IRONY IS NOT DEAD.

Not long ago, a friend of mine was reading a manuscript version of my new novel, Getting Right (release date January 29, 2016), and looked up at me to ask, “How can you bear the irony of this?”

Her question stemmed from her knowledge that my novel, Getting Right, is fictionally structured around my brother’s and sister’s struggles with terminal illness. My brother died from cancer in 2006.  My sister died from cancer in 2008.  I finished writing Getting Right in 2012 and was diagnosed with cancer in 2015.  (My case, unlike theirs, has been cured—as much as anything like this can be—so I again have the good fortune to be here interpreting what all this means—to me, at least.)

“How could you manage to write this?” my friend went on.  “How could you stand it?”

Two excellent but quite different questions.  Let’s start with the second:  I had no choice but to write the book once I’d visited my sister in the hospital and was told her cancer was inoperable.  But that devastating news wasn’t what I took away from my visit to her.  Rather, I remember an image of the PIC line in her arm, which haunted me for days after I left—I simply couldn’t shake it from my mind.  I soon wrote it down, hoping that would give me some relief.  Instead, the image took on a life of its own and became the opening passage of Getting Right: 

The hole in the crook of Connie’s arm resembled a miniature red mouth going OOO! A Betty Boop mouth puckering for a kiss, a greedy little baby mouth sucking through a plastic tube injection after injection of clear liquids and antibiotics, none of which assuaged her real hunger. . . .

Even with such an image, the novel didn’t happen right away, of course, but soon enough.  It became clear that once I started thinking about a Betty Boop mouth and all it implied, I couldn’t not write the story, come hell or high water.

The first question from my friend of how I managed to write the book is even more complicated.  Since the raw material I was dealing with—the deaths of my brother and sister and my witnessing of those—was so close and so emotionally-charged, I had to figure out a way to distance myself from the “real” world I’d been involved in so I could deal with it in a fictional way.

It took me a while to decide on a narrative structure that would give me the distance and freedom I needed to explore what I thought was the larger story underlying the purely “factual” one of my siblings’ deaths.  As I worked, it became apparent that more than “cancer” and “suffering” were at the base of what I was trying to create.  The novel’s canvas grew larger and larger the more people and issues I uncovered, so that Getting Right came to involve a whole family, past and present, and their stories, individual and collective.

In order to deal with this wider-ranging narrative, I artificially divided the work into three acts—the first concerning the narrator’s sister Connie, the second the narrator’s brother Len, and the third “me,” the nameless narrator himself.  The story is told through the point of view of “me,” who is charged early on by Connie to write the story of her life.  He says he will, but only if he can do so on his terms.  What follows is a filtering of memory and imagination through the narrator’s mind that spins itself into the novel, Getting Right.

When I finished, I sat back, strangely satisfied, this time not succumbing to the sense I sometimes have that what I’ve just written is a disaster.  No, this story seemed right, felt right, had a ring of intrinsic “truth” I liked.  All well and good, I thought.

But despite what I saw as my well-realized artistic intentions, another friend who read the manuscript earlier on said, “You know, before I comment here, can you tell me what I’m reading, a novel or a memoir?”

Hmmm.  Another good question, maybe best left for a future post.

With this blog, I hope to begin an ongoing conversation with my readers around the art of fiction writing.  What is fiction?  What draws us, as readers, to it?  What does fiction offer our senses that other forms of writing do not?  Where do ideas for fiction come from?  How are they shaped into the forms we recognize and find satisfying?  These are only a few “seed” questions to help stimulate your own ideas as we move along in our developing discussion.

Please feel free at any time to submit your observations, questions, or comments to me at GaryDWilson.com

GARY D. WILSON’s best-selling first novel, Sing, Ronnie Blue, appeared in 2007. He has taught fiction and short story writing at both Johns Hopkins University and the University of Chicago. His work has been recommended for a Pushcart Prize, and he was a finalist for the Iowa Short Fiction Award and the Drue Heinz Literary Prize. He currently lives with his wife in Chicago and is working on his next novel The Narrow Window.

The post Conversations on the Art of Writing Fiction appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

Have you ever watched an interview on television and couldn’t help but feel that something was drawing your attention away from the person’s message? Perhaps it was what they were wearing.

People shouldn’t make judgments based on your appearance, but some will, even subconsciously. Certain colors, patterns and types of clothing can create unintentional distractions on camera when they would typically go unnoticed in everyday situations.

While there are always exceptions to every rule, here are a few tips to keep in mind for your next television interview:

Don’t wear white, black or red. Cameras are sensitive, and these colors can be harsh on screen. While white tends to glow, black will absorb light, and bright red hues can be distracting. Solid blue and pastel tones are generally a safe bet.

On that note, stay away from patterns, including stripes, plaid and small designs. Again, cameras pick up everything, and some designs can create visual interference.

The general rule for attire is business casual. Avoid wearing short skirts, dresses, shorts or other revealing clothing.

Before an interview, remove any jewelry that moves, makes noise or could hit your microphone. This includes dangly earrings, bangle bracelets and long or bulky necklaces.

Avoid brand name logos and words on your clothing. You want viewers to hear what you are saying, not your T-shirt.

The post What (Not) To Wear for a TV Interview appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

Writers often claim to be creatures of habit. These habits may vary from only being able to write using a computer to scribbling on legal pads with special pens or insisting on being in a dark silent room vs. light streaming in and music blaring. Some writers, the planners, can’t produce a word until every nuance of a piece is outlined while others, known as pansters, write strictly from the seat of their pants. I wish I could tell you that I am a creature of habit, but I’m not. I write like I cook – different every time even if I am recreating the same dish.

