Amy E. Lilly's Blog: Book signing at Dahlgren General Library, page 8

Book signing and reading at Dahlgren Library

Join me on Friday, May 15th at the Dahlgren General Library located at NSA South Potomac in Dahlgren, VA.  Reading and book signing will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Come drink a glass of wine and spend some time with Phee and me!

Available on Amazon for Kindle

I’m pleased to announce the Kindle version of Summer Reading is Killing Me released today on Amazon.  It is available for purchase or through your Kindle Unlimited subscription. The paperback is set for release on Friday, May 1st just in time for weekend reading!

 

Summer Reading Is Killing Me

This cover was designed by Ashley Townsend, a talented artist and aspiring author.

It’s hard to read between the lines in the flash of paparazzi cameras.

Summer reading and book sales should keep librarian Phee Jefferson busy. Instead, she’s facing distractions and disaster after discovering the dead body of artist Elody Campbell, The colorful characters of Miller’s Cover are on display as reporters chasing the story flood the small town. Phee and her sister, Juliet, brush up on their detecting skills and a portrait of the suspect emerges. As temperatures rise, will Phee be able to throw the book at the killer?

West Virginia Writer’s Fair – April 18th

Come meet local authors and enjoy several talks about publishing and how to get started writing.  The event will be on Saturday, April 18th from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at New River Community & Technical College in Summersville.  I’ll be there signing Death is Long Overdue.  Great opportunity to meet new authors. Hope to see you there!

Giveaway!

Wow!  The giveaway has ended and the three copies given out in less than twelve hours!  I hope my winners enjoy the book.  Thank you to everyone who entered.

I am giving away three copies of the paperback version of Death is Long Overdue.   Just click on the link to Amazon and enter for a chance to win!

https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/5782d0af6ffb4303

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends the earlier of Mar 27, 2015 11:59 PM PDT, or when all prizes are claimed. See Official Rules http://amzn.to/GArules.

What I’ve Learned

I never planned to write a book.  I wanted to write, but fear prevented any attempt to put my fingers to the keyboard and start. Last November, I took the plunge and participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).  From those thirty days of writing 50,000 words, the character of Phee Jefferson came to life.  When I was done, I liked the story.  In thirty days of writing, the characters became real.  I could see their relationships and imagine everyday scenarios for them.  I got the crazy idea to go the indie publishing route, so I put the novel together and published it as Death is Long Overdue.  

It’s been a few months since I released the first book.  Along the way, I’ve learned several lessons that I hope will guide other writers who choose to meander down the indie author path. 

Amy’s Rule #1:  Write it and walk away.  Write the story.  It has a life of its own and needs to take form.  Once the final word is on the page, save it and walk away.  Don’t read it, think about it or talk about it for at least a week or two (longer if you can stand it).  Know that you can’t be objective about your newly born creation. After a few weeks, you become less attached and can review it with a critical eye.  You can slash that awful paragraph you thought was phenomenal when you wrote it but now realize doesn’t move the story forward and is really just taking up space.  I edited Death is Long Overdue immediately after writing it and missed critical errors in grammar (passive voice, overuse of words, etc.) because I was too attached to my infant novel at the time. Since I went the self-publishing route, I corrected the published ebook and paperback in a brutal two week marathon of rewrites this month, but I may have lost future readers due to freshman mistakes. 

Amy’s Rule #2:  Hire a proofreader/editor.  Friends are great for beta readers and for feedback on scenes and the story itself; however, they realize this is your baby and may be tentative to give constructive criticism.  The ideal situation is to hire a professional to proofread for grammar, etc. and edit for story, but if that isn’t a feasible option, invest in one of the myriad of programs available.  I’ve chosen to use ProWriting Aid for my second novel, Summer Reading is Killing Me, and it’s made my self-editing faster and more objective.  The computer doesn’t care that I love a certain word.  For example, I learned I write “just” just a little too much.  It highlights it and prompts me to get rid of at least 4 uses of it out of the 10.  Fortunately, I have a friend who edits for story.  She doesn’t mince words when she reads a scene.  It either works or leaves her flat.  If she’s not sure, she’ll ask “why” so if I can’t justify it, I delete it or rewrite it.  Make sure you have one person in your arsenal willing to do this if you can’t afford to hire someone to edit for content. 

