Secrets from VINTAGE TRAILERS AND BLACKMAILERS

I had so much fun researching and writing VINTAGE TRAILERS AND BLACKMAILERS, and here’s where some of my ideas came from for this book…

Vintage Trailers and Tiny Houses

My husband does a lot of home renovation projects. He also restores classic cars, campers, and boats from time to time, so we watch a lot of videos and shows on YouTube and Discovery+. A while back, I ran across shows on restoring vintage trailers, and I decided that would be a perfect job for Jules. She uses her interior design experience to restore and decorate the trailers they saved from scrap heap. Jules themes each of the campers with special décor like the 1947 Robin Hood Trailer that is decked out in honor of its namesake, the 1959 Sunliner Caravan that sported a posh pink Barbie fashion design in honor of the year that the camper and the doll debuted, and the 1953 Redman New Moon, decorated in honor of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball’s movie from the same year, The Long, Long Trailer. The tiny houses all have a book or author themes and fun amenities like a revolving bookcase or a reading nook for the guests to enjoy.

I am fascinated with the tiny house craze. People are so creative, and they maximize space and storage in buildings that range from 400 to about 1,400 sq. ft. If the houses are built to be transported, then they need to fit within a car lane on a standard road. I would love to have one of these for a writing retreat.

Campgrounds

My aunt and uncle owned a traditional campground in Nelson County, Virginia near Crabtree Falls in the 1970s. We had so much fun visiting there in the summer, even if the mountain stream was freezing in June. She had a game room, and that’s how I learned to play pinball. Jules’s resort is based on some fond memories of Crabtree Falls.

My Love of All Things 80s

Jules is named for Demi Moore’s character in ST. ELMO’S FIRE. Her last name is a tribute to all the women who wrote the Nancy Drew mysteries under the pseudonym of Carolyn Keene.

Jake is named for Jake Ryan from SIXTEEN CANDLES.

Bijou the Dog

Bijou, the energetic Jack Russell Terrier, is based on the sister-half of the dynamic duo that live at our house. Disney, even though she just turned eleven, is still spunky and keeps her brother Riley on his toes. They love snuggles on the couch in front of the fireplace, any kind of snack, and chasing the squirrels and chipmunks in the woods near our house.

Book Links

Apple Books: ‎Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers on Apple Books

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GGBFWT5

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Trailers-Blackmailers-Heather-Weidner/dp/1685120369

Barnes and Noble: Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers by Heather Weidner, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

BookBub: Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers: A Jules Keene Glamping Mystery by Heather Weidner - BookBub

BookShop: Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers a book by Heather Weidner (bookshop.org)

Booktopia: Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers eBook by Heather Weidner | 9781685120375 | Booktopia

FNAC: Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers - Dernier livre de Heather Weidner - Précommande & date de sortie | fnac

Goodreads: Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers by Heather Weidner | Goodreads

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/vintage-trailers-and-blackmailers

Target: Vintage Trailers And Blackmailers - By Heather Weidner (paperback) : Target

Thalia: Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers von Heather Weidner - eBook | Thalia

The second book in the series, FILM CREWS AND RENDEZVOUS will be out in October 2022.

How to Make a Writer Happy - Tips for Readers

There are so many things readers can do to help writers spread the word about their books., and most of them are free. If you like a book or a series, help create a buzz on social media and other places for an author. It’s the the easiest way to make a writer’s day.

Post a Review - Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub, and other book sites help expand a writer’s reach. You don’t have to do a book report. A one-line “I liked it statement” is enough. All of the online sites have algorithms, and the number of reviews do matter to the amount of exposure a book gets.

Buy the Book/Share the Book - Buy a copy of the book for yourself or a friend. And if people ask you want for your birthday, books are always great gifts.

Recommend it to Your Library- Most libraries have a process where residents can request books for the library to purchase. If you like a series, make sure your librarian knows.

Share it on Social Media - Take a picture of the book when it arrives or one of you reading it. These make great social media posts. And don’t forget to tag the author. Instagram has some great hashtags (e.g. #bookstacks, #bookstagram, #prettybookplaces). I love seeing folks reading my books in different places. I also like it when readers spot my book “in the wild” at a library or store and send me a picture.

Recommend it to Your Book Club - Recommend reads to your book club or group. Many authors love to attend in-person or virtually to chat. You may want to reach out to see if the author could attend to talk about his/her book.

Add it to Your Shelf on Goodreads - If you use Goodreads to track your books or yearly challenge, add a book to your “want to read” shelf.

Follow the Author- Follow the author on book and social media sites. This will help you stay current with new publications and updates.

