November 25, 2006

Does PROMOTION really make a difference?

As some of you may know, my first book for Avon will be released in July 2007. Needless to say I want “When She Was Bad” to sell well. What will it take to do that? Or rather, what can I do to make that happen??

I’m very ambivalent about the whole book mark-mailing ARC’s–running contests–ads in RT and RWA–book signings thing. I’m not sure it really makes that much difference. And since working full time doesn’t leave me with a lot of extra time…if I do something promo related I want it to make a difference.

I used to read a LOT, now I read more like a normal person What makes me buy a book—a stand out from the norm cover will capture my eye, an intriguing title will get me to pick it up it and a interesting back cover copy will get me to open the book. If I like the first page, I’ll generally buy it.

Have I looked at the review in RT or PW? No. Would it matter to me if I had and the review was bad? No, because often what reviewers don’t like is what I like. Would it matter to me if I’ve gotten some great writing articles off the author’s website of if I’d taken a class they’d offered? Not a bit. Since I don’t have much time, I only read books I really, really, really want to read.

The only time I buy a book based on the author is if I’ve read them before and I like their writing. But disappoint me a couple times and I won’t do that again.

So, tell me, what am I do to about promotion??? Or do readers buy books because of certain promo stuff…..and if so, please tell me…..so I can do it!

November 24, 2006

Where are all the Thanksgiving movies?

Last night, as my family and I sat around the dining room table, letting our turkey dinners digest, the subject turned to what movie we would pop in the DVD player for everyone to watch once we all settled in around the television set. With children present–as well as those of us who think being forced to watch football is some cruel form of torture–it was agreed among the adults ahead of time that watching sports would not be allowed. (Yes, I can hear all the males gasping in horrified dismay in the background.) Of course, as the official movie junkie of the group, everyone turned to me to suggest a “Thanksgiving” movie.

And I drew a complete blank.

Think about it. There are tons of scary movies for viewing at Halloween and an equal number of Christmas movies. But how many movies have been made about Thanksgiving? After much debate, the only one I could think of was the Ed O’Neil movie, Dutch. (Not really about Thanksgiving, per se, but it takes place around Thanksgiving time, so it counts. Right?) And of course, the old standby, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. (Not really a movie, but who cares when my title of All-Knowing Movie Guru was being threatened?) Poor Thanksgiving. I believe I mentioned this last year, but it bears repeating. It really is the underdog of holidays. And apparently we need more turkeys in Hollywood.

So, I’ve made up my mind this won’t happen next year. I’m making my list wayyyyyyyy ahead of time. Any suggestions for Thanksgiving movies?

And btw, I hope all of you had the happiest of Thanksgivings!

Screaming at the TV

Now I’m sure for most people, yesterday you got a large helping of football and you were yelling and cheering and whatnot. But at my house, the cheering was reserved for the awesome episode of SURVIVOR. Are y’all watching it this season? Man, they haven’t had a season this good in soooo long! Possibly since Australia, which was what, the second season? The smart people are actually prevailing, at least for the moment and to watch the bozo’s still not get what’s going on is just priceless. So for the second week in a row, I’ve actually cheered in my living room during Tribal Council becuase when justice is served, it’s oh-so-sweet! So come on, where are my Survivor fans? How awesome is Yul? And seriously, is Ozzy some sort of mutant with all of his amazing skills? And just how stupid is Adam? “Nope, Yul can’t possibly have the idol, he was only there 1 day.” Yeah, okay, Adam. Man, that’s good TV!

November 23, 2006

Shirley’s weekly winner is…

During my tryptophan-induced coma this afternoon, I realized I hadn’t announced this week’s winner yet. Congratulations to Rhonda B. of Ohio!

I’ll do another drawing for a prize packet of cover flats, etc., next week. The following week on 12/5, I’ll be drawing for a $25 gift certificate, but you have to correctly answer a question about my new book, Confessions of a Viscount. I’ll post the question on 11/28.

Hope everyone is having/had a great Thanksgiving! If you were in one of those massive family gatherings, remember that *everyone* brings us joy. Some when they arrive, some when they leave…

Turkey for me… turkey for you…

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope that you are all having a lovely day with family, friends, etc… or if you are not from the United States, that you’re just having a happy Thursday.

Now, if you go blog hopping elsewhere today you’re going to find the same old, same old “What am I thankful for” posts. You know, like writing and fans and family and sweet husbands and eating at restaurants for Thanksgiving instead of slaving over a hot stove… oh wait, that IS my list.

Okay, so I’m not doing that! No sir. Not me (just ignore the above). Nope, today I am pleased to present things people searched for when they found my sites. Please to enjoy:

For Jess Michaels:
a painted sphynx — I bet they were disappointed
drunken delusion — Mine or theirs?
creative wager bet — I’m sure you could come up with a few after reading my excerpts
egyptian whores — Check!
debauched — Utterly, baby!

For Jenna Petersen:
do you do you want my love — I do. I really do.
grandmother desire — Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!
he wanted her take now kisses tangle haze — Okay. That sounds… weird.
i love meredith — Better check with Tristan on that one, dude.
carriage hand inside her bodice — Looks like someone has been anticipating DESIRE NEVER DIES (yes, there is a carriage scene)

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!

November 22, 2006

Don’t You Love Them?

