Some time ago I remember reading -- in an article about successfully marketing your writing -- "Love your readers." Wish I remember who wrote this or where I read it, but, whomever, wherever, it has stuck in my head for years. Which gives rise to . . .
Questions, and arguments with myself:
I am supposed to love people I have never met, some of whom may be motivated by all kinds of ideas and life circumstances foreign to me? Those who are truly strangers?
Wait a minute. The kind of love meant is not mushy-kissy love. It isn't romance and wedding bells or even the holding a baby who reaches for my finger sort of thing. It isn't even (really) close friendship.
Those of you familiar with the Bible, including the books of Moses, the Prophets, and/or the New Testament, know the term "Love thy neighbor as thyself." This wisdom passed into generic thought world-wide generations ago, but the question, "Who is my neighbor" perplexed folks back then, even as it might now. One explanation comes in the parable about a man stopping along the road to aid an injured stranger who, under other circumstances, would be considered an enemy. Strangers. Loving strangers, which, I admit, you could call most of any author's readers.
So--love them. This is advice I have now taken to heart, and I admit it's much easier today, since I have eight published books and numerous short stories to claim. These days I hear from readers who use the word love freely when describing how they feel about my books and the characters in my mystery series. Gosh, it is easy for me to love them, as it would be for any of us, right?
But I love all the unknown 'strangers' too.
Another bit of advice to writers I have heard and read is to picture one reader and write to that person while your fingers type ideas. I have expanded that hugely. I think of many readers, and, helped by my familiarity with readers who love enough to contact me, I have all--all of them, including the strangers--with me as I write. Writers talk about being alone much of the time, making stories from their private knowledge and imagination. Is it too much to say that, as I write, I am never alone? I respect, appreciate, welcome the readers in my head and yes, I have come to partially understand, and to love each of them. We are a unit. I am writing for myself, of course, but also for them. I do hope it enhances sales as that long-ago writer suggested. But, whether it does or not, it sure enhances my enjoyment of life as a writer.
May you enjoy the same kind of love! Radine, at http://www.RadinesBooks.com
Monday, December 30, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Endings and Beginnings
by Kaye George
As the day of the
two-faced god, Janus, approaches, I find myself reflecting on the past year, as
many of you are doing. 2013 was a year of highs and lows--aren’t they all? I
prefer to concentrate on the highs as I go into the unknown of 2014. My Good
News Jar got crammed so full I had to stop putting things into it. I think I’ll
get a bigger jar for next year. (Maybe I wasn’t as selective as I should have
been about what I put into it?)
I got a lot
accomplished: 2 novels and 2 short stories published and at least one novel and
a few more short stories in the pipeline for next year. I also brought out my
very first published novel as an audio book and want to do the next two of
those.
In case you’re
interested in my writing, the novels were EINE KLEINE MURDER, the first Cressa
Carraway Musical Mystery, by Barking Rain Press and DEATH IN THE TIME OF ICE,
the first People of the Wind Mystery, by Untreed Reads. The stories are “A FineKettle of Fish” by Untreed Reads and “Immy Goes to the Dogs” in The Untreed Detectives anthology, also by Untreed
Reads. (What would I do without Untreed Reads?) The audio book of Veronica
Newton reading CHOKE,the first Imogene Duckworthy mystery.
***(Just a note for
Kobo users: All my Untreed Read works are 50% off through December 31st with
the code 50DEC.)
With the new
series coming out next year from Berkley Prime Crime, it dawns on my that I’ve
gotten myself into writing FOUR different mystery series. If anyone has figured
out how to squeeze a few more hours into the day, please let me know. I don’t
sleep much as it is!
This year also
brought us to a new home in Knoxville TN. We’re enjoying the climate, an almost
complete about-face from the Texas heat and drought. In other words, tons of
rain. I find I haven’t picked the best climate for allergies and arthritis, but
nothing’s perfect. We have close family here and also in the Washington DC
area. We’re much closer to DC than we were. We did leave behind some family in
Austin, but, again, nothing’s perfect.
In 2014, I’ll
have the new series, The Fat Cat series, start in September. Until then, I
should be getting out a few more short stories in planned anthologies. Three
anthologies, I hope. No more moves, which should make next year much simpler.
We moved in 2012 and also in 2013, so that’s enough of that. I hope for a trip
to the Rockies in the spring or the fall, and many trips into the Smokies,
which are right next door now. I also hope for a trip to Europe, but that’s not
really in the plans. I’ll keep buying Lotto tickets.
Best wishes for a
wonderful New Year to all of you!
I apologize for the lack of images. I was unable to load any to the blog this time.
Friday, December 27, 2013
My Christmas Present
My favorite Christmas present this year was hearing three of my novels, which were recently recorded as audio books. Listening to the excellent narrators perform them was akin to watching actors perform a play I might have written (when I closed my eyes).
The first, Mystery of Spider Mountain, was written for middle grade readers and features the adventures of the Hamilton Kids. It's a semi-autobiographical story of my childhood in the Hollywood hills. Chelsea Ward does a great job narrating the novel for 9-12 year-olds and will also narrate the following book in the series, Ghost of Crimson Dawn. Mystery of Spider Mountain is currently on sale in audio for only $1.99 at Audible.com, Amazon.com and iTunes.
My historical novel, No Escape: The Sweetwater Tragedy, was written after more than 20 years of research because it was a previously unsolved mystery. I came across the story on microfilm years ago while researching a centennial history book, and felt I had to write the true story. Dennis Redfield, a southern California actor, did a terrific job of narrating the book, which is now available at Amazon, Audible.com and iTunes.
Westerners: Candid and Historic Interviews contains some of the fascinating people I've had the pleasure of interviewing over the years. Among them Louis L'Amour, country singer Chris LeDoux, attorney Gerry Spence, Lucile Wright, early aviatrix and friend of Amelia Earhart; infamous grandsons of Buffalo Bill Cody and Presidents Benjamin and William Henry Harrison,who left their own imprints on society, among many others interviewed during my years as a news reporter and freelance photojournalist in both California and Wyoming, Narrator Paul McSorly deftly brings the interviews to life.
My historical novel, No Escape: The Sweetwater Tragedy, was written after more than 20 years of research because it was a previously unsolved mystery. I came across the story on microfilm years ago while researching a centennial history book, and felt I had to write the true story. Dennis Redfield, a southern California actor, did a terrific job of narrating the book, which is now available at Amazon, Audible.com and iTunes.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Christmas memories
My favorite Christmas memory is a little one. My son and I attended Christmas Eve services in our little town. As we left the church that night, snow had started falling, coating the cars and streets with a white dusting. Not enough to be a problem driving, but the world was almost silent in the storm.
