My TBR Pile and Other Bookish Things This Weekend

This is one of my TBR (to be read) piles. I did a good job of moving through it, and then I came back from several book festivals this spring with bags of new additions (and editions). But that's not going to stop me from heading over to the Chesterfield Countywide Friends of the Library Really Big Book Sale this afternoon. I'm looking forward to what I can find. (And I may have to start another TBR pile. What's one more.) And I'm still working on my Goodreads reading challenge. I hit the half-way point before June. Whooo hooo!

This is going to be a bookish weekend for me. I'm working on questions for our panel for the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival in August. We're doing a presentation on the "Many Hats Authors Wear." If you haven't been to this festival, add it to your list. It's one of my favorites. There are so many mystery writers and fun events in one afternoon. 

I'm wrapping up some programming details for our Sisters in Crime - Central Virginia chapter and polishing my short story submission for our next anthology. This one is southern themed, and it should be lots of fun. 

My dog novella, "Moving on" is almost finished. I'm going to do one more read through and send it off for editing. It's going to be in To Fetch a Thief later this year with stories from three other talented writers.

And last, but not least, I'm wrapping up revisions to my new cozy mystery set outside of Charlottesville, Virginia.

I hope you've got big plans for the weekend that include books. Drop me a comment and let me know what's in your TBR pile.

Making the Most of Book/Writing Conferences

I just returned from Malice Domestic, a traditional mystery conference in Bethesda, Maryland for readers and writers. I had a fabulous time. I got to meet and mingle with so many talented writers and chat with mystery readers. Here are some things I've learned over the years...

Before the Event

1. Decide if you want to attend an event that focuses on writing (e.g. the craft, mechanics, etc.) or readers (e.g. programming geared for readers and fans). Look over the conference materials. You probably won't find book marketing and writing tips at a fan-based conference, and you usually won't find too many readers at an author-focused event.

2. Decide if you want to participate in a panel. If so, make sure that you sign up early (it's usually part of the registration information).

3. Make sure to fill out all registration and applications ahead of the deadline. If you miss early bird deadlines, the prices go up. 

4. Make sure to keep copies of all confirmation emails. I keep them in a folder, and I print them for the trip.

5. Many conferences sponsor an anthology of selected authors' short stories. If you're interested, make sure you're aware of the requirements and deadlines.

6. Many conferences have special events (e.g. banquets, luncheons, breakfasts, and other meet ups). Make sure you're aware of all the registration requirements, so you don't miss out.

7. Check out the website for the dress code for special events.

8. You're going to do a lot of walking. Make sure you have comfortable shoes.

9. If there is a book dealer, make sure that you contact him/her before the event to find out if your books will be there. Some do consignments with authors. Make sure you have all the details and know whether or not to bring books.

10. Always bring plenty of pens, bookmarks, and business cards. You'll never know who you'll meet.

During the Event

1. Get a copy of the schedule of events and plan your time. I attended one conference where the panels and book signings were in different hotels. I had to make sure I had enough time to get to the locations. 

2. If you're on panels or have book signings, make sure you know when and where you're supposed to be. Most panel moderators contact you before the event to review logistics and discussion topics. 

3. If you flew to the conference, most hotels have a business area where you can ship things back home. Many conferences provide give-aways (and lots of books). Some conferences have hospitality rooms where you can donate books that you don't want to travel with.

4. Find the "meet up" places (e.g. lobby, bar, and entry ways). These are usually great places to find old friends and meet new ones.

Best wishes with your next conference. I always have a great time at these events. And there are lots of choices out there, depending on your interests and genre. What else would you add to my list?

And you'll never know who you'll meet...

Pet Sidekicks

I love pets, and I'm drawn to mysteries and thrillers that have pet characters. My sidekicks are two crazy Jack Russell Terriers, Disney and Riley. Disney's been the model for Darby in my story, "Moving On," and Bijou in a cozy mystery that I'm working on. I started listing authors who have pets in their mysteries. I found lots with cats and dogs. And only one with a hamster. And I found lots to add to my TBR (To Be Read) piles.

Dogs

• Robert B. Parker's Sunny Randall and Rosie the miniature American Bull Terrier

• Ellery Adams' Olivia Limoges and Captain Haviland the Standard Poodle

• Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Pearl the Wonder Dog

• Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy and Tee Tucker, a Corgi

• Spencer Quinn's Chet and Bernie Mystery Series

• Dashiell Hammett's Nick and Nora Charles and Asta the Terrier

• Judith Lucci's Michaela McPherson's Angel the German Shepherd

• Waverly Curtis' The Barking Detective Series with Pepe the Chihuahua

• My Delanie Fitzgerald Series with Margaret the English Bull Dog

Cats

• David Baldacci's John Puller and AWOL the cat

• Lorna Barrett's Tricia Miles and Miss Marple

• Lilian Jackson Braun's Jim Qwilleran's Koko and Yum Yum

• Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy and Sneaky Pie Brown

Lots of Pets

• Krista Davis' Pens and Paws Mystery Series

• Sparkle Abbey's Pampered Pets Mystery Series (Their pen name came from their pets.)

