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We’re reopening the CataNetwork Goodie Box! If you have promo items you’d like to donate, please send them to:

PO Box 858

Hiram, Ga 30141

Please include the name you’re writing as and your website address so we can link it up on the official Goodies Page.

Monetary donations are also welcome, to help cover the cost of postage.

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WHAT DO YOU THINK?

We want to know. There’s a poll on our website and we want your opinion. Visit:

www.catadesignstudio.com

to vote.

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BE THERE!

April 8 – 10, at CataNetwork Writers loop on Yahoo. KATE WALKER will be doing a Q&A and discussing the NEW edition of her wonderful book Kate Walker’s 12 Step Guide to Writing Romance.

This is a wonderful FREE opportunity for all writers to pick Kate’s brain. With over 50 books in print and years of experience, she’s someone to ask about almost anything writing related.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CataNetwork-Writers/

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REQUEST AN INTERVIEW

Sign up to our Author’s Loop and fill in our Interview Request Database. We’re powering through them so you should hear from us soon. If you’re already listed, you can update your info.

http://cataurl.com/HmGDM

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GET INVOLVED

Several of you have mentioned that you’d like to get more involved. Here are a few ways to do so:

• Drop by our CataNetwork Readers loop weekly. We have weekly discussions and you’re welcome to join in. We limit PROMO to Friday only so this is a great place to actually Talk Books.
• Drop by our CataNetwork Authors’ Loop weekly. We have weekly discussions there too and we always want to hear your opinion.
• Guest Blog. We’re always in need of Guest Bloggers. Visit catanetwork.com for details. (bottom left)
• Be a guest speaker on our Writer’s Loop. We’re always in need of someone to come in and share their expertise. Be it accounting, cooking, police work, how to craft a query letter, or how to finish a book.
• Sign up your publisher or group of authors to host the Readers’ Loop for a Day.

If you have an idea for a way to be involved with the CataNetwork, we’re happy to hear it. Our site is here for you and we want you to be at home. So get involved.

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Promo Tip

From Guerrilla Marketing for Writers: Follow the “Rule of Five: do five things every day to market your books.”

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What did you think of this newsletter? Let me know. alice@catadesignstudio.com

Online form link: http://catadesignstudio.com/?page_id=27

Note: Offer good for Billboard Ads, Banner ads, Cover Ads, Bookmark ads, Bulk ad packages, and Affiliate Author Membership. $5 off your total of $10 or more. All prices are US $. Cannot be combined with other offers.

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***What’s New at CDS?***

I’ve added a new feature that you might be interested in (you can add it to your RSS feed.) It’s called Highlights and basically it’s just things I come across as I surf that highlight what’s good and bad in the web world. From author’s sites to publisher’s sites. Good user interfaces, things that are annoying, nice color schemes, whatever catches my attention. I typically include a screenshot and a blurb. You can check out the three from this past week on the front page of CataDesignStudio.com

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We still have April Advertising available. Including our famous Billboard Banners and our super affordable Cover Ads! Email me today to reserve yours (and get your $5 off!)

After several requests, we’re now offering bulk advertising packages. Please contact us directly for an invoice for these items. And tell your publisher – we have bulk monthly prices!

Billboard Ad

3 months – $100

6 months – $200

12 months – $399

Standard Banners *

6 months – $96

12 months – $192

Cover Ads *

6 months – $48
12 months – $96

Bookmark Ads *

6 months – $72
12 months – $144

* 1 ad change per month

Bulk Packages for Publishers

2 banners, 4 covers per month = $64

4 banners, 8 covers per month = $128

10 covers per month = $80

Email Ally to reserve: alice@catadesignstudio.com

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***Article***

Here’s an article that recently appeared on CDS.

Your Profile – A Free Promo Tool

As an author, you may be wondering where to promote yourself. Or where else to promote yourself. You’re probably looking for quick and easy tips.

So I have one for you. Fill out your profiles. Keep a list of where you’re registered. Update it once or twice a year minimum.

For instance, many of you are on yahoo. Do you know you can have a yahoo profile? And did you know that when readers click on your name on yahoo they’re taken to your profile? Yeah, you’re missing out on FREE PROMO! Go fill out your profile, include a photo, book cover, your web address, a bio about yourself and anything else you want to fill out.

Speaking of which, you really should have an ongoing file with this information in it. Here’s why: It’s easy to change out your information on websites. It’s quick to grab if you have a spare minute to do promo. It takes the headache out of promotion if you know you have the information you need in one easy to find spot.

Here’s the info you should have in your file.

• A short bio: 3-5 sentences (make it quirky and fun)
• A long bio: 3-5 paragraphs (make it fun but more autobiographical)
• A tag line for yourself
• Your website address
• Your blog address
• A link to sign up for your newsletter
• A link to any other places that you consistantly use for promotion
• A headshot or your latest cover
• An avatar (3 sizes, 50×50, 80×80, 100×100 are the most common sizes)

So while you’re out tooling around, stop by CoffeeTimeRomance and create an account on their message boards. Fill out your profile. That means your signature too.

Then head over to romantictimes.com and sign up for their message boards if you’re not already a member.

Have you updated your myspace page lately? Do you have a myspace page?

How about bebo?

Facebook?

Yahoo 360?

Now, how about blogs you’re a member of? Do you have good “promo data” in your profile? Why not? It’s easy and free. Take a minute to do it. When people click your name, they visit your profile. Don’t waste this precious promo time.

Are you registered with any of the CataNetwork sites? If so, login and update your profile. You can include a brief bio, links, change your email and more.

Are you on RomanceWiki.com? Why not, it’s a great place to be. Sign up, learn how to add yourself and all your books.

Then head over to wikipedia.com and do the same.

Does your publisher have a forum on their website? That’s another great place to fill in your profile and signature.

The point is, you never know when a reader is going to look at your profile. And you want to drive them to your website and your books. This is a quick, painless, and affective way to do it. And did I mention, it’s FREE PROMO?

Now, get off this website and go update your profiles!

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Don’t forget to get your $5 off! Email me today: alice@catadesignstudio.com

Best wishes,

Ally