Dreams Deferred Video Posted on June 19, 2016 by LJ Hi there: Lately, I've been trying to up my game by learning how to use Facebook advertising to market my books and grow my e-mail list. I signed up for Mark Dawson's Facebook advertising course and then headed over to Animoto.com to use my newfound knowledge to put together the Dreams Deferred video. Unfortunately, the course didn't have a segment in it on how to put together video ads. I'm a bit technologically challenged, so I had to wing it. What do you think? Does it give you the urge to buy Ivy's story “Dreams Deferred” – the second book in my Brooks Sisters Dreams Series? https://secureservercdn.net/45.40.148.147/fe1.038.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Dreams_Deferred_Ad_1080p.mp4 I only put the Dreams Deferred video ad up yesterday so I haven't had the opportunity to measure the results; however, I have to say that Mark Dawson's Facebook ads course was amazing. I've learned so much and, thanks to the course, my e-mail list has grown by over a thousand new readers in the past week. It's been very exciting and a lot of fun to find and interact with new readers – some of whom have already sent me very encouraging words about my work. Before I took Mark Dawson's course, I struggled with the issue of how to find readers who would be interested in my work since my books don't tend to fit neatly within a single category. I'm still struggling with how to reach some segments of my reader base, but at least now I have a clue as to how to go about looking for them. I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a line to let me know what you think about the Dreams Deferred video and, if you haven't already, pick up a copy of “Dreams Deferred.” Just don't start the book at night if you want to sleep. 🙂 Peace Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Share this:ShareFacebookPocketLinkedInTumblrRedditPinterest
Release Day for Dreams Deferred! Posted on June 30, 2015June 22, 2015 by LJ Hi There: I'm excited to tell you that today is release day for my new novel – “Dreams Deferred” – Book 2 of the Brooks Sisters Dreams Series. You can get it on Amazon here or from your other favorite retailer by clicking on the “Dreams Deferred” book cover here. “Dreams Deferred” is the story of Ivy Brooks – Kathy Brooks' wild baby sister: Ivy Brooks was always attracted to the bad boys until one day, she met the worst of them all and landed in prison as a result. Now, three years later, more mature and the mother of a beautiful little boy, she’s determined to make a better life for herself and her son. She’s also determined to make better choices when it comes to men and she’s not sure her former cellmate’s drop dead gorgeous brother Luke – a former bad boy who professes to have turned over a new leaf – is the right choice. Just when she believes she’s made a fresh start, her son’s father, Zeke, finds out about him and sues for full custody. She kept her mouth shut when the police found jewelry from the heist committed by Zeke in her apartment. But now, to save her son from a life of misery, Ivy has no choice but to testify against Zeke. Luke is determined to protect Ivy and her son at any cost. Will she stay alive long enough to testify? And can she trust Luke to stand by her side without being drawn back into a life of violence? Pick up your copy today and please don't forget to leave a review on the site where you buy it. Reviews are very important for helping others discover a good story. I hope that you enjoy my work. Peace Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Share this:ShareFacebookPocketLinkedInTumblrRedditPinterest
L.J. Taylor Selected as a Featured Author in the 2015 NAACP Author Pavilion Posted on June 16, 2015 by LJ Hi there: Guess what? I'm happy to report that I was selected to be a featured author in the 2015 NAACP Author Pavilion, at the NAACP's 106th Annual Convention, which will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in Philadelphia, PA, July 11-14, 2015. The 2015 NAACP Author Pavilion is part of the Convention's Commerce and Industry Show which is free and open to the public. I'll be there signing books with Charlie Wilson and other illustrious and noteworthy African-American authors. Although my romantic legal thriller “Just Dreams” is the featured book on the 2015 NAACP Author Pavilion website, I will also be signing copies of “Dreams Deferred” – the second book in the Brooks Sisters Dreams Series. The book signings will take place on July 11-14, 2015 at the following times: Saturday: 11:00 am to 6pm Sunday: 12:00 pm to 6pm Monday: 12:00 pm to 6pm Tuesday: 12:00 pm to 6pm I'll let you know when my two 2 hour time slots are scheduled. You can get more information about 2015 NAACP Author Pavilion here. See you in Philly! We're going to have an amazing time. Peace Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Share this:ShareFacebookPocketLinkedInTumblrRedditPinterest