• Bethany Blake's Lucky Paws Petsitting Mysteries

• Annie Knox's Pet Boutique Murders

Hamster

• Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum and Rex the Hamster

Who else would you add to the list?

How Readers Can Help Authors

Wanna make an author's day? Here are a few ways readers can help authors, and the effort is MUCH appreciated!

1. Write a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes and Noble. It doesn't have to be a book report. One sentence will do. The number of reviews do count in the publishing world. 

2. Subscribe to the author's newsletter. Many of them have the information on their websites. It's a great way to get updates about new projects.

3. Follow the author on social media. Likes and follows help authors build their social media platforms.

4. Invite the author to speak or Skype with your book group or club.

5. Request that your library add the author's book to its collection. Many have online forms for you to make these requests.

6. Join the author's street team or review crew. These are usually groups of super fans who get early previews, opportunities, and book swag.

7. Buy a book and give it as a gift.

8. Go to the author's signing and get an autographed book for your collection or for a gift.

9. Nominate the book for a reading at your book group. 

10. If you like a book, recommend it to others. Share their social media posts, and help them get the word out.

I love my readers. They always provide good comments, feedback, and ideas for new story lines. 

Playlist for THE TULIP SHIRT MURDERS

I love music. It has always been a huge part of my life, and I have playlists for reading, writing, editing, and revising. Music is always on at home or work. I love all kinds of genres, but I seem to gravitate back to songs from the Big ‘80s. Songs from my high school and college days will always be my favorites. And that era plays a huge role in the first novel in my series, Secret Lives and Private Eyes.

Private investigator Delanie Fitzgerald, and her computer hacker partner, Duncan Reynolds, are back for more sleuthing in The Tulip Shirt Murders. When a local music producer hires the duo to find out who is bootlegging his artists’ CDs, Delanie uncovers more than just copyright thieves. And if chasing bootleggers isn’t bad enough, local strip club owner and resident sleaze, Chaz Smith, pops back into Delanie’s life with more requests. The police have their man in a gruesome murder, but the loud-mouthed strip club owner thinks there is more to the open and shut case. Delanie and Duncan link a series of killings with no common threads. And they must put the rest of the missing pieces together before someone else is murdered.

So here's my playlist for The Tulip Shirt Murders. These songs make me think of Delanie, her sassy spirit, her nose for trouble, and of course, her beloved Mustang.

1.       Adam Ant's “Goody Two Shoes”

2.       Robbin Thompson’s “Candy Apple Red”

3.       Kelly Pickler’s “Red High Heels”

4.       Robbin Thompson's “Sweet Virginia Breeze”

5.       Bon Jovi's “Wanted Dead or Alive”

6.       Rachel Platten's “Fight Song”

7.       Cyndi Bruce Springsteen's “Dancing in the Dark”

8.       Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”

9.       Keith Urban’s “Jeans on”

10.   Cyndi Lauper's “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”

11.   The Beach Boys' “Fun, Fun, Fun”

12.   Wilson Pickett's “Mustang Sally”

13.   Chuck Berry’s “My Mustang Ford”

14.   Jason Aldean’s “Tattoos on This Town”

15.   Toby Keith’s “Whiskey Girl”

16.   Rascal Flatts’ “Fast Cars and Freedom”

17.   Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise”

18.   Rascal Flatts’ “Life is a Highway”

19.  Jim Croce’s “Roller Derby Queen”

20.  George Jones’ “White Lightnin’”

21.  Brad Paisley’s “Moonshine in the Trunk”

22.   Mark Wills' “Nineteen Something”

23.   Bowling for Soup’s “1985”

24.   And Hall and Oates' “Private Eyes”

Music is such a big part of our lives. We remember lyrics from songs that were popular ages ago, and it invokes a variety of emotions. This list makes me think of my sassy character and the adventures she has as she tries to track down bootleggers and a serial killer.

15 Quotes for Writers

I like the motivation hashtags on Twitter. They gave me the idea to pull together some of my favorite quotes for writers (published and pre-published) on books and writing. Writing is hard work, and it is often solitary. Here are #motivations to get or keep you going. I also found some interesting reviews from Rotten Reviews (edited by Bill Henderson). If you are a writer, you're not alone...

