Bouchercon Follow-up and RIP

By Karen McCullough


Me (far right) with my fellow Bouchercon panelists – from left, seated, Kaitlyn Dunnet, Leslie Budewitz, Laura diSilverio and our moderator (standing) Catriona McPherson.

Many months I struggle to come up with a topic for my scheduled blog post here, but this time I’ve got two things I wanted to talk about.

Since I posted about how much I dreaded Bouchercon last month, I thought I should follow up. The con went just about as I expected, with a lot of good stuff and a few irritating things.  The good was mostly people I met or re-connected with there. I had several really enjoyable lunches and dinners with other author friends.

The panels were uniformly good. It was interesting, though, to be at a reader-focused convention after having been to so many writer/author ones. There were no how-to panels about writing dialogue or creating query letters, etc. These were all focused on more general topics, like “Setting Mysteries in the Past” or my panel, “The Comfort of Mystery in a Random World.” The topics are set up to give the author panelists ways to talk about their own books in an interesting way. And the moderators were good at keeping things on topic, making sure everyone got equal exposure, and asking excellent questions.

As always, I found it a bit overwhelming and did have to retreat occasionally for some refresh time, but not as much as I expected. There was so much variety and so much going on that it kept me hopping and I still couldn’t get to everything I wanted to. That said, I skipped several evening things to go back to my room instead. By the end of dinner I was normally pretty brain-dead. The only evening thing I did was a Death by Chocolate party sponsored by the Southeast chapter of MWA. As a past president, I was helping to host that so I needed to be there.

There were a few frustrating SNAFUs, but in such a huge undertaking, I would expect it. Unfortunately my books didn’t make it out on the dealer’s table for my signing…sigh. Since I likely wouldn’t have sold more than one or two, I just smiled and signed programs.

I surprised myself by not completely collapsing and being out of it for several days afterward. In fact Monday morning I was in the office and ready to get back to work. Not sure why.

Will I do it again? Not likely. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I have to consider it from the business angle, and viewed that way, it just doesn’t make sense. If I had a somewhat higher profile and some fan base, maybe it would, just for the exposure. Possibly even if I had a book that was just released. Being there did give me some publicity, certainly, but as a very small fish in a very large pond, it wasn’t nearly enough to justify the considerable cost.

And now for the second, more somber thing I wanted to talk about.

The writing world lost two amazing people in the past few weeks. 

Author Joyce Lavene was half of the writing couple of Jim and Joyce Lavene, who’ve written something like forty cozy mysteries in the past twelve years. I didn’t know Joyce well, but I enjoyed her company at the Cape Fear Crime Festival a few years ago, and she and Jim were co-presidents of my local Sisters-in-Crime chapter. She died way too young, after a brief illness. She’ll be missed.

The other person who died recently is super-reviewer Harriet Klausner. She was a controversial figure, but I found her wonderfully supportive, and she did something for me that gave my career a big boost. When Dreams Unlimited, the epublisher that first brought out my two romantic fantasy novels (Witch’s Journey and Wizard’s Bridge), closed its doors, Harriet, who had read my books and given them nice reviews (if she reviewed a book, it was a good review, of course), told the owner of ImaJinn Books (which is now a part of Belle Bridge Books since the owner died a few years ago) that she had a great opportunity to pick up my books and reprint them. The owner respected Harriet’s opinion and offered contracts for both books. It gave me a huge boost at a time when I really needed it!

Rest in peace, Joyce and Harriet. You’ve both made a mark on the world and your passing leaves a hole.

SELF-e For Authors

by Victoria M. Johnson

I first heard about SELF-e at a literary festival I recently participated in.  Our town's librarian was handing out SELF-e flyers to everyone and I was intrigued about this new platform.

SELF-e 

According to the Library Journal website, "SELF-e is an innovative collaboration between Library Journal and BiblioBoard that enables authors and libraries to work together to expose notable self-published ebooks to voracious readers looking to discover something new."

Many people already know that Library Journal is a highly respected periodical used by librarians across the country.  You may not know that BiblioBoard is a platform for libraries to license and deliver digital content for unlimited multi-user access.  So upon hearing of this collaboration, I was eager to learn more about it and how it can benefit authors and readers.

What is SELF-e?

Currently libraries pay a high fee to publishers for an ebook and only one user can have it checked out at a time.  As you can imagine, it is costly to libraries and readers may have to wait weeks and sometimes months to read a new release.  The SELF-e collaboration will provide vetted self-published ebooks to readers who are hungry for more content.  Also, any number of readers can check out the ebook at the same time.  

Who will do the vetting?

