RWA Recognition and Harlequin

For several years (it seemed), Billie and I tried to get RWA recognition. When Hearts Across Forever was released, I didn't understand why Oak Tree could not be a recognized publisher.

Yesterday and continuing today, there has been a great stir because the RWA Board has removed Harlequin from the publisher approved list. The turmoil all came about, as I understand it, because Harlequin has decided to open a self-publishing line for authors whose books are turned down by them. The new line, which RWA considers vanity publishing, will not be edited unless the author pays a big amount for that service as well as the cost of publishing the book. On top of all that, they are saying that Harlequin will get 50% from the sales.

For years, Harlequin has been the major player in romance publishing. When I first started writing, Harlequin and Silhouette were the two top companies to which authors aspired. Soon after, Silhouette was bought by Harlequin, making that publisher the romance giant.

That RWA took such a strong stand against what Harlequin decided to do surprised me and a lot of other authors as well. It will be interesting in the world of publishing to see what comes from all of this.

Mary Montague Sikes
www.marymontaguesikes.com
Night Watch

Oak Tree Press Authors, Attention!

Do you realize how lucky you are to be in Oak Tree Press' stable?

Over the years I've been published by all sorts of publishers, beginning with a major house.

Besides being completely ignorant about what I ought to do for my book, the publisher never gave me any hints nor did they do anymore than just publish the book. It did get into some bookstores and I did one signing I set up myself and sent out flyers to friends. No shock when I didn't get any royalties though years later they did manage to send me royalties from foreign sales.

I've been with publishers who turned out to be crooks--the count is three.

I had a wonderful publisher for awhile--books looked great, we became friends, we went to one book festival together, but as I began to learn about what needed to be done to promote a book and shared the information, she wasn't interested in trying new things. Sadly, she passed away.

I won't go into details with the others I've been with, its enough to say that they either weren't interested in promoting, had no ideas to share, weren't business oriented, or just decided publishing wasn't for them.

Right now I with two great publishers--one of them is Oak Tree.

What is so wonderful about Billie is she is enthusiastic about the books she publishes. She wants them to sell--seems obvious, the more our books sell, the better it is for her too--not all publishers seem to have that concept.

She is also innovative--she keeps trying new things. Putting our books on Amazon's Kindle is one of the new things. The big publishers are now catching on to the fact that this might not be a bad idea.

She has all sorts of other promotion ideas up her sleeve--and we should champion whatever she comes up with.

Promotion is part of the authors job. Not everyone is going to like or enjoy doing the same things.

I must confess, I don't like to make phone calls so arranging booksignings with bookstores is at the bottom of my list--unless I can contact them via email.

This is what I do like to do as far as promotion is concerned:

In Person:

A book launch for any new book. I've tried all sorts of spots from gift stores to coffee shops. I usually do most of the promotion for these and try to get a write up in the local newspaper.

Book and Craft Fairs--the free ones are best, but I'll do any that are under $100 for the spot or booth.

Bookstore Signings with two of my favorite stores, or any that come to me (yes, I have one or two that do that)and even better if they want me to speak.

Library talks and signings. I always give them copies of the books I happen to be promoting.

Last December and this I'll be spending two days in the local Art Gallery with my books.

Attending writing conferencs and mystery conventions. My mystery No Sanctuary is a finalist as an e-book at Epicon in New Orleans. Yes, I'm going, and I'm also giving a presentation about How to Write a Mystery. I'm signed up for Mayhem in the Midlands in Omaha too--and of course, the Public Safety Writers Conference which is where I met Billie and talked to her about publishing my Rocky Bluff series after the last publisher quite being a publisher. I'm also signed up for Bouchercon because it is in San Francisco this year--kind of in my neck of the woods.

On line:

These are the promotions you can do without getting dressed--though I usually am.

Blog Tours--I pay for mine because I like the woman I work with and she creates wonderful book trailers--you can see them on my website.


When I'm on a blog tour, I post everyday about where I'll be.

I'm on Facebook, My Space, Twitter and numerous other places and usually just use iPing.fm to get the word out.

I have my own blog, and try to write a new blog everyday. I am also on every Tuesday and Make Mine Mystery, the first and third Tuesday of the month.

I post on DorothyL about books I've read (have to be mysteries) and sneak in promo about my book. I also offer free books when one comes out to the first five who email me from that list.

And when no one has posted for awhile on this blog, or I come up with a good idea, I post here.

What everyone says is that you want name recognition, and this is one the way to get it.

After all, I spent the time writing my books so I'd like for people to read them.

When Billie suggest something to try, I'm going to try it. If she's willing to do something for my book, something that requires me doing some promoting, I'll do it.

Anyway, whether you realize it or not, our publisher does far more for her authors than a lot of small presses do.

And that's my fifty cents worth.

Marilyn

I was a warmed up act for Sarah Palin

I had a signing at Barnes and Noble tonight and was pre-empted in almost everything I did by a rogue, or should I say "Going Rogue!" The BN new bookstore in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was one of the first locations for a Sarah Palin signing tomorrow. Sarah would only sign stock from Barnes and Noble and it came out today and people poured in to get them before they ran out. I had a great spot and I directed dozens of people inside the store to the stacks and stacks of the former McCain running mate's tell-all book. One of the good things was mine was one of the few mysteries available. They mystery section was covered in blue partitions for privacy for the signing the next day.

