When Is Enough Enough? by Marilyn Levinson

Phew! I am exhausted. Booked on Murder was released earlier this week. It's the eighth and final book in my Haunted Library series. I've written several guest blogs and interviews; I have a virtual book tour going. And I'll be speaking at my local Barnes & Noble. I've been posting some really wonderful reviews on Facebook; I've sent out a newsletter with all the sales info for my new book; I talk about my book when I do Author Takeovers. Still I wonder--am I doing enough to encourage readers to buy my new book?

One big problem is we authors never know exactly what part of marketing is drawing readers to our books. Facebook? Ads? Visiting bookstores?  When I see an author featured on a new webinar or a new platform, I shoot off an email to see if I can be a guest, too. Often the answer is yes, so I add that to my marketing regime.

Of course my previous books can't be ignored. They need to be nurtured and attended to, especially when they receive wonderful reviews. Or an older book is going on sale. This has to be spread far and wide on social media and via my newsletter. Many of my older books are being re-released and having cover reveals.

I must say, this recent bout of promotion has stressed me out. I tell myself next time I won't write as many guest blogs or do as many interviews. But my next book is the first in a brand new series. It will require all the attention I can muster.  And so the promotion bout will begin all over again. I wish some marketing guru could tell me when enough is enough.

My fellow writers, how do you feel about all the marketing we do? Readers, what encourages you to buy a book?

So You Call Yourself a Fiction Writer by Marilyn Levinson

I write mystery novels and novels for kids. However, in the service of writing my books I find I write more non-fiction than fiction. I will enumerate the ways and share some of my thoughts.

1. My group blog: I write a short essay once a month, usually something that has to do with writing. Or it might be a thought piece. I never fail to come up with a topic, probably because I'm in the midst of friendly, like-minded authors.

2. Guest blogs. These are most difficult for me to write. Though their purpose is to draw attention to my latest book, I need to write about a subject that appears in my book like art forgery or weddings.

3. Interviews: I like interviews because once I have to answer a question, I'm off and running. However, there are always one or two questions I have trouble responding to. Such as, I don't know which author, dead or alive, I'd like to have dinner with.

4. Articles for mystery magazines: These are even longer and more researched essays that deal with subjects or situations that I've written about in my most recent mystery. Or they deal with some aspect of writing mysteries.

5. Newsletters: I must admit I enjoy writing my monthly newsletter, which includes aspects of my personal life and a good deal about my writing life.

6 . Blurbs I've been requested to write:  I do my best to come up with a one-liner that captivates the essence of the book I've just read in a fresh and complimentary way. I sometimes feel I've stepped into the advertising world and wonder how I would have done working there.

7. Blurbs for my own books: I need to incorporate the most appealing aspects of my novel without giving away too much of the plot. I admit to often copying what's on my Amazon page.

8. Book Reviews: I often post reviews of books that I've enjoyed reading on Goodreads, BookBub and Amazon. These always take more time than I expect. Most of the time they aren't mysteries.

9. Query letters: Thankfully, I haven't needed to write any official query letters in some time. But I do query podcasters and other hosts to ask if they'd be interested in having me as their guest.

10. Author Takeovers (When a cozy author "takes over" a cozy Facebook group and chats with cozy readers for an hour or two ): I love them because I get to interact with readers. I try to ask thoughtful questions and I receive many responses, all of which I do my best to answer.

11. Emails: I write many daily exchanges with my small group of writers. These concern writerly topics as well as other subjects. We are a garrulous group.

12. Emails again: I exchange daily reports with two writer friends— about our writing output, how else we've spent the day, and what's on our minds. Food features largely, for some reason.

13. Outlines and synopses: As everyone knows, these require great organizational skill. I manage to write a partial outline at the start of a novel, knowing there will be many additions and changes.

14. Bios: Authors need bios of various lengths. They all need to be constantly updated.

15. A visual promoting a sale or an new book: Great images and design are a must, but there's still the need to use the right words to grab readers' attention. Again I'm feeling like an ad person, this time a foot in the art department.

 If you are an author, in what additional situations do you find yourself writing about your fictional projects?

 

Author Takeovers by Marilyn Levinson

We authors know the importance of getting the word out about our latest book. About all our books, in fact. We've become savvy at writing blogs, having a presence in social media, participating in Zoom panels. We create newsletters, appear at book fairs and conferences, bookstores and any venue that will host us. We create visuals, set up contests, give away swag. Promotion can be exhausting. Despite all the promoting we do, it often leaves us wondering if we've promoted enough.

