Talking Virtual Book Tours with Chick Lit Author Maya Jax

Loving spy and mystery novels, Maya Jax entertained the idea of being a secret agent and started working at an embassy overseas while doing her master’s in international relations.  During this time, she finished her first screenplay, an action/thriller about spies and nuclear weapons.  She pitched it to a friend in Hollywood, who told her she had talent, but to never – ever – show anyone the script again.  Realizing her love for writing was stronger than her desire to spy and fight crime, she attempted a second screenplay focusing on what she knew best — trying to make it as a writer.  The screenplay turned into a manuscript and the result was chick lit novel Escapades of Romantically Challenged Me.  You can read more about Maya at www.mayajax.com.

Thank you for this interview, Maya. Can we start out by having you tell us briefly what your new book is about?

Escapades of Romantically Challenged Me’s heroine, Lelaina Zane, graduated from law school three years ago and headed straight for LA to try making it as a screenwriter.  So far, she only has three years waitressing experience and a ton of rejection letters.  She finally thinks she’s on the verge of her big break, when she’s called back to her hometown because her dad has fallen ill.  It’s a fast and funny read about balancing life and expectations.

More and more authors are realizing the potential for sales that derives from virtual book tours. Can you tell us your personal reasons why you chose a virtual book tour to help get the word out about your new book?

With the internet, you can catch up with your friends, go shopping, work a full day and watch a movie while never leaving your computer.  Online everything is taking over the world, so I think virtual book tours are a smart (and cost effective!) way to promote a book.

Is this the first time you have heard of them?

Yes.

What do you hope to achieve through promoting your book through a virtual book tour?

More exposure — and maybe more fans on my Facebook page.  I just started it this week and the fan count looks very sad!

Do you promote online through other means? Website? Blog?

I have a website with a blog attached, and I also use Twitter and Facebook.  I’m new to Facebook, but I’ve had a Twitter account for a while.  I love the 140 character limit.  People come up with some brilliant things in 140 characters or less.

Who maintains your website?

My web consultant, Spencer Marsden, maintains my website.  He’s a web-genius.  I love my website and he’s the mastermind behind the whole thing.

What are your experiences with offline booksignings? Do you have much luck selling your book through that method?

I haven’t done one myself, but I have friends who have and I’ve developed mixed feelings about them.  Without a doubt it’s great to meet readers face to face, but the experience can also be demoralizing if no one shows up.  Even Janet Evanovich, who sells millions of books, said she once arrived at a booksigning, but the store forgot she was coming and had closed for the day.

Here’s a fun question. If money was no object, how would you promote your book?

I would hire the Old Spice ‘Guy on a Horse’ to do a commercial for me.

Thank you for this interview, Maya.  Do you have any final words?

Escapades is available only at online bookstores, like Amazon and Kobo.  And if you’d like to know more about me or to send me an email, you can check out my website www.mayajax.com.  I’d love to hear from you!

Visit Maya’s Escapades of Romantically Challenged Me tour schedule here.