On Saturday, August 13, nine of us gathered via Zoom for a brief chapter meeting and a lively presentation by Miki Reilly-Howe on Burroway’s Chapter Five from Writing Fiction, followed by a fascinating and informative guest speaker, Judith Turner-Yamamoto, interviewed by Miki.
Judith, an award-winning author, poet, and journalist, spoke to us about her journey to publication for her debut novel, Loving the Dead and Gone, a finalist for the 2020 Petrichor Prize, due out in September from Regal House. You can view the recording of Judith’s talk here:
After sharing a riveting excerpt of her beautiful novel, she spoke about how in this past year, she’s devoted herself to publicizing her novel and ensuring its successful launch. This has involved multiple steps, including:
- Having a professional website (https://turneryamamoto.com/)
- Making a list of everyone in her network
- Securing blurbs from noted authors
- Garnering reviews from major industry publications such as Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly
- “Mastering social media”
- Arranging events with bookstores
- Setting up giveaways on Goodreads
She highly recommended that we take advantage of the many resources offered by Dan Blank on his website, https://wegrowmedia.com/
A key takeaway from Judith’s presentation was that after a writer has typed “The End” and secured publication, the work continues. In today’s publishing world, the vast majority of authors are expected to do the lion’s share of marketing and publicizing their books. She’s a wonderful example of someone who has put the work in to ensure a successful launch. We’re so grateful to Miki for arranging for Judith’s visit with us.
As for what’s coming up, we’re delighted to return to a combined face-to-face/Zoom chapter meeting on September 10 at the Middletown Library. Our very own Carol Preflatish will speak to us about “How to Be an Organized Writer.”
MEMBER NEWS
Carol Preflatish did a super “Meet and Greet the Author” session at the Jeffersonville Indiana Library on August 6.
She talked about the research involved in her latest book, WITCH HUNT, the third book of her Nathan Perry Mystery series.
Lynda Rees‘ middle-grade mystery, Freckle Face & Blondie, is now in audio. The second book in Lynda Rees’ middle-grade series, The Thinking Tree, Freckle Face & Blondie 2 , just launched in audiobook as well. Lynda is anxiously awaiting news from a couple of publishers who asked for full MS after reading three chapters of her work in progress, Flip or Flop, Murder House.
Lynn Slaughter’s first adult mystery, MISSED CUE, will be published by Melange Books in the summer of 2023. Her recently released YA novel, DEADLY SETUP, received a lovely review in Mystery and Suspense: https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/deadly-setup/
She’s also excited to share that she’ll be a participating author at several upcoming events: Killer Nashville, the Heartland Book Festival, the Louisville Book Festival, the Kentucky Book Festival, and Louisville Literary Arts Book Festival.