Peg Herring's Blog, page 28
November 17, 2011
Blogging and Prizes and Posts, Oh My!
Multiple opportunities to win prizes and have fun on blogs this week.
First, I'm continuing the Blog Party that celebrates the release of POISON, YOUR GRACE yesterday. It goes till Saturday, with a drawing each day for an
Amazon gift certificate. Visit
http://itsamysterytomepegherring.blog...
Second, I joined the Gratitude Giveaway Hop
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.....
Here participants "hop" from blog to blog, entering to win various prizes and finding new authors to try. My post is at
http://itsamysterytomepegherring.blog...
And finally, I contributed to Suzanne Adair's Relevant History segment, where this week authors of historical novels explain what Thanksgiving-like celebrations would have looked like in the era they write about.
Suzanne starts things off today, with various authors contributing over the week. Mine is on November 20, and I'm giving away a copy of HER HIGHNESS' FIRST MURDER and explaining what the Tudors called a holiday dinner. Way beyond turkey and dressing. Visit http://www.suzanneadair.typepad.com/ to get in on this one.
Peg Herring
POISON, YOUR GRACE, Five Star, November 16, 2011
First, I'm continuing the Blog Party that celebrates the release of POISON, YOUR GRACE yesterday. It goes till Saturday, with a drawing each day for an
Amazon gift certificate. Visit
http://itsamysterytomepegherring.blog...
Second, I joined the Gratitude Giveaway Hop
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.....
Here participants "hop" from blog to blog, entering to win various prizes and finding new authors to try. My post is at
http://itsamysterytomepegherring.blog...
And finally, I contributed to Suzanne Adair's Relevant History segment, where this week authors of historical novels explain what Thanksgiving-like celebrations would have looked like in the era they write about.
Suzanne starts things off today, with various authors contributing over the week. Mine is on November 20, and I'm giving away a copy of HER HIGHNESS' FIRST MURDER and explaining what the Tudors called a holiday dinner. Way beyond turkey and dressing. Visit http://www.suzanneadair.typepad.com/ to get in on this one.
Peg Herring
POISON, YOUR GRACE, Five Star, November 16, 2011
November 15, 2011
Blog-Partying On
Today's question for my blog party concerns your favorite dead author, so stop over and share. You can win an Amazon gift certificate.
http://itsamysterytomepegherring.blog...
http://itsamysterytomepegherring.blog...
November 14, 2011
Blog Party: Day Three
The Blog Party is in progress--stop over for prizes and some insights into author's lives, writing, and wit!
November 11, 2011
Blog Party, and You're Invited
Saturday, Nov. 12, and every day until Nov. 19th, I'm having a party on my main blog.
Visitors will meet a bunch of author/friends who will answer (hopefully with wit and humor) questions about themselves and their work in ONE sentence.
Everyone is invited to visit and comment. Each day I will draw a name from the list of people who comment, and that person will get an Amazon gift certificate.
The party celebrates Five Star's release of POISON, YOUR GRACE, the second
of my Simon & Elizabeth mysteries, on Nov. 16th. So visit, meet some great
authors, and help me celebrate. (P.S. According to LIBRARY JOURNAL,
"this historical shines," so you might want to pre-order a copy of
POISON, YOUR GRACE on Amazon!)
Here's the link: http://itsamysterytomepegherring.blog...
Visitors will meet a bunch of author/friends who will answer (hopefully with wit and humor) questions about themselves and their work in ONE sentence.
Everyone is invited to visit and comment. Each day I will draw a name from the list of people who comment, and that person will get an Amazon gift certificate.
The party celebrates Five Star's release of POISON, YOUR GRACE, the second
of my Simon & Elizabeth mysteries, on Nov. 16th. So visit, meet some great
authors, and help me celebrate. (P.S. According to LIBRARY JOURNAL,
"this historical shines," so you might want to pre-order a copy of
POISON, YOUR GRACE on Amazon!)
Here's the link: http://itsamysterytomepegherring.blog...
November 7, 2011
Being in Two Places at Once
Today I'm guesting in two different places--oh, the wonders of the Internet!
This double-blogging is accidental but fun. At Dames of Dialogue, I post about women
(dare I say "dames"?) in the Tudor Era. You can see that one at
http://wp.me/ptCd3-1F4
On the Perfect Romance blog, http://perfect-romance.com/ I tackle a subject dear to
my heart: Did Shakespeare Write Shakespeare? (Short answer--YES.)
Take a look. Both blogs offer lots to readers, and I thank my hosts for providing
opportunities to authors.
This double-blogging is accidental but fun. At Dames of Dialogue, I post about women
(dare I say "dames"?) in the Tudor Era. You can see that one at
http://wp.me/ptCd3-1F4
On the Perfect Romance blog, http://perfect-romance.com/ I tackle a subject dear to
my heart: Did Shakespeare Write Shakespeare? (Short answer--YES.)
Take a look. Both blogs offer lots to readers, and I thank my hosts for providing
opportunities to authors.
October 17, 2011
Like an Author? Help Her Out!
