Welcome to Behind the Pen, our author spotlight series where we get up close and personal with the incredible writers in our community—and dig into what’s actually working for them when it comes to book marketing.
From smart promo stacks to tough lessons learned, we’re shining a light on the real-world tactics authors use to reach readers, grow their platforms, and see real results. You’ll also discover how they’re leveraging Written Word Media tools—like Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy, and Reader Reach Ads—to build visibility and sustainable momentum.
Because marketing indie books is rarely a straight line. But with a little experimentation, the right promo tools, and a dash of persistence, great things can happen. 💫
✍️ Meet Aleatha Romig: The Romance Powerhouse Building Momentum Book by Book
Aleatha Romig writes romantic suspense, romantic thrillers, and contemporary romance from her home where she’s authored over 60 titles (yes, you read that right!). Since debuting with Consequences in 2011, she’s carved out an enviable career in indie publishing with discipline, strategy, and a loyal reader base.
“When I’m deep in the writing cave, my roof could be blown off and I wouldn’t notice.”
Aleatha’s typical day looks more like a 9-to-5 job than the romanticized midnight scribbler myth. She begins each morning editing the previous day’s work before diving into new words and that same steady, intentional rhythm guides her marketing decisions too.
🚀 Marketing Strategy: Income Tracking and Audience Targeting
Aleatha focuses on maintaining and expanding her visibility especially for her backlist. Her go-to tools include:
-
BookBub Ads
-
Occasional giveaways and cross-promo content
She typically pairs her Written Word Media promos with Facebook ads, stacking strategies to target different audiences simultaneously.
“They all reach different audiences—pairing them helps me cast a wider net.”
And for Aleatha, visibility is a marathon, not a sprint. She’s developed a system of alternating promos: Freebooksy one month, Red Feather Romance the next—giving her first-in-series books ongoing exposure.
“I’ve been rotating my first in the series between one month on Freebooksy and the next month on Red Feather Romance. It’s working to maintain sales of those series.”
💡 Key Tactics in Play
Here’s what’s working for Aleatha Romig right now:
📧 Email Promotions
Aleatha consistently uses Freebooksy and Red Feather Romance to feature first-in-series free books. These promos help bring new readers into her worlds and encourage them to stick around for books two and three.
📆 Promo Consistency
Rather than relying on one-off boosts, Aleatha reruns promos regularly to keep her series visible and accessible to new readers.
🌐 Website & Newsletter
While not her primary focus, Aleatha uses her mailing list to stay connected to fans and build buzz around her series.
📣 Reader Reach Ads
She supplements promo efforts with Facebook Ads to capture reader attention across platforms.
🎁 Bonus Tools
Other promo sites round out her marketing toolkit, offering even more reach.
“I mostly advertise first in a series free. I see growth in the second and third books after a promo.”
📊 Results: Steady Growth Over Time
Aleatha tracks her success by watching income and sell-through, not just sales spikes on promo day.
✅ Sales increase across series
✅ Backlist stays active and profitable
✅ Discoverability maintained through ongoing visibility
✅ Series growth after every first-book promo
While she acknowledges that long-term impact can be hard to quantify, the repeatable gains from regular promos are hard to ignore.
“I watch income. I believe the marketing through WWM helps, especially with backlist.”
🔎 Challenges + Lessons Learned
Even with a strong catalog and loyal readership, Aleatha’s biggest challenge remains familiar: staying visible in a crowded market.
She’s learned to stay nimble and avoid expecting any one promo to do all the work. Her advice? Stick with it even when the results aren’t instant.
“Things are constantly changing. My advice would be not to give up.”
🧪 What’s Next: Staying the Course
Looking ahead, Aleatha’s plans are clear:
💡 Keep rotating first-in-series promos
🧠 Monitor sell-through on follow-up titles
📚 Keep writing—because the next book is always on the horizon
📚 Advice for Fellow Indie Authors
“Utilize WWM. Make the first book of a series free and bring in new readers.”
Aleatha encourages other authors to build systems that are sustainable—like promo rotations—and to keep experimenting until you find your rhythm.
✅ Aleatha Romig’s Verdict
From her early Consequences days to a 60+ book catalog, Aleatha Romig proves that slow and steady (plus a smart promo strategy) really does win the race.
“My greatest success is with Freebooksy and Red Feather Romance. Written Word Media is easy to work with and very author-friendly.”
📣 Ready to Build Your Next Promo Stack?
Whether you’re launching your debut or promoting the fifth book in your series, Written Word Media can help you reach the right readers—through targeted email promos, Facebook ads, and more. Schedule your next promotion today.