January is Galloping Along

The days are flying by because I am so busy--and unfortunately not busy with working on my book.

In order to do other writing related things like attending writers conferences--this year I am only going to two: Writers of Kern's Spring Conference in Bakersfield and PSWA at the Orleans Hotel  in Vegas--I need to make extra money. Though I do earn some from my books, it is not enough for big expenses.

The way I do that is help people who want to open residential care homes for the elderly and those with mental impairments write program designs. Yes, it is writing, and a lot of work, but it helps pay for things I want to do.

Truly, I'd rather be working on my work in progress, another Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery. I'm about 3/4 of the way through. I have to make a major decision about it and the series itself.

In the last book, Spirit Wind, Tempe went to Tehachapi to help a ghost hunter, spend time in a haunted house, encountered a spirit, and was threatened twice by a murderer.

In the book I'm working on, Tempe is back in Bear Creek where she once again has an encounter with the legendary Hairy Man. Of course, there's a murder; and the suspects are few.

Darn, I'd like to get back to it, but I have other work to do.

Frustrated, yes I am a bit.

How is your January going?

Marilyn

And a Promo That Didn't Work

As the saying goes, there's a sucker born every minute--and this time the sucker was me.

Most writers receive all kinds of offers to promote their books, usually the latest, but I get them for all my books, even some of the oldest.

Because my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series is now self-pubbed, I can check to see how any promotion I do is working.

When I got an offer from an outfit who said they'd put my book on Twitter and other sites for so many times a day for a week--the most expensive offer--I decided to go for it with Spirit Wind, the latest in the series.

I monitored sales the whole week--not a single one for Spirit Wind. I did have a few sales for others in the series, but I think that happened because of the earlier promotion of a free book in the series, and the flyer I hand out at in-person events with a list of all my books.

Maybe this kind of promotion has worked well for others, but it did nothing for me.

I will know better next time.

Buy link for Spirit Wind.

https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Wind-Tempe-Crabtree-Mysteries/dp/1092112081/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Spirit+Wind+by+marilyn+meredith&qid=1573916575&s=books&sr=1-1

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

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

This Has Been a Busy and Exciting Time

Because good friend Lorna Collins decided to edit and re-publish all my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries since my published closed their doors, I've been busy trying to promote them. Some have new covers that were created before anyone knew Mundania was going out of business.

In an effort to introduce more people to the series, I'm going to do a free e-book promotion for the first one in the series, Deadly Omen.

That will be going on from June 10 through 14th in the Kindle store. No way can I afford a BookBub promotion, but there are many other sites who promote free e-books. The only drawback is that it takes a lot of time--many are free, but other charge minimal fees.

Of course I've also been busy promoting the latest in the series, Spirit Wind. I've been visiting varios blogs and of course posting on Facebook.

My first book signing will be on June 8th at the sweetest place in Porterville, Stafford's Chocolates on Main St. from 11 to 3.

On June 22nd, I'll be at the Tehachapi Museum from 1 to 3. That one will be fun since Spirit Wind is set in Tehachapi. I'm anxious to see how the residents feel about the mystery.

On June 29th from 1-3, I'm doing a signing here at home, Springville, at the Wild Oak Coffee Shop (across from the fire station on Bridge St. This place has the best speciality drinks and sandwiches.

In the meantime, I've finished the latest in my Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery series. It still has to be heard and critiqued by my group, then I'll have it edited before I  sent it off to the publisher.

If anyone thinks being a writer isn't work--they aren't a writer.

Marilyn

Woo Hoo, Going on Vacation!

Recently, I had someone ask if I ever just did nothing. The answer was and is no. I always have something to do--but I do take time out and watch some TV--that's my resting time. And of course, I do plenty of reading.

I consider the away from home book events as vacation. Recently spoke at the Central Coast Sisters in Crime writing conference, and had a great time, at the conference where I learned too and best of all got to see good friends of mine who live on the coast.

However, along with my husband, and middle daughter who serves as our driver, I'm headed to very Southern California to visit our eldest daughter and husband, and our youngest daughter is going to be there for a day too.

All the sisters and me, along with two granddaughters and two great granddaughters are going to do venture into another Escape Room. We've all had experience with other escape rooms--always fun even if we don't solve all the clues.

While there we'll do lots and lots of visiting, play games, eat some great meals at home and in restaurants, and however the spirit leads us.

And speaking of spirits, my latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, Spirit Wind, is now available on Amazon in paper and for Kindle.

https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Wind-Tempe-Crabtree-Mysteries/dp/1092112081/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=spirit+wind+by+marilyn+meredith&qid=1555085319&s=books&sr=1-1-fkmrnull

The official blurb is: A call from a ghost hunter changes Deputy Tempe Crabtree;s vacation plans. Instead of going to the coase, she and her husband are headed to Tehachapi to investigate a haunted house and are confronted by voices on the wind, a murder, and someone out to get them.

When this post appears, I'll be enjoying my second day of my vacation.

For my next post, I'll report how we did in the Escape room.

Marilyn

My Big Decision I Didn't Have to Make

The decision I was pondering was to ask for my rights back from Mundania for my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series for several reason, but the main one being I wasn't receiving any responses to my emails.

When I did decide it was time, I sent off an email and registered letter asking for my rights to be returned..

The response I got back was Mundania Press was closing it's doors--the main reason being Amazon. Many small presses have given up because of Amazon. All the Mundania authors could have their rights back.

Truly, I'm sad because Mundania Press was very good to me. I published 16 books with them.

Moving forward, the next step will be self-publishing the series. I'm fortunate in that my good friends, Larry and Lorna Collins are helping me with the process. (They were instrumental in getting many of my other books self-published on Amazon.)

Once I know when Spirit Wind is live I'll pass the word along--maybe even shout it from the rooftop!

From there it means I'll be planning a book launch, announcing a blog tour, and maybe setting up another, and all other means of promotion possible.

Fortunately, I already have some book events planned.

So until I have more news, signing off.

Marilyn

We are enjoying poppy season. The poppies have exploded all over.

The Waiting Game

The next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery, which I titled Tangled Webs is supposed to come out in October. Everything has been turned around with getting a new publisher (Aakenbaken and Kent) for this series. All the earlier books had to be re-edited and received new covers--the idea to make it obvious it's a series.

In the past, the latest Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery came out at the first of the year. I was far too busy with the re-editing to finish the latest and get it sent off.

The same type of things was happening with the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series--some of the earlier books needed re-editing and new covers to match the covers in the newer books. So while I was re-editing, of course the next book in the series was on hold. August has always been the month for a new Tempe to come out. Not this year.

The new cover for the very first book in the Tempe Crabtree series.

The book is finished and is called Spirit Wind and my critique group has heard it all. It's been sent out to a Beta reader. Once I hear back from her and make any changes she might suggest, I'll send it off to Mundania Press where their editor will take make the final edits.

Once both those books are out, I'll be busy with promotion. Fortunately, I am signed up for quite a few events.

In the meantime, it's time to start thinking up ideas for the next books.

How well do the rest of you do at waiting? For me, it's best to keep busy.

Marilyn