Kate Collins's Blog, page 315

Conference Swag...For You!

So you'd love to attend the big mystery conferences: Left Coast Crime, Bouchercon, The Edgars, Love is Murder, Malice Domestic, etc., but you don't have the funds or the free time to go. The biggest bummer? You miss out on all the fun author swag.

Don't worry! The Cozy Chicks are going to remedy that sad situation. We'd like to offer five readers goodie bags so you can feel like you attended last week's Love Is Murder conference.
And keep an eye out for fresh treasures in May, when we've saved treats from Malice just for you, our loyal readers.
So leave a comment and we'll draw five names by the end of next week!

Resolutions Revisited

By Heather Webber

It's been just over a month since my New Year's resolutions were made, all bright and shiny and new.

To recap, I had five:

1) Write more & become more business orientated and entrepreneurial
2) Read more and keep better track of what I read
3) Respond in a timely manner to email—within 24 hours
4) Go to the dentist
5) Exercise more regularly

So how have I been doing?

1) So far, so good! I've been writing a ton (I'm working on It Takes a Witch, the first of my new series written as Heather Blake, debuting in 2012 from NAL), have lots of new ideas, and have started e-publishing some of my backlist. The e-book world was quite a learning curve, but I have to admit I like it.

2) So-so. The more I write the less time I have to read. I have managed to read four books, listen to another four, and I've kept track of them, too, in a handy-dandy notebook.

3) Also so-so. I'd say this is about 60% for me. I could do better...

4) Not yet, but I still have 10 1/2 months, right?

5) Let's not talk about it.

How about you? Have you kept up with your resolutions?

Author Goodies - Treasure or Trash?

Friends, Malice Domestic is fast approaching and many of your favorite cozy authors are wondering what to bring along to give out to readers.
I'm sure you've been to an author event in which you were given bookmarks or postcards, but a group of us would like to create a little game in which attendees of this terrific conference celebrating the traditional mystery genre can collect certain items in order to win a prize.
Last year, we played the button game and many of us had buttons made to reflect our book covers or characters. I thought they were adorable and we gave some away to our blog readers as well. Folks pinned them to their bags, hats, and shirts.
Now I'd like to ask for your opinion. What, in addition to bookmarks, would you consider worth taking home from a conference or a signing? Pens? Notepads? Buttons? Charms? Any suggestions? (And feel free to share what you would most likely throw out. Our promotion dollars are dear and we want to spend them wisely)

Female Fiends in Literature

by Deb Baker (aka Hannah Reed)
A lot of our most evil villains are men - Mr. Hyde, Norman Bates, Hannibal Lecter, Count Dracula, Voldemort, Darth Vader, the creepy list goes on and on.

But women have had great moments, too. Fairy tales in particular like to feature scary women - Cruella de Vil, The witch in Snow White, the Queen of Hearts. 

The Wicked Witch of the West scared me silly as a kid. I wasn't too fond of the white witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, either.

And remember Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca, how she almost caused the poor girl to commit suicide?

But Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (pictured above) really terrified me. So did Annie Wilkes in Misery.

How about Professor Umbridge? Isn't she a piece of work?

Which female villains make your skin crawl?

California Dreaming. . .and Reading

Hey, that nasty cold front has left town, and we've gotten our regular Winter weather back in Northern Colorado. Our temps are warming, thank goodness. And for me, I've been enjoying much warmer temps ever since I arrived in California this past Sunday.


I'm presently visiting a friend in Sacramento, dropping in on local bookstores & yarn/fiber shops, and generally enjoying the chance to explore a new area. I've never really spent time in Sacramento before now, and I'm enjoying it. This Thursday morning I'll fly down to Los Angeles and begin a busy four days doing multiple booksignings in the Los Angeles area as well as Orange County. I'll also be a guest speaker at the Sisters in Crime--LA chapter meeting in South Pasadena, Sunday, February 13th, followed by a signing. I will be interviewed by the marvelous mystery writer Harley Jane Kozak. So, if you're in the area, come join the fun!
I'll also be signing in many great indie mystery bookstores in Cerritos, Huntington Beach, Thousand Oaks, & South Pasadena, as well as the Barnes & Noble--Westwood in Los Angeles. Please check my website for each bookstore's exact location: http://www.maggiesefton.com/.

Meanwhile, stay warm if you're still having frigid cold in your part of the country. I'll be returning to Colorado late Sunday night, February 13th. Believe me, there is plenty of Winter left for all of us. Enjoy!

Is Egypt a (sh-h!) Wag the Dog Event?

By Kate Collins

I don't know about you, but I'm really tired of the news being dominated by the turmoil in Egypt. It's not that I'm unsympathetic with their plight. I was there two years ago and could see that things were very wrong – and I'm not referring to being kidnapped by a crazy camel driver (see my September 2009 blog) or picking up a nasty parasite that took a month to get rid of. I'm referring to garbage piled in the streets and on the sidewalks, even in tourist areas, which I was told was symbolic of what has been happening within their government.

But okay, enough already. Do we have to get scenes from Cairo 24/7? Does it have to be the main story, and practically the ONLY story, on all the news channels, including my morning talk shows?

Whenever I see this much coverage of an event not happening right here in our country, I can't help but think back to that movie, "Wag the Dog." Do you remember it? A huge media event was staged to keep the public from focusing on something else that was going on?

I know what's happening in Egypt isn't staged, but I keep harking back to the theme of that movie. Why are we being inundated with that news when there's very little to actually cover? Scenes in the streets – check. More scenes in the street - check. Bor-ing.

