READERS RULE! by Brenda Whiteside

In October, I’m attending the InD’Scribe Conference in Burbank, California for the first time. I’m a touch…hmmm…nervous, no…anxious, no…I’m not sure what. Maybe a little of both. This is a conference to recognize and introduce authors who are published through small houses or self-published to readers. This should be a lot of fun. I love to meet readers. 

Okay, we’re all readers, yet readers who don’t write are the most fun to meet. Not that I don’t like meeting reader-authors, but someone who already writes isn’t mystified by the whole process. Readers give us a chance to talk about our creative process, brag about our stories, and introduce them to our characters who are real enough to us. I’m not an introvert so I enjoy the interaction. 

My trepidation comes with the hype on this conference, second only to the academy awards. There’s the award ceremony when the RONE Award winners will be announced (of which I am a finalist). Evening gowns are a welcomed mode of dress. (I don’t even own a dress…unless you count a couple of bridesmaid dresses that have hung in the back of my closet for a few years) One night, there is a costume ball and the theme is medieval. I am just not a dress-up kind of person. I don’t even do Halloween. Then there is a Rave Table Luncheon. This is an extra cost where an author buys a special table to host for their fans. I can only picture a disastrous ending…me at my table all alone. I’m not exactly Brenda Novak (who will be there) YET. 

I bought a long black skirt which I’ll wear with a T shirt type top and jewelry. That’s as dressy as I’ll get. I’m not dressing up for the costume night either. I’ll go as myself. And I’ll eat lunch with whoever I sit down with. In spite of my rebel ways, I plan to have fun. Fellow authors, Rolynn Anderson and J L Wilson will be there too, which will make it all the more fun. Haven’t seen either in years.

I encourage all and anyone to attend. It's going to be so much fun.

Oh, and wish me luck. The Power of Love and Murder is up for a RONE in the Romantic Suspense category. No, I don’t have a speech prepared to thank all the little people who helped me achieve my dream. I’ll wing it!

The Power of Love and Murder, RONE Award Finalist

For thirteen years, Penny Sparks has managed to hide from the political powers who murdered her family. When she unwittingly exposes her true identity, not only is she marked for death, but the people closest to her risk meeting the same fate.

Jake Winters is out of rehab and coming to grips with his demons. When he meets his sister’s roommate, Jake believes Penny might be that someone who can help him find life after rock star status…until her secrets blow up his world.

With a government agent turned hit man closing in on her, Penny and Jake race to expose the presidential contender behind the murders of her family. Even if they win the race with death, the murder that stands between them could end their hope for a new life.

BUY LINK

A Modest Proposal to Improve Conference Book Signings by Rolynn Anderson

I’m going to the October InD’Tale Conference in Burbank.  Brenda Whiteside and JL Wilson are going as well (I kind of talked them into the adventure…gosh, I hope they find it worthwhile).  Though the conference rate and the hotel price are reasonable, each of us also shelled out $50 for half a signing table ($100 if you want one by yourself).  

Now, I’ve played this game before and I’m determined (because I love the InD’Tale folks) to improve this ‘wasteland’ called a conference book signing.  We all know about the reader-rush:  they blow right by lesser-known authors to line up for big name writer autographs. Truth is, these readers, are shy about chatting with authors they don't know, even if these authors tell stories in their genre.  

I’ve taken on the task to get conversations going between readers and writers.  I'm laying out my proposal below, hoping you'll critique it.  InD’Tale has given me the go-ahead to make this idea work!

1.  I collect $2 from each book-signing author (50)…for a $100 Amazon Gift Card

2.  I make up a Scavenger Hunt List of all the authors who paid $2 each.  Beside each author’s name is the genre.  (The reader’s e-mail address. is at the top of the Scavenger Hunt List; it's up to each author to make note of the reader's e-mail address)

3.  Each author provides a unique short question/prompt (for the Scavenger Hunt List) that the reader must come and ask the author.  Example #1: Which heroine is most like you?  Example #2: Which book was the hardest to write?  The author answers the question for the reader (an answer which the reader writes down-short version) and the author puts a sticker next to the answer.  The hope is, further conversation ensues…and a sale is made!  (Another way of doing this is to have a list of 20 prompts, and the reader picks a different one to ask of 20 authors.  That way authors don't continuously answer the same question.)

