Looking for the Right Ending: A “Cliff Hanger” or Finale

   I am working on the sequel to “They All Fall Down” and have discovered it isn’t easy to decide where to end the story.  Should it be at the end of the North African campaign when the Allies defeated Rommel’s army or should it end on the brink to the invasion of Italy?  The answer could affect how well the book will do in the market place. 

   Many authors will leave their audience with a “cliff hanger” when a second, third or even fourth book is to follow.  The history of World War II isn’t going to change; on the other hand, how characters in the story are affected will make a difference to where the third sequel to this saga will take up the reigns of history. 

   It is important the decision be made with follow through to finish this next novel I have decided to title “Return to Nineveh.”  I chose the title because just as Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh; the soldiers that faced the enemy did not want to see war engulf the world. 

    “Brimstone and Water” was released in May 2012.  It is time to have another novel in the pipeline with my publisher to keep my name at the forefront of recently released books.  It allows the opportunity to be a known face at signings, presentations, and book fairs which builds a following that grows with each new release.  Does it put pressure on the author to write while trying to market the latest book to hit the market?  The answer is yes; however, to become known it is essential to treat writing with the same discipline an executive uses to run a successful business.

   The decision is made and now I must follow through to complete the story.  My time at present is limited and it will require putting aside the desire to play a game on the computer instead of completing the last few chapters.  The research is in place, so that can’t be an excuse to put off how the story will end.  As authors, we are in a self-made business that hinges on what we are willing to put into that business. 

   The next story is already beginning to form in my thoughts and it will soon be time to begin the research necessary to bring the narrative to life.   Until then it is time to burn up the computer keyboard and present “Return to Nineveh” as the next work completed.

 

Happy Writing to All!

Rolling With the Punches – Each Event Presents a New Challenge

   Saturday I had a signing at a nationwide chain bookstore where the author provides their books for the event.  This is the third time I have been a guest author with the chain and have found each store to be a different set-up.  I make a point of arriving ahead of the scheduled event time to prepare my presentation of the books (product) to the best advantage.  Each time I have found the staff to be friendly and helpful within the limitations the various stores presents.

Visibility is everything – the rest is up to me.

   Providing the books also involves paying the bookstore a percentage of each sale.  It’s a little like renting a booth, however, the cost is based on the number of sales made and that depends on how much advertising is done for the event.  The store is going to sell their products whether any of my books are sold or not.  The customers are coming because of the store’s variety of specialty books and other items related to their market niche.

   Since the books are sold within the store they must pass through the store cash register sales for the day where state sales tax is calculated for the books sold and charged to the customer.  That said – it doesn’t affect the author’s percentage of the sales.  I paid 40% of retail cost to purchase the books from the publisher and pay 50% of sales to the store, giving me 50% back on the retail purchase price of the book; so my profit is 10% on each sale (40% to purchase, 10% profit, 50% t o the store = 100% of the retail purchase price).  This isn’t a large amount of profit (not quite free – but close), but I did rent the space in the store based on sales.  If there were no books sold, I would not be charged for the space.

   So why try to sell at a chain store niche market – it’s within the niche market that I target.  It is also exposure to the public outside of my 50 mile radius of home.  Each time I have store signings I learn something new in how to communicate with the public and what approach is the most fruitful when trying to promote interest in my writing.  While Christian based, my writing is historical/fiction/romance giving me a wider base to draw from and an opportunity to talk with people about writing, history, fiction and sometimes even current events.  A moment in time allows me to engage the person in conversation, present my book for that person to read the back matter, and present my card in a friendly manner that contains all the information needed for the customer to purchase at a later date when no sale is made.

   Remember I said sales and audience hinge on the amount of advertising done previous to the event.  A press release to the local newspapers and radio stations is free and effective.  I learned on Saturday my book was known to a customer visiting the area that purchased the book who heard about it on her local radio station from the other side of the state.  I have to thank my publisher for that advertising.  Also if a poster is available to send prior to the event for the store to put in their window with the event date and time customers will know that an author will be present to sign a short personal message on the first page just for them.

   We all want to have higher sales and become known to a customer base.  Each time an event is scheduled our names are introduced to new people.  Even though this is my second novel, it has regenerated interest in the first simply because people that read the second novel now want to read more of my work.  They show an interest in the first novel and the upcoming sequel to that work now in the final stages prior to submission to my marketer at Tate Publishing. 

   My husband and I travel throughout the winter and this offers an opportunity to seek out new markets and fairs to attend with the intention of selling – which involves letting my marketer know where I’m interested in being a guest author.  This builds from researching the available market, following through with my marketer and once interest is shown by a store, library, local clubs, etc, and following through once again by making personal contact with that local entity.

   It is now time for me to create the list and contact information, send it to my marketer, and follow through.  But how will I ever get it done?  I schedule small units of time to make the lists and within a few days have the places I’m interested in being a guest author and submit it to my marketer.  I then allow him to do what he does so well.  I know that many self-published authors rely upon themselves to make these contacts; however, I have found a professional marketer is able to open some doors that otherwise may not have swung in the right direction.

   It is up to me to make the personal contact once my marketer sends me a list of places interested in having me as their guest.  It is the same as engaging a potential customer, but this time it is a place where I will be the guest author/presenter.  About three weeks prior to the event is the right time to send out the press release and supply the poster that has a picture of the book and the event information to a store when supplying the books for the event. 

   Each event is unique and holds a certain thrill when a total stranger picks up that book I wrote and says, “This sounds interesting, I think I’d like a copy.  Will you sign it for me?”

Viva-la Sales!

FOLLOWING THROUGH – HOW IMPORTANT CAN IT BE?

It’s been a while since my last blog entry.  I have no excuses except to say “I have lacked the discipline of following through.”

Following through with anything requires a sense of discipline on a continual basis.  At the workplace we are required to follow through on a daily basis.  How do we handle it if we are no longer in the 9 to 5 workforce?  As authors we have to decide how to market our work and how often we market.  Should it be just a blitz when a new book is published?  Should it be daily, weekly, monthly? 

Retailers market every day through advertising, sales events and being a stone and brick presence in our shopping lives.  We as authors are also retailers with a quality product to sell.   Our publishers, if we are not self-published, will do some of the work for us; however, the major portion of publicizing is up to the author.   Once we have created the publicity it is essential that we follow through on a regular basis to keep those carefully thought out works in the forefront.  In other words, keep the excitement going and keep our name in front of the public. 

I know from experience that many of us will give up after a few months with few of our novels being sold.  It must be it isn’t such a great work after all and maybe I should just bit the bullet and realize my work isn’t the great work I thought it was. 

Wait a minute – everyone that has read the book said it was a good story – so why isn’t it selling in all the bookstores and on Amazon.

In short the answer to that statement is – marketing.  How many of us have read best-selling author books and raved about the stories and writing styles?  How did they get on the best-seller lists to begin with?  First they wrote a compelling, well written story.  Second they worked at marketing until they reached that best-seller list and continue to publicize their work on a regular basis.  Speaking engagements, book signings, fairs, author conventions, talk shows (local and national) are all tools to getting our names out to the public.  It creates excitement about the book and the public starts talking about the book(s) and begins looking for the next book to explode onto the market. 

It occurred to me that in our family I have a brother-in-law that was a sales representative for many years.  He made a good living and as the family says, “…could sell refrigerators in the arctic.”  So why didn’t I think of this earlier.  I’ve tried getting information from publicists but the cost is beyond my means.  Then it occurred to me – why not ask my brother-in-law to help with marketing.  I’d be happy to share a commission within the family.   Yesterday, after he made one trip to two bookstores, I have a signing next month in Muskegon, Michigan at the Family Christian Book Store.  Another bookstore is considering my latest novel as well.

This happened because of follow through by my brother-in-law and my following through with making contact with the stores he contacted in person on my behalf.  A lesson learned here is to keep making those contacts as often as possible.  I keep a few copies of “Brimstone and Water” in our vehicle just in case someone should ask if I have a copy for sale.  Why yes I do, just let me go get it for you.  I sold two copies just by chance when my husband and I were at a campground and the subject of relaxing by the pool with a good book came up.  This started talk in the campground and now people I’ve never met know my novels are available at bookstores, through my publisher and on Amazon.  They also have my business card should they forget the name of the book or my name.

Marketing, it never stops no matter where we may be.  Follow through goes hand-in-hand with marketing.  We can put our name on Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogging and every other virtual market out there, but if we do not follow through with our initial blitz it’s a flash in the pan and then forgotten.  Also if we do not work to be physically seen by our public and follow through with contacts made we will not be successful in marketing our work.

How important is follow-through – I would say the most important part of marketing.

 

 

GOING PUBLIC

On August 4^th I had a signing at Barnes & Noble in Mishawaka, Indiana.  The store provided a large poster next to the table and chair with my book and download sheets for their Nook Book electronic device across from the checkout lane.  A great setting – or is it.

I discovered while being close to the mall entrance to the large store it wasn’t where people entering the store would see me when they first walked in.  I also noted many people that were not interested with having interaction with an unknown author on site would look the opposite way when they did walk by.  Some would take a cursory glance at the poster and quickly hurry past in the hope of not making eye contact.   These are some of the challenges an author faces when participating in a book signing event.

When a person was idly walking around the book shelves and tables picking up books and laying them back down I asked if they were looking for anything special and then offered my book to “take a look.”  Some said maybe later and I would give them my business card that has a small thumbnail picture of the cover, the link to the book and my name and email address. 

But let’s talk about the ones that purchased the book or download sheet.   The customer and I engaged in conversation about the book and how I came to write it.  It might be a 2-minute conversation or it could be up to 10 minutes we talked.  The result of interaction with the customer was the sale of another copy of the book. 

Interaction with the customer – that is the key to marketing.  As authors we often forget that being visible is a part of writing.  People like to put a face with the books they are reading.  Unless one is a bestselling author with an easily recognized name it is essential to make contact with our audience regularly.  Sometimes it might be a bookstore where we bring our books and make arrangements with the manager/owner to sell our books sharing the profits with the store.  Other times we may be fortunate and be invited to a larger chain where the store provides the books and we simply make an effort to communicate with the public and assist the store in making that sale. 

We all know that book clubs and libraries along with rotaries and the Lion’s Clubs are good places to be a speaker and sell copies of our books after the talk.  I discovered at library talks a question and answer time at the end is helpful as well. 

Another good place to “get the word out” is at your church.  Church members participate in a signing event, especially when a tithe of the profits is donated to the church (which is a given anyway).  Another thing about a church signing event is that a talk can be incorporated into an event.  I participated in a church event that allowed me to talk about my novels.  Several members of the church purchased my book and were asking when the next one would be out.  Whatever clubs one belongs to offers a venue for making sales; and sales lead to word-of-mouth that leads to more sales and eventually recognition.

So don’t be shy about answering, “I’m an author,” when someone asks what you do.  It most likely will be the first step to being invited to speak or to come and sell that next bestseller at an event. 

Happy Selling!!

Inspiration – How the Story Begins

I have often been asked where the idea comes from to write a novel.  Imagination is part of the answer; but, the things I read and see start the juices flowing.  I enjoy reading about history before I was born, a very long time ago, and start thinking how would I have lived in that time.  Would I have realized that history is being made, just like history is being made in our world today?  After all it’s the history that affects today’s current events as it has throughout time. 

We all react differently to events whether of world importance or life events that affect our nearest and dearest.  Sometimes though events can spin out of control, and that’s when anything could happen.  That’s when the what if comes into play.   That’s when a story starts to form and the characters begin to emerge from behind the curtain of the yet to be written story line. 

Mount Thera erupted in ancient time causing catastrophic destruction throughout the Mediterranean.  Earthquakes shook the earth as the volcano spewed molten lava across Thera Island and into the sea.  Tsunamis rolled onto the Island of Crete causing devastating losses to the Minoan Culture that marked the beginning of the end for a civilization that had survived over two thousand years.  The volcano’s ash carried by the trade winds blotted out the sun and fell like snow smothering plant life.  Soon the Minoans succumbed to illness and death leaving them vulnerable to invasion and the eventual demise of a millennia long civilization.

But, what if, someone important survived.  What if, that person’s blood line flowed into present time?  What if, the current day person heard the ancient one calling to her descendant?  That’s where a story formed and two women of very different times are drawn to each other as their journey together begins. Brimstone and Water began to emerge until the characters were unveiled and their story completed. 

A few years previous the journey took a different route when my interest in the British part of World War II was peaked.  What if, a young American nurse was present when the Japanese invaded the Malayan Peninsula? How would she see the outbreak of war in Europe when in the East all was calm—at least on the surface?  Why is she in Malaya?   What is the reaction of her British colleagues as news out of England reveals an endless stream of destruction by the enemy and diplomacy in the East continues its downward spiral? 

These are the questions I asked myself when writing They All Fall Down.  Each day saw something different happen and the characters began to emerge as each event became public.  Life continues even when world changing events occur.  Those on the world stage are making history, but the rest of the world is living life.  We go to work, we meet with friends, we have romances; we live our lives.   Then one day something happens that cannot be pushed to the back of our minds and we have to react to the situation where we find ourselves and try to survive. 

Though very different stories they both work the characters’ story around history.  I wonder what future author will look back at present day history and become inspired?

