Brenda Spalding | Updates

Authors need reviews

Brenda Spalding — Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Did you know that authors are counting on their readers to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads? It is so important to independent authors because it lets us know what you think of our writing and how we can improve. Yes, it hurts to get a bad review, but every review counts.

Did you also know that only customers who have spent at least $50 on Amazon in the last 12 months can submit ratings and reviews? So even if you submit a review, it may not show up. Amazon is sneaky like that. It's also not fair.

Amazon will not post a review if it determines that the review is from a friend. How they figure that out, I don't have a clue.

When I sell my books at events directly to readers, I ask them to post a review on Amazon. I sell a lot of books but get very few reviews. So please, if you buy a book from an independent author, please try to leave a review. We are counting on our readers support.

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So much fun on a podcast

Brenda Spalding — Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I was recently on a podcast hosted by a member of the Florida Writers Foundation. I haven't done a podcast in ages and wasn't sure how it would work out.

I spoke on marketing, which I love. It tied it in with the talk I gave to the Space Coast Writers Guild in March. My book The Author's Platform: What is it and why you need it, has been revised because of all the changes. It's amazing how fast social media evolves these days.

Some of you know how I love in-person events. I keep telling authors to get their butts out the door and meet their readers. When I'm out, I do meet my readers and get feedback on what they like. I find they like the size of the font I use, 12pt, and the spacing, 1.15. I also get invited to book clubs and other writers' groups. Sometimes I even get invited to talk at conferences. Getting out the door is so important.

Here is the link to the podcast. I hope you enjoy it. https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-fh26p-1abb949

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Charlotte County Book and Arts Festival

Brenda Spalding — Sat, 4 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm off again to the Port Charlotte Town Center on April 18th from 10 am to 3 pm. I'll be joining other authors that I know down there, and hoping that you will come along and check out this new event.

Jeanelle Havlin and Kevin Kuhnes will be there with me. There will be a wonderful selection of books to choose from.

It's the end of the season, so we don't know what to expect. It's still time to get a great book and spend some time on the beach. Come by and say hello.

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Pioneer Day

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Get ready for a fantastic day out at the Pioneer Day and BBQ in Arcadia, March 28. I'll be there with Jeanelle Havlin and her books from 9 am - 3 pm. We did this event last year, and it was so much fun that we're doing it again this year.

We had the strawberry shortcake last year, and it was yummy. This year, we want to try the BBQ and more short cakes. They also have a plant sale, and lots of other vendors and music. You can spend the whole day out there. It's fun for the whole family.

Come on out and stop by and say hello. We would love to sign a book or two for you. Some of my books are set in the Arcadia area.

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Trip to Space Coast highlights

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm back home after my trip across Florida from Bradenton to Melbourne. The Space Coast Writers Guild is a great group, very welcoming. After my presentation, they asked questions which I happly answered. I did go off-script and ad-lib, but I had a great time, and they enjoyed my talk. My computer died towards the end of the presentation, which was probably a good thing. I got to be myself.

It's a four-hour journey each way, which I'm not happy with. My husband drove, and we stayed overnight at the Melbourne Hilton. It had been a long time since we had any time to ourselves like that. We took all the back roads and avoided I-4.

I love speaking for writers groups, especially when they get engaged, as this group did.

Next stop, Pioneer Day in Arcadia, March 28.

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Do you need more sales?

Brenda Spalding — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A lot of authors are introverts. They love writing but hate trying to sell the darn thing. Authors moan about no one buying the wonderful book they have written. It's not the book's fault. The author has to get out the door and meet their readers. I have a small 60-page book on how to try to find those readers.

I love getting out the door and finding that arts-and-crafts events are a great place to sell my books. While I'm out, I meet and engage with readers who have book clubs where I can be invited to speak. Other writing groups need speakers, too. You just never know where it will lead you. This month, I have two Arts and Crafts events, and I'm giving a talk to a writing group. I'll also be doing a workshop for another group.

All that is in addition to the social media promotion I put out for my books. My eBooks are with Draft2Digital. They have several promotions during the year that I get involved with. An author needs to stay on top of these and keep promotions going to make those sales.

