Hello, Goodbye

By Allison Brennan

I couldn't leave Murderati without one last post, and Pari graciously gave me the first "Expect the Unexpected" Tuesday in the new configuration of this great blog.

I enjoy blogging, but as all of you know, and all the writers out there know, blogging takes time away from writing and family. I had to make a choice, and blogging weekly (twice a month here, twice a month at Murder She Writes) in addition to guest blogs here and there and all the other social media things on my author to-do list was kind of stressing me out. Everything was taking away from my writing time and my kids. Something had to give, and unfortunately, it was this blog.

But I'm sure I'll pop up on occasion, if the gang will have me as a visitor. :)

I've thought a lot about social media over the past year or two, and what is expected from authors. To be accessible, to share our thoughts, to answer questions.

Blogging is only part of it. (And, to be honest, when I founded Murder She Writes with four other authors six years ago, we did it partly because we thought it would be good promotion, and partly because we liked each other and enjoyed chatting with others through the blog about family, writing, entertainment.) But there's also Twitter, and Facebook, and LinkedIn, and Google+, and a dozen other social media avenues that "they" say you have to be part of in order to survive in this New World of publishing.

There are many, many authors who aren't part of the on-line community. And many, many authors who are. The only way it truly works is if the author builds a rapport, which means talking about things OTHER than their books. And that means, they should enjoy the community they're in. Otherwise, it's a chore, a hated chore, like cleaning grout. And people pick up on that.

Social media works primarily if the author can create a following of readers who will sincerely talk up their books and spread the word of mouth that is essential to the success of any book. In fact, if you ask most publicists and marketing folks, they'll tell you that word of mouth is the single most effective tool to create a bestseller--but there's no one way and no guaranteed way to generate it.

Let's pretend there are ten equally "good" books out on a given day. A lot of things factor into making a potential bestseller -- cover, co-op, reviews, author (if it's a known author), endorsements, cover copy, placement -- and some work for some readers, some for others. But the way to make a title move higher is for people to recommend the book (or the author) to others. To talk about the book on blogs. And Twitter. And Facebook. But no one knows how to create that world of mouth--on the Internet or face-to-face--each and every time. They try everything, but what works for one book or author might not work for another equally good book or author.

But we sometimes forget because we spend so much time at our computers writing (and participating on blogs and twitter and facebook) that more than half the readers are still not reading electronic books (22% of my books are sold as e-books) and many readers still rely on the recommendation from their colleague or sister or best friend.

What this practically means for authors is that we have more to do with less time and resources. We can't neglect the online communities, nor can we forget that there are "offline" communities who read just as much.

So my advice to writers: participate in the communities that you enjoy, don't self-market all the time, and focus on the writing first. Because none of the social media matters if you don't have a book to sell.

My advice to readers: share your books with others. Recommend authors you like, either face-to-face or on the Internet. Email the author of a book you enjoyed and tell her.

And a caveat to all: give both, writers and readers, then benefit of the doubt when you hear rumors in cyberspace. Misunderstandings spread instantly in the virtual world, and can damage careers and reputations. People seem to think that they can say anything they want because it's "anonymous," but I'd argue that character is judged by what you do when no one is looking--or when no one knows who you are.

I can be found in cyberspace at my website, of course, as well as Facebook, Twitter, and Murder She Writes.

FYI: The third Lucy Kincaid book, IF I SHOULD DIE, will be out two weeks from today, on November 22. So far, the reviews have been positive. Fresh Fiction said, "“Non-stop action, spine-tingling suspense … a wonderful addition to a great series.” And Joyfully Reviewed made DIE a Recommended Read for December. “If I Should Die is a spine-tingling chiller that will wrap you up in its mystery and take you on a heart-pounding race to the breathtaking finale!”

In addition, the novella LOVE IS MURDER is printed in the book as bonus material. You get a full-length book plus a full novella for a single book, mass market price. Cool, eh?

And a sneak peak at the fourth Lucy Kincaid book, SILENCED, and the first with my new publisher, St. Martin's/Minotaur. They're taking the series in an exciting new direction, don't you think? And that's what I'm doing now -- revising this book. I have two weeks. Any wonder why I needed to free up some time?

