my first experience with him as a Coach, although he had coached me from my elementary days. He had also been my sister’s coach. I was there at all of her home track meets, running along with her on the inside of the field. I wasn’t trying to compete with her—no, never. I just wanted to experience what she felt, why she enjoyed it so much. There seemed to be some sort of freedom in it which I recognized at a very early age. He was there guiding her the entire way. He had become an integral part of my life, my second father. His name was Mr. Bennie Edwards.

I remained silent, fearful of my response. I was an emotional wreck. Here I was doing the one thing I loved yet I felt an emptiness; something was missing. That something was me. Someone had stolen me. Like a thief in the middle of the night I was stolen and what remained was just a mere shell of my former self.

Rise and Fall of a Track Star will be released sometime before the end of the year. 

Until Next Time!

Omegia

Thinking About Being an Author?

Have you done your research? No, really have you done your research on how much hard work and dedication it takes to become an author? There is so much more to it than actually writing. If you are not someone who likes to put yourself out there then you may want to reconsider this field all together.

True story, I was at an event and an aspiring author approached me about being published. I asked if she had any marketing plans. Her answer was she would prefer not to have to deal with people. Really? I was a bit taken back because in order to sell you must market. Even the New York Times best selling authors must come from behind their laptop and sign books. She even went on to say she just wanted to make some extra cash. I didn't tell her she would probably fair better as a Wal-mart greeter but I did say how can you expect that if you don't want to promote? From the rolling of her eyes and annoyed look on her face I take it she didn't like that response any better.

The point is if the above mentioned is you then you seriously need a reality check. Being an author is a job and to be even a mediocre author you need to put in some work. If you get up and go to some form of a workplace on a daily basis I am sure once you get there they expect you to do some type of work to get a paycheck, right. Therefore why not think the same applies to being an author. You worked hard writing it so why not work hard letting people know it's out there? 

If you have no idea were to begin your marketing career try something simple as setting up your own book release party. It doesn't have to be any place big. Coffee shop, library, your living room (Pampered Chief can do it why not you?) or any place you fill comfortable with. Show people you are proud of what you have done. If you can't toot your own horn, why should they? 

Next, which you should have done way before the book has been published make yourself known on the internet. Don't bombard people with your book but ease it on them. Make sure you make comments on other people's postings. Comment, do not advertise unless your topic fits what they are saying. Pay attention to what works for others. Now I said pay attention, not email them with a list of question and irritate them until they remove you from their list. Yes, I have deleted several. Networking must be a give and take. 

Last but not least support people. If you see someone asking for a review help them out. If you don't have time to read their book you can at least rate it. You can not become successful thinking it's all about you. The only thing you will become successful at is being a jerk or user. 

Now, my intent is not to discourage but to encourage you to wake up and make your passion a priority. Take your writing seriously or no one else will. 

Until Next Time

Omegia Keeys

Long Time Coming

Over the past two years I have debated back and forth on doing a blog. The problem wasn't actually doing it more so than what to do it on. The main issue was I didn't want to pigeon hole myself in. At first my reservations were because I only had Erotic Fiction books published, then that was all people would want to hear about so I waited. By now those that know me know I am probable about as versatile as the young teen who loves to change the color of her hair on a weekly basis. Yes, I write erotic fiction but it does not define me. Neither does the Young Adult or Non-Fiction--albeit the Non-Fiction is my own story, but one that is my past. I am no longer that person of long ago and probably not the same as I was just last year. Therefore why should my blog be? I am forever changing and evolving so should my blog. I can be hot and spicy on a post and then informative on the next. You may even get to take a journey with me as I go through finishing off a manuscript or two. So for those who stop by, I thank you and enjoy!

Until next time.

Omegia