C.J. Petterson's Blog: Book launch scheduled, page 15

Blog tours and public speaking

 cj Sez: One way to start blog marketing is to go on a blog tour as the guest of as many bloggers as are willing to host you. You write a post or answer some questions, plug your book, respond to readers, and you’re off to the next blog site. 
  It takes a bit of time to set up a schedule and some internet contacts to get a blog tour going, but reclusive authors usually like this kind of marketing. The neat thing is, with the right internet contact, you can reach an international audience.
  After virtual exposures, come personal appearancesAuthors need to connect with their readers. Actually, they mustconnect with their readers. That means authors do book signings and book readings at libraries and bookstores. For some authors there may be media—TV/press/radio—interviews. All of those tasks require (gasp) public speaking.
  Even if a personal media interview is out of the picture, be sure to issue a press release when the book is launched. It might just get published in your local paper.
  For me, and some other authors I know, the prospect of public speaking is a bit scary. A writer’s normal milieu as we create our stories is solitude in front of a computer or with pen pressed to paper. Writers are watchers . . . we observe the behaviors of other people and take copious notes for future story/character ideas. Being the watch-ee (in front of an audience) takes us completely out of our comfort zones.
  That’s where a formulaic but flexible “stump speech”* can offer a degree of confidence.  Write the outline for a stump speech. Start with an anecdote, add a brief bio—mine included why I use a pen name and how I chose it. Follow up with something about where the idea for the story came from, the research involved, the characters, and then read a couple of short excerpts.
I print out the speech in large, bold, double-spaced type, and I practice it, a lot. That helps me with timing the length of my presentation and makes me familiar with the flow so I can wing some of it and actually make occasional eye contact with someone. The more often I speak, the easier it becomes.  (Yeah, right.)

 

Other than participating in panels at conferences or speaking at a local writers’ organization, I’ve never had to speak at an out-of-town gathering. If that ever happens, I’ve read that it’s a good idea stop by the venue and get familiar with the layout. Another trick for newbie speakers is to attend someone else’s presentation if possible…that takes a lot of the mystery out of the event.

Caveat for public speaking: It’s important to really know your work, because the audience Q&A will bring some surprising questions—always.

  A few years ago, TV investigative reporter and fellow Sisters-in-Crime/Guppy author Hank Phillippi Ryan (USAToday bestselling author of 13 thrillers) came up with seven quick steps for dealing with the scary thought of having to speak in public (and she’s so good at it, public speaking seems second nature to her):
1.      Research your audience2.      Plan3.      Practice4.      Know your stuff!5.      DON’T worry.6.      Get big.7.      Love it and embrace it. 
Now if only I could get steps 5-7 down pat.  

* “Stump” is another word for “campaign” —like politicians do when they’re trolling for votes; authors are trolling for sales.

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  Re that other important marketing consideration, to newsletter or not to newsletter? I tried that once. It was like pulling hens’ teeth to get regular subscribers (or subscribers who weren’t authors trying to help me out). Will I try to start another one? I’m still thinking.

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Etcetera and P.S.A.   A follow-up on my post about setting do-able goals (from a Jane Friedman blog) . . . https://www.janefriedman.com/getting-things-done-in-your-writing/

§§  YES YOU CAN honor Betty White's 100th birthday ON JANUARY 17. Your local rescue group, ASPCA, or my favorite: GOOD FORTUNE FARM REFUGE.

http://goodfortunefarmrefuge.org/ways-to-donate/

  Every dollar goes a long way for homeless animals. Food, de-wormer, a warm blanket, a vet visit. Easy-Peasy to help those who help the helpless, and you can do it from the comfort of your home.

  Think about it and mark the date on your calendar, please?§§

  That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. 

cj
P.S.  The Haunted Bookshop has signed copies of my stories in stock. TO ORDER my author-graphed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜ Follow me . . .     ➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

 

Marketing, let me count the ways

cj Sez: Re that marketing budget I said I needed to create for 2022? Last week I used $10 of January’s budget. I have to admit, I haven’t yet decided on an upper limit for the year. I’ll most likely let my results determine what the limit is. Kind of fun to test the unknown waters of advertising to announce my name/book titles and then wait and see if anyone noticed. I’ve used Facebook in the past but not Amazon. Any suggestions?

Source: HotSpot§§

  A primary part of my marketing plan is this blog. I use Blogger which is free, but I have to include the annual fees for GoDaddy hosting and the domain names.

