cj Sez: Did you know it doesn’t have to cost a dime
to encourage an author?
What follows are a few tips about how to show your
support for writers, at a little or no cost, whether you’re a writer or a
reader.
If you’re a writer and have your own blog, invite
guest bloggers. Lyrical Pens does do that, though we haven’t been graced with a
guest for a few weeks. (Read the invitations in the Lyrical Pens banner above
and again below.)
Be willing to give the
author’s work a fair review. Be kind but be honest.
If you know an author who
just wants to just sit and talk, grab a chair and listen. Writing is a lonely
occupation, and most other people don't understand.
And here’s a little marketing
tip: If you’re a yet-to-be-published writer and don’t have a business card, get
one. Hand it out to agents, workshop instructors, fellow writers, wherever you
have an opportunity to network. Get your name out there as early as possible (Facebook
and blogs, too) so they can watch for your new release. Some variation of the
one that follows is my suggestion:
Name Jane Doe, Author
Writer
of XXX (literary fiction,
historical fiction, non-fiction, YA, romance, whatever)
eMail
address
website
address
Now, if you’re a reader (and since writers
are also readers, I guess this applies to everyone), here’s some easy tips for
you . . .
“Like”
and comment on authors' posts on their Facebook pages. Facebook's algorithms
only show posts that FB thinks other members would like to see. That means the
more likes and comments a post gets, the more people will see it.
Go to
book signings, even if you can’t afford to buy the book at that time. Your
attendance is ever so encouraging. I’ve been to book signings where the author
and I were the only two people there. On the other hand, I was one of the
authors at a local indie book store and because fans and friends showed up, the
afternoon sped by and was fun—even though I didn’t sell a book.
If you’ve got some good ideas on how best to
encourage authors to keep writing, let me know. I’ll pass along the information
and credit you as the source.
§§
News from the Killer Nashville conference: An
announcement of the finalists for their 2023 Silver Falchion Awards.
“The judges have finally agreed! Here are the 2023 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Awards Finalists for Best Book of 2022. This year's winners will be announced at our Killer Nashville Awards Dinner on Saturday, August 19th at the Killer Nashville Awards Ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.”
Find out if an author you love to read is listed
here: https://www.killernashville.com/2023-silver-falchion-winners
§§
Invitation: Writers, if you have a book launch coming up and
want to schedule a post on Lyrical Pens for your blog tour, drop me a note.
(PG13, please.)
§§
On the Personal News Front: The Mobile
Writers Guild is on summer hiatus (no formal meetings) and a few of our members
met at the Bluegill restaurant yesterday for our July Drink & Scrawl. Good
time, good food, good camaraderie. And we were all extremely happy to be seated
inside the restaurant when a heavy-duty, lightning-filled, fierce-winds storm
suddenly roared across Mobile Bay.
An hour later, it was still storming on my
way home. About 20 mph was top speed in some places because wind-blown rain was
strafing the roads in thick sheets, the windshield wipers were having a hard
time keeping up, and vehicles were having trouble staying in their water-covered
lanes. Took me an hour to go less than 20 miles. That was a white-knuckle
adventure, and I’m happy to report that my friends made it home slowly and safely.
§§
That’s it for this week’s post. You-all guys keep
on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and
safe summer…with lots of time for reading!
cj
THE
DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are quick reads, chock full of adventure with sassy
banter and a smidgen of sweet romance. (Perfect diversions for those quick four-day
weekend getaways—especially if it’s a stay-cation.)
The books
are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a
library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
Little note: The
Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER,
contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us If she happens to be sold out, I also have a small
stash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in her
own right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) by
any author of your choice.
➜ Follow me on . . .
➜ Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page
➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor
➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson
➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