I've very much enjoyed my three-plus years here at Murderati. We had a great little community amongst ourselves, and within our regulars who comment or lurk. Pari and J.T. have really created a fantastic, enduring blog, and I'm glad it's continuing to exist. Thank you, Murderati gang, for having me back for the day, even if it was just to say good-bye.

What do you value?

By Allison Brennan

I'm so sorry this blog is late. I had every intention of writing it last night, but best laid plans ...

This weekend was homecoming at our high school. Normally, this isn't something I actively participate in. To me, it's about the kids, they have fun dressing up for school (pajama day, retro day, spirit day.) But we always go to the homecoming game. Last year, our football team was down 21-0 at the end of the third quarter and won 22-0 at the end. This year, we trounced the opposition 55-6. I know a lot of this kids--my oldest daughter has been at the school for 14 years, since pre-school. I've seen them grow up, now they're all bigger than me, and I've seen them mature (well, most of them) and grow into adults. We don't have a child on the team, but since my daughter's boyfriend plays I feel like we do (he eats a lot of food at my house!) Our team is also special because we have one of the few female kickers in the country. There's a long line of female football players, but they are still rare. I'm not surprised--football is a violent sport. But this is the third year we've had a female kicker. Our first graduated two years ago, and a freshman took her place. Both are star soccer players. It is fabulous to watch our players rally around her and, when necessary, defend her because not all the other teams think it's cool to have a star female kicker (ranked 36 in PAT in California this year, 9th last year. She has big shoes to fill--our graduating female kicker was ranked #15.)

This isn't our school, but I found this terrific article from Michigan about the homecoming Queen kicking the wining field goal.

This homecoming was particularly special as my daughter was voted Homecoming Queen. Dan and I were beaming :) It was surprise, because she's never been interested in these type of accolades. She's an athlete (volleyball) and loves choir. But after 14 years at the school and now senior class representative, everyone knows her. I never got involved in extra-curricular high school activities, and I can't honestly say why. My 25 year reunion is next year and if it weren't for Facebook, I'd never have reconnected with any of my classmates. I'm thrilled my own kids--all of them--will have these type of memories.

Last night, a large group of kids came over to my house for dinner before the homecoming dance. Parents came and went to take pictures. And Dan took this one candid shot of Katie that made me teary--it reminds me that she's growing up. That she's graduating in May, she's going to college, that whatever I did right or wrong, the future is now in her hands.

I've often said to people that I have no life outside of my kids and writing. Depending on the context, I suppose that it can come off as complaining. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my family, and I love writing. Everything else can wait. 

The writer's life is neither harder or easier than any other life. But most of us are living our dream, at least part of it. We might not be rich and living in a castle on a hill, but we are doing what we love. I truly love telling stories. I love it even when I hate parts of the process. I love creating and revising and polishing. 

I've told my kids that they can do or be anything they want, but that the most important thing is they find a career that is satisfying. That if they love what they do, they'll be happy. If that's a stay-at-home-mom (or dad), a doctor, a teacher, an athlete, an artist, a writer--they need to love it. Because every job has a downside. Every job has heartache. You have to love it--or, if it's a means to an end, put up with the crappy stuff and not let it destroy your dream. 

I've had ups and downs in my career; I've left one publisher and moved to a next. I have a new editor for the first time--after 17 books. I have a new agent. I'm excited about the possibilities, but a little scared, too. Fear is normal. But even with the uncertainties in this New Publishing Order, even with the ups and downs in the industry, the changes that seem to hit us hard even after we think we understand everything, I still wouldn't want to do anything else.

Sometimes, it's hard to remain optimistic in the face of big changes, whether it's college or career or family issues. Shit happens. Sometimes really bad stuff. Sometimes we want to crawl into a hole and hide, or quit everything and say to hell with it. But there is always hope. I believe it, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get up in the morning and do all the things that need to be done, for me or my family. 

I remember a group book signing (the Levy Bus Tour) where a high school teacher was sending students to buy Chip St. Clair's memoir (to read for extra credit.) Chip was great, and told the parents that there was a bunch of authors in all genre--thriller, historical fiction, romance, inspirational. One mom said, "Oh, I don't have time to read." 

I've thought about that exchange many times over the years. That mom was telling her two daughter that she didn't value reading. That everything else in life was more important to her than books. 