  Lyrical Pens launched on June 22, 2009, when I clicked “publish” on my first post. You can click on the date to read it. Joyce Scarbrough (https://www.joycescarbrough.com/), a prolific author and confederate in the Mobile Writers’ Guild, was my first (and only) commenter. (Thanks, Joyce, although it seems to have started a one-of trend…sigh.)     The blog started as a marketing tool for three writing/critique-group buddies (Mahala Church, Tracy Hurley, and me) who wanted to “get our names out there” to tempt fans to follow the famous authors we envisioned.
  Mahala and Tracy had just co-founded the Mobile Writers’ Guild, and I had joined them as a charter member and Secretary…or maybe that was Secretary/Treasurer (faulty memory). Go-getter Tracy worked through the technical part of building the website, and it hasn’t changed all that much since it began. Sadly, Tracy died in 2010, and Mahala and I carried on. Today, Lyrical Pens is still a viable marketing tool, but where once there were three authors, there is now one—Mahala retired from the site in 2016.

I offer up two small pieces of advice if you’re thinking about blogging:

  First piece comes with a caveat: “To thine own self be true.” That is to say, identify your goal for the blog and write your posts with that in mind. Do you want to share tidbits of personal data to grow your relationship with fans and readers? Do you want to share professional writing stuff for fellow authors? Maybe it’s a combination of both, which is where Lyrical Pens sits, although it does lean more toward the professional writing information.

  Second, a blog is a great way to build an author brand if you link your posts to your author Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, et al. Be sure to embed buy links and book trailers. Did you notice I wrote “author Facebook page?” I have two FB pages, one for personal and one for author stuff. Your personal social media followers aren’t there to read your sales pitches; they want to share a conversation with you. Keep the advertising low-key on your personal sites. A new book notice or reminder is fine, but heavy slugs of “Buy My Book” advertising in every post might drive away some of your new Friends.§§

  Another important marketing consideration: Newsletter or not to newsletter? That is the question. I’m still thinking.

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Etcetera and P.S.A.
  Excellent blog for anyone looking to write a publishable novel… https://www.janefriedman.com/to-the-people-who-want-me-to-read-their-writing/

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  YOU TOO CAN honor Betty White's 100th birthday ON JANUARY 17. DONATE TO GOOD FORTUNE FARM REFUGE.

http://goodfortunefarmrefuge.org/ways-to-donate/

  Every dollar goes a long way for homeless animals. Food, dewormer, a warm blanket, a vet visit. Easy-Peasy to help those who help the helpless, and you can do it from the comfort of your home.

  Think about it and put the date on your calendar, please?

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  That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. 

cj P.S.  The Haunted Bookshop has signed copies of my stories in stock. TO ORDER my author-graphed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜ Follow me . . .     ➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

Onward! Looking hopefully forward to a Far-Better year

cj Sez: I did not make a New Year’s resolution. To me, the word insinuates a passive ending, something resolved. My career in a corporate environment taught me to use the word “goal,” a word that infers action, a constant striving to reach it or be defeated. I will change direction and adjust my expectations if necessary, but I will not be defeated.

 

   As it was for 2021, my one goal this year is to not quit writing for public consumption because the thought seriously (seriously) crossed my mind. I struggled for weeks before I made the decision to re-up my memberships for 2022 in the Mobile Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime and their on-line Guppy chapter. Memberships in other organizations were renewed in the middle of 2021, so I have yet to reconsider those for 2022-2023.  

 

   I love words. Even more so than the plot of a story, the syntax and cadence of a well-crafted sentence, paragraph, chapter, story invites me to read those lines over and over.  But my personal writing enthusiasm wanes and ennui waxes when I contemplate finding a critique group/partner and having to go through the tedious processes of self-publishing and marketing of novels. Marketing dollars, of course, are the main deterrent for me. I think I earned less than $20 in royalties last year.

 

“Goals are dreams we convert to plans and take action to fulfill.” Zig  Ziglar

 

      For 2022, I must make a monthly budget/plan for marketing.

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2021 publishing recap:

   I took a flyer with an interactive gaming publisher, Crazy Maple Studios, and submitted my stand-alone thriller/suspense novels for their new app. My intent was to get more exposure of my author name and works. I think it worked.

   I submitted two short stories that were accepted:

      “Ida, Fate, and Mister Leon” was published in the Mobile Writer’s Guild STORMY PIECES anthology.  

Buy Stormy Now   Free on Kindle Unlimited and $1.99 for ebook at the time of this post.

      “The Firebug” short story accepted for THE BIG FANG publication by a west Michigan humane society is now scheduled to be launched sometime in 2022.

   I submitted a short story for a proposed 2022 Mobile Writers Guild anthology but am still awaiting a yea or nay acceptance notice.

