SELDOM TRAVELED ON SALE FOR .99 CENTS

 Yep, I'm doing it again, from February 3 - 7,  Seldom Traveled  will be on sale for Kindle for only .99 cents. (I had to change the dates because of a glitch on Amazon.)

This one has a missing fugitive, the murder of a wealthy visitor to Bear Creek, and a raging forest fire. 

I love this cover, the graphic is representing an eagle who plays an important part in the story.

Here's a great (and slightly condensed version) of a review that gives you a preview of the story:

5 Stars:

This is my first time reading Marilyn Meredith, but I've found that I've always enjoyed books with Native American characters. I love the spirituality normally displayed and this book was no exception. In fact, the climatic ending made this a true winner for me. If my time permitted, I'd be reading the entire series...

Initially, Tempe was assigned the responsibility of interviewing persons of interest; however, so many emergencies were happening at one time, that Tempe moved deeper and deeper into the investigation, finding clues that had been overlooked, including a potential threat note that had fallen and become hidden. And through it all, readers watch her intelligence and savvy shine through as she calmly evaluates each situation and then acts to get through the latest crisis, saving others from the danger...

Another wonderfully drawn character was Nick Two John who owned an Inn and with whom Crabtree often interacted in the course of her duties... Readers can almost believe he is a shaman as he prepared tea or something to eat, seeming to know in advance she will be coming and need sustenance. Then as she spent time sharing about what case she was dealing with, Two John would leave her with a message to ponder and hopefully remember and act upon.

Surely, with Two John and her husband constantly keeping Tempe in their thoughts, she was walking a spiritual walk... And her fellow officers were right there when needed to support her. While graphic violence is downplayed in the books, Tempe still finds herself in life-and-death situations and finds her way out again...Kudos to the author for bringing Tempe Crabtree to life for her readers!

The setting, the characters, and the mystery come together in a wonderful blend! Grab a cup of tea! I read the book in one sitting and could easily have kept on reading if all of the mysteries hadn't been solved... I was hooked and so hope I get the chance to read more of this fascinating series!

GABixlerReviews

 Only on sale from February 1- February 5. 

https://www.amazon.com/Seldom-Traveled-Tempe-Crabtree-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07QM2QX7V/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Seldom+Traveled+by+Marilyn+Meredith&qid=1610491413&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

If you haven't read it already, this is a great time to start.

Latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree Mystery Now Live!

I did it! For a while I wasn't sure I'd actually get there, not because of COVID-19, but I couldn't seem to get myself motivated to finish it.  My writing group is not meeting right now and I've grown quite dependent upon their critiques and feedback. Yes, I did sent it out to them via email for their input, but it isn't the same.

Finally, my good friend, editor and publisher, Lorna Collins prodded me a bit and I buckled down and finished it. She's a great editor and once she went over it and I did the fixes, and ran some questions by her, the book was sent off to Amazon. (Her husband designed the cover.)

I had to make some hard decisions with this book. The big one was will it be the last? Even now I'm not sure, as I've got an idea developing for another. One of the reasons I've been thinking about whether the series should end or not is my age. I feel great--well, mostly--but it is getting harder to do the promotion part of writing. (And all the in-person events for now have been cancelled, even a book fair I usually do in October.) Though we're all hoping to see the end of this virus soon--who know how long it will be?

Life goes on despite the changes we're facing. I'm fortunate in having lots of family in my home and close by, so I'm not lonely. I do miss the ones that live afar though and will be thankful when we can all visit.

So, about the new book. The End of the Trail, is available on Amazon for Kindle and in print.

Blurb: Deputy Tempe Crabtree joins the search for a missing hiker which results in a murder investigation, a near death experience, an unexpected rescue, and an unhappy ghost.

To buy:

https://www.amazon.com/Trail-Tempe-Crabtree-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B087ZQMZ8P/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=End+of+the+Trail+by+Marilyn+Meredith&qid=1588683782&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

What are you  up to these days?

Marilyn

Struggling a Bit

It is time for me to start a new Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery.

I have a title and an idea, including some of the new characters. So what's the hold-up? Too many other things keep coming up. I guess I could sum it up with one word, life.

I've slowed down considerably and not able to work as long as I once could. Because my husband and I are in the senior years, I like to spend more time with him, and my family.

