From the archives

 cj Sez: Did you know it doesn’t have to cost a dimeto encourage an author?   What follows are a few tips about how to show yoursupport for writers, at a little or no cost, whether you’re a writer or areader.
If you’re a writer and have your own blog, inviteguest bloggers. Lyrical Pens does do that, though we haven’t been graced with aguest for a few weeks. (Read the invitations in the Lyrical Pens banner aboveand again below.) 
   When you have a guest scheduled on your blog, send out“Coming Attractions” promotions on other social media sites, like Facebook,Twitter, et al. Be sure to give your guest blogger space to say something abouttheir books.
  Be willing to give theauthor’s work a fair review. Be kind but be honest.
  If you know an author whojust wants to just sit and talk, grab a chair and listen. Writing is a lonelyoccupation, and most other people don't understand.
  Encourage each other. Writingis not a competition; everyone can be successful.

  And here’s a little marketingtip: If you’re a yet-to-be-published writer and don’t have a business card, getone. Hand it out to agents, workshop instructors, fellow writers, wherever youhave an opportunity to network. Get your name out there as early as possible (Facebookand blogs, too) so they can watch for your new release. Some variation of theone that follows is my suggestion:
Name  Jane Doe, AuthorWriterof XXX (literary fiction,historical fiction, non-fiction, YA, romance, whatever)eMailaddresswebsiteaddress Now, if you’re a reader (and since writersare also readers, I guess this applies to everyone), here’s some easy tips foryou . . . “Like”and comment on authors' posts on their Facebook pages. Facebook's algorithmsonly show posts that FB thinks other members would like to see. That means themore likes and comments a post gets, the more people will see it. Go tobook signings, even if you can’t afford to buy the book at that time. Yourattendance is ever so encouraging. I’ve been to book signings where the authorand I were the only two people there. On the other hand, I was one of theauthors at a local indie book store and because fans and friends showed up, theafternoon sped by and was fun—even though I didn’t sell a book.
  If you’ve got some good ideas on how best toencourage authors to keep writing, let me know. I’ll pass along the informationand credit you as the source.§§
News from the Killer Nashville conference: Anannouncement of the finalists for their 2023 Silver Falchion Awards.

“The judges have finally agreed! Here are the 2023Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Awards Finalists for Best Book of 2022. Thisyear's winners will be announced at our Killer Nashville Awards Dinner onSaturday, August 19th at the Killer Nashville Awards Ceremony in Nashville,Tennessee.”

  Find out if an author you love to read is listedhere:  https://www.killernashville.com/2023-silver-falchion-winners
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  Invitation: Writers, if you have a book launch coming up andwant to schedule a post on Lyrical Pens for your blog tour, drop me a note.(PG13, please.)§§
On the Personal News Front: The MobileWriters Guild is on summer hiatus (no formal meetings) and a few of our membersmet at the Bluegill restaurant yesterday for our July Drink & Scrawl. Goodtime, good food, good camaraderie. And we were all extremely happy to be seatedinside the restaurant when a heavy-duty, lightning-filled, fierce-winds stormsuddenly roared across Mobile Bay. 
  An hour later, it was still storming on myway home. About 20 mph was top speed in some places because wind-blown rain wasstrafing the roads in thick sheets, the windshield wipers were having a hardtime keeping up, and vehicles were having trouble staying in their water-coveredlanes. Took me an hour to go less than 20 miles. That was a white-knuckleadventure, and I’m happy to report that my friends made it home slowly and safely.§§
  That’s it for this week’s post. You-all guys keepon keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy andsafe summer…with lots of time for reading!
cj

  THEDAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are quick reads, chock full of adventure with sassybanter and a smidgen of sweet romance. (Perfect diversions for those quick four-dayweekend getaways—especially if it’s a stay-cation.)
  The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
Little note: TheHaunted Book Shop has a few signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER,contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I also have a smallstash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.
➜ Follow me on . . .  ➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson ➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6