   I began work on a flash memoir piece in response to a call-for-submissions. 

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Etcetera

 

   When I first saw Mr. Scrappy Rooster on Facebook, I wasn't sure if he was the winner or the loser. Then I thought, he's not only upright, he’s strutting, He’s definitely the winner.
   I said last January that I was thinking about making him my mascot for 2021 and should have, because I look a lot like him as I skid into 2022.

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   I want to end this first Lyrical Pens post of 2022 with one of Billy Graham’s prayers for a new beginning for all of us in another uncertain year…

“Our Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future. We each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us—but You alone know what it holds for us, and only You can give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges. So help us to humbly put our hands into Your hand, and to trust You and to seek Your will for our lives during this coming year. In the midst of life’s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love.” —Billy Graham

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   That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. 

cj

P.S.  The Haunted Bookshop has author-graphed copies of my stories in stock. TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

 

➜ Follow me . . .     ➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6 

cj Sez: The third charity anthology from Bienvenue Press...

cj Sez:  The third charity anthology from Bienvenue Press, FINALLY HOME, brings you eight Christmas stories, all about our four-legged friends and the special people who rescue them. From funny, to sad, to romantic, there’s something in there to tug at everyone’s heart strings. FINALLY HOME Buy Now    Best of all, all three of the ebook charity anthologies are on sale for 99 cents until Christmas and free on Kindle Unlimited. If you need a last minute gift, it’s a purchase that’s sure to arrive in time for Christmas. (Psst: A portion of the proceeds from FINALLY HOME is donated to various animal rescue groups.) 
   Here’s an excerpt from my short story, “Puppy Love,” about a dog that loses a leg and is fitted with a prosthetic. (Did you know someone actually made a prosthetic leg for an elephant....and a duck!?) 
“Hi, Bobbie. Is it okay if I put one of my flyers on the board in your lobby?”
“A wanted poster,” Bobbie said with a chuckle. “It’s more
than okay, Fran. It looks great. That red Santa hat makes his big, gold eyes stand out like neon lights.”  The bold headline of the flyer read Wanted: Furever Home over a picture of a black and white tuxedo kitten. Francesca picked the final sheet out of the printer tray and nodded in satisfaction. She’d used a computer program to modify the photo and now Tucker had a Santa hat on his head.  “The picture is adorable, even if I do say so myself.” She stroked Tucker’s silky coat. “You really do look like you’re wearing your best bib and tucker. That’s what my mom called a man’s tuxedo, you know. Francesca left the kitten snoozing on her desk, and with staple gun in hand, she tacked flyers on bulletin boards at Municipal Park, at the city’s public pool, and at the sports complex fields. She wanted to attract the attention of the persons most responsible for the decision to adopt a pet—the kids in the family. Two hours later, she walked into the Pet Rescue Center and handed a flyer to the receptionist. “I’m hoping he’ll be a precious, early Christmas gift for some lucky family.” “Did you post it on Facebook?” “Nope. Too many strangers have access to Facebook. I want him to go to someone in town. Someone I can keep in contact with and know for sure they’re treating him good.” “ How are the fur babies doing?” “ They’re great. Tucker’s finally old enough to look for a forever home. Without any prompting, my neighbor claimed Niblet yesterday, and Muffin’s a pistol. I had to call the fire department the other day to get her off the roof, and that caused me to run into Cody Phillips.” “How’d that go?” “Is there some special meaning behind that question?” “Sorry. I just wondered. He’s been divorced for a while now, and I know you two used to be tight.” “That was high school. Let’s leave it at that. It’ll be couple of weeks before I can put Muffin up for adoption. That’ll be tough. I’m about to get too attached to the little priss.” Bobbie chuckled. “Changing the subject are we? Okay, well, we have a solution for adoption anxiety. You need to take another foster.” “I keep telling you, I’m getting out of the fostering business. It’s getting