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

What I Learned from Author Jenny Milchman

L-R: Heather Weidner, Rosemary Shomaker, Jenny Milchman, Mary Burton, Kelly Justice

Suspense author, Jenny Milchman, spoke to our Sisters in Crime chapter at Fountain Bookstore in downtown Richmond, Virginia. She talked about her writing journey and what happens after the contract. Here's what I learned.

1. Her path to publication was a thirteen year process. Don't give up!
2. Face-to-face contact is vital in our virtual world. Make sure you attend events and conferences to network with readers. You never know who will be there.
3. Persistance is key for those who want to be published writers.
4. Your first published novel may not be the first one you wrote.
5. There are two kinds of writers: one that thinks everything he/she has written is terrible and the other is the kind that thinks every word he/she has written is golden. Where do you fall?
6. Signing with an agent doesn't mean that the agent will be able to sell your book.
7. There are a lot more choices these days for new authors to publish and build a readership.
8. Don't forget the people who helped you along your publishing journey.
9. Sometimes, it's all about being with the right book at the right time and place.
10. Find a writers' group that is supportive. You're not alone in this.
11. Just becauseyou have a book contract doesn't mean that that publisher will want every book you write.
12. Make sure that your newsletter has good content. Don't always make the focus your book. Include anecdotes, your pets, recipes, etc. You need to connect with people.
13. If you're going to use a publicist, ask around to make sure they are known in the business. Your local booksellers are a good resource for this.
14. Target your book publicity about events to people who live near the event.
15. Social media posts with pictures do better than those without.

My 2017 Wine Tour - Stop #1: Farmville, Virginia

I am fortunate to be a part of a new wine-themed mystery anthology, 50 Shades of Cabernet with some talented authors: Barb Goffman, Teresa Inge, Kristin Kisska, Jayne Ormerod, Maria Hudgins, Lyn Brittan, Douglas Lutz, Alan Orloff, Debbiann Holmes, Betsy Ashton, James M. Jackson, Tina Whittle, Maggie King, Nancy Naigle, Rosemary Shomaker, Jenny Sparks, and Ken Wingate.

As part of the book promotion, we're visiting wineries, wine shops, and festivals up and down the east coast. Here's my disclaimer: I am a wine novice. I prefer iced tea and Dr. Pepper, so I've got a lot to learn. In college, we drank wine out of cardboard boxes, and I tend to pick vintages by the label design or the name. I'm hoping I'll learn more this spring and summer about vintages, grapes, and styles.

Last weekend, we attended the Farmville Wine Festival, a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels, in downtown Farmville, Virginia. The weather and the band were great, and our mystery anthology pairedwell with all the wines. It was a lot of fun to meet wine lovers and mystery fans. We quickly spotted the wine festival pros at the event. They sported a variety of wine glass slings or necklaces. One lady explained to me that a good one should be able to accommodate a stemmed or a stemless tasting glass.

Many of the slings/necklaces were utilitarian, while others were personalized with sayings and sequins. I had never seen one of these before. I'm going to have to find one for mystery writers.

We also had the pleasure of meeting Christopher Brochon from WFLO in Farmville. He was a wealth of information about wines and flavors. I appreciate all of his insights. The booth next to us offered tomato and pumpkin wines. I didn't have time to stop for a tasting, but I was curious about the tomato one.

Our next stop will be the Mermaid Winery in Norfolk, Virginia in May, and I'm looking forward to the next adventure.

50 Shades of Cabernet

I am excited to be a part of the 50 Shades of Cabernet mystery anthology with such a talented group of authors. My partners in crime are Barb Goffman, Teresa Inge, Kristin Kisska, Jayne Ormerod, Maria Hudgins, Lyn Brittan, Douglas Lutz, Alan Orloff, Debbiann Holmes, Betsy Ashton, James M. Jackson & Tina Whittle, Maggie King, Nancy Naigle, Rosemary Shomaker, Jenny Sparks, and Ken Wingate.

In my story, "Par for the Course," Mona McKinley Scarborough, the family matriarch doesn't take no for an answer. When she's not successful at convincing her granddaughter Amanda to make the right career choice - to join the family's winery, she plans a golf outing as a chance to draw them closer together. Their chat reveals some deadly secret, and they learn that the grape may not fall far from the vine.

The Scarborough family, who can trace their roots back to Jamestown, Virginia and the colonists, has been a fixture in Richmond's capital society for more years than anyone can count. Their roots and dirty little secrets run deep. I like my mysteries to have lots of twists and turns, and "Par for the Course" takes on several meanings throughout the tale, where we learn that some family secrets are as dark as the cabernet.