Many times I only think of the trouble a snow storm brings. The bad roads, the slippery sidewalks, the need for more layers.
But that night, the world was magical again.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and find your piece of magic in the season.
What's your favorite holiday memory?
Lynn
Many times I only think of the trouble a snow storm brings. The bad roads, the slippery sidewalks, the need for more layers.
But that night, the world was magical again.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and find your piece of magic in the season.
What's your favorite holiday memory?
Lynn
Monday, December 23, 2013
Killer Career is Going Free Dec 31 Thru Jan 3
MARK YOUR CALENDARS -
For the first time, I'm offering my romantic suspense, Killer Career, free for kindle/PC on Amazon on Tues, Dec 31 through Friday, Jan 3. She's got a brand new cover, which I hope you'll like.
For the first time, I'm offering my romantic suspense, Killer Career, free for kindle/PC on Amazon on Tues, Dec 31 through Friday, Jan 3. She's got a brand new cover, which I hope you'll like.
This is the story about a lawyer who wants out of the legal profession to follow her dream of writing. Her best friend and law partner is not happy about her choice, especially since she's very attracted to a bestselling mystery author, who has become her mentor. Her partner has protected her since they were kids, and fears she's making a huge mistake by giving up a lucrative career, not to mention her infatuation with the mystery author.
When people around her start dying, she wonders who to trust. What has she gotten herself into?
Here's the link for Killer Career by Morgan Mandel. Please spread the word -
Saturday, December 21, 2013
And the Winner is...
And in this case--it's and the winners are:
Morgan Mandel
and
Keizerfire
Hubby drew the names.
Both of you, get hold of me and tell me which of the Rocky Bluff books you'd like and send me your mailing address.
I had fun doing this--I hope everyone that entered did too.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Marilyn aka F. M. Meredith
Morgan Mandel
and
Keizerfire
Hubby drew the names.
Both of you, get hold of me and tell me which of the Rocky Bluff books you'd like and send me your mailing address.
I had fun doing this--I hope everyone that entered did too.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Marilyn aka F. M. Meredith
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Expectations and Christmas
by Janis Patterson
It’s the holiday season again – gulp! – and we’re all
running around like mad trying to fulfill all our individual family traditions
and other obligations. Gifts and food and guests and cards… sometimes it seems
overwhelming.
But in spite of overspending and overeating, it is a magical
time of year. Those of us who are religious have the extra pleasure of
celebrating our faith. Those who are not religious simply enjoy the energy and
the spirit of the season. Just about everyone, though, wishes the spirit of the
season could last all year long.
Stay with me – this does have something to do with writing.
Mention Christmas to anyone – Christian, Jew, Wiccan,
agnostic, any flavor of belief – and I’ll bet money the first reaction that
snaps into most everybody’s mind is an impression of evergreens and countryside
and holly, all perfectly frosted with a glistening blanket of snow… in other
words, all the traditional icons of Christmastide. It makes no difference if
someone lives in the desert or a city high-rise, the first image most people
conjure of Christmastime is heavily influenced by the pictures of Currer and
Ives. Even if we’ve never seen such a Christmas in our life, that image is one
of our cultural expectations of Christmas.
I grew up and live in Texas ,
where – in my part of the state, at least - we almost never get white
Christmases. A couple of years ago, though, I went to join The Husband in Germany for the
holidays. There were evergreens artistically frosted with snow. Holly bristled
with red berries. The city abounded with flags and banners proclaiming “Merry
Christmas!” It was like walking into a Hallmark Christmas card with every
expected Christmas image right in place.
And that’s the link. Expectation. We expect romance novels
to end happily. We expect mystery novels to end with justice (not necessarily
the law) being served. We expect the good guys to win in genre fiction. That’s
one of the joys of popular fiction – even though we don’t know how it’s going
to get there, we know how it’s going to end. It will fulfill our expectations.
Unfortunately, there is no such guarantee of a happy ending
in real life. On the other hand, as humans we are adaptable. In spite of
temporary disasters like an exploding turkey (don’t ask), gifts that are just
flat wrong, the inevitable fight between warring uncles or squabbling cousins,
whatever, we will remember the good parts of Christmas – and there will be good
parts. Great food. A wonderful gift that you wanted but didn’t expect. The
magic in a child’s eyes when they talk about Santa’s visit. The comfort of
family and friends. This year’s disasters become next year’s shared anecdotes
and then pass into treasured family lore to be passed down through the
generations. (And if your family is like mine, they never forget anything no
matter how much you might want them to!) The children grow older and the magic
of Santa is replaced with the eternal magic of love and family, until it is
time for them to create the magic of Santa again for their own children.
As writers we are incredibly fortunate – we don’t have to
wait for Christmas. We get to create magic and fulfill expectations all year
long.
Merry Christmas! May it meet your expectations, now and
forever.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
A Christmas Gift
Just for fun, I thought I'd give away one of my Rocky Bluff P.D. mysteries to one of the commenters on this post.
I've been busy with the pre-publication stuff for the next one due out in March of 2014: sending it off to be edited, going over the galley proofs, discussing the cover image with the publisher, and thinking up some new ideas for promotion. Will I do another blog tour? Not sure at this point, but if I do it won't be as intensive as the last one I did.
For the giveaway, the winner can choose which one in the series he or she wants and whether it's on Kindle or a trade paperback. (For the trade paperback, US commenters only.
The Rocky Bluff P.D. series is set in a small beach community in Southern California. The focus is on the men and women of the police department and their families. What happens on the job affects both. Every crime is solved, but what is happening in each character's personal life may and often continues on to the next book.
Here are the titles in order beginning with the first one:
Final Respects
Bad Tidings
Fringe Benefits
Smell of Death
No Sanctuary
An Axe to Grind
Angel Lost
No Bell
Dangerous Impulses
I've become so fond of these characters I feel compelled to write the next book so I can find out what is going on in their lives.
Marilyn
This is one of my favorites in the series--and I love the cover.
And if you check them out on Amazon, remember, I write this series as F. M. Meredith.
I've been busy with the pre-publication stuff for the next one due out in March of 2014: sending it off to be edited, going over the galley proofs, discussing the cover image with the publisher, and thinking up some new ideas for promotion. Will I do another blog tour? Not sure at this point, but if I do it won't be as intensive as the last one I did.
For the giveaway, the winner can choose which one in the series he or she wants and whether it's on Kindle or a trade paperback. (For the trade paperback, US commenters only.