One would think as a former litigator and judge, my writing habits would be unimaginative. That I would outline every word and idea, much like Jeffrey Deaver does. I outlined the beginning and ending of my first book, 2012 IPPY award winning Maze in Blue, a mystery set on the University of Michigan campus in the 1970s, but the middle flowed, like magic, through my fingers to the keys of a standalone computer in my office. I attributed my writing to the characters’ voices leading me through their story. The only thing necessary for the words to pour out of me was playing the soundtracks from 1776 and They’re Playing Our Song repetitively in the background.

The same songs and physical location didn’t work for my second book. In order to write Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery (Five Star Publishing – April 20, 2016), I relied on my laptop and an oversized chair in my living room. Century old furniture, which once belonged to my parents and grandparents, interspersed with modern cherry wood floors and an orange, gold, and blue carpet brought me a sense of peace that allowed me to bring new life to the characters from a short story published in 2010. I occasionally played folk songs and soft rock hits from the 60s and 70s, but for the most part I wrote and rewrote in silence. It was the ambiance of the room that enabled me to find and contrast the voices of the Sunshine Village Retirement Home Mah Jongg players with the 29-year-old corporate attorney protagonist and her former lover, the detective assigned to her murdered mother’s case.

My work in progress represents a hybrid of the plotter and panster habits that produced my first two books. Because the book is set in the present and the main characters are twins, I drew on my experience as a mother of twins when I outlined the basic story premise. Unlike Poker, that I wrote and edited on a laptop, this book was drafted free flow style on a laptop in an easy chair in my bedroom, revised on my stand alone computer, and the score from Frozen played constantly. Why Frozen for a book set in a small town in the South? I don’t know, but it worked.

For some, being a creature of habit is the only means to writing successfully. For me, a willingness to try different techniques and practices is what stimulates the muse and helps me avoid stale ruts. What about you? What does it take to prompt you to write effectively?

Debra H. Goldstein is the author of Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery, which will be released in April 2016 by Five Star Publishing. “Her debut novel, Maze in Blue, received a 2012 Independent Book Publisher Award and was reissued in May 2014 by Harlequin Worldwide Mysteries. She serves on national and local boards including Sisters in Crime, Alabama Writers Conclave, YWCA of Central Alabama and the Alys Stephens Center and is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Forum and Zonta. Goldstein lives in Birmingham, AL, with her husband.

The post Writers – Creatures of Habit appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

Writers often claim to be creatures of habit. These habits may vary from only being able to write using a computer to scribbling on legal pads with special pens or insisting on being in a dark silent room vs. light streaming in and music blaring. Some writers, the planners, can’t produce a word until every nuance of a piece is outlined while others, known as pansters, write strictly from the seat of their pants. I wish I could tell you that I am a creature of habit, but I’m not. I write like I cook – different every time even if I am recreating the same dish.

One would think as a former litigator and judge, my writing habits would be unimaginative. That I would outline every word and idea, much like Jeffrey Deaver does. I outlined the beginning and ending of my first book, 2012 IPPY award winning Maze in Blue, a mystery set on the University of Michigan campus in the 1970s, but the middle flowed, like magic, through my fingers to the keys of a standalone computer in my office. I attributed my writing to the characters’ voices leading me through their story. The only thing necessary for the words to pour out of me was playing the soundtracks from 1776 and They’re Playing Our Song repetitively in the background.

The same songs and physical location didn’t work for my second book. In order to write Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery (Five Star Publishing – April 20, 2016), I relied on my laptop and an oversized chair in my living room. Century old furniture, which once belonged to my parents and grandparents, interspersed with modern cherry wood floors and an orange, gold, and blue carpet brought me a sense of peace that allowed me to bring new life to the characters from a short story published in 2010. I occasionally played folk songs and soft rock hits from the 60s and 70s, but for the most part I wrote and rewrote in silence. It was the ambiance of the room that enabled me to find and contrast the voices of the Sunshine Village Retirement Home Mah Jongg players with the 29-year-old corporate attorney protagonist and her former lover, the detective assigned to her murdered mother’s case.

My work in progress represents a hybrid of the plotter and panster habits that produced my first two books. Because the book is set in the present and the main characters are twins, I drew on my experience as a mother of twins when I outlined the basic story premise. Unlike Poker, that I wrote and edited on a laptop, this book was drafted free flow style on a laptop in an easy chair in my bedroom, revised on my stand alone computer, and the score from Frozen played constantly. Why Frozen for a book set in a small town in the South? I don’t know, but it worked.

For some, being a creature of habit is the only means to writing successfully. For me, a willingness to try different techniques and practices is what stimulates the muse and helps me avoid stale ruts. What about you? What does it take to prompt you to write effectively?

Debra H. Goldstein is the author of Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery, which will be released in April 2016 by Five Star Publishing. “Her debut novel, Maze in Blue, received a 2012 Independent Book Publisher Award and was reissued in May 2014 by Harlequin Worldwide Mysteries. She serves on national and local boards including Sisters in Crime, Alabama Writers Conclave, YWCA of Central Alabama and the Alys Stephens Center and is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Forum and Zonta. Goldstein lives in Birmingham, AL, with her husband.

The post Writers – Creatures of Habit appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

So often we hear from authors who are interested in publicity but are also cash-strapped from having already spent vast resources on preparing their books for publishing. Self-publishing is especially expensive and authors have to make huge upfront investments before their books even see the light of day.

Indie authors have the extra expenses of publishing their book that a traditionally published author does not incur. It’s important to budget for publicity for a book just as you would budget for a book cover, editing, formatting, distribution and all other aspects of publishing – no matter if you hire a publicist or choose to do your own promotion.

