They’re Here

My author copies of KILLER ROUTINE arrived. Yay!

Coming to a Mailbox Near You

Operating under the “people can’t buy/read your book unless they know about it” principle, I mailed out a few postcards.

To be exact, I mailed 1376 postcards to bookstores and libraries.

I didn’t use postcards for my first book, but I thought I’d give this “low-tech, old-school” approach a try.

I designed the postcards using Photoshop, and I got them printed by Printplace.com  (affordable and good quality).

Here’s the front:

And the back:

I spent hours sticking on labels and stamps. (And boy, were my arms tired!)

The mailing “dropped” last Friday, so the postcards should be arriving this week. As is often the case with marketing/promotion initiatives, I’m not sure how I’ll be able to tell if this effort was “successful.”

Unless I happen to hit a bestseller list. Then I’ll be mailing postcards for all my books.

This has been another “behind-the-scenes” glimpse at the promotional efforts of a mystery writer.

Here We Go Again

Today I’m blogging at InkSpot about promoting a second book. Pop on over and add your two cents. Or more, if you’re feeling generous.

Hittin’ the Road

In case you missed it, yesterday I blogged at Kaye Barley’s Meanderings and Muses blog.

Click on over and say hi. Or whatever else is on your mind.

Personal Classics

So many books, so little time. That’s why I rarely re-read a book—there are too many good ones out there, sirens calling my name, tempting me with the promise of a good time.

But these books, for whatever reason, managed to wheedle their way onto my TBR pile for second (or third) reads:

• The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings
• Ender’s Game
• The Godwulf Manuscript
• Lord of the Flies
• Silence of the Lambs
• Watchers
• The Unoriginal Sinner and the Ice Cream God
• Jurassic Park

What about you? Do you have some favorite books you like to re-read? Why?

What Say You?

There was a discussion among some members of my group blog, InkSpot, about what kinds of posts blog readers wanted.

So that got me thinking. What kinds of posts do MY blog readers want more of?

Don’t be shy!

Thanks, Malice-Goers!

It seems that the life of a writer is mostly sitting around in your cave banging on the keyboard. However—fortunately—that mundane existence is sometimes livened up by very exciting events. Getting an agent, signing a book deal, seeing your cover for the first time, garnering a good review, finally holding your printed book in your grubby hands—these all qualify.

So does getting an award nomination.

That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD was nominated for the Agatha Award in the Best First Novel category.

I’m honored to have my name/book mentioned alongside the other four excellent Best First nominees: Avery Aames, Laura Alden, Amanda Flower, and Sasscer Hill.

I’m especially happy for Avery and Sasscer, two writing friends who got their start about the same time I did. (And yes, I’m very much looking forward to meeting Laura and Amanda, too!).

Congrats to them, and to all the nominees in the other categories as well!

The Agatha Awards honor the traditional mystery and are presented at the wonderful Malice Domestic convention, to be held April 29 – May 1 in Bethesda, MD. Here is a complete list of the nominations.