Do you agree? Or am I missing something?

Cheering In Spirit

Leann Sweeney, who usually posts on Sunday, is still under the weather. Still, she wanted to support Lorraine (Lorna) and Heather and encourage you to buy their most recent books--either in print or for your e reader.

They are:

A Crafty Killing
by Lorraine Bartlett
The last thing Katie Bonner wanted was to become the manager of Artisans Alley. But when her business partner, Ezra Hilton, is found lying at the bottom of a staircase, bludgeoned to death, she has no other choice. A collection of booths for artisans and craft sellers in a renovated applesauce factory building, Artisans Alley is the main attraction in the quaint Victoria Square shopping area. But business under Ezra had been faltering. While the cops are proceeding by the book, Katie is investigating by the booths—for the answer to the killer's identity lies in the hidden secrets of Artisans Alley itself.

Absolutely, Positively by Heather Webber
"Exposed" by a Boston Herald reporter, Lucy is suddenly the talk of the town. Long back-story short: Even though the rest of her Valentine ancestors were blessed by Cupid with psychic abilities, Lucy's only special power lies in her ability to find things. This skill has proven quite a blessing for those who come to her matchmaking agency in search of finding their long-lost loves. Now that Lucy's secret is out, she has more new clients than she knows what to do with. But soon a certain man of mystery steals Lucy's spotlight…

No, it's not Sean Donahue, the sexy fireman-turned-private-eye who's stolen Lucy's heart. It's a masked man in a cowboy hat, dubbed "The Lone Ranger," who's been throwing handfuls of cash across the Common. Now all of Beantown's abuzz. Can Lucy unmask the mysterious money man, track down all her clients' old flames, and turn up the heat on her love life? Absolutely, positively…

Doomed like the Dodo?

By Lorna Barrett / Lorraine Bartlett
Today is my book launch for A Crafty Killing.  (YAY!)  I'll be signing copies at my local Barnes & Noble from 2-4 p.m.  The weather report says it should be a good day.  I've packed my little book for people to sign up for my periodic newsletter,goodie bags filled with bookmarks and postcards from over 20 authors for the first 25 people who show up (and boy do I hope at least 25 people show up--it's embarrassing to have to haul them home), and extra bookmarks in case more than 25 people show up hoping to get one of those goodie bags.

But I wonder ... are book signings going the way of the Dodo bird?

A Crafty Killing is my 7th published book.  It's also the first book that might be selling more electronic copies than print copies, too.  (At least if I can believe my numbers on Amazon and the Barnes & Noble web site.)

I had dearly hoped it would make the New York Times bestsellers list for mass market paperbacks.  That isn't going to happen.  Although starting this week the new York Times is going to have a hybrid category -- print and e books, so there's a very slight chance.

So, I'm here to beg.  If you'd been planning to buy A Crafty Killing, or Heather Webber's new book Absolutely Positively, PLEASE buy them before Tuesday --either in paperback or as an e book.  (And preferably from Barnes & Noble.  They report directly to the Times.)

The first three weeks of a book's life are the most important--that first week the most important of all.

But let's get back to the dodo.  Because e books are suddenly selling so fast, will authors have face-to-face signings in the future?  That looks doubtful.  The stores have to gear up, they do publicity, and if nobody shows up . . . well, that authors probably won't get invited back.

So . . . now I'm wondering.  Will 25 goodie bags be way too many?  Will my local readers actually see the line on my invitation that says Lorna Barrett writing as Lorraine Bartlett?  (In retrospect, I should have gone over it with a yellow highlighter.  I mean, the other day I had an email from someone wanting to know if A Crafty Killing was the first in the series, when the post card says so on both sides ... so will they see that line saying Lorna IS Lorraine?)

And will this be the next-to-last booksigning I'm asked to do?

Do you think face-to-face author events will go the way of the dodo?

Readers

By Heather Webber
So, let's talk readers. No, not the people. The glasses. It appears I've reached the age (with a little help from Lasik) where I need a pair of readers. The strength is fairly low .75 (which also makes them hard to find), but I'm really hoping they'll help ease the eye strain from working on the computer all day.
Do you use readers? The throwaway kind you can find in any local store, or did you shell out the big bucks for a quality pair? Is there any real diffence?
I'm leaning toward throwaway pairs, so I can get a few of them. I tend to misplace things, and having more than one pair appeals to me. I also tend to break things, and not breaking the bank every time I need a new pair also appeals to me.
The thing that really appeals to me is the funky colors and designs the readers come in. It's going to be so hard to choose! (I'm leaning toward purple..)

Yes, I'm Giving Away A Kindle!

A Deadly Cliché Kindle Contest!
Ellery Adams

The purpose: To generate early sales for A Deadly Cliché and to thank the readers who've made A Killer Plot such a success.

The prize: An all-new 3G Kindle Wireless Reading Device (winner can choose between white or graphite) shipped directly to your address!

How to enter: Email me at elleryadams@comcast.net and tell me that you've pre-ordered A Deadly Cliché or plan to purchase a copy after its release date (March 1, 2011) or plan to request that your library order a copy.

No purchase is required to enter this contest (I must state that or I will be in trouble with a host of lawyers) but I am trying to encourage great sales for A Deadly Cliché, so a purchase would be appreciated.

You don't have to send me a receipt – your word is good enough for me.

Your email address will not be captured. I will delete each email as soon as the contest ends. If you would like to sign up for my bi-annual newsletter, please do so here.

The contest runs from today-March 7. A winner will be drawn on March 8th.

Good luck!