Happy Release Day to CHECKED OUT FOR MURDER by Marilyn Levinson

As Allison Brook, I write the Haunted Library mystery series. Checked Out for Murder, the fourth book in the series, was released last Tuesday, September 8th. No matter how many books an author has written, a book's birthday is always an exciting occasion and deserves a celebration.

The idea that my sleuth should be the head of programs and events of a small-town library came to me while attending a drum presentation in my library's beautiful outdoor park. As soon as the librarian in charge of adult programs presented the drummer I told myself There's my sleuth! A librarian responsible for its programs and events has colleagues and perhaps a nemesis at work as well the opportunity to meet people eager to give a library presentation. And so Carrie Singleton was born! I added Evelyn Havers the ghost and Smoky Joe the library cat along with several other characters. As for the setting, a beautiful Connecticut town I once visited came to mind and the Haunted Library series was born!

A cozy mystery series is more than a collection of books with the same sleuth and many of the same characters. Relationships develop, characters mature and each novel in my series, while showing progression also stands as an entity on its own. In Checked Our for Murder, Carrie's relationship with her mother undergoes unexpected changes, and two homicides might have a connection to a twenty-year-old murder. Mystery. Intrigue. Romance. And a touch of the paranormal. What fun it was to bring it all together in Checked Out for Murder.

 

Newsletters by Marilyn Levinson

For the longest time, every book-promoting guru I'd seen and listened to was insisting that an author had to have a newsletter. A newsletter was essential. It was the best way to communicate with one's readers. And for the longest time I refused to take the plunge. What did I have to say, I wondered, that I couldn't put in a blog or on my Facebook page? Besides, weren't newsletters a lot of trouble to set up and distribute?

Then three years ago, I realized it was time to update my website. A website is a necessity in every writer's promotion arsenal, and mine—which had well served its purpose—was now a Model-T Ford among SUVs and hybrids. Since the person creating my new website was using WIX, I thought it only logical to use WIX  to send out my newsletters, which they now call an email campaign.

It took quite a number of lessons to learn how to compose a WIX newsletter, and I certainly haven't taken advantage of all of the bells and whistles. Still, I now manage to put out a newsletter every 6 to 8 weeks. Much to my surprise, I've discovered this is something I enjoy.

Basically, my newsletter consists of three parts. In the first, I post a picture that reflects the season and write about what's happening in my personal and professional life.
The second is devoted to news regarding my books, book-related events and giveaways. (I did my first giveaway in the latest newsletter.) The third section I list and sometimes comment on books I've read, movies I've seen, and series and shows I've watched on TV, Netflix and Prime. Then off it goes—to subscribers as well as to my Facebook page, Pinterest board, and Twitter account.

The best part of sending out a newsletter is hearing back from readers. Many write to let me know how much they enjoy receiving it. They like hearing updates about my books and often share what they're reading and watching. WIX gives you detailed statistics of how well your campaign went, and I'm pleased by the high percentage of people who click on and open my email campaigns.


If you are an author and thinking of starting a newsletter, I say go for it! I think the secret of having one that's effective is be yourself and be willing to share your thoughts and aspects of your life with your readers. There's so much you can include in your newsletter to make it unique: photos of trips, recipes, your pet's escapades. And, of course, keeping readers up to date on your writing life.