The Rocky Bluff P.D. series is set in a small beach community in Southern California. The focus is on the men and women of the police department and their families. What happens on the job affects both. Every crime is solved, but what is happening in each character's personal life may and often continues on to the next book.
Here are the titles in order beginning with the first one:
Final Respects
Bad Tidings
Fringe Benefits
Smell of Death
No Sanctuary
An Axe to Grind
Angel Lost
No Bell
Dangerous Impulses
I've become so fond of these characters I feel compelled to write the next book so I can find out what is going on in their lives.
Marilyn
This is one of my favorites in the series--and I love the cover.
And if you check them out on Amazon, remember, I write this series as F. M. Meredith.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Chatting with Lydia
Last week Untreed Reads brought out a new edition of A MURDERER AMONG US, my first Twin Lakes mystery that was awarded a Best Indie by Suspense Magazine. Lydia Krause, my clever, gutsy sleuth, is eager to meet those of you who don’t know her. After reading our little chat, feel free to ask Lydia anything you like.
Marilyn: Why did you move to Twin Lakes?
Lydia: After my beloved husband Izzy died, I figured it was time to make changes in my life. My daughter Meredith suggested that I move to this retirement community only minutes from her home. It seemed like a good idea, and so I sold my business and my house in Queens, and moved to Twin Lakes out in Suffolk County.
Marilyn: Are you glad you made the move?
Lydia: Not at first. I love my granddaughters, but Meredith had me babysitting constantly. She was very moody—happy one day, nervous the next. I began to suspect something fishy was going on. Where was she going? What was she doing? I found out soon enough. Since I don’t want to besmirch my daughter’s reputation, I won’t say another word on the subject.
Marilyn: I understand, but readers will find out Meredith’s big secret.
Lydia: I suppose that can’t be helped.
Marilyn: To change the subject, you caused a major disturbance at Bingo, your first venture into Twin Lakes activities. Care to talk about that?
Lydia: I appreciate having the opportunity to explain exactly what took place that evening. My neighbor introduced me to a man I knew to be a convicted embezzler. What’s more, this very man drove my baby sister to take her own life. I merely exposed him and his phony new name, which didn’t suit his wife, Claire. And so…we had words.
Marilyn: I understand Claire was found murdered the following morning.
Lydia: Yes, that was sad.
Marilyn: Detective Molina thought you might have killed her, given the evidence.
Lydia: I had an alibi!
Marilyn: What do you think of Detective Molina?
Lydia: What do I think of Sol? As a detective or as a man?
Marilyn: However you choose to answer.
Lydia: He’s very…nice. Good looking. And he’s a pretty good detective. Of course living in Twin Lakes, I had more opportunities to question, that is, talk to the residents.
Marilyn: What did you learn in the course of helping to solve the Twin Lakes murders.
Lydia: That everyone has secrets, secrets that often reach far back into the past.
Lydia and I welcome your comments and questions
A MURDERER AMONG US is available at:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1bySEcj
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/18Ezvpd
Marilyn: Why did you move to Twin Lakes?
Lydia: After my beloved husband Izzy died, I figured it was time to make changes in my life. My daughter Meredith suggested that I move to this retirement community only minutes from her home. It seemed like a good idea, and so I sold my business and my house in Queens, and moved to Twin Lakes out in Suffolk County.
Marilyn: Are you glad you made the move?
Lydia: Not at first. I love my granddaughters, but Meredith had me babysitting constantly. She was very moody—happy one day, nervous the next. I began to suspect something fishy was going on. Where was she going? What was she doing? I found out soon enough. Since I don’t want to besmirch my daughter’s reputation, I won’t say another word on the subject.
Marilyn: I understand, but readers will find out Meredith’s big secret.
Lydia: I suppose that can’t be helped.
Marilyn: To change the subject, you caused a major disturbance at Bingo, your first venture into Twin Lakes activities. Care to talk about that?
Lydia: I appreciate having the opportunity to explain exactly what took place that evening. My neighbor introduced me to a man I knew to be a convicted embezzler. What’s more, this very man drove my baby sister to take her own life. I merely exposed him and his phony new name, which didn’t suit his wife, Claire. And so…we had words.
Marilyn: I understand Claire was found murdered the following morning.
Lydia: Yes, that was sad.
Marilyn: Detective Molina thought you might have killed her, given the evidence.
Lydia: I had an alibi!
Marilyn: What do you think of Detective Molina?
Lydia: What do I think of Sol? As a detective or as a man?
Marilyn: However you choose to answer.
Lydia: He’s very…nice. Good looking. And he’s a pretty good detective. Of course living in Twin Lakes, I had more opportunities to question, that is, talk to the residents.
Marilyn: What did you learn in the course of helping to solve the Twin Lakes murders.
Lydia: That everyone has secrets, secrets that often reach far back into the past.
Lydia and I welcome your comments and questions
A MURDERER AMONG US is available at:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1bySEcj
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/18Ezvpd
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Why Should Writers Care about St. Lucia?
by Kaye George
The Her origins
are lost in history, but a few things are known. Lucia, or Lucy, was born in
Syracuse on Sicily and martyred in 304 AD. Legends have sprung up, however.
Here’s one I
like. Lucia was said to be a beautiful girl, born into a rich and noble family
in 283. Her father, from Rome, died when she was 5, leaving her and her
(possibly) Greek mother without protection. The young girl wanted to consecrate
herself to God. Her mother, somehow unaware of this and being sickly, arranged
an engagement for her. Lucy, not wanting this of course, managed to cure her
mother and talk her into dispersing their wealth to the poor in thanks for her
health. (I’m thinking this happened a few years after she was 5 years old.) T
he
fiancé heard about this and wasn’t pleased. He outed her as a Christian (a dangerous
thing to be back then). When the guards came to get her, one story says that
they could not budge her. So they built a fire right there, but she wouldn’t
burn. So they ran her through with a sword.
Another version
is that she foretold bad things for the present emperor and he, enraged, had
his guards carve out her eyes.
Another version
is that she gouged out her own eyes to discourage a persistent suitor. However,
at her burial, her eyes had miraculously been restored.
Icons show her
carrying her eyes in a goblet to give to her suitor who had admired them.
From there, she
became the patron saint of the blind and or martyrs, which makes sense.
Somehow, she has also become the patron saint of epidemics, salesmen, throat
infections, dysentery, and--TA DA--writers.
