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Posts Tagged ‘mystery genre’

Setting Up an Author Page on Facebook…YIKES!

Posted in Book Cover, Cape Cod, Conferences, FaceBook Author Page, Marketing, Published, Seminars, Social Media, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on September 20, 2016| 2 Comments »

scaredy-catDuring the Cape Cod Writers Conference, I attended a class to learn about various Social Media as they relate to writers. One such outlet is an Author Page on Facebook.

Back home, I managed to register my author portrait and also a collage of the book cover from ‘The Uninvited Guest’ as the header image. But I need more content before I ask my regular FB ‘friends’ to like my new page.

The instructor emailed the link to my Amazon page, but I have yet to attempt the registration of the link.

All right, I admit it… I’m a Scaredy-Cat!

Fortunately, I discovered that the Ames Free Library in Easton, MA, offers one-on-one workshops with patrons who are seeking a comfort zone for FaceBook. I’ve signed up for a session next Thursday, and hope to come away with enough confidence to complete the set-up and release my Author Page to the world.

 

 

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Come to Ugly Dog Books on July 30!

Posted in Author Talk, Book Signing Events, tagged , , , , , on July 28, 2016| 1 Comment »

ugly-dog-logo-with-textThis 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!

 

 

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Marketing Options Pop Up When You Least Expect Them

Posted in Author Talk, Book Signing Events, Marketing, Published, tagged , , , , , , , on July 21, 2016| Leave a Comment »

fingers on keyboardYesterday, 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.

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Author Talk at Oak Point Active Adult Community

Posted in Author Talk, Book Cover, Book Signing Events, Marketing, Published, tagged , , , , , , on July 10, 2016| Leave a Comment »

TUG Front Cover OnlyOn 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!

 

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Active Senior Complexes Love Authors!

Posted in Author Talk, Book Signing Events, Marketing, Published, tagged , , , , , on June 21, 2016| Leave a Comment »

audience-clipart-lecturer-3During 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!

 

 

 

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You Just Never Know…

Posted in Author Talk, Book Cover, Book Signing Events, Cover Blurb, Marketing, Published, tagged , , , , , , on May 20, 2016| Leave a Comment »

images…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?

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A Book in the Hand… Cape Cod

Posted in Author Talk, Book Signing Events, Cape Cod, tagged , , , , on May 3, 2016| Leave a Comment »

audience-clipart-lecturer-3For 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!

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Crime Bake…third time is a charm.

Posted in Agent Review, Conferences, Seminars, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 11, 2013| 4 Comments »

hands on keyboardThis past weekend, I attended Crime Bake in Dedham, MA. Sponsored by Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, this conference is always inspiring, but not without its disappointments to a budding author.

First, there was the ‘First Page Critique’ session after lunch on Saturday. When my first page was read, only one agent defended my efforts because she has seen my progress. But neither she nor the other four agents raised a hand to indicate they would read further.

Second, my pitch to an agent, hoping to hook her into asking for my first three chapters, fell on deaf ears. This could be my fault, because I decided to change my genre from mystery to romantic suspense after the pitch practice session on Friday night. I’m going back to mystery genre.

Third time was a charm! My manuscript evaluation was provided by Ray Daniel, a Boston author. He pointed out that although my writing is good, and my verbs are strong, I’m asking my reader to hang in with me for a third of the novel before we find out that there is a body. Over the months, I’ve changed my opening scene too many times to count, but Ray’s words made sense to me. I finally got it!

So I flew out of bed early on Sunday morning, rushed to my computer and opened a new file. I pulled Chapter 12 forward, did a bit of tweeking and printed off a new page one. When I arrived at the Dedham Hilton for the final day of the conference, I bumped into Ray within minutes and asked what he thought of the new first page. He gave it a thumbs up…yea!

My writing days will now include not only regular revision, but a re-sequencing of my chapters to move my suspects into the middle.

But, oh,  how exciting this is!

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