“Stop! This is not the route to take if you want to stick to social media rules.” 

What does that mean, anyway? Apparently from what I have been told, it means you shouldn’t cross over into areas that are not your line of business. In other words, writing about subject matter not in my business expertise or service are taboo! So, should my personal thoughts and experiences on topics that are not, say, within my realm of so called expertise be muted? Am I only to write and share information on writing or taking pictures?

The thing is, sharing my opinions and suggestions, doesn't mean I'm taking on the professionals, nor do I want their job. I am doing what my platform suggest, I am writing. And, my recommendations and observations quite often pertain to how artists and social media should/could work together in promoting our work.  I have no urge to become a guru of the social media world. I merely share my experiences, by doing what I love, writing.

For those who provide social media services, and feel compelled to ask me why I am promoting something I don’t sell, I would like to take a look at your thoughts from my perspective. True, my published writing focuses on fiction; however, even we writers stray. It’s what keeps our thoughts rejuvenated. Titles and tag lines I use are to get the attention of the masses, as they should, if I am using social media to my advantage. 

Another thing that should be considered by the social media professionals is this:  If the way you teach, share and promote your product or service, is pleasing to read and easily understandable, chances are, I may write about the topic. In doing so, often as not, including a link to your blog, website or some other form of social media you are on to promote your work. 

You see, when I write (because that's what I do) about topics, regardless of the profession, and not necessarily fiction or poetry or how you should or shouldn’t write; I may just end up writing about what I have been told is not the route to follow . . . 

In recent news feeds I’ve received, there has been an influx of articles about how Amazon is handling the sale of some books.  It is my understanding from these readings e-books are not being affected (yet).

But, what I have gleaned from the articles is Amazon now allows third party sellers to compete for Buy Box positions thus promoting books being sold by those who are not the Author. This change in Amazon's policy can push "the publisher button to a less favourable position" writes Dr. Judith Briles of  The Book Shepherd. This is not to say the Author isn’t getting recognized, but the listing is now often NOT at the top of the seller’s list where it should be, in my opinion, when searched for. 

After seeing this topic as one that has been trending over the past few weeks/months, I wondered how Amazon was treating my books.  I started with From Our Home To Yours: Cookies and From Our Home to Yours: Cakes & Squares.  Because they are e-books only, they appear to be safe from the debacle now surfacing about the Amazon book store. ​Apparently this is not true for books written with Amazon's Create Space books. 

You can only imagine my surprise when I next typed into the Amazon Search box, my book title Moon Rising: An Eclectic Collection of Works and found someone actually has a hard cover copy listed for sale at $120.20 (shipping extra) - Used - Like New.

Now, I am flattered they think a Used-Like New copy of my book is worth so much; however, I get absolutely nothing from this sale other than bragging rites that my book is being offered at this price by a reseller on Amazon.  ​

So, what am I going to do about this? In my opinion, rather than continuing with a ‘you can’t do this to me’ attitude, there are a few ways for me to look at this, deal with this and use it to my advantage (or not). 

First, and again in my opinion, Amazon is Amazon and unless you are a Best Selling Author with sales going through the roof, you are dumped into the ‘you don’t really count pile’ and are basically forced to deal with their changes or pull your book. Amazon is going to make money on mine and other book listings, regardless of how they do it. 

Second, I want to inform other Authors (if they don't already know) about the changes in policies and to review their books posted on Amazon. 

Third, while I don’t like the price misrepresentation of my book, I see it as an opportunity to let my followers know that, yes these other books are available, although I have no idea where they have acquired them from; and, if you want to pay the exorbitant or lessor prices that is up to you; however, you will not be supporting me as an independent author/entrepreneur and may be encouraging others to pirate my work. 

Finally, purchasing direct from either MY website or from MY publisher's location, ensures you are getting MY hard and soft cover books; and yes, it also ensures I am getting the portion owed to me when a book sells. The bonus for everyone ordering from MY website is you will get an autographed copy of the book you order. 

If you are and Author or know of an Author with listings on Amazon, pass this information along to them. 

The very fact that you buy local means you are supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses owned and operated by those in your community. 

Have you ever considered what reading local means?

In every urban and rural centre there are people who write. Did you know that more than occasionally, these writers have had their prose and poetry published? But, unless you know the them personally or see an article in the local newspaper, you most likely will never know who they are. 

Usually, their work is available through social media outlets like Amazon; however, by teaming up with independent book stores and other shops in the area, unknown authors are becoming noticed. 

Often as not, these same literary artisans promote their books by making sure the local library has a copy, ensuring anyone who takes a mind to, can read the books.

Topics written about may vary in interest covering a wide selection of genres. These locally written books may not be on the New York Times Best Seller List, but through continued support of these writers by the public (you) and businesses, the budding authors will continue to be introduced to the world. 

Whether you call them authors, writers, or wordsmiths, they too are entrepreneurs in your community. Find out who they are, purchase their books and send them your reviews. Reading local means you are supporting local businesses. 

Do you read books by local authors? Share their names and book titles with us.

​January and February have flown by and March, it seems, has started without me and now it’s time to do some catch up.

The last few weeks have been an immersion of writing, deadlines, research and winter weather. Breathing room has settled, in and so have new schedules, Morning Muse included. 

I use bitly.com. It’s free and it condenses the URL I want to send into a nice manageable size. 

For example, when I send out a link to our Moon Rising Gift Sets, the original would look like this: http://www.annedallrobson.com/store/p24/Moon_Rising_Gift_Set.html. ​

Condensing this link makes more sense and the end result is substantially smaller: http://bit.ly/2ldgmFn.

Yes, I have to copy and paste the URL onto the bitly.com page, but I keep that link handy so it takes no time at all to have a small, manageable URL link to send off to those I am certain would love to open it. 

As you write, refer back, and make changes to the 5-W's if necessary. It’s OK to start with preliminary thoughts only to find they vary or stray completely from the original. That's part and parcel of what writing is about. 

Most of the basic tools needed to reach the Finish line are found in the 5-W’s. Their guidance are known to have encouraged and directed a number of project towards a debut with the world.

Open your eyes and look around.  The inspiration to write is there. Let your mind float to the clouds, read a book, watch people in a crowd.

For some, there is a need to be inspired by the thoughts of others. A sentence, a word, a conversation and writing prompts. 

No doubt there is material that can be gleaned from this inundation of free data. The daunting task of reading through, or at least a quick peruse can, is time consuming. 

This morning, there were 27 new emails in my inbox. Not many in the broad scheme of things, but enough to have me un-subscribe to several.

My criteria for unsubscribe? If I haven't read the particular information from the provider, in the past two weeks, chances are, I have found their information to be repetitive and non-productive to my needs. Therefore, a prime candidate to unsubscribe. 

Cleaning out subscriptions takes but a few seconds.  There will always be an Unsubscribe link somewhere on the incoming email.  You might need a magnifying glass to find it, but it is there. Look in the wee fine print at the bottom. 

With the task complete, your influx of emails will diminish, for now. We are creatures of habit, therefore, it is a given, that signing up for more information will happen, and so will taking the time to unsubscribe to the mail we no longer read.