The gal got
around after her death. Her day, December 13th in most places, is celebrated in
Sweden. It used to coincide (or someone thought it coincided) with Winter
Solstice and the beginning of shorter nights is something to celebrate that far
north. Her day is also celebrated in Hungary and Omaha, Nebraska.
info from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy,
http://jonmsweeney.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/st-lucia-the-patron-saint-of-writers/,
and http://www.express.co.uk/fun/top10facts/364319/Top-10-facts-about-Saint-Lucia
picture from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy
Friday, December 13, 2013
A Guest Blog by Lesley A. Diehl
Welcome to Make Mine Mystery, Lesley. Tell us about your latest release.
This is the second in the Big Lake Mysteries (the first was Dumpster Dying) featuring Emily Rhodes, retired preschool teacher and bartender turned amateur snoop.
This is the second in the Big Lake Mysteries (the first was Dumpster Dying) featuring Emily Rhodes, retired preschool teacher and bartender turned amateur snoop.
It seems as if Emily is destined to discover dead bodies. This time she finds one of the contestants at the local barbeque cook-off dead and covered in barbeque sauce in a beer cooler. She should be used to stumbling onto corpses by now and the question of who killed the guy should pique her curiosity, but Emily decides to let Detective Lewis handle this one, at least until she figures his theory of who did the deed is wrong, wrong, wrong.
Lewis’ denigration of Emily’s speculations is condescending enough to stimulate her dormant snooping skills. As the two of them go on their separate paths to find the killer, Lewis’ old partner, Toby the dirty, tobacco-spitting cop interferes in the investigation leaving Lewis with the wrong man in jail. Killers, bootleggers, barbeque and feral pigs—it’s a lethal game of hide and seek in the Florida swamp.
Lewis’ denigration of Emily’s speculations is condescending enough to stimulate her dormant snooping skills. As the two of them go on their separate paths to find the killer, Lewis’ old partner, Toby the dirty, tobacco-spitting cop interferes in the investigation leaving Lewis with the wrong man in jail. Killers, bootleggers, barbeque and feral pigs—it’s a lethal game of hide and seek in the Florida swamp.
A Biased Review of My Writing
Author’s note: My protagonist, Emily Rhodes insisted on writing this blog. She said she had a right to tell it from her point of view. So here’s what she thinks of my writing:
I’ll probably get in trouble with the author, but I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about what I like in her books and what I don’t like. You’ll note from my remarks that some of what is positive in my character and my situation can also be problematic. Let me get right to it.
She created me as a senior which is great because it gives me a wealth of experience upon which I can draw for my understanding of others. It doesn’t quite make me a wise old woman, but it gives me some heft, and people listen to me perhaps more than a twenty year old—even twenty years olds listen to me, but maybe that’s because I’m a groovy, with-it kind of retired person.
My career as a preschool teacher was both a plus and a minus. It taught me how to wrestle three and four year olds into behaving nicely, a great trait which can be applied to seniors who are just as unruly at times and to men. Those I’ve met can use a little wrestling into submission. Read on about the men thing.
On the other hand, all those years of experience also point up some of my less admirable traits. I picked the wrong guy in college and ended up pregnant. And some might point out that I picked the wrong guy in my senior years and ended up alone, but that happens whether the guy marries you or not. In my case, I think Fred was a little too naïve about how fit he was at age sixty-five or so. It’s best to make a will and make it early!
Because she has profound respect for women and is one herself, the author gave me some of the best friends any gal could ask for. They are supportive, adventurous, noncompetitive and truth tellers. Of course, she also created some gals I don’t give a hoot about, especially the one who accused me of trying to take her man. What I didn’t have a chance to say to that one was, why would I want him?
I have a next-door neighbor who bakes like a dream and since I’m just a little thing, I can get away with eating anything she makes. Unfortunately, the author isn’t so fortunate, and she’s a little snarky right now as she’s been dieting to take off those unwanted winter pounds, a difficult task when you’re nudging seventy (don’t tell her I told you that).
Then there are the guys she wrote into my stories, two of them in particular, a detective who’s cute enough to make my toes curl and a bass fisherman, sarcastic enough to make my head hurt. Both of them like me, perhaps too much. After Fred, my life partner died leaving me with nothing, I’m really not in the mood for another relationship. I know, I know. Women say that all the time, but that’s younger women. At my sage age, it’s true. A gal wants to think long and hard about getting involved with someone who has a lot of miles on him. And these two guys do.
The detective is a real know-it-all. He thinks he’s an expert on human nature and therefore a great sleuth, but what he understands about women probably wouldn’t fill a shot glass at my favorite cowboy bar. Yet he tries to pull rank on me all the time. You’d think after I solved two murders he would show a little respect, but all I get is an evening with candlelight and wine. Well, and a bottle of shower gel. I might share it with him.
The bass fisherman is too prickly to get too close although he did save me from an alligator once. For that he expects me to be grateful. I have him where I want him. I’m the bar manager at the Big Lake Country Club, and he works as a part-time bartender for me. It does not set will with him. I can tell. What really rankles him is the detective. I think he’s displaying something like jealousy but it’s hard to tell with him. It could just be indigestion.
So that’s the pickle this author put me in. Stuck with experience that might make me smart but surrounded by two guys determined to dummy down my insights and skills. I’ve heard she intends to do a third book. I hope in this one she realizes I don’t need the help of these two guys. Although the story might be better if she kept them in it. Oh, well.
Here’s a hint: She says she thinking of entitling the next one Scream Muddy Murder. Unlike the others, she says she won’t have me blunder onto a body. This time it will only be part of a body, the head. Oh goody.
So thanks for letting me talk. See you around the cowboy bars. And stay out of the swamps!
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Rhodes, Protagonist in Dumpster Dying and Grilled, Chilled and Killed
(Guest post submitted by Jean Henry Mead)
(Guest post submitted by Jean Henry Mead)
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Vegas Baby...
The Bull Rider's Manager, my contemporary romance with a Vegas wedding, is on sale until December 22nd for 99 cents on Amazon.
Which got me thinking about why I like Vegas so much.
When my husband (The Cowboy) and I got together, we played a lot of darts. And went to a lot of tournaments. Vegas's NDA shoot was a week long, filled with days of darts, either watching or playing. But we took some time to play tourists as well.
One night we hit all the big stops - Fremont street, Treasure Island, The Bellagio, Paris, and The Venetian. Walking through some of these large casinos, I realized the fantasy that Vegas sells is a lot like the story promise of a book.
