Sunday 13 October 2013

Time for Change!


I am going to start this post with a spectacular sun rise.  
I took this photograph yesterday morning around 7:30am (Saturday). Nature is so breath taking at times!

Away from snapping with my camera, this week found me making a big decision, not one that was taken lightly or made hastily. One that had me weighing up the pros and cons and finding the best way forward. I am talking about the Indie Author help / support Group I started two years ago, Famous Five Plus. Due to a number of reasons, I feel it is a time for a change, so as from Friday 18th October, FFP as it is now will cease.


During the two years FFP has been in existence, a number of new and up and coming authors have passed through the Group, all bringing their sparkling personality and great reads. Many of these authors are now well established and top sellers, but it is time for change. FFP needs to reflect what is needed for its members. The publishing world is changing for all authors and especially Indie Authors. Opportunities for Indie Authors have never been so good and as more and more writers take this route, pressure on authors has increased. These days it is not just enough to produce a professionally written and presented book that would rival any top mainstream author, but marketing and promoting are paramount if you are to succeed. It’s a daunting task to do it alone, but building contacts, joining support groups and supporting other authors will help.

The new Famous Five Plus will reflect the importance of support and the professionalism of Indie Authors. The new Group will be much smaller and focused on supporting and being supported. It will consist of a small number of authors who have a vast experience of marketing their publications and have a record of supporting others. Any author will tell you that promoting eats into valuable writing time, but it must be done. Changes always come with a heartbeat of doubt, but to move forward we have to move with the times. A person once said to me, ‘If you don’t bend with the wind, you will break!’ FFP has not broken or gone with the wind, it needs to adapt and be stronger. I see the changes as an exciting time and I will be sharing more about what is happening at Famous Five Plus very soon.

Famous Five Plus can be found at www.famousfiveplus.com

As always a HUGE thank you for stopping by, I appreciate your company. I’ll put extra bubbly in the chiller for next week!


Until then, have a fabby sunny week.

10 comments:

Deedee said...

Pauline, you have always been an inspiration to authors and bloggers alike. Thanks so much for your support. x

Sheryl Browne said...

I've been a bit distracted with life events and book launches, Pauline. You are a fabulously supportive author. Anything I can do for the new look FFP, just shout! Best of luck, sweetie! :) xx

Pauline Barclay said...

Hello JB, thanks for your kind words and without the likes of you dear lady, promoting would be even more daunting. xx

Pauline Barclay said...

Hi Sheryl, I know you have been manic, but your books are fab and I love them. As for FFP I will most certainly shout! LOL! Hugs xx

Elizabeth Ducie said...

Hello Pauline. I'm a newbie to FFP, but am in awe of the effort you put into the site and the various marketing activities. I look forward to hearing about the change of direction.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Well done on moving and changing, Pauline - wishing you much success.

Pauline Barclay said...

Hello Elizabeth, thanks for stopping by and have a fabby day. Until next time :)

Pauline Barclay said...

Hello Rosemary, it was not easy, but I know it is the right thing to do for now. x

Francine Howarth said...

Go for it Honey. I enjoyed my time at FFP and you left me in thrall as I watched your energy and will to make it flourish. Such commitment was an inspiration in itself, and to my shame I opted out simply because things were becoming a very one-sided affair on the support front! At times maybe two or three of us would comment on posts, and such displayed the lack of commitment to the Group as a whole. Like any Club it needs the full support of all members not only to the club but to each other if it is to draw envy and admiration from outsiders. Cheers m 'dear and may your new look thrive as it should!!!

Pauline Barclay said...

Hello Francine, thank you so much for your lovely comment, it has taken my breath away! I will work hard to keep FFP and I feel the people who will be there in the new Group will be a great too. I still miss in you FFP, but thankfully we still chatter. Thanks again and talk soon. x