More than one publicity maven advises us to promote via a method that we enjoy. Following that recommendation, I'm happy to share one of my favorite means of promotion: Author Takeovers. I don't know if I'll ever try TikTok, or really master Instagram. But I do like Facebook, and, as a cozy author, I appreciate and often visit cozy Facebook groups. In these groups, people chat about cozy mysteries. Authors have an opportunity to post announcements about their latest book, book sales and events. Most cozy groups offer Author Takeovers, when an author actually takes over the group for an hour or two . . . or more. 

I love Author Takeovers because it gives me the opportunity to be in immediate communication with readers and my fellow cozy authors who stop by. After telling them a bit about myself and my books, I have the opportunity to ask whatever questions I'd like participants to comment on. The topics vary. Opinions about cozy mysteries, pets, vacations and food are just a few of the subjects we discuss. 

I'm always amazed to find myself in touch with people from all over the U. S. and Canada at the same time! I hear from readers who love my books and from people who never read anything I've written as we exchange thoughts and ideas, preferences and dislikes. 

I always offer a book or two as giveaways, and keep in touch with many readers who have received one of my books. This is a fun and easy way to relate to readers. And it's free! One of my favorites!

Having Faith In the Writing Process by Marilyn Levinson

Developing one's writing skills as a novelist is an ongoing process. I'm discovering that the way I write a novel is undergoing a process as well. In previous books, I always wrote as a plotter. I worked from an extensive outline, while allowing for changes as they arose to better suit my storyline. But with each book in my current series, I find myself becoming more of a pantser. Writing the most recent book, I have even become more daring. I outlined what would be the beginning chapters and I knew how I wanted the book to end, with the murderer firmly in my mind. This is especially important as I usually have two plotlines that converge at the end.

But I found myself doing things differently this time around. When I got beyond the opening chapters that I'd outlined, I mentally plotted out the next two or three scenes, which I then wrote. And so I continued.  It was kind of like swinging on a trapeze with no safety net below, but oddly enough it didn't make me anxious. 

A new character appeared, then another, and I found myself in the middle of the book with plenty of activity and no sagging middle in sight. New characters brought new elements to the book, and before long I found myself changing the identity of the murderer.

Why this growing confidence in the writing process? Partly, I suspect it's due to the fact that the more we write, the better we get at it. Not that it's easier, but we're honing skills that develop well below the surface of our minds. Another reason is my editor trusts me. I tell her what my next book is going to be about. Just to check in, not because she asks me to. And I've a wonderful group of mystery-writing friends who I can turn to whenever I get stuck. Even if I don't take any of their suggestions, somehow the act of asking for help and writing out the problem brings me the very answer I need to resolve my problem.

And then, of course, writing a series makes things easier. I know my protagonist well, along with her friends and family and the town they live in. Yes, I write cozies, but I deal with less-than-cozy issues like abandonment and dysfunctional families. I feel free to explore my characters' thoughts and feelings, without worrying about restrictions. All of these factors allow me to write more freely and to have faith in the writing process.

The Benefits of Being a Writer by Marilyn Levinson

Writing mysteries is wonderful for my health. Well, sure, I do a lot of sitting around, but I counter the bad effects of that by getting up periodically and walking downstairs for a glass of water. (I bet you thought I was going to say for a cookie.) The thing is writing books keeps me on my toes in more ways than one.

Being a mystery writer is good for my mind. I need to figure out a plot involving a murder or two and people my book with several suspects--all of whom have secrets, reasons to hate the victim(s) and have the opportunity to have done him or her in without being too obvious.

I get to contact bloggers, Facebook group administrators, and podcasters to ask them to fit me in their schedules where I can talk about my latest book. I'm learning how to podcast, Zoom with book clubs and readers, take part in a virtual conference--none of which I'd done a year ago.

I try to be up on the latest marketing tools and master them--or at least find someone who can help me set up appealing backgrounds for Instagram and Twitter posts.

I'm constantly doing research because every book requires different knowledge--from demolishing a building, knowing the latest food fads, to unique methods of committing murder.

Every day I hone my social skills via social media. I  communicate with readers and fellow writers and help my colleagues promote their latest books.

I write constantly in addition to writing my work in progress: hundreds of emails, my bi-monthly newsletter, Facebook posts, blogs and comments on blog posts. 

Constant work, yes, but aside from finishing a book, all of the activities necessary to my writing life help keep my mind active and me socialized. Health benefits in the Time of COVID.