Chapter one in a book take the wide eyed country bumpkin who walks through the door into the marble lined entrance and changes their world. Or that should be our job as an author. I love the Lotus Palace in the Percy Jackson series. A place where all your wants and desires are granted, but, at at cost. That's how Vegas feels to me. Filled with promises of glitz and glory.
Barb Carico, the heroine in The Bull Rider's Manager, isn't a wide eyed country girl. She's been around the block and made her mistakes. Yet when she's confronted with a handsome prince willing to sweep her off her feet, she falls for the promise. But what happens when the reality of life comes the next morning?
I've been married twice now. Once in the small church on my university campus. And five year ago at The Stained Glass Chapel in Las Vegas. I loved the fact that the new chapel had stained glass recovered from an abandoned church in my new home state of Missouri. Redemption and renewal.
I'm sure the pull of Vegas will keep being a subject I explore in my writings. And in my own life. But now it's your turn. Are you a Vegas wedding kind or do you want a more traditional ceremony?
Which got me thinking about why I like Vegas so much.
When my husband (The Cowboy) and I got together, we played a lot of darts. And went to a lot of tournaments. Vegas's NDA shoot was a week long, filled with days of darts, either watching or playing. But we took some time to play tourists as well.
One night we hit all the big stops - Fremont street, Treasure Island, The Bellagio, Paris, and The Venetian. Walking through some of these large casinos, I realized the fantasy that Vegas sells is a lot like the story promise of a book.
Chapter one in a book take the wide eyed country bumpkin who walks through the door into the marble lined entrance and changes their world. Or that should be our job as an author. I love the Lotus Palace in the Percy Jackson series. A place where all your wants and desires are granted, but, at at cost. That's how Vegas feels to me. Filled with promises of glitz and glory.
Barb Carico, the heroine in The Bull Rider's Manager, isn't a wide eyed country girl. She's been around the block and made her mistakes. Yet when she's confronted with a handsome prince willing to sweep her off her feet, she falls for the promise. But what happens when the reality of life comes the next morning?
I've been married twice now. Once in the small church on my university campus. And five year ago at The Stained Glass Chapel in Las Vegas. I loved the fact that the new chapel had stained glass recovered from an abandoned church in my new home state of Missouri. Redemption and renewal.
I'm sure the pull of Vegas will keep being a subject I explore in my writings. And in my own life. But now it's your turn. Are you a Vegas wedding kind or do you want a more traditional ceremony?
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Interview with Bob Gaston
Today, I'm
honored to present my interview with Bob Gaston, or Robert Gaston as he pens
his books. Bob and I go back a number of years. We met when I first moved to
Dallas and finally found a critique group. Bob was a member. From that
beginning, we've shared many writing experiences and some truly enjoyable
social occasions.
Bob's latest book
is The War Within, a darn good read.
Randy: Who or what inspired
you to start writing, and when did you start?
Bob:
That is
a hard question to answer. My life has been a poor adaptation of the slogan,
“Be all that you can be.” I have been what I had to be by the circumstances of
my situation.
In college I wanted to be a radio announcer.
The military wanted me to teach broadcasting at the information school. To kill
time between my classes I attended journalism classes. I guess that is when I
first seriously considered writing. When I got out of the service my first job
was as a television newscaster. That is when I seriously began to write.
After twenty years as a broadcast journalist
I thought I knew how to write and wrote a novel. That is when I discovered how
little I knew…my son called my first attempt a “series of news bites.” Several
attempts later I hope with my first published book, The War Within, I have learned my craft and become a writer.
Randy: How do you
categorize The War Within? Genre? Mystery? Mainstream? Western? How?
Bob:
When I started writing The War Within, I wasn’t thinking genre my motivation was a stray
thought…was post-traumatic stress a product or recent wars or did the veterans
of the Civil War suffer from it?
The War
Within is not a western, though it is set in West Texas and has Indians who
are fighting to hold onto their lands. It is not a mystery though the main
characters are suffering from an un-named and un-recognized emotional disorder
brought about by war.
It is not mainstream though the plot deals
with the Homestead Acts and its promise of free land and a fresh start to the
thousands of war weary citizens. It is not woman in jeopardy or romance,
although there is some of both in the story. If The War Within must be placed in a genre is could be
action-adventure, but I like mystery because of the mysterious emotional
conflict that drives the two main characters.
Randy: What tools and process
do you use to “get to know” your characters before and while you’re writing the
books?
Bob:
I worked out the plot and then peopled it. In
my writing the characters take over the story. I attempt to submerge myself in
their actions and thoughts. It is not a question of “what would I do?” but
“what would they do.” I am currently writing the story of a single mother who
is drugged and kidnapped. She awakens, naked, in a blacked out basement with
the sounds of heavy breathing. A man and a woman would react differently so I
can’t ask “what would I do?” I had to enlist emotional and thoughtful
information from different ladies. Explaining what information I wanted and why
created a lot of raised eyebrows.
Randy: How do you construct
your plots? Do you outline or do you write “by the seat of your pants”?
Bob: I’m a seat of the pants guy. My characters carry the
story. I set a goal they must reach at the end of the story and attempt to make
each chapter a scene on that journey.
Randy: In the age-old argument
of character versus plot, which one do you think is more important and which one
do you emphasize in your writing? Why?
Bob: My son’s critique comes to mind…“news bites” If you
don’t have a balance then all you have is a narrative without emotion, which to
my mind is without the readers' involvement.
Randy: What is the biggest
challenge you’ve faced as a writer and what inspires you and keeps you motivated?
Bob: I once thought it was starting. Finding a plot and
characters to carry the story. To be honest I miss this….right now I am up to
my eyebrows in promoting and selling The
War Within. My biggest challenge is not the writing but the time and
distractions of marketing…something I am no good at.
Randy: What is the
single most exciting thing that’s happened to you as a writer?
Bob: Holding my first printed copy of a book I had written
with a cover I had designed and painted. The second thing is the generous
reviews I have received from total strangers.
Randy: With more books
being released each month now than ever before, what do you believe sets your
work apart from the others?
Bob: An old Texas comment comes to mind…Don’t ___ on my
boots and tell me it’s raining. So I won’t kid you. There are time when I
wonder how my book stacks up against all the competition. Apparently the
biggest challenge we all face is calling attention to our work. I see well know
published authors books that I don’t think are as good as The War Within, but their books are selling and listed on the NY
Times list and I am struggling to get a local paper review. To be candid, I
think The War Within is different
because it is one of those stories that could be set in any time period, today,
WWII, The Civil War…anytime when vastly different characters filled with anger,
fears and emotional damage cross paths.
Randy: What area of
book promotion is the most challenging to you?