too hard to give them up, and yeah, I know. Fostering is all about doing what’s best for the animal.” “Just thought I’d mention it.” “I wish you would stop baiting me. The last time you did that I wound up with a dog.” “How is Miss Molly?” “Doing well with her physical therapy. She’s been doing three sessions a week in the pool. The therapist said her muscle mass gets stronger with every visit, and her three legs are supporting her weight with no problem. She’s a really sweet puppy, and believe it or not, the kittens have helped socialize her.” “I was worried about heartworm,” Bobbie said, “because the mosquitos were thick this year, but good news. We got the results of the blood test yesterday, and she’s heartworm negative.” “Prayers answered. And the prosthetic?” “The manufacturer has the measurements, and it should be ready any day now. I’ll send you an email when I’ve got it in the office, and we can set up an appointment with a technician to fit the device on the puppy.” As soon as Francesca walked into the house, an ecstatic Molly yipped and bounced and almost knocked her down. She captured the wriggling puppy in her arms and held her close while avoiding a barrage of wet puppy kisses. When the dog calmed down a bit, she let her go then dropped her purse, the few remaining flyers, and the day’s mail on the kitchen counter. Her stomach sent out a hungry rumble as she freshened the food and water bowls—“for my critters” she said and nuzzled each one—then she made her own lunch. She used a fork to flake a can of albacore tuna into a dish, stirred in a dollop of light mayonnaise, a forkful of sweet pickle relish, and ate a bite before sitting down with a cup of black coffee. When her cell rang, she groped around in the bottom of her purse to find it before the call went to voice mail. Caller ID flashed a number she didn’t recognize but thinking it might be a call about a forever home for Tucker, she answered with a hopeful “Hello?” “Afternoon Frankie. It’s me, Cody. Got a minute?” “Hey, Cody. Are you already opting out of next weekend?” “Nothing like that. I was thinking…wondering, if you’re not seeing anyone special, would you like to join me for brunch at Brady’s Buffet tomorrow after church?” Is it the invitation, she wondered, or the sound of his voice? Whatever it was, it breathed life into a dark ember in the depths of her heart, and she tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle the heat it created. “I didn’t know you’d come back to church.” “Tomorrow is my first day back,” he said. “It’s time, don’t you think?” She bit back the snarky “yes” response that hovered on the tip of her tongue. “You’ve been missed,” she said and was a bit surprised to find she meant it. “Everyone will be happy to see you again. Unfortunately, I have to decline your invitation for brunch.” Her automatic refusal sent her mind racing for a good excuse, and she decided on: “There’s no one special in my life right now, but one of the kittens is going to meet its forever family tomorrow.” “Next Sunday?” When “Please don’t ask me right now” leaped into her mind, she knew there might be a “yes” in the future, but she was nervous about going out with him again. Do I really want to try to reconnect and risk getting hurt again? When she didn’t answer for several seconds, he said. “That silence sounds like a ‘no’.” “It’s just that Molly and the foster kitties don’t leave me a lot of free time, Cody.” “Maybe next time,” he said as if he’d read her mind. “See you at church, then.” “Of course.” When the call ended, she murmured, “Please forgive the lie about Tucker, Lord, but could you make it happen?” The cellphone vibrated in her hand. She didn’t recognize the ID name and number. “This better not be another robo call,” she said before she answered. Fifteen minutes later, she’d made an appointment to meet Tucker’s potential forever family on Sunday afternoon. “Yessss,” she hissed and pumped a fist. “Thank. You. Lord.” Without considering why it seemed important, she searched through the hangers in her closet to find something special to wear on Sunday. She sighed when she saw that everything there was from twenty-five pounds ago. Waiting to update her wardrobe until she reached her target of losing thirty pounds by New Year’s Day no longer seemed like a good idea. She slid her hands down the front of an emerald-green, princess-style dress with no waist and decided it would be the easiest to alter to fit her new curves. “Taking in a quick inch or two in the side seams is all it needs. Perfect,” she said, then shook her head and added, “Why am I going to so much trouble? I’m only going to meet some cat people.”

