The Doc: Tim Desmond

Tim Desmond was raised in Madera, California. He attended, on scholarship, California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, CA. Later, after graduating from California State University Fresno with a BA degree in Zoology, he earned his Teaching Credential. While writing since the college years, he taught biology, chemistry and physics for thirty-six years before retiring. He has written two novels, in 2005 a World War II flashback For Thou Art With Me and in 2010 the conspiracy thriller ebook version The Doc. He is married and lives in Fresno, California. He spends time painting and Civil War reenacting.

How has your environment affected your writing?

TD – It has affected in every way. Most of my settings have been in rural California. It’s not that I haven’t lived in a larger city, which I did in college years, but I have included what I have learned from travels.

How many books have you written?

TD – Three. The first book length was an unpublished thing in 1983.

Give a short synop of your most recently published book.  

The Doc –revised edition

The troubles of father and daughter Civil War reenactors, Matthew and Dana Sweet, would not have mattered to most people. However, California physician Henry “Hank” Houston cared. You will be immersed into the reenacting world and these troubles. From the yellow grain fields of the San Joaquin Valley to the granite monuments of the Washington, DC area, Hank uncovered what Dana Sweet found. Her lover DHS agent Jim Calder went missing, but not before giving her two encrypted flash drives. It was only weeks before that in the glass walled cubicle of the Intensive Care Unit, Matthew asked Hank to find answers about his daughter. Hank is not a private investigator or a cop.  But, as a pilot, past gun dealer, and a shooting sports enthusiast, he has his resources.  While Hank learned that his life is in danger by a domestic black ops unit that does not want to be exposed, by Dana’s knowledge of DHS and the information on the drives, he questions everything he ever knew.  He is changed, as he tried to be true to his friends.  

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

TD – Part of me is in all of them, but I don’t know if it is actually hidden. I would think as with most of us, trying to bring characters to life, we have to write some characters as completely different from ourselves.

What challenges did you face while writing this book?

TD – It was originally a screenplay I wrote in 1999. Though registered, it never sold. In 2005, I began to novelize it, adding back story and new scenes. That became the ebook only version with a previous publisher. This version for the first time in print needed more work. A lot had happened with the characters since 1999, which included 9/11, and Patriot Act, which I had not really addressed in the 2005 version.

Do you travel to do research or for inspiration? Can you share some special places with us?

TD – Both. Being in foreign cities, either in Europe or the Americas, is a special experience. A friend once told my wife, “Once you travel to Europe, you will never be the same.” It is inspirational, and we have been fortunate to travel to Germany, the UK twice, Mexico. But a special place I am using as a setting in a current new work is Florida and the Keys. That will be different from my usual California locations.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?

TD – One must learn to delete your own words, words that don’t work. I tend to ramble initially, and write in tangents. If that gets too long, it stops your story. Genres have rules. Keep to those rules. Use Elements of Style by Strunk & White.

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?

TD – I have manila folders and files of notes scratched on various scraps of paper. There are some computer files of ideas. Last couple years I’ve used SmartPhone memo pad app. But, once I lost everything there as I had to get the phone reformatted, and, well, you know.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

TD – It’s a tough business. With one novel printed in mid 2000s, I had set up my own events and while I was out there, I had sales. But, in that era I did not use online much. I had a website, but no traffic. I did hard sells by email, and currently that is what is being advised as opposed to pitching hard on social media. Blogging seems to be the online route way to go. So, on FB and Twitter I reference to my blog and author sites. A book in print gives you something in your hands to promote at your own events.

