Add book previews to your blog
I came across this trick the other day and thought I’d share it because (I think) it’s so cool.
On the right side of this page are pictures of my books. If you clicked on the picture of the book it used to just take you to my amazon page where my books are located (boring!)
But I’ve changed that after finding this cool little trick. Now if you click on the book it will take you to the actual story so you can start reading. To get back here, you just go to the top left of the book page and click on the back arrow. I think it gives you about 20 pages.
People often ask me which of my books I can recommend for them and I never really know what to say. There are several reasons for this:
- I like them all
- I write cross-genre so it depends on which genre interests you
- I’m the laziest marketer in the world
But with this new trick, you can start reading them all and find the one(s) you like. Also, if you’re reviewing someone’s book you can put a preview of it on your blog (saves you the time to put in quotes from the book).
When I tested it out it took me to the Australian version of Amazon, so if you live in the US, UK, Canada etc. let me know if it doesn’t work (and I’ll probably cry and start all over again).
Here’s how you can do it if you have books on Kindle:
- Find the book you want to share
- Click the “Embed” link next to the other sharing options to get the Kindle instant preview.
- Copy the URL
- Link the URL to the picture of your book and place it on the widgets page where you want it to go on your blog
….in the meantime – my Guinea Fowl are doing wonderfully well and have started sleeping in the big mango tree behind the RUC instead of in the sugar cane. There are still four of them and I’m setting up a nesting spot for them in the back shed. It’s amazing how excited I get over silly little things like this! I’ve contacted everyone in the area and no one knows where these birds have come from, so I guess it’s finders keepers.
It’s getting cooler in the tropics (thank goodness) and the other morning I even saw fog over the hill! I sent this picture to the newspaper and was rejected (again). I hope you enjoy it!
***Have a great week!***
Dianne Gray author 
“I’m the laziest marketer in the world.” LOL! I don’t think you’re lazy, you’re just busy.
This is very cool, Dianne. I’ve printed it for future reference…thank you!
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I was so excited when I saw this, Jill 😀 Let me know how you go if you ever decide to use it 😉 (and thank you for the compliment that I’m not ‘lazy’ just ‘busy’ – I’ll use that in the future!) 😀
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I tried that a few days ago, but I wasn’t happy with the mechanism at that time. A little clumsy. I’ll try it again now though. 🙂
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Okay – let me know how you go. I hope mine isn’t too clumsy 😉
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I hope it’s not too much cooler because we’re heading your way in search of warmth. See you soon! 😎
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It’s a bit drizzly today and a nice temp (23) which is cool for me, but not freezing 😉
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I have my Goodreads feed tied to my WordPress blog, but it is way at the bottom of the page, and very few people bother scrolling down that far.
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Have you thought of putting it to one side of the page instead, Allan?
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I’ve been meaning to move it but have not gotten around to it yet. Maybe in another year or two I will get around to it.
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It’s fiddly and takes some time – I’m hearing you 😉
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I had no idea Amazon made look-inside available like that. You’re a star, Dianne!
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I thought of you when I saw this, Jacqui because you do reviews and it would be great to put in a link directly to the story preview. I think most writers offer a preview for thier work, but if they don’t and you’re reviewing, maybe you could ask them if it’s possible 😀
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I’m in Canada and your links work for me. That is a good tip. Glad to hear your Guinea Fowl are settling in but now I’m also curious as to what happened to the fifth. You saw no evidence of it having met an untimely end?
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Thanks so much, Janna – I think you’re the only one who has tested it! YAY! 😀
No – I didn’t see what happened to the fifth one. I’m living in the hope that it’s sitting on eggs somewhere, but I think that’s just wishful thinking xxx
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This is interesting information, and something I’d never thought of. I pull images straight from Amazon for my book reviews. I never thought of linking directly to a preview of said book though…
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I think it’s such a great idea, Skye. I’m not sure if all writers have previews to their books (although they should), but it gives the reader so much more information and a real feel for what the book and the writing is like 😀
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That is excellent!
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I’m so glad you think so! I think it is as well 😀
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I love your beautiful photograph, Dianne. Can’t imagine why it was rejected. Keep trying. 🙂 So happy your guinea fowl are settling in nicely. They’ve obviously adopted you. I tried one of your book links. It worked amazingly well, so well, that I got hooked and found myself watching Susan Boyle’s first time on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. I remember seeing it at the time, and it still gives me goose bumps. Have a spectacular week. xx
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Haaaa – oh, Sylvia. I think you might have pushed the Youtube trailer link of the book instead of the book itself. I’m giggling now because I’m glad you got to watch Susan Boyle (shes great!). You’ve made my day! I’ll probably take the Youtube trailer links away from the side of the books because I think they’re a bit confusing.