We recently went on a three day vacation to Tehachapi where Spirit Wind is set mainly because daughter Lisa and I wanted to have our husbands experience all the things we did and saw when we went on the research trip for the book. Our eldest daughter and her husband joined us. Not only did we get to breakfast at the Keene Cafe (something I hadn't done before even though I put it in the book), we visited the Loop, did the self-guided tour of the wind machines, visited the fabulous bakery several times, went to Stallion Springs and had lunch, watched someone fly a glider, and as an added bonus, we all accepted the invitation to visit the home of one of the people who'd come to my book signing.

There we saw a collection of very old carriages, wild horses, Morgan horses, a fantastic house, a herd of elk, and were served a fantastic dinner and enjoyed a lively conversation.

My new friend and charming hostess, Karen Duvall.

Now, it's time to get down to the business of writing.

I'm also waiting to hear about the publication of the next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery, titled Bones in the Attic. Once it is set, it'll be time to pounce on the promotion for it.

I do have some in-person events set up, starting with speaking to the San Joaquin chapter of Sisters in Crime, the first Saturday in September. My topic--"The Book That Almost Wasn't."

Now, it's up to me to put my fanny in the chair and write that first sentence.

Marilyn

Taking Time Off

Yes, I did--and had a great time with family, and going to an Escape Room. This was the third time I've done this with family members. You'd think since I write mysteries I'd be really good at figuring out the clues. Nope, I'm too slow.

In these rooms you have one hour to solve the mystery. By the time I think I know what should be done, one of the younger members of our crew had solved the problem and moved on. Though everyone contributed, the under 30 group was the quickest--a granddaughter in her late twenties, a great-granddaughter who just turned 21 and another who is 17.

Don't get me wrong, everyone figured different things out, and when they were stuck, I told them what they should check again, and I was right. (Another problem I had, it was very dark, and I couldn't read some of the directions--clues that we found. It was supposed to be night time in the castle, with only candlelight to see by.)

These rooms are all different, and great fun. This one was set in medieval times. Another was a treasure hunt, and we didn't quite finish in time. The second I don't quite remember the theme, but it had something to do with paintings--and we didn't do well at all. Some are more difficult than others, and you can ask for clues when you get stuck.

But this last one went great and we finished with 15 seconds left.

If you've never done one of these rooms, gather a group and try it.

And while I was gone, my good friend Lorna Collins was busily getting my Deputy Tempe Crabtree books ready to be published again. I'm loving the covers.

Here's an older one called Intervention (my first locked room mystery) that is once more available.

Available for Kindle and Trade paperback.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1095685120/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Marilyn Meredith

And the New Year is Off and Running!

Last year 4 new babies entered our family--a great granddaughter, and 2 great-greats, a boy and a girl giving us a total of 4 great-greats. Truly amazing!

Our family celebrated New Year's Day in the usual manner--having my super special seafood gumbo with lots of shrimp and crab legs, and a wild game of Estimation afterwards.

In my writing world two of my old books in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series have come out re-edited and with new covers and are available on Kindle.

The first one is Deadly Trail.

https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Trail-Tempe-Crabtree-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07M8P1S7C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1546179243&sr=1-1&keywords=Deadly+Trail+by+Marilyn+Meredith

This one was published by a great but now closed publishing company and was picked up by Mundania and called a Prequel though it is the first in the series and introduces the setting and the characters.

The setting is a mountain town which slightly resembles the one I live in though there are changes.

Deputy Tempe Crabtree is a Native American who knows little about her heritage. Nick Two John, a fellow Indian is ready to give her instructions though he may have to do it from jail. Her teenaged son and her love interest, Pastor Hutch Hutchinson make their appearance too.

It has not been updated timewise--things are as they were back when I wrote this book.

Marilyng

And the Favorite of My New Covers

This is absolutely perfect for INTERVENTION. For those of you who haven't read it, the intervention is done by a great blue heron spirit or an angel. This depicts that perfectly.

Now, once the covers and the newly-edited books are together, I'll be promoting the series like crazy.

This has been a wild year of re-editing old books--both series, the Tempe Crabtree series and the Rocky Bluff P.D. series.

I'm still working on a new Deputy Tempe Crabtree series and waiting on the new Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery to come out. I turned it in a while ago, but the process of changing those covers and the re-editing has slowed everything down.

I've been to the Public Safety Writers Association writing conference and will write more about that next time.

