Tools For Publishing Part II

THINGS YOU CAN DO WHILE WAITING FOR PUBLICATION

1.      Establish A Website: Once your book is contracted and by the time it shows up in online bookstores, you should have a website – preferably one with your author name as the URL,(www.deborah-malone.com) so that readers can easily find you. Use Google blogspot for free and pay only for the URL.

2.      Start A Blog:  I’ve discovered blogging and reviewing books is a great way to get your name out in the world of writing. You can build a following before you have your book published. If possible use your author name as your URL. Interviews and book giveaways are a great way to draw traffic to your blog. You can use Google or Wordpress for free

3.      Start An Author Facebook Page:  If you start an author page as opposed to a personal page it allows followers to connect with you without having to wait for a friend approval. You can post book news, awards, and book signings.

4.      Get An Updated Author Photo:  This doesn’t have to be a high-priced photograph, but make sure it is updated and of good quality. It won’t hurt to have a couple of different shots.

5.      Set Up Accounts On Reader Sites:  There is a great opportunity in this area. You can sign up at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Shelfari. Then when your book is published you can set up author pages and list your book and your information.

6.       Get Business Cards, Postcards and Bookmarks:  Vista Print offers great prices on these items. You can get your business cards before your book comes out – be sure and put your picture on your card. Someone might not remember your name, but they will remember your face. If you place a small order with Vista Print they will send you discount cards with that order then you can place future orders at a greatly reduced price.

I made my own bookmarks out of heavy duty paper and saved a lot of money. Don’t forget the book I mentioned earlier “Stress Free Marketing” by Renea Winchester, it includes a lot of detailed information on these marketing strategies.

  

: Deborah Malone’s first novel Death in Dahlonega, finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Category Five writing contest! Deborah was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year in First Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails,” edited by Olin Jackson. She is a member of the Georgia Writer’s Association. As a current member of the American Christian Fiction Writer she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction at Butterfly Journey and Sleuths and Suspects.  

Starting A Book Club

I've really enjoyed going to book clubs and meeting all the ladies. I thought some of our readers might want to start one of thier own. Here are some suggestions to starting one. I've added a couple of pictures of clubs I've been to.

 

 

How to Start a Book Club - 10 Easy Steps

By Molly Lundquist

So you want to start your own book club? Terrific! Book discussion groups are great ways to make new friends, keep in touch with old ones, discover new books, and have meaty conversations. To help you get organized, simply follow these 10 steps and you'll be on your way!

1. Decide what kind of a club you want to be-do you want to be seriously academic with a heavy emphasis on book discussion and minimal social chat? Or do you enjoy the social bonding aspect of a book club-food, wine, personal sharing-and want to keep discussions shorter, light and fun? Probably, it's somewhere in between the two.
2. Decide what kind of books you want to read-do you enjoy reading the older classics or contemporary novels? Challenging works or somewhat lighter? Perhaps poetry, plays, or nonfiction-history, biographies, travel stories, current events. What about specific genres-detective/mystery, romance, inspirational, science fiction or fantasy? Perhaps you're eclectic-you like a variety of genres.
3. Choose three friends who share similar reading tastes and ways of approaching book discussions-that's important. You all want to be on the same page, so to speak. Each one of the three should ask one or two others, for a total of 7-10 members. It doesn't matter if you don't all know each other; in fact, it's more fun if you don't. And start small-you can always add new members when you want, though it's good to stop at 16, a maximum number for most book clubs.
4. Choose when and where to meet. Once you all get together, pick a day and time of the month that works with everyone's schedule. Some clubs meet in the evenings, after work; others on weekends. Those who are at home with children, or retired, find midmornings or lunchtime best. The most important thing is to establish a schedule and try to stick to it.Then, of course, decide where you want to meet. Most clubs meet in each others' homes or restaurants. Others find rooms in local libraries, Y's, or other more public places. Or you may decide to become a library-sponsored group, in which case you will always have a good source of fresh new members.
5. Decide about food. There will be food, right? Of course. Do you want just appetizers or desserts...or do you want full meals? And who prepares the food-does every member bring a dish...or does each member cook once a during the year? Maybe it's brown bag lunch or a potluck supper. Think, too, about having themed food to match your book-feature food from Afghanistan when you read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Look for Book Club Recipes on the web to give you ideas.
6. Decide how to select your books. Most clubs use one of two basic methods-voting or rotation. The voting begins with members making book suggestions, followed by discussion, and then a vote. The process can be as formal or informal as you want. The rotation system means that every member gets a month to choose a book. Both methods have their strong suits...and their drawbacks. Choose two or three books at a time so members can read at their own pace. Many clubs choose all their books for the year at one meeting, but that ties clubs into a rigid schedule...and it's unfair to members who had to miss the one meeting.
7. Give yourselves a name. And be creative: some of my favorites are The Happy Bookers...or First, the Food Book Club...or The Brooksville Book Babes.
8. Send out monthly reminders for every meeting. Don't rely on peoples' memories. Use email, phone or postcards, so make sure you keep an up-to-date contact list.
9. Keep a journal. It's a nice way to keep track of all the books you've read and what you thought of them. You might include photo highlights of special meetings or trips to hear an author speaker.
10. Give back to the community. Collect dues and donate books to your local library, or sponsor a scholarship for youngster in a literacy program. Schedule reading times for nursing homes patients.