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

TD – The latest novel was started in November 2012, but was a story I had several buried outlines in a folder over several years. A frustrated physics teacher has a theory that he has been working on, and writes several papers and thesis type works, but he can’t get published. Some of his theory is what in the past was called meta-physics, now more referred to as “paranormal” things. In the academic world, these topics are not considered “serious” by real PhDs. My character also has troubles with his high school administration, his wife, an enemy colleague on campus, and eventually the police. This is the Florida setting I alluded to above.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

TD - Amazon author page at: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00694KQQO
Writing at: http://timothydesmond.wordpress.com
Art at: http://artbydesmond.wordpress.com 

Are your books available in print and ebook formats? (please provide the buy link for easy reader accessibility)

TD – Yes, print and all ebook formats are available at:

Black Opal Books at: http://www.blackopalbooks.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/

All Romance: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/       

Let's Get Cozy with Elaine Macko

Elaine Macko is the author of the Alex Harris mystery series. The books are set in Elaine’s native Connecticut, and each book has a bit of a European flair bringing together Elaine’s love of both places.

They say write what you know and Elaine’s career working as an office manager, executive assistant and a report editor gave her the impetus for centering the series around the Always Prepared temporary employment agency Alex owns along with her sister, Samantha.

Alex is a Winston Churchill-quoting, M&M’s-addicted woman with a mind of her own who discovers being an amateur sleuth is her true calling, much to the chagrin of a certain police detective.

In addition to Alex and Sam, the books include their parents, a couple of retirees who love playing board games; a bingo-playing, loan-sharking grandmother and her gang of goofy eighty-somethings; and Alex’s adorable nephew, Henry, who talks in percentages.

Elaine currently has five books in the series—Armed, Poisoned, Flossed, Mahjonged, and Smoked—and is working on the sixth, Pickled. She says she’s always on the outlook for a cool way to murder someone and welcomes fun suggestions at elainemackobooks@hotmail.com.

So you write cozies. How did you make the decision to write them rather than mysteries with a bite?

I’ve enjoyed reading them and I think my personality is somewhat irreverent and quirky and just lends itself more toward cozies.

How many books have you written? Are they a series? If so, does the series follow a certain theme (like knitting, painting, etc.) Why did you choose that theme?

I do write a series and so far five are available. The sixth one should be out in a couple of months. I set the series in the fictional town of Indian Cove, Connecticut. I have a protagonist who owns her own office temp agency. I’ve always worked in an office so it just fit and I grew up in Connecticut. Only two characters in my series are actually based on real people: Meme is based on my beloved grandmother who died when I was 14. I gave Alex, my protagonist, the relationship with Meme that I wish I had with my grandmother if she had lived. I also base the character of Henry, Alex’s nephew on my own nephew, Nick.

Has your environment or background affected the genre you write? How?

Yes, I think it has. I loved growing up in New England and in a certain time when family and values were important. I instill a love of family in my character and of course she lives in Connecticut.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book (or in the series)?

My protagonist is definitely like me but I’ve made her a bit taller and thinner! She’s also more kind, I think. We’re both quite impatient and we need to work on that.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?

Keep at it if this is really what you want. Don’t expect overnight success, and do everything you can to fine-tune your writing—join a critique group, have trusted friends read your work, join writers groups. And most importantly, develop a thick skin. Not everyone is going to love your work and you will get some bad reviews. I try to really read the bad ones, and a lot of the time the criticism is spot on so I’ll be aware of that when I go to write the next one.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out to cozy readers both off and online?

I do book signings and I use social media, but I think it’s very difficult to get the word out when you don’t have a large network. I work a full-time day job so I’m not on committees, and boards, and I just don’t have a lot of time. It’s hard. I get such great reviews so I think I have a good product but now where do I find all the cozy readers?

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

I lived in Europe for a long time and because I was on the board of a charitable organization, I had an interesting life. Plus there was the time I almost got deported and friends offered to smuggle me across the border in the trunk of their car! Every time I talk about my adventures in Europe, people tell me to write a book. I’m working on it, but it’s not quite right yet. Hopefully in a year it will be out.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events? (provide links)

They can check out my web site: www.ElaineMackoBooks.com

Christi's Promotional Experiences

Promotion for me took off with vetting Ghost Orchid through Barnes and Noble New York Small Press Department.  The requirements included a marketing plan and I had to think through that.  In the process, I made a plan that I followed!  However, the plan itself was the best marketing tool.  It gave me goals and target dates that kept me going even when some promotional ideas failed to make a measureable difference.