Marilyn

New Days for Me by Marilyn Meredith

I'm switching to posting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays--and this is my first for this day.

Tomorrow hubby, daughter and I are headed off to Las Vegas--and no, not for the usual, no gambling or shows. This is the week for the Public Safety Writers Association's annual conference--and my favorite.

I'll be busy there as I'm one of the instructors for the pre-conference writing workshop and will be talking about writing descriptions of people and places. I'm also a moderator for a panel on and on one about point of view.

Both my hubby and my daughter work in the bookstore--and since it's at the back of the room where the conference is held they get to enjoy the speakers and the panels.

One presentation I'm really looking forward to is an inside view of the massacre at the concert in Vegas last year. A fireman who was at the conference and worked to save lives is one of the speakers. The other is a retired police officer who organized a place for all those working the crime scene to come for free food and drink People don't realize that where the concert was held was a crime scene and it took days for it to be completely investigated.

Another bit of news is some of my older Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries have been re-edited and will have new covers. The first in the series, Deadly Trail, has the first new cover.

The idea is to make them look more like those later in the series. This book was first published by a wonderful publisher who is no longer in business. Though the cover was nice it didn't fit with the new ones.

I'll see you again on the 4th Tuesday and share a bit about the conference.

Marilyn

The Fun of Research

If all goes well, when this appears I'll be on the road to Tehachapi. For those of you who have no idea where or what Tehachapi is, it's a mountain community off Highway 58 between Bakersfield and Mojave.

It is famous for it's huge wind farm--monstrous wind turbines cover the hillsides.

And something called The Loop also draws visitors. It's a place where freight trains over a mile long go around a hillside, and if you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, you can watch the locomotives (four or more) pass over the end of the train.

The reason I'm going to visit is because my next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery is set in Tehachapi. Though I've been there several times, I want to make sure I get descriptions of places right--and also that the places I've made up could be where I've set them.

It should be a fun and rewarding trip.

I'm woefully behind writing this book. My Tempe Crabtree books usually come out in August, but this year not only have I been re-editing some of the earlier ones, I've been doing the same thing with my Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery series. Plus, of course, life has intervened as well.

My intention, of course, is to make this next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery the best it can be. More about the trip next time.

Marilyn

The Many Ways of Getting News About Your Book Out by Marilyn Meredith

Though I've used a lot of different ways to let people know when I have a new book out, I'm certainly no expert.

Because I'm on Facebook a lot, those who follow me know I'll soon have a new Deputy Tempe Crabtree out, A Cold Death. It's been edited and now waiting for the final proof and the cover. Of course the final proof will have to be checked carefully. We're hoping for an August publication. Yes, I know, we're cutting it short.

I'm big on blog tours, not so sure they generate sales, but a lot of people will hear about whatever book I happen to be promoting. I haven't done a thing about a blog tour for this one--just no time. Will I organize one? Probably.

As I've reported, I've done many library presentations--though I only sell a few books at these, people do learn about my two series. Fortunately, I have more library presentations to come.

Though I seldom do bookstore signings, I have two planned. One with Barnes and Nobel that a fan arranged, and another in a particular area I have many friends and even a couple of relatives.

I'll no doubt promote in the various Facebook groups--I'm never sure if this helps or is just annoying to people who belong to more than one of these groups.

I have a big presentation coming in August to a large writers group on the coast. I've been to this group many years ago and I'm looking forward to being there again.

I'm on several listserves--a couple of Sisters in Crime, other mystery related groups, and I will certainly let them know about the new book when it arrives. And of course, I'll drop a line to DorothyL.

Speaking of Sisters in Crime, I will indeed be sure to tell the three groups I belong to about the new Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery.

Though I'm not a big user of Twitter, I will indeed Tweet about my book.

In October, I'm going to participate in the Great Valley Bookfest--a fun event, and a good place to promote a new book.

Last, but not least, I have a monthly newsletter where I always write about what's going on in both my private and writing life.

If you know of something I've missed, please say so in the comment section. Or if there's something you've done that has worked well for you, tell us about it.

Marilyn

In the Saroyan Gallery at the main branch of the Fresno Library--listening to a question asked by an audience member.

Writing About Winter When it's Like Summer

Okay, it's March.

