Debi Graham-Leard

Hollihock Writers Conference

August 21, 2016 by Debi Graham-Leard

Next weekend, I’ll be attending the second annual Hollihock Writers Conference in New Bedford, MA. They are offering multitudes of classes, panels, and speakers throughout the 3-days.

This is a new conference as you can tell by the title. I found out about it this past spring at a Writers Retreat on Cape Cod. One of the other writers… Diana Grady from Buzzards Bay Writing Project… mentioned this conference because she thought I’d be interested. Diana will be leading one of the workshops.

Learning new tips and tricks about the process of creating fiction is not only a pleasure, but keeps my retired brain active and alert. There is always something to be gleaned from every class, every speaker, every panel participant.

If you live in southern New England, and haven’t yet signed up, the ‘REGISTER HERE’ button on their website still appears to be active, so what are you waiting for?

http://www.hollihock.org/

Posted in Buzzards Bay Writing Project, Conferences, Hollihock Writers Conference, Seminars, Writing Workshops | Tagged fiction, first line of chapter one, first three chapters, First Three Pages, naming characters, opening scene, revision, writing | Leave a Comment »

Come to Ugly Dog Books on July 30!

July 28, 2016 by Debi Graham-Leard

This Saturday afternoon, come and visit me and two other authors at Ugly Dog Books on Union Street near the train station in Attleboro, MA.

I’ll be talking to readers about my writing adventure as I created my debut mystery ‘The Uninvited Guest’, and will happily autograph copies.

If you’ve never visited Ugly Dog Books, it’s not your average bookstore. Kim offers artwork, jewelry and so much more. Browse around and find something that tickles your fancy!

Indie Author Day begins at 4pm…hope to see you there!

Posted in Author Talk, Book Signing Events | Tagged Author Talk, Book Signing Events, fiction, first novel, marketing, mystery genre | 1 Comment »

Marketing Options Pop Up When You Least Expect Them

July 21, 2016 by Debi Graham-Leard

Yesterday, as I basked in the perfect summer weather of southeastern New England, I browsed the news app on my cell phone. At the bottom of the list, I found a section devoted to my town of Norton from various sources in the surrounding area.

When I clicked into the ‘Patch’ news article, I noticed an offer to send breaking local news to my cell phone or desktop, and registered my email address.

Upon receiving the first news-bite, another offer popped up to advertise an event electronically to all the surrounding towns who have their own version of the Patch.

Well, I submitted my registration request, received my log-in information this morning, and have posted my participation in Local Author Day at the Ugly Dog Books in Attleboro, MA, on July 30 at 4pm.

How easy! And FREE!

Check it out…you may have a similar marketing opportunity in your hometown.

Posted in Author Talk, Book Signing Events, Marketing, Published | Tagged Author Talk, Book Signing Events, fiction, first novel, good news, marketing, mystery genre, novel pitch | Leave a Comment »

Author Talk at Oak Point Active Adult Community

July 10, 2016 by Debi Graham-Leard

On Tuesday, July 12, at 6:30 pm, come join me in the clubhouse ballroom at the Oak Point Active Adult Community in Middleboro, MA.

The evening’s event is my author talk titled ‘The Ins and Outs of Writing My Debut Mystery’. I will share my writing adventure, from research to writing groups to publication.

I hope to make you laugh at the funny things that happened along the way.

After a short reading from my story ‘The Uninvited Guest’, I’ll answer questions from the audience, and gladly autograph copies of my book.

If you or any of your relatives live in this complex, please stop by, say hello, and stay a while!

Posted in Author Talk, Book Cover, Book Signing Events, Marketing, Published | Tagged Author Talk, Book Signing Events, fiction, first novel, marketing, mystery genre, writing groups | Leave a Comment »

Active Senior Complexes Love Authors!

June 21, 2016 by Debi Graham-Leard

During the past few months, I’ve been presenting my author talk titled “The Ins and Outs of Writing My Debut Mystery’ to the libraries, garden clubs, and senior centers in my immediate area. And having a blast doing it!

Having exhausted those local venues, I broadened my search for new audiences. Finding the activities director at an active senior complex is not always easy, but persistence pays off. As a result, three have scheduled my presentation during the next few weeks. And there are many more to approach.

It’s quite possible that some of the attendees will have already read my story that they have obtained through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or from one of the local bookstores that carries ‘The Uninvited Guest’. Those readers will no doubt ask questions about the characters, the setting in an old village library, or the plot twists. This exchange will enhance their experience and encourage others to ask questions as well.

