Powerful Woman Award (Marketing?)

I just received this award from writer and artist, Deirdra Eden-Coppel. Isn't it beautiful? She created the award herself and is not only giving it and others away to other bloggers, but whether she knows it or not, I believe her service is also a wonderful marketing strategy. Think about it. Not only has she found a way to showcase her abilities, but she's also led others to her blog, encouraged others to follow her, and developed a stronger relationship with her readers. Thank you, Deidra, for both the award and the idea. I only wish I could copy them. :) But alas, I can't draw . . . :))

School Visits and an Answered Question

I've been busy doing one of the things I really love, and that's visiting schools and teaching students about writing and "My Path to Publication." It takes a lot of energy to speak to about 100 students every class hour all day, but like I said, I really enjoy it.

As part of my presentation, I have a question and answer session. It's no surprise that the students are very curious about how to get published as well as what happens after you've had a book accepted. Because that has been so interesting to them, I thought you, too, may benefit from a bit of the information I've given them.

In my experience and from everything I've heard from other authors, once you contract with a publisher to publish your book, it becomes a product to them that they want to sell. Since the cover and title are a big part of their marketing plan, the publisher has all control over them. The good news, though, is publishers usually hire knowledgeable people to come up with titles and covers they believe will best sell your book. While this might seem a bit hard to swallow, the good news is I have never been disappointed with my publisher's choices, both in my magazine articles and with MISSING. True, a few changes took me a bit of time getting used to, but overall, my experience has been a good one and I've learned to trust my publishers' marketing departments.

So, a bit of advice. While you're looking at which publishers to submit your books to, look at their current books and see if you like their covers and titles, because once your book is published, it will likely keep both for a long time to come.

One more good thing! I do get to keep my title to my second novel, TRAPPED, which will be published later this year. I'm definitely excited about that, because I have always liked this title.

In Case You Haven't Heard . . .

. . . there's a great internet service for readers and writers called LDSbookcorner.com. Anyone can stop by, browse their store, and purchase books directly from them. But what I think is the best part of this service is every week, all those who've signed up for their mailing list, receives via e-mail, the first chapter or so of a different book over the course of each weekday. For example, MISSING will be featured this week, beginning December 28th. That means that each day, subscribers will receive a portion of MISSING in their inbox, have the opportunity to read it, and then if they like, purchase it. What a great way to find out if you like a book before you purchase it. Anyway, if you haven't already signed up for this service, I encourage you to do so--soon!

AMAZING NEWS Plus Another Winner and Contest

Guess what? I recently found out MISSING is the #1 Best Seller at the bookstore, Reflections of Utah, in Brigham City and #2 next to "Hunger Games" in Box Elder Middle School's library. Amazing! It's hard for me to believe, and yet I know it's because so many of you have spread the word about my book. Thank you.

I also learned that Heather Justesen's great give-away contest has come to a close, and we now have another winner of MISSING. It's Chris and Laura Zemp from Nevada. Congratulations!

And then, just tonight I learned that another writer, Marta O. Smith, reviewed MISSING on her blog and is also running a 12 days of Christmas contest where a copy of MISSING is one of the prizes. Go check out her blog and leave a comment. That's all you have to do to enter. :)

Rexburg Signing

I made a quick trip to and from my home town in Rexburg, Idaho a couple of days ago to do a book signing at BYU-Idaho. It was a lot of fun. Not only did I get to know many people I'd never met before, but a few "old" friends showed up, too. One was Marta Smith, a fellow member of Author's Incognito. Once again I was able to connect her with another writer-friend, Michelle Erickson, who also lives in the area. Michelle was actually my Laurel advisor years and years ago. We connected, in part, through our love of writing. Anyway, they're both in need of a critique group, so I'm hoping this association will help them.

The BIG SURPRISE, though, was a visit from a man I used to go to school with. He, along with several other boys, used to have a nickname for me--in teasing. I was never offended by it, but he took the time to apologize. I must say, I was quite impressed by the good man he seems to have grown into. I'd never thought anything bad about him in those days, but I was so glad to see extra goodness in him now. The funny thing? He wanted me to sign his book as "Thanks for the memories" and then sign it with their nickname for me. No, I don't think I'll share that information with you here.

