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Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Librarians Can Be an Author's Friend ~ Win a Copy of One for the Road by Mary Ellis


Authors are often eager to learn which marketing and publicity ideas work for other writers and which do not. I, too, am curious about the very same thing. We blog and post interviews on various websites. We email newsletters to established fans and mail postcards to announce upcoming books. We Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Pinterest and wonder if it does any good. Speaking engagements at local libraries were something I tried after my first release of Amish fiction. I often spoke on taking steps to simplify life or ways my life changed after getting to know those God-fearing Christians. For the first time I felt connected to readers, up-close and personal. I listened to feedback and answered questions about upcoming books in a series. Wait a minute, you might be thinking. Authors want to interact with people who go out and buy books. I’m here to say libraries buy books too—plenty of them. Many readers who find your books in the stacks—or even on the twenty-five-cent clearance table—will buy in the future if they like your style. Readers need to watch their finances, just like everyone else. But I have made fans-for-life from those who originally found me at the library, then purchased my next book as a keeper. Plus librarians are some of the nicest people on earth. They love to read and love authors who spend time talking to readers. They will usually allow you to sell and sign books afterward. Over the years, I’ve discovered libraries aren’t just great places to read, research, and hide from the world. The librarians inside can become a writer’s best friend.


Mary Ellis is a former schoolteacher turned USA Today bestselling author who’s written twenty-six novels including Amish fiction, historical romance, and suspense. Her latest series is the Bourbon Tour Mysteries from Severn House. Book two, One Hundred Proof Murder released in August.

Here’s a bit about the story: Travel writer Jill Curtis is in Louisville, Kentucky, on the next stop of her bourbon tour assignment, and is keen to explore the major distilleries with her videographer, Michael Erickson – especially since her new beau, Lieutenant Nick Harris, lives in the city. But the night before Jill’s first tour at Parker’s Distillery, she is shocked to learn that the master distiller, William Scott, has died suddenly. The local coroner says he suffered a heart attack, but William's daughter, Alexis suspects foul play. Is there more to William’s death than meets the eye? Jill is soon drawn into a deadly blend of rivalry, jealously, and cold-blooded murder as she attempts to uncover the truth behind William's unexpected demise.

Ask for One Hundred Proof Murder at your local library and tell us what you love about your library. You will be entered in a drawing to win a print copy of One for the Road, book one of the series. You must leave your email address and U.S. readers only.

13 comments:

  1. I love all the different choices books, dvd, ...
    Theresa Norris
    weceno at yahoo dot com

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  2. At the moment I do not have a library card. I am a 30+ minute drive from one in the opposite direction of where I usually travel. Plus as a reviewer and the books I buy, I will probably never catch up on the books I own. I do love that library though. It has a huge section of Christian fiction in its own area. What a blessing! I discovered a number of authors there that have remained on my must have list for years.

    pamelamorrisson@att.net

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  3. has lots of books
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  4. My library was a tremendous blessing to me a few years ago when I had to have surgery and wouldn't be able to drive for 8 weeks. They have a program where they bring the books to seniors and disabled. So here I was stuck at home for 8 weeks and a lovely lady came t collect any books needing to go back and bring me whatever new stack I had (trust me it was a lot I put on hold). The extra blessing was that she was a Christian and prayed with me every time she came.

    lourdes11743 gmail

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  5. We live in a small town and so library is small. They are great!!! We aren't on a large scale connection to other libraries, but they always try to get whatever I want. They have many services many larger libraries wouldn't, including check out puzzles and Stem activities to kids. My grandkids love coming to spent time so we can go to the library and they participate in the book contests and craft projects. They have also been great with Covid, including curb side pick up whenever requested.

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  6. I haven't been to the library in years. I've been to library book sales and the library has changed so much from the libraries I remember. I usually buy the books that I want to read. "One For The Road" has been on my TBR list for awhile now. My Sister and I were planning to go on a Bourbon Trail vacation in 2020 and visit friends in Kentucky. We had to cancel because of Covid. Hopefully we can go in 2022. Would really love to read your book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. I love finding new authors to try. sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  8. I like being able to go there to find new authors or classics that I haven't bought myself. I had such fun going there to get books for free as a child. I read so much. And also knowing that there are many programs for kids. racheltirzah(at)gmail.com

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  9. I used to be at the library all the time but we moved rural and it is to far to go now. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  10. My library is so accessible! Even in Covid times, they offer curbside service! chendryx (at) nctv (dot) com

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  11. My library is a block from my house. My librarian and her staff are excellent, creative and friendly.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  12. I live in the country & the Bookmobile comes to my little town every 3-4 weeks. I give them a request list (anywhere from 12-24 books, and sometimes audio books!) & pick up my previous request list--I love the convenience, & the fact that my library will request books from libraries from other counties! :) badawson16 at aol dot com

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