Fried Chicken Castañeda was awarded the Bronze Medal

That's right! It took third place in the Mystery/Crime/Detective category at this year's CIPA EVVY awards. Not too shabby for a first novel, eh? And yes, there were more than three entered in the category. 😆 Excelsior!

Marketing books is a full-time job!

The days when authors focused on writing and publishers and agents handled all of the marketing are long past -- if they ever existed. Authors have always attended signings at bookstores, conferences, and other venues. They've always given speeches and workshops and interviews. What's changed is who organizes these appearances. It's now all down to the author. You become your own publicist. 

Every public appearance is marketing, even when you're not selling books. My presentations to the Wheels Museum and to SouthWest Writers were opportunities for promoting my book and, as importantly, myself. I gave my "Adding Authenticity to Your Writing" to SouthWest Writers. I think of it as "Reference Resources for Lay People." 😄 There was a lively discussion afterward and several people stopped me later to tell me how informative it was. I had a great time and didn't have to grade anything! 

At the suggestion of my publisher, I suggested to my critique group -- Write Minds -- back in June that we organize group signings. Those ultimately were all held in August, with the intervening six or so weeks devoted to organizing them. Signings were so much more fun with a group! The time passed more quickly, but more importantly, more people stopped. Our group included one historical fiction (WWII) writer, two sci-fi authors, a historical romance writer, and, of course, one historical cozy mystery writer. We appealed to a much broader group of readers. People who were attracted to one book often politely talked to the rest of us -- and sometimes even bought one of our books as well. I remember someone buying my book for her mother, after having bought one of the others for herself. We agreed that the prime hours were 2-4 on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, so set up around 1:30 to be ready. Not much point in arriving before then.

Our first signing was at Books on the Bosque in Albuquerque -- in the afternoon after my SouthWest Writers presentation (whew!). They are a small, independent bookstore and coffee shop that caters to the literary crowd. They set it up as a reading event, not just a signing. We each took 10 minutes or so to read from our work, then answered questions. Unfortunately, it was sparsely attended. I wonder if we could have done more or better promotion. I suspect that if any of us were better known ... Maybe we need to join a book club or two. 😄

Then, it was back to Page 1 the next weekend and a traditional book signing at tables in front of the store. A week off, and then the two Barnes & Nobles in Albuquerque back-to-back over Labor Day Weekend. I'm exhausted! Nothing more at this point before the Southern New Mexico Book Festival in Las Cruces October 11, when I'll be giving my "Adding Authenticity" presentation again.

Wheels Museum talks and signings

 I'm giving the wonderful Wheels Museum a post of its own. It's a "must see" for any resident of or visitor to Albuquerque with the least interest in trains, planes, or automobiles (but mostly trains), including Fred Harvey.

My author talk and book signing on June 28 could not have gone better. It was wonderful talking to a group of fellow Fred Harvey enthusiasts! Due to a slight mix-up, two events were scheduled at the same time and I was set up next to a main walk-way. That means that I benefitted from foot traffic! I sold all 10 books that I had with me, and could have sold at least 2 more. I also made some great connections in the Albuquerque history community. 

It was so successful that I was invited back on July 26 to talk about the Santa Fe Reading Rooms, a topic close to my heart. I ran across some reference to a reading room while doing research on the Couriers, and followed that path for as far as it led. Ultimately, I was able to publish an academic paper on them. One of these days, I'll get up to Raton and visit the Reading Room that is still standing there. Most of them were built of wood and so either burned down, fell down, or were torn down. 

And -- I'll be back soon to talk about the Fred Harvey newsstands and bookstores!

Literary Festivals, Book Signings, and Awards Contest, Oh My!

I'm starting with the last first -- I just learned that my novel is a finalist in the CIPA (Collective of Independent Publishers and Authors) EVVY awards in Mystery/Crime/Detective! I don't know how many were entered, but it was certainly more than three. Win or not, it's an honor and very motivating.