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Promo courtesy of http://www.poisedpenpro.com/ Christmas Charity Anthologies Buy Now  
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Since this week ends on Christmas . . .Since this week ends on Christmas . . .

 

I pray your holiday celebrations are filled to the brim with the love of family and friends

 

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.

 

                                                                                               Numbers 6:24-26

Marilyn Johnston
(aka cj petterson)
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➜ Follow me . . .     ➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ on Facebook:  cjpettersonAuthor on Facebook➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

The gift that keeps on giving

cj Sez: It’s true, books make great gifts, and here’s why:

  I think anthologies are an even better option. The anthology HOMETOWN HEROES (one of the charity books from Bienvenue Press) has five, easy-reading, short stories to prove it…here’s an excerpt from my short story, “Hobbes House Noel:”
Schneider’s Tree Service had dumped a face cord of wood on the ground near the pines and was following the power company truck out of the drive when Bradley Warner’s red Dodge Ram 1500 pickup drove in. Merrill waved him in. Timing is everything. The pickup is a surprise though. She was sure he’d be driving a fancy sport utility vehicle or some big butt import sedan.“Hey there! Welcome to Hobbes House.”“Any relation to Calvin and?”“One and the same. My favorite cartoon. Well, that and Charlie Brown.”Trey dropped down out of the pickup pointing in the direction of the pine trees. “Look. A wolf.”Merrill saw the bushy tail of a fox disappear into the grove of pines. “It’s a fox, Trey. He’s looking for something to eat. Probably a field mouse in the woodpile.”Bradley walked up with a suitcase in each hand. “Don’t try to get too close to him, Trey. He’s a wild animal and might bite you.”“Your father’s right.” She took a longer look at Bradley. Almost black hair. Clear blue eyes. A warm, broad smile that revealed a slightly crooked front tooth. Close to six-feet tall. My gosh. I’m looking at Prince Charming.“Foxes usually run away if you make some loud noises, but you never know for sure. Did you have any trouble finding the place?”“Not at all. Your good directions and a GPS made it easy. MapQuest showed gravel and dirt roads so I brought the pickup just in case.”Of course, he’d have more than one car. “Great. Let me show you around.”“Grab your backpack, Trey.”The boy was walking toward the pier. “Aw, Dad. I want to see the lake.”“We will in a minute. Let’s get our stuff in the house first.” He turned to Merrill and spoke quietly. “It’s his first Christmas without his mother. She’s in Atlanta. Said she wanted to spend some alone time with her next victim.” He paused a moment. “Sorry, that was personal pity-party shot,” he said.Merrill’s lips parted in a little “O,” and she hoped he didn’t notice her surprise. “Sounds like hurt to me.”“Not for myself. For Trey.”“A first Christmas without someone you love is hard. Very hard.” I understand more than you know.Merrill walked her renters through the cabin and saw to it that Bradley knew how to start and bank the fireplace. “If the temperature is forecast to drop into the twenties, leave the cabinet doors under the sinks open. Keeps the pipes from freezing. Any questions?”“Nope, I think we’re all set.”“I left my cell phone number on the kitchen table if you need anything.”“Wait, there is one thing. Is there some place we can get a small Christmas tree and decorations to go with those pretty lights you strung on the porch? Nice touch, by the way.”Her face warmed at the compliment. “There’s a Grab ’n Go Market about five minutes from here. They carry a bit of everything you need. Go to the blacktop and turn left. You can’t miss it.” She slipped on her green barn coat. “I’ll stack the firewood while you’re gone and then get out of here,” she said as she pulled a pair of tan, deer-hide gloves out of her coat pocket.“Got a pair of gloves for me?”After a moment’s hesitation, Merrill smiled. “I think I can find a pair.”He shrugged on his coat, helped Trey into his, and followed her out. She opened the trunk of the Honda and pulled out a pair of her father’s work gloves. “These should fit.”Fifteen minutes into the task, Bradley noticed Trey was no longer in sight. “Trey,” he called then blew a shrill whistle through his teeth and frowned at the silence that followed. “He always answers.” He whistled again.Merrill dropped the log she was carrying and tore off her gloves. “Maybe he’s exploring that little patch of trees, but he couldn’t have gotten far. Do you think he might be hiding from you?” In the back of her mind, though, the thought that the boy might be looking for the fox put her on high alert.Brad jogged across the drive toward the trees with Merrill right behind him. Merrill kept yelling “Trey? Trey?” and Brad alternated between yelling the boy’s name and whistling.  After they had searched the small copse without finding Trey, Merrill remembered the boy’s fascination with the lake and dread squeezed her heart with a cold hand. “Let’s check the pier.”Then they heard the boy scream and started running. When they rounded the corner of the house, she stopped and grabbed Brad’s arm. “Wait!”Crouching at the end of the pier, teeth bared and growling, the normally shy fox looked ready to attack. Trey was standing between the fox and the animal’s escape route.
Promo courtesy of http://www.poisedpenpro.com/
Christmas Charity Anthologies Buy Now 
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   I’m a subscriber to Jane Friedman’s blog, and the following post arrived in my email recently. If you haven’t seen it, you might find it interesting reading.

https://www.janefriedman.com/yes-social-media-can-sell-books-but-not-if-publishers-sit-on-their-hands/

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Promo courtesy of Carrie Dalby Author  

STORMY PIECES Buy Now

   And when you’ve finished reading an anthology, we all would sure appreciate it if you’d take a few moments to leave a brief review. Please and thank you!

