Today’s Book Club Friday guest author is mystery writer Gerrie Ferris Finger, the latest winner of the Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition. In The End Game, she puts a new spin on the classic mystery novel with a strong new heroine in a vivid Southern setting. Gerrie has graciously donated a copy of The End Game to one lucky reader who posts a comment to the blog this week.
I'm in a good place – a busy place – but a good place. I have less than a week now to finish the final edits for my ebook, WAGON DOGS, to be released in October.
I'm doing constant on-line promotion for my hard cover, THE END GAME, which came out at the end of April, and squeezing in a library appearance in my town.
I've been polishing the third in my Dru and Lake series, THE DEVIL LAUGHED, and there's the fall and winter appearance season for which to prepare. My calendar filleth up.
Did I mention constant on-line promotion?
It doesn't feel like promotion to me. I enjoy the company of friends on DorothyL, Crimescene Writers, Sisters in Crime, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and the blogs I write for and read. One cannot live by fiction writing alone, or I can't. But I have to limit myself to two hours in the morning, max, before getting to the business of editing and writing. Sometimes in the evening, I'll get on Facebook where a different group of friends have gathered.
It's promotion, but it isn't. It's like talking to a friend on the telephone about your day, the weather, the books and films you like, and, oh by the way, your own books. It's not at all like meeting people at public events where you talk solely about your books (and the creation thereof) or sign them for those who buy. I can't put a two-hour max on these appearances, all of which take me out of writing and editing
One appearance I'm looking forward to is the Deadly Dinner in Calhoun, Georgia on October 23. It's a Southeastern Sisters in Crime event, featuring eight or nine (not sure of the exact number yet) authors who will each host a table of six to eight people who will pay $25 to have dinner with an author. After about fifteen minutes, a bell tinkles and authors change tables so the attendees get to meet and learn about each author and his or her works. A book-signing ends the evening. They do an event like this at the annual Malice Domestic fan convention in the spring. It's a fun time because you never know what questions will be tossed at you.
Still, I'm foremost a writer. I have all these ideas cruising my brain – titles, scenarios, settings, names for my characters. I loved naming people. And writing first lines. Suffice it to say, I spend more time rewriting first lines than I spend on any other line in the book.
So I'm busy, and next week will come too soon for our last vacation of the summer, which is a three-day, two-night golf trip down the coast with friends.
I can't say I don't have time for golf, or vacations, or long-time friends, can I? I'll fit it in, no laptops allowed. I'll forget about writing and promotion and try my best to beat the spikes off my friends in the skins games.
Now back to WAGON DOGS edits.
Gerrie Ferris Finger
I am giving away a copy of THE END GAME. Details provided by Anastasia, who I wish to thank for the opportunity to appear on her delightful blog.
Thanks for stopping by, Gerrie! And thanks so much for offering a book to one of our readers.
Be sure to stop back tomorrow to see if you’re the winner. . -- AP
20 comments:
Good Morning I just returned from BN Mystery and saw your Post Lois,I love reading your website and will be emailing it to a Dear friend..I live in Vt now Very Rural.But Have all that we need "The NorthShire Bookstore is right down the street in Manchester Center,,Enough about Me,I would love to win a Copy of"The End Game"By Gerrie Ferris Finger" having lived outside of Atlanta,and familar with Georgia,it would a thrill to win,,Thanks for The Chance..Susan vermontcozy on BN..
Hi Gerrie and Lois--thanks for this opportunity--THE END GAME sounds great, as does the author-dinner idea! (Too bad I'm too far away to attend I love meeting authors!)
As per promotion, I’ve felt—and often feel—frustrated, (but a necessary evil I've come to embrace in a way) especially when online and networking time seem to get in the way of my actual writing. (When I’m stuck though, writing a post is a great way to shift those creative juices in another direction—before I know it I’ve ‘written’ something else, lol.) And the wonderful feedback I receive from my own small—yet growing—number of blog readers and online friends keeps me inspired, grateful and fueled to keep at it, to deliver more of what my readers seem to like. I also enjoy watching how this particular avenue seems to have taken on a life of its own, evolving and changing a little at a time—almost like a manuscript in first-draft stage.