While the East Coast is having blizzards, here in California we've had days in the 80's. That's good except my work in progress is set during a monstrous snow storm. The solution would be to make a trip eastward though not possible.

My thought has been that since this particular book will come out in summer, people might like to read about snow and cold. I can remember reading Dr. Zhivago during summer and shivering. Same when I saw the movie.

I will be calling a lot on my imagination as I write this book--it's one of those where everyone including the guilty party is confined to one place because of the unusual weather.

The characters are clearly defined in my mind. Someone has already died, but I have to admit I'm really not sure "who done it." Yes as it plays out, my heroine, Deputy Tempe Crabtree will manage to discover the reasons why each of the people might have wanted the victim dead. Since she's the detective, I'm relying on her to solve the crime. Don't laugh, that's the way my mysteries seem to evolve.

While I was shopping, one of the women I was chit-chatting with (don't you all chit-chat with strangers?) reminded me that we often have a spurt of summer then go back to a few days of winter. I'm not sure we do--what I think usually happens is we have two or three days of spring then bam, summer is here. Our summers last a long, long time. Fortunately this year we've had a lot of rain and snow up in the higher elevations.

But I digress. I was writing about the difficulty of writing about snow when it's hot here where I live. There isn't much more to say, except I need to hurry up and get with it. Mundania (the publisher of my Tempe Crabtree books) likes to publish my new one in August.

So, folks, you know what I'll be doing every chance I get. And I don't know about the rest of you authors, but when I'm in the middle of writing a book, I think about it at night before I go to sleep.
Sometimes it helps.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Marilyn

This is how we see the snow from my house.

Yep, a New Book Coming Up!

Though it won't be out until August--there is much I need to do.

I've already planned, scheduled and written posts for yet another blog tour. This one is a bit shorter than others I've done and I have a new contest. Instead of offering someone who makes the most comments on the tour a chance to have a character named after them, the winner(s) will be chosen from those who make the most comments during the tour. The prize will be a choice of one of the earlier books in the series--a Kindle or paper variety.

I need to make business cards as I find that's the easiest to remember and hand out to people at book events or just about anywhere.

A book launch of some sort needs to be planned--and at this moment, I have no idea what that will be.

I already have some in-person activities scheduled and hope for more to come.

The cover is perfect for the book--a forest fire and an eagle. Don't you love the Native American interpretation?

Marilyn

Something New for Me--Using a Real Setting

Not as it Seems, the latest in my Deputy Tempe series is located in a real place, Morro Bay and it's surroundings. Tempe and her husband, Hutch, even eat in real restaurants.

In fact this photo was taken out a window at a real restaurant that's in the story.

When I write about Tempe in her home surroundings, it's a fictional place that is quite similar to the place I live in the Southern Sierra--but not quite. For one thing, I've moved the town higher in the mountains and the restaurants and other places of business are fictious. The reason I did that, business don't seem to stay very long.

Morro Bay is a place that my husband I like to visit. I even belong to the Central Coast Chapter of Sisters in Crime which gives me good excuses to visit the area from time to time.

I'll be headed over there to particpate in the Central Coast Author and Book Fair on Sunday, September 20 from 10 to 4 at the Seacrest Oceanfront Hotel in Pismo Beach.

Though not in an official capacity, Tempe investigates a murder and the investigation takes her to Pismo, Los Osos, San Luis Obispo, Nipomo, Avila Beach, and Arroyo Grande. Now, that the book is out, we'll see if I got everything right or not.

It's much easier to write about an imaginary place--at least it is for me.

You can check out Not as it Seems on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Seems-Tempe-Crabtree-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B014JREF0K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1440892828&sr=1-1&keywords=Not+as+it+Seems+by+Marilyn+Meredith

and on Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-as-it-seems-marilyn-meredith/1122583033?ean=2940151209311

Marilyn

And if you do buy the book and read it, it would be great if you'd put a review up on either Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Feeling Birthing Pains by Marilyn Meredith

What? Birthing pains at your age?

Of course I'm not refering to giving birth in the usual sense, but my latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, Not as it Seems,  is about to make it's appearance.

I've been planning the promotion for quite some time--a blog tour and some book fairs are scheduled.

Every chapter of the book was heard by my critique group. I sent it off to the publisher, the editor sent it to me with her edits, I fixed what needed to be fixed and sent it back. Got it to check over again and I found more mistakes.