If no one knows you exist, how can they buy your book?

https://amzn.to/3pPWXjZ

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Le Marche Market

Brenda Spalding — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Outside in Five Points Park in Downtown Sarasota. I'll be with fellow author Lucy Tobias, Saturday, March 7th, from 10 am - 4 pm. We attend this event twice a year. It's a great fun place to meet readers and people-watch. The Farmers Market is only a block away, so stroll along Main St, take in the sights, and support your local community.

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UUCOV Library

Brenda Spalding — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Celebration for the opening of the UUCOV library. It's show-and-tell for other authors and me. I'll be speaking about my books and networking with book clubs and guests. Stop by and meet some of the areas authors.

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Smashwords winter sales

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Hi!

I’m excited to announce that all of my books will be available as part of the Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale! This is a chance to get my book, along with books from many other great authors, at a promotional discount.

You can find the promo here: http://smashwords.com/sale

If you wouldn’t mind lending a hand to the other indie authors taking part in this sale and me, you can share this promo with your friends and family. Just forward this email to anyone who would love a chance to find their next favorite book!

Thank you for your help and support!

Happy reading!

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Nokomis Art Market

Brenda Spalding — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The last event before the New Year, Saturday, Dec. 20, 9:30 am - 3 pm. This one is outside, and the weather is going to cooperate. It's a small event with local vendors and one of my favorite places. Located at 106 Pocono Trail in Nokomis at the Cottage Gallery, right behind Captain Eddy's on 41.

It's one of my favorite events of the season. There is jewelry, pottery, artwork, and of course, my books.

Check out the cottage for original cards, prints, and other items by local craftspeople.

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Author and Illustrator Book Fair

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

It's been a while since the Art Center in Sarasota did a book Fair, and I'm so excited to be included. The art center has been the hub for art in the area since after World War 11. It's a great place to visit when you are in the area.

The book fair will run from 12 pm to 4 pm. I know that two other award-winning author friends of mine will be there, Lucy Tobias, a great travel writer, and Kevin Kuhens, who has a fantastic thriller.

Please stop by and check out the authors and illustrators and pick up something for that special person on your gift list.

Located at 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, next to the Municipal Auditorium.

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The trend in children's books

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sixteen years ago, I wrote and published my first book. It was a children's book called Just Batty. I was so proud to hold that book in my hands. The illustrations were dreadful, and it had some spelling and grammar errors, but I was selling it.

I was also learning my craft. I found a new illustrator, Jackie Gill, who is terrific and would continue to be my illustrator for several more books. I republished minus the errors. But things had begun to change. Technology was changing, and children were no longer reading books the way they had been. Kindle was taking over for paper books.

Another thing I've noticed over the years. Parents do not buy children's books. Grandparents buy children's books. I take my children's book to the craft fairs, and they sit there. Occasionally, someone will pick one up, say how cute it is, put it down, and walk away. Parents with children in tow do not even glance at the books. A grandparent will come along and buy one for each grandchild. I wonder if that child will even turn a page of that gift.

It seems that many of the new authors I meet want to write a children's book. I question why. The darn thing will not sell unless it is exceptional, and the author can market the hell out of it. I say good luck to them. I had fun writing my children's books and still love them.

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In the wild

Brenda Spalding — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Fellow author, Lucy Tobias, and I will be at Book Store 1 in Sarasota, 117 S Pineapple Ave Sarasota, FL 34236, USA (941) 365-7900... from 6p - 7p for a conversation and book signing. Lucy is an award winning author taking you on a tour of her travels around Florida. In my books you will discover Florida’s beauty hides a dark side. Poachers. Killers. Smugglers. We dive into a crime series where fact meets fiction.

Spend time with us as we walk on the wild side.

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Books not selling?

Brenda Spalding — Thu, 9 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

It's a common complaint I hear from authors all the time. "my book is not selling but it's a great book."

I have to ask what are you doing to help sell your book? Are you just sitting there and hoping someone will stumble upon your listing on Amazon and find your book interesting enough to purchase? That is not how it works. I've said this a million times.

After you publish the hard work begins. I don't care if you are traditionally published or and Independent author you still have to put in the work to promote your book.

Get out the door and attend local events like craft fairs, church bazaars. Where ever they will have you and most importantly, where your genre fits. Ask you local independent book store if you can have a signing.
Can you write a series. A series sells more books. You can also bundle a series of eBooks together as I have done with Kindle.
Use social media. It takes time to post on Facebook, Instagram, and X (twitter). I spend at least an hour each day on social media promoting my books but it pays off.

