Magic Thursday with Cathleen Ross

I've discovered magic in the form of an unending supply of free reading and a source for boosting author sales. In a word, it's called, Wattpad. www.wattpad.com

What is that, I hear you ask?

According to Wikipedia and Allen Lau's blog, Wattpad is a social networking site for readers and writers created by Allen Lau and Ivan Yuen in 2006. Registration is free and writers can upload their electronic texts as often or as little as they please. Readers can vote for their favourite stories and these appear on a "hot list". A lot of

the readership also includes teens, so although there is a "mature" filter it is wise to keep this in mind when publishing work that is hotter in nature.

I'm currently working on my Forbidden Fantasy series, so I have been uploading Highlander, a few pages at a time because it is a romance. My feed goes straight to Facebook so as I go along I edit out anything too sexy. What is interesting is that my sales figures according to Amazon's Author Central Page always spike after publishing some of Highlander on Wattpad. I figure these are the inpatient readers who don't want to wait to read the rest of the story. 

Some writers use Wattpad to preview their published novels and only upload a chapter with directions on where to buy the rest of the work. Personally, I'm not keen on this approach. If I Fan an author, I want to read the whole work but I don't mind waiting if the author hasn't written it yet.

Writers receive feedback on their work from readers, though I have noticed that the feedback tends to be whether they like a story or not, rather than a critique. As indie publishing grows, more and more authors are showcasing their work on Wattpad. What I have noticed is that budding authors seem to work harder when their Fans are asking for the next chapter. It's a great form of motivation for a writer and it's fun to keep in touch with the readers.

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Cathleen Ross’ first novel, Man Hunt sold to Black Lace/Random House. Man Hunt became the number one best selling erotic novel on the Publisher’s website in 2006 and has been translated into German. She has also sold Psychic Sex to Harlequin Spice Briefs, a short erotic story which was included in the Naughty Bits Anthology followed by The Shifters out Aug 2012. Her romantic paranormal mystery, Dirty Sexy Murder, a novel set in a waxing parlour was released in 2010. This year's March 2011 release, Love, Lust and Lies received a four star review from Romantic Times magazine.

She is currently working on her Forbidden Fantasies series: starting with Take Me; Highlander and The Lover. 

To learn more, please visit http://www.cathleenross.com

Email address for readers: contact@cathleenross.com

Or Fan her on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/2306651-highlander

Cathleen has kindly offered a giveaway for today's Magic Thursday. Please make a comment to go into the running of choosing a copy of one of her ebooks.