I've said this before, but it bears repeating. If you like an author, there are three very important things you can do that don't cost you a penny. The world of publishing is flooded these days with lots of authors, some great, some good, and some who should be slapped for putting their garbage on public display.
Because of that, authors need help from their fans. It doesn't take much, and it doesn't take long. Here's what you can do.
Thing #1-Contact your library and tell them about the book. Libraries need input into what readers want to read, and they, too, struggle to wade through the thousands of books that come out each month. They use reviews and public input, so you can be that input. Talk to the acquisitions librarian and tell him/her why you think an author or book is a good buy for them. It helps to have specific info like the ISBN, the publisher, and the correct name of the author (all available on the author's website, for sure). Some libraries have a form you can fill out to do this.
Thing #2-Write a review and post it on Amazon, Goodreads, etc. A lot of people don't feel qualified to do this, but come on. If you can read, you can tell other people why you chose a certain book and how you felt when you finished it. You don't have to comment on the underlying theme or do character analysis. Amazon reviews can be as tiny as 20 words--how hard can it be?
Thing #3-"Like" your author wherever you can: Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, etc. Honestly, I'm not sure how, but it moves their info upward in the hierarchy so others are more likely to see it. I have several friends on FB who repost my stuff so their friends who aren't my friends (yet) see it.
Things like these help an up-and-coming author a lot. Actually it helps any author, so go ahead and "like" Lee Child if you must, but consider "liking" us lesser known types as well. We're the ones that need the exposure.
And thank you for your support.
Because of that, authors need help from their fans. It doesn't take much, and it doesn't take long. Here's what you can do.
Thing #1-Contact your library and tell them about the book. Libraries need input into what readers want to read, and they, too, struggle to wade through the thousands of books that come out each month. They use reviews and public input, so you can be that input. Talk to the acquisitions librarian and tell him/her why you think an author or book is a good buy for them. It helps to have specific info like the ISBN, the publisher, and the correct name of the author (all available on the author's website, for sure). Some libraries have a form you can fill out to do this.
Thing #2-Write a review and post it on Amazon, Goodreads, etc. A lot of people don't feel qualified to do this, but come on. If you can read, you can tell other people why you chose a certain book and how you felt when you finished it. You don't have to comment on the underlying theme or do character analysis. Amazon reviews can be as tiny as 20 words--how hard can it be?
Thing #3-"Like" your author wherever you can: Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, etc. Honestly, I'm not sure how, but it moves their info upward in the hierarchy so others are more likely to see it. I have several friends on FB who repost my stuff so their friends who aren't my friends (yet) see it.
Things like these help an up-and-coming author a lot. Actually it helps any author, so go ahead and "like" Lee Child if you must, but consider "liking" us lesser known types as well. We're the ones that need the exposure.
And thank you for your support.
October 9, 2011
Donna Fletcher Crow & The Valiant Victorians
My blogguest (Oooh, I invented a word!) on Monday, October 10, is Donna Fletcher Crow, and she tells you why the Victorians are fascinating folks. Of course, the Tudors are the best, really, (IMHO, of course!) but she does make a good case for "The Valiant Victorians." Stop by and take a look.
http://itsamysterytomepegherring.blog...
Peg Herring
Coming in November from Five Star: POISON, YOUR GRACE, the second in the Simon & Elizabeth (Tudor) mysteries.
http://itsamysterytomepegherring.blog...
Peg Herring
Coming in November from Five Star: POISON, YOUR GRACE, the second in the Simon & Elizabeth (Tudor) mysteries.
September 26, 2011
Recognition...or None
When my first book came out, some years ago, it was like someone dropped a pebble in Lake Michigan. My friends and acquaintances were thrilled, so locally, there were ripples. The larger world barely noticed.
My second book, the first Simon & Elizabeth mystery, got more attention: good reviews from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, LIBRARY JOURNAL, BOOKLIST, etc.
The third book also got good reviews, and people (very few, but still) started saying, "I've heard of you" when I went to book events.
Now that the second Simon & Elizabeth mystery is set to appear, buzz is good, and reviewers write in terms of not just a good book, but a good series. And THE DEAD DETECTIVE AGENCY just made the top three finalists in EPIC's competition for best mystery of the year.
So what does that mean?
For one thing, it's scary. Other writers have told me that a successful book puts pressure on an author: the next one has to be just as good, maybe better, to satisfy fans. I feel that pressure too.
On the other hand, it's rewarding. Good writers work really hard to make their books as exciting, correct, engaging, and believable as they can, and it's great when someone recognizes that. It isn't the prizes, not really. We all know that no book is the BEST of any given year. There are a lot of good books released every year, every month. What's great is having someone acknowledge that I worked really hard and was successful in creating something readers enjoy. And it isn't really that one book; it's all the writing done up to that point. In a way, that first book is as responsible for my current success as any of those in between, because getting a publication contract was the first step, the one that let me think, "Maybe I really can do this." The next few books establish a person as more than a one-book wonder, and if that person is lucky, the day comes when someone says, "This book is pretty darned good. We might consider giving it an award."
