 | 14 Nov 08 |
Karin and the Murder ladies, thanks for much for having me.
Right now eight writers are freaking out. Yes, I know there are many more writers freaking out for various reasons. It comes with the business. But I’m talking about the American Title V finalists. We knew this was coming, but now it’s here. Voting. And we feel like Chicken Littles, with our yellow feathers flying. (Though maybe the others are fine and that’s just me molting.)
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m a finalist in Dorchester Publishing’s American Title V contest, which is given in conjunction with Romantic Times. The first lines are on RT’s website now, if you care to check them out and vote for the book you like best.
For the most part, I’m pretty Zen … but every once in a while my heart pounds with a mixture of excitement and fear like a heroine’s heart. I remind myself it’s all good. Obsessing won’t change anything. Breathe. Try to enjoy it. (It’s my mantra.)
This is a big opportunity for all of us. I’m thrilled and at the same time there’s that sick in my throat feeling because I have to promote. Blogging and interviews are fine. I did two interviews on Sylvia Day’s blog for DEAD PEOPLE and guest blogs on Karin’s and Spyscribbler’s, and those were a blast. But person-to-person PR … 
I went to a concert at my former church on Sunday. Earlier, I was chatting with my sister on the phone and told her I was going to hand out flyers. My sister said, “That will be fun!”
Fun? Fun for her, maybe! I wish she lived near me instead of in Phoenix. She could have come along and had fun handing out my flyers and telling people to vote for me. I could have had fun eating cookies and strawberries and catching up with old friends. (The strawberries were yummy!)
I’m on the introvert side of the Meyer-Briggs’ type indicator, although toward the middle. I want to sit at home and talk to people through my computer. Wearing a sweatshirt and elastic-waisted pants. Drinking tea with my cat sitting on the desk. (I cleaned off a spot for her.)
Last February I was at a signing for Liz Kreger at our local Waldenbooks for her first print book, FORGET ABOUT TOMORROW. Barbara Vey, who blogs for Publishers Weekly, was there, and she walked around the store, asking people what kind of books they liked. Then she steered them to Liz’s table and handed them Liz’s book. When I do my first signing, I want Barbara to come.
Voting for this round is until the 23rd, and I still have time to drop off flyers. Next month it will be easier. I hope.
It does get easier, doesn’t it? **whimper**
I know Karin and Allison are extroverts, terrific at person-to-person PR. At the church I asked people if they read romances – and almost everyone said yes! That relaxed me. At a fundamental level, we enjoyed the same books. We shared a passion. 
The other ATV finalists are helping me through this too. We have our own Yahoo loop and a group blog, Love Conquers (created by Magical Musings’ fabulous blog mommy, Michelle Diener). We’re already commiserating with each other about errors, sharing our PR jitters and wishing each other success on requests. I wonder if eight men competing against each other would bond together so quickly and be so supportive.
No matter what happens, this is a great experience. We’ve achieved something amazing! Out of hundreds of partials and fulls sent to the Dorchester staff, they chose eight mss. Last year, the magic number was eleven, so they could have picked more. But, no, they chose only eight.
It makes me feel … Zen. I’m smiling.
So are you an extrovert? Is it easy for you to work a room? Or do you use tricks to make it easier?
Edie Ramer
http://www.edieramer.com
© 2008 – 2009 Karin Tabke. All rights reserved.
A Cop’s Wife Writes the Cop’s Life:
Award winning author, Karin Tabke isn’t just another author with steamy stories to tell, but a cop’s wife who has “seen it all and heard it all.” Some of the hottest stories come from behind the blue wall of law enforcement rather than from in front. Married to a street cop, now retired, Karin is intimate with both and proves it with her sizzling tales and hot cops. Not only are her cops hot, but so are her sexy knights. Karin’s Blood Sword Legacy series is a must read for anyone who loves tales of yore when men were men and women were women, and love did conqueror all!
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Edie and readers, my apologies in advance for not having all of the hyperlinks in place. I had trouble with Word Press timing out over and over as I tried to edit them in.
Edie if you’d like to post the links here in the comments go for it.
by Karin Tabke November 14th, 2008 at 12:47 amKarin, it’s fine. I’m a big lurker on MSW and am thrilled to be here!
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 5:53 amEdie knows this story or I wouldn’t tell it here! I got DEAD PEOPLE (Edie’s RT book) as an contest entry. Now, I knew Edie was an RT finalist but I hadn’t been to the site or read Sylvia’s intervew.
I had just been too busy.
