Share Book Marketing Ideas

Writers as marketers can be a frightening concept to many. I interviewed Catherine Marshall many years ago. Since my husband is a minister, we have moved often. I calculate time by where we lived when an event happened. I spoke with Catherine Marshall when we lived in the big house on Guilford Street and when the nation sputtered along under gas rationing.
I asked her if she was involved in her husband's publishing business, Chosen Books. Her reply was, "Oh my, no. Publishing and writing are two different talents!"
While I agree with her, today's authors must participate in that area of publishing called marketing. So, I will give you one of my working phrases:
"What you do not naturally do, you must deliberately do!"
1. Study book marketing from those who have done it well.
2. Think of every place you will be going in the next twelve months and plan books signings in those locations.
3. Decide on a marketing budget and set that money aside.
Those are a few logical suggestions.
What would you recommend in this great new adventure called marketing?
We are in this together. Let's share!

Write About Strong Families

Why do today's books and television shows for preteen and teens have such weak or absent parents in them? They try to convey that kids could rule the world if the adults would just get out of the way. Many TV "family" shows have silly, immature, no-nothing fathers and over-worked, dissociated mothers. Perhaps it is a true reflection of the current state of the family, but I like to think it's not. I see dedicated, nurturing mothers and protective, supportive fathers in the families with which I come in contact.
Wouldn't we be naïve, or even foolish, to think that our children could grow up with a sense of a strong family connection when their minds have been filled with dribble? They would have no "bone knowledge" of a family with strong, present, supportive parents if that image has not been set firmly in their "heart bone."
Write those wonderful stories of childhood adventure and creativity, but ground them in the faithful love and support of an involved family. Kids used to travel by bike and bus all over their towns and come home by sundown. Now, they are chauffeured, dropped off and picked up on a ridged schedule. No wonder they seek the independence of TV characters who can sass back, lie to their parents, and create their own family of children.
The challenge for authors in the present time, is write wonderful tales of adventure and freedom without contributing to the destruction of the family in the process. To tell you the truth, kids had more freedom and chance to learn about life fifty years ago when parents were present in their lives than they do now. Yes, children are on their own more now: home alone, eat alone, study alone, and cry alone. Tell that story - and how parents rescued them from their aloneness. Be brave enough to give them the family they may not have and desperately long for.

Come to Sarasota B&N and say "Hi"

Writing is so much fun - I look forward to every day! I also enjoy book signings! I will be signing, Smoke from Distant Fires, at the Sarasota, Florida Barnes and Noble on Saturday, June 21 from 1-3 pm. Come on over if you're in the area. I'd love to meet you! As a psychologist, I know, like Old Grandfather told Millie, "Smoke from distant fires can still sting the eyes." This Historical Novel, for kids to their great-grandparents, can help those who feel different, to make peace with their differences. If you can't come, call the store (941-923-9907) and order a book during the signing, I'll sign it and the store will send it to you. How great is that?!!

What a Great Birthday!

 Hi Friends and family! I had a great birthday yesterday! Wonderful meal at the Roadhouse, new top for the cruise in June, Richard Paul Evans' new book Walking on Water, and new earrings just because one always needs more "earbobs" as my grandmother would say. Now, make it great the day after by logging on at        https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/91527-smoke-from-distant-fire       and enter to win one of two copies of Smoke from Distant Fires. You can purchase it at Cokesbury and other online bookstores as well as place an order from your local bookstore. Ask your library to order it from Ingrams!!!

Smoke from Distant Fires

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/91527-smoke-from-distant-fires
Go to Goodreads to enter to win one of two copies of Smoke From Distant Fires. Goodreads is having a log-on problem right now. If you go to my FB Page: Doris Gaines Rapp - Author Page you can link to the giveaway there.

What would you do if you were fourteen years old and found out there was an Indian in your family's past. Not just any Indian - The Prophet - Chief Tecumseh's brother! Millie wants to hide for fear of being bullied and teased. Will Old Grandfather help her find the courage to stand up for herself and her family? Read it! We can all learn from her experiences.

Bryson Genealogy and Yours

I have been having a ball writing and marketing my newest Historical Fiction, Smoke from Distant Fires!  My g-g-g-grandfather, James Bryson, had an interesting connection to the Shawnee Indians who lived in the Indiana/Ohio area. In the process of writing, research on the Bryson side of the family led me to the Greenville, Ohio Public Library and the Courthouse. Where will your family research lead you?

Millie Bryson had no idea about her family's history and was shocked when her 8th grade teacher assigned a paper, explaining their connect with The Prophet, the brother of Tecumseh. Millie had never wanted to stand out. What will she do when others have the fuel to bully and tease her?

At the end of the book is a genealogy chart for readers to begin the search for their ancestors. It can be fun and fulfilling. It tells us who went before us. It is up to each of us to carve out our own future.

Order Smoke from Distant Fires, at www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com . It is available as a paperback. At B&N there is a NOOK book. Amazon will have an eBook soon. With a pre-paid order, you can purchase it from your local bookstore.

Happy Reading!
Doris

Goodreads Winners!

We have 2 winners! Thanks to everyone who entered the Goodreads give-away for my book, Length of Days - The Age of Silence. The winners are a person in Nevada and one in Michigan. You can win too! For only $.99 you can download Length of Days - The Age of Silence, on Amazon.com, to your eReader. Don't have an eReader? Amazon has an app for that. Paperback books are also available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and can be ordered from a bookstore near you. Thanks a bunch! What a wonderful way to start Spring - reading a good book out on the deck!