Are you a new author facing your first booksigning event? Or maybe you’re a seasoned player and you haven’t done one in a while. Here’s a checklist of what to bring. Some authors scatter chocolate kisses or other candy on the table, but I’ve found this practice only attracts children to snatch the candy. It … Read more
As authors, we’re advised to promote our brand to readers. What does this mean? Think about your favorite writers. You know what kind of story you’re going to get when you pick up one of their books. It could be heartwarming characters, small town settings, or fast-paced thrills and chills. Or maybe it’s a recurring … Read more
We’ve all had booksignings where no one shows up. So it was a fabulous surprise last weekend as I approached www.bandlbooks.com in Altamonte Springs, FL to see a row of readers lined up to enter the store! My jaw nearly dropped off my face. When had I ever last seen such enthusiasm, and for the … Read more
“Brainstorming on the Beach” Conference with Novelists, Inc. Here are my notes, keeping in mind this is what I heard and my interpretation. This panel was geared toward Harlequin Enterprises. Writing for Worldwide Distribution with Marsha Zinberg, Executive Editor, Harlequin Enterprises and Author Vicki Lewis Thompson Marsha: A breakdown on what’s popular with readers shows … Read more
“Brainstorming on the Beach” Conference with Novelists, Inc. Contracts and Copyrights Panelists: David Forrer, Literary Agent Alan Kaufman, Literary Attorney Carly Phillips, NYT Bestselling Author Deb Werksman, Editorial Manager, Sourcebooks Donna Hayes, Publisher and CEO, Harlequin Enterprises Chris Kenneally, Copyright Clearance Center Al Zuckerman, Literary Agent and Founder of Writers House Brenda Hiatt, Author Here … Read more
“Brainstorming on the Beach” Conference with Novelists, Inc. 2010 Wednesday, October 6, 2010 We checked in for the Novelists, Inc. conference at Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach. In the lobby, I met authors Cynthia Thomason, Brenda Hiatt Barber, Thea Devine, Ruth Glick, Judy Fitzwater, Barbara Keiler, Annette Mahon, Patricia Rosemoor, and Mary Stella. It’s … Read more
REPORT ON RWA NATIONAL CONFERENCE Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31, 2010 Reinventing Yourself with bestselling author JAYNE ANN KRENTZ . Jayne had to reinvent herself numerous times, from writing futuristics to contemporaries to historicals. She takes her “core story” and puts it into a marketable setting. Names she’s written under are Jayne Ann … Read more
RWA NATIONAL CONFERENCE, ORLANDO 2010 Thursday, July 29, 2010 The morning’s annual RWA meeting was followed by a keynote luncheon featuring NY Times bestselling author Nora Roberts aka J.D. Robb. NORA ROBERTS Keynote Luncheon Nora spoke about how technology changed from when she started writing in the days of typewriters. Writers used to go to … Read more
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 I arrived at the Dolphin Resort with my roomies for the weekend, authors ALLISON CHASE and SHARON HARTLEY. We went early in the morning to register at the RWA Annual Conference and to drop off our promo items in the goody room. Not too many people were around but we figured … Read more
A new writer has in mind one goal: getting published. Often, they don’t think beyond that goal post. But once they get The Call, everything changes. I think it’s Fear of Success that keeps some folks from submitting because they don’t want to face what comes next. They will have to get a publicity photo, … Read more