#2 Writing Tip: Use your book cover as a profile picture

Rhythms & Muse’s back cover. You want to click on it so you can read it, don’t you? I’ll let you watch my Facebook page at Ann Narcisian Videan for the front cover to appear in a few days, or check it out at http://www.tinyurl.com/ANVamazon.

Change your profile picture to your book cover.

Twice a month I meet with a group of established Phoenix, AZ-area writers in my Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) “tribe.” We share writing tips, ideas and resources, which I pass along to you.

The authors attending our May 22, 2012, gathering came up with a number of great ideas, which I will parse out in the near future, but Eduardo Cervino shared a real winner, an easy way to gain a bit more visibility.

He suggested authors change their profile photo to their book cover every once in a while on their social media sites. You know when you see the same image over and over, you tend to ignore it? A change in scenery can pique interest and entice your friends and followers to actually click on your little image to see it in better detail, especially a book cover.

Just make sure you offer valuable information next to the photo, such as a photo description in Facebook which includes your Web site address.

Thank you, Ed! I’m going to do this whenever I’m running a special promotion or on the  verge of a big book event.

Do you have a savvy writing tip to share for authors or freelancers? Please post a comment. (And, don’t forget to ALWAYS write!)

Walk Off The Earth, Gotye cover: Today’s Pick

I blame these guys (my musical kids) for keeping me up on the latest hot music.

For creative writing inspiration, my nearly adult children introduced me to Belgian-Australian multi-instrumental musician and singer-songwriter Gotye (go-tee-yay) a couple of weeks ago. His video “Somebody That I Used To Know” is a new favorite of mine.

Now, I’m even more inspired by a cover of the song by Walk Off The Earth (WOTE) performed by all five band members on one guitar. This Ontario, Canada-based indie band formed in 2006 has built a huge fan base by making creative low-budget music videos of covers and originals, without record labels, booking agents or management. The band did recently earn a recording contract with Columbia Records.

Also, you’ll be intrigued by the intricate, eye-popping cardboard set featured in WOTE’s cover of “Little Boxes.” This 1963 Pete Seeger hit was written by folk singer-songwriter and political activist Malvina Reynolds.

Whose music inspires you, for writing or otherwise?