Subscribe to the Author’s Newsletter - This is a good way to ensure that they author has you on his/her fan list. It’s also a great way to get regular updates and information on special events and giveaways.

Attend Book Events - Support your local book stores, libraries, and authors when there are readings, book launches, and signings.

Authors love their readers. And a quick review or shout out will definitely make them smile.

Instagram for Book Lovers - Tips for Authors

Instagram is a haven for book lovers. Whether you’re a reader, collector, interior designer, or writer, you need to check out these amazing pictures. I love seeing all the creative ways people arrange their books. These are hashtags that you can type into the search bar to see a book lovers’ paradise.

#Bookstagram - This is a popular hashtag on the social media site. You’ll see thousands of books in beautiful settings. I am amazed at all the creative vignettes, colors, and designs. Many #Bookstagrammers are also book reviewers. Check out and follow ones you like. You can also follow the hashtag to see what’s being posted.

There are also variants of the hashtag by country, region, or preference. Type in #Bookstagram in search and scroll through the list for more options.

#Bookstack - This hashtag features stacks in any place you can imagine. Some are arranged by color, others by theme. I love looking at the photos to see if I can spot friends’ books.

#Bookshelf - This has so many great ideas for arranging shelves. Again, I am always looking to see if I can see friends’ books in the photos. My books (throughout the house) are grouped on shelves by genre. I have started theming some of the shelves (e.g. mystery, Wizard of Oz, etc.).

#Shelfie - This started out as photos with books and bookshelves, but you’ll see all kinds of designs that are tagged with this hashtag.

Other hashtags to check out on Instagram:

• AmReading

• Author

• AuthorsOfInstagram

• BookAholic

• BookCommunity

• BookFollow

• Bookish

• BookishAesthetic

• BookishFeatures

• BookLover

• BookNerd

• BookRecsByMe

• Books

• BooksAndWine

• BooksOfInstagram

• BookShivers

• BookstaPeeps

• Bookworm

• CozyReading

• CurrentRead

• IGReads

• ReaderProblems

• ReadersOfInstagram

• ThrillerStack

• TimeToRead

View, like, and comment. I think it’s important for authors to be active on Instagram. It’s a great way to meet readers, reviewers, fans, librarians, book store staff, and other writers.

I’d like to thank Sonica Soares (The Reading Beauty) for the great presentation she gave to our Sisters in Crime chapter about #Bookstagram. Many thanks for all the great advice and ideas!

Required Reading - Tips for Authors

I was the kid who got her first library card at four, and a trip to the library or bookstore was always magical. I was also over the moon every time the teacher said read quietly at your desk.

Good writers need to be good readers. Read everything you can get your hands on and make sure to read books in your genre.

I use the annual GoodReads reading challenge as a way to track what I’ve read throughout the year.

Here are some ideas of things to look for as you read:

The Industry

• Read author acknowledgment pages. See who the agents and editors are. Keep a list of those who specialize in what you write. You will be at the querying stage, and this will help you target who represents your genre.

• See what groups authors belong to.

• Look at the publishers and editors for the type of books you write.

• Recently at SleuthFest, author Richie Naraez reminded the audience to not only read contemporary books in your genre, but also read the classics. If you’re a mystery writer, you need to understand the history of the mystery (e.g. cozies, hard-boiled, pulp fiction, etc.).

The Craft of Writing

• Pay attention to the dialogue and techniques.

• Watch how authors transition from one scene to another.

• Look at the ways the writer moves the story along. He or she doesn’t give you every mundane detail.

• Look for “rules” or conventions in your genre. Does the murder happen in the first few chapters? Is the sleuth a professional?

• When you like a book, think about what caught and held your attention.

• Watch how the ending is revealed.

The Details

• Look at the character names. In many cases, the name has some meaning or reveals something.

• For series, see how the author sprinkles in details from the past in each book.

• Where is the book set and how does that affect the story?

• Look at the minor characters and how they support the protagonist.

• Pay attention to how the writer uses conflict to move the story along.

Make sure that you have time to read. It’s research. And be kind and leave a review for the books you like. It doesn’t have to be a book report, but reviews do matter to writers.

#ThisorThatThursday Interview with Marilyn Levinson (Allison Brook)

I’d like to welcome Marilyn Levinson/Allison Brook to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday. I am having so much fun reading her Haunted Library series.

A few of your favorite things: my books—read and unread, chocolate bark, mystery series in any format, dining out, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, visiting other countries

Things you need to throw out: Clothing I haven't worn in three years, linens I no longer use, kitchen utensils I no longer use

Things you need for your writing sessions: My computer, of course; my movable bumpy footrest, good lighting, silence

Things that hamper your writing: The zing of an incoming email, noise.

