Being an Author
These Days
Of course I’m going to speak for myself, any other author
who decides to leave a comment, be sure and tell what it’s like for you.
First, I’ll tell
you I don’t have an agent. There is no one who goes out looking for the best publishing
deal for me—I’ve done it for myself. Oh, I’ve had several agents in the long
ago past and no one ever did anything for my books. In fact, I don’t think they
even tried very hard.
My first book
was accepted by a New York publisher and if I’d known anything at all about
this business—which I didn’t—that’s when I should have found an agent to help
negotiate the contract. But I didn’t. Back when I started, there was no
Internet with groups you could go to that could help you learn what to do as there
is now.
I stumbled and
bumbled about, got tangled up with a couple of crooked publishers—learned what
to look out for—and eventually ended up with the small press I’m with now for
my Rocky Bluff P.D crime novels, Oak Tree Press.
And the second
biggie is, I don’t have a publicist. I am my own publicist. Because of that and
the fact that there seems to be fewer hours in a day now, I probably miss some
things I could be doing.
What I am doing:
This blog tour.
Blog tours are a lot of work—I’ve paid for them before and believe me, the tour
companies truly earn their money.
Of course I’m on
Facebook and Twitter—I use Facebook the most and I’m on several groups located
on Facebook where I let people know what’s happening with my books.
I’m on several
listserves.
I sell my books
at craft and author fairs and book festivals.
Marilyn at a library program |
I usually go to
two writers or mystery cons a year. This year it’s EpiCon and the Public Safety
Writers Association’s conference.
And I do anything
else that might crop up during the year.
I love giving
talks and workshops about all phases of writing, so if anyone asks and it’s not
too far away, I accept.
What I don’t do
is a lot of physical socializing. I don’t belong to community clubs or go to a
lot of parties. Writing and promoting takes a lot of time which means spending
several hours a day in front of the computer.
Am I famous and
well-known? No. I do have my fans that follow both my series. When someone
tells me how much they enjoyed one of my books, that’s a great feeling.
And the question
I’m often asked, “Do you make a lot of money?”
The simple
answer is “No.”
This answer is
usually followed by, “Then, why do you do it?”
Because I can’t
stop. I love writing, it is an addiction.
In the case of
the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, I always want to know what is going to happen next
to my characters. They’ve become such a part of me, that I want to see where
life is going to take them next—and the only way that can happen is if I write
the next book.
That next book
is Dangerous
Impulses:
An attractive
new-hire captivates Officer Gordon Butler, Officer Felix Zachary’s wife Wendy
is befuddled by her new baby, Ryan and Barbara Strickland receive unsettling
news about her pregnancy, while the bloody murder of a mother and her son and
an unidentified drug that sickens teenaged partiers jolts the Rocky Bluff P.D.
Contest:
The person who
comments on the most blog posts on this tour may have a character named after
him or her in the next Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel or choose a book from the
previous titles in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series in either paper or for Kindle.
Rocky Bluff P.D.
Series:
Though each book
in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series is written as a stand-alone, I know there are
people who like to read a series in order. From the beginning to the end:
Final Respects
Bad Tidings
Fringe Benefits
Smell of Death
No Sanctuary
An Axe to Grind
Angel Lost
No Bells
Dangerous
Impulses
F. M. Meredith’s Bio:
F.M. is also
known as Marilyn Meredith, the author of the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. She
first became interested in writing about law enforcement when she lived in a
neighborhood filled with police officers and their families. The interest was
fanned when her daughter married a police officer and the tradition has
continued with a grandson and grandson-in-law who are deputies. She’s also
serves on the board of the Public Safety Writers Association, and has many
friends in different law enforcement fields. For twenty plus years, she and her
husband lived in a small beach community located in Southern California much
like the fictional Rocky Bluff. She is a member of three chapters of Sisters in
Crime, Epic, and Mystery Writers of America.
And I’m on
Facebook and Twitter as MarilynMeredith
How to buy Marilyn's book: Just hit this button. http://tinyurl.com/byxomtk
Thank you so much for having me today, Lesley. The river in your photo looks a lot like the Tule River that runs behind my house. We have more boulders and the banks are higher, but similar.
ReplyDeleteWell, Lesley, you "hit the nail on the head" when you described Marilyn as a role model for all writers. I am constantly in awe of you, Marilyn. I love your books and I admire you as a writer and a person. How you accomplish all that you do amazes me! Best of luck with your new book!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia, that's such a nice compliment, I appreciate it.
DeleteI met Marilyn at Killer Nashville several years ago and we have been "writer" friends since that meeting. She is a wonderful writer and a very passionate and good person. I will be hosting her on my blog this month and invite everyone to come and say hello. You won't be sorry.
ReplyDeleteYou are so nice, Rick. I'm looking forward to seeing you and your wife at the PSWA conference.
ReplyDeleteWriting is the easy part, isn't it? Even the editing is easy compared to self-promotion. I do all the things you do except for listserves. I'm unfamiliar with that. Hmmm... Great post! Wishing you lots of luck.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vonnie. I do wish I could spend more time writing and not so much promoting. However, I wouldn't trade the friends I've made along the way.
DeleteMarilyn, your dedication to writing is an inspiration to us all! And it's always a good thing to see that all of us are in the same boat with publicity - really, it's all up to us in the end. I wish you continued and growing luck. You're right - there's nothing better than hearing from someone who's read a book you've written and tells you how much they loved it!
ReplyDeleteI don't feel like and inspiration, but thank you. Glad you stopped by.
DeleteGreat picture of you, Marilyn, with all your books!!! True inspiration... Lesley, love your blog picture, so calming. Enjoyed visiting!
ReplyDeleteMadeline
Thanks for letting folks know that we're not rich - at least not from writing. In fact, for years our writing business has offset our income in the negative. But we love it, too. See you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteYes, my writing career has helped me a lot--plenty of deductions. I'll be visiting you tomorrow, hope everyone will follow along.
DeleteI knew writing novels wasn't going to make me wealthy, well maybe someday, if I happen to write a best-seller, (Cough, Cough...) But I do it because I love writing, too. I only hope my writing addiction turns out as many amazing published novels as you have. Thanks for sharing, Marilyn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Evelyn. I'd like to be a best-seller too.
DeleteWriting, marketing and promotion aren't for sissies, as you well know. It's hard work all the way around. I don't know how you keep up with it. I'm so far behind right now I don't know if I'll ever catch up. I admire you and all that you do!
ReplyDeleteMarja McGraw
Yeah, Marilyn, you make all this look so easy. Like Marja I feel behind all the time. Do you ever take a break?
ReplyDeleteI love seeing Marilyn all around the blog circuit.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Lesley, I've got a blog award for you over on my blog. Come on by.
It was a pleasure meeting you in California last month, Marilyn, and hearing you read. You are such a great example of prolific writing and marketing! Thank you for this blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas for promotion.
ReplyDeleteI'm just catching up with Marilyn's tour. Better late than never. :) I met her at Mayhem in the Midlands a few years ago and have kept up with the Tempe series since. Nice article! I may have to try the 2nd series, too!
ReplyDelete