“Dreams Deferred” is Out on Pre-Order Posted on June 4, 2015 by LJ Hi there: I am happy to announce that Ivy's story,”Dreams Deferred” – Book 2 of the Brooks Sisters Dreams Series – is available for pre-order on Amazon.com. The book is scheduled to be released on June 30, 2015. It took me longer than I had anticipated to finish it, but, based on the comments I received from my outside editor, I believe I've produced a story that's worth the effort. I hope you enjoy it as much as she did. Ivy Brooks was always attracted to the bad boys until one day, she met the worst of them all and landed in prison as a result. Now, three years later, more mature and the mother of a beautiful little boy, she’s determined to make a better life for herself and her son. She’s also determined to make better choices when it comes to men and she’s not sure her former cellmate’s drop dead gorgeous brother Luke – a former bad boy who professes to have turned over a new leaf – is the right choice. Just when she believes she’s made a fresh start, her son’s father, Zeke, finds out about him and sues for full custody. She kept her mouth shut when the police found jewelry from the heist committed by Zeke in her apartment. But now, to save her son from a life of misery, Ivy has no choice but to testify against Zeke. Luke is determined to protect Ivy and her son at any cost. Will she stay alive long enough to testify? And can she trust Luke to stand by her side without being drawn back into a life of violence? You can get “Dreams Deferred” here. Peace Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Share this:ShareFacebookPocketLinkedInTumblrRedditPinterest
Just Dreams – A Dream Come True Posted on September 16, 2014November 3, 2014 by LJ After years of attending writers seminars and conferences, whipping out first drafts during National November Writing Month, rewriting and editing, researching and plotting, and querying numerous editors and agents alike, I bit the bullet, hired an outside editor, and released my debut novel “Just Dreams” on August 31, 2014. “Just Dreams” is now out on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and iTunes. I'm working hard to figure out how to get it into bookstores and libraries near you. Last week, I received a proof of the paperback to review. Holding a physical copy of my book in my hands was surreal – a dream come true long in the making. I requested that some changes be made and, as a result, I will receive a revised proof this week. Once I approve it, the paperback version will become available on Amazon. I'll let you know when that happens. This journey has been exhilarating, empowering and terrifying all at once and it's far from over. In fact, it's the just beginning of my professional writing career. I've learned so much from publishing “Just Dreams” and I know that I still have much to learn. As a self-published author, I not only have to figure out the writing side of the business but also every aspect of the publishing side as well. That runs the gamut from figuring out the best business and tax structures for me, to learning how to format the book as an e-book and a print book, to figuring out cover design, to learning how to upload the books to the different sale platform sites, to figuring out retail and wholesale pricing of the book, to figuring out the best markets in which to offer the book, to learning when and how to market the book, etc. I even had to figure out how to use social media to promote the book. That was not an easy feat for me since, three months ago, I had no idea how to use Twitter and barely used Facebook. I had never heard of Pinterest or Google Plus or Goodreads. I still haven't ventured onto Wattpad and other sites. It's amazing how hard you are willing to work when you have a passion for something though. I know I have a passion for writing because I stuck with it and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get the word out about “Just Dreams.” That apparently includes working on marketing efforts into the wee hours of the morning. I spent all day Thursday visiting nearly a hundred book blog review sites I had compiled on a list and asking for reviews. I took short meal and other breaks during the day and drank gallons of coffee while I worked, but remained focus on the task. When I glanced at the clock, it was after midnight. I just shook my head. Where had the day gone? And why was I tempted to keep working even though I was nearly blind from staring into the computer screen all day? OCD anyone? 🙂 Instead of taking a break on Friday and Saturday, I spent the days searching for book clubs to approach, asking to be their book of the month, beefing up my Goodreads profile, figuring out things like wholesale discounts and pricing, and learning how best to get my book in libraries, bookstores and retail shops. The one thing I haven't been doing enough of is writing. I intend to rectify that immediately because I need to revise the second book in the Brooks Sisters Dreams Series – “Dreams Deferred” – which will be released in December, 2014. It features Kathy's flashy baby sister Ivy Brooks as the heroine. I'll keep you up to date on all the latest developments in this crazy journey. It won't be a smooth ride, but it promises to be an interesting one. Peace Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Share this:ShareFacebookPocketLinkedInTumblrRedditPinterest