Things you love about writing: Typing away when it flows; finishing the book; getting emails and messages that someone's just read one of my books and loved it, communicating with my fellow writers and with readers.

Things you hate about writing: When the words don't flow

Hardest thing about being a writer: Your work is never done—there's always another book, more promotion to work on

Easiest thing about being a writer: Your workplace is in your home. Your world involving your Work In Progress; communicating with readers and other writers; your agent and publisher; and information and research are all at your fingertips.

Things you never want to run out of: ideas, books, British mystery shows, book contracts

Things you wish you’d never bought: a George Foreman rotisserie, a very large and complicated Cuisinart Food Processor

Favorite foods: pasta, Indian food, ice cream, honeyed nuts, cheese

Things that make you want to gag: drinking milk

Favorite beverage: white wine

Something that gives you a sour face: lemonade without sugar

Something you’re really good at: knitting, Sudoku, teaching

Something you’re really bad at: using crutches, adding things to my website

Things you always put in your books: relationships, secrets

Things you never put in your books: erotica, death of a child

Favorite places you’ve been: South of France, Machu Picchu, Paris, England

Places you never want to go to again: some small islands in the Caribbean

Favorite books (or genre): mysteries, good literature

Books you wouldn’t buy: erotica,

Things that make you happy: Seeing my grandchildren, getting good reviews, watching a good movie

Things that drive you crazy: parents who let their children run wild in public; unnecessary horn blowing

About Marilyn:

"I was a bookworm from the moment I learned how to read. I devoured Nancy Drews, Judy Boltons, and Trixie Beldons – sometimes two books in one day. Was it any wonder I ended up writing mysteries?

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I dreamed of becoming a ballerina or a writer. I practiced my pirouettes and penned short stories. My family moved to Long Island, where I continued to write stories until I was discouraged by a high school English teacher. Turned off to writing, I continued to read voraciously in college and concentrated on my major, Spanish. I studied in Mexico and Spain, intent on becoming fluent in the language. I taught high school Spanish, married my dentist husband, and we started a family. When our two sons were small, I found myself drawn back to writing fiction.

A writer is a writer forever. We may have more than our share of disappointments, but the rewards are many – knowing you bring joy to readers; sharing the camaraderie and support of your fellow scribes. Writing is a way of life, one I wouldn’t relinquish for anything."

Let’s Be Social:

Website

BookBub

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Help Marilyn celebrate her new book at her Facebook Party on September 10 from 7-10 PM EDT.

#TBRTuesday Lori Rader-Day's THE LUCKY ONE

What I’ve Been Reading…

I finished Lori Rader-Day’s THE LUCKY ONE recently. She is a master of suspense. You need to add this one to your reading list.

I had the pleasure of being on a panel with Lori last year at Malice Domestic, and she is also one of the funniest writers I have met.

THE LUCKY ONE is chocked with lots of twists and turns, and just when I thought I had it figured out, there was another twist. Rader-Day is a wonderful story teller who weaves seemingly different storylines together for a wonderful novel.

What’s up Next

Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch’s THE LINCOLN CONSPIRACY (The Plot to Kill America’s 16th President - and Why it Failed).

For more book ideas, follow me on Goodreads and BookBub.

What are you reading on #TBRTuesday?

It's Our Book Birthday!

The second book in the Mutt Mysteries series launches today. Check it out at your favorite book retailer.

This is a collection of dog-themed, cozy mysteries by Jayne Ormerod, Rosemary Shomaker, Teresa Inge, and me.

My story is “The Fast and the Furriest.” It’s about a love triangle gone bad at a local race track in Amelia County, VA. Cassidy Green and the her Director of Security, Rottweiler Oliver need to solve the case before it sends her business in a tail spin.

How to Make an Author Smile

Everyone likes a bit of serendipity and a nice surprise — including authors. Here are some ways you can make an author’s day…

• Buy their book. Read it, add it to your collection, or give it as a gift.

• Recommend the book to your friends.

• Add the book to your reading list on Goodreads.

• Leave a review on Goodreads, Amazon, B&N. It doesn’t have to be a book report. You can leave one line about what you liked. Online retailers use reviews to determine book placement in ads and promos.

• Recommend the book to your book club.

• Invite the author to visit or Skype with your book club.

• Take a picture of the book when you see it in a store or library and tag the author on social media. It’s neat to see where your book pops up.

• Request that your library order the book.

• Pop in at an author’s book signing.

• Share the author’s posts on social media.

What else would you add to my list?