The delight of “discovering†an author
September 8, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category ArchivesA few years back, a friend gave an interesting view on reading. She claims that the first book you read by an author is nearly always the one you like best. I’m not necessarily talking about the author’s first book—rather, the book by that author that you read first.
When my friend said it, I thought, yes, that’s exactly right. Now, I’m not so sure. I think back over some of the authors I’ve “discovered,†and in some cases I liked the first book I read the best, but in others, I liked later books as much or more.I’m going to talk about some of those books here.
Please note, just because I say I like one book best, it doesn’t mean I didn’t like, or even love, the author’s other books. I’m just talking about that book I would name as my favorite by that author.
The “first is best†rule holds true for me with some authors. Anita Shreve’s Fortune’s Rocks was the first I read of hers and is still my favorite. My Sister’s Keeper is my first and best read from Jodi Picoult. Prince of Lies (Harlequin Presents) is my first and favorite book by Robyn Donald. The Heiress Takes a Husband is, I think, my favorite book by Silhouette author Cara Colter, and it was also the first I read (it was part of trilogy, BTW, and somehow I missed the other two books, which is a lasting regret!).
But on the other hand… Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married was the first book I read by Marian Keyes, but Rachel’s Holiday is so far my favorite. This Heart of Mine was my first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book, but although it’s still right up there, I think I prefer Kiss an Angel or Match Me If You Can. Marrying Marcus is my favorite book from Silhouette author Laurey Bright, who also writes as Daphne Clair, but it was by no means the first I read. With Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series, I think I’ve enjoyed all the books equally.
I rather enjoy sitting around remembering books I’ve read and debating (with myself, mostly) which is the best. How about you? Do you think the first book you read by an author tends to be the best, or does that have nothing to do with it?
Abby
RWA Forever!–Take 2
September 6, 2008 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing Conferences tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne
As most people who know me are aware, I’m a lawyer. Lately, I’ve had a part-time job at a law firm that’s a temp position–one that’s gone on for 2 years, as of today!
Recently, I learned that another attorney at my firm has an interest in writing fiction–not just legal fiction, like contracts, but real fiction. Soon as I heard that, I had to put my two cents’ worth in: no matter what stage she was in her writing, no matter whether she was interested in writing romance, she ought to come to an RWA meeting. Since she lives in southern Orange County, OCC seemed a good fit.
Why do I recommend RWA to everyone? Because it’s such a great organization! It provides information and support to anyone who wants to write, whether published or aspiring to publish, or even just interested in learning the craft and writing to please oneself. In RWA, and especially if one attends local meetings, a writer can learn about writing, publishing, staying published, what current trends in writing are… whatever.
Even more than that, the networking, sharing with others who are eager to share in return, can’t be beat!
I belong to other writing organizations, and I enjoy them. I’m glad I joined them, too, and get something important to my writing career from each of them. But for an all-around excellent experience for writers, I’ll continue to recommend RWA to everyone!
Linda O. Johnston
http://www.lindaojohnston.com/
http://www.killerhobbies.blogspot.com/
Linda O. Johnston is the author of 14 romance novels as well as the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime–and has 2 Silhouette Nocturnes and a Nocturne Bites upcoming!
What’s Workin’ It Like?
September 3, 2008 by Marianne H. Donley in category Archives tagged as Cait London
By Cait London
FOR HER EYES ONLY, the 3rd and last book of my Psychic Triplet Trilogy, is an October 2008 release, and I workin’ it.
Let’s define exactly what “workin’ it” means for an author in “hot-spot selling time” and the tools needed to be moderately effective.
In “hot-spotâ€, the month prior and the month of pub date, you’ll be updating your website and blogs frequently, sending e-newsletters, answering e-mail, keeping busy at MySpace, Facebook and others, making appearances, sending out contest prizes, traveling, and generally overloaded to the max–even if you’ve planned well for the hot spot.
Note: You can do a terrific amount on your own at low cost. Else, many well-published writers use professional publicists and many do little for promotion; they would rather use the time to write.