Amy’s Rule # 3:  Read, Read, Read. Read as much as you can about writing, marketing and publish.  Review those darn grammar rules you thought you’d never use after graduation.  I have stacks of books, bookmarked sites and lots of great pins on my Pinterest board to help tighten my writing and guide me through the maze of self-publishing.  I published the first book through Amazon.  Amazon is user-friendly and is a great way to start if you are publishing your first book.  I took advantage of their KDP Select program which allows subscribers who participate in Kindle Unlimited to check out my novel.  You can use it as a tool to build a fan base.  By choosing this route, however, I am restricted to publishing my ebook with Amazon for 90 days. This prevents me from releasing the book to Nook, Kobo, GooglePlay etc. until April 2015.  For the second book, I plan to utilize Aerbook for ebook format and both Amazon and Ingram for the paperback version.  Learn from the mistakes others have made and also from their successes.  The great thing about the indie author crowd is their willingness to support each other.  If I had researched and read before publishing, I would have known to purchase my own ISBN; realized the restrictions of publishing through Amazon; and would have known that if you want people to read your book, you need to learn to promote, promote, promote.   

Amy’s Rule # 4: Don’t be afraid to break the rules:  What works for me may not work for you.  Indie authors are all about breaking free from the rules of traditional book publishing.  At this point, I plan to continue down the indie path for several reasons.  First, I have a stressful day job. I think the pressure I might get from an agent or publishing house would add too much stress and take away the fun I have writing. This may change, but for now, I’m okay with independent publishing. I formed my own publishing company, Bella Lilly Press, so I can publish under my own imprint rather than CreateSpace, etc.  This also allows other independent authors to publish under my imprint in the future. Second, I like having control over my writing as well as how much or how little I market, promote, etc.  Of course, being independent means I do it all myself, but it also means I don’t have to do something I don’t like.  Third, I do this because I enjoy it.  I like my characters. I like seeing what they’ll do next.  One night last week, I was writing and became so invested in the story when I finished the chapter, I raised my fist and cheered.  I was writing it, but even I couldn’t wait to see how it ended.  Crazy!  Thank goodness my Jack Russell Terriers, Watson and Fritz, ignore my sudden outbursts.  I don’t want to lose that “thrill of the write” by compromising for a publishing house’s bottom line.    

I hope you’ll follow along with me as I continue Phee’s attempts to solve crime in the small village of Miller’s Cove. In Summer Reading is Killing Me, Phee stumbles upon a body in Longfellow Park.  The victim is Elody Campbell, famous for being famous party girl and daughter of Senator Richard Campbell. Someone made sure Elody’s party days are over.  Soon, Miller’s Cove is overrun with paparazzi, and the town is in a tizzy.  This time, Phee’s not solving the mystery alone.  Her sister, Juliet, is along for the ride.  Will the two of them catch the killer or will the case be too hot to handle for a small town librarian and her free-spirited sister?   (Release date:  May 1, 2015)

My book is available in ebook format and paperback from A...

My book is available in ebook format and paperback from Amazon. The second novel in the series, Summer Reading is Killing Me, is set for release in late April. Join Phee and her sister, Juliet, as they stumble over dead bodies and juggle new relationships. They might not know much about crime-solving, but they're determined to figure out who is bumping off the citizens of Miller's Cove. Can a librarian and a yoga instructor save the day and nab the "perp" before someone else loses their life?

Book Signing

When:  May 15, 2015 at 4:00 pm.

Where:  Dahlgren General Library at the NavSea base in King George, Virginia

I will be reading from my two books, Death is Long Overdue, and my upcoming release, Summer Reading is Killing Me, and talk about the indie book publishing process.  Both titles will be available for purchase.

I Create My Own Life

Too many times we have a tendency to blame everyone for the path our life may have taken; however, realistically, most of your life is from choices you have made.  Now, I know what you are thinking.  "But, Amy, it wasn't my fault that so-and-so ran a red light and hit my car which caused me to miss work, etc. etc."  I understand that some things are out of your control, but there are more things that are within your control.  You can choose to be happy every day, or you can choose to be miserable.  

Maybe you don't like your current job, but you have to pay your bills.  Have you considered other creative outlets to carve out a life for yourself?  Do you like to sing?  Do you paint?  Maybe you enjoy racing cars on the weekend or watching wrestling.  It doesn't matter what it is as long as it brings you joy and makes you feel alive.  

