THE AUDIENCE YOU LOVE

THE AUDIENCE YOU LOVE Promotion, my current nemesis, is a hungry, all-consuming animal, demanding every waking moment of your life. As a result of its commanding character, we often tend to turn reactive, appearing before anyone wholl let us pitch a table and flash our book. But soon youll be running harem-scarem, marketing like a snake-oil salesman, telling everyone your book will change their world. You dont want to go there. What an education Ive gained since Lowcountry Bribe came in early February. Ive spoken to a room of three and others of a hundred. Ive guest blogged on tiny sites and nationally known. My articles appeared in start-up magazines and the infamous The Writer Magazine. People have promised to buy and not followed through. Others bought several copies for gifts. Bookstore owners have loved me and tossed me on my ear. Even Barnes Noble said the book was available then forgot to order it. The list goes on. My husband ordered me to stop and slow down a week ago. My publisher shot me an email full of harsh realities of the business as who to trust and who isnt worth my time. Then I spoke to a small group in Greenville, SC. Then again in Pittsboro, NC. My 10th grade English teacher invited me to her book club for June, and another lovely lady is trying to schedule her book club to read Lowcountry Bribe and invite me to Myrtle Beach. My parents sold at least 50 copies to tax clients. A girlfriend lined up a newspaper interview, a reading and sales to several friends. Another friend hosted a party and sold 20 books. Here I was, running around like a chicken with its head cut off (not any of MY chickens, BTW), when I should have slowed down and really focused on who I want to reach and how to reach them. So . . . while Ill continue to do conferences here and there, becauseFundsforWriters commands it, I think Ill enjoy the camaraderie of smaller groups for Carolina Slades mystery series. I want people to chat about Slade, the characters, the setting and the twists of the plot. I want feedback on what they loved and would like to see done differently. I think reachable is the term Im seeking. A FundsforWriters reader told me last week that she liked the fact I was reachable. Id like to take that further and say likeable and personable. I attended a conference this year where the highly awarded guest author came and went with the wind, not staying for any of the event other than her talk and a brief moment when she said, Thank you. Ill now entertain questions. Since I get to know most of the conference organizers, I already knew the author was not happy to be there because she liked larger audiences. Dont ever let that be me. I just came off several small group events on the way to The Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference in Oklahoma City, where I am as you are reading this. A well organized event like this is a joy to behold, but I have to admit . . . I love the evening sessions or the small groups in the bar the most. When we are all writers and just enjoying the fact we are.