Bob: All of it. When I was in politics I had supporters and
a staff doing this work. When I was a journalist I had personal exposure on
radio and TV. I am self-taught on the computer and don’t really understand the
internet. I ask my 11 year old granddaughter for help. But I guess I would have
to say finding the time to write, paint, and promote. Each discipline wants a
piece of me. At this moment I wish I understood how to use the internet media
to create sales.
Randy: What is a typical
workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you devote to writing?
Bob: I have never worked harder than I do now that I am
retired. But my work is what I want to do. My conflict is dividing my time
between two creative demands. Art and writing. I spend far too much time
looking at e-mail and Facebook to catch up with friends and family. When I get
started after coffee and the morning paper I may paint for a couple of hours
and then write. My writing is currently on a novel loosely titled The Victim. This
writing is a revision. It is almost ready to take the next step into
publication.
I would guess that I spend two or three hours
painting and three or four writing.
Randy: Is the writing
life what you expected when you started out? If not, how is it different?
Bob: I thought it would be easier. Having spent my life in
an ego driven occupation I also expected instant acceptance. Now I know two
things. It is hard work and writing is something I should have doing seriously
twenty years ago. I really regret those missing years.
Randy: Would you do
anything differently if you had it to do over again?
Bob: Focused on writing and not my television career. The
painting I could always fall back on as a relaxing hobby. I sell my art, but I
can’t kid myself into thinking I would have made a living at it….my writing is
another matter.
Randy: What advice do you
have to offer to an aspiring author?
Bob: Write because you enjoy it. Write because you must. Write
every day.
Don’t be discouraged by what is happening in the
industry…this is one of those bad spells that every industry has. Be ready when
all the dust settled. Your time will come.
Randy: What are you working
on now and what are your future writing plans?
Bob: I am attempting to polish The Victim, the story of the TV news anchor/ single mother with a
problem child and a stalker. I have just finished a painting of a buffalo
stampede from a wildfire and am working on an owl among Spanish moss.
Randy: Is there anything
else you would like to tell my blog readers?
Bob: Sometime in the near future I hope to establish a
website and a blog. So far the pressure of art shows exhibits, birthdays (all
my family seems to be on the same clock) and a brief illness have kept me
occupied.
I’m available for book signings, readings,
painting demonstrations, etc.
The War
Within is available from Amazon in digital or paper back, or from me with check
to Bob Gaston 428 Spruce Trail, Forney Texas 75126. You can contact me via
email at gaston1r@sbcglobal.net
Thanks, Bob. I hope this helps move lots of copies of The War Within. Anyone who buys it will
be amply rewarded with a great read.
My new book, Best
Defense, featuring Beth Bowman South Florida PI is available from all the
right places. Also, for those who are young enough to believe in Santa, Elves,
and the joy of the holidays, check out my Eversion of Jingle's Christmas. It's cheap, but it's fun.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Viewpoint, Tinsel and Magic
by Janis Patterson
I am ambivalent about the holidays.
I still have enough of the child in me to be in joyous awe
of Thanksgiving, with its focus on thanking God for what made this country
great as well as (let’s face it) for the unrestrained gluttony. My family is
full of excellent cooks who, for this one day a year, throw their usually
healthful menus to the winds and provide a sumptuous feast. Some of the more
fanciful and calorie-laden recipes are only brought out on Thanksgiving … and
occasionally on Christmas, but not always. We all eat all day and no one says a
thing except, “More, please.” We all believe that one day of gourmandry is
nothing to worry about, at least, not if you have a ready supply of Tums and
Pepto Bismol handy.
The fortnight before Christmas is the same emotional rush –
the decorations, the carols, the lights, the mysterious and alluring packages
that one by one appear under the tree as if really brought by elves… It is the
stuff of magic, and if you are not touched by it I pity you.
On the other hand, I am adult, and I know the work and
expenditure and planning and sometimes sacrifice that must be done to create
the magic of both holidays – the hard, grunt work that makes them happen. Grunt
work it might be, but isn’t all magic supported by grunt work? It’s the
quintessential symbiotic relationship… for adults, at least.
Which is a lot like writing. (Stay with me here – I do have
a point.) As adults we can see both sides of the holidays – the magic and the
hard work. As writers, we have to see and make believable both sides of our
characters, bad and good. We have to see all of their motivations, even –
especially! – if they conflict with other characters. Such a skill is a
necessity, unless we are content to write flat cardboard people with no depth,
no reality – creatures who are nothing more than verbal paper dolls. Real
people and real characters are multi-dimensional, with sometimes contradictory
beliefs and actions both towards others and within their own psyches. As
writers we have to see and respond to both.
In other words, we have to create both meat and tinsel in
our books. Yes, it’s hard work, but when it’s done right there is magic – and
that magic is what we all want.
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and wish you a Merry
Christmas or whatever holiday you observe. Now I must run – Christmas is coming
more quickly than we can believe, and I’m running low on tinsel!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The Christmas Season
Most of my family already have their Christmas tree and all the other decorations up at their homes.
Not me. I've been sick since Thanksgiving Eve. (Thanksgiving was wonderful up until then.)
One of my nephews goes all out. He even has a manikin dressed in Christmas attire who looks like she's putting decorations on the tree. (He does all sorts of wild things for Halloween too.)
My sister, right after hosting Thanksgiving to nearly 30 family members, put her tree up and had it decorated completely by Friday.
Though I love Christmas time and used to do all sorts of preparations from making gifts and decorations and baking special cookies and breads, I'm going to be a bit on the bah humbug side this year. My family has gotten huge, so I've decided to just give money to each family. I wouldn't buy what they wanted anyway. I also send each family a selection of English muffins to arrive a few days before Christmas. I know they like this.
Hopefully, my granddaughter who lives next door, will take pity on me and put some of my decorations up for me.
As for writing, I can't even think about it. I have a galley to proof, but no energy for it right now.
My holiday wish for all of you is that you don't get bitten by this nasty flu bug.
Marilyn
Not me. I've been sick since Thanksgiving Eve. (Thanksgiving was wonderful up until then.)
One of my nephews goes all out. He even has a manikin dressed in Christmas attire who looks like she's putting decorations on the tree. (He does all sorts of wild things for Halloween too.)
My sister, right after hosting Thanksgiving to nearly 30 family members, put her tree up and had it decorated completely by Friday.
Though I love Christmas time and used to do all sorts of preparations from making gifts and decorations and baking special cookies and breads, I'm going to be a bit on the bah humbug side this year. My family has gotten huge, so I've decided to just give money to each family. I wouldn't buy what they wanted anyway. I also send each family a selection of English muffins to arrive a few days before Christmas. I know they like this.