Too often we define our existence through our work.  When you meet someone for the first time, what is one of the first things they ask?  "What do you do for a living?"  Our response is "I work for BlahBlah Store" or "I am a sales person for BlahBlah."  Why is the word "living" so entwined with our "job"?  When did we become our job?  I know I am guilty of defining myself by my work.  My response when asked is "I am a librarian."  Is that who I am?  No. It is how I earn a paycheck.  

What I am is a person who loves books and to share books with others.  I am a person who loves nature and animals and is passionate about caring for both.  I am a creator of worlds and characters through my stories that I love to share with others.  I am an artist who creates wearable art with yarn.  How cool is that? I could say I spin, weave and crochet but that description is kind of boring and bland.  I am an artist and a creator.  I am a bringer of joy to others when I create or write something for them.  I am a caregiver of critters.  I hope I bring them joy as well.  (I know those chickens I brought in from the freezing cold and living in a kennel in my basement right now are pretty joyous!)  How much more exciting are those words than my old response of "librarian"?  

I am still trying to figure it all out and create my own life.  I may not always get it right, but I sure am having fun trying.  I hate to use a cliche, but it really is a journey and not a destination.  

CREATE YOUR OWN LIFE!

And because I am a book pusher, here are a few titles to get you started:

Be a Free Range Human: Escape the 9-5, Create a Life You Love and Still Pay the Bills - Marianne Cantwell

Refuse to Choose!: A Revolutionary Program for Doing Everything That You Love - Barbara Sher

Choose Yourself! - James Altucher

Call It A Bucket List If You Want To!

Earlier this week, I had a conversation with Nellie Jo (she not only plays a character in my books but one in my real world, too.) It saddened me to hear her say that she could never do something she wanted to do. This is the same grandmother who three years ago said she could never do anything but clean. Since then, she has become a children's librarian while attending college full-time (and made Dean's List!), taken her first plane ride with me to Chicago, went to Las Vegas on her 2nd plane trip with a co-worker, went on television to talk about the library and so many other amazing things.  She says I make her do these things, but I just laugh and keep on encouraging her.  This morning, a similar conversation with my best friend, Kim, who has always wanted to write a children's book but just hasn't gotten around to it, made me think about the voices in our head that says we shouldn't or can't do things that we want in life.

This afternoon, as I was walking the most magnificent JRT, Watson, and his goofy friend, Fritz, I thought about how many times I've heard someone say they could never do something they truly wanted because they were "too old" or "not smart enough" or "not talented enough." Well, folks, I am hear to tell you, get off your behinds and just do it.  I listened to those same negative voices both inside and outside of my head for years.  I finally decided that only I could silence those voices.  I started to doing the things I always wanted to do and that bring joy into my life.  So to encourage all of you, I am making a list of things I have done in the past decade.

1.    Went back to college and obtained my B.A. and M.L.S.
2.    Reconnected with my high school sweetheart and married him.
3.    Learned to play a fiddle (badly, but it makes me happy so who cares!)
4.    Ran a half marathon in Alaska (those who know me can attest to my aversion to exercise plus I hadn't run since my early twenties!)
5.    Wrote my first short story on a lark, entered it into the WV Writer's Contest and won Honorable Mention.
6.    Bought the goats I wanted since I was five years old and you know what?  They make me happy!
7.    Learned how to make wine and honey mead.
8.    Planted a small vineyard.
9.    Built a large high tunnel to grow organic vegetables here at Bella Lilly Vineyard and Farm.
10.  Took a beekeeping class. (Sherlock Holmes raised bees.)
11.  Learned to crochet.  (Thank you, Caroline!)
12.  Learned to spin yarn. (I admit I am still perfecting that art. It is not as easy as it looks.)
13.  Learned to weave.
14.  Learned how to bake really amazing artisan bread by taking a Craftsy class online.
15.  I am now learning yoga.
16.  Wrote my first book, Death is Long Overdue, as part of NaNoWriMo and am already working on    two more novels and a few short stories.
17.  Currently participating in the American Library Association's first Career Development Facilitator's course taught by the amazing Dr. Caitlin Williams and will be a certified CDF by summer.

Have I done all of these things well?  Of course not.  I have, however, enjoyed each of them immensely, and more importantly, I gained self-confidence.  I know that I can do anything if I truly want it and am willing to put forth the effort to accomplish it.  Nothing came easily.  It all required perseverance and practice.

By the end of this year, I will learn to knit and make jewelry, publish two more books, and I would love for someone to help me learn how to sew and quilt.

You are only given one life.  What do you plan to do with it?