I was asked (or….maybe I should say my dog was asked to be interviewed for the fun site, Coffee with a Canine. It’s a fun place to promote a book because your appearance there revolves around a date with your dog.
Chloe, the corgi, was wildly excited to participate. She got lots of attention in downtown Matthews from passersby, and even drank some of my chai tea latte (which I did not plan.)
The point here is that sometimes it’s fun to take a detour from your usual blog haunts to try something different and reach out to another audience.
This morning I’m off to give a writers’ workshop in Concord, NC at the library there. I’m in a promotional group of other Carolina mystery writers (the Carolina Conspiracy) and find it’s much easier for me to participate in a promotional group. I’m far from being a natural public speaker and being with several other writers really seems to help me out.
Basically, our promotional group works this way: everyone helps find opportunities for appearances. These might be signings, workshops, craft fairs, or other events. We promote the event on our website and encourage the event organizers to promote it on their end. We bring our own bookmarks, books, and promo materials.
Some appearances are better attended than others. Even the ones that are poorly attended are still useful to me—I share ideas and information with the other authors there.
Sounds like a fun interview opportunity! I may look into that. HOpe the promotions go well!
Different is good. I like different. Have a great workshop!
The Old Silly
Well, I can’t blame Chloe for sipping your chai tea latte. Chai’s my favorite, too. In the picture, Chloe looks like she has some tales to tell.
The promotional group is a great idea. You increase your fun, your exposure, and your experiences. Plus, you get to do it all with friends. Besides, you get to travel around NC, which is a beautiful state (my daughter graduated from UNC Chapel Hill).
Helen
Straight From Hel
Your dog is adorable. I wonder if deceased dogs are eligible for that blog, maybe as ghosts? Rishi, my late shepherd mix, was a major character in Mood Swing: The Bipolar Murders. Unfortunately I’m dogless now, but love my two cats and will probably stay a cat person for the foreseeable future.
Good luck with your promotional group – glad you’re enjoying it!
Julie Lomoe’s Musings Mysterioso
http://julielomoe.wordpress.com
Your dog is so cute.
Good luck Elizabeth!
I love group author events. It really takes the pressure off to have others share the presentation and to have someone to talk to if the turnout is poor.
Coffee With a Canine is definitely thinking outside the box. Very clever.
Marvin–Thanks Marvin. It was fun!
Helen–Oh gosh, I’d drink chai all day long if I knew how to make it like the coffee shop. And Chapel Hill is an AWESOME school. My sister in law taught French there for a while.
Warren–Thanks! It’s a great place to promote, and something a little different.
Julie–I was wondering the other day if there was something like that blog, but for cat people. We have cats, too.
Elizabeth–Thanks! :) We think so, too.
Carol–I appreciate it! It went really well today. I’ll repeat the process next month in Cornelius and Hickory.
Patricia–Me too. I guess if there are too MANY authors it can go a little differently, but between 5-8 I think is a lot of fun.
Coffee with a Canine is a fun blog. Marshal is looking for authors with new releases. Maybe you should get in touch if you have a dog.
I think that any time you can get out and actually interact with other authors is fantastic. Writing can be so isolating that it’s a nice reminder that we are not alone!
I adore corgis. I covet yours. Is there such a thing as Coffee with a Cat? Don’t know if mine would travel well, but at least I’d be able to join!