My number one success with promotions came from preparing a talk about ghost orchids, Sex, Myth and Magic, that I could deliver in ten minutes to one hour for local organizations or present on the local radio and television stations.  From those presentations I received press coverage, word or mouth from those in attendance, and favorable promotion at the organizations also.

The next best success was book signing events that were singular, just me and my book.  At the same time, my worst experiences were book signing events with multiple authors.  The benefits of signings are the same as the organization presentations, multiplied exposure.   I had great benefits from signing books in restaurants and at organizations.  The Independent book stores were great, but there are none left.

Initially, joining Redroom.com, also a vetting process, gave me a great web page that did promote quite well.  Joining The Authors Guild, another vetting process, provided another great web site and their promotion.   Writing blogs for Redroom.com did lead initially to sales, but the market became saturated.

Writing for author and readership blogs is another great promotion that initially led to sales.  The time limit though is constraining.  Exchanging reviews falls in the same category – great support and promotional benefits but also taking quite a bit of time.

Writing a column for the local paper started out as a benefit.  Over time, however, the paper quit saying I was an author or wrote specific books and just had my name on the articles, which grew in number to become a small income of immediate gratification, but little support other than branding and name recognition for my novels.

I didn’t gain much from writing conferences or festivals except aching legs, a sore throat and a stack of cards from other authors.  This is a valuable exposure for most authors so my lackluster benefit must be uniquely mine.

I also write a column for Examiner.com that I found brought zero benefit but does contribute to my ranking on Google so I hang in there with a few columns per month and earn literally a few pennies.  I do know that a few other writers for Examiner.com established themselves with a readership and both make money and promote their work well. 

Of course, the standard postcards, book marks and business cards branded with the web site and a blog are helpful.

I did sell a lot of books at the flea market, but this is a high end neighborhood with lots of visitors in winter.  I don’t think flea markets are the best place to sign new books, generally.  I picked the holidays so I could tout them as gifts.

I wrote a few press releases for freepressrelease.com and similar free distribution of press release sights.  For $300 you can get a guarantee of a few major publications.  I didn’t have the $300 to risk.

I have received zero payback from paid advertisements.  I had one exception.  FirstChaptersPlus, an ezine of books of all sorts brought me a lot of sales and exposure when it first started and I ran a cheap, $15 per month ad.  Unfortunately, their ad prices are much higher now, but I think librarians actually look at it.  Also, online book sites pull the book descriptions for their listings, or at least they did in the past.

D. K. Christi, M.Ed.,journalist, author and speaker has two published novels, Arirang and Ghost Orchid and short stories published in seven anthologies including Forever Travels and Forever Families by Shelagh Watkins and a contribution to Killer Recipes, the unique cookbook I authored.
She writes a monthly dog column and eight or more feature articles per month for Spotlightt magazines, in print and online and writes for Examiner.com . She is an editor, entertaining presenter and freelance marketing content writer.

Ghost Orchid is a mystery in the mystical Everglades, a life unfolding wrapped in the aura of the magical ghost orchid.                  

D. K. Christi, M.Ed., CWDP
Consultant, Speaker, Author & Journalist
Member, Authors Guild & Naples Press Club
Spotlight Magazines
dkchristi.com
Ghost Orchid book trailer by Darryl Saffer (click)

Helen Henderson

About Helen Henderson
A former feature-story writer and correspondent, Henderson has also written fiction as long as she could remember. Her heritage reflects the contrasts of her Gemini sign. She is a descendent of a coal-miner's daughter and an aviation flight engineer. This dichotomy shows in her writing which crosses genres from historical adventures and westerns to science fiction and fantasy. In the world of romantic fantasy, she is the author of two series: the Dragshi Chronicles and the Windmaster novels. Helen calls herself a tour guide to the stars, the Old West, and worlds of imagination and invites readers to journey with her.

How many books have you written?
At present count between the fiction and non-fiction, my name is on eleven full-length works. Two of them started as short stories, then morphed into a series. My latest, Dragon Destiny, followed that path. It grew into a novel published by a small press. The characters refused to leave and one book turned into two, then three, and the Dragshi Chronicles were born. In addition to the Dragshi Chronicles, future plans include the release of my other fantasy series, the Windmaster novels. A project that simmers, gets pushed to the back burner, then brought back, is a collection of military-themed short stories written as a tribute to family members who have served their country. And for a change of pace, I’m writing the non-fiction history of a local organization.

Give a short synopsis of your most recently published book.
The awakening of his dragon soul twin, Llewlyn, brought Dragshi Lord Branin near-eternal life, but not happiness. As a dragshi, he can take on dragon form and know the freedom of flight, however, both are the last of their kind and have waited millennia for their mates. The firebrand raider, Lady Broch is more than willing to fulfill that position — with or without Branin's willing cooperation.

When a faint thought impinged on Branin's mind, hope for an ending to eons of loneliness soared. Plagued by doubts because no signs of a dragon shifter's birth have been seen, Branin searches the world for the mysterious girl he only knows by the name, Anastasia.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?
Anastasia and I share a similar sense of duty and both of us honor our responsibilities to kith and kin. But there is another connection. There is a real Anastasia and is a member of my extended family. Which is what caused one of the problems in writing the book. When we first met Anastasia the character, she was a young girl who had lost her mother. In the novel, she had to be old enough to be a suitable love interest and therein lay the challenge. Dragon Destiny is a romance, not a young adult coming of age tale. In the book she had to age from a young woman to a vibrant adult. But in my head I pictured the real Anastasia who was only a handspan of years. The transition finalized in my mind when I received the cover for Dragon Destiny. Anastasia’s great-grandmother looked at the pose and attitude captured in the portrait by Fantasia Frog Designs and stated, “That’s Anastasia.”

How has your environment affected your writing?
Like many authors, family responsibilities push writing and promotion into the background. I’m fortunate when the real world overwhelms, that there is always the fantasy world to escape into. I enjoy cavorting with magical equines and travelling to worlds of imagination. But honor and duty always call and I return to the real world

The real world slips into my writing in various ways. The idea of a twinned soul grew out of watching a hawk play tag with the clouds and a long-held desire to fly. And I am a firm believer that the imagined world needs to be real to the readers so they can feel as if they are moving through it with the characters.

My first novel, Windmaster, was written in a variety of places including hospital rooms and doctor’s offices. However I admit, the best place to write is the mountains listening to celtic music while sitting on a porch of a log-cabin or on a sun-dappled lakeside dock. There is one caveat to how my environment affects my writing. My characters have learned to hide during the dark days of winter as the barriers to love and happiness grow with the snow drifts. More than one character has been captured and ended up in a dungeon in the winter only to escape with the spring thaw.         

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?
Learn to bend with the breeze. Each author’s path, each book is unique and what works for one person is a disaster for another. Whether a logical plotter or a write-without-a-map pantser, writing processes need to be able to shift as characters hijack storylines, and as writers we gain experience. The second piece of advice is “not to be afraid to type ‘the end.’” I’ve worked with too many writers who never finish the work. They just keep going back and rewriting and rewriting. If they do stop, they never take the plunge and submit it for publication. Lastly, too many authors type “the end” then expect royalties to just roll in. Whether ebook or print, traditional or indie-published, the book is yours and you are ultimately the one who needs to market and promote it. After all, it is your passion that created it and which will show through to the readers.

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?
For many years I worked in computer design, coding and testing software, then as a system designer. Organization is engrained in my thought and work process. The logical approach needed to instruct a computer (they weren’t self-programming, yet) creeps into my fiction writing and I admit to being what is now called an explorer. Once I start a project I have forms to help record the scenes and dialog. In the beginning the forms provide structure (and allow me to work when there is no computer around), then later when the characters and plot unveil, I shift from paper to computer and compose on the keyboard so by the time the plotting is finished, there is a complete fairly polished work.

