Saturday, November 04, 2006

On Getting Back Into the Groove

What I'm reading: Echo Park by Michael Connelly

What I'm writing: Chapter 14 – at last.

Things have started down the road to 'normal'. My manuscripts are turned in, my cover request form for What's in a Name? was received, and after reading the first 13 chapters of "Book 5" last weekend, I think I have a pretty good feel for Dalton and Miri again. I've been participating in "AuthorDays" for Wild Rose Press in several Yahoo Groups, and it's a new experience. I'm not used to promoting, and the time and energy spent in these groups gets daunting. However, there's no financial outlay, so it's a good place to start.

I'm trying to decide if I can afford to go to the Fun in the Sun conference in Miami in February. Finding Sarah will be a brand new release, and the CEO of Cerridwen Press will be there, so it's probably a good career move. It's also near where I lived for 13 years and I have very little desire to go back. Not to mention it takes place right on one of those 'major' birthdays, and I was hoping for a different sort of celebration. I need to decide soon, though, or it'll get even more expensive.

Today I went to an 18 author book signing at a "local" mall (40-minute drive, when "my" malls are more like 10 – 20 minutes away). I can't deny a twinge of envy at not having anything to sign. Even when Finding Sarah is released, it's not going to be something I can sign. Which comes back to the Yahoo Groups where e-book readers seem to hang out.

I've been in touch with our local PIO at the Sheriff's Department. Now all I can do is wait for his answers so I can fix all the stuff I made up in Starting Over.

2 comments:

Carol Ann said...

Terry, I know how you feel about the chat promotions. Sometimes it seems so crazy and you wonder if it is doing any good. Of course, I'd rather promote online than in person, because I'm basically shy unless I know someone. Good luck with Finding Sarah!

Terry Odell said...

One of those "time will tell" things, I guess. I'm okay talking to people once there's an opening. On the plane, I was editing my manuscript and my seat partner asked if I was a writer. I whipped out my business cards and the cover I'd brought to show my aunt and we chatted a bit. Whether he's really in the romantic suspense reader demographic remains to be seen. On the other leg, I asked the man sitting next to me if he enjoyed the book he was reading (because I think that author is getting way too much money for way too little quality). I was glad when he said, 'no' -- so I showed him my cover & blurb and he said he'd read my book based on that. Of course, I was sitting next to him on a 5 hour flight, so he was probably going to be nice. His son has his sights set on becoming a screenwriter.