Joanna Campbell Slan

Thanks for visiting the official website for New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author and Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, Joanna Campbell Slan.

Blog

Desire Paths, Part II

by

Last week I wrote about Desire Paths, those pathways that people create to get to what they love. I suggest you view the excellent presentation by Mike Arauz on this idea: http://www.mikearauz.com/2009/03/desire-paths-branding-for-digital-lives.htmlThe big question for authors is how can we create Desire Paths in a digital media age? How do we influence readers to beat a path to our door? We must develop promotional activities which attract those … [Read more...] about Desire Paths, Part II

Cozy Armchair Winners and Paper, Scissors, Death Receives Agatha Nomination for Best First Novel

by

Do you remember when Sally Field held up her statue of Oscar and said with wonder, "You like me!"I'm having my own little Sally moment.How long did it take me to write Paper, Scissors, Death? It took 55 long years. I started writing when I was in grade school. Won my first award in high school. Put myself through college writing and teaching other students to write. Supported myself through a bad marriage with my writing skills. Well...it's been … [Read more...] about Cozy Armchair Winners and Paper, Scissors, Death Receives Agatha Nomination for Best First Novel

Desire Paths–Why Authors Must Create Them to Sell Books

by

Ever notice those footpaths between bushes, those stomped down walkways that go from a parking lot to the sidewalk, the ones clearly NOT planned by the landscaper where folks have made their own trail to get from Point A to Point B?Those are called Desire Paths. That's a term architects use to desire "non-authorized" walkways. Ones that occur spontaneously rather than through top-down planning.You and I must establish Desire Paths to our books if … [Read more...] about Desire Paths–Why Authors Must Create Them to Sell Books

Travels with Joe: What It's Like to Follow J.A. Konrath Around for a Day Visiting Booksellers

by

Despite the fact he was recovering from the stomach flu, Joe (aka JA) Konrath made it clear we'd hit the ground here in St. Louis with my SUV tires spinning. We managed to visit 11 bookstores and one library in six hours. (I think…I have to admit my head was spinning almost as much as my tires.)We did not call in advance, so these were all stock-signing opportunities, or as Joe said, "We're here to be ambassadors." He waved a yellow paper … [Read more...] about Travels with Joe: What It's Like to Follow J.A. Konrath Around for a Day Visiting Booksellers

What Published Authors Do That Non-Published Authors Won't

by

In a few minutes, I'll leave to teach a class called "The Practical Guide to Getting Published." I'm all prepared except for changing out of my jeans. I have this nifty 14-page handout with all sorts of resources, and I have tons of stories.I tell all my students this: "You might not like what I have to say, you might disagree with what I have to say, but please know, that what I tell you is the truth according to my experience or the truth as … [Read more...] about What Published Authors Do That Non-Published Authors Won't