Unfortunately self-publishing has such an expense tied to it that a lot of people budget for everything to create the book and nothing to get the word out that it even exists. Kind of like the old saying, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

It’s scary to commit to the unknown. I get it. As a former journalist, I was very skeptical of publicity and if it actually made any sort of difference. After more than seven years as a book publicist, I can without a doubt say it does. Just at JKS Communications alone we have seen indie authors hit bestseller lists, become the go-to expert interviews for major mainstream media, receive daily book club requests, start movements, and even land six-figure publishing deals.

Every publicity campaign will differ in scope depending on the book, genre, author, messaging, budget and other factors. But one thing is for sure – without any publicity, your book will get lost among the millions published each year.

I wish for authors that writing the book would be the end of their hard work. That on its own is an incredible feat. But book publicity has become increasingly important over the last decade especially with the ever-changing publishing industry.

So regardless of whether you hire a publicist or not, treat publicity just as you would any part of publishing your book. Publicity is just as important as your cover, your content, your distribution, your editing and everything else that goes into not only making the book, but making it known.

The post You’ve GOT to budget for publicity appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

So often we hear from authors who are interested in publicity but are also cash-strapped from having already spent vast resources on preparing their books for publishing. Self-publishing is especially expensive and authors have to make huge upfront investments before their books even see the light of day.

Indie authors have the extra expenses of publishing their book that a traditionally published author does not incur. It’s important to budget for publicity for a book just as you would budget for a book cover, editing, formatting, distribution and all other aspects of publishing – no matter if you hire a publicist or choose to do your own promotion.

Unfortunately self-publishing has such an expense tied to it that a lot of people budget for everything to create the book and nothing to get the word out that it even exists. Kind of like the old saying, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

It’s scary to commit to the unknown. I get it. As a former journalist, I was very skeptical of publicity and if it actually made any sort of difference. After more than seven years as a book publicist, I can without a doubt say it does. Just at JKS Communications alone we have seen indie authors hit bestseller lists, become the go-to expert interviews for major mainstream media, receive daily book club requests, start movements, and even land six-figure publishing deals.

Every publicity campaign will differ in scope depending on the book, genre, author, messaging, budget and other factors. But one thing is for sure – without any publicity, your book will get lost among the millions published each year.

I wish for authors that writing the book would be the end of their hard work. That on its own is an incredible feat. But book publicity has become increasingly important over the last decade especially with the ever-changing publishing industry.

So regardless of whether you hire a publicist or not, treat publicity just as you would any part of publishing your book. Publicity is just as important as your cover, your content, your distribution, your editing and everything else that goes into not only making the book, but making it known.

The post You’ve GOT to budget for publicity appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

Twitter, (social media in general), is an opportunity to interact with the world in 140 characters or less. But how do you best use those 140 characters?

• To promote your new book?
• To share links?
• To encourage?
• To be political?
• To share your latest McDonald’s lunch?
• To ???

Here is what some big name authors across multiple genres have been tweeting about lately. (Examples pictured below.) In a snapshot: politics, movies, boredom, sports, inspiration, contests, quotes, blogposts, etc. Each of these accounts represents very different styles of Twitter feeds, which is good news for people coming to Twitter for the first time. It tells us … there are many acceptable ways to Tweet.

But if you’re asking about the best way to Tweet, let’s look closer.

Neil Gaiman, author of American Gods has 2.35 million followers, and he’s tweeting about being bored in a cab. Then he offers an invitation to ask questions, which he answers. In a world where conversations with Neil Gaiman would typically be limited to three seconds at a signing event, I have a unique opportunity because of Twitter.

Twitter is access.

It is a glass door into the life of a celebrity. (In this case, you are the celebrity.)

Janet Evanovich, a number one NYT bestselling author, has nearly 40 thousand Twitter followers and she primarily uses her Twitter feed for promotional advertisement of her novels. Whereas John Green, young adult author of The Fault in Our Star, uses his feed to … share … whatever comes across his unique mind: politics, DFTBA items, birthday shout outs, etc. He has 4.8 million followers. What does this tell us?

Twitter isn’t a bookstore.

It isn’t the place we go shopping for items; it’s the place we go shopping for sameness. This is why the number of Twitter followers does not translate specifically to sales. Janet Evanovich sells more than 40 thousand books, and John Green doesn’t sell 4.8 million copies with every new release. If you made a Twitter account to sell books, you might be disappointed with the results.

With these concepts in mind, consider a Twitter feed that is a reflection of your self—a place where you are providing sameness and searching for sameness. Marketing guru Simon Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you sell, they buy why you sell it.” Twitter puts that why on display and opens up doors of potential friendship. Early in my career, I listened to Jon Acuff give some great advice on utilizing social media. “Remember,” he said. “You’re asking for a friend, not a favor.” As you set about your 140 characters, ask for a friend.

The post I Made A Twitter Account…Now What? appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

Twitter, (social media in general), is an opportunity to interact with the world in 140 characters or less. But how do you best use those 140 characters?

• To promote your new book?
• To share links?
• To encourage?
• To be political?
• To share your latest McDonald’s lunch?
• To ???

Here is what some big name authors across multiple genres have been tweeting about lately. (Examples pictured below.) In a snapshot: politics, movies, boredom, sports, inspiration, contests, quotes, blogposts, etc. Each of these accounts represents very different styles of Twitter feeds, which is good news for people coming to Twitter for the first time. It tells us … there are many acceptable ways to Tweet.

But if you’re asking about the best way to Tweet, let’s look closer.

Neil Gaiman, author of American Gods has 2.35 million followers, and he’s tweeting about being bored in a cab. Then he offers an invitation to ask questions, which he answers. In a world where conversations with Neil Gaiman would typically be limited to three seconds at a signing event, I have a unique opportunity because of Twitter.

Twitter is access.

