Don't tell anyone, okay?I've found standing in front of the table is best. I think if you read about body language, behind a table or desk is always considered more intimidating. I hold my book up in front of me like the perfume salesladies do--that sort of warns folks that I'm hawking my book. So they know I'm not trying to get their cell phone biz. Then I say, "May I tell you about my book?" Or better yet, "I'm a local author signing here … [Read more...] about Shhh! How I Handsell Books
Blog
Winners
Here are the winners of the contest in the back of Paper, Scissors, Death:* Stacy C. of Minnesota won the Grand Prize of a Scrapper's Dream Vacation including dinner with me! (I promise to use my company manners, Stacey.)* Debbie F. of Tennessee won the Second Prize, the Snapfish Premium Photo Album.* Molly F. of Minnesota won the Third Prize, the Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Pack.And here are the winners of the Best of British Scrapbooking Contest … [Read more...] about Winners
When Do You Need an Agent? Part II
Last weekend, a book buyer surprised me with this question: "Did your agent come find you? Or did you find your agent?"I had this quickie mental image of my agent, Liz, going door-to-door in the neighborhood and asking, "Any writers in the house?"But I bit back a chuckle. I suppose someday an agent might "come find" me or one of my friends. But right now, most of the authors I know actively sought out an agent.When do you need an agent?Well, it's … [Read more...] about When Do You Need an Agent? Part II
Why You Need an Agent–and Query Letters that Worked–Part I
I promised to write about agents, so here I go.Let's start with the four ways for getting an agent that I personally know work:*1. Pitch an agent at a writers' conference--meet the agent face-to-face and tell him/her about your book. SleuthFest is a great writers' conference for this. So's Crime Bake. Why? They offer face time with agents. You will need to craft your pitch so you can say it in your sleep. Try it on several friends and watch their … [Read more...] about Why You Need an Agent–and Query Letters that Worked–Part I
The Magic of Friendship
"Promise me you'll always remember: you're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."-Christopher Robin to Winnie the PoohMy friends have been the most magical portion of my life. I met Shirley Damsgaard and Angie Fox before I had a contract for the book that became Paper, Scissors, Death. Even though I had been published ten times in non-fiction, I still felt like a pretender. But neither woman thought of me … [Read more...] about The Magic of Friendship
About Literary Agents.
Rick Frishman posted this interesting take on literary agents.Literary agents have emerged as the publishers' gatekeepers. They are middlemen (and women), go-betweens and facilitators. Approximately 80 percent of the books that publishing houses release were brought to them by agents. Most publishing houses give agented submissions more attention because editors have a high level of confidence in agented submissions. They know that it's not in an … [Read more...] about About Literary Agents.
