Report on My Recent Promotions

Though most of us would rather write than spend time promoting, it is a necessary part of being a writer.

Over the last month or so, I've done lots of promotion for my latest Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery Bones in the Attic and tor the freebie of the second book in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, Calling the Dead.

Because Bones in the Attic is published by Aakenbaaken and Kent, I'll have no way of knowing if my promotion has resulted in sales until I get my royalty report. I didn't do a book launch for this latest book but I did have several in-person appearance where I did sell the book.

This is only half of my display.

Because of my promotions, I did receive a wonderful review on Amazon--and here it is:

5 Stars Another Winner in the Series

November 3, 2019

I've been a fan of Marilyn Meredith's books for a long time. This one is her newest entry in the Rocky Bluff series. The characters encounter a skeleton in the attic of an old house and summon the police and the mystery takes off from there as he characters struggle with their own personal issues while at the same time are working at solving the crime. If you're familiar with the series, it's like visiting some old friends. If this is your first time reading Meredith's writing, you're in for a treat. Hers is the work of a master craftsman who knows just how to combine the perfect amount of characterization, description, and plotting to make her novels refreshing page turners. Do yourself a favor and read this book. --Michael A. Black

I know it came from my promotion on my groups, because Mike Black told me he bought the book.

For my freebie, Calling the Dead, when my former publisher closed its doors, all of the books in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series were re-edited and self-published (with a lot of help from a friend) so I confess, I tracked what was happening every day. By the end of the final day, 527 copies were downloaded! For two days, the book was #1 in Native American Literature, and was in the 20s of female sleuths.

Of course the whole idea of offering a free book in a series is that after reading the freebie, people will buy other books in the series. Is that happening? Yes, slowly, everyday one or two or three of the other books has been purchased. So I would say the promotion has been successful.

Marilyn

October is a Month of Change

At least it is around my neck of the woods which is the foothills of Central California. Right now, the weather can't make up it's mind if it's fall or summer. We've had a week of really chilly weather and then it pops back up into the 80s and 90s.

When my kids were young and still went trick or treating, you could always count on it being cold by Halloween. Dressing them warm enough under their costumes was always a challenge.

How the weather will be for up and coming outdoor events is always a mystery. First up, I'm headed to Manteca on October 12th for the Great Valley Bookfest. In the past, this has always been a rather warm venue. No telling what it will be like this year. And the same can be said for the following weekend when on October 15th, I'll be at the Taste of the Arts in Visalia--also an event that has always been a bit too warm. We'll see what happens this year.

Sadly, I lost two friends in September, and will be attending their celebrations of life. A big change for their loved ones. I am at the time in my life, when losing friends happens way too often.

Though October is a month of change, good things and bad, we need to be thankful for the days we have and to spend time with friends and family. Keep on enjoying life and doing what makes you happy. I'm blessed to have a big family and that I get to see most of them often.

I'm also thankful that I still enjoy writing and talking about writing. I'm working on a new Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery and of course promoting the latest Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery, Bones in the Attic.

If you haven't yet, be sure to try Bones in the Attic. 

Blurb: The discovery of a skeleton, a welfare check on a senior citizen, and a wildfire challenge the Rocky Bluff P.D.

Buy link: https://tinyurl.com/yxpd8mxy

Halloween is Coming and So is BONES IN THE ATTIC!

Yep, I wrote a Halloween book! Bones in the Attic.

Of course it's much more than a Halloween book, though the main mystery is focused on the skeleton found in the attic by the high school art club while they were decorating an abandoned house to be used as a money maker.

I had a lot of fun writing this book as I wove in all the things that were happening in the lives of the major characters as well as the Rocky Bluff P.D. detectives trying to find out who the skeleton belonged to.

I write this series as F. M. Meredith, something I started long ago when I thought men would be more apt to buy a book with just my initials. First publisher, put my photo on the back, so that didn't work.

This series has been through a lot--first book came out as an e-book before there were e-readers, long before Kindle. No one really wanted to read a whole book on their computer. Second publisher didn't send royalties even though books were sold. Found a new publisher, after two books, she closed shop. Next publisher was wonderful and a friend, she published several books in the series, but then she had a stroke, than another, and passed a way.

Now I'm happy to say, I'm with Aakenbaken and Kent.

I'm hoping to get more speaking engagements set up before Halloween. My daughter gave me a skeleton and some skulls to decorate my book table. Should be fun.

Buy link: https://tinyurl.com/yxpd8mxy

Hope some of you will try Bones in the Attic.

Marilyn

Ooops, I Missed My Day!

Tuesday was the day I should've had a new post up, but I got so busy I forgot.

Of course, I have reasons for forgetting. The big one being I was doing other jobs that actually bring in money. Yes, I do get royalties and sell my books at events, but that money mostly takes care of costs of promotion.

Also, hubby and I are at an age where it seems we have a lot doctor appointments. And to be honest, everything take longer to accomplish these days.

I should be busy working on my next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery--I've written on page. I have a title and have lots of plot ideas, but other chores have taken my time.

Last Saturday I gave a presentation to the San Joaquin chapter of Sisters in Crime (my chapter) on "The Book That Almost Wasn't." Most of those who attended are readers--a good thing. I told about losing my publisher for Spirit Wind  after the manuscript was edited and the cover done. How I'd thought about trying to find a new publisher--and then a friend offering to put it on Amazon for me.

I must've been a hit, because many books were purchased.

Also, King's River Life magazine did a podcast of the first chapter of Spirit Wind. It turned out really great. King’s River Life Magazine, did a terrific job on this podcast of the first chapter of Spirit Wind.

https://mysteryratsmaze.podbean.com/e/spirit-wind-by-marilyn-meredith/

And the book was featured here Southern Writers Magazine

  https://www.southernwritersmagazine.com

I also have spent time organizing and writing new posts for an upcoming blog tour for my next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery, Bones in the Attic. Just waiting on a pub date, so I can get started with other promotion for that book. 

What is going on in your lives?

Marilyn