4.  When the reader gets 20 answers, she’s done, and turns in her Scavenger Hunt List. There will be a time limit. (About 50 writers will be involved, we hope.  I'm keeping the answers to 20, because of genre considerations, and instead of a race to get answers, some conversations get going).

5.  All scavenger hunt sheets are checked for authenticity…the winner is drawn at random.  Wins $100 Amazon gift card.

I’d gather the $2 through Pay Pal and make up the Scavenger Hunt List via Google Docs.  The list would be finished and copied BEFORE the conference (there will be a deadline).  READER’S WOULD BE ENTICED TO COME BECAUSE OF THE PRIZE.  Each reader would know $100 Amazon Card can be won…each will get the Scavenger Hunt List.  

So, now shoot holes in this as well as tell me the strong aspects of this idea.

Thanks!

So here’s my golf/spelunking novel, BAD LIES http://a.co/0DuYNPn:

Italy’s haunted caves spell danger for an American golfer and a NATO geologist

****

Sophie Maxwell is a late-blooming, unorthodox golfer, and mother of a precocious thirteen year-old. Determined to put divorce, bankruptcy, and a penchant for gambling in her past, Sophie goes to Italy for a qualifying golf tournament.

Jack Walker turned his back on a pro golfing career to become a geologist. As a favor to his ailing father he’ll caddy for Sophie; off hours, he’ll find caves on the Mediterranean coast, suitable for NATO listening posts for terrorist activity.

Someone is determined to stop Jack’s underground hunt and ruin Sophie’s chances to win her tournament.

On a Rome golf course and in the Amalfi coast’s haunted caves, all the odds are stacked against Sophie and Jack.  In their gamble of a lifetime, who wins?

Seven Suspense Novels Spiked with Romance

Web and Blog:

http://rolynnanderson.com

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rolynn-Anderson/188767867821613 

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Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4990049.Rolynn_Anderson

InD’Tale: Fabulous Staff, Magazine and Conference! by Rolynn Anderson

I’m on a high right now, literally and figuratively, flying from Burbank, CA, to Las Vegas.  You’re aware my husband and I are touring the national parks this fall; I took a short break from that to attend the InD’Tale conference in Burbank.  I already know the dates of the 2017 conference at the Marriott Burbank…the second weekend in October.  I hope you save the dates on your calendar; I also hope you’ll submit a novel you published in 2016 to InD’Tale before the end of the year.  Best reviewers around…and a chance to compete for the Rone (rhymes with pony) award.

Only four years old, InD’Tale nurtures small press and self-published authors.  More important, the cadre of authors, bright and prolific, are the warmest, most enthusiastic people you’ll ever meet at a small conference…with a love for learning, mentoring, dressing up and having fun.  Seriously, every waking moment was filled with interesting people and things to learn. These women LOVE to dance, too!  And men who are Indie writers show up along with a group of men who serve as cover artists, the sweetest group of guys, devoted to the InD'Tale group.  Here I am with Sean and Michael.

A big high for me was winning a Second Runner-up award for FEAR LAND.  Sean and Michael escorted me to the podium to grab my certificate.  I have read all eight finalist novels in my category and feel lucky to come in third for 2016!

Other highlights: Our own Rose, Donna Michaels won both First and Second Runner-up in her category.  Fabulous!  What’s more, Donna presented with me (along with Debra Holland and Kim Hornsby).  We showed the audience how to organize and carry off successful book signings.  I so enjoyed getting to know Donna (talk about prolific and seasoned…I learned a ton from her and also enjoyed meeting her husband).

I hope you’ll submit to InD’Tale and mark your calendar for next year’s event.  I guarantee we’ll have a ball together!

http://www.rolynnanderson.com

http://www.amazon.com/author/rolynnanderson