I'll close with a bit of advise. If you go to BYU-Idaho, try to secure a temporary parking pass ahead of time. Otherwise, you might have to make a long walk. Generally, that's not such a bad thing. I usually enjoy the walk. But if you're wearing a dress and carrying a lot of supplies, it's not quite as fun.

Honestly, though, the signing turned out great, and the BYU-Idaho Bookstore staff couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. The students, too, for that matter. I'd love to go back.

An Amazing Night!

As you can guess by my title, my Opening Night book signing for Missing went really well. Lots of friends, along with a few people I hadn't met before, showed up to buy books and help me celebrate. I had door prize drawings and a few refreshments, but the best part of the entire night was getting to talk to old friends and tell them something about how much they meant to me when I signed their books. I was grateful and humbled by their response. Even my best friend from my childhood, who I haven't seen in several years, made the effort to come. I am a very blessed woman to have so many good friends.

Here are a few pictures.

Members of my critque group, the "golden pens," from left to right. Josi Kilpack, me, Jody Durfee, Becki Clayson. They even took me out to eat afterwards. We went to a Chinese restaurant, since my character, Stacie Cox, investigates inside Victoria, BC's Chinatown.

Preparing for Opening Night

While I was on a walk this morning, one of my neighbors stopped her car next to me and said, "I read your book. It was good!"

I can't help but appreciate feedback like that, but it was especially buoying today, because the largest chunk of my writing time is still going toward my opening night book signing party at Reflections of Utah in Brigham City, UT. If you haven't heard yet, it's on Thursday, October 22 from 5-7:00 p.m. The address is on my website.

Besides putting together and sending out announcement postcards and working with our local newspaper to announce it, I've been gathering a few door prizes and planning the refreshments. All the items are related to Missing, so they make me smile. I hope my guests will like them, too.

I've Joined Another Writing Group

Guess what? Thanks to fellow writer Joyce DiPastena, I've found and joined a "G-rated, Romance Writing Group! I'm so excited because it has been sooo hard to find both authors and publishers outside the LDS market who write/publish romance that isn't embarrassing to read. It's called the Sweetest Romance Authors, and our blog is located here and at the button in my sidebar. If you like clean, yet exciting stories that are rich with real romance, you really ought to check it out, and keep checking it out, because our list of published titles is quickly growing. You can bet my LDS novel, MISSING, will be among them. Grin.

Mental Zoning--Controlling a Valuable Asset

One of the great things about associating with other writers is we learn many of our idiosyncrasies are "normal," for writers, that is. For instance, in a recent newsletter post by David Farland, he talked about the writing zone. I know exactly what he's talking about, only my family "lovingly" refers to it as "spacing out." So many, inappropriate times, I find my mind wandering toward whatever writing project I'm working on. Like while my family's watching a movie or commercial on television and say, "Mom, did you see that?" and I have to tell them "no." I was staring right at it, but I didn't see it. Or even hear it. I was in "the zone."

In truth, I'm soooooo pitiful when it comes to zoning out, and though I'm really trying to learn to control it, especially when my family and friends are talking to me, I still do it far more often than non-writers understand. One of my favorite, anonymous quotes is: "I will not live like a normal person. I am a writer." I bet Mr. Anonymous was another "spacey."

This zone has its good points, however. Because my stories/characters/settings etc. seem to hover over everything I do, my mind is constantly gathering facts and truths that enrich my writing. For example, one of my favorite scenes in my current WIP was inspired by an event that happened with my family during a thunderstorm when the power went out. And then last night, I had a vivid dream of a beautiful, "hidden" place that I knew, as soon as I woke, I wanted to use in my next book.

What I'm trying to say is that a writer's mental "zone" is a vital strength, but it's also connected to an obsessive-like weakness. Our challenge? To harness it. Some of the ways I try to do this so I don't have to keep focusing on ideas that come to me are:

1. Keeping a file box of 3x5 cards where I keep "truths" I read/hear/come to understand.
2. Keeping a notebook next to my bed to record vivid dreams and sudden thoughts that often come just before I fall asleep.
3. Always keeping paper and a pen nearby so I can write ideas and even phrases that come while I'm doing dishes or sweeping the floor.
4. Finding ways to not only be fully awake but also completely alone when I'm actually writing.

