Selling Books through Libraries

On Saturday 2/20/16 I had my first author's signing at library, the St. Andrews Library West Ashley.
A percentage of the sales support the Library Society. This helps libraries purchase new books, computers, and other equipment. I met some other writers who shared marketing information with me and encouraged me to keep pursuing new readers. We all learn from each other.

Working with Mr. K's

Yesterday, I had a great experience with Mr. K's Bookstore in North Charleston. If you haven't heard of Mr. K's, it's a bookstore that takes used books, DVDs and CDs and grants the customer credit toward their purchases. As a local author, they hosted me for a book signing. The first five books to sell give the author 100% of the sales price. After that, there is a 70/30% split with the author receiving the upper percent.

Customers were friendly, and the kids got a kick out of the title of my children's book The Underwear Tree. People were in and out all afternoon and the store staff was friendly and helpful. If you haven't visited Mr. K's yet, check it out on International Blvd. across from Embassy Suites.

Next, Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00, I will be at the St. Andrews Library, West Ashley signing copies of books and talking about publishing. Hope to see you there.

Local Writers - Tri-County Area

The James Island Senior Center has a writers group that meets on Wednesdays from 2:00 to 4:00. On February 3rd, they will be critiquing each others writing and listening to a guest speaker talk
about marketing and publishing. Topics will include fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. Hope to see you there.

Tri-Country Literacy Festival

On Saturday February 6, 2016, authors will gather from across the state at Old Santee Canal State Park to sell books. The program is sponsored by the Berkeley Country Literacy Program and encourages people to read. Margie Clary author of The South Carolina Lighthouses, and five children's books including Sweet Sweet, Basket, Gullah Alphabet, Spirits and Legends, and
a book about the Hunley will be there along with many other writers. Hope to see you there!

Hiding

Readers often ask writers how they get ideas for their books. The spark that flamed into my romantic suspense story Hiding published by www.thewildrosepress.com was a trip to Paris. My niece and I stayed at a nice hotel, but the courtyard seemed to cry out for renovation. Because I dabble in painting myself, I could just picture a mural of a Paris café where the plain stucco walls stood.
I could see cheerful awnings and an herb garden that could provide spices for the hotel's culinary staff.

When I decided to make my main character an artist, I thought it would be a great way for her to reduce her hotel bill and get recognition for her artistic talents by letting her paint the mural I had envisioned. When it is photographed by the Paris newspaper, it allows her stalking boyfriend to locate her thereby furthering the plot.

Writers get ideas from many sources: history, travel, stories they have heard. For me, travel seems to get the creative juices flowing because I am more relaxed and interested in new surroundings. So if writer's block is hounding you, take a trip to somewhere you have never been and observe new territory.

Want to learn more about publishing?

This is an invitation to attend an author even at Mr. K's Bookstore near Tanger Outlet on
February 13, 2016 from 1:00 to 3:00 and learn about how to get published.

                                                          OR

Come to the St. Andrews Library on Saturday, Feb. 20th from 2:00 to 4:00.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Last of the Mystery Markets

www.stmartins.com

www.starkhousepress.com

stonehouseink.net

www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docid_1000664921 Thomas & Mercer

www.thrillerpress.com

Tyndale House Publishers - www.tyndale.com Mystery and suspense novels with Christian themes.

http://wmmorrow.hc.com/witnessimpulse

http://wordforgebooks.com