Book signings will wrap up each event. When I ask the reader to choose the ink color for my autograph, a light sparkles in their eyes as they check the array of pens, putting a smile on my face as well.

You go, seniors!

Posted in Author Talk, Book Signing Events, Marketing, Published | Tagged Author Talk, Book Signing Events, fiction, first novel, marketing, mystery genre | Leave a Comment »

You Just Never Know…

May 20, 2016 by Debi Graham-Leard

…when your next speaking engagement will pop up!

The past few months have been filled with author talks at libraries, senior centers, and retirement communities, both here in Massachusetts, plus my home state of Delaware, nearby Maryland and Pennsylvania.. As the schedule thins out, I’ve pulled out my file of venues contacted, but unresolved, to stir the pot for additional speaking opportunities.

What I’ve found as I’ve been regaling audiences about my journey as a first-time author, is that invariably, one of them approaches me afterwards, and suggests another group that might be interested in hearing about my writing adventure.

Just the other day, after speaking at the senior center one town over, a lady came up to me and mentioned that the Red Hats meet in that same room the last Tuesday of every month, and might be interested in hearing my author talk. This lady was reluctant to actively pursue the idea on my behalf, so I approached one of the COA administrators, and she has agreed to pass along my contact information to the Red Hats leader during their meeting at the end of this month.

To that end, I’ve created a new flyer with an image of my front cover plus author photo, a description of my author talk, plus both email address and cell phone number. I’ve printed off several to carry with me.

When the next person makes a suggestion for a new venue, I will hand her…or him…a copy of this flyer plus my bookmark that teases a potential reader about my story.

Who says marketing has to be a chore?

Posted in Author Talk, Book Cover, Book Signing Events, Cover Blurb, Marketing, Published | Tagged Author Talk, Book Signing Events, fiction, first novel, marketing, mystery genre, social networks | Leave a Comment »

A Book in the Hand… Cape Cod

May 3, 2016 by Debi Graham-Leard

For friends and mystery readers who live in southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod, join me next Monday evening, May 9 @7 pm, at the Jacob Sears Memorial Library, 23 Center Street, East Dennis, MA.

I’ll be sharing the ins and outs of writing my debut mystery ‘The Uninvited Guest’ with moderator Elizabeth Moisan during her monthly program ‘A Book in the Hand’.

An autographed copy of ‘The Uninvited Guest’ will be raffled off.

I hope to see you there!

Posted in Author Talk, Book Signing Events, Cape Cod | Tagged Author Talk, Book Signing Events, fiction, first novel, mystery genre | Leave a Comment »

Ames Free Library, Easton, MA

March 25, 2016 by Debi Graham-Leard

For those of you who live near Easton, Massachusetts, please join me at the Ames Free Library on Thursday, March 31, 4 pm at the stunningly beautiful Queset House. I’ll be sharing my journey of writing my debut mystery “The Uninvited Guest”, and will happily autograph any books that are purchased that day, donating 15% of the sales to the library. Hope to see you there!

Posted in Book Signing Events | Tagged Ames Free Library, Author Talk, Autographed Copies, fiction, Queset House, The Ins and Outs of Writing My Debut Mystery | 2 Comments »

More Author Talks & Book Signings

February 20, 2016 by Debi Graham-Leard

After the successful author talk and book signing with the local garden club, the Ugly Dog Bookstore, and a private Girls Night Out last month, I dove into chasing down additional events. Friends were anxious to advise their connections of who to ask and where to go to share my story! Most organizations need a speaker for an upcoming meeting, and have been glad that I dropped into their laps!

To entice the program director of non-bookstore organizations to schedule me into her events calendar, I offered 15% of books sold during her event. Not only will I cost them nothing as a speaker, but they will receive a small donation as a result of their book sales!

Not every contact gets back to me on a timely basis, requiring a follow-up email or phone call. But the results have been quite satisfactory. Here’s a list of interviews/author talks/book signings scheduled for the coming weeks:

Feb 26… ‘Books and the World’ cable interview, Cape Cod, MA

March 16…Allentown Public Library, Allentown, PA

March 19…Brandywine Community Library, Topton, PA

March 22…Kutztown Community Library, Kutztown, PA

March 31…Ames Free Library, Easton, MA

Am I supposed to be having this much fun?

Happy reading and writing!

Debi

Posted in Book Signing Events, Marketing, Published, Uncategorized | Tagged fiction, first novel, good news, marketing, self-publishing, writing | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »