tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post114589901325379027..comments2023-10-31T11:37:50.028-04:00Comments on on life & other inconveniences: Satanic sputteringsSandra Ruttanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145996394372129442006-04-25T16:19:00.000-04:002006-04-25T16:19:00.000-04:00Oh, you aren't threatening to uncover your face ag...Oh, you aren't threatening to uncover your face again are you? (LOL Joe!)Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145995086229796742006-04-25T15:58:00.000-04:002006-04-25T15:58:00.000-04:00Tremble before me! Tremble I say!Tremble before me! Tremble I say!JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145979929853419072006-04-25T11:45:00.000-04:002006-04-25T11:45:00.000-04:00Mindy,I'm pretty good with html already. What I wa...Mindy,<BR/>I'm pretty good with html already. What I want to learn is the more advanced fun. Like creating your own templates or starting your website with a mini-movie like PBW's <I>Darkyn</I> site. <BR/><BR/>Bonnie,<BR/>thanks, I'll check it out.Gabriele Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17205770868139083575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145945580751493312006-04-25T02:13:00.000-04:002006-04-25T02:13:00.000-04:00html....it's late!html....it's late!Bonnie S. Calhounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769607640246518804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145945559274032622006-04-25T02:12:00.000-04:002006-04-25T02:12:00.000-04:00Good ol' Sandra...the bolg hogger...LOL...now see....Good ol' Sandra...the bolg hogger...LOL...now see....this is funny stuff! I did notice that your comments were longer than his post...LOL<BR/><BR/>Gabriele...in the lower right sidebar of my blog, there's links for learning htmy and css code!Bonnie S. Calhounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769607640246518804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145935396697344022006-04-24T23:23:00.000-04:002006-04-24T23:23:00.000-04:00Something to think about, for sure. If you can co...Something to think about, for sure. If you can come up with a related angle.<BR/><BR/>I've actually heard people discuss writing a book for a specific marketing angle, which I find a bit disturbing. I just write what's in me to write...<BR/><BR/>I mean, imagine trying to come up with a marketing angle for Fucked Again. Not easy.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145935131202332372006-04-24T23:18:00.000-04:002006-04-24T23:18:00.000-04:00Thanks, Sandra. I should clarify something, though...Thanks, Sandra. I should clarify something, though. I'm not talking about sending the books to the book editor. You're competing with everyone in the world for that space, and John Grisham is going to win. <BR/><BR/>What I'm saying is that authors should find/create a story RELATED to their book, so that they can get a feature story (as opposed to a book review). Think of an angle that's quirky, nostalgic, related to a famous/notorious person or event, etc. You creative writers ought to be able to do it!Lisa Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16273391238820872246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145934389894494702006-04-24T23:06:00.000-04:002006-04-24T23:06:00.000-04:00Oh Lisa, you hog my blog any time!The only thing w...Oh Lisa, you hog my blog any time!<BR/><BR/>The only thing with authors for newspaper coverage is promo books. I've heard local authors gripe about sending out tons of books hoping for reviews and getting nowhere.<BR/><BR/>There are things you can do, like the cable tv networks. They have readings, and of course, radio, which has wide distribution range.<BR/><BR/>And I think those are solid options, and people should chase every avenue.<BR/><BR/>I'm not quite sold on the idea of bookmarks or postcards personally.<BR/><BR/>#1 thing I think you can do: always be available for an interview. If anyone is interested, never turn them down.<BR/><BR/>But it's all muddling through at this point. I am going to pay attention to my investments and try to figure out what's worth it and what isn't.<BR/><BR/>And delete your comment so nobody else can steal the suggestions! (Just kidding!)Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145933805865995162006-04-24T22:56:00.000-04:002006-04-24T22:56:00.000-04:00Excellent post, but I want to point out that PR (a...Excellent post, but I want to point out that PR (as opposed to advertising) is practically free. I spent several years as a publicist for non-profit institutions, and because we didn't have a lot of advertising money, our focus was on getting journalists to write about us or interview us on TV. If you can swing that kind of coverage, it's actually better than advertising because it comes with an implied endorsement.