I can't say it was bad although I wish I could have sold as many books as she did, but I did do okay. People were really nice and I had some great chats and hopefully have some new dedicated fans.

I couldn't help but think what my character in "A Case of Infatuation" would have thought about it all. Mitch Malone, crime beat reporter extraordinaire, would have been in the thick of things. I did get to watch all the police professionals figure out escape routes, security issues and how to deal with the masses of people and press. Mitch would have been in his element and will be using this knowledge in a future book.

Now if I could only have given a book to Sarah and she could have given me a hand. Now that would have been truly rogue! Alas, I was a day early!

W.S. Gager
www.wsgager.com

No Sanctuary

I told you No Sanctuary was a great read when I reviewed it on this site and elsewhere, so I'm not surprised it was selected as one of four finalists for the EPIC Ebook Award in the mystery category. My Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras has the misfortune to be one of the three other finalists up against Marilyn's excellent book. Talk about no sanctuary!

Well, at least there's a fifty/fifty chance the award will go to an Oak Tree author.

Mike Orenduff

A Pot Thief, A Fat Lady, A Walk In, and a Beheaded Corpse

If you're thinking I am referring to new OTP titles, you are right! And as usual, I am preening, gloating with the total fabulosity of the covers...Check this out:






The second in the POT THIEF series finds Hubie plotting ways to burgle a high-rise, high-security building while Susannah explores the world of Internet Dating. Several new players join Miss Gladys, Father Groaz, Tristan, Martin Seepu and the others as Hubie de-tangles his latest complication...we're going to press on Monday!








And THE FAT LADY is singing now...just out a week or so. Margot is drawn into working with a Gilbert & Sullivan troupe that has its eye set on winning an international competition. Max wrestles with writer's block, but by the time they fly to England for the final round of the contest, his creativity is percolating again...but the murderer is still on the loose!









NIGHT WATCH is Monti Sikes' latest Passenger to Paradise novel. This time Monti takes us to exotic Trinidad through the eyes of Lily Henri, a young photo journalist who is trying to shake off the gloom of some life-changing upsets. Lily stumbles into a dangerous situation, which is complicated by her uncanny resemblance to another woman.










The Rocky Bluff PD really has its hands full this time! The victim is found headless, and there are plenty of reasons that he doesn't engender a lot of sympathy, despite the brutality of his demise.

What an exciting lineup!!

Friday 13th!

This is supposed to be a hazardous day--for me it was a fun one because hubby and I sort of took the day off. We went to town, did some errands, and had lunch at our favorite Thai place and then went to see 2012. This was one movie hubby did not fall asleep in despite it being three hours long!

I always check my trusty iPhone (used to be Blackberry) no matter where I am--not in the movies folks--and received a message from our wonderful publisher, Billie. She wondered what I was up to--haven't bugged her lately--and also asked about the PSWA conference.

So, I figured this was a good time to remind you all about it. It's not until next June, but for the next price break and if you want to be on a panel, you need to sign up by the end of March.

For any of you who are writing mysteries of any kind, this is the conference to attend because of all the law enforcement professionals who come as speakers and attendees. This is one conference where you'll feel like you are really a part of the group--everyone is friendly and approachable.You will not be disappointed, I assure you.

The registration price also covers three great lunches. We'll be at the Orleans Hotel this time and there is a break for PSWA attendees, you just need to let them know when you make your reservation.

Registering for the conference would make a great Christmas present for yourself--just a suggestion.

Remember, a writing conference and all the expenses related to attending the conference are income tax deductible.

Hope to see you there!

Marilyn

MCCC Writers Confernce

I again had the pleasure of attending the Montgomery County Community College Writers Conference just outside of Philadelphia on November 7. The event has had many noteworthy keynote speakers in the past, including Norman Mailer, Edward Albee, and Michael Cunningham. This year there was a talk by Maxine Hong Kingston, author of The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Childhood Among Ghosts. The conference offers a bountiful continental breakfast and a tasty buffet lunch. There are many free samples of magazines and small press journals to fill up the free tote bags which the college provides. Only the writers who conduct the workshops are allowed to sell books, but, of course, I brought a large number of my bookmarks promoting my OTP book, A Lesson in Murder.

The workshop on memoirs emphasized using place as a character in the writing. The leader emphasized the use of smells, foods, religious and ethnic backgrounds, class structure, and topography. We did exercises on writing about visiting and leaving different locales.

The workshops on novels discussed the use of using alumni groups and ethnic bases for promotion, and soliciting endorsements from other writers. In the writing department, we dealt with the importance of developing character by the use of signature speech, actions, and appearance.

I always learn something at these conferences, and realize how I must work harder at my craft.

One more thing. I'd like to know how Mike Orenduff got Gov. Bill Richardson to review his book? That is so cool!

Gus Cileone
augustuscileone.com