 

 

 



 

 

HAPPY READING!

 

 

 

: Deborah Malone’s first novel Death in Dahlonega, finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Category Five writing contest! Deborah was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year in First Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails,” edited by Olin Jackson. She is a member of the Georgia Writer’s Association. As a current member of the American Christian Fiction Writer she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction.  



 



I Need Your Vote!

As Linda was saying the holidays are upon us. Now I'm not a person who cooks very often. I can cook I just don't enjoy it that much. But I've decided I'm going to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. I'm also going to buck the routine and I've decided to cook a pork tenderloin. I wanted a recipe that included apples. I found three that sound yummy - now I want your vote. Which one do you think I should cook. Can't wait to hear from you and I'll be sure and take pictures and post the outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Lazy Day Sweet and Sour Tenderloin

   • In a heavy skillet, brown the tenderloin on all sides in 2 or 3 tbsp. of cooking oil. Place the tenderloin in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour 1 can of apple pie filling over the browned roast. Add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar. Place the lid on the cooker and cook on low for five to six hours for a small tenderloin and up to eight for a larger 2-lb. roast. Test for proper temperature at the end of the cooking time. Cook longer if necessary to achieve 160 F.

   Tenderloin with Fresh Apples

   • Core and slice 2 small or 1 large Granny Smith apple into 1/4-inch slices. Sprinkle or dip the slices in lemon juice to prevent browning. Slice 1 Vidalia onion into slices of approximately the same size. In a heavy, oven-safe skillet, heat 2 tbsp. oil over medium-high heat. Brown the pork tenderloin on all sides. Remove the tenderloin from the pan and set on a platter. Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet and sauté the onions and apples until evenly browned. Place the tenderloin on top of the apple and onion mixture in the skillet. Brush the top of the loin roast with Dijon mustard. Bake the roast in a 450 F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 160 F.

   Roasted Tenderloin and Apples

   • Place a 1 lb. to 1 1/2 lb. tenderloin in a roasting pan. Cover with a tight lid or aluminum foil. Place the pan in a 400 F oven and let cook for 30 minutes. While the roast is cooking, slice two cooking apples (such as Granny Smiths) into 1/4-inch slices. Add 2 tbsp. of fresh or frozen cranberries. In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Spoon this mixture over the fruit, coating the fruit thoroughly with the sugar and spice. Remove the tenderloin from the oven after 30 minutes and spoon the fruit mixture on and around the roast. Return the roast to the oven and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the roast is golden brown and reaches a 160 F internal temperature.

 Deborah Malone’s first novel Death in Dahlonega, finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Category Five writing contest! Deborah was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year in First Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails,” edited by Olin Jackson. She is a member of the Georgia Writer’s Association. As a current member of the American Christian Fiction Writer she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction.  

You Know Miss Marple Never Had These Problems

Oh this is going to get ugly

Keeping on the theme this week of linking mysteries with food I thought I would put in my two cents worth. Seems to me that a lot of us here have single women as our detectives, but all the recipes seem to be for a large number of people. So my question is anybody got any ideas for one person? I’ll even go for two, I can do leftovers.

Okay I’m going to admit to something here, I am a spinster. What is that you ask? Well basically it’s a woman of a certain age who has never been married. Never mind what age, remember I’m into the Great-Aunt category. Now my Mom used the term Old Maid, but she was married with kids so she doesn’t get a vote. Also I’m somewhat cooking challenged. I understand the mechanics, but I’m not in love with the process. I’m also not creative in the kitchen, not a good result when I try, so basic works best.

Now why am I asking this question? Well it seems that recipes and one person do not go together very often.

Think I’m exaggerating? Take a look at most recipes and notice that a serving of four is about as low as you can go. You could try to cut the recipe down, which can be problematic. Ever try to half an egg?  Of course there’s always freezing, which is a great idea except after a couple of recipes you’re out of storage dishes and freezer space, not to mention eating the same thing over and over for a few nights. 

Fresh fruits and vegetables can also be a problem because if you don’t have a specific plan in mind they go bad real fast and wasting money is something no one can cannot afford to do.  I recognize meal planning is required here, but again you run across the storage problem.

So eating healthy for one person can be a challenge, something I am definitely including in my books seeing that my two main characters are single and all. Okay, okay I admit it. This post has two purposes, one for plots, but more importantly because I like to eat and eating out is expensive.

I know Miss Marple never had these troubles, but then she always had a maid.

That's fiction for you.

Mystery writer C.L. Ragsdale is the author of The Reboot Files a Christian Mystery Series. A California native, she loves to "surf" the web to research plot details for her fun, quirky stories with just a bit of whopper in them. She has a degree in Theatre Arts which greatly influenced her writing style. Working in various fields as a secretary has allowed her to both master her writing skills and acquire valuable technical knowledge which she uses liberally in her plots. She loves to embroider and knit and is a big fan of the old Scooby Doo cartoons.