As far as trying to control the "weakness" side of it? I haven't yet reached the point where I can say I've gained control over it; but the one main thing I'm currently trying to implement is to fully listen and concentrate on what others are saying to me. If that means looking away from the computer, then so be it. As I've implied, this is not easy for me, especially when I'm in the middle of writing a suddenly flowing scene, but I'm trying.

Please don't misunderstand me. Some writers have encouraged others to help their families realize they need time to be alone and to "zone out" in order to fully utilize their mental, writing capacities, and I agree with this; but for me, I'm at a point where I must make sure my family and friends know they are more important to me than my stories.

This is where I'm at in the writing zone process. Where are you?

What I Learned at the Best-Seller Seminar

As I thought, the How To Become a Bestseller teleseminar was an opportunity for the speakers to sell a service, kind of like the opportunities we sometimes receive to buy timeshares at resorts. However, also as I'd expected, I did learn a few things about marketing. Their particular system was guaranteed to work (if you use their service and do everything they tell you to do) for non-fiction books, but it only applied to fiction that contained some type of help for it's readers.

Nevertheless, I did learn a few helpful tips, including this advice: when we choose a day or two for our media blitz (I think it applies to book signings, too), we should avoid certain days. Two of those are any of the days during the week of a national holiday and Saturdays.

Another one was once we attain bestsellerdom, no one can take that title from us. We will always be a bestseller, and we should taut that on our websites, etc.

Something for me to reach for, I guess.

I've Created a "Book Store"

I've just added a sidebar link to my own bookstore (top of page). It includes direct purchase links to my recommended, "How To Write" books, my favorite fiction, and eventually my own published novels. I've often referred to these books on this post, because they've been so helpful to me throughout my writing "apprenticeship," and I thought it would help you, as my readers, find them easier, too.

Scheduling My First Book Signing

Today I did something I've never done before: I "scheduled" my first book signing for Missing in a book store. I was nervous, but I prepared ahead of time by searching the Internet for information about book signings, creating a temporary business card (I don't want to have an official one printed 'til I get my book cover), and by talking to a good friend of mine, Josi Kilpack, who had previously held effective book signings there.

As luck would have it, however, about an hour or so before I'd planned on stopping in at the store, my nerves started building. I wish I wouldn't get so nervous all the time. You'd think that with as many times as I've sung solos and spoken in public I wouldn't be so suseptible to nerves, but I am. Pitifully enough.

Anyway, before I walked into the store, I told myself the owner would want me to do a signing, that everything would go well; and I was right. In truth, I was pleasantly surprised with how accommodating and informative he was. He was the first person I saw when I walked in (I've shopped there several times before and knew who he was), and he was very responsive to my questions and requests. He also offered a promotional opportunity I hadn't expected. The name of the store is Reflections of Utah, and it is located on main street in Brigham City, UT. I hope to see you there when I know more about the exact release date!

As if my first signing wasn't enough to smile about! When I returned home, I sent an e-mail to my editor, Linda Prince, at Leatherwood Press/Walnut Springs Press, telling her about the signing, and she replied with more good news: she's currently editing my book--It had very few flaws, she said--and she should have the edits to me in a few days. Yay!

As a final note, I've also created a new blog. It will deal exclusively with Missing.

Book Publishing Update

I received a request today for more updates on the publishing process for my book, so while not much has changed recently, I will mention that I am still working on my website and still gathering blurbs. So far, this is the progress:

Website: Slowly but surely, my website is coming together. Since I haven't previously learned how to build a website, I've been doing a fair amount of research over the internet on that process, and as a result, I've changed the format, the template, the navigation process, my photos, and my bio several times, and my guess is I will probably change it more. So, if you fellow writers think you've made it past the revision stage once you've had your manuscript accepted--and even after the galleys are proofed--think again! Revision, like growth in all areas of our lives, seems to be the name of the publishing game.

