Publicity and Promotion Issues with Free Books

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 24 Sep 2015, 13:39

My mom met her late husband in the choir!

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 24 Sep 2015, 14:20

Reminds me of the young people's group to which I belonged during my college years. I went to a large and very active Episcopal church and they had this group called the EYC (Episcopal Young Churchgoers) for young singles. But we knew the reality and renamed it the EMS (Episcopal Mating Society) which was designed sub rosa to get Episcopal singles to only marry other Episcopalians and not, God forbid, Baptists! And the group was so successful that they all got married to each other and the group was dissolved. This is a true story.

Myself, I went off to DC to work for Uncle so I wasn't a "victim" of the conspiracy. ha ha

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 24 Sep 2015, 14:46

Wow! Nothing like a riveting game of Musical Chairs to pick your spouse!! I should go to church more often!

I'd love to find a good Episcopal husband!!

(Maybe it would take less effort to just phone the front office and ask if they have any available men in my age range. Of course, that could incite gossip.) Or, maybe they have a Men of the Episcopal Church calendar.

Anyways, I'm still waiting to hear from the local book reviewer... to be continued!!

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 24 Sep 2015, 15:46

Generally, as you know, Episcopalians are pretty hard working and both the guys and gals end up making good dough and are pretty decent companions, although kind of boring at times. ha ha

They do tend to drink a bit. That's why they're known as "Whiskeypalians"

madhu_bookworm · Post by **madhu_bookworm** » 25 Sep 2015, 21:32

I would be wary of this newspaper. I am a project manager by profession so I guess I tend to project manage my life as well a bit but If i am giving a task to someone I expect a delivery and due date. If they don't deliver then I follow up and get to the root cause. I think you are right to do more research but I am now also questioning the integrity of this newspaper.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 25 Sep 2015, 21:40

Thank you. For me, the jury's out. I mean, it's the main newspaper of Louisville, and it's been around forever, but it has gone to the dogs. It's almost like they're not even trying anymore. They're phoning it in.

Hey, we should start a friendly pool about whether or not the book reviewer will get back to me and/or mention my book in a column. Not an actual prize pool or anything, just a fun guessing game. We'll tally the votes and see who guesses correctly.

I'll put my money on. no, I never hear anything and there's no mention of me in the paper. Anyone else want to play?

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 25 Sep 2015, 22:05

The Louisville Courier-Journal is one of the most respected papers from a midsize city. However as with most dailies, it's gone downhill.

Nevertheless, Zelda, I do think you'll get your review, eventually. As to when, who can say?

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 25 Sep 2015, 22:23

Thanks for playing! HA HA.

Oh geez. It's not just the newspaper. This whole city is going downhill.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 25 Sep 2015, 22:29

Speaking of promotion, my first private eye novel was just posted on my publisher's website. Those interested can PM me for the info.

Naturally I'm very excited. They'll soon be posting books 2 and 3 as well. Keen.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 25 Sep 2015, 22:58

Yay! I am excited to buy the first book as soon as it is available!!

Rayene Z · Post by **Rayene Z** » 26 Sep 2015, 07:11

That's an awful thing to do :/ you should contact her or the paper!

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 26 Sep 2015, 12:02

Welcome, and thanks for your thoughts. Yeah... the more time that goes by, like sand through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives. Wait. What? I'm sorry, I got sidetracked somehow. Right, the more time that goes by, the more cynical I'm becoming about the local reviewer. Groan. I mean, eventually, if enough time actually passes, then I will do something. I don't know what, and I'm sure it won't be anything earth shattering, but I'll do something. I'm going to give her a few more months, I reckon.

madhu_bookworm · Post by **madhu_bookworm** » 26 Sep 2015, 12:17

You are definetely more patient than me. I wouldn't wait a few more months.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 26 Sep 2015, 12:24

Thank you, Madhu, and I love your avatar!

I hate being at her mercy. That's a conflict right there. If I complain bitterly, it's going to hurt ME, not her.

BUT... there will come a time when I don't think I have much to lose, if it becomes blatantly obvious that she's never going to write up my book. At that time, I may try to take her down with me. (OK, that sounds bad, but it equates to my ratting her out for accepting books and then not reviewing them at all.) Until then, I'd regret that if, say, my book really is slated to be reviewed next week, or whatever! AARGH!!

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 26 Sep 2015, 12:52

Zelda I totally understand your frustration but I don't think that any sort of vendetta on the reviewer is a good idea. Let her sink with her own ineptitude and go forward. Don't think in local terms if possible. I can tell you that most any feud is not helpful to your writing career and really won't feel that good afterward anyway.