F. M. Meredith who is also known as Marilyn Meredith is nearing the number of 40 published books. Besides being an author she is a wife, mother, grandma and great-grandmother. Though the Rocky Bluff she writes about is fictional, she lived for over twenty-years in a similar small beach town. Besides having many law enforcement officers in her family she is counts many as friends. She teaches writing, loves to give presentations to writing and other groups, and is a member of Mystery Writers of America, three chapters of Sisters in Crime and on the board of Public Safety Writers Association. Visit her blog, Marilyn's Musings , website Fiction for You, and Amazon Author Page. She writes the Rocky Bluff series under F.M. Meredith and the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series under Marilyn Meredith.
Heads Up! Marilyn is hosting another contest. The person who comments on the most blogs during Marilyn's current blog tour can have a character named after them in the next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery. Tomorrow you can find Marilyn at Thonie Hevron Mysteries!
Anyone who follows Marilyn knows that she is always off on another book-signing adventure, so I asked her to share her experience with other writers looking for venues in which to promote their books.
Marilyn, how do you make all of those connections?
This is not an easy question to answer. First, I
must say I love meeting readers and talking about different facets of writing.
Early on, I felt like bookstore signings were the
only way to go—but it didn’t take me long to discover there were so many more
places to appear and talk about my books.
I always keep an eye out for book fairs and craft
shows. Book fairs are great because the people who come are interested in
books. I tend to like the smaller ones where there aren’t so many big names in
attendance for obvious reasons. Craft shows are great too. As I’ve grown older,
I like the ones best that provide the table and chairs.
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| Marilyn at the 2015 Jack Ass Mail Run |
When I started going to the craft show put on by our
local art gallery, I asked if I could give a talk on “How to Get Published” and
they were enthusiastic about the idea. I’m thinking of doing another “How to”
there.
Library talks are wonderful. Sometimes a library has
approached me, other times I’ve asked. Some libraries have special author
days—and these are great. Find out what’s going on in the libraries around you.
Speaking to special interest groups like various
Sisters in Crime organizations. I belong to three chapters and am always ready
to speak on various subjects. Recently I was asked to give a talk to a brand
new chapter in a nearby city by a friend on Facebook.
Writers’ groups are always looking for writers to
share their expertise on a variety of subjects.
Offering your expertise to writing conferences can
also offer you opportunities to speak.
I’ve spoken about writing and my books to many
schools, from grade school to college. Usually I’ve been asked by a teacher,
but sometime it was initiated by a student.
Last but not least, contact local service and social
groups who are always looking for speakers, and always take along a supply of
books to sell.
Anyone who has any other ideas, please add them in
your comments.
F. M. aka Marilyn Meredith
Thank you, Marilyn. Be sure to visit Marilyn's social media sites, and check out her latest book!
Buy it here!
Well, Jackie, I thought I was supposed to be here tomorrow, but never fear, I'll promote the heck out of this. And thank you for having me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marilyn,for being so generous with your wisdom!
ReplyDeleteYou are the busiest author I know! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteHi, Lorna, I'm really not, except when I'm doing a blog tour like this one. Thanks for posting.
DeleteI m always impressed by the ground you cover...gives me something to aspire to!
ReplyDeleteI don't do nearly what I used to do, not flying or driving myself to far places has down a lot on my promotion.
DeleteYep, I get tired just thinking about the places you go and things you do, Marilyn! Bravo, keep on doing what you do so well--and inspiring us all!
ReplyDeleteLike I told Billie, I've really slowed down a lot. I love doing events and I'll keep doing them until I can't.
DeleteI'm just stating on this road, hoping to emulate the "expert" here... wanted to second that social and service groups thing... our local chamber of commerce has asked me twice now to come and speak about writing... it's fun, even if it is early in the am (I don't do mornings well...LOL). Great advice here, Marilyn! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I do mornings and evenings the best--afternoon are my worst time. That's what I get for taking naps.
DeleteThanks for the tips, it's always good to hear from authors who have tried their tips and succeeded. You seem invincible!
ReplyDeleteIf an 82 year old can be invincible, I'll take the compliment, Jackie!
DeleteVery good advice for new and established writers. Who would have thought craft fairs were an opportunity. Women's clubs are also a good venue. Ladies do like to read... especially mysteries.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting GB. Craft fairs are great, I've been doing them for a long time. Of course book fairs are the best because people are actually there to peruse the book.
DeleteHow nice to see you here on Jacqueline Vick's blog too. Your doing well and, remember, age is only a number. Pushing 40 published books at your age will keep you alive forever. Keep putting them out. You have fans who want and need them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, I'll be doing this until I can't.
DeleteConsider alumni associations. Mine asked me to present a webinar on how to write a mystery. I'm scheduled to present next May (2017).
ReplyDeleteAnother great idea, Maggie! I love doing how to write a mystery--never a webinar--but I've done presentations where I had the audience plan a mystery after I gave them what needed to be in one.
ReplyDelete