So it's great to be recognized. But as any real writer will tell you, we'd be doing this anyway. For those who love writing, recognition is gravy on the meat of story-telling, a nice addition, but not the meal.
My second book, the first Simon & Elizabeth mystery, got more attention: good reviews from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, LIBRARY JOURNAL, BOOKLIST, etc.
The third book also got good reviews, and people (very few, but still) started saying, "I've heard of you" when I went to book events.
Now that the second Simon & Elizabeth mystery is set to appear, buzz is good, and reviewers write in terms of not just a good book, but a good series. And THE DEAD DETECTIVE AGENCY just made the top three finalists in EPIC's competition for best mystery of the year.
So what does that mean?
For one thing, it's scary. Other writers have told me that a successful book puts pressure on an author: the next one has to be just as good, maybe better, to satisfy fans. I feel that pressure too.
On the other hand, it's rewarding. Good writers work really hard to make their books as exciting, correct, engaging, and believable as they can, and it's great when someone recognizes that. It isn't the prizes, not really. We all know that no book is the BEST of any given year. There are a lot of good books released every year, every month. What's great is having someone acknowledge that I worked really hard and was successful in creating something readers enjoy. And it isn't really that one book; it's all the writing done up to that point. In a way, that first book is as responsible for my current success as any of those in between, because getting a publication contract was the first step, the one that let me think, "Maybe I really can do this." The next few books establish a person as more than a one-book wonder, and if that person is lucky, the day comes when someone says, "This book is pretty darned good. We might consider giving it an award."
So it's great to be recognized. But as any real writer will tell you, we'd be doing this anyway. For those who love writing, recognition is gravy on the meat of story-telling, a nice addition, but not the meal.
September 12, 2011
Why I Love Fictional Mystery
Many years ago, along with practically everyone else in the U.S., I read HELTER SKELTER. It was absolutely fascinating, and I never read another true crime book.
My friends sometimes tease me about how easily I dispatch people in my stories, but that's the point: they're book people, not real people. Despite their omnipresence these days, I avoid news stories that promise in-depth coverage of gruesome crimes and vicious criminals. That's real. Someone got hurt. Someone isn't right in the head. I don't want to know any more about it.
But in a novel, I'm fine with killing off one or two people, maybe more. It's part of a guided tour for the reader, a plan for his or her enjoyment. For a few hours we pit our minds against the detective's and see if we, too, can figure out who and why. As the writer, I have to really pay attention, because it's my responsibility to make it exciting and to make everything work out in the end.
Maybe that's the problem for me with reading true crime. I can't make it work out, can't stop the killing and the residual pain for family and friends. But in my books, justice will triumph and we will know it all. In that, fiction tops real life every time.
My friends sometimes tease me about how easily I dispatch people in my stories, but that's the point: they're book people, not real people. Despite their omnipresence these days, I avoid news stories that promise in-depth coverage of gruesome crimes and vicious criminals. That's real. Someone got hurt. Someone isn't right in the head. I don't want to know any more about it.
But in a novel, I'm fine with killing off one or two people, maybe more. It's part of a guided tour for the reader, a plan for his or her enjoyment. For a few hours we pit our minds against the detective's and see if we, too, can figure out who and why. As the writer, I have to really pay attention, because it's my responsibility to make it exciting and to make everything work out in the end.
Maybe that's the problem for me with reading true crime. I can't make it work out, can't stop the killing and the residual pain for family and friends. But in my books, justice will triumph and we will know it all. In that, fiction tops real life every time.
September 5, 2011
What in the World Are You Wearing?
The other day in Wal-Mart we saw a guy who'd decided, for no reason I can imagine, to tie a colorful bandana around his leg, just below where his shorts ended. Unless he was recreating some war-time image, maybe the spirit of MaryJane in '67, I didn't get it.
I am all in favor of accessories, but I can't get into scarves. I have tried wearing them, and I always feel like I've got this extraneous piece that needs to be removed, like I'm wearing a coat in the house. Others I see wearing billowy, nubby, silky, or even fringed scarves look classy and sophisticated. When I try it, I just look uncomfortable. (This isn't just a feeling; the few times I've tried it, people tell me I look that way.)
Pyschological? Probably. But it doesn't change the fact that when a person feels odd, she is likely to act oddly. The end does not justify the effort.
So back to the guy at Wal-Mart. Yeah, it looked weird to me, but at least he isn't hung up on some image of himself that can't move forward with the times. He's out there, experimenting.
Or maybe he's just out there.
I am all in favor of accessories, but I can't get into scarves. I have tried wearing them, and I always feel like I've got this extraneous piece that needs to be removed, like I'm wearing a coat in the house. Others I see wearing billowy, nubby, silky, or even fringed scarves look classy and sophisticated. When I try it, I just look uncomfortable. (This isn't just a feeling; the few times I've tried it, people tell me I look that way.)
Pyschological? Probably. But it doesn't change the fact that when a person feels odd, she is likely to act oddly. The end does not justify the effort.
So back to the guy at Wal-Mart. Yeah, it looked weird to me, but at least he isn't hung up on some image of himself that can't move forward with the times. He's out there, experimenting.
Or maybe he's just out there.