<BR/><BR/>Even if you aren't in a media hub, you still have access to major media. Wire services like AP and CanWest frequently pick up quirky, fun local features and run them nationally. Also, find out if major newspapers elsewhere have bureau chiefs or stringers near you; they're usually more approachable than editors at the same publication. (I used to get a lot of coverage for my organization in the Los Angeles Times this way, even though we were 3,000 miles away.) <BR/><BR/>Some television networks use local features as fillers. Find a reporter who seems ambitious and likely to send his or her stuff to the network honchos. Radio affiliates, like your local NPR stations, will do the same. (I was once stumped trying to get something on NPR in New York, so I found an angle to convince a reporter in Missouri to do the story -- and it got picked up nationally.)<BR/><BR/>Don't believe "consultants" who say that you need a fancy expensive media kit to do this. Journalists throw those things away. Most of my media placement was done with a single email crafted to appeal to the specific reporter. All you need is an ANGLE that will appeal to the reporter's audience.<BR/><BR/>For example, if I'd written a mystery novel, I might try to organize one of those murder-mystery weekends with a local inn (with them fronting the expenses in exchange for my PR). I'd find a quirky angle that would make the event interesting to a wide variety of people (a famous case, etc.). Then I'd work, work, work to get media. <BR/><BR/>All it takes is one big break. Once your story is in a major publication, the other ones start calling YOU. And if you score some major media, your publisher might think again about shelling out some additional money.<BR/><BR/>OK, I'm going to stop hogging your blog now.Lisa Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16273391238820872246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145933243382390132006-04-24T22:47:00.000-04:002006-04-24T22:47:00.000-04:00I taught myself HTML code, Gabriele. Then I taugh...I taught myself HTML code, Gabriele. Then I taught myself CSS. You can do it.Mindy Tarquinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02970872751327021013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145932129822595002006-04-24T22:28:00.000-04:002006-04-24T22:28:00.000-04:00Hehe, one of the reasons I picked Campbell as my p...Hehe, one of the reasons I picked Campbell as my pen name is the C.<BR/><BR/>And I just invested in some books about webdesign, it comes cheaper in the end if I can do it myself. I've also applied for an Europa Domain with my provider.Gabriele Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17205770868139083575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145922520025504372006-04-24T19:48:00.000-04:002006-04-24T19:48:00.000-04:00Thanks Friend.But I figure I could kill him and ge...Thanks Friend.<BR/><BR/>But I figure I could kill him and get away with it. He's practically made the case himself for justifiable homicide...Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145922256711671292006-04-24T19:44:00.000-04:002006-04-24T19:44:00.000-04:00Watch out Sandra -- JA Konrath is a VERY powerful ...Watch out Sandra -- JA Konrath is a VERY powerful figure in the mystery community. You don't want to mess with him...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145916569192666512006-04-24T18:09:00.000-04:002006-04-24T18:09:00.000-04:00You aren't off-base Sandra - that is how a lot of ...You aren't off-base Sandra - that is how a lot of people find books. The only thing there in terms of marketing is how libraries decide to buy books. In the US, the libraries consider the Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus reviews and base purchasing off of them, as well as some other reviews.<BR/><BR/>Which means getting those arc's into the hands of reviewers, although that isn't as much of a cost as sending an author on a tour.<BR/><BR/>I live in a small village with virtually no library, and I really miss being able to wander and look around, find really old books that are fantastic but nobody's talking about today...Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145916366591058352006-04-24T18:06:00.000-04:002006-04-24T18:06:00.000-04:00I may be way off base here, but the public library...I may be way off base here, but the public library is where I find authors. Our library stocks mostly mysteries. That's where I found Sandford, Burke, Edna Buchanan (sp?) and a lot of others. Our librarian is great at pointing out the new authors. If I like what I find, then I buy. If you want to know what the public is reading, hit your local library. They'd love having authors come in. Where I live, the nearest book store is 60 miles away. I depend on the library to find great books for me. And libraries buy books.