Catalog Season has begun! I love these things, probably because I am not fond of actual shopping. I can sit down to lunch in my own cozy kitchen and page through LL Bean, Land’s End, Pottery Barn catalogs. I also love those quirky little catalogs with the oddball items - T-shirts, mugs, gadgets that I would never buy. Well, maybe. I bought my scientist husband a T-shirt that had a picture of Euclid and the saying, “Here’s lookin’ at Euclid,” heh heh. (Say it out loud and you’ll get it). Or what about the big oil painting of John Wayne … it’s not that I don’t like John Wayne, but come on! I just can’t envision him over my fireplace. Then there are mugs of every description, wind chimes, candles and votive holders, jewelry, parkas, shoes (who would buy shoes without trying them on?), goofy gadgets.

What I really love are the T-shirt sayings. Here are a few good ones:
I don’t need a THERAPIST - I’ve got my SISTER!
Here I am - Now what are your other two wishes?
Cereal Killer (I should buy this one for my sons)
What Part of the Quantum Theory Don’t You Understand?
There are 10 kinds of people - Those who understand binary code and those who don’t.

So tell me, what are your catalog faves?

November 21, 2006

Real beauty

Have y’all seen this ad?

First of all, I think it’s a brilliant campeign to show our youth about the realities of models and celebrities and whatnot. I know some kids really struggle with trying to look like the women in the magazines. But in addition to that, I just think it’s great for out entire society which banks too much on people’s outward appearances. You’ve heard of people having hot buttons and I guess this is one of mine.

I’ve explored it in two of my previous novels and do so again in the one I’m working on. Taking a woman who is otherwise physically ordinary and showing her through the eyes of the hero who sees her as anything but. It’s a powerful combination and it works for me everytime. So what are your thoughts on the ad and all of Dove’s advertisements? And how do you feel about the ugly duckling theme in books?

November 20, 2006

Contest Time!

Hello! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire. Did you miss me? I’ve been away on—ahem—a little vacation. Some might say that the Jaunty Quills kicked me off after the stunt I pulled with Jenna Petersen, but I like to call it a vacation.

Now that I’m relaxed and my quills are nice and tan, it’s my privilege to announce that the Jaunty Quills one-year anniversary contest kicks off today. You could win a Jaunty Quills tote bag filled with signed Jaunty Quills books and a $75 gift card to Amazon.com.

Review the blogs from the month of November to answer the following questions. Send your answers to jauntyquills (AT) gmail.com (I’ve written the @ sign out to avoid spammers—yes, we porcupines know about spam. Please use the @ sign when you email us.). A winner will be picked randomly from all the correct entries on November 30. Only one entry per participant. Good luck!

1.What author’s text has Anne been spammed with? (hint: Friday, November 16)

2.What kind of addict is Cindy?(hint:Saturday, November 11)

3.Which season did Jenna used to like, but now finds herself annoyed with?(hint:Sunday, November 12)

4.Kim has admitted to being a closet video game addict. What are her two favorite games? (hint: Thursday, November 2)

5.Why is Margo having trouble typing these days? (hint: Monday, November 13)

6.What one thing does Robyn do to pamper herself?(hint:Monday, November 13)

7.What dead animal did Shana find unexpectedly? (hint:Tuesday, November 7)

8.Where does Shirley like to go with her critique partners to plot new stories?(hint:Tuesday, November 7)

Send your answers to jauntyquills(AT)gmail.com.

November 18, 2006

Being Thankful

The trees are dropping their leaves, there’s a crisp coolness to the air and the stores are starting to play Christmas music….what other time of the year could it be…but the week before Thanksgiving! And, in honor of that holiday that increasingly gets shoved aside in anticipation of Christmas, I thought it’d be nice to put down some things I am personally thankful for this holiday season…and hope you can add to the list:

A wonderful husband and daughter…and a new son-in-law I genuinely like. Any of you with children know how much you hope and pray that your child will marry someone you enjoy.

My dog, Ernie and cat, Oreo…even though Ernie gets up way too early and Oreo continually tries to sit on my keyboard when I’m trying to write.

The creativity God gave me which allows me to bring people to life (hopefully) on the written page. Being able to do something I love and to have others be able to enjoy the stories I love to write…is truly a dream come true.

Good friends that I enjoy and can depend on….some I’ve known since I was a young girl, others who are more recent acquisitions. Isn’t it weird how people come and go in your life? Some, who you were really close to at one time, drop off the radar and are replaced by others who share your interests at this stage in your life…

The blessing of good health for not only me but those closest to me. As a nurse I know how quickly things can change health-wise and every day I give thanks for not only my health but the health of those I care most about.

The financial stability to be able to buy what I want (within reason ) I can remember early in my marriage going to the store with a calculator and having to put food back because I couldn’t afford everything in my cart. Or eating what food was in the house because payday was a week away and the checking account was at -0-, or sleeping downstairs in the basement in the summer so we didn’t have to run the air conditioner….some not-so-fond memories…but memories that help me to appreciate all that I have today.

Like you, there are things that I wish I had….relatives that I truly enjoyed who have passed on…and most of all, my parents. Those two wonderful people are both dead and it’s at holiday times that I miss them most…

Though I don’t have everything I want, I still feel that I have been truly blessed.

So…this Thanksgiving I’m going to give thanks. And I hope that there are things in your life that you can be thankful for this Thanksgiving, too.

Try not to eat too much turkey, ‘k?

A Winner!

Actually, I should say winners. I had so many wonderful comments that I decided to choose two! So the winners are Brownone and Minna. If you two will e-mail me at kim@kimberlylogan.net with your choice of book and snail mail address, I will get them mailed out soon.

Congrats to you both!