I don't want to set that example for my kids. Not just in books, but in life.

I think about the two female football kickers from our school, and what my 8 year old girl soccer player told me. "I want to be the kicker for the football team." I told her to work hard, do her best always, and don't give up. And I thank those girls for setting a great example, not only to other young soccer players, but to the boys on the team.

I value many things, and I hope my kids do as well, as they learn by example. I value stories. I value honesty. I value hard-work and sacrifice. I value dreams.

What do you value? What one lesson would you impart to high school seniors today?

Charitable Contributions

By Allison Brennan

Three weeks ago, I had a new release: ENTANGLED. It's a digital-only paranormal/urban fantasy anthology. 

All proceeds from ENTANGLED will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  What makes this amazing is that all eleven authors who contributed to the anthology all donated our time and talent to benefit a cause we believe in. No one tossed out a story thinking it didn’t matter because it was for charity; every author took the time to craft a tale to please their readers, as well as new readers. The stories, the cover art, the formatting, the accounting--all donated.

The women involved are truly amazing in their generosity and enthusiasm for this project. We all know women who have had this dreadful disease. We all know women who have survived. We all know women who haven’t. 

I especially want to single out Stacia Kane for her poignant forward. In part:

“What we can do, though, is hope. We can hope that one day our children or our grandchildren will be able to think of breast cancer the way we think of illnesses like typhoid fever, that once killed thousands but are now essentially eradicated and/or curable. There are doctors and scientists and really scarily smart people out there working hard to try to make that so, to re-write our world so “breast cancer” becomes maybe a little more serious than a cold, but with the same prognosis: Yeah, you might feel kind of tired for a couple of days, but you’re totally going to be fine after that.”

Here’s the summary of the anthology:

HALLOWEEN FROST by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep (author of the Mythos Academy, Elemental Assassin, and Bigtime series) — It’s Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.

THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer (author of Cattitude, Galaxy Girls) — In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.

MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock (author of the Oldest City Vampire trilogy) —What’s spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.

SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.

SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Mayer (author of the Psychic Visions series) — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.

A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden (author of NEVER CRY WOLF and ANGEL OF DARKNESS) — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it’s up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she’ll either have to prove his innocence…or watch the whole town go up in flames.

SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles (author of the Coffee House series) — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who’s come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.

A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton (author of A Night of Secrets and To Seduce an Earl) — Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.

FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger (author of the Part of Tomorrow series) — Jenna Carmichael’s magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield’s birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.

BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener (author of the Tudor-set historical suspense novel In A Treacherous Court) — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other ‘special’ inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.

GHOSTLY JUSTICE, an all-new Seven Deadly Sins novella by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan (author of the Seven Deadly Sins series) — Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find “Ghostly Justice” for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.

The reviews have been great ... All Things Urban Fantasy said: "Like a great buffet, this anthology gives you the chance to taste a little bit of everything. Short and sweet, these stories did a good job drawing me in, setting the hook, and adding books to my to be read pile." The Good, The Bad and the Unread gave it an A+. And Smexy Books gave "Ghostly Justice" an "A" calling it "dark and gritty."

If you like paranormal romance or urban fantasy, you can’t go wrong with ENTANGLED. I’m giving away a digital copy of ENTANGLED to one lucky commenter. If you’d like to check it out, you can buy it for your e-reader or computer at Amazon, BN.com, or Smashwords.

And I wanted to share with you one more really cool thing: my friend Philip Hawley, Jr. has digitally released STIGMA, his debut novel, for $2.99. STIGMA first came out in 2007 and I loved it. Philip is a pediatrician and also is an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine. I greatly admire his dedication to his career, as well as his talent as a great storyteller. Trust me: you won't regret reading this book.

See what others have to say:

"STIGMA pulses with tension and drama. Philip Hawley has written a top-notch thriller!" --Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author

"STIGMA is an explosive, page-turning thriller with depth and emotional complexity. Hawley is a master storyteller." --Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author

"STIGMA is a blast of a read from start to finish. Phil Hawley is the real deal and the thriller world has an authentic new voice." --John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author

"Philip Hawley delivers a rare combination of taut plotting and brilliant writing. Sit back and enjoy. Phil Hawley is for real." --Ridley Pearson, New York Times bestselling author

"Action-packed . . . rich with authenticity. Philip Hawley tells a great story." --Jonathan Kellerman, New York Times bestselling author

"Destined to be a classic . . . upon finishing I closed it up and said 'Perfect!' " --Terry Lewis, book critic, The Other View

I'm also giving away a digital copy of STIGMA to one lucky commenter. Check it out at Amazon. 

