What The Delivery Guys From Macy's Taught Me & Nick's Cover
Last month we splurged and bought a new couch. And since we want to keep Macy's in business, we went to their brick and mortal store to make our purchase and schedule the delivery. You know, old school. No drone drop off. No UPS truck.
When the delivery guys arrived, they were cheerful and courteous and dressed in crisp, clean shirts and pants. They rolled out a red carpet at our front door and put on shoe covers before coming inside. Once they'd brought in the couch and put the room back in order (lamps, tables, rug), they handed me an evaluation form.
"We hope you've found our service excellent," one said. "If you could give us an excellent rating where you think we deserve it, we'd really appreciate it. Those ratings are so important for us. Thank you for your time."
So how does any of this relate to the business of writing? Well, I'll tell you if you haven't already seen where I'm going.
Professionalism The delivery guys were well-groomed, and they entered my home with care, so that I felt comfortable with them in my private space. I like to approach this business of writing the same way. I want people who visit my blog, my website, my Facebook page. . .all my social media to feel comfortable when they let me into their lives with that click of a mouse. I also want them to enjoy what I write, so I edit the posts as carefully as possible. After all, I'm a writer, I should write good stuff. :-) Just a small joke!
Flare They made the arrival of my couch an event with that red carpet, I wasn't just getting a piece of of furniture; I was getting THE BEST piece of furniture for my home. That's how I want my readers to feel when I present them with my work. I want them to feel that I'm giving them the BEST I have to offer.
SourceHonest, Straightforward Request They handed me the evaluation and asked for my rating. They did so clearly and with a reason behind their request. Then thanked me in advance. Now that's a concept we writers understand, isn't it? "I hope you enjoy reading my book. If so, I'd really appreciate it if you would give me a review. Those reviews are so important for writers."
I'm glad I needed that couch. Buying it and having it delivered made this post possible and reminded me to attend to three important things while I'm in the writing business.
A new book's coming September 18. And here's your peek at the cover.
What is the price paid for the creation of a perfect society?
In Whitopolis, a gleamingly white city of the future where illness has been eradicated, shock waves run through the populace when a bedraggled, dirt-stricken boy materialises in the main street. Led by government propaganda, most citizens shun him as a demon, except for Wellesbury Noon – a high school student the same age as the boy.
Upon befriending the boy, Wellesbury feels a connection that he can’t explain – as well as discovering that his new friend comes from a land that is stricken by disease and only has two weeks to live. Why do he and a girl named Ezmerelda Dontible appear to be the only ones who want to help?
As they dig deeper, everything they know is turned on its head – and a race to save one boy becomes a struggle to redeem humanity.
Amazon / Goodreads
Quote of the Week: "The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself." Oscar Wilde
Beware the White Rabbit (Anthology: They Call Me Alice), Leap Books, Summer '15
Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12
Two and Twenty Dark Tales (Anthology story: Into the Sea of Dew
When the delivery guys arrived, they were cheerful and courteous and dressed in crisp, clean shirts and pants. They rolled out a red carpet at our front door and put on shoe covers before coming inside. Once they'd brought in the couch and put the room back in order (lamps, tables, rug), they handed me an evaluation form.
"We hope you've found our service excellent," one said. "If you could give us an excellent rating where you think we deserve it, we'd really appreciate it. Those ratings are so important for us. Thank you for your time."
So how does any of this relate to the business of writing? Well, I'll tell you if you haven't already seen where I'm going.
Professionalism The delivery guys were well-groomed, and they entered my home with care, so that I felt comfortable with them in my private space. I like to approach this business of writing the same way. I want people who visit my blog, my website, my Facebook page. . .all my social media to feel comfortable when they let me into their lives with that click of a mouse. I also want them to enjoy what I write, so I edit the posts as carefully as possible. After all, I'm a writer, I should write good stuff. :-) Just a small joke!
Flare They made the arrival of my couch an event with that red carpet, I wasn't just getting a piece of of furniture; I was getting THE BEST piece of furniture for my home. That's how I want my readers to feel when I present them with my work. I want them to feel that I'm giving them the BEST I have to offer.
SourceHonest, Straightforward Request They handed me the evaluation and asked for my rating. They did so clearly and with a reason behind their request. Then thanked me in advance. Now that's a concept we writers understand, isn't it? "I hope you enjoy reading my book. If so, I'd really appreciate it if you would give me a review. Those reviews are so important for writers."I'm glad I needed that couch. Buying it and having it delivered made this post possible and reminded me to attend to three important things while I'm in the writing business.
A new book's coming September 18. And here's your peek at the cover.
What is the price paid for the creation of a perfect society?
In Whitopolis, a gleamingly white city of the future where illness has been eradicated, shock waves run through the populace when a bedraggled, dirt-stricken boy materialises in the main street. Led by government propaganda, most citizens shun him as a demon, except for Wellesbury Noon – a high school student the same age as the boy.
Upon befriending the boy, Wellesbury feels a connection that he can’t explain – as well as discovering that his new friend comes from a land that is stricken by disease and only has two weeks to live. Why do he and a girl named Ezmerelda Dontible appear to be the only ones who want to help?
As they dig deeper, everything they know is turned on its head – and a race to save one boy becomes a struggle to redeem humanity.
Amazon / Goodreads
Quote of the Week: "The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself." Oscar Wilde
Beware the White Rabbit (Anthology: They Call Me Alice), Leap Books, Summer '15
Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12
Two and Twenty Dark Tales (Anthology story: Into the Sea of Dew
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