First Time Author Pushes the Envelope With A Genre-Busting Debut Novel

Can a new writer pioneer a sub-genre? Linore Rose Burkard says, "Why not?"

(PRWEB) November 6, 2005 -- Imagine combining Regency Romance with Christian Inspiration. What would you get? Before the Season Ends, for starters; Linore Rose Burkard's first book in her new series set in the English Regency of the early 1800's.

(Xulon Press, May 2005, ISBN: 1-59467-673-9)

It's a projected five book series, with the second due out in the Spring of 2006—if not sooner. Ms. Burkard sees the series as a ground-breaking vehicle, for the simple reason that what she's produced hasn't been done before! That's a pretty hefty claim in today's overstuffed book market, but consider: In the past, Regency Romances, though clean of graphic sex, were nevertheless overwhelmingly devoid of any earmarks of an Inspirational novel. In other words, they were not the sort of fiction that appealed to the ever-increasing Christian market, although they do claim a fiercely loyal following among fans of the period. Ms. Burkard, a Christian and a fan of Jane Austen and the Regency, decided to remedy the situation by self-publishing after being turned down by a few of the top Christian publishing houses. A move, she says, that has worked in her best interest.

“I think (the publishers) were afraid to go this route—just because it's new. The many five-star reviews on Amazon are proof that people are really eating this up, and lots of them mention specifically that they like the Inspirational element,” Burkard says.

All of the reviews on Amazon have been 5 stars so far—even from one reader, a top reviewer on the site—who did not care for the Christian element. Likewise, the comments Ms. Burkard has received on her website's guest-book have all been gushingly positive. To keep up the momentum on her book and jump-start wider distribution, Ms. Burkard is planning a daring online book campaign. On November 21st, she will broadcast a sales letter to thousands and thousands of OPT-IN list subscribers giving them a no-brainer deal on the book.

For the price of one book from BarnesandNoble.com (around $16.00) readers will get a huge bundle of freebies, a grab-bag full of high-quality ebooks and downloads—including the first two chapters of the next book in Burkard's series.

“The value of the bonuses will so far exceed the cost of a single book that the deal is a no-brainer,” she says. How can she do this? “With the help of other authors and experts. People who want to help, people who recognize the value of being part of the promotion, because every bonus provider gets a great deal of free exposure and publicity. It's a win-win,” she says. “My goal is to get on the best-seller charts of B&N.com, because I want to keep writing! I need this book to do well so I can show the industry that they were wrong about this product.”

For readers who buy one book, they get a great bundle of carefully hand-picked bonuses, most of which can be accessed immediately following their purchase of the book—but only on November 21st. Bonus providers benefit by reaching the wide audience of subscriber lists with their product or talent. And list owners who agree to send out the mailing get to give their lists this great deal! “People appreciate that. They appreciate knowing that the list owner cares enough to share such an offer, and let them get all the f.r.e.e.stuff.”

Ms. Burkard is still open to welcoming new joint-venture partners on-board for her campaign—if they hurry! Large opt-in list owners would do well to contact her, and get their readership in line to receive the offer. “All a list owner has to do is send out my sales letter, or a link to it, to their list. I'm not asking anyone to share their list with me. They retain complete privacy for their members.” Another way to participate, she says, is to offer a bonus for the promo. She has to preview it, of course, to make certain it fits and reaches a standard of high-quality, but it's a great way for other authors to get their stuff out, to advertise themselves and their expertise or websites.”

To contact Linore Rose Burkard, go to her website, at www.LadyRegency.net and click on the “contact” button. Or email. And don't forget to watch her title on B&N.com on November 21st as it climbs the charts! The series (the name of which does not yet appear on, Before the Season Ends), is called, Regency Light Chronicles.

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