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

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