Alan Orloff's Blog, page 20
March 18, 2011
Spring, If That's You Knocking, Come On In!
As you may have noticed, I've been a little scarce around the blog during the past couple weeks.
Been busy. Real busy. (Plus I lost an hour last weekend.)
Most of the events have been of the personal/family variety, and, without a single exception, they've all been good. (One highlight: My family got a private tour of the West Wing, courtesy of a good friend of mine.)
Writingwise, I've been busy, too, although I don't have a lot of new "product" to show for my efforts. I have managed to get in a lot of daydreaming, which I tell my family is really a very important part of the writing process called plotting, and please don't disturb me as I sit in the recliner with my eyes shut.
Promotionwise, this Saturday, I'll be at the Virginia Festival of the Book. My panel, at 10:00 am, is called, "Death: Another Time, Another Place." It will be moderated by Cliff Gerstang, and the other panelists are John Connolly, Deanna Raybourn, and Paul Robertson.
KILLER ROUTINE's official release date is April 8, but it's being shipped early. Many people have already received their pre-orders, so RUN OUT AND CHECK YOUR MAILBOXES.
Next week, I'll have an exciting announcement about the second book in the Last Laff series. Like maybe what the title will be (and it's not SON OF KILLER ROUTINE).
Have a great weekend!
March 13, 2011
Yum!
Tofu or not tofu, that is the question.
To see the answer, click on over to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, where I'm guest blogging.
March 7, 2011
They're Here
My author copies of KILLER ROUTINE arrived. Yay!
March 2, 2011
Coming to a Mailbox Near You
Operating under the "people can't buy/read your book unless they know about it" principle, I mailed out a few postcards.
To be exact, I mailed 1376 postcards to bookstores and libraries.
I didn't use postcards for my first book, but I thought I'd give this "low-tech, old-school" approach a try.
I designed the postcards using Photoshop, and I got them printed by Printplace.com (affordable and good quality).
Here's the front:
And the back:
I spent hours sticking on labels and stamps. (And boy, were my arms tired!)
The mailing "dropped" last Friday, so the postcards should be arriving this week. As is often the case with marketing/promotion initiatives, I'm not sure how I'll be able to tell if this effort was "successful."
Unless I happen to hit a bestseller list. Then I'll be mailing postcards for all my books.
This has been another "behind-the-scenes" glimpse at the promotional efforts of a mystery writer.
February 28, 2011
Here We Go Again
Today I'm blogging at InkSpot about promoting a second book. Pop on over and add your two cents. Or more, if you're feeling generous.
February 25, 2011
Hittin' the Road
In case you missed it, yesterday I blogged at Kaye Barley's Meanderings and Muses blog.
Click on over and say hi. Or whatever else is on your mind.
February 23, 2011
Personal Classics
So many books, so little time. That's why I rarely re-read a book—there are too many good ones out there, sirens calling my name, tempting me with the promise of a good time.
But these books, for whatever reason, managed to wheedle their way onto my TBR pile for second (or third) reads:
The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings Ender's Game The Godwulf Manuscript Lord of the Flies Silence of the Lambs Watchers The Unoriginal Sinner and the Ice Cream God Jurassic ParkWhat about you? Do you have some favorite books you like to re-read? Why?
February 21, 2011
What Say You?
There was a discussion among some members of my group blog, InkSpot, about what kinds of posts blog readers wanted.
So that got me thinking. What kinds of posts do MY blog readers want more of?
Don't be shy!
February 18, 2011
Thanks, Malice-Goers!
It seems that the life of a writer is mostly sitting around in your cave banging on the keyboard. However—fortunately—that mundane existence is sometimes livened up by very exciting events. Getting an agent, signing a book deal, seeing your cover for the first time, garnering a good review, finally holding your printed book in your grubby hands—these all qualify.
So does getting an award nomination.
That's why I'm thrilled to announce that DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD was nominated for the Agatha Award in the Best First Novel category.
I'm honored to have my name/book mentioned alongside the other four excellent Best First nominees: Avery Aames, Laura Alden, Amanda Flower, and Sasscer Hill.
I'm especially happy for Avery and Sasscer, two writing friends who got their start about the same time I did. (And yes, I'm very much looking forward to meeting Laura and Amanda, too!).
Congrats to them, and to all the nominees in the other categories as well!
The Agatha Awards honor the traditional mystery and are presented at the wonderful Malice Domestic convention, to be held April 29 – May 1 in Bethesda, MD. Here is a complete list of the nominations.
February 16, 2011
Still Going
The Where's Alan Book Giveaway Contest continues…
Yes, the lighting's bad (it's on a subway platform). Yes, that's me standing next to the ad. Yes, you too can send in a picture of yourself standing near one of my ads and be entered to win a signed book!