Have a great week! 😀
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I did push the book trailer too. I have very curious fingers. 🙂
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😀 That’s so nice of you xxxx
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Good tip and gorgeous shot, Dianne.
Those guinea fowl are counting their blessings to have landed at the RUC.
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My father-in-law said the same thing about the guinea fowl and now he wants to go out and buy me some chicks! Haaaa, he’s so funny 😀
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What a good tip, thanks for sharing that! And happy to hear about the guinea fowl. Here summer is in full gear and the chipmunk, deer, and rabbit are enjoying the woods (well, the chipmunk less so now that our puppy has discovered them!).
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Puppies just love the chase, Letizia! I think it’s wonderful that you have chipmunk and deer – I’d love to see those 😉
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Ooh, I like this idea of a book excerpt on your blog. Makes a whole lotta sense! How fun to have guinea fowl, and you’re so sweet to set up a nest for them!!
I can’t believe the newspaper rejected that photo. It’s so loverly!!
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Thanks so much for the compliment on the picture, Kate – you’re a doll! xxx
I think the book excerpt is a great idea too – get our writing out there, I say! 😀
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I’ll consider the book linking–if ever I get back to marketing mode. In the meantime–what’s wrong with your local newspaper? That’s a perfectly lovely photo that speaks volumes about seasonal change.
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I know, I’m not sure what’s wrong with them other than the fact that there are a load of great photographers in this area – I wish they’d go live elsewhere LOL 😉
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Thanks for the info. I’ll need to check this out. Very cool!
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Please do, Carrie – it’s an awesome idea 😀
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This is a great idea!!!
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I’m so glad you think so. I love it! 😀
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The preview looks link doesn’t show up on iPad. Damn technology. It does look a bit cool for the tropics. Sydney was around 8 degrees when I went out for my walk this morning
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Oh silly iPad 😦 Maybe it’s just the way I’ve set it up. I’ll look into that 😉
I’ve been watching the weather down south, it looks freezing! Stay cosy xxx
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I think it’s because of the WordPress app and the way the Reader is designed in the app. It shows only the post, not the full site. 😋
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I’ll check it on my iPad. Thanks so much for the info xxx 😀
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I did it!!! It worked on Amazon.ca! I am so very excited – and very glad that we connected. I admire anyone who has the courage to write. I am at the “courage to read” stage. Thank you again for this gem!!
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Wonderful!!! I’m so glad it worked. Thank you! 💕 💕 💕
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I like this. It worked well in the States. Thank you, Dianne
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Thanks for letting me know Dannie – and thanks for the tweet! 😀
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Thank you, Dianne, for sharing.
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Thanks Cynthia – it’s a great way to share stories 😀
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Thanks Dianne! Lovely photograph and great idea. And yes, it took me to amazon.ca. Best!
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Wow! Thanks, Allen. It’s so ice to know it actually works! 😀
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Very good idea Dianne. I do not read a lot of fiction as I find just keeping up with non-fiction and blog posts is very time consuming. But when I travel I like to have a good read and love this idea of being able to review them. Just been away for a few days so am now way behind with all things reading. The blog world just keeps moving on with lots of interesting posts and community to catch up on.
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Blogging certainly takes up a large chunk of time, Pauline 😉
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It is addictive but I love it
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Thanks for sharing that clever tip Dianne, and to anyone wondering which of your books to start with…they can’t lose, I loved them all! Any new ones on the way? 🙂 I love that you’ve adopted those guinea fowl! Random fact: guinea fowl eat tics! There’s a small flock in the Scottish community I lived in because we have a lot of deer in the area and tics get everywhere, so it seemed a safe (for the environment, not the tics!), natural way to keep their numbers down. They make the funniest noise though, don’t they! Hugs, Harula xxx
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They certainly do make s funny noise, Harula. The first day they were here I thought someone was outside jumping on rusty bedsprings! LOL 🙂 We have tics here as well so I hope they get really well fed and keep the blighters down.
I’m writing a new novel at the moment but it’s coming along quite slowly – better get to it! 😀
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Jumping on rusty bedsprings – exactly! A new novel – woo hoo!!! 🙂 Love and hugs, Harula xxx
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Very cool Dianne! Thanks for passing along the tip! I am amazed how many books you have written! I have one so far but you never know about what is brewing for the future! 🙂
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Best of luck with more books to come for you, Cathie 😀
I think it’s a great idea that people can start reading and get a feel for a book before buying it. It makes a lot of sense 😉
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What a neat trick, Dianne. I’ll have to give this a try. It’s nice when things are made easy and make sense. This picture is absolutely gorgeous! It has my vote.