With caregiver responsibilities and a daily life that includes running a business in addition to my writing, keeping things in my head no longer works, so I always have paper and pencil close at hand for when storylines, character names, or setting locales pop into my head. If the material fits into a current project, I make time to convert the information into electronic form and drop it into the research section of the series bible. Future storylines are fleshed out as far as they can go, then put in a special folder  on my laptop labeled, Future Novels.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?
Events, both in the virtual world and the real one can be found on my website: http://helenhenderson-author.webs.com and my blog: helenhenderson-author.blogspot.com. Dragon Destiny is available in ebook format at Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble and coming soon to paperback. Additional sale locations for Dragon Destiny and my other works can also be found on my author’s website.

Thanks for the opportunity to blog on this awesome blogspot and I hope to hear from lots of readers!

Inviting all readers to ask questions in the comments section. We'd love to hear from you!

Promoting THE BAD WIFE

I've been asking authors to weigh in on how they promote and what experiences they've encountered so that we can all learn from them. Here's Jacqueline Seewald's reponse:

My new mystery novel THE BAD WIFE has just been published by Perfect Crime Books so promotion is very much on my mind. Since the novel took a lot of time and effort to write, I certainly want to pique the interest of readers and have them know it exists. I have found that several of my writer groups are supportive and I appreciate the help fellow authors provide. I will be blogging as a guest on several sites for my novel in the next few months. This will add to exposure. I don't believe Facebook or Twitter have done much to help with sales or readership, but other writers may not agree. I am not especially active on social media. Perhaps one has to initiate a more aggressive campaign. My novel has received a very good review from the Gumshoe Review. I believe that will be helpful in promotion. Good reviews are important to sales.

Thanks, Jacquie!   Comments are encouraged!

Another Promoting Experience: Marilyn Meredith

Permal

For in person events, I do best when I can give a talk. If I can make people laugh, I'll sell books. I always do some sort of book launch when I have a new book, I've done them in all sorts of places: a local inn, recreation center, bed and breakfast, used book store, and my latest will be in an art gallery. Some have worked well, others not so much. I like to speak in libraries--again, as for selling books, it depends upon how many show up. I also like book and craft fairs--engaging people who walk by results in selling books.

On line I'm fond of virtual book tours, I'm on one now:

This is day four and here's the blurb I sent out to my lists and to groups on Facebook:

I’m visiting Holli Castillo http://www.gumbojustice.blogspot.com and I wrote about three old guys at McDonald’s.

Do stop by and leave a comment.

I've advertised here (on Booktown.ning.com) and many other places--but it's hard to tell what garners sales.

And I love Facebook and Twitter and have my own blog.

Marilyn Meredith

Thanks, Marilyn. I agree that authors need to look for venues outside of bookstores. I love to sign at wineries and coffee shops. Great perks, too!

What about the rest of you? And how to do connect with and draw folks to your books?

Promoting the Emma Winberry Mysteries

Helen shares her promotional experience:

I belong to a health club. They are my most eager buyers. Always ask when my next book is due. The manager allows me to set up a table in the lobby and sell all day, if I want to.

I have an extensive mailing list and send out postcards when a new book is out. I also e-mail libraries with a large mystery readership and ask them to stock the book.

My publisher sends out press releases and contacts local and regional newspapers and magazines.

Marketing is the most time consuming aspect of being a writer, but it is essential. I am older and do as much as I can. When my energy lags, I take a break.

I've found that attending author fairs and arts and craft fairs can sell books. My most recent book in the series is Locked Within.  website www.helenosterman.com

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I have been marketing my books for ten years and the best tool is face to face marketing. I wear a t-shirt with the name of my series on it-The Emma Winberry mystery series. I speak at women's clubs. That has been very effective because they tell other groups about me.