Randall Lang
Randall Lang grew up in the tough coalfields of southwestern Pennsylvania where nothing comes easily. It is a world of limited opportunity and few roles to follow. Dreams are quickly vanquished in the shadows of necessity and creativity is usually buried beneath an avalanche of cynicism. However, epiphanies come in all shapes, sizes, and in a wide range of locations. In the dark and quiet world of the underground worksite, the stories within him began to take form. Years later, Randall Lang is the author of eight books of erotic stories published by Renaissance E Books, has contributed to two erotic anthologies, and the recently released Magnificent Man, an erotic romance published by Midnight Showcase. Randall’s erotic works include the five volume Trailer Park Nights series and three books of erotic short stories. These are available at http://shop.renebooks.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=120. His newest release, Magnificent Man, is available from Midnight Showcase at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/MagniMan.htm. Visit Randall’s website, The Worlds of Randall Lang, www.randalllang.com. Or his blog, The Mind of Randall Lang, www.randalllang.blogspot.com. It’s a strange place to be.
Randall now lives historically on an historic island in historic Wheeling, West Virginia.
Randall Lang will be on a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours in September, 2009, and is here with us today to give his impression of virtual book tours and online book marketing.
Magnificent Man
Thank you for this interview, Randall. Can we start out by having you tell us briefly what your new book is about?
That will be my pleasure. Firstly, thank you for inviting me here today. Magnificent Man is what I call my ‘road trip romance’. It is the story of Cassandra, a struggling single Mother who takes a chance at improving her life by answering an ad in a Hollywood fan magazine. It turns out to be an offer she must refuse, and on her way home, her car breaks down in the Arizona desert. She is rescued by a large, handsome man on a motorcycle who takes her on the journey of a lifetime through the American southwest. As she comes to know more about Coyote, her rescuer, she finds herself falling in love with him. She has never known a man of such strength and nobility. Although he tries to resist falling for Cassandra, she fills a longing within him and takes his heart. Their different backgrounds and lives present a serious obstacle to their love. In the end, their love enables them to overcome a life-threatening crisis.
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?
Writing the best book ever written is an exercise in futility if no one reads it. While the internet and e-books have greatly opened up opportunities for writers to be published, they have also generated tremendous competition in the marketplace. I can put my books in front of potential readers with website advertisements and book group posts, but I need the help of an expert to take my book to the next level. A virtual book tour IS that next level.
Is this the first time you have heard of them?
Before Magnificent Man was released, I attempted to develop a marketing plan. Among the available marketing vehicles was the virtual book tour. As I read more, I realized that a virtual book tour came with more than just advertising space, it also offered the professional help that I so desperately needed.
What do you hope to achieve through promoting your book through a virtual book tour?
I am hoping to reach potential readers beyond the usual book website and book groups. The problem with those is that they are populated predominately by writers. And, while most writers are also readers, the act of writing books severely limits the available time to read. I would hope to appeal to a broader pool of readers with a virtual book tour.
Do you promote online through other means? Website? Blog?
Yes I do. Like most ‘boomers’, I find the high-tech internet world a frightening and intimidating place. I was able to find a first class web designer who put together and maintains my website www.randalllang.com . Eventually I built up enough courage to start a blog, www.randalllang.blogspot.com. I must confess, the blog has been fun. I even (expressing great pride here) made a video book trailer for Magnificent Man and posted it to YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv3T4zXq_Lo. That made me feel like a real ‘techie’.
Do you promote through Twitter and Facebook? What are your links there?
Well, there goes that whole ‘techie’ thing. I’m only starting to experiment with social networking and, at this point, I’m a helpless novice.
What are your experiences with offline booksignings? Which do you prefer – online or offline and can you give us the reasons why?
I have never done offline booksignings, but it is something that I hope to explore in the future. I can do online booksignings now through Author’s Den at http://www.authorsden.com/randalllang.
Because Magnificent Man is also available in print, I can offer signed books.
Here’s a fun question. If money was no object, how would you promote your book?
Given an unlimited budget, you’d probably see my face on late night television selling my book between the exercise machine ads and the diet pill promos. Hey Suzanne Somers, squeeze this!
Thank you for this interview, Randall. Do you have any final words?
Final words!! Isn’t that what happens just before the warden throws the switch? No words of wisdom, I just want to invite everyone to visit me at www.randalllang.com , The Worlds of Randall Lang, or stop by my blog at www.randalllang.blogspot.com , The Mind of Randall Lang. It’s a strange place to be!
Thanks again for inviting me. I remain,
Your most humble and obedient servant,
Randall Lang
If you would like to follow Randall’s tour, visit here!