Current E-Books
THE REBOOT FILES:  The Mystery of Hurtleberry House, The Island of Living Trees, The Harbinger of Retribution, and The Wrong Ghost.

www.shortmysteriesandtalltales.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CL-Ragsdale219184744858421

 

Time for a Tea Party! by Nancy Jill Thames

Yes, it's time. We at Cozy Mystery Magazine would like to thank all of you for reading our articles and taking part in our giveaways. This week we'd  like to congratulate Bev as the winner of "Death in Dahlonega," by Deborah Malone. Now let me pour you a cup of Peach Tea and help yourself to some finger sandwiches and nutmeg scones. Umm! they smell wonderful- don't they? Here's  some strawberry jam and Devonshire cream to put on them. I'll be including the recipe in the Cozy Kitchen sometime!
   
Last week I had  Rosemary Adkins over on "Queen of Afternoon Tea" Celebrity Author Interviews. You're welcome to join us  there! She gave away a copy of her beautiful book to someone who left a comment (along with their e-mail)  and followed the blog.

 (Congratulations to Linneann - winner of Rosemary Adkins' book!

 


More tea? Let me warm yours up a bit. For dessert we're having a nice dish of Traci's Huckleberry Duff from the Cozy Kitchen. It's yummy! I'll pour a little sweet cream over it to top it off the way they do in England.     

Rosemary Adkins' Tostado Salad

Thanks for joining us today! Oh, I served Rosemary's Tostado Salad and Fresh Fruit Shortcake over at the interview. The recipes are included at the end. Hope to see you there! Have a lovely day Cozy Mystery Lovers!

Nancy Jill
Debbie
Linda
Cindy
Traci and
Sandra

Rosemary Adkins' Fresh Fruit Shortcake

Join us this week for an interview with our own Cozy Mystery Author C.L. Ragsdale!  We're having Smoked Chicken Mushroom Tarts and Cherry Topped Cheesecake Pie. Recipes included at the end.

Nancy Jill Thames is the author of the Jillian Bradley Mysteries - stories often set in exclusive hotels and resorts, based on real life travel adventures with her husband of 44 years. Her mysteries incorporate her love of afternoon tea, which has earned her the title of “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” She holds a music degree from UT Austin and lives in Leander, Texas where she is a member of the Leander Writers Guild. She has won awards for her blogs,  a pie contest for her Chip Chocolate Cream Pie, and has been on the Author Watch Bestseller List numerous times. Nancy Jill is busy working on book 6 Waiting for Santa, a murder mystery taking place on Christmas Eve near Jillian Bradley’s home in Clover Hills.

To check out her books, Murder in Half Moon Bay, The Ghost Orchid Murder, From the Clutches of Evil, The Mark of Eden, and Pacific Beach, please visit the Cozy Book Store and her blogs: 
Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Thames
"Queen of Afternoon Tea" Celebrity Author Interviews

Proceed with Caution

Many of the most loved cozy mysteries are historicals. It's not hard to figure out why--everyone from the past is dead!

And where there is a death, there is a potential mystery.

Of course that could just be my mystery-writer brain hard at work.

If you spend any time over at ancestry.com (and why wouldn't you?!) you will have run head-first into many a historical mystery already. One simple example is that census records from 1820 and earlier only list the name of the head of household. When digging up my own family tree I've stared at the screen, scratched my head and said, "Well, if I do the math right those should be the same people." Moments later though, my mystery-writer brain kicks in to say, "But what if they aren't?"

Immigration records are another source for inspiration when you are plotting your first--or next--historical mystery. For my own little family researches I found myself asking, "Why might they have come on separate boats?" and "If they were from Wales why did they leave from Liverpool?" A simple matter of several hundred miles could equal 300 pages of solid suspense.

One caution: If you turn to your own family history to help with future plots, be sure to keep the story that inspired it close to your chest. Change names and dates, and even locations if you must. Family peace is worth a thousand best sellers!

In honor of family, historical fiction, and coziness, enjoy our family's yummiest traditional family dessert: Huckleberry Duff.

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar, plus 1 1/2 cups
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter
1/4 cup milk
1 quart fresh huckleberries (or blueberries, blackberries, black caps, you get the picture)
 2 cups water

Directions

Sift together flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Grate cold butter into flour mixture with a cheese grater. Stir together with a fork. Add milk to form dough. Combine berries, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Drop dumplings into berrie sauce by the tablespoonful. Cover pot. Turn heat down to low and cook slowly for 20 to 30 minutes. Don't open until your timer beeps! Serve with fresh cream, whipped cream, or ice cream.

Traci Tyne Hilton is the author of The Mitzy Neuhaus Mystery Series. She is also a wife, mom, Sunday School teacher, and award winning playwright from Portland, Oregon. She is madly working on her next mystery series which has finaled in the Books of Hope Contest at Write Integrity Press and has an impending deadline.

Traci earned a degree in History from Portland State University and lives in the rainiest part of the Pacific Northwest with her husband the mandolin playing funeral director from Kansas, their two daughters, and their dog, Dr. Watson.
More of Traci's work can be found at tracihilton.com