§§

 That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj P.S. TO ORDER a book by anyauthor on-line and support an indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

  p.p.s. All of my stories are author-graphed and waiting.
➜ Follow me . . .     ➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ on Facebook:  cjpettersonAuthor on Facebook➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

A short story teaser . . .

cj Sez: The closer it gets to the first Christmas without my son, Mark, the harder it is for me to concentrate on creating new words for this blog. So, in the holiday spirit of “books make great gifts and anthologies an even better option,” here’s an excerpt from my short story, “Ida, Fate, and Mister Leon,” in the Mobile Writers Guild new anthology STORMY PIECES.
STORMY PIECES Buy Now
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   When the downpour began to walk up the road in thick sheets, I knew I needed to stop. I pulled in under the county road overpass even if it wasn’t a safe place to be since wind tends to get surly when it rushes through a narrow slot. Thinking that Deena would be terrified if I’m too late, I was thumbing down to re-dial when the passenger door jerked open. A man dressed in an oversized tee shirt and baggy cut-off chinos slid in beside me and pushed long, black dreadlocks away from his face.

   I thought I’d locked that door. “Where’d you come from?”

   “My ride dropped me off down the road. I’ll just sit here ‘til the storm passes.”

   “Yeah, sure,” I said.

   The wind turned horizontal and yowled louder. Branches banged off the sheet metal. The truck bucked and pitched, and my heart thudded into my throat when the heavy rear-end wobbled as though it might lift, tow hook and all. There came a few minutes of peculiar quiet, and then everything started all over again. I exchanged big-eyed glances with my passenger. When Mother Nature’s freight train barreled into the distance, the pine grove across the road was a mess of kindling wood, soaking up a pouring rain.

   “Wow, that was something, wasn’t it?” I said. It’d been my experience that when people survive a common threat, they tend to become something akin to buddies, if only temporarily. He just eyed me. “I’m Roberta Joanna Thibideau. People call me Bobby Jo or BJ.”

   “You the BJ painted on the door?”

   “Yep,” I said, trying to sound humble.

   “I never met a woman who owned a gas station before.”

   “Now you have,” I said and stuck out my hand. “What’s your name?”

   “Leon.” 

   “Nice to meet you, Mister Leon.”  I dropped my hand when he kept his buried under his shirt.  

   “Nice to meet you, too,” he said as he pulled out a handgun and pointed the muzzle at me, head high. 

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Promo courtesy of Carrie Dalby Author

Promo courtesy of http://www.poisedpenpro.com/
Christmas Charity Anthologies Buy Now  
   And when you’ve finished reading an anthology, we all would sure appreciate it if you’d take a few moments to leave a brief review. Please and thank you!

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cj Sez: That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.


P.S. TO ORDER a book by anyauthor on-line and support an indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

   If you’d like me to autograph or personalize one of my stories for you, be sure to tell them, and I’ll run by the shop.
➜ Follow me . . .     ➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ on Facebook:  cjpettersonAuthor on Facebook➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

Typing "the end" doesn't mean the manuscript is finished

 cj Sez: Readers, did you ever open a book, read a few chapters (or even a few lines), and then put it down because of errata, i.e.; those typo, grammar, and misspelling gremlins that drive a pedantic like me crazy? One or two gremlins will make me shake my head. If a lot of them, I’ll close the book.

   I used to find that indie books were the worst. They tended to be poorly edited if not poorly written. Now, I’m finding repetitive errors in books by established authors and big publishing houses who should know better. Perhaps it comes down to the time it takes to do a detailed copy edit vs. getting the book to the market.
    The problem with self-published books is that they are so often done on a shoestring (cost-wise) that the author cannot afford to pay for a copy editor. Unfortunately, I’ve come across some authors who simply don’t want to go through the process.
   Speaking from experience, self-edits and beta readers do not, will not, and cannot catch everything that a professional copy editor will. When I was gainfully employed, one of my report/column-writing rules was to get as many people as possible to read the document . . . the more eyes on it the better the end product. That wasn’t easy to do when I was on a deadline of minutes, and my work wasn’t on the top of a co-worker’s list. But the effort was so worth it.

   The same thing is true about an author’s manuscript. I want my manuscript to be the best I can make it. I read the document on the computer screen, and then I print a few pages. Because the text looks different when printed, I have a better chance to find the missing comma, period, or quotation mark that was missed on numerous computer-screen read-throughs. (Chances are there is at least one gremlin in this post.) 
  Sometimes, I make a copy of the printed page and read that. Copying changes the size of the font once again, and I will often find something else to correct. One of the best ways to find those gremlins and discover plot or dialogue problems is to read the manuscript out loud. It’s amazing how much I find.
   Moral of the story: When you’ve come to “The End,” rest assured your manuscript is not finished. It’s probably months away from being ready for publication. YOur MS needs to rest a while before you give it another read-through, and then it needs professional eyes. It’s a personal and financial consideration for each author, but please consider hiring a copy editor if you can afford it. 
   Caveat: Expect that if your manuscript is accepted by a publisher, their punctuation rules may differ from your copy editor’s input, and there could be more changes to be made…be flexible.

