The big, honkin' blog tour and more

HI everyone,

This isn't just a promo. Don't click away as fast as you can. In fact, I'll get it out of the way first. My month-long blog tour, book signings and contests can be found on my news blog here: http://ashlynchase.blogspot.com/ There. That wasn't too painful, was it?

Now, here's my blog about blogging. For the longest time, I didn't like it. I resented the time taken away from my writing and didn't think many people were reading it anyway. Well, I was right. Getting one or two comments can be very discouraging. Thus, I started a news blog. No need to come up with something brilliant and worth reading each day. I hope those who are interested in my career get what they need there, and I can put what little brilliant writing I do into my books.

But despite my hope that blogging was a fad that would fade away as soon as I got the hang of it (like much of technology) it has only grown exponentially. So, I've had to learn to incorporate it into my existence. We all have. Hell, I'm blogging right now!

A while ago, I decided I'd guest blog. That wasn't too difficult. I could come up with something to talk about once or twice a month, right? Sure. So far, that's been working for me. I have to apologize occasionally because I can't reciprocate, having my blog set up as news only, but I do have a blog list of those bloggers willing to host romance authors. It's my little way of giving back...and preventing others from getting ripped off like I was a few years ago.

I paid $150.00 to a "publicist" to set up a blog tour for me. That was the rock bottom price and it was to set up 12 blog stops and advertise it for me. Well, let me tell ya, any one of you could do better. I was blogging at non-romance book sites, a couple sites her friends had set up just for these tours, and I was lucky to get two or three comments. Did I make that up in sales? Hell, no.

So, that's when I got mad (and got even) by starting my free-of-charge blog for romance authors looking for romance friendly blog sites where they can set up their own blog tour.

Now, it may seem ironic that I don't even use my own service. I have a paid for publicist working with my publisher who sets up the blog tours for me. It's great in that it saves me tons of time and money, but not so great in that I have no choice in the schedule. During release months, I can plan to make no plans. I'll be busy somewhere every day. Well, I get weekends off for good behavior, and thank goodness...I blog here every other Saturday!

In short...if you're looking to set up a blog tour, don't hire someone. Check out this blog first: http://romancebloghosts.blogspot.com/

And if you're already on it, please keep me updated! Some blogs change their focus, or whatever. I try to keep it current.

If you're not on it and you'd like to be, just ask! All I need is a url and your contact name and email. Remember, this is romance focused. It's not specific to any heat level or subgenre, so if you contact someone on the list, be sure they're open to your content.

That's it. Public service announcement over. Commercial for my latest book almost over. I recently went to a conference in which a famous-ish author said "Don't be afriad to ask people to buy your book." Okay, I'm asking. Not begging, mind you. Just asking politely. Check out my latest release The Werewolf Upstairs on Amazon.com or B&N, Sony or wherever you buy your books.

Thanks for listening. Oh! If you want to win the book, you might check out that big, honkin' blog tour I was telling you about. My publisher is giving away 2 copies at every stop they set up. I set up a few of my own (when invited) and will give away 1 copy at those.

Enjoy your weekend, and happy reading!