You’ll need planning tools (I can’t do without my PDA):
Building a set of promotion tools takes time and energy. Be aware that even light promotion calls for sturdy dedication. The very first decision for a writer who wants to promote is if they want to do it themselves. Promotion is a true time-sucker (technical term).
Note: I do not endorse building a website for the purposes of promoting a writer, who has not yet been scheduled for publication. The risk is high, and could leave the writer out a very embarrassing limb.
Early preparation tool box:
• write articles for your groups; contact your group’s newsletter editor early for good placement
• create a blog, i.e. blogger.com and actively post on other blogs (freeskins.blogspot.com is an excellent freebie skin)
• collect friendly readers e-mail; develop a potential e-newsletter for excerpts, notifications, etc. Yahoo serves well.
• develop excerpts and keep reviews handy, keep a friendly reviewers’ list
create a promo item, something to mail and for appearances, i.e. bookmarks/postcards. VistaPrint.com has great freebies. *Due to high postage costs now, we will be seeing less mailings.
• develop a handout about your book(s) and you, your website and blogs, etc. (printer quality is fine)
• develop longer and shorter bios to have on hand, at a moments notice
• use databases; you’ll need them for contacts: readers/librarians/book sellers/reviewers
• publicity shot: casual may be acceptable now. This should be quality work, studio or not.
• clothing for appearances. (Since FOR HER EYES ONLY, AT THE EDGE, and A STRANGER’S TOUCH use Celtic motifs, I’ll be wearing that jewelry.)
Scheduling:
• Develop a wider community, i.e. Facebook, etc. Associate OUTSIDE your usual groups. (Find me at Facebook).
• Contact other blog owners and schedule to be a guest
• If you wish to be contacted as a speaker, develop programs that stay within the scope of your personal experience. If charging as a speaker, have rates ready in formatted form.
Critical: Repeat–Keep that website and blog updated frequently.
Super Tips:
• When that first book comes out, establish book lists that include title, pub date, publisher, ISBN. Develop a plain one for promotion, and a private one to collect the kudos or any awards, list sales to foreign countries, for your personal reference. This list is essential and difficult to rebuild down the road.
• At a book signing: take a notebook to be used for the collection of e-mail addresses; place it in front of you with already one e-mail address on it, providing a starting point. Use those addresses to invite readers to your e-newsletters.
Promotion hot-spot is absolutely hectic. Do everything you can to prepare for it. I’m truly workin’ it now with FOR HER EYES ONLY due on October’s book shelves.
Bio: From Cait London, newly NYTs extended after almost 70 books. Find her at http://caitlondon.com and caitlondon.blogspot.com
The Jonathan Winters Syndrome
August 28, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category ArchivesDo you remember the comedian Jonathan Winters? I recall a story that he had a hard time distinguishing his persona from that of his characters, to the point that he descended into an almost multiple-personality state periodically. I got curious and looked it up on Snopes to see if it was true…no reference there, so for all I know, the story is urban legend.
In any case, what got me thinking about this was my relationship with my characters. Now granted, I’m a character driven author, but even so, I’m getting worried.
My first novel was set in the countryside in and around Los Olivos. I feel that I could hop in my car right now, drive up, and visit Sam and her dog Rocky in the old Victorian she renovated. If she wasn’t home (probably out riding her motorcycle with Rocky riding pillion in the milk crate strapped to the back) I could stop at the Farmhouse Café and have a cup of coffee with her best friend Jesse, who owns the place.
See what I mean? These people became so much a part of my life that I’m starting to scare myself. Am I alone in this? Does anyone else get this attached to their characters?
I wonder if information would have Sam’s cell phone number…
A Fantasy Life
August 27, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category A Fantasy Life by Janet Cornelow tagged as Janet Cornelow, Janet Quinn
By Janet Quinn Cornelow
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HAGAR’S LAST DANCE
By day, Jeanne Pelletier is a small-town girl toiling in obscurity at a stuffy Washington, D.C., law firm; by night, she’s Zahira, the city’s newest belly dancing sensation.
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TO CATCH A TREAT
When a Dog-Snatching Scheme Leads to Murder, Carrie Must Sniff Out the Truth.
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