It is a glass door into the life of a celebrity. (In this case, you are the celebrity.)

Janet Evanovich, a number one NYT bestselling author, has nearly 40 thousand Twitter followers and she primarily uses her Twitter feed for promotional advertisement of her novels. Whereas John Green, young adult author of The Fault in Our Star, uses his feed to … share … whatever comes across his unique mind: politics, DFTBA items, birthday shout outs, etc. He has 4.8 million followers. What does this tell us?

Twitter isn’t a bookstore.

It isn’t the place we go shopping for items; it’s the place we go shopping for sameness. This is why the number of Twitter followers does not translate specifically to sales. Janet Evanovich sells more than 40 thousand books, and John Green doesn’t sell 4.8 million copies with every new release. If you made a Twitter account to sell books, you might be disappointed with the results.

With these concepts in mind, consider a Twitter feed that is a reflection of your self—a place where you are providing sameness and searching for sameness. Marketing guru Simon Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you sell, they buy why you sell it.” Twitter puts that why on display and opens up doors of potential friendship. Early in my career, I listened to Jon Acuff give some great advice on utilizing social media. “Remember,” he said. “You’re asking for a friend, not a favor.” As you set about your 140 characters, ask for a friend.

The post I Made A Twitter Account…Now What? appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

With over 300 million users a month, it’s hard to see the downside to using Instagram when it comes to promoting your book(s). Authors are unique in the way that they write these incredible stories that connect with readers in ways they could have never imagined. The beauty of social media for an author is allowing their reader to get a glimpse into the life of the person who wrote the words that touched their life.

I understand why some authors may not see the value in Instagram because it’s a social media platform based on photographs and visual appeal…but isn’t that what a book cover is? Here are a few reasons you should be utilizing Instagram as an author…

Bloggers are on Instagram

Book bloggers are using Instagram…to share their love of books, what they’re reading, and offering followers a glimpse into their real lives. You can connect with book bloggers by searching specific book-related hashtags or research some of the largest book bloggers in your genre and follow them (#bookblogger #amreading)!

Connect with your audience

No one wants to follow an author, musician, brand, etc. that has a third party running their social media all the time. There is a level of trust that is lost with your followers when posts seem artificial or fake. Instagram is a perfect way to give followers a glimpse into your REAL life…a mix between posting about your book and posting about your everyday life– including family, hobbies, inspirations, and (of course) your pets (#catsnbooks).

Target Your Hashtags

Hashtags are a strategic way to target your audience and potential new followers. It’s important to have at least 1 or 2 unique hashtags—for example, instead of #reading you could use #readingBreakingDawn. In addition to your unique hashtags, it’s also important to use widely popular hashtags targeted at your audience—for example, #amreading #bookworm #booksncats. Instagram users can search specific hashtags and discover new accounts.(see Giveaways below for more hashtag tips)

Product Placement & Giveaways

Following and connecting with some large-follower accounts can be beneficial to getting your book in front of their followers as well. For example, let’s say you have a new young adult book and you follow a YA book blogger on Instagram that has 10K followers. It’s in your best interest to send that blogger a copy of your book and ask them to Instagram a picture of your book with one of your unique hashtags!

If your book is featured in some local bookstores or boutiques, ask them to also post a picture of your book in the store on their Instagram account and use your hashtags!

This would be the perfect opportunity to have the book blogger or bookstore do a signed copy giveaway to their followers—have them post a picture of your book & ask them to share the photo and use your unique hashtag!

Cover Art

Cover art is everything when it comes to sales. Imagine yourself walking through a bookstore looking for a new read…what draws your attention first? The book covers. As you go through the design process for your book cover, post pictures of your changes on your Instagram & ask for follower input! Some authors even do social media cover contests so that the followers can vote on which cover they like best…this is a great promotion to do when you have a series or trilogy.

To read more about the importance of book covers, check out our blog post Cover-to-Cover by Courtney Stevens.

Author Support

The beauty of the writing community is that authors support authors! Follow authors you admire and know on Instagram and show them support—share & comment on their photos! You can also get some great photography and marketing ideas from fellow authors who are touring and doing events. 

Video

Instagram allows you to upload and post 3-15 second videos. Utilize this option by compiling a short video that has pictures of your novel or characters from the book. You can give a quick “hello” to your followers too or announce an Instagram giveaway contest winner! There are some really useful apps that can help you compile a short video! Here are a few apps that will make your Instagram videos easy to create AND amazing!

1. PicPlayPost (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/picplaypost/id498127541?mt=8)
2. Lapse It (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lapse-it-time-lapse-stop-motion/id539108382?mt=8)
3. Videoshop (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/videoshop-video-editor/id615563599?mt=8)

The post Should YOU be using Instagram? appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

“According to Hubspot, 90% of the information transmitted to the brain is visual, and visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text.”[1] This is brain language for Your Cover Matters. More than your title. Maybe more (initially) than your content. People really do judge books by their covers. At the very least, they often decide to purchase a book based on cover.

So, if you are self-publishing, what can you do to make sure that your book cover is transmitting the “Buy me. Buy me,” message?

Here are 3 tips you might not have considered:

1. Don’t just think about your target audience. Consider your target generation.

According to Stauss and Howe, who coined the theory on generations[2], here are the current generations in the United States:

• Greatest Generation – 1930-1946
• Baby Boomers – 1946-1964
• Generation X – 1965-1984
• Generation Y/Millennials – 1982-2004
• Generation Z- 2004 – Current

If you take time to familiarize yourself and research your target generation prior to designing your cover, you will notice facts about what each generation prizes, things they buy/don’t buy, causes they care about, images they appreciate, etc. Applying this information to your cover might auto-attract your consumer.