From the date of this post, it's pretty obvious that I'm back from the Mesa Verde Literary Festival. We -- the husband, doglette, and I -- made a road trip of it, stopping first at the Hubbell Trading Post. Unfortunately, it was late in the day, so no time to tour the grounds, which were much more extensive than anticipated. However, it's a mere two-hour drive, so we'll be back. 

Then up to Chinle and Thunderbird Lodge. It was adequate for the price and staff were lovely. We might stay there again, but we'd make a point of avoiding their "restaurant." Overpriced bad food. The attraction, of course, was Canyon de Chelly, where I checked an item off of my bucket list by taking the four-hour tour. It covers a little over half the canyon. The next day, we did the rim drive and were able to look down into the parts of the canyon not covered by the tour. TBH, the drive was so jolting and literally bruising that I doubt I could have managed the six-hour. These are just a few of the photos I took. Imagine being able to walk right up to that fence line! I'd love to go back and take the evening/night tour. It would be supernatural.

The next day was Goulding's Lodge at Monument Valley, where we stayed in a "villa" (one bedroom modular home). We had a living area with sofa sleeper, eating area, small kitchenette (no range), queen bed separated by a half-wall, bedroom, and bathroom. Also porch with patio table and chairs. Highly recommended if you can afford it -- which you probably can, as you can avoid eating in the overpriced restaurant. There's a grocery store with extremely reasonable prices, as well. This day was Mike's turn to do the tour, while I stayed home with Treme -- so no photos, but you can find plenty online. He pronounced it "awesome, amazing, and inspiring." Be sure to check out the museum at Goulding's while you're there. 

Finally, up through Mexican Hat and the Four Corners area to the Retro Inn at Cortez. The room numbers are years from the mid- to late-20th century, and each room is decorated according to the year. We had 1953 (or was it 54?), which celebrated Marilyn Monroe! We heard that one of the 1980s rooms is Miami Vice. It's ideally located near a WalMart and several restaurants, and was about 20 minutes from Mancos and the Literary Festival. 

This was the inaugural year of the Festival, and there were, sad to say, more than a few hiccups, some of which were not their fault. They certainly didn't arrange to have the street in front of the venue torn up! Others were the more-or-less-expected for a first time event. I'm sure that the festival organizers will learn from their mistakes for next year. I especially appreciated the opportunity to interact with other authors from the Four Corners states. I would have liked for there to have been more readers/book buyers in attendance. 

My Southwest Writers critique group, Write Minds, has scheduled four signing events in Albuquerque in August. The first was last week at Books on the Bosque. It was an author reading and signing. I learned as much about my fellow authors as those in the audience did! This week, back at Page One Books, but with all five of us, then both Barnes & Nobles at the end of the month. I tell you, it's a full-time job!

Off on a road trip to the Mesa Verde Literary Festival

 The opportunity for a road trip combined with business was too good to pass up. We're heading for Canyon de Chelly today, staying at the Thunderbird Lodge, with stops in Gallup for lunch and at the Hubbell Trading Post. A tour of the Canyon tomorrow, then Wednesday to Monument Valley and Goudling's Lodge. Thursday is a tour of the Valley, and Friday we'll arrive in Cortez. 

Watch this space! 

What a wonderful, profitable weekend!

Welcome to new readers and new fans! 

Thanks to a dear friend who is a friend of the owners of La Fonda, I got a last minute offer to serve as Artist-in-Residence at La Fonda from last Friday through Sunday! It was the ideal venue for hawking my wares, as it were, with its Fred Harvey/Couriers history. They set up two tables with black table cloths, two comfortable padded chairs, and a really snazzy backdrop. Parking and lunch were both complementary, as well. 

I drove up Friday, arriving at 10:30 and leaving around 4:00 to check in at my hotel, El Sendero. Four people bought my book! It was also the debut of the turquoise and silver necklace that my friend Heidi lent me for just these events. Looks good with my funeral clothes, no? 

 

Lunch was a to-die-for charcuterie board from the La Fiesta Lounge. Highly recommended. I suppose you could share it -- but why? I had to leave the table unattended, but everything was as I left it, except the level of candy in the bowl. 😆 Lots of people in the lobby, there for a wedding. I sold one book to a very nice young couple who kindly hung around and chatted with this bored author. 