The anthology is available at your favorite bookseller. It's a fun book club or beach read, especially paired with your favorite wine.

8 Writerly Things I Learned at Mysterypalooza

Sisters in Crime - Central Virginia hosted Mysterypalooza last weekend. It was our chapter's 30th Anniversary Celebration for Sisters in Crime, and we had such a fun event. Mary Burton, Mary Behre, Tracey Livesay, LynDee Walker, and Mollie Cox Bryan were our panelists, and here are the eight writerly things I learned from their discussion.

1. There are so many different pathways to publication. Every author had a different journey. Several began their careers writing in another genres. And most of the panel had traditionally published. They also had books published independently or with smaller presses. Authors today are often a hybrid. You have to find what works for you and your books.

2. I enjoyed the ladies' talk about their writing lives. Most are full-time authors; though, one does have a part-time job. They described their writing spaces at home, and they ranged from full-fledged offices to a desk in a bedroom and a desk on an unheated sunporch.

3. We had a long discussion of plotters (outliners and planners) and pantsers (write by the seat of your pants). One in the group was a true plotter. Several were pantsers, but there were hyprids or combinations of the two. Some call them hybrids or plotsers. I heard a new term. Some called the hybrids "panty liners." It just proves that not every style works for every writer. Find your style.

4. The Mysterypalooza authors came from different backgrounds, and they often used their past experiences in their work. We had two former reporters and a former lawyer in the group. It's important to be able to call on what you know for your writing.

5. Author professionalism came up several times in the conversations. The panel stressed the importance of acting and looking the part when you pitch to agents, editors, or publishers. Sage advice: Follow all submission guidelines. Do not be disqualified because you didn't follow instructions.

6. Know your strengths when you are pitching to an agent, editor, or publisher. Look for smaller conferences where there are opportunities to pitch your project. If public speaking or selling yourself terrifies you, look for pitch opportunities that you can do via email or Twitter.

7. Work out your elevator speech for your book or series. Write it down. Rehearse it, and know it. Don't introduce yourself as a writer. Describe what you write in one to three sentences.

8. Find a group of writers or a writing organization that you can network with and learn from others. Many have great programs and opportunities.

I treasure my writing groups. I have learned so much from other authors. And these groups have afforded me lots of opportunities for book signings, presentations, field trips -- in addition to the commaraderie of being able to network with writers who are at different stages of their careers.

What I Learned on a Recent High School Visit

It's been a long time since I've been in high school. I had the great pleasure of spending time recently with a senior English class that was doing a module on mysteries and thrillers. I had my handouts, overview, and give-aways ready, and I barely got in the door before I got peppered with questions about mysteries and my writing. The class was mixed in their mystery experience. Many liked watching crime-related shows and movies, while others did read mysteries. There were a handful who had never read any kind of mystery.  I love the energy and the interest. And I've never had anyone step through a critical discussion of my short story and the literary techniques I used. What fun!

We had a great discussion, and here are the highlights...

1. The class really liked red herrings, foreshadowing, and irony in stories. They liked books with a plot twist.
2. It was fun to talk about mystery and thriller authors. Many on my handout were new to the class, so they had lots of questions about subgenres and who wrote what type of book.
3. They liked mysteries that combined several subgenres (e.g. romantic suspense, medical thriller, or legal thriller).
4. Most of the class' interest in mysteries started with TV shows and movies.
5. They were also very interested in what mystery resources were out there. We talked about websites, blogs, and author websites.
6. We had a long discussion about how some popular sleuths had had lots of different interpretations and incarnations in movies and TV, such as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. They all had a favorite, but Benedict Cumberbatch and the BBC won the popular vote.
7. They were interested in why some sleuths had sidekicks and others didn't. I typically don't have a sidekick in my short stories, but my private investigator has her computer-hacker partner to assist with research that she's unable to get through normal channels.

I enjoyed my visit, and many thanks to Ms. Arnold for inviting me.

17 Mystery Pinterest Accounts You Should Follow

Pinterest is a great site for posting about books and blogs.  I always build a board for each story and novel. I also have one for favorite books and another for favorite libraries. Here's my list of 17 folks I think you should follow. They're in no particular order.

1. Mollie Cox Bryan - Scrapbooking Sunday
2. Cozy Chicks
3. Cozy Mystery
4. Themed Cozy Mysteries
5. Ellery Adams
6. Love Cozy Mysteries
7. hot in the Dark Mysteries
8. isters in Crime Tucson
9. Emma Sedlack
10. Mystery Novel
11. Zooey
12. Jenny Kales
13. Genesee District Library
14. ebastine
15. Lisa Shafer
16. Mystery Sequels
17. And me