They All Fall Down: http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book    then click on book, and type in
Sharon House in the search engine

Brimstone and Water: http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781618623294

Brimstone and Water Excerpt and Author's Note

Caralynn saw the familiar figure walking in a garden where butterflies flew on gentle breezes and landed on the leafy branches of flowering trees and shrubs.  It was a woman, her subconscious decided, walking along the narrow pathway.  She turned and smiled before saying, “I’m Mynah,” causing Caralynn to wake with a start.  “Mynah,” she repeated.  “Who is-or was-she?  Or is she even real?”  I must talk to Auntie today.  What did Father think was so important to keep it in a bank vault in Bern? ……

…… Marie took her time reading the letter and laid it on her lap when she finished and thought a moment before saying anything.

“Have you dreamed, my dear?”

“How did you know?” Caralynn gasped.

“Your mother did as well.  It is what drew her into the field she chose to study.  Your father read the legacy and told Peter it must be preserved.  That is why it’s in a vault in Bern.  I know you have many questions, and I’ll do my best to help you, but only you can release this troubled soul.  She has made her choice.”

“What makes you believe I’m the only one who can release her earthy ties?”

“Your studies have taught you how to unravel the past to find this poor woman’s remains and return them to a place of peaceful rest.  I remember when you were deciding what university to attend; Peter asked what you would study.  You answered you wanted to earn a doctorate in archeology, as your parents had, to follow in their footsteps.  Alex and Rosa were working to bring peace to this troubled soul when tragedy struck.  They were on their way to Crete to find out more about the Minoan civilization, but I don’t think the answer lies there.”

“Will you go to Bern with me?  Will you help me look at my parents’ work?  Maybe together we can unravel the threads of time and bring peace to our family.  I don’t want to leave this to another generation.”

An author’s note:

I’m using an excerpt from Brimstone and Water with the idea it is a teaser to intrigue people to purchase and read the novel while not giving away the life journey of two women of very different times that share a blood line.  Will the strategy work?  Only time will tell.  In the meantime I continue to seek out bookstores, libraries, book clubs, fairs, and events to be a speaker and sell books. 

Brimstone and Water available at your favorite bookstore, Amazon.com, and by using the link below:

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781618623294

Blogging and Promoting

    Several times I have wondered what the next step should be for promoting my novels.  Writing a story is something that spills across a page and a natural progression to the story emerges.  Successful promoting of that story to the reader to purchase and enjoy that story does not flow with natural progression.  A million copies best seller is less than the population of Detroit, Michigan, yet few attain that magic number which puts the author’s name on the lips of book reviewers and talk show hosts across the country. 

     A publisher’s marketing department is overwhelmed with new releases on a daily basis that  precludes individual attention to each new book entering a highly competitive market.  Authors are encouraged to create a short one or two sentence description of the story and possibly use an interview coach to help promote their novels.  Currently the internet is becoming one of the biggest promotion tools available.  But, what is the most cost effective use of this tool?

    I have found followings on Twitter and Facebook, two of the most popular internet social networks in the world.  These two networks allow the member to interact with peers and set up pages that attract others to read and comment on postings.  These networks also allow members to post links to their web pages, blogs and directly to their novel as well as upload pictures of the cover within the post. The catch to each of these networks is to post fresh information at least two or three times a week to remain current and interesting to followers.  Once posted the comment is open for the world to read and critique. 

    Another network is Linkedin.com where several members are involved in groups commenting on subjects of interest to a broad spectrum of professionals. I belong to four writers groups at this time and have found interesting comments and advice from several members that are helpful along with encouragement and suggestions to strive for excellence in my work.  As with Twitter and Facebook, it is essential to remain current with the groups to remain a recognized voice about the subject being discussed.

    A blog is a way to express thoughts beyond the novels in publication.  A Google blog spot gives the blogger the ability to be “googled” and have information appear under my name as an author along with what books are included in my repertoire.  A blog also brings the responsibility to update regularly to keep fresh ideas flowing.  More people see the blog as time progresses and some become members because the subject matter interests them and in time may become interested in reading my novels.

     Each day brings a fresh challenge to continue writing new stories while working to promote those works that are completed and in the market place.  Book clubs need to be contacted, another rotary or lion’s club approached, and a list of places where I would like to be seen and heard needs to be emailed to my marketer weekly.  New speeches need to be created so speaking engagements don’t become stale.  All of these things are out of my comfort zone, but I have to push myself to make them happen if people are going to purchase and read my stories. 

    The above are all integrated tools to bring a novel to fruition in the market of reader’s choice.  A well written novel will be deemed a page turner, but the reader will be the final judge of a story.  First and foremost he/she needs to know the story is in the market place and to have their interest peaked by the publicity generated using all the marketing tools available.