That Deadly Dinner sounds like fun! Kind of like a literary mash-up of sorority rush, speed dating, or Bunco!! Your cover prompted me to check out your website so I could read what THE END GAME was about. I enjoyed reading Robin Agnew's review. I'd be interested to see how the train whistles play out. Good luck with your writing and promo!
Thanks for stopping by Susan, and for telling your friend about Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers.
Joanna, I guess it's all about prioritizing your time. Promo does eat away at the hours in the day, but it can also lead to making wonderful new friendships and finding fans who love to read what you write.
Jill, I'm with you. That dinner does sound like a lot of fun.
Ooh, I wish the Deadly Dinner was closer. I have just plunged into the world of mystery, having convinced myself I was a romance writer for so many years. Although my first cozy doesn't come out until next fall, self promotion is something I'm thinking about now. Any advice?
I'm going to my first mystery conference and hopefully, will make friends there like I have done in RWA.
Your books (all three of them. Sheesh! How do you do it?) sound wonderful.
Thanks Gerrie and Lois.
Sounds like a very busy, very fun time! The two hour time limit is a good idea. I know I certainly lose track of time when I'm online. :)
Liz, good luck with your debut book!
Janel, I learned a long time ago that there's real time, then there's computer time -- two totally different species!
I am addicted to mysteries and probably would only read them. Thanks heavens for a book club that makes me expand my reading.
Thanks for a great website and for the chance to win great books.
Pick me, pick me! Congratulations on your book! I am sure it will be a great read and great addition to my collection!
Gerrie, congratulations of the Malice Domestic award.
I look forward to reading The End Game.
Helen Kiker
hdkiker@comcast.net
I want to thank Gerrie Ferris Finger for stopping by this week to be our Book Club Friday guest author and for offering a copy of THE END GAME. Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see if you're the lucky winner!
I wish I was closer to Georgia. Because that dinner sounds like a great bunch of fun. Your book review made me want to buy the book it has an interesting plot I will have to look for the book when I go to the PX next week and see fit hey have it.
OOPPPSSS I meant to type if they still have it and fingers and keyboard mixed it up.
Lois- I've been meaning to let you know how much I enjoy your blog for some time now. I love the books and the crafts- two of my three favorite hobbies at one site. All that's missing is cats, but not that solve mysteries or do crafts.
Gerrie- Your book sounds great. I love the cover and would certainly want to read a book by someone with your intriguing name.
Kathy, I think everyone who read Gerrie's guest blog wants to be in Georgia for that dinner!
Malena, thanks for stopping by. Lois used to have 2 cats named Bulldog and Frog (long story re the names!), but then she developed allergies. However I, Anastasia, have Mama's Catherine the Great camped out at my house. See the video on the sidebar for a picture of CTG.
I want to thank everyone for reading my blog post and commenting. I thank my hostess, Lois Winston, for the invitation to "run my mouth" (by way of fingers) as we say in the South. The best to everyone. Gerrie
The internet has become a wonderful way to make new friends and be introduced to new books. Looking forward to reading The End Game.
Shirley, that is so true.
Dear Gerrie Hi, I am enjoying and have not finished. "The End Game" and have posted it on BN Mystery,,I hope to read and will look for more books as they evolve.You have The Gift: and I am so pleased to have My own Signed Copy "The End Game" is a wonderful mystery, your skill as a writer shines through,,I will Post a review as well and follow you on your blog..All the Best and Thank you Susan...
Hi Susan. I'm delighted you like the book and will post a review. It's my policy never to ask for reviews but am happy to receive them on Amazon or B&N, etc. All the best, Gerrie
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