Talking Virtual Book Tours with Romance Author Bronwyn Storm

There was only one thing Bronwyn wanted to be when she grew up: a superhero. Sadly, this goal was made moot when she realized that being a klutz was not, in fact, a super power, and her super-weakness for anything bright and shiny meant that a magpie with self-control could easily defeat her in a battle of wills.  So, she turned to writing as a way to unleash her inner superhero.  She doesn’t get to live on a secret space station orbiting the earth (and thank goodness because she gets motion sick on a merry-go-round), but she still get to wear leotards, a cape and say things like, “STAND ASIDE! THIS IS A JOB FOR WRITING-GIRL!”

Bronwyn’s latest book is Ethan’s Chase.

You can visit her website at www.bronwynstorm.com.

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

Ethan’s Chase is all about the fact that with enough chocolate and wine, a person really can write a novel…oh, wait…you meant what the book is about for readers?

Here’s the back cover: Still wounded from a disastrous love affair, advertising executive Ethan Phillips has spent the past five years outwitting Cupid with a series of dekes and fakes. Who knew the tricky cherub would get wise? Rather than piercing Ethan’s heart with an arrow, he douses it with amaretto-flavored milk. A quick visit to the drycleaner and a stern lecture on the dangers of gorgeous, charming women, and he figures he’s made another clean getaway.

But when the sexy woman turns out to be Chase Logan, his new systems programmer, Ethan’s got nowhere to run. Suddenly, the man who spent his time running from Cupid, is looking to borrow a few arrows. Ethan’s ready to give chase and pursue love. Will he catch the heart of his programmer or just be left catching his breath?

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?

There were a few reasons I chose a virtual tour:

1) Because anyone who has read my blog or is following me on the Pump Up Your Book tour knows it’s always safer for all concerned if I’m kept behind the closed doors of my study.

2) With the internet, I can reach more readers and have a chance to meet interesting people from all over the world, and all for the bargain price of paying my internet provider (rather than paying for airfare, hotel. Plus, I don’t have to have any needles for hepatitis when travelling the digital highways).

3) Combining with the above, it’s nicer on the environment when we’re not spewing jet fuel into the air or chugging along in our vehicles, trying to reach a destination.

Is this the first time you have heard of them?

I’ve known about virtual tours, but until Pump Up Your Book, I wasn’t sure how to go about doing one.  I’m really glad I have Dorothy Thompson to walk me through the steps. She’s amazing!

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

Easy-peasy. Meet some new friends, find some new fans, and get some exposure…er, the author kind, not the type of exposure that gets you 5-10 in the county jail…

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

I have a website, blog, plus I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Who maintains your website?

I do.

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

I’ve done two. One was an enormous success—I think I made the Top Ten book signings for the store. The other was a disaster.

To authors who want to do a signing I’d offer these tips: (1) Make sure you get to the store early to set up, and make sure you’ve done everything you can to ensure you’re organized and ready. (2) Make sure you and the store have signed contracts (and do this beforehand. If the store is disorganized and doesn’t have anything ready, come with a contract in hand that details what your commission/royalty is, the pay due date, etc.).  (3) Make sure your books have been entered into the store’s system.  (4) Smile at everyone.

And here’s an interesting fact. The store manager at one of the shops told me that book signings don’t tend to have a lot of success (unless you’re a NY Times best-seller*). Most authors will sign two books.  If they sign four, the signing’s considered a success. So, if you do it and only get two people, then don’t worry. That’s normal.

*I read an article from Janet Evanovich who said she once came to a signing and no one showed up.  Also, I participated in a signing with another very big name author. I was just finishing and she was just coming in…I stuck around for an extra hour, and no one showed up.  I thought maybe it was just the time and more would show, but I learned later that no one showed up for her.

People, I was STUNNED. She’s a HUGE author and the only reason I stayed away from her was because I love her work and I knew if I went anywhere near her, I’d turn into a babbling idiot who would go from enthusiastic fan to creepy girl in 0.03 milliseconds (hence my not naming her).

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

I’d love to find a way to pair a promotion with an organization that helps get books into low-resource schools…I mean, Ethan’s Chase, isn’t for kids, but it would be cool to find a way to do something that would get the book into the hands of today’s readers, and help get age appropriate books into the hands of the readers of tomorrow.

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

Yes, but I’m saving those for my sentencing.

As for not-so-final words, please visit my website for free stories and purchasing information for Ethan’s Chase. Thanks for having me!

Watch the trailer!

If you’d like to follow along with Bronwyn Storm as she tours the blogosphere with more interviews, guest posts and reviews, click here!