Library Journal will curate the collection; selecting those ebooks they believe represents the best in that book's genre.  If your ebook is selected, your ebook will be part of Library Journal's curated modules for each genre, and you'll have a potential nationwide audience.  If your book is not selected, you have the option of submitting for the statewide modules with other local authors. 

 

How does SELF-e benefit authors?

There is no cost to authors, but authors will not make any money when their books are selected or read.  Authors gain readers and exposure.  They get their ebook in a curated collection promoted by a journal that has national recognition.  It's an opportunity to be discovered.  I asked Los Gatos Town Librarian, Henry Bankhead, his thoughts about SELF-e.  "It's a pathway to get your self-published writing read by professionals in the industry and possibly being included in a curated collection for your entire state or the country," he said.  "If you're in the state modules California readers will have access to California material, while Massachusetts readers can access Massachusetts material, and so on."  (Click the Biblioboard link below to see authors who endorse SELF-e).

How do readers access SELF-e?  

It's not available yet.  When it becomes available readers will access SELF-e through their library, using their library card--the same way you get ebooks from your local library now.  Your library subscribes to it.  (You might ask your local library if they will subscribe or if they are collecting self-published ebooks from local authors for this project).

How do authors submit their ebooks for consideration or find out more? 

Library Journal site: http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/self-e/

Biblioboard site: http://biblioboard.com/authors.html

FAQs for libraries and FAQs for authors: http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/self-e/self-e-faq/

Submission Page: https://library-journal.biblioboard.com/

If, after checking out the websites, you decide this opportunity is right for you, it looks like it will only take a few minutes to submit your ebook for consideration.  Have your metadata handy (keywords).

The only deadline information I found says: Submissions through the Fall

That means if you're unsure if you should submit, don't take too long to decide or the first round submission period may be over.  Who knows when the next period will come?  Also, don't stall if you're not sure if your ebook is among the best in the genre.  The Library Journal website says, "All that is required is an engaging story, and your ebook file."

BiblioBoard's website says, "We believe indie authors, libraries and patrons will work together to play a major role in the future of publishing and the culture of reading."

--> Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma, (A 2012 Bookseller’s Best double finalist).  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride. She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.   Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter.

Seven Things Happy Readers Can Do to Stay Happy

by Victoria M. Johnson

You've finished reading a book and you loved it.  What do you do next?  Do you call or email your friends.  Do you text your sister?  Do you confide in your coworkers at break time?  All of these are wonderful ways to share your joy. Believe me when I say that all authors appreciate it when you help spread the word about their book and there is a benefit to you for doing so.

Positive word-of-mouth leads others to read the book, which makes the author happy, and a happy author puts that positive energy toward writing more fabulous books.  More delectable page-turners to read will make YOU, the reader, happy.  So if you want to stay happy here are some actions for you to consider carrying out:

 

1. Tell your friends, family and coworkers about the great read. Word of mouth really is the best form of promotion an author can get.  I know you don't think of your recommendation that way but others who know you will trust your opinion more than any ad they see.

2. Write an online book review wherever you purchased or borrowed the book, or any sites that you frequent to find the books you should read next such as LibraryThing, Shelfari, or Goodreads. 

3. If posting reviews is not something you are comfortable doing you can post your approval for the book on any of your own social media sites such as facebook or Pinterest.  For an example, take a look at one of my Pinterest boards.  

4. One of the quickest ways to show your endorsement is to "like" a review someone else wrote that you agree with at an online site like Amazon.  Just click "yes" this review was helpful.  The image below shows that 30 other readers agreed with the review by clicking the "yes" box.  It's that simple.

5. Follow your favorite author on whatever social media site you use.  For example, many authors are on facebook.  This is a great way to connect with your favorite authors.  You can find out about new books coming, hear about signings in your area, or sign up for any giveaways or contests the author may have.   

6. Attend the author's book event.  If it's feasible to attend a signing or speaking engagement think about going. You'll meet the author, meet other readers, and have fun. 

7. Buy the author's next book or one of her backlist books. If you loved an author's book there's a high chance you'll love her other books.  Did you like her style and writing voice?  That's something that carries on from book to book.

 

You don't have to try to do all of the above things; just doing one will make your author's day--maybe even her week.  She works hard to bring readers engrossing stories, it's a job she loves, and a job she hopes to do for many more years.  You can help make that possible by putting a smile on her face.  Remember if the author is happy you'll be happy because she'll write more books for you to devour. 

Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma, (A 2012 Bookseller’s Best double finalist).  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride.  Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page at http://amzn.com/e/B0046CG6PQ or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter.