Books, Chocolate and Wine with Mickie Sherwood

by | Apr 22, 2016 | Bayou cowboy, behind closed doors, Books Chocolate and Wine, interracial romance, second chance, sensual, surrogate, sweet | 5 comments

Help Readers Find Your
Romance Novels
(Mickie
Sherwood’s Indie Author’s Tip)
Hi all,
I’d like to thank Ruth for sharing
her visitors with me today. I’m Mickie Sherwood. I create sweet, and spicy
romance—a heartbeat away!
Bringing characters to life for
the enjoyment of others is exhilarating. The decision to go “indie” brought
a humongous boost to my excitement.  Total
responsibility fell on me to ensure a great experience for my readers.
Therefore, because I’m not an editor, copyeditor, cover artist, or formatter, I
hired professionals for those tasks.

I poured hours of research into
the different platforms that offered self-publishing opportunities. I studied
the ease of the process. Which ones provided a user-friendly experience for the
novice indie author? Amazon, Nook Press, and Kobo Writing Life were my choices.
I learned the importance of using
proper metadata during the process. Metadata is not only the book title,
subtitle, author’s name, and copyright date. Metadata includes pertinent
information like CATEGORIES and KEYWORDS. A book without the proper categories
and keywords might as well be a footprint in the sand at the water’s edge.
It’ll disappear into the ocean of books around it.
CATEGORIES group books of a
similar theme for ease of search. Different publishing platforms have different
rules. Amazon’s KDP allows you to select up to two categories. B&N’s Nook
Press allows up to five categories. While Kobo’s Writing Life allows up to
three.
An author needs to make sure to
choose categories that best fit the book. Otherwise, a potential reader could
miss the discovery of a great read. For example, look at the information on
this link https://www.bisg.org/bisac/complete-bisac-subject-headings-2015-edition.
What you’ll see is a detailed list of category subject headings and their
associated codes.
I write romance. When I click
FICTION, and scroll to ROMANCE, a long list of subcategories is available. Authors
must keep in mind; the list may differ from what is available on their chosen self-publishing
platforms. For example, let’s say ROMANCE – Clean & Wholesome is not among
the Categories available for selection. Consider using “Clean &
Wholesome” as one of the KEYWORD phrases, instead.
KEYWORDS are also important.
These words and phrases are specific to your book. Think: What topic might a
reader search? Imagine readers want to browse for something about second chance
at romance. They might search “Second Chance Romance”. If your book
is about love the second time around, that’s one keyword to definitely use.
KDP allows up to seven
keywords. Nook Press allows up to 100 characters. Kobo has no input area for
keywords that I found.
These tips aren’t just intended
for indie authors. Authors published by publishing companies should check the
categories listed on their novels. Sometimes mistakes happen. I can attest to
that.
Finally, readers, I’ll make it
easy for you to find my relationship-based, mainstream romances that are set in
Bayou Country. Simply search for Mickie Sherwood at your favorite distributor.
I would appreciate it if you did.
My romance excerpt today is
from Templet’s Tasty Tails featuring
Bayou Cowboy Booker Templet and Skeptical Surrogate Erika Washington. After you
enjoy the included excerpt, I want you to check out “Erika Speaks”
found on my Amazon author’s page http://www.amazon.com/Mickie-Sherwood/e/B003M0W8SM/.
 Come back and tell me what you think.
Mickie Sherwood
~~Sweet,
and spicy romance – a heartbeat away! ~~
Will the Bayou Cowboy corral
the heart of the Skeptical Surrogate?
Back Cover copy of Templet’s Tasty Tails
Web
Designer Erika Washington’s contract with her childhood best friend covers all
possibilities about her pregnancy. But one unpredictable event redirects her
future. As a donor-surrogate, what does one do when fate changes the plan and
claims the lives of the intended parents? If you’re the selfless, strong-willed
Erika Washington, you mount a defense to keep your baby.
Entrepreneur
Booker Templet, owner of Templet’s Tasty Tails, secretly agrees to help his
first cousin by being a donor for his baby. However, unfortunate circumstances
change the course of Booker’s life. After he learns the identity of the other
donor, Booker plans to be a part of his child’s life. No matter what.
Will Erika and Booker battle
over custody of the baby? Will their horrible loss help them find consolation
in each other’s arms? Or will fate intervene yet again?
T-e-m-p-l-e-t is pronounced Tom-play.
Buy Links for Templet’s Tasty
Tails
Print eStore – https://www.createspace.com/6047396 (Use 40% off Discount Code DNGP2AS5 only at eStore.)
Excerpt from Templet’s Tasty Tails
Scene: Booker makes a
secret vow as he cuddles Erika in the gazebo during his family’s Fourth of July
outing.
Booker sat astride the seat. Instead of
the padded chair back, her body rested on his broad chest.
He leaned around her with questioning
eyes.
Her actions spoke louder than any words.
Erika grooved her shoulders into the semi-circle of his arms. Booker responded
by blending his fingers into hers, which rested on her stomach. She sighed in
contentment.
“Comfy?” He nestled his chin in
her hair.
“As a cool breeze on a hot summer’s
day.”
“Good.”
Booker lay back, angling her into a
deeper recline. Each breath he took lulled Erika into profound relaxation. The
scent of roses was like a spa aromatherapy session. Adding to the attack on her
senses was the soothing sound of the bubbling water feature. Positively in her
element, Erika drifted off to sleep.
****
Booker inhaled Erika into his system. She
felt so soft and pliable as she snuggled into him. The baby she carried, his
baby, provided him proof of life. How she slept through the jumping jacks going
on inside her astounded him. Yet, she did. He would cherish this intimate
moment forever.
“Booker?” His parents showed up
in the doorway.
He silenced them with a finger
to his lips. June blew him a kiss as Trace steered her out of sight with an
expression that confirmed the acceptance of his decision to pursue Erika.
Fulfillment rippled the blood flowing in Booker’s veins. His heart lurched.
“Don’t mess this up.”
About the Author
Mickie Sherwood is an author and a novice photographer.
Using her backyard as the backdrop for her inspiration, she loves taking
pictures of nature. Her love of photography incites her creativity for writing.
Spending time with her family and cruise vacations, also stokes her
imagination.
With all of her interest combined, fascinating characters
and intriguing circumstances can develop.
Mickie also enjoys a good laugh. Revel in the humorous
stories she shares about life, at her blog—Mickie’s Mutterings.
Social Media Links:

5 Comments

  1. Good morning, Ruth,
    Thanks for sharing Templet's Tasty Tails with your visitors. The post seems to float in that beautiful sky as you scroll.

    Visitors, Booker has fallen "hard" for Erika. But, Erika has a thing to say to him, too. Erika speaks on the Heart of the Matter. Read Erika's Confession on my Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Mickie-Sherwood/e/B003M0W8SM/. Don't be shy. Tell me what you think. Ask me a question.

    Mickie Sherwood
    ~~Sweet, spicy romance – a heartbeat away! ~~
    http://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood
    http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog
    http://www.bayouloveromances.blogspot.com

    Reply
  2. Wonderful Indie Metadata info. And your excerpt made me smile. It brings back memories. Ah, such a tender moment. Thanks for sharing the scene your story and the data info. Best to you, Mickie!

    Reply
  3. Hi Sandy,

    Your words are so kind. I'm glad you enjoyed the snippet.

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

    Mickie

    Reply
  4. Wow, sounds intriguing, Mickie. Best of luck with the book!

    Reply
  5. Thanks for the good wishes, Barbara.

    I hope others find this excerpt an enticing teaser.

    Mickie

    Reply

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