Tell us about the a charity you are passionate about, that you’d donate your time, treasure and talent to support. Remember, two free e-books!

Banned Books Week

By Allison Brennan

I rarely write dual posts here and at my other blog, Murder She Writes, but I'm making an exception because yesterday launched Banned Books Week.

You can read the original post here, which also lists the prizes and blogs participating in the Banned Book Blog Hop -- well over 200 of us! (To win my prizes, you have to comment over there, but you have all week to do so!) However, I've updated and expanded the original blog just for Murderati readers :)

From Ray Bradbury and FAHRENHEIT-451 (one of my all-time favorite books):

"Somewhere the saving and putting away had to begin again and someone had to do the saving and the keeping, one way or another, in books, in records, in people's heads, any way at all so long as it was safe, free from moths, silverfish, rust and dry-rot, and men with matches."

I've always found it ironic that a book about the tragedy of book banning (through the total physical destruction of books-fire) has been banned by different people for different reasons.

Parents should be the arbitrars of what their children read. If I, as a mom, ban a book from my house, that is my right. One of leaders of the Banned Book Blog Hop, "I Am A Reader, Not A Writer" said, "All books have their place, but not all books belong on every shelf." I wholeheartedly agree.

In a free society, no one has the right to ban a book for ALL.

The ALA has a list of the 100 most challenged books in the past decade, and the Harry Potter series tops the list. And we've all heard about the controversy surrounding Mark Twain's classic THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN (#14), Laurie Halse Anderson's SPEAK (#60), and ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME, MARGARET by Judy Blume (#99.) And classics like ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, CATCHER IN THE RYE, and THE GIVER have been on the controvery lists for a long time. (Though I never really understood why.)

But there are some books that you may be surprised are on the list. The Captain Underpants series (#13) (a fun cartoony comic-style book that is perfect for little boys. Yes, there is potty humor. I have two boys and a husband. They all love potty humor.)  

Or Eric Carle's DRAW ME A STAR (#61) (ages 4-up), which was objected to because it relates loosely to creationism. (THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR is still one of my favorite early children's books--Carle is an amazing and inspired artist and storyteller.)

Or the Goosebumps series (#94) by beloved R.L. Stine.

But maybe the series that stunned me the most was the Junie B. Jones series (#71) by Barbara Park. I've heard that some people have issues with Junie's grammar, but she's either in kindergarden or first grade, and speaks how most of the kids that age speak. They're fun, they teach a lesson in a fun and age-appropriate way, and they are great for early readers giving them confidence to read chapter books because they're simple without being stupid. I love the series and have bought all (or nearly all) of them for my youngest daughter.

I support fully the right of parents to not allow their children to read books they don't approve of, for whatever reason. I do not support the right of parents, or anyone, telling ME what my kids can (or can not) read.

Benjamin Franklin said, "Those who give up essential liberties in order to protect a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

The First Amendment, as is the entire Bill of Rights, is the foundation of our essential liberties. Books are truly the permanent, enduring foundation of free speech. Our military men and women have fought and died for more than two hundred years to protect our freedoms--freedoms many of us don't think about, or take for granted.

There are countries where people are killed or imprisoned because of what they say. There are countries where people are killed because of what religion they practice. There are countries where women have no rights, where women are punished when they are raped because, in the eyes of the government, their rape was their fault.

These are countries where government bans books and information.

Censorship is not a liberal or conservative issue. Banning books and ideas affects the left and the right equally.

But it all starts with banning one book.

What's your favorite banned book? I have many, but FAHRENHEIT-451 by Ray Bradbury is one of my all-time fave books. For little kids? It would have to be Junie B. Jones. I read all of them to my youngest daughter when she was 6 and 7 (or she read them to me!)

How many of the banned books have you read on the ALA most commonly challenged books? In my lifetime, I've read 37 (books or series) of the 100.

