Meet Author Lena Nelson Dooley

It's always a bit surreal to meet someone in person who you've been communicating with solely through the Internet. Because of writing conferences, I've met many of my blog and email buddies, and today I'd like to introduce you to one of them. Lena Nelson Dooley and I "met" last year when she offered to interview me on her blog after the release of Chocolate Beach. Then in September, we met in the bathroom of the Dallas Marriott (hey, the lines were long), when we both attended the ACFW conference. I've asked her to stop by and tell us about herself, so here's Lena:

I’ve often been asked why I blog the way I do. When I first considered blogging, someone said I should tell about my journey to publication. It might help someone else. If you go way back to the beginning of my archives, you’ll find the few times I did that.

And I wasn’t consistent with posting, sometimes only once a month. After a few months, I asked the Lord if He wanted me to continue this or was I wasting my time. I felt impressed by the Lord to lift up other authors and give them promotion. He assured me that if I lifted others up, He would lift me up. And that’s the best kind of promotion to have—from the Lord.

I started doing author interviews. I wanted to be able to draw readers, so I decided to require a giveaway with each interview. I also ask for a book for myself. After I read the books, I post a review on my Shoutlife blog and in the monthly newsletter on my web site: www.lenanelsondooley.com

It took a while to build readership, but I’ve learned how to expand readership. Now readers, and even some buyers at libraries, come to my blog to find out what’s new in Christian publishing. Even readers from around the world.

I don’t just promote those who sell to major publishers, even though several major publishers’ marketing departments now target me. I wanted to help other authors who have good books, but didn’t have anyone to connect with to help them reach their goals. So they used small presses.

Most of the authors I interview write adult fiction, but we have an occasional nonfiction book, as well as children’s or young adult’s fiction.

Come over and check it out: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Julie here. Thanks for stopping by today, Lena! And to my bloggity buddies, I hope you'll hop on over to Lena's blog to see what she's talking about--and don't forget to check out her books too :) (Heartsong Presents and Barbour). Have a great day!