The galley proof arrived--and guess what? More fixes needed.

The cover was sent to me for approval and it looks great!

Now, when the book comes out will I (or readers) discover more mistakes?

I wrote about places I've only visited, did I get all that information right?

Will people like the story?

I'm sure you authors out there know exactly what I'm going through.

Until I actually see the book and get some reader feedback, I'll continue experiencing the birthing pains.

Marilyn

Report on My River Spirits Blog Tour Thus Far

I'm a bit over halfway though this month long blog tour for my latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, River Spirits.

Right off the bat I had a problem. The person who had agreed to do the first stop on the tour must've forgot and/or what I sent got lost in cyber space. So my tour started a day late with two stops. I had two or three I had to query because the post weren't up on the slotted day.

Some don't put blog posts up ahead of time.

Other needed to be reminded--though right before the tour I sent out a reminder to each one.

Interestingly, some blogs draw far more commenters than others. I have as yet to figure out why in most cases--though there are some very popular blogs out there that get lots of hits and comments.

I've advertised each day the same--so don't think that's really had much influence at all.

What I do think makes a difference is the topic of the post. Some topics seem to draw people to comment.

I've had many, many unique commenters who have only commented on a few blogs-- and many who only commented on one.

What does this mean? I have no idea. It seems that I am having some increase in sales for the Kindle version of the book.

Here is the remainder of stop I"m making on the tour.

Nov. 18 http://bookbrowsing.wordpress.com    Promotion Tips

Nov. 19 http://booksbeatbabes@blogspot.com/ 

Where Do the Minor Characters Come From?

Nov. 20 http://bookscanbedeadly.blogspot.com/ 

What Might be Next for Tempe

Nov. 21 http://evelyncullet.com/   Excerpt and links

Nov. 22 http://marjamcgraw.blogspot.com  

The Author’s Life (Mine)

Nov. 23 http://anotherdraught.blogspot.com  

How Real are my Main Characters?

Nov. 24  http://sharonarthermoore.blogspot.com

Food in my Series

Nov. 25 http://buriedunderbooks.blogspot.com

Why I Keep on Writing

Nov. 26  http://justthefactsmaam.blogspot.com 

Use of Cop Lingo or Not

Nov. 27  Thanksgiving

Nov. 28  http://anastasiapollack.blogspot.com/ 

Deputy Tempe Crabtree as a Mystery Series

Nov. 29 http://rabbi.author.com/  The Hairy Man

Nov. 30 http://thebookconnection.blogspot.com   Review

Dec. 1 http://www.rebeccaswrtingsvcs.com/  
What Makes a Mystery Writer, particular way of look at things? Looking for Clues? Why? Writing Obsession.

A Bit More About Settings and Seasons by Marilyn Meredith

Reading the last couple of posts made me think a bit about my both settings and seasons.

In my Tempe books, the seasons change in sort of chronological order--though not always. The latest, River Spirits happens in the fall. Almost all of the books take places over a very short period.. Lst years offering, Spirit Shapes, happened in the fall too. Though a year and a couple of months passed before the latest came out--in Tempe's time, it's just a matter of a few weeks.

After all, if a year passed in Tempe's time, she'd be way to old to do the things she's done. When I first started writing about her, her son Blair was in his early teens. Over the years, he has graduated from college and is now working for the fire department in Morro Bay. In reality, Tempe is probably getting to a time when she might be considering retirement.

As far as settings, most of this series has happened in and around the small town of Bear Creek which has some resemblance to the town near where I live.  In River Spirits Tempe spend a lot of time on the Bear Creek Indian Reservation investigating a murder of an actor during the making of a movie. The reservation has many similarities to the Tule River Indian Reservation, the one near my home.

I've fictionalized both for various reasons--the main one being things change quickly in the real places. .

My first review said this:

"Another Tempe adventure combining family life, spirituality, Native American issues and California beauty. These relatively gentle mysteries have captivated me since I discovered them. This is among my favorites." --D.Eisert.

http://www.amazon.com/River-Spirits-Tempe-Crabtree-Book-ebook/dp/B00O3R83TQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1414621796&sr=1-1&keywords=river+spirits+by+marilyn+meredith

I am delighted.

Marilyn

Once Again, Donning a Different Hat

Last week I sent off my latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery to my publisher. I struggled a bit with this book--and ended up revisiting the Hairy Man. I'm always happy to spend some time with him. But now I'll have to start thinking about how I'll promote it.