2. Your book cover is your handshake with the consumer.

Consider an image that represents your overall content, but does not feel like an inside joke to your potential reader. i.e. My working title for Faking Normal was once 23. While 23 was a powerful metaphor within the book, it was ultimately one that you had to read the book to understand. Faking Normal was a much broader invitation that made people say, “Faking Normal, I do that everyday. I wonder …” 23 wasn’t an invitation; it was a middle school clique that excluded the consumer. Covers can’t afford to be middle school cliques either. They must invite the consumer into the work from across the room.

3. Ask yourself “What cover would make me buy my own book?”

I suggest you try this exercise: Go to a bookstore. Imagine you’re going to beach or getting on an airplane and you need to find something to read. Go pick up ten titles based on the covers. Lay them out and snap a photo of them with your phone. (Return or buy the books.) Go home and analyze that photo. What are you attracted to about those books? What made you pick them up? You can’t steal those book covers, but you can look for markers among them to include in your cover.

[1] http://commerce-futures.com/ecommerce/blog/the-visual-generation–the-ecommerce-revolution-tips–technologies-for-victory.html

[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strauss%E2%80%93Howe_generational_theory#Generations:_The_History_of_America.27s_Future.2C_1584_to_2069

The post Cover-to-Cover appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

My family only has a couple of hard and fast traditions at Christmastime, but they are etched in stone. In fact, one of these traditions is a subject in my debut novel, The Secret to Hummingbird Cake.

On the first Saturday in December my entire family (all twenty-six of us) jump on the ATV’s and ride into the woods on this year’s great tree hunt. This includes great grandparents, grandparents, mamas, daddies, and ALL the kids. Apparently, that seems a little odd to some folks. But I’ll tell you what’s odd to me….the fact that every single year….after seven hundred arguments, we get back to my mama’s house with a tree that will not and could not possibly fit in the house. Too tall. Too fat. Too BIG. After several surgeries, we manage to cram it into its place of honor. My parents started this tradition sixty one years ago on their first Christmas as husband and wife…only then they traveled on bicycles…not ATV’s. Legend has it the tree has NEVER gone in on the first try. My mama STILL stands in the woods and insists it will and my daddy STILL insists it won’t. My mama wins every time.

Until I was sixteen years old, I thought everybody in the USA had gumbo on Christmas Eve. It wasn’t until I met a boy from Boston who was in Louisiana visiting relatives, I learned that wasn’t the case. On December 23rd, we begin stirring the roux, a combination of equal parts oil and flour. This is a process that lasts a couple of hours or more, depending on how brown you want it to get. And we all take turns stirring the pot and sipping the eggnog. This isn’t ordinary eggnog, it’s eggnog from Maggio’s in Natchitoches, Louisiana the City of Lights. Maggio’s is our drive through liquor store.  (I think that may be exclusive to Louisiana. LOL) The eggnog is only around during the month of December and it’s slushy and creamy and nutmeggy and delicious! We make the gumbo in the outside cookhouse and it’s a little bit like tailgating in Baton Rouge. Lots of people, lots of food and lots of fun. By late evening, we add the chicken, sausage, the holy trinity (onions, celery and bell pepper) and Cajun seasonings to the roux and let them marry overnight. On Christmas Eve, it’s perfect. Oh…and the boy from Boston? By the time he went back home, he loved gumbo, shrimp and grits, fried alligator and….redheads.

My favorite tradition is when we light candles on Christmas Eve to remember those who have gone before us. In all the chaos that ensues when we are tearing packages open, kids squealing with delight, grown-ups as excited as the children, I always pause a second or two and look at those candles flickering on the mantle. And I always stop then and there and thank God for these people who still surround me every day and the ones who once did and whose memory always will. Check out The Secret to Hummingbird Cake, I think you’ll recognize some of the folks I’ve mentioned here.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

The post My Family Christmas Traditions appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

When I first begin working on a publicity campaign with an author, we have a lot of bases to cover—How far can they travel for events? What type of media will fit the book best? How much lead time do we have? But there’s one question that I ask every author, and it will determine how the entire publicity campaign goes from that point. It’s this: “What does success look like to you?”

If you’re an author, take a minute to think about it—what does success look like for you? Is it a big New York Times Bestseller splashed above your name? Is it the mouth-watering prospect of your book sales spiking into the thousands, the tens of thousands, or more? Is it the movie deal, or the cross-country tour?

Or are your goals more compact, more personal—Is it about spreading an important message? Sharing a meaningful life experience? Connecting with readers, or helping readers connect with some part of themselves? Or maybe it’s simply that you’ve written and published a book at all—that’s a huge accomplishment in itself!

The answer is typically comprehensive: Many authors begin writing because of some personal catalyst, a desire to process, create, and connect. And it’s natural to want your art recognized, to see that big beautiful book you created find its way into more hands (and, let’s be honest, bestseller lists would be great too).

Why is defining what success means to you personally crucial as you embark on the publishing journey?

First: If you’re not sure what success looks like to you, you won’t be sure how to get there—or what it will even look like when you do.

For example, an author may dream of reaching the coveted #1 slot on the New York Times list, but knows that realistically she’ll have a higher chance of hitting a local bestseller list. Measuring success solely by the Times list will (statistically) result in nothing but bitter frustration—but if she takes strategic steps to hit a local bestseller list, she has a higher chance of hitting her goal, and becoming a bestselling author in the process.

Second: If you’re not sure what success looks for you personally, you may not recognize it when you get there. I’ve seen authors become so focused on the “big” gains—the mythical interview on The Today Show, the glowing reviews in the major trade publications—that glowing endorsements from smaller, respected reviewers feel insignificant. The meaningful event at the small bookstore doesn’t feel “big” enough. Although the reviews are good, the books are selling, the venues are confirming events, the author isn’t having any fun.