Hopefully, my granddaughter who lives next door, will take pity on me and put some of my decorations up for me.
As for writing, I can't even think about it. I have a galley to proof, but no energy for it right now.
My holiday wish for all of you is that you don't get bitten by this nasty flu bug.
Marilyn
Sunday, December 1, 2013
A Cruise Ship Mystery - Mar Preston
I know that I’m a lucky woman. They say it’s better to be lucky than rich. I must have made some good choices in life, because I’ve sure as hell made some lollapalooza bad ones.
Next week I’ll embark from San Diego on a cruise ship for a six-week experience in French Polynesia. My only experience of this area of the world is singing in the chorus in my high school production of South Pacific.
I’ve been thinking so hard that steam is rising off my hair about how to take along the detectives and their consorts in the two series I write: Detective Dave Mason of the Santa Monica Police Department and Detective Dex Stafford of the Kern County Sheriff’s Department.
Hmmm. How do connive so that one of them ends up on this ship where murder and mayhem take place?
I’m sure open to suggestions. I’ve read some not-so-successful attempts to accomplish this and the detective you’re used to driving along Wilshire Boulevard or the Mil Potrero Highway is a fish out of water, so to speak.
Like all life experience, my first cruise may get filed away for later, even if I can’t contort a plot to get Mason on this ship. Perhaps a short story will come of it.
I plan to sidle up to the security chief and ask some impertinent questions just in case. Just exactly what do they do if there’s a murder at sea five days from port? Don’t you just itch to know? I once asked a hotel security chief how they enter rooms where the deadbolt is engaged. He gave me such a look. You have to be careful asking questions.
I’m going alone and that’s fine. There are 1279 other passengers on this ship, and surely I’ll like some of them and some of them will like me. I’m taking along my mah jongg card just in case. I could be coaxed into playing bridge. I hate gambling though, and I don’t drink.
If you hear of somebody jumping ship and swimming to shore in Tahiti, it’s me. But I figure if I don’t have a good time, it’s my own damn fault, don't you think?
Any cruise ship mysteries you know of?
Next week I’ll embark from San Diego on a cruise ship for a six-week experience in French Polynesia. My only experience of this area of the world is singing in the chorus in my high school production of South Pacific.
I’ve been thinking so hard that steam is rising off my hair about how to take along the detectives and their consorts in the two series I write: Detective Dave Mason of the Santa Monica Police Department and Detective Dex Stafford of the Kern County Sheriff’s Department.
Hmmm. How do connive so that one of them ends up on this ship where murder and mayhem take place?
I’m sure open to suggestions. I’ve read some not-so-successful attempts to accomplish this and the detective you’re used to driving along Wilshire Boulevard or the Mil Potrero Highway is a fish out of water, so to speak.
Like all life experience, my first cruise may get filed away for later, even if I can’t contort a plot to get Mason on this ship. Perhaps a short story will come of it.
I plan to sidle up to the security chief and ask some impertinent questions just in case. Just exactly what do they do if there’s a murder at sea five days from port? Don’t you just itch to know? I once asked a hotel security chief how they enter rooms where the deadbolt is engaged. He gave me such a look. You have to be careful asking questions.
I’m going alone and that’s fine. There are 1279 other passengers on this ship, and surely I’ll like some of them and some of them will like me. I’m taking along my mah jongg card just in case. I could be coaxed into playing bridge. I hate gambling though, and I don’t drink.
If you hear of somebody jumping ship and swimming to shore in Tahiti, it’s me. But I figure if I don’t have a good time, it’s my own damn fault, don't you think?
Any cruise ship mysteries you know of?
Saturday, November 30, 2013
New Promo Idea: Warning—Lying is Involved
by Kathleen Kaska
(Your Fifth Saturday Blogger)
How
many of you remember that popular game show from the sixties, To Tell the Truth? Yes, I know I just
admitted I’m no spring chicken, but that’s okay; some of those early game shows
were a
hoot. On To Tell the Truth, three
contestants tried to stump a panel of four by claiming to be the same person.
The announcer made the introduction. For example:
“Tonight
we have author Kathleen Kaska. She has published seven books, and more than
eighty travel and outdoor adventure articles. She writes the Sydney Lockhart
Mystery Series, where each book is set in a different historic hotel; and the
Classic Triviography Mystery Series, which includes trivia and biographical
information. So far her subjects have been Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock,
and Sherlock Holmes. Her latest book is a true story about the ornithologist
who saved the whooping crane from extinction. Go figure.”
After
the introduction, all three contestants (me being one) walk out on stage and
make the same claim.
Contestant
number one: “I’m Kathleen Kaska.”
Contestant
number two: “I’m Kathleen Kaska.”
Contestant
number three: “No, I’m Kathleen
Kaska.
Now
the panel begins quizzing each contestant to see who’s telling the truth and
who’s lying. Sometimes the liars can be very convincing. The two imposters have
to bluff and lie their way through, but the real person has to tell the truth.
Whoever gets the most wrong votes wins the most money. See how it works?
Think
of what fun this could be in promoting our books.
At
a book signing, we could bring along two imposters and stage our own show. Of
course, all contestants would have to dress in disguise or maybe wear a bag
over their heads, since author photos are posted on every social network
available. Or, the contestants could pretend to be our protagonists; costumes
in order again. The nice thing about this game is that even if we don’t sell
any books, at least we have a shot at winning some cash.
If
anyone is willing to give this idea a try, let me know how it works. Although I’ve
become somewhat adept at promoting myself, I don’t think I have the nerve to
pull this one off.
But,
I could do a Wheel of Fortune promo
event, where all the puzzle answers are my book titles. The only thing I’d need
to work out is how to get the cash coming to me rather than the players.
By
the way, Robert Porter Allen, the subject of my whooping crane book, was
actually on To Tell the Truth in
1962. He was not able to stump the panel and he didn’t win too much money, but
at least he was able to promote his cause.
I’d
love to hear about any off-the-wall promo ideas, if you’re game.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Time off? What are you reading?
Happy Thanksgiving Week.
As this comes to post, I'll be half way through a short work week at the day job. Definitely a reason to be thankful as my employer gives us Thursday and Friday as holiday days. I'm planning an extended vacation around the Christmas holidays -mostly to get my writing life in order for 2014 as well as just time to relax (translate - read.)