And if you get a chance to head over to Murder She Writes this week, comment there and you are eligible to win one of many, many prizes, including an advanced copy of my next Lucy Kincaid book, IF I SHOULD DIE.

Go read a banned book. It won't kill you. I promise.

How Many Times Can I Not Give the Same Speech?

By Allison Brennan 

I'm in Colorado for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers "Colorado Gold" conference. This is new experience for me. I've spoken to thriller/mystery writers and romance writers, but never a multi-genre "fiction" writers group.

I presented my "No Plotters Allowed" workshop, which I always like to give. As I tell the audience at the beginning, they really only need to take one thing from the workshop: There is no one right way to write, but there is a right way for you. I created the workshop years ago (before my first book came out) because I was tired of well-meaning people telling me I had to do this or that (write an outline, create a GMC chart, use the snowflake method, know my theme, identify the black moment--what the hell is the black moment? Yes, that's a rhetorical question. Sort of.) So I devised the workshop originally with my pal Patti Berg to give people permission to write the way they want that moves them forward. It's the right way if you're making progress; it's the wrong way if you aren't. Simple.

And then I go off on a hundred tangents and hope people have lots of questions. I love questions :)

I haven't attended any other workshops because I have a book due in three weeks and need to write every day, so have been putting in 4 hours a day writing, netting 6500 words in two days. I tend to write more when I'm NOT at home--which is why I go to Starbucks when I'm stuck or when I'm close to deadline and need to increase my writing pace. Fewer distractions.

Now, it's Saturday night (because I never get my blog done early) and I'm in my hotel room after listening to an AMAZING keynote speech by Bernard Cornwell, who writes historical fiction. Maybe because he has a British accent, or maybe because he's just a great speaker and hilarious to boot, I'm a bit panicked. I'm speaking tomorrow at the luncheon. I can not compete with his performance or wit, and I have no accent to hide behind.

I'd planned on giving the speech I haven't given to three different conferences. I wrote it for the New Jersey Romance Writers in 2009, and got derailed after three pages. I then attempted it at the Moonlight & Magnolia's conference in 2010--but I had cut it down and (nearly) got through the whole thing before I went off on a story. So I attempted it again at the Dreaming in Dallas conference earlier this year ... and don't think I got through more than the opening.

This would have been my fourth attempt. 

But I'm thinking maybe the speech just isn't worth telling. So now, instead of going down and drinking in the hospitality suite, I'm taking the speech apart and trying to find the good parts and write something around them. Maybe it's just because I've read it so many times that I'm finding it boring. Or maybe because I just listened to a funny and poignant speech that was both inspiring even as he told everyone not to become a writer.

And then I wonder, why do I agree to do these things?

Truth is, I enjoy conferences and presenting workshops. The speeches, not so much, but I get through it. And I'll do it this time. Even if I end up not giving the speech I write.

This weekend has been a busy weekend in the Brennan house. I've had this Colorado conference on the calendar for nearly a year. Then after school starts, I learn that my oldest has a volleyball tournament in San Diego (and yes, she arrived on Thursday in the midst of the power outage!); my #2 daughter has a cross country retreat in Lake Tahoe; my sons have an away football game; and my youngest daughter has her first soccer game. Fortunately, my mom was able to take care of the soccer game (yeah, grandma!) so my husband could take the boys to the football game. Soccer game: Victory! 7-1. Mighty Mites (6-8 year olds) football game: Victory! Come from behind to win 13-12. Jr. Pee Wees (8-10 yrs): They lost BUT my son, #49, caught his first pass in a game. A 20 yard throw, and he ran an additional five yards before being tackled. I'm sorry I missed the catch (but not sorry I missed him being tackled!)

And finally, we all know what day it is today. I didn't want to write a blog summarizing what we all know happened ten years ago, or reliving where we were or what we were doing--but I do want to recognize the amazing men and women who sacrificed so much. Those who died. Those who cleaned up. Those who rebuilt. America is an amazing country, and we truly have amazing people. And even though I may complain about this or that on occasion, there's no place I would rather live.

I apologize in advance for not being around much of today, what with the speech I'll be giving and then pre-speech panic attack. But I hope you'll share a good book you've read recently, or a movie that you were surprised you liked. I saw SUPER-8 earlier this summer. I expected it to be ok; I ended up really enjoying it.