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   Books make great gifts, and anthologies may be an even better option...a variety of authors and stories in one book...the gift that keeps on giving.

Promo courtesy of http://www.poisedpenpro.com/
Promo courtesy of Carrie Dalby Author

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cj Sez: That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

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P.S. TO ORDER a book by anyauthor on-line and support an indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

   If you’d like me to autograph or personalize one of my stories for you, be sure to tell them, and I’ll run by the shop.
➜ Follow me . . .     ➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ on Facebook:  cjpettersonAuthor on Facebook➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

Public Service Announcements for readers and writers

cj Sez:  

Jane Friedman’s blog features a post by author and marketer P. S. Hoffman writing about the latest and greatest thing: NFTs. 

   Hoffman says: “Lately, influencers are parading Non-Fungible Tokens, or NFTs, as the shiny new key that will unlock the future of the internet. /// 
   "But in my opinion, the promise of NFT books is riddled with warning signs.”

   Click on the link below to hop over to Hoffman’s comments and find out why he thinks NFTs might be a rush for fool’s gold  Hoffman on Jane Friedman blog re NFTS

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  Makes my teeth itch to see someone use an apostrophe to mistakenly try to make a plural, especially hard to take when I see the mistake came from an author's fingers.
  Pluralizing becomes even more confusing when the singular of a name ends with "s"... whew!
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THANKSGIVING DAY this week ...


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cj Sez: That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.
cj

P.S. Forget Amazon . . . the best gifts are closer than you think, and b ooks are the gifts that keep on giving.

The Haunted Book Shop has all of the Mobile Writers Guild Pieces anthologies available on their shelves.
 If you’re not local, contact them online (they ship!). 

 

  To order a book by any author and support an indie bookstore at the same time, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

   If you’d like me to autograph or personalize one of my stories for you, be sure to tell them, and I’ll run by the shop.
➜ Follow me . . .     ➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ on Facebook:  cjpettersonAuthor on Facebook➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

Why that particular book?

cj Sez: Rummaging through my LP archives for inspiration, I found a reader questionnaire (from another writer’s blog) and thought what a great idea. So, here is some Q&A for you to think about.  

Photo by The Haunted Book Shop

Q. What makes you want to buy a book –the cover? ... Or is it the blurb on the back of the book?
A. For me, it's both. The cover grabs my attention, then the blurb has to invite me to open the book . . . make me want to know more about the story.
Q. When you get into a story, what keeps you reading?  Is it the bad boy hero or the tough, strong-willed woman or the cast of characters that help push the story forward?

A. First, I will not read for a long time to “get into a story.” It has to hook my interest early, certainly no later than the first chapter. Then whether hero or heroine, I want to find some action and a plot. I also like to find humor and some quick repartee in even the darkest of moments. When my heroine is about to go where she’s shouldn’t go or has never been before, I want the scene to be scary, yet inviting me along for the adventure at the same time.  

Q. What makes you like one author more than another?
A. I’ll admit to being a wordsmith, but I also “write tight” … which means I’m not into graphorrhea*.

 *    graphorrhea \ı graf-ә- rē-ә \ n : mental disorder marked by the writing of a long succession of meaningless words.

“A novel of such great length and of so little worth could only have been written by someone caught in the grip of graphorrhea.” 
   I want to be enchanted by the author’s voice…how she/he uses a few precise words and syntax to evoke some “show me” visualization and/or visceral emotion.

Q. If you’re into reading a series, when do you get tired of it…or do you?  

A. As long as the author keeps the storyline and characters fresh, I don’t have a problem with continuing to read a series ad infinitum. It’s when the storyline get stale and takes the same direction over and over that I’m no longer interested in reading the next book, and I’m on to the next author. A stale storyline can also happen in stand-alone books when the author gets stuck on the same formulaic style/theme.
Q. And how about reviews: Do you take a few minutes to write a review?

A. Without readers, authors have no audience, and without an audience, authors are out of a job. Whether on Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, etc., constructive feedback is what keeps us going. We want to know our strengths as well as our weaknesses. We’re polite—we say please and thank you.

   Lyrical Pens would love to know your answers to these questions. So leave a comment, already.