I have several books I've been holding off starting so I have time to sink into the loveliness of a good story without having to stop for things like work, or sleep, or showers. Yep, I'm that kind of reader. My son used to say he could measure the quality of a book I was reading by the number of "Mom's" he had to call out to get my attention.
Bad mother.
Good reader. :)
First up? Doctor Sleep by the master (Stephen King.) I'm probably going to dig up my copy of Joe Hill's (Mr King's son) horror Heart Shaped Box after that. Then because I'll be too freaked out to sleep by then, I'll move into my pile of cozy mysteries I've been stacking in my TBR pile. Not your typical holiday reading fodder.
If you love reading holiday stories, my short, TOP SECRET SANTA, is available in All I Want for Christmas is a Soul Mate. (Long title, great anthology.)
So what are you reading this holiday season?
As this comes to post, I'll be half way through a short work week at the day job. Definitely a reason to be thankful as my employer gives us Thursday and Friday as holiday days. I'm planning an extended vacation around the Christmas holidays -mostly to get my writing life in order for 2014 as well as just time to relax (translate - read.)
I have several books I've been holding off starting so I have time to sink into the loveliness of a good story without having to stop for things like work, or sleep, or showers. Yep, I'm that kind of reader. My son used to say he could measure the quality of a book I was reading by the number of "Mom's" he had to call out to get my attention.
Bad mother.
Good reader. :)
First up? Doctor Sleep by the master (Stephen King.) I'm probably going to dig up my copy of Joe Hill's (Mr King's son) horror Heart Shaped Box after that. Then because I'll be too freaked out to sleep by then, I'll move into my pile of cozy mysteries I've been stacking in my TBR pile. Not your typical holiday reading fodder.
If you love reading holiday stories, my short, TOP SECRET SANTA, is available in All I Want for Christmas is a Soul Mate. (Long title, great anthology.)
Top Secret Santa: Two strangers, each starting a new
life, realize that visiting Santa really is about Christmas magic . . .
So what are you reading this holiday season?
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Thanks
Since
Thanksgiving is coming up, I’d like to give out some thanks today. What I’m
thankful for:
my health
my family
my buddies here
at Make Mine Murder
all my other
writing colleagues
our new home in
Knoxville and being closer to some of the family (although farther from some,
also)
being born in
America (not a perfect country, but so much better than many others)
being able to do
exactly what I want to do every day--write fiction
turkey (I love turkey)
Friday, November 22, 2013
Making the Transition from Traditional to Independent Publishing
Anne K. Albert |
Welcome to Make Mine Mystery, Anne. Tell us how and why you left traditional publishing to become an independent.
Life is a journey, and so too is the road to becoming an indie author.
The rejections piled high until three years ago when a small publisher offered a contract.
At 60 I became a published author! While I knew nothing about the book industry, and even less of social media, I was determined to do my part to promote my books.
And promote I did.
For two solid years I spent every waking hour online. I blogged. Took part in blog tours. Tweeted. Established a presence on Facebook. I also read how-to books, posts and articles that promised success if the author did this or did that as advised by the experts.
So, how did that translate into royalties? Sadly, it did not. Payments always arrived late (as in months, not weeks). Statements were nonexistent, while excuses from my publisher were so plentiful I lost count.
When my husband pointed out I’d earned more at ONE Saturday morning yard sale than I had during my two-year writing career I fell into a funk. I stopped writing. I stopped promoting. I stopped blogging. I ignored Facebook. And I was totally and utterly miserable.
Worse, I suspected my publisher was partially to blame. But how was that possible? Was I being paranoid? Delusional? Unable to decide I terminated my contract in May 2013. Within hours my books were withdrawn from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. I was stunned. I had no idea my publisher could move so fast!
I expected to feel relief, and that did happen. But what surprised me was the depth of sadness that washed over me now that my books were no longer available to readers.
I spent the summer in a writer’s purgatory. Towards the end of July I received the rights back to my books, and also discovered 14 other authors had recently ended their association with my ex-publisher. The reason? Fraud and breach of contract. One writer was swindled out of $5000.00 in royalties.
Misery changed to anger, and that’s when I made the decision to go indie. I realized no one cares more about my writing career (or the proceeds I would make from it) than me. So, I set up my own publishing company. Because I’m Canadian I applied for my EIN (US Employer Identification Number). Next, I set up an account with Amazon’s KDP, and in early August re-released DEFENDING GLORY, book one of the Piedmont Island Romantic Suspense series, in ebook format. FRANK, INCENSE, AND MURIEL hit the shelves this month.
These may be small victories in the grand scheme of things, but they’re huge in my world.
Was it scary? Yes. Did I make mistakes? Oh, yeah! Would I do it again? Absolutely. In a heartbeat.
If you’re considering going indie, my advice is go for it. It’s a fantastic time to be a writer. It’s an even greater time to be self-employed and queen of your universe!
Here are a few tips to help you get started.
(1) Read everything you can get your hands on about self-publishing. Start with these sources:
http://www.thebookdesigner.com/
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/
(2) Once you have a better understanding of what is required, decide how much of the process you’ll do yourself. Will you edit and format your books, design the covers, or hire someone to do it for you?
I chose to do it all myself. (I do have beta readers, however, that are worth their weight in gold. They believe in my stories as much as I do, and for that I am eternally grateful.)
(3) Start your indie career by publishing something small such as novella or small non-fiction book. The task will not seem as overwhelming, and it will allow you to get a feel for the process. Each time you publish a book it will get easier.
At the moment my books are only available as ebooks. To be honest, when I set out on this journey I could not cope with the enormity of formatting in both versions. So, I took it one step at a time. Sure, it may have cost me a few sales, but my blood pressure is normal! I am determined to offer my books in print in 2014.
(4) Embrace your mistakes because you will make ‘em! The joy of self-publishing is you can fix them lickety-split. It costs nothing to upload new content, and those mistakes are golden opportunities to look at something differently or tackle a task from another angle.
(5) Dreams can come true. It can happen to you! If a 60-something woman who first saw a computer in her forties can be an indie author, so can you.
***
About the Author:Anne K. Albert has taught high school art, sold display advertising for a weekly newspaper, and worked for a national brand water company, but now writes full time.When not at the keyboard, the award winning author enjoys traveling and housesitting with her high school sweetheart husband (22 countries to date), visiting friends and family, and of course, reading using "Threegio" her cherished and much beloved Kindle. She writes the Muriel Reeves Mystery series and the Piedmont Island Romantic Suspense series. Her books are available on Amazon. Visit her blog. She is also on Facebook and Twitter @AnneKAlbert.
Thanks, Anne.
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