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

A Tad Ballistic!

Yesterday, I read a blog by Rachelle Gardner and commented, along with hundreds of other readers.  My comments by far were in the minority.

Most of the commenters wanted to be published in the traditional method for--get this, this is what I have a problem with--VALIDATION. Oh, my personal validation was having an 11-year-old read and enjoy my story, plus I have a small group of under-priveledged after school kids who are fans of my work (my MIL is reading to them).

Validation is all fine and dandy, but they seem to be missing the bigger picture. 

Does anyone have the answer?  Do you know what I'm getting at?  Well, if you've been reading my blog, and many others, you will know the answer.  Okay, okay, I'll give it to you.

Publishing is a BUSINESS.  What do businesses do?  They make money.

They aren't here to validate the author's existence or pat your hand.  They want to make money on a product, your story. You can have the best damn product in the world, but if it doesn't fit in their narrow view within their various imprints or what is currently selling, then it won't get a contract. It has NOTHING to do with the writer's ability to craft a good story.  It has to do with the ability to sell the product and turn a profit.

It's all about making money. PERIOD.

Ditto for agents.  Oh, I'm sure some agents pick up authors who they see as potential moneymakers, but if they can't sell your product--THEY DON'T MAKE ANY MONEY.

Another few commenters wanted the publishing house's publicity and marketing muscle.

Uh, again, if they had been reading any one of numerous blogs by agents and traditionally published authors, they would realize most of the monies reserved for publicity go to the big guns, NOT the debut authors.  Oh, I'm sure it happens, but I'm also sure someone does win the lottery, too.  Who is to say debut author A will get the said monies?  The odds are against you.

Plus many of these commenters want to simply write, they don't want to do publicity, worry about contracts, money, promoting, etc. 

Uh, again, they have managed to stick you head in the ground.  A minuscule number of authors simply write.  If they are smart, they will know the ins and outs of the business.  Follow the money trail. Knowing your rights and legalities of the contracts is only smart business savvy.

Who do you think sets up blog tours? or bookmarks? or local book signings?  YOU. So many authors spend their small advances on their own publicity. Unless you have a huge platform already built, like THE PIONEER WOMAN, then the publisher does the publicity BECAUSE IT'S A GUARANTEED SALE.

Some authors wanted an advance.  Again, most advances are less than $10,000 and more of them hover around $1-2,000 dollars for the debut author. AND you don't get an advance in one lump sum. Publishing houses want to hold onto their money for as long as possible--they make more money on the interest it generate than giving it to you. 

I have many traditionally published friends who have commented that their advances are now split into FOUR increments. Some are still three increments (1/3 on signing, 1/3 on acceptance of manuscript, 1/3 on publication), but look at your contract before you sign.
*REMEMBER--many times it takes two years for a book to go from contract to bookshelf*
1) signing of contract
2) ACCEPTANCE of manuscript
3) acceptance of edited manuscript
4) publication and distribution (many times this step hasn't been happening. And don't forget your book sits in limbo during this time)

And don't forget that the agent takes her cut before you even see the money. EVERYONE gets paid before the author does. 

And many of the commenters put down self-publishing--and as I said before, I agree with them up to a point--but they all talked about how much money it costs to self-pub.

WHAT??

Are they still in the freakin' 90's??  The only reason it cost me any money to self pub is because I have zero artistic talent and wanted to have awesome book covers! Many commenters also mentioned that you can't tell the chaff from the wheat with self-published books.  I think you can, if you take the time and trouble.  But, yes, there is a problem with too many writers who aren't ready to SP and it does glut the market.  All a potential reader has to do is read a blurb and they can sense the quality of the story.

Trust me, it's easier than you think.

Anyway, rant over, now I need to get back to my bocce ball dodge ball game that I'm editing in FAERIE.
Oh, bocce balls are the hard black balls used in lawn bowling--let the dodge ball frenzy begin!

Later, Peeps!