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Books make great gifts, anthologies may be an even better option...a variety of authors and stories in one book...the gift that keeps on giving. 
And on sale now . . . 
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cj Sez: That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

§§

P.S. TO ORDER a book by anyauthor on-line and support an indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

   If you’d like me to autograph or personalize one of my stories for you, be sure to tell them, and I’ll run by the shop.
➜ Follow me . . .     ➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ on Facebook:  cjpettersonAuthor on Facebook➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

A Guest Post by Author Barbara Hinske

 cj Sez:  Lyrical Pens is happy to welcome Author Barbara Hinske who is sharing some details of the emotionally charged, first-person research she undertook for her latest novel, The Unexpected Path.
Buy The Unexpected Path Now
   At the time of this post, the Kindle version of The Unexpected Path,slated for launch November 16, is available for pre-order for 99 cents.

 

The Unexpected Path is the second in Barbara’s highly regarded Guiding Emily series featuring her newly blind protagonist, Emily Main.
   Take it away, Barbara.

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Now a Hallmark Movie“Guiding Emily: A Tale of Love, Loss, and Courage has been a reader favorite and has impacted others in ways I could never have imagined. I’ve connected with visually impaired people all over the world who tell me that  Guiding Emily accurately and honorably portrays their mental and emotional journeys as they’ve lost their eyesight. They also insist that Emily Main’s journey to regain her independence has given them hope. I get a lump in my throat just writing those words. I can think of no better legacy than to give someone hope.

 

   In recognition of its accuracy and hopeful message, Guiding Emily has replaced the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a textbook for adults who are learning braille. Counselors are recommending Guiding Emily to their patients for the same reasons.
   I’m humbled by these achievements. The second book in the series has a lot to live up to. I didn’t want to let down the community of visually impaired people who have resonated with Guiding Emily. I also needed to write an engaging and entertaining book for my readers.
   The Unexpected Path (the second book in the Guiding Emily series) comes out on November 16. Advance reviews have been stellar and I believe I’ve accomplished both objectives.
   The Unexpected Path showcases the technology that enables the visually impaired to do their jobs as well as anyone else—and often even better. Emily is a senior programmer at a technology giant. Her text reader allows her to get through her emails much faster than if she read them and enables her to pinpoint buried problems in long strings of computer code.
   Problem-solving is a core strength in any employee. The visually impaired exercise problem-solving skills all day long, every day. The ability to accommodate change is also a key competency that the visually impaired are forced to master.
   Wayfinding provides a perfect example. Most of us can see where we’re going. We’ve also got GPS on our phones and in our cars. Those apps aren’t always accurate. Who hasn’t had our GPS take us the wrong way? We’ve become lost, which is at best an inconvenience and at worst, frustrating.
   Imagine getting lost when you can’t see. I’ve interviewed dozens of visually impaired people for The Unexpected Path and every single one of them has reported being lost. It’s a common occurrence. And it is terrifying.
   Mobility and orientation training includes sessions on how to deal with being lost. Sounds, smells, the feel of the sun on the face, and the location of landmarks (mailboxes, curbs, street lights, flower planters) all come into play.
   I write a scene in The Unexpected Path where Emily leaves home to run a quick errand without Garth. Handlers are encouraged to go out without their guide dogs from time to time because handlers need to keep their white cane skills sharp and guide dogs need to learn to stay home. Emily becomes disoriented due to sidewalk construction that blocks her path. It’s night—in San Francisco—and the fog is rolling in. No one else is out and about. She has to find her way home.
   Writing that scene was harrowing. My pulse is pounding, now, thinking about it. She uses her excellent problem-solving skills to find her way.
   Unemployment among the visually impaired is alarmingly—and unnecessarily—high. Holding a good job is a key component of a satisfying life. I want The Unexpected Path to raise awareness of the unique capabilities and competencies of the visually impaired. And to entertain people. It’s a tall order, but advance readers say The Unexpected Path has accomplished the task.” §§
BARBARA HINSKE is an attorney and novelist. She's authored the Emily series, Guiding Emily  and The Unexpected Path, the mystery thriller collection “Who’s There?,” and the beloved seven-novel Rosemont series. Her Christmas novellas include Paws & Pastries, No Matter How Far, and The Christmas Club, which was made into a Hallmark Channel movie of the same name starring Cameron Mathison and Elizabeth Mitchell (2019). Find her on social media and at www.barbarahinske.com 

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cj Sez: Thank you, Barbara, for giving Lyrical Pens the opportunity to highlight your latest novel and the difficult journey our blind friends have to make. We send best wishes for super sales and rave reviews! 
   That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

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cj P.S. TO ORDER a book by any author on-line and support an indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

   If you’d like me to autograph or personalize one of my stories for you, be sure to tell them, and I’ll run by the shop.
➜ Follow me . . .     ➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ on Facebook:  cjpettersonAuthor on Facebook➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6