Should I do another blog tour? Should I offer to name a character after someone as a prize? What about a book launch? An in-person party? Or should I do a launch online? Maybe both?

While wearing that hat, I am switching to the Rocky Bluff P.D. cap. Yes, I'm writing another book in that series, and I need to get with it as I need chapters to read each week to my critique group. This means I need to familiarize myself again with the officers of the Rocky Bluff P.D. and their families and what was happening with them when I last visited. I do have the start of the major plot thread (without the conclusion) and some minor plots I want to pursue.

While wearing the RBPD cap, I need to envision myself in the small beach community of Rocky Bluff. Think the smell of the ocean, fog rolling in most mornings, the sun burning off the fog later in the day and then making it's return. I must see the town and how it climbs up the hillside and under the freeway and then changing to small ranches and orange groves.Will I incorporate the wealthier homes that perch on the bluff that gives the town it's name? At this point, I don't know.

So that's where I am folks, switching hats as first my mind whirls around the promotion part of being a writer, then moving to the imagination side, seeing my creations set about their lives and meeting new challenges.

What about you? What're you  up to these days?

Marilyn aka F. M. Meredith

Did I Ever Have a Lulu of a Dream!

Besides doing promo for my coming Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery, Murder in the Worst Degree, I've been working on the next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, as yet unnamed.

Yes, I've had a murder, but the investigation has mostly been questioning witnesses (none, really) and suspects (lots) and I know I need some big action. I've been toying with different scenarios, and last night I had a lulu of a dream.

I was camping in the mountains, surrounded by big trees and lots of other people (similar location as in the book) and my grandson was working as cowboy with a bunch of other people. He and his fellow workers came to talk to me, have no idea what about.(Grandson is not a cowboy and nothing like this is in the manuscript.)

All of a sudden we heard a thundering noise and here comes a whole bunch of horses galloping towards and past us. Behind them was a huge bear also coming fast.

Some of the cowboys started running, and I shouted, "Don't run, you can't out run a bear!"

End of dream.

Now I wonder exactly what part of that I might be able to incorporate into the story.

I've written about bears before and there are plenty of them in the area I'm writing about. 

Maybe I'll have another dream tonight that will give me some insight into how I should proceed.

Have you ever had a dream that you put into a story?

Marilyn

What Kind of Planning Ahead Do You Do for Promotion?

When I first started out on this journey we call being a published author, I had no idea that I would be the one doing the majority of the promotion of my book. In fact, the only thing I did for promotion all those many years ago, early 1980s, was to arrange a book signing. Of course there was no Internet back then or anyway to promote except sending out mailings and book stores appearances.

As each book came out, I got smarter and smarter. And some of the publishers that I queried wanted to know what my marketing plans were--so I realized I need to have some.

Over the years I've done many different things--and now, of course, a lot more on the Internet through Facebook and of course, blogs.

For my latest, Spirit Shapes, a Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, this is what I've planned so far:

A blog tour--wow, that is a lot of work Here's the first week's stops:

September 30    http://Mariaruizauthor.com/ 

October 1   http://SavvyAuthors.blogspot.com/

 

October 2   http://Marilynlevinson.com/blog/

October 3   http://krisneri.blogspot.com/

October 4   http://anastasiapollock.blotspot.com/

October 5   http://mmgornell.wordpress.com/

October 6  http://poluckwithjudy.blogspot.com

October 7  http://lornacollins-author.blogspot.com/

You can find all the stops on my blog:http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/

 The person who comments on the most blogs will have their name used for a character in the next book in the series.

I have several in person events:

I'm meeting with a book club, going to be one of six mystery authors on a panel at a new bookstore, will have a booth at Taste of the Arts, and doing a signing at another new bookstore.

Next to plan is a book launch of some sort in my little town, just looking for the best place to do it.

What I'm not doing is going to Bouchercon this year--airplane travel has just gotten to be too big a pain. I do plan to attend Left Coast Crime in 2014 though because it's drivable, actually being on the left coast. Maybe I'll see some of you there.

Tell me what your favorite promotion is? Maybe you can give me some fresh ideas.

To buy directly from the publisher:

 http://mundania.com/book.php?title=Spirit+Shapes

Marilyn