I’m reading this contest entry, laughing, eating it up. It was so good. I’m making comments on the MS like (what a surprise! Or Fresh voice! Love the story!) The contest was “blind” so I had no idea whose it was. I gave it a great score. I was simply IN LOVE with both the story and the voice. (Needless to say, DEAD PEOPLE is a finalist in this unnamed contest.) AFTER I’d turned in my scores Edie posted somewhere about DEAD PEOPLE and all the pieces fell together. I had just judged HER book. OMG! First, I was SO RELIEVED that I LOVED her book. Second, I was SO RELIEVED that I loved her book! LOL LOL
So, I immediately sent her a note and demanded (not asked, mind you, DEMANDED) that she let me read the rest of this story.
Ladies and gentleman – You will love this book. Clever writing. Funny dialog. You are going to just love Joe. Go to RT. Read this. Enjoy. Then suffer nothing that I have the rest of the book!
Good luck Edie.
by ArkansasCynthia November 14th, 2008 at 7:08 am[...] a guest blogger at Murder She Writes! I’m asking for PR advice. I need [...]
by Edie Ramer - Author November 14th, 2008 at 7:25 amEdie, congratulations on making the American Title contest finals! I admire you simply for entering.
I don’t consider myself to be an extrovert or introvert. I’m somewhere in between. I smile at and speak to people on the street, in stores, etc., and love visiting with people one-on-one, but I tend to be quiet when I’m in a group. I listen more than talk. If I must work a room, I shift into the “hostess mode” my mother taught me. Making people comfortable, getting them drinks, introducing folks, that I can do. I just put a spin on it to fit the situation.
Hope you can adapt my trick to work for you!
Light,
by Nancy Haddock November 14th, 2008 at 7:37 amNancy Haddock
La Vida Vampire
Hi Edie, Welcome! And big congrats to you for making it to the American Title finalist! That’s a HUGE achievement!
I’m basically shy, but I do enjoy people once I force myself out there. My trick is to ask people about themselves, and what they read and why. I have a million questions about books so it’s easy for me to engage with people that way.
You’re going to do great!
by Jen Apodaca November 14th, 2008 at 7:39 amEdie, I’m not sure my name will appear because I can’t see it where it’s supposed to go.
Anyway, yeah, I’m extroverted, and the more wine, the more extro I get.
by Kathy Calarco November 14th, 2008 at 7:46 amHey Edie, wanted to race over here today and share in the celebration with you. Hmm, when you mentioned comfortable clothes, I’m there. I’m probably somewhere in the middle on that scale. I enjoy conferences, and the fun we always have. But, I need my quiet time too. I’m happy being a middle of the roader. I’ll do PR when I need to, and cuddle in my office to created the stories that put me out there.
Hey Karin!
by LaDonna November 14th, 2008 at 7:54 amNancy, I’m better one-on-one too. Last week I handed out flyers to the clerks at Pet Smart, the health food store and the JCPenney catalog desk. This week I gave a flyer to the clerk at the liquor store. She said she was going to vote for me.
And a smile is always a great idea!
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 8:08 amCongratulations on finaling! That’s awesome. Are you doing any online campaigning? You could reach a lot of people without having to actually smile and shake their hands!
by Louisa Edwards November 14th, 2008 at 8:11 amHi Jen! Thanks! I’m so glad to have friends like Karin. They’re helping me through this.
My trick is to ask people about themselves, and what they read and why. I have a million questions about books so it’s easy for me to engage with people that way.
That’s what Barbara Vey did during Liz’s booksigning. She would ask people what they liked to read — and then she’d find something in their answer to connect to Liz’s book.
Asking questions is a good idea to keep in mind. Thanks!
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 8:15 amLaDonna, as usual we’re Twinkie Twins in this too.
Thanks for stopping by!
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 8:17 amLouisa, thanks! Yes, I did three guest blogs this week and I’ll do three next week. It’s a good thing I like blogging! And I’m lucky to have friends who invite me to guest blog.
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 8:20 amEdie, I’m not sure if I’m and introvert or extrovert.
And Arkansas, Cyndi? you are a naughty tease! I read the very first version and loved it! I can’t wait to pick the book up at my local BN. Congrats again, Edie.
by Karin Tabke November 14th, 2008 at 9:12 amHey, Edie! I don’t mind doing online PR, but I just never get around to it. I go through phases. Have you read Seth Godin’s latest book on Tribes? It has some interesting stuff.
As far as in person PR, we usually have a weekend table for the piano studio at town carnivals and such. Mostly, I keep in mind people like to talk about themselves, so generally I intermix anything I tell them with lots of questions about themselves they can answer.