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Thanks for the vote, Amy! 😀 I hope this trick works for you, I think it’s a great idea! 😀
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This is very cool…Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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My pleasure, Carol! 😀
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Dianne – this is such a great idea. I can’t wait to try it! And I clicked on your first book on the column here, Soul’s Child, and liked the excerpt so much I’ve just downloaded it onto my Kindle. Did anyone ever tell you that you’re brilliant?
P.S. Love your photo too!! 🙂
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Oh Pam! You’ve made my day! I really hope you like the story 😀 WOW xxxx
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Oh, my! How clever 🙂 I still don’t have a Kindle but it’s great to be able to peek inside.
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I’m so glad you like the idea, Jo! Sneak peaks are great 😀
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Another great picture. Hooray for us! And thanks for the tip on the kindle preview! Also, so pleased that the confusion is giving you such joy. It is a gift from God.
Haha! Gosh, that sounds funny. But you know what I mean. 😉
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The confusion are still confused but settling in nicely 😀 I pour bid seed over the side of the veranda when they’re under there and I’m sure they must think it’s coming from God – LOL 😉
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Haha! You are a god to them. They’ll never leave you. Good plan. 🙂
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Very clever Dianne, it worked for me in the UK 🙂
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That’s great, Andrea. It’s really good to hear that it (so far) is working in many parts of the world. 😀
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What a cool idea!! I will try it . . . . Dianne, good luck with your birds :)! I just had a very difficult few hours. I thought we’d lost Slupe. we couldn’t find her ANYWHERE. I was blubbering and calling for her, pulling the house apart, calling her name outside (my cats don’t go outside but I worried she had somehow gotten out). Finally she ambled out of her hiding place. She was in Kana’s room, which is my office, so it’s POSSIBLE she was behind some books, but she was very well hidden.I managed to get Kana so upset while I was searching. She looked like she was going to cry!
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Now that I went to go try the idea I see that it is only for Kindle books. Boo. But I really like the idea. Good luck with it!
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Oh no! Maybe there’s another way you can do it 😉 I should have mentioned it was Kindle…
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No, you sort of did. It was my stupidity.
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Oh dear, Luanne – what a stressful time! I’m so glad you found her. It’s just horrible when that happens xxxx
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I destroyed her hiding place today ;). Hahaha. I felt really mean and started thinking I should make her another one in a better location.
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Great idea, Dianne. Both the trailer and the sample reading links worked for me to view. I’ve bookmarked your post to remind me of this idea when I’m ready for them. Thank you.
Blessings ~ Wendy
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Bookmarks are a great idea (I do that all the time with writing blogs) 😉 Best of luck! 😀
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Thank you, Dianne. 🙂
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Great picture you submitted 😉
And later this summer I will check out this book preview set up – what a good idea! I don’t follow very many authors – and I think you are one of four that I plan to read this summer / looking forward to it!
Peace ((and quack to the new adoptees)
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I thought the picture was pretty good too (but maybe I’m inflating my skills!) LOL
The new adoptees are really settling in – they get cranky when we go for dog walk in the afternoon and try and follow us – they want to come too!
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Oh cute that they want to join the walk – in “fly away home” the hatchlings followed the girl everywhere because they imprinted her as the primary caregiver – such a sweet movie!
Anyhow – good day to you author Di!
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Your newspaper lacks artistic direction – the picture is amazing – really beautiful! Thanks for the tips – you are way ahead of me in the marketing department, but that is not much of a compliment!! 🙂
I love the idea of your nest preparations. No surprises there, though. You are a born caregiver – which is a high compliment.
Have a great week!
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Thanks so much, Sheila – I’m so glad you like the pic 😀 The birds are still doing well and getting so comfortable they’re starting to boss me around! 😀
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All animals love to boss their humans around – it’s what they do best!! Too fun…you need a diversion.
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It’s a very cool feature! I keep going back and forth with having my books in the sidebar. I had them there for years, but there is so much stuff going on that my blog looked messy. And with the way we all turn away from ads, there is research saying people just ignore those areas of websites now. So for now, I have my usual book header at the top with the pages. Sigh…
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Very cool trick Dianne! An efficient marketer is what I would call you. 🙂
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Thanks, Kourtney – I try 😀
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Love your ‘reject’ photo!
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Thanks so much – they don’t know what they’re missing 😉
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Agreed.
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Absolutely cool trick! If that’s not marketing (from someone who says she’s a lazy marketer), I don’t what it is. 🙂 It’s always nice to be allowed to read the first pages of a book before making the decision to buy!
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I’m now going through CreateSpace to add my books to that – what a job! lol 🙂
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