Tag Archive for: debut author

Visiting With The Killer Coffee Club

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by Shari Randall

One of the
biggest perks of being an author is getting to spend time talking with readers.
Because I’m a writer, reader, and former librarian, I love talking books! I
feel torn while writing because I stay away from the type of books I love
reading most – mysteries. I’m afraid I’ll unconsciously pick up another
author’s voice or plot point. While writing a
first draft, I switch to nonfiction, biographies, or craft books, or delve into
whatever I’m researching for the work in progress.

So I was
especially thrilled when I received an invitation to visit the Killer Coffee Club to talk to readers about my new mystery, Curses, Boiled Again!
The Club is run by Nikki Bonnani, a college instructor, personal trainer, and
writer who moderates this long-running book group. Nikki is high energy – she reminds
me of an Energizer Bunny. I think she’s met every author out there. The
authors who have visited the Killer Coffee Club – in person or via Skype – are a Who’s Who of the mystery
world: Brad Parks, Donna Andrews, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Rosemary Harris, Edith
Maxwell, Sara Paretsky, Sue Grafton, Lee Child…. I could go on. The Club has
been meeting at the Barnes and Noble in Ithaca, New York since 2009 when they
discussed Louise Penny’s Still Life.
The fact that Nikki chose that book tells you about her excellent taste in
books and I’m not just saying that because she invited me.

I was
thrilled to be invited, but also a bit terrified. I couldn’t make the trip to
Ithaca, so I’d be doing the visit via Skype.
Not
familiar with Skype? Wikipedia says Skype is “a
telecommunications application software product that specializes in providing
video chat and voice calls between computers.” In plain English, Skype lets you
video chat on your computer.
I love what Skype does but
I’m not keen on how Skype makes me look – like my passport photo. Still I was
happy to do it. By the way, Nikki looks great on camera. She’s been doing Skype
for a long time and is a pro. I noticed a few things that she did and that I
didn’t do which might help you if you ever get to do a Skype interview:
1.    
Check
the position of your screen. Nikki had her computer camera set in one
stationary spot. I Skyped on my laptop, while I was curled up on the couch. Not
a good idea. After a while I noticed that I was veering in and out of the frame
as I shifted position. If you Skype, set your computer in one spot, preferably
in a way that makes you lift your chin while you talk. Not only was I looking
down at my laptop, I realized that particular posture muffled my voice.

2.    
Practice
ahead of time. I Skyped my older daughter, who was bemused to be using this, to
her, antiquated technology. We worked out a couple of kinks, most especially
something I’d never thought would be an issue – lighting. I’d planned to sit on
the couch with a floor lamp beside me, but I ended up looking a mobster in
witness protection being interviewed on Dateline,
all shadowy and obscured. Overhead lighting will make you more visible, but may be harsh. Be sure to experiment.

3.    
Test
your link. I had the link to Skype, which I confirmed with Nikki before the
meeting, ready to go at interview time so I could simply click a button to connect.
The bottom line? I had such a
good time talking and laughing with the Club I forgot to be nervous. Because
Nikki is a writer, she asks thoughtful questions that spark great discussion.
Her group also asked great questions, and an hour flew by.
I hope these tips are helpful
for your Skype visits. If you have any tips on using Skype or on author visits
to book clubs in general, please share them in the comments.

Shari Randall is the author of Curses, Boiled Again, Book One of the new Lobster Shack Mystery series from St. Martin’s Press. RT Book Reviews called Curses, “a delicious cozy with deadly outcomes and plenty of probable culprits.”

Five Tips for Debut Authors

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by Shari Randall
I just debuted my first novel, Curses, Boiled Again! It’s the first of the Lobster Shack Mystery
Series from St. Martin’s Press. Yes, there is an exclamation point in the
title. That’s how my publisher rolls.
As any author who is lucky enough to hold a copy of their
book in their hands can tell you, the debut experience has been exciting,
wonderful, mystifying, and exhausting. I thought I’d prepared by reading blog after book after blog, and still I went into the whole thing feeling like that
toddler at the beach who rushes down the sand to the water and gets knocked
down by the wave. It’s fun but, whoa! What just happened?
So, I’m sharing a bit of my experience here to help any
other authors anticipating their debut, and I hope other experienced authors
will offer advice in the comments. Because I can sure use it.
Some things I learned, from big picture to small, and Why
Didn’t I Think of That?
1. Pace yourself. Juggling a signing, a library panel, a Facebook
party, and a bunch of blogs in one week taught me my limits. Maybe I’d
overestimated my energy level a teensy bit. Especially when I noticed I was
doing everything except writing. Schedule lots of fun, but make sure to
schedule quiet moments, too.

Donna Andrews, lucky debut author, Sherry Harris

2. Be meticulous about your calendar so nothing falls through the cracks. Nobody warned me that there could be – and there was – a writer’s perfect storm. I was doing promo for Book One, edits on Book Two, and writing,
sort of, Book Three. Having a calendar devoted just to writing goals and events was a life-saver.
3. Ellen Crosby shared that at a book signing, it’s a good idea
to have readers write down on a Post it note the name of the person they want
the book inscribed to – that way you avoid potential Kathy, Cathy, Cathie mix
ups. She also provided the Post its. Thank you, Ellen!
4. Do not look at your reviews. Well, do what I did and
designate a Review Reviewer or Review Buddy. This person (thank you, Charlotte!)
scans Goodreads and all those other sites and reports back on when it’s safe to
take a look.
5. Two quotes became my mantras. One is from Elizabeth Harris
about reviews. “You can have the sweetest peaches in the world, but if someone
doesn’t like peaches, they won’t like yours.” My book won’t be everyone’s cup
of tea. And that’s okay.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” This quote from Theodore
Roosevelt is my mantra as I learn about other author’s sales and reviews. I’m
lucky enough to have published a book and held it in my hands, and I’ve received great reviews and kindnesses from fellow authors. For all that I am so grateful and I can’t wait to pay it forward.
Authors, any advice to share for newly published authors?