Blurbs: To this point, I've received them from five readers and I have more coming. Their praise for my book has been very positive, and while I'm finding a great deal of joy in knowing others have appreciated my work, I'm also letting their praise push me to do better with my current WIP.

Which reminds me. Yes, I'm already working on marketing my book even though I don't yet have a definite title or a publishing date; but I'm also moving forward with the first draft of my "quickly-approaching-the-finale," second novel. It, too, is romantic suspense, and I can hardly wait to see how the whole thing finally comes together! JK. I really do know. It's only the romantic, dangerous, sacrificing details I can't wait to discover!

Book Publishing Update Feb. 11

While I'm waiting for the final decision on my book title, I've been gathering more marketing ideas, building my official website, and collecting "blurbs" about my book from early readers. One of the blurbs I liked but will not, I don't think, use on my website because I already inserted several really great comments from her is:

Ronda Hinrichsen's descriptions made me feel like I was actually there, and the characters were believable and well-balanced. Her villains were so realistic that I found I intensely disliked both of them. . . The tension and suspense were really well done . . . and the way Ronda tied Stacie’s dream into the ending was great! --Cindy Beck

You know, there's something very satisfying, validating, and humbling about reading how our hard work has affected someone. Thanks, Cindy!

Publishing Update

Well, I've seen the contract and it looks pretty good. It was a template--not the "real thing" yet--so I haven't signed it, but still I'm gratified in knowing the process is moving forward. Also, my editor said she wanted me to "come and talk about promotion and marketing" in a few weeks; so besides sending her a few other title ideas, I've begun gathering promotion ideas that I've studied/researched over the years. Two of the books I've studied might also be helpful to you. They are "How to Get Happily Published" and "1001 Ways to Market Your Books." Of course, I've also attended and kept the information from marketing classes at writer's conferences I've attended during the past years.
And now I'm using them.

My Book to Be Published!

It's finally happened. Two days ago, a publisher offered to publish Flip-Flop. THIS YEAR! This title will change, however, which I don't mind because they've had some of the same concerns about the title that I've had.

The biggest concern, to me, was the fact that "Flip-Flop" seemed too lighthearted for the suspenseful, romantic book that it is. I've suggested my other favorite title, Distraction (I think I referred to it under this name in an earlier post), but I'll just have to wait and see what the publisher says.

Now, as far as the publisher goes, I think I'll keep who it is a secret for now because I haven't yet signed a contract with them. Be sure to check back, though. I'll most definitely reveal their name when that time comes.

And by the way, during the coming months, I'll also post my steps to publication here for you. In doing so, I'm hoping it will help you, my readers, be a bit more prepared when your book publishing opportunity rears its grateful head.

Happy writing and publishing!

Twain Marketing

I recently saw this on a writing newsletter I subscribe to and thought I'd share it here since it goes along with my last two entries on "Marketing." Hmm. I wonder if this is what JK Rowling did, too.
"I conceive that the right way to write a story for boys is to write so that it will not only interest boys but strongly interest any man who has ever been a boy. That immensely enlarges the audience."~ Mark Twain, Letter to Fred J. Hall, 8/10/1892

LDS Publisher: Is LDS Fiction a Genre?

I asked LDS Publisher my question from my last post, and "her" helpful answer, along with several good comments are found here:

LDS Publisher: Is LDS Fiction a Genre?

To Market To Market

I have a question about the LDS market, or actually, I would like it to be an educational discussion, so please add your opinion as a comment.

My question: What kind (in general) of books are the average LDS fiction readers and/or fiction publishers looking for?

My answer: In the past, I've turned to the LDS market because there is sleaze and untruth in my preferred genres, and I want books that fit my general interest but are "clean." You know, kind of like the "Candace Salima, Mormon Nora Roberts" idea. So, to me, I consider the competition for LDS books to be the National Market, not necessarily other LDS writers.

But lately, I've begun to wonder if this simplified understanding is incorrect. Do readers, and especially publishers, see LDS books as their own genre with specific rules and formats?

What do you think?