So take a moment, and write it out: What does success look like to you? Make a list: What are you big goals, your top-shelf ambitions? Now, what are some realistic, achievable goals? What personal benchmarks will you celebrate? What steps will you take to get there? As you figure out what success means to you personally, you may discover that “making it” as an author is closer than you think.

The post The Most Important Question Authors Never Ask appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

When you’re gearing up to launch a new book, building buzz can be difficult, even for seasoned authors who have a loyal following of readers. The fact is, there are regularly more than 300,000 titles released by traditional publishers every year in the United States while the non-traditional publishing sector churns out more than 1 million books annually, according to Bowker. So what’s the bottom line? There is a lot of competition out there.

One of the most worthwhile ways of breaking through all the noise is with the media. This can come in the form of interviews, book announcements or reviews –though reviews are becoming increasingly less common and more difficult to secure because of shrinking newsrooms and resources.

Interviews are the best way for readers to connect with the people behind their favorite books on a deeper, more personal level. It gives readers an opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look into the writing filling their home libraries, or even get introduced to new voices in the literary world.

Just about every writer wants “big media” attention like the New York Times or National Public Radio, but they shouldn’t underestimate the power of local media. Similar to a grassroots movement, local media can help build buzz on the ground level. It’s a good place to start, especially for new authors who are just getting their feet wet. A feature in a local newspaper or a spot on a morning news show is a great starting point for bigger things to come.

Big or small, every media outlet will consider a few factors before setting up interview or other types of coverage. Knowing the questions that journalists will ask themselves before covering a new book can be invaluable. Here are a few questions they may consider:

• Why do my readers care about this book?
• Does the author have a local connection?
• Why is it important to feature this book now?
• What makes this book or author unique?
• Is this book or author controversial in any way?
• What kind of impact will this book or author have the community that my media outlet serves?

Angelle Barbazon is currently a publicist for JKS Communications. She is an award-winning journalist who worked for various print newspapers across the country and NPR before succumbing to her love of books. 

The post Getting to Know You: Why Media Matters appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

Social Media is this generation’s newspaper. It offers weather, news, sports, buying/trading, advertising, community, special interests, etc. All of which are great for killing time while standing in the grocery store line or delaying a morning run, but what if your publisher or publicist says you have to start an account to “build your platform” or “sell your book?”

Today’s author is pressed to be a journalist who posts to the on-going conversation of social media. This conversation is time-consuming, and if you asked ten authors his/her thoughts on utilizing social media, you would receive ten wildly different answers.

While many authors enjoy interacting online through various platforms, nearly every author feels pressured to participate whether he/she likes it or not. If you happen to be someone who feels pressured and has decided to participate because you must, this blogpost is for you.

Here are some of the most popular social media platforms:
Twitter
Facebook
Tumblr
Pintrest
Instagram
Snapchat
LinkedIn
Youtube

Reluctant social media users will take comfort in two things: a) focusing your involvement and b) maximizing your time.

The key to focusing your involvement is limiting your platforms.

If you’re only going to participate in one social media platform, I recommend Facebook. Why? Those are the people who are most likely to spend money on you without effort. They already like you; you already like them. You don’t have to convince them to buy into your brand; you only have to alert them you have something new for sale.

After Facebook, I would add Twitter. It offers you the greatest potential for free marketing-touches. For instance, you might have one follower, but if a user with a million followers retweets you, suddenly you have an audience of one million. Plus, there is the added bonus of being limited to 140 characters. Fewer words equal less time.

After Twitter, I prefer Instagram. Instagram is image-driven, and research shows that Millenniums (born 1981-2000) and Generation Z (born after 2001), who have been raised in computer-based worlds, thrive on digital images. Instagram is the easiest way to speak in picture language.

The key to maximizing your time is cross-posting.

I would suggest (once you’ve chosen your platforms) that you investigate two social media aids: Buffer and IFTTT.

Buffer.com allows users to set up cross-posting on up-to-three social media accounts for free and an unlimited number of accounts in the paid version ($102/year.) Posts can be written at your leisure, queued, and scheduled to post during your personal online rush hour. Analytics are also available to determine best-used practices.

IFTTT.com, which stands for If This Then That is a free social media tool that utilizes triggers and actions to automate posting. An IFTTT user set up a personal recipes for multiple social media platforms. For instance, If This (I post a photo to Instagram), then (Also post it to Twitter.) These recipes use hashtags or other content to automate action, thereby saving users times from entering each platform separately.

Courtney is the Author-in-Residence for JKS Communications. She is the award-winning Young Adult author of FAKING NORMAL, THE BLUE-HAIRED BOY and THE LIES ABOUT TRUTH.

Social Media is this generation’s newspaper. It offers weather, news, sports, buying/trading, advertising, community, special interests, etc. All of which are great for killing time while standing in the grocery store line or delaying a morning run, but what if your publisher or publicist says you have to start an account to “build your platform” or “sell your book?”

Today’s author is pressed to be a journalist who posts to the on-going conversation of social media. This conversation is time-consuming, and if you asked ten authors his/her thoughts on utilizing social media, you would receive ten wildly different answers.

While many authors enjoy interacting online through various platforms, nearly every author feels pressured to participate whether he/she likes it or not. If you happen to be someone who feels pressured and has decided to participate because you must, this blogpost is for you.

Here are some of the most popular social media platforms:
Twitter
Facebook
Tumblr
Pintrest
Instagram
Snapchat
LinkedIn
Youtube

Reluctant social media users will take comfort in two things: a) focusing your involvement and b) maximizing your time.

The key to focusing your involvement is limiting your platforms.