The next morning found me at Garcia Street Books, in company with two other members of New Mexico Book Association -- Ann and Dennis. I had just put the first stack of books on the table when a woman rushed up and pointed at the book, "Is this you?" I nodded. "Oh, good. My friend sent me here to buy a copy for her. She loves your work!" Ultimately, she bought one for her friend and one for herself. I still don't know what other work her friend is referring to, unless she's read my short stories. But I'm not about to quibble! Two more people bought my book before the morning was over. 

Then it was back to La Fonda for lunch --  burrata with port wine figs, pignoli, fresh peas, and baby greens -- and an afternoon of bookselling.

It was a wonderful afternoon. First, Ann from the morning came by just to say "Hi," but stayed to help me sell my books. After an hour or so, I suggested that she put her books out on the second table. The time went much faster with the two of us, and I observed that people were far more willing to walk up and look if the two of us were talking to each other. We weren't ignoring them, but we also weren't intensely fixated on them. Upshot was I sold another 5 books! One was to a couple from Kansas who are Fred Harvey fans! Of course I told them all about the Fred Harvey History Weekend and gave them the link to the website. 

So, that was Saturday. Sunday saw me back at the La Fonda at 9:00. Ann arrived shortly afterward. The morning was very quiet. It started to pick up around 11 or so. Between then and about 2, I sold another 5 books! Three men stopped and asked if the book were about Carlos Castaneda 🙄

My observations -- people who are checking in do not stop to look at books. They just want to get to their room. And they don't come back downstairs until dinner.  People who are checking out do not stop and look at books. They just want to get out and off to wherever they are going. If they came down for breakfast, it was a quick bite and then back up to pack. 

A very profitable weekend in every way! A total of 17 print books were sold and at least one ebook! Several more people took bookmarks, with promises to buy through that online vendor. At least as important, dozens of people are now aware of my book. The word is getting out.

Author talks and book signings galore!

My calendar went from empty to full -- and it continues to fill! I'm amazed at my new-found ability for self-promotion almost as much as by people actually buying my book. First up was the Tony Hillerman Branch Library, followed two weeks later by Page 1 Books, then South Valley Branch Library, and Juan Tabo Branch Library just last Saturday. I will be honest -- very few people show up to author talks at public libraries. In one branch, the library manager stayed just so that there would be someone in the audience. However, the people who do come are interested and engaged and full of questions and the desire to learn. A few bought books. All took bookmarks. At the suggestion of the library manager at Hillerman, I donated three copies of my book to the library. It is now in the catalog and ... all three copies are checked out! This bodes well. I have, however, given up on Erna Fergusson and Special Collections for the time being. Maybe once I'm famous and a real draw, but for now ... attendance doesn't warrant the additional time and effort. 

The staff at Page 1 Books were delightful and I sold 4 books -- a record! It is a very laid-back, kind of funky hipster (in a good way) community book store. Lots of used books as well as new and lots and lots of books by local authors. The wind, on the other hand -- they warned us that Albuquerque gets wind in the Spring. It would blew not only bookmarks but actual books onto the ground. I spent most of my time sprawled across the table holding things down. The staff felt so bad, they offered to host me again later in the summer, after the time of the winds!

This Saturday, June 7, I will be in Santa Fe at Garcia Street Books from 10-1 or 2, with two other authors, members of the New Mexico Book Association. The Association has an arrangement with Garcia Street Books for three authors on the first Saturday of the month. I'm so excited, I'm going up on Friday and staying over just so that I won't risk being late!

Wheels Museum is coming up on June 28, the Mesa Verde Literary Festival on July 12, and four others, including Page 1, are in the works for August and possibly September. These will be with the members of my writer's group, Write Minds, so we should attract more people to the tables, with our variety of works in a variety of genres. 

I still haven't heard back from the Castañeda or Plaza Hotels. I'll follow up one more time, but at this point, I'm thinking it might be better to just wait until November and the Fred Harvey Weekend.