Liver Let Die

It is with the greatest pleasure that I am postponing Weighty Wednesday--though my weight loss is now 30.4 pounds!--to introduce you to one of my bestest online friends, Liz Lipperman. Liz and I belong to one of the best goals groups ever, GIAM. We've been there through the hard times and we are there for each other in the good times. This is Liz's GREAT time!
Aaaannnnddd here's Liz--

First of all, thanks to Margaret for inviting me to guest blog with her today. She and I share a similar sense of humor, so this should be fun. Now on to my post. My debut cozy mystery released two weeks ago and has really been doing well. I was terrified and spent many a sleepless night before it came out—worrying that everyone would hate it. Again, I’ve been fortunate. More people love it than those who don’t. I shouldn’t have worried, though, since I have been so busy promoting LIVER LET DIE that I haven’t had a chance to dwell on the reviews. I figure I will either make the NY Times Best Sellers List or totally bomb. (I’m terribly insecure.) Hopefully, I’ll fall somewhere in between.

In the meantime, I have scheduled a crazy October with guest bloggings, signings, and even a radio appearance, all in the name of promotion. There were some days when I was in two places at once. So, I’ve decided to talk about the roller coaster ride I’m on and if it would be any different if I was indie published.

I can’t begin to tell you how it feels when people tell you they enjoyed your book. I can only hope all writers get an opportunity to experience it. In today’s publishing world, NY isn’t buying as many print books as they used to, and the ones they do buy are usually not from debut authors. Fortunately, Amazon is a great alternative. I would forewarn anyone who is venturing into the indie publishing world to make sure they get a great copy editor and a great cover artist.

Mags and I have both chosen that path- me with MORTAL DECEPTION, a RS set to go live in a few days and Mags with all her great Middle Grades out there. Since Amazon is such a worldwide player, you’d think the need for non-stop marketing wouldn’t be as critical. After all, it’s Amazon.

You’d be wrong. I would say going that route requires even more self marketing. People will find you if you are with a NY publisher because of their catalogs and the little bit of  promo they do. But unless you are specifically looking for your book, it is lost in a maze of millions of books on Amazon.

Sound discouraging? It shouldn’t if you’re willing to work your tail off the month your book is released.  There are so many free ways to get publicity, and the Internet is an awesome tool. Find book reviewers and offer them a free copy of your book if they’ll write a review. Find libraries that are looking for authors to give a reading. Use FaceBook, Twitter and every other social network out there. Comment on blogs with your signature line advertising your book every chance you get. Put bookmarks in every bill you send out. You never know if there is an avid reader opening the mail somewhere.

I’ll leave you with a story that touched my heart. My family has been so supportive of my book release and my sister-in-law from Ohio asked if she could order 10 books from Amazon, have them sent here for me to sign and mail back to her. She wanted books for her daughters and all her grandchildren. Not only was I flattered, but I teared up. Every writer will tell you that when you hear something like that the validation is unequaled.

Anyway, her 6 year old great-granddaughter heard her talking about it, and asked if she was getting a book. When my SIL said she was too young to read a book like that, the little angel said. “Yes, but I want to keep it to treasure it forever for when I do grow up and can read it.

Ahhh! You gotta love kids. More tears!!

I’ve gotten windy, and I’ve been talking about how y dream came true with a publishing contract. Now I want to hear about yours.

And now for some good news, Berkley is giving away a free copy of LIVER LET DIE to one lucky commenter today (US only at their request.) All you have to do is comment to be entered. Margaret will choose a winner.

Oh, boy! Freebie!! Who doesn't love freebies?? . . . there had better NOT be any hands raised.

I know I have a lot of lurkers on this loop, but the only way to win LIVER LET DIE is to comment on this blog. Yes, I will add those of you who comment on FB into the drawing also. So, if you are as excited as I am about a cozy mystery featuring Jordan McAllister, a food critic who can't cook, then comment.

Spread the word!

Later, Peeps!

Liz Lipperman started writing many years ago, even before she retired from the medical field.

Two years ago, she signed her first contract with Berkley to write a cozy series called “The Clueless Cook Mysteries”. Book One, titled LIVER LET DIE, came out on October 4th and is about a wannabe sports reporter stuck in a po-dunk town writing personal ads who gets the chance to write the weekly culinary column. The problem is, her expertise in the kitchen is limited to frying bologna and microwaving TV dinners. When a dead body is found under her apartment stairwell with her name and number in the victim’s pocket, she becomes the prime suspect, as well as the main course on the murder menu.

When Liz isn't writing about murder and mayhem, you can find her at www.lizlipperman.com or her group blog at http://mysteriesandmargaritasblogspot.com