If you’re only going to participate in one social media platform, I recommend Facebook. Why? Those are the people who are most likely to spend money on you without effort. They already like you; you already like them. You don’t have to convince them to buy into your brand; you only have to alert them you have something new for sale.

After Facebook, I would add Twitter. It offers you the greatest potential for free marketing-touches. For instance, you might have one follower, but if a user with a million followers retweets you, suddenly you have an audience of one million. Plus, there is the added bonus of being limited to 140 characters. Fewer words equal less time.

After Twitter, I prefer Instagram. Instagram is image-driven, and research shows that Millenniums (born 1981-2000) and Generation Z (born after 2001), who have been raised in computer-based worlds, thrive on digital images. Instagram is the easiest way to speak in picture language.

The key to maximizing your time is cross-posting.

I would suggest (once you’ve chosen your platforms) that you investigate two social media aids: Buffer and IFTTT.

Buffer.com allows users to set up cross-posting on up-to-three social media accounts for free and an unlimited number of accounts in the paid version ($102/year.) Posts can be written at your leisure, queued, and scheduled to post during your personal online rush hour. Analytics are also available to determine best-used practices.

IFTTT.com, which stands for If This Then That is a free social media tool that utilizes triggers and actions to automate posting. An IFTTT user set up a personal recipes for multiple social media platforms. For instance, If This (I post a photo to Instagram), then (Also post it to Twitter.) These recipes use hashtags or other content to automate action, thereby saving users times from entering each platform separately.

Courtney is the Author-in-Residence for JKS Communications. She is the award-winning Young Adult author of FAKING NORMAL, THE BLUE-HAIRED BOY and THE LIES ABOUT TRUTH.

The post Upgrade Your App-titude: Two Tips to Maximize Social Media appeared first on Book Marketing & Author Publicity Firm | JKS Communications.

We’ve all been there: The sentence won’t work the way you want, you read over something you’ve written and somehow the magic just isn’t there anymore, or worst of the worst—the blank page stares at you, mute and judging. You stare it down; you write, scribble out, rewrite, delete, stare some more.

When I worked as an assistant editor at Hachette Book Group, our community of authors would sometimes hit the inevitable snag. Here are five tips we would share with our authors—and aspiring writers we met along the way—to help with writing woes:

1. Get it all down. Some writers can happily and effortlessly churn their stories out on paper. But for perfectionists, this step is the worst. “Vomiting” on the page feels messy, and the end result can feel frustrating because it’s not necessarily “your best” work. Try to push through; you will feel more productive with 10 rough pages than with two perfectly pruned paragraphs. Better still, freeing the story from your mind helps you better understand the direction in which it needs to flow.
2. Watch your language (but not too much). Maybe word-vomiting is really not your style. That’s ok! As you push to get your entire piece on paper, a little self-editing can encourage you by reassuring that what you’re writing is “good”
3. Take a break. Close your laptop. Take a walk. Call a friend. Do something that gets you up and away from your project. But you’ve barely gotten started! But you still have so much to do! I promise: It will still be there when you get back. If you’re in the zone, stay in the zone. But cut yourself some slack during lull periods. Choose intentional, set amounts of break time while writing, so you can stay loose, relaxed, and creative.
4. Share. Share your work with a trusted friend, family member, mentor, and/or fellow writer. If asking for feedback, try to ask someone who could reasonably understand where you’re coming from (i.e. if you want a critique of your 250-page science fiction novel, share it with someone who enjoys or could enjoy science fiction). Outside readers will be able to lend perspective.
5. Let it go. When is a piece of creative work truly finished? Simple answer: When you decide it’s done. Sometimes a piece feels perfectly finished, ready-to-print. Sometimes you depart with the lingering sensation that it still “needs work,” but you’re not sure how. Put it down for a while. See how it snags your mind—the line you keep repeating and rewording in your head, the new character that seems to spontaneously appear while you’re eating dinner. Finish things you start writing, share them, release them—then move on to the next project!

Chelsea is a publicist and editor for JKS Communications. She formerly worked as an Assistant Editor for Hachette Book Group. 

When I started working with author, psychologist and terrorism expert Alice LoCicero to promote her newest nonfiction book, I knew right away that the possibilities for media coverage would be endless. Her book, “Why ‘Good Kids’ Turn Into Deadly Terrorists,” explains the ins and outs of homegrown terrorism with a special emphasis on the accused Boston Marathon bombers, a topic that hits home for this Cambridge-based author. Dr. LoCicero’s book and professional expertise have grabbed the attention of the Associated Press, the Washington Times, local Boston media and many others.

So, how did she do it? How does a writer pen a nonfiction title that spans local, regional and national appeal?

3 signs of a highly marketable nonfiction book:

1. Timing is (almost) everything. When deciding on a publication date, think about important anniversaries and current events that the book’s release can be tied to. This is especially important for media coverage because reporters are always looking for a timely angle. The question they are repeatedly asking is, “Why should people care about this NOW?” In Dr. LoCicero’s case, she released her book just as media outlets – locally and nationally – were gearing up to cover the trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. It was on their minds, and she popped up on their radar just in time.
2. Let’s get personal. A personal connection to the topic is a great angle to pitch to media outlets. Journalists may care about the book and its subject, but they are always looking forward to hearing the author’s personal story, one that their readers can relate to, one that takes them behind the scenes. Dr. LoCicero chose a topic close to her heart. Not only does she live and work in the community where the Tsarnaev brothers lived, she is a mother and psychologist who has studied youth violence and terrorism all over the world.
3.  Know your readers. Choose a topic with mass appeal. Not everyone is deeply invested in the Boston Marathon bombing trial, but Dr. LoCicero’s readership broadened when her book addressed the subjects of youth violence and terrorism recruitment efforts. This not only pulls in readers interested in current events but grabs the attention of parents, educators and those interested in psychology and youth social issues.

