Writer Hat, PR Hat, or Both?

It feels like it's been a while, so...

Bear with me. I promise, there is a point.

When it comes to being an author, the best and most important thing to do is to write. It’s really that simple. Write the best book you can and do what’s necessary to deliver the best version of that book out into the world.

If you’re a writer, you’re thinking: Writing simple? As if.

But it’s still what needs to be done.

Once you’ve done that, do it again.

And again.

But what about after you’ve written that incredible book and the betas and editors and designers and proofreaders (I’m sure I’ve left some out, but you get the gist) have polished it to a shine? What then? How do you get it out there? How do you get people to notice it? It’s not easy, let me tell you. I was truly blessed that a few blogs noticed me back in 2012, and it was through them that people started to hear about me.

Key takeaway: Bloggers/influencers are your friends. Remember that.

There’s always social media. That’s easy, too, right?

WRONG!

Well, at least for introverts like me, anyway. I didn’t use social media before I published and all these years later, I’m still having difficulty. You know how it is. There are so many things to do and not enough hours in a day.

But social media is only one avenue.

Then there are newsletters.

Or is it blogs?

Which is better?

Funny because that’s the question I’ve been pondering in recent weeks as I attempt to streamline my processes because let’s face it, there really are not enough hours in a day.

I am a one-woman show these days and I’m trying to find the best way to get information out. And I’m talking from beginning to end. It’s easy to start up a newsletter, and if you’re lucky enough to get people to sign up for it, you’re well on your way.

Problem is, at least for me … if you don’t take the time to put together interesting, eye-catching information, why does it matter?

Sometime this year, I got signed up for a bunch of author emails and I look at them to determine best practices. Some I see every week, others once a month, and still others rarely at all. The one thing I’ve learned is that I don’t want to sell you something in my emails to you. Not all of them, anyway. You’d get tired of that, right? Then you would unsubscribe, and again, what would be the point?

And that’s my dilemma.

So I’ve decided to simplify things.

This may not work for everyone, but I’ve decided to turn my blog into my newsletter. Meaning, going forward, these are the types of emails you’ll see. Ramblings, you might say. I’m a writer. I like to write stuff.

However, not everyone wants to read my ramblings, so you get to choose what you want from me.

I broke it down here, and hopefully, it makes a little bit of sense. Right now, you are signed up for all the things (because you signed up for Nic News previously).

ALL THE THINGS

Sign up for NIC NEWS if you want to get emails that include blog posts, preorders, new releases, etc. You will get all the things, but you won’t get the store emails (not unless you sign up for those separately)

SOME OF THE THINGS

Sign up for Only preorders & new release announcements if you want some of the things. You will get notifications when there are preorders and new releases, but nothing else.

SALES, NEW PRODUCTS

Sign up for Naughty & Nice Shop Emails if you want emails directly from the shop (sales, new products, etc). You have to sign up for these specifically to get them.

Something to note: If you sign up for “Nic News” and “Only preorders & new release announcements”, you are going to get everything (it’s a much bigger list). So, if you really only want the minimum, uncheck Nic News.

👇To update your preferences, go to the bottom of this email and select “Manage your subscription” to update.👇

Well, that’s all I’ve got for the moment. But stay tuned. I’ve got some more fun stuff in the works.

Friday

February 20, 2026

7:44 pm

Recent Releases

Smoke and Mirrors

$5.99 - $19.99

Buy Now

Missing Pieces

$5.99 - $19.99

Buy Now

Violet

$4.99 - $18.99

Buy Now

Rough & Dirty

$4.99 - $23.99

Buy Now

To Have and To Hold

$4.99 - $17.99

Buy Now

Note from Nicole

Welcome to my blog, aptly named Ramblings of a Writer. Some of the posts make sense, others not so much, but from time to time, I just need to get stuff off my mind, and this is how I do it.

What I'm Working On

What I'm Reading

Nicole's bookshelf: currently-reading

Nicole Nation

What is it, you ask? Well, Nicole Nation is an online community created by Nicole Edwards. It offers members exclusive content, sales, giveaways, behind-the-scenes insights, and the chance to join Nicole’s Review Team.

Best of all, it’s free! You won’t have to pay anything to join.

Share this post with your friends

2 Responses

Stephanie Efede says:

December 15, 2024 at 7:12 pm

Hi my name is Stephanie, and I love receiving emails from you so I don’t mind at all.
Also, I realized I hardly see your books on social media especially tiktok’s booktok, even when I search for it I never see it. Then I realized maybe more readers can gained if booktok influencers reviewed your books. Now I don’t really know anything about this as I hardly use social media myself but it was just a thought. I was kind of sad that I didn’t see people’s reviews of your books on tiktok because people love to watch more than read even as kids we didn’t have to go to school to learn to watch movies it just came naturally, Thus people are more inclined to watch a review on tiktok or Instagram or YouTube and look at the comments there (since it’s one of the most frequently used app in the world) than go to Goodreads or Amazon to look at the reviews.
Again it’s just a thought I’m just someone who searched up one of your books on tiktok one day and couldn’t find any and I was sad about it I wanted to send an email to you about it but felt it wasn’t my place (and I also know how hard writers work because I have a friend who does the same, I know it’s not easy at all) but seeing as you brought it here I just felt I should leave a comment (sorry if it’s lengthy)about it.
I don’t know when we’ll have a chance to talk again so till we meet again Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ❤️

Reply
1. Asildroffops says:
  
  April 10, 2025 at 12:43 am
  
  I am an ARC reviewer for Nicole, and I post my reviews on instagram and Facebook. I haven’t ventured into TikTok territory, but I agree I’ve never seen another bookstagram post on Nicole Edwards books.
  
  Reply