Sweet Romance Writer Uses Travel Inspirations for Novel Settings

The work of writing a book ends when the "Publish" button is clicked.

That's when the really hard work begins. 

Now it's time to get the world to hear your message: "I have a book for sale!" 

Self-Publishing has turned authors into Marketers. It's turned writers into a business owner, and the widget they're selling is their book. 

Hundreds of thousands of books are published - the sheer number of books being published on a daily basis continues to grow. The only way to success is to know your audience, and know where they ARE - be it online or in real life.

It's the real life events that a lot of authors step away from. Having to sit at a convention booth all day as people walk by and avoid eye contact was not part of their "Successful Author" vision. So they continue to plug away online and miss out on human contact opportunities.

Not Sandra Leesmith. Her life revolves around conventions and reader events and she loves them. "I've met fans of my books at the most random places. You never know what else a fan of my work might love." And the best part of meeting someone in person who gushes over meeting you and your work - there are usually other people within earshot who might pick up on the conversation. And if your fan loves your work, their passion will be picked up on too.

Living in the greater Phoenix area part of the year, Sandra is an avid Pickleball player. The people she's met playing Pickleball have become readers and fans. They let her know when an opportunity for her to show her work sounds interesting. And Sandra always follows up because, "you never know who you might meet."

Writing can be a lonely business. Think of conventions and fairs and anywhere else you sell your book as a networking opportunity. And the networking doesn't have to be all business. In fact, putting people first and business last, can create a very successful business transaction down the road.

I met Sandra at an author event hosted by the Scottsdale Library. I went in support of another author friend and client, Michele Venne, who also writes romance stories. The group of authors were gathered in a medium sized space, tucked into the back of the library. It really didn't make for good traffic, and I didn't notice any signage announcing the event or pointing the way when I got there. 

The turn out, as far as the crowd size, was disappointing. Looking around, I could see the disappointment on the authors faces and I know what they were feeling - bummed. They could see their Saturday slipping away, spent sitting and staring at each other.

After spending some time with Michele, I got up to make the rounds with the goal of talking to every author in that room. Why not? They were bored and more importantly - they are my target market: People with something to sell.

That was how I met Sandra Leesmith.

From the moment I met Sandra I knew she was someone I not only wanted to work with, I wanted to live my life like she was living hers! 

She and her husband have a home in Tempe, AZ, but during the warmer months they take off in their motorhome and travel. They go far away and stay gone for months at a time. Or sometimes they take off for a weekend trip. It doesn't matter, they have the time and they're going. Now.

Life has been a rollercoaster for Sandra, like so many of us experience. Twists and turns, just like the road she sees from the co-pilot seat, rolling out before her, leading her to the inspiration she needs for her next story. 

Some of their trips revolve around their love of Pickleball. If you haven't heard of this sport, Google it. I personally have not played or seen this in person, but it looks like fun. Someday I'll give it a try.

But all of her adventures include letting people know she writes and oh by the way, here's a book. She hands out her books to people asking for the kindness of an Amazon review, something that's so important to authors like Sandra. 

Looking at her Amazon pages, I believe her methods are working. She had many raving reviews for all of her books. 

Being a people-person-author has its place in book marketing. 

If you're wanting a well written sweet romance story with excellent scene setting and details - if you happen to visit or live where Sandra has been and used for her story, you'll recognize it - pick up one or all of Sandra's books. A few of her titles are also available on Audible, read by a professional voice actress and professionally recorded providing an outstanding listening experience.

I'm looking forward to reading about Sandra's next adventure!

Sandra is part of Seekerville, a group of authors who work together to grow their audiences through blogging.

Visit her website at www.SandraLeesmith.com

To see a list of all work by Sandra Leesmith author page on Amazon