Angelle Barbazon is a literary publicist who worked as a journalist before joining JKS Communications.

Available April, 2015!

Claypool and McLaughlin immerse themselves in the interface between public education and for-profit private providers of educational services for students with special education needs and for students at risk of dropping out. Their conversational and eminently readable research illuminates the organizational, regulatory, and cultural factors that account for wide variability in the use of private companies to meet the educational and behavioral needs of some of America’s most challenged and challenging students. Over two dozen regional and national experts weave a story that shows how public schools lack a core competence with at-risk students, that where they live makes a great deal of difference for children with disabilities, and questions whether idea provides adequate protections for children with autism.

Email [email protected] if you’d like to join the tour!

Please include:
1. Choice of date
2. Preference of digital or physical copy (We will provide depending on availability)
3. What you’re planning (review / interview / type of author guest post / giveaway / etc.)

Tour Details to Come… 

The post Virtual Tour for Mark K. Claypool and John M. McLaughlin’s We’re In This Together: Public-Private Partnerships in Special and At-Risk Education appeared first on Book Marketing | Author Publicity | JKSCommunications.

Author Jeffrey Stayton (This Side of the River, February 15, 2015) landed Shelf Awareness’ Cool Idea of the Day for his innovative Cheer for the Bookstore $250 Cash Grant Contest!

Cool Idea of the Day: Debut Author’s Indie Bookstore Grants

Jeff Stayton

You don’t have to be James Patterson to have an impact on independent bookstores. Author Jeffrey Stayton, whose debut novel, This Side of the River, will be released in February by Nautilus Publishing, sponsored a Cheer for the Bookstores competition, offering $250 grants to be used to benefit store, staff and customers. The six winning bookstores, and their plans for the grant money, are:

Burke’s Book Store, Memphis, Tenn., “to begin a fundraising project to purchase a delivery bike and book mobile trailer.”
Fiction Addiction, Greenville, S.C., “to offset expenses for our new kid’s Book Scouts program so we can get a new generation hooked on reading.”
40 Acre Wood, Lexington, Tex., “to hire someone in the community to design and launch a webpage for the store. In this way 40 Acre Wood can reach further, beyond its own community.”
Books of Wonder, New York, N.Y., to “provide my key bookstore employees with additional holiday gifts and/or bonuses. They work so hard, do such a great job, and make the kids and parents who show at our store so happy.”
Horton’s Books & Gifts, Carrollton, Ga., to “help us create a children’s reading nook inside a recessed door frame that is no longer in use.”
Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, Va., because “a hotel just opened next door and we need to buy postcards, other regional items and books. They don’t have a gift shop! And we’ve been suffering through 18 months of construction waiting for them to open. ”

“Jeff is not only a customer and author-to-be, he also worked here,” said Cheryl Mesler, co-owner of Burke’s Book Store, which will celebrate its 140th anniversary next year. “We want to get a Burke’s delivery bike and book mobile trailer so that we can deliver books in our neighborhood and can have a mobile book store to take to schools and farmers markets and festivals. This is going to be seed money for our crowdfunding project.”

Full Story

The post Jeffrey Stayton’s Bookstore Grant Contest lands Shelf Awareness Cool Idea of the Day! appeared first on Book Marketing | Author Publicity | JKSCommunications.

BREAKING NEWS: Andrew Maraniss was interviewed on NBC’s Meet the Press about how basketball hero Perry Wallace broke racial barriers to become a legend. Andrew’s new book Strong Inside keeps getting bigger and bigger! Watch the interview here!

The post Andrew Maraniss Interviewed on Meet the Press for STRONG INSIDE! appeared first on Book Marketing | Author Publicity | JKSCommunications.

Andrew Maraniss‘ smash hit STRONG INSIDE debuts at #2 on The Tennessean bestseller list and makes front page news! Don’t miss this inspiring, incredible true story about Perry Wallace, the first African American basketball player in the Southeastern Conference, who defied the odds and became a legend.

The post STRONG INSIDE by Andrew Maraniss Hits #2 on The Tennessean Bestseller List and Makes the Front Page! appeared first on Book Marketing | Author Publicity | JKSCommunications.

We just have to stop and brag on Jenny Milchman: her spine-tingling novel RUIN FALLS has been named one of Suspense Magazine‘s top 10 books of 2014! Way to go Jenny!

The post Jenny Milchman’s RUIN FALLS Named One of Top Ten Books of 2014 by Suspense Magazine appeared first on Book Marketing | Author Publicity | JKSCommunications.

We are pleased to announce that Gary Reilly’s DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL debuted at #2 on the Denver Post’s bestseller list!

The post Gary Reilly’s DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL at #2 on Denver Post Bestseller List! appeared first on Book Marketing | Author Publicity | JKSCommunications.

To commemorate the life and work Satish Modi’s mother, late Smt. Dayawati Modi, the Dayawati Modi Award for Art, Culture & Education is presented annually by the Dayawati Modi Foundation to an eminent person credited with outstanding contributions to these fields. We would like to add our own congratulations to Shri Subodh Gupta for his wonderful award, and to the foundation for its unceasing contribution to the arts!

The post Dayawati Modi Award Honors Shri Subodh Gupta for His Contribution to Arts & Culture appeared first on Book Marketing | Author Publicity | JKSCommunications.

Maureen Kanefield’s heartwarming picture book THE MAGIC OF MAXWELL AND HIS TAIL won GOLD at the Mom’s Choice Awards! Congratulations Maureen!

The post Maureen Kanefield Wins Gold at the Mom’s Choice Awards! appeared first on Book Marketing | Author Publicity | JKSCommunications.