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145913849074674112006-04-24T17:24:00.000-04:002006-04-24T17:24:00.000-04:00Well, to be honest, I like the idea of growing a c...Well, to be honest, I like the idea of growing a character and it's refreshing to have married protagonists out there, instead of womanizers everywhere. This is one thing that bothered me a bit about Banks - I liked the early books and was starting through the series, and I heard about how things changed.<BR/><BR/>That took a lot of the steam out of it for me. I'd really been enjoying a character that wasn't so completely screwed up.<BR/><BR/>But I figured if John really regretted the move, I could offer him a way out...Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145912623452645902006-04-24T17:03:00.000-04:002006-04-24T17:03:00.000-04:00Ouch. I like Weather. I thought he was toying with...Ouch. I like Weather. I thought he was toying with that when he had her overseas for this last one. I just re-read his earlier ones and he really is a good example of how to grow a character over the course of a series. <BR/>Interesting...JT Ellisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034115593738265631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145910681907160582006-04-24T16:31:00.000-04:002006-04-24T16:31:00.000-04:00I told him to kill the wife and kid.Nearly gave hi...I told him to kill the wife and kid.<BR/><BR/>Nearly gave him a heart attack, but I did come up with a plan B.<BR/><BR/>Moral of the story: never discuss on a panel wondering if you did the right thing by marrying off your character and giving them a family. Not if Sandra's there!Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145910578099109712006-04-24T16:29:00.001-04:002006-04-24T16:29:00.001-04:00You must share. Sandford's the reason I'm writing ...You must share. Sandford's the reason I'm writing Crime Fiction in the first place. I'm half in love with Davenport too...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145910563510785462006-04-24T16:29:00.000-04:002006-04-24T16:29:00.000-04:00Yeah, you've been going about it the wrong way Boy...Yeah, you've been going about it the wrong way Boy Kim! LOL!<BR/><BR/>James took a shot at you in the comments on his blog for Saturday (Ironic or Irony - James Oswald, that is).<BR/><BR/>You'd best set him straight. I answered him on his post today.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145908826378203452006-04-24T16:00:00.000-04:002006-04-24T16:00:00.000-04:00All for the bottle and hanging - um, hanging out, ...All for the bottle and hanging - um, hanging out, that is!<BR/><BR/>As for the other, maybe hold everyone hostage at a bookstore until they pick up crime fiction?<BR/><BR/>You'd die if you knew what I told John Sandford to do last summer JT...Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145908449349898842006-04-24T15:54:00.000-04:002006-04-24T15:54:00.000-04:00Here's one for you to chew on. I think it's obviou...Here's one for you to chew on. I think it's obvious that we're all doing one helluva job marketing to other mystery writers and readers. How do we get outisde the market? Where do we go to advertise to get a commercial following???<BR/>BTW, Sandra, you and I definitely need to share a bottle and hang.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145903752598719152006-04-24T14:35:00.000-04:002006-04-24T14:35:00.000-04:00Exactly Mindy - I pointed out in the comments over...Exactly Mindy - I pointed out in the comments over there I'm an oddity. I'm always looking for people to interview, for example.<BR/><BR/>But how do you reach the masses? Well, chances are, if they've never heard of you, you don't!Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1145903419353413482006-04-24T14:30:00.000-04:002006-04-24T14:30:00.000-04:00Know what's weird about all this discussion? Why a...Know what's weird about all this discussion? Why authors buy books has nothing to do with why people who aren't authors buy books. Why people who read blogs buy books has nothing to do with why people who can barely find their computer's 'on' button buy books.<BR/><BR/>I'm going to start asking people why they buy books. Not authors, not people who haunt authors' blogs, but normal, everyday Joes who I know read books and wouldn't know a blog, a writers' conference, or a Kirkus review from their Church bulletin.<BR/><BR/>I'll get back to you.Mindy Tarquinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02970872751327021013noreply@blogger.com