Like what you did: asking if they read romances, who’s their favorite author, have they heard of American Title V, etc. The more they talk, the more interested they are.
by spyscribbler November 14th, 2008 at 9:27 amEdie, congratulations on finaling in American Title! Woohoo! Hey, I’m an introvert too. But I’m also a mimic to a certain extent, so when I have to mingle and work the public angle, I mimic an extrovert. Sounds odd, huh? But I have a fabulous example in my hubby. He’s quite the talker, crowd pleaser, etc. I just try to channel him.
Also, I find that when you ask questions about people, they are easier to talk to. Most everyone likes to know someone is interested in who they are or what they do.
You can do it! Congrats again.
by Lynn Raye Harris November 14th, 2008 at 9:58 amHey Edie! Welcome to here and congratulations on the American Title finals! Fingers crossed and all good wishes.
As for PR, I’m more introverted, though I can handle talking in front of a crowd. (Which is much easier for me than making small talk with a small group. I have to battle my natural inclination to go sit in a corner.) Blogging helps, though, because you meet a lot of wonderful people… who you then get to meet in person at conventions, and it makes going to these things a lot of fun, so you’re on the right track!
by toni mcgee causey November 14th, 2008 at 11:10 amHi, Edie!! Like Nancy, I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle of introvert and extrovert, too. Big crowds–full of folks I don’t know–do tend to intimidate me, if I let them. So I try to just paste a smile on my face and focus on one person at a time (no crowd that way, LOL).
Good luck with your PR!
by Cynthia Eden November 14th, 2008 at 11:25 amArkansas Cindy, I love you!
When I sell DEAD PEOPLE, I will send you an autographed copy. 
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 11:31 amKath, I don’t know how I missed your comment! And such a great idea too! It’s too bad they didn’t have wine at the church otherwise I could have tried it. Next time I’ll stash a bottle in my purse.
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 11:36 amKarin, you, Liz and Michelle all had so much input into Dead People. I was blessed to have had you as a CP and I’m blessed to have you as a friend. You’re the best!
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 11:42 amSpy, I haven’t read Seth Godin’s book, but I will now. I wish I lived near you so I could go to your town carnival. And I could go to Borders and hang out with you.
I’m sounding like a stalker.
I’ll remember, ask questions. Turn the conversation to them. Good ideas!
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 11:47 amLynn, thanks! I’ve mimicked my more extroverted sister when I’m in a group situation. We have similar voices and we look alike. It’s easy to slip into her personality. I have to remember to do it instead of shrinking into my shell.
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 11:52 amHey Toni, thanks! You’re scaring me! Small talk is easier for me than talking in front of a group. Blogging is wonderful for introverts, especially introverts toward the middle of the scale, who like belonging to groups. (I hope that made sense.) And you’re right. It’s wonderful to meet them in person.
I look forward to meeting you at a conference some day.
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 11:58 amCindy, thanks! I think that was the problem with the church concert. After the concert was over, people congregated in groups. If I didn’t know anyone in the group it was hard for me to approach them. So I didn’t. But my sister would have. One at a time is easier for me too.
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pmEdie, thanks for guest blogging, and HEY, I voted for you!
by Natalie November 14th, 2008 at 4:12 pmNatalie, double thanks to you!
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 5:12 pmHey Edie. Had to mosey on over and see what you had to say. Great blog! I’m definitely an extrovert. Used to be introvert but I’m MUUUUUCCCCHHHH better now.
Congrats on being a finalist. Excitin’ stuff and I know you’re gonna be a winner.
by Liz Kreger November 14th, 2008 at 6:52 pmHi, Liz. Thanks for stopping by. I know your story about coming out of the basement.
I’m still creeping out of mine.
by Edie November 14th, 2008 at 7:36 pmEdie, what a great blog
. You know how thrilled I am for you regarding ATV.
I’m also in the middle of the scale, edging towards introvert, probably. I can speak formally in front of strangers, but it is harder for me to go one on one with people I don’t know beyond the polite hellos.
by Michelle November 15th, 2008 at 3:02 amOf course I’m always late to the party and the Romantic Times site is overwhelmed and hiccupping all over the place. So hopefully I can post tomorrow.
Edie, I have found in the past that my terror of speaking before people usually disappears at the end of my committment list. Timing, it’s all about timing. Good Luck.
by Cele November 16th, 2008 at 9:21 amHi Cele, RT appears to have Gremlins this weekend. Timing is a good idea. Next month I’ll see if it’s easier with all the great advice I’ve been given.
by Edie November 16th, 2008 at 10:44 am