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.

Librarians--Authors' best friends

Often authors are curious 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 snail-mail publicity postcards to announce upcoming books. We Facebook and Twitter and network and then wonder if it does any good. Speaking engagements at local libraries were something I tried after my first release of Amish fiction. While writing about the Amish, I often spoke on steps to simplify life or ways my life changed after getting to know those God-fearing, passionate Christians. For the first time, I felt connected to readers, up-close and personal. I listened to their 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 work 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, same as other consumers. But I have made fans-for-life who originally found me in the library, but 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 visit their community room, usually allowing you to sell and sign books afterward.

Since I switched to writing mysteries and romantic suspense, readers frequently ask how I get my story ideas and how I research the various locations. But what I’m asked about most often is my personal path to publication. Fledgling writers tend to haunt libraries and would appreciate any advice you can give. After answering questions, I also take the time to plug ACFW about what our wonderful organization can do to further writing careers. Over the years, I’ve discovered libraries aren’t just great places to read, research, and hide from the world. The librarians who work inside can often be a writer’s best friend.

Mary Ellis has written twelve best-selling novels set in the Amish community and several historical romances. Her latest, Magnolia Moonlight, is third of a new mystery series, Secrets of the South, from Harvest House Publishers. Before "retiring" to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate, a job with amazingly sweet fringe benefits. She enjoys traveling, gardening, bicycling and swimming, and lives in Ohio with her husband, dog, and cat. Sunset in Old Savannah will release in early 2017. She can be found on the web at: www.maryellis.net or www.facebook.com/Mary-Ellis/Author

Please leave me a comment for a chance to win a free copy of my latest book, Magnolia Moonlight. 

Interview With Cozy Mystery Author, Amanda Flower

Amanda Flower, a national bestselling and Agatha Award winning mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. She also writes mysteries as USA Today bestselling author Isabella Alan. In addition to being an author, Amanda is librarian in Northeast Ohio.

Interview: If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?  

I’ve wanted to be an author my entire life and now I’m living my dream with God’s grace.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

I like to spend as much of my free time as I can with my friends and family, especially my niece and nephew, who I love like they are my own children.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

Charlotte Web

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

1) I’m a vegetarian.

2) I like to cross country… even though I’m not very good at it.

3) I’ve always wanted a pet goat.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

Mystery. I’m always wanted to write mystery. I would never say never, but I can’t imagine writing anything else.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The toughest criticism was from my creative writing teacher in college who thought my writing was trivial. I took that on as a challenge to prove her wrong. She was an adjunct professor, and I don’t even remember her name but I remember what she said, and I’m grateful to her to put the fire in me to get published.

The best compliment was from a friend who said she loved my book so much that she forgot that I was one the who wrote it because she was so wrapped up in the story.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?

I like to read some Urban Fantasy and Sweet Romance.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?

I’d be a librarian like I am. I am a fulltime librarian and a fulltime author.

What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Keep trying. Don’t give up. Success in publishing is more dependent on determination and a strong will than natural talent.

Can you tell us something about your latest novel,  Crime and Poetry, first in the new Magical Bookshop Mystery series.

Rushing home to sit by her ailing grandmother’s bedside, Violet Waverly is shocked to find Grandma Daisy the picture of perfect health. Violet doesn’t need to read between the lines: her grandma wants Violet back home and working in her magical store, Charming Books. It’s where the perfect book tends to fly off the shelf and pick you...

Violet has every intention to hightail it back to Chicago, but then a dead man is discovered clutching a volume of Emily Dickinson’s poems from Grandma Daisy’s shop. The victim is Benedict Raisin, who recently put Grandma Daisy in his will, making her a prime suspect. Now, with the help of a tuxedo cat named Emerson, Violet will have to find a killer to keep Grandma from getting booked for good...

Please leave a comment for Amanda, along with your email address, for a chance to win a copy of Crime and Poetry. US residents only.