It's the age of technology. Use it to your advantage.

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Arts and Craft sale

Brenda Spalding — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I'm back at one of my favorite places, the Venice Gardens civic Center on shamrock Blvd in Venice. It's a small event but the vendors and organizers are great and the cheesecake for the back sale is to die for. It runs 10a - 3p. You never know what you might find to start your Christmas shopping.

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how are you doing today?

Brenda Spalding — Fri, 3 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Most every day I get an email or message on my Facebook page that begins with "how are you doing today?" or "I saw you book today" and the person wants to know what my inspiration was or for me to tell them about me book. I bit into it at first. I was over joyed that someone was interested enough and wanted to know more about me and my books. Along the way I learned that it was all a scam to get me to buy into what ever they were selling.

I'm a poor struggling author with hardly a penny to my name. I don't pay anyone to do anything I can do for free. And you should not either. I spend about an hour each day promoting my books. I rotate through them. Sometimes by season or as the mood strikes me.

You can make up your own ad and post it on Instagram, Facebook and X (Twitter) Remember to hit the repost button. Don't be afraid of technology. This is where technology is your friend. doing your own marketing and promotion will pay off in the long run. Don't pay someone to do what you can do with a little time and effort.

You can use platforms like www.Zeely.com to create ads and campaigns but they can get expensive. I tried them and did not get a good ROI. www.EBookhabitat.com is good and not a lot of money.

Here's an ad created by Zeely. I copied it and put it in my Blood Orange file. Now I can use it anytime I want to promote the book.

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marketing matters to the bottom line

Brenda Spalding — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I was at an event yesterday where I didn't expect to sell much of anything. It was at a senior living center in Osprey Florida. these places are notorious in the authors circles for not buying books. The organizer had a select few vendors, jewelry, gifts, cards, and books set up in the lobby. I did surprisingly well. I'll do this event again if asked.

I've also been doing a lot of social media marketing and it's paying off. I spend about an hour or more on my Facebook authors page, LinkedIn, Instagram and X (Twitter) promoting different books. I check my reports every day and it's working.

I hear authors complain that their books are not selling, but they are not doing anything to make themselves visible. If no one knows about you and your book how can they buy it??? Get your butt out the door and click those keys. Challenge yourself and see what you can do.

I may not be making a lot of money but I'm having fun making friends with other authors, vendors, and organizers.

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Heartis Senior Living Center

Brenda Spalding — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I know it seems like a strange place but I'll be there with a few select few other vendors. The event is open to the public from 10a - 2p and located at 1020 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. I'm bring my Florida theme books and my children's books and crossing my fingers for a good turn out. It's still early in the season so I'm rolling the dice on this one.

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Arts and Craft event

Brenda Spalding — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

It will be here before you know it and summer will be gone.

I'll be at the Venice Gardens Community Center on Shamrock Blvd. from 10a - 3p Saturday September 6.

It's a small but mighty event that I enjoy very much. The vendors are great and the cheese cake is wonderful. I think I'd go just for that.

Most vendors come back every month so you get to know them. They have baked goods and hotdogs for lunch.

Stop by and support your local community.

I'll have my newest book, The Preserve, there for my readers.

Check back as more events hit my calendar.

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I'm pressing some new buttons

Brenda Spalding — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I'm trying something new this month. Zeely.com is an interesting marketing platform that I'm playing with. It's for any type of product or service that you can think of and that a person wants to promote.

As an author I'm creating static ads using their templates and AI goes to work and makes up the ad. I used my Florida Wildlife Heroes Series first. Zeely helped me make a campaign to promote all four books in the series. I was pleasantly surprised with how well it did. Before I sold maybe one or two eBooks, with a Zeely campaign I did a lot more. Zeely promotes my campaign to several social media sites.

The only thing is it's a pay pre click. You buy credits and hope you get a good ROI. I'm not there yet but it's building. You do get to see which ads are paying off and see the charts. I find it incredibly interesting, challenging and fun to play with. I do have to watch my pennies and had to only take the lowest of the three plan options they have.

Next I used their video to make an ad to the series and posted it as many places as I could think of, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Like I said. I enjoy pressing the buttons an trying new things. I see if I stick with this or not.

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