Writing

"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say." —Anaïs Nin

"I try to leave out the parts that people skip." —Elmore Leonard

"The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium." —Norbet

"I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter. " —James Michener

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." —Anton Chekhov

"I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions." —James Michener

"The pen sometimes builds a more enduring monument than can the hammer or chisel." —James Lendall Basford (1845–1915), Sparks from the Philosopher's Stone, 1882

Books and Reading

“The dearest ones of time, the strongest friends of the soul—BOOKS.” —Emily Dickinson

“Easy reading is damn hard writing.” —Nathaniel Hawthorne

“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” —George R. R. Martin

“One sure window into a person’s soul is his reading list.” —Mary B. W. Tabor

“Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations.” —Henry David Thoreau

Rotten Reviews

Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte: "...wild, confused, disjointed, and improbable...the people who make up the drama, which is tragic enough in its consequences, are savages ruder than those who lived before the days of Homer." (The Examiner)

Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carol: "We fancy that any real child might be more puzzled than enchanted by this stiff, overwrought story." (Children's Books)

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald: "A little slack, a little soft, more than a little artificial, The Great Gatsby falls into the class of negligible novels." (The Springfield Republican)

Selecting Book Appearances - It's Not All ROI

I have a writer friend who chooses all of her appearances, conferences, and events by how many books she thinks she'll sell. She calculates her transportation costs and expenses, and then makes her decision on whether or not to attend. I admire her attention to detail - down to her mileage spreadsheets.

Writing/publishing is a business, and authors need to treat their time, resources, and expenses in those terms, but a strict return on investment (ROI) may overlook some tangential or long-term benefits. I've done some smaller events or events where we didn't sell that many books, but I did gainother benefits and opportunities. Here are some examples:

At a small, independent book store, I met two women who later invited me to be on a panel at their group's writing conference.

At a school-sponsored book fair, I met several folks who had an interest in mysteries and joined our local chapter of Sisters in Crime. Both are active members now in our organization.

At an outdoor festival, we met a local DJ who asked us to do interviews for his radio station.

I also collect email addresses and contacts at every event. This expands my audience for newsletters and announcements.

I love to talk to school groups and colleges. These don't usually lead to direct sales, but every kid gets a bookmark. It's important to encourage others, especially young talent. And as a student, I had authors who took the time to visit my schools.

I try a lot of events. I like opportunities to network and talk about my book. I am very fortunate that I'm part of several writing groups and anthology groups. We're often asked to provide panels, workshops, and authors for special events. And we partner at events and book signings. There is nothing worse than sitting in a book store all by yourself.

My guidelines for choosing events are:

1. I don't have to do every event that comes along.
2. I should enjoy the events I choose to attend. If I don't, I can skip it next year.
3. Do I have the availability? I need to make sure that I have time to write the next book. My free time is limited, and I can't be on the road every weekend.

What advice to you have for choosing book marketing events?

How to Survive Writing/Book Conferences

I love writing and book conferences. These are good ways for authors to network with readers, writers, fans, bloggers, and others in the publishing industry. I learn so much at each one. Here are some hints that I've picked up along the way that can help you navigate events and networking.

1. Wear comfortable shoes. My Fitbit always gets a workout.
2. Keep emails about events (with the contact information) that you're scheduled to attend. I always keep a folder with emails and receipts. It makes it easier if you have to remember a name or a time.
3. Plan out your day of panels, workshops, and activities. Know where the rooms are. I went to one conference where the events were in two different hotels.
4. Wear layered clothes. Conference centers are often too hot or too cold.
5. You're going to get a lot of books and swag. Make sure you have room to get it all back home. Many conferences have mailing centers to ship items.
6. Carry bookmarks and business cards with you. You'll network everywhere, and it's a good idea to have items to share.
7. When you do panels, workshops, or signings, bring a copy of your latest book. It creates a visual for the audience. I bought some portable book stands, and they work great to showcase the latest novel.
8. Have your supplies handy (e.g. bookmarks, give-aways, business cards, pens, etc.) I have an emergency box with extra pens, scissors, and tape.
9. Take lots of pictures for social media posts. I learned years ago from a social media guru to post regularly during conferences. Use the event hashtags and tag people that you network with.
10. Bring a notebook or paper. Even if I'm on a panel, someone says something that I want to jot down. These events are a great exchange of ideas.
11. If you're doing an event, make sure you have give-aways. Candy is always good (especially chocolate)! Many conferences have hospitality rooms where authors can leave bookmarks or postcards.

These are photos of my adventures at Malice Domestic 2017.

L-R: Rick Ollerman, Robert Downs, Elena Hartwell, Mary Ellis, and Me

L-R: Barb Goffman, Alan Orloff, Me, Maggie King, and Teresa Inge

Me with Edith Maxwell at the Malice Banquet

Me with the Wonderful Charlaine Harris