With WordPress.com, This Novelist’s Success Is No Mystery
How a bestselling author uses WordPress.com to write his own story.
Dan Alatorre murders people for a living. Not literally, but literarily: His thrilling mystery novels have captivated audiences around the world, landing him on multiple bestseller lists.
Like so many authors of the internet age, Dan started his writing journey with a blog. Back then, his posts were focused more on the day-to-day happenings of his life, and they eventually provided the fodder for his first book: a silly autobiographical tale about a father and his daughter.
Dan has always had many different stories to tell. He published titles in a variety of genres, such as horror, romance, humor, and science fiction, before he tried his hand at murder mysteries. It didn’t take long for his unforgettable characters and unique storytelling to captivate audiences.
“It is great when some stranger you’ve never met picks up your book and reads it. You wrote words down, they read it, and it changed their life.”
For inspiration when writing his novels, Dan looks to what has piqued his interest throughout his life–1950s film noir classics, modern-day crime shows, and mystery authors like Agatha Christie–and then puts his unique spin on things. In his most popular series, Double Blind, he’s found an equation for success: two detectives, with an underlying current of romantic tension, working to solve a murder. Each case is its own self-contained story, so it not only works as part of the series, but it also makes a good standalone novel. “Good ideas were and are everywhere for an author, so I have about twenty additional story ideas for the characters,” he says. “As long as readers enjoy reading them, I’ll keep writing them.”
His creativity unlocked, Dan was able to concentrate on that all-important but oft-ignored aspect of any creative business: marketing. His website, danalatorre.com, was already his personal space on the web but it also gave his fans a VIP entrance to interact with him. With his Readers Club, Dan is able to go above and beyond simply promoting his books, building an active community of engaged readers. That sense of connection—with other murder-mystery fans as well as with him, the author—makes each new novel even more likely to be a success.
“It’s a great way to build that rapport with your fan base. If they’re interacting with their favorite author, they’re a fan for life.”
But don’t just take his word for it. If you’re an active (or aspiring) author, there are many other reasons to carve out a corner of the internet just for yourself and your fans.
Always be writing
Since writing is already something you do, an active blog can help provide insight to your audience about your writing process, upcoming events, story ideas, and so much more. It will position you as a valuable resource for readers and potential collaborators, leaving them eager to hear more from you.
Build your brand
Your website is a distillation of your personal brand, reflecting your unique literary style, voice, and identity. Choosing the right theme for your site—from colors, to fonts, to layout, and more—can help reinforce your work as an author. A good website builds trust, and it can help you stand out like a literary beacon in the vast sea of books.
Control the story
In an age of online reviews and social media commentary, other voices can often shape the narrative. A personal website provides a platform for you to tell your own story, highlighting your work in the way that you want.
Ready to write your success story? Use coupon code wpsuccessda for 25% off annual plans. Visit WordPress.com/pricing or click below to get started:
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Just like Dan Alatorre’s journey from blog to bestseller, we’re all weaving our own literary masterpieces in the story of life. Each twist, turn, and plot twist is uniquely ours, with a touch of humor, drama, and maybe a few unexpected genres thrown in for good measure! 📖✨
Focus on your own narrative—write your story without getting tangled in comparisons or dwelling on others’ journeys. Embrace your plot twists, celebrate your victories, and keep turning the pages of your unique adventure. 📚✨
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Well said!
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I’m so glad I stumbled upon this post! It’s exciting to find out about a new author who writes things I might love to read!
I am also a blogger, and dream of someday writing a book, but I’m too busy enjoying our new lifestyle right now and just seeing different parts of the USA. Maybe one day the book will be about our travel adventures!
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Great…looking forward
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Life is for the living. Enjoy!
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I’m very happy that I came across this article.
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Yes success is no mystery.
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nice
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This is very hopeful and encouraging for those who are dreaming of publishing their writing. Thank you for sharing.
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nice
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Of a truth focusing on your own unique style in actually really important because it’s separate you from the rest who are entangled in the web of comparison.
As a upcoming blogger I feel that a strategy to success
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Amazing
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thanks
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You are fascinating!
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Big whoop. Not everyone will get famous off WordPress. Whatevs.
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Inspiring to see a great success story.
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Great
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Nice
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Great
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wow ahha
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Amazing
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This quote right here “It is great when some stranger you’ve never met picks up your book and reads it. You wrote words down, they read it, and it changed their life.”! It must be the same feeling when someone reads your blog post, I certainly get it :)! Great post, thanks for sharing!
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This quote right here “It is great when some stranger you’ve never met picks up your book and reads it. You wrote words down, they read it, and it changed their life.”! It must be the same feeling when someone reads your blog post, I certainly get it :)! Great post, thanks for sharing!
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marvelous
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very inspiring story
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Imagine going from blog musings to ruling the bestseller lists. That’s Dan’s story! He’s not just an author; he’s a storyteller extraordinaire, spinning tales across genres with a sprinkle of romance and a dash of mystery. Life, classics, and Agatha Christie fuel his creative fire.But what makes Dan truly awesome? It’s not just the stories he tells; it’s the community he builds. Dive into his website, and you’ll find !
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👍🏻😘
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Well said ! Nice
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I need online job
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You can find our listings here.
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Great success, I’d learned today
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The beginning is always difficult but as time goes it becomes a habit. I love the work you are doing and its very interested. Keep it up for the future.
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Great words
Impressive
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