1 – From your website bio it’s easy to see how you were drawn to write about the Falls and the Niagara area.  One of the more interesting places in the book is “Ol’Gordy’s.” Is this an actual place and if it is how does it compare to the “Ol’Gordy’s in Bridges?  If not, how did you come up with this idea?

dk - While there are a number of shops and businesses in Niagara with pictures of Niagara Falls, and some from the old days, Ol’Gordy’s was a fabrication of life as I recall it in 1962. It’s actually a combination of a corner deli called “Wally’s Market” that was in Riverside, Buffalo and what I think it should have been if I owned it in Niagara Falls.

2 – The descriptions of the places and the locales in Bridges were quite effective in transporting the readers to the Niagara of the early 1960’s.  One particular setting that struck me was the secret passage down to the Falls and the “Wall of Ice” the boys found there.  Does such a passage exist and, if it does, have you ever ventured down to the “Wall of Ice?”  Is there really a demon?

dk - The power station and its collapse in 1956 were real enough. I was going to include a story within the novel about it but it got left on the cutting floor. As far as the tunnel passage down the side of the gorge from there – that was all fiction, so no there was no secret way down and no ice wall.

I’ve been asked a lot about the ‘ice demon’ and what exactly that was. I’ve addressed the “ice demon” on my website and readers can learn more details about this here.

3 – The personalities of the boys are all quite authentic.  Are these based upon real people and did any of them have similar adventures at the Falls?

dk - I grew up in a diverse, mixed part of Buffalo, so it was natural for me to write about the diversity of the boys.  Also, I wanted to tie the themes of the historical stories into the main characters and so I included their nationalities and backgrounds.

For example, I love the paradox of Lennie and Kevin standing looking at the railroad bridge not knowing that it was their ancestors, working together, a hundred years earlier that allowed Lennie his freedom – only the reader knows.

I’m not aware of anyone from my youth having any involvement with the Gorge. I didn’t know there was such a thing as the Gorge. Never seen it until I was in my 20’s. I grew up on the Upper Niagara, above the Falls, and never gave the lower river a thought. I went there once with an old fisherman to catch ‘Blue Pike’ but it was at night and I was 13 so it might as well been in Africa. The Falls itself was something I only feared as we tubed and swam in the river above it. We didn’t want to go over that ‘ya know’.

4 – The flashbacks were captivating.  Through their placement the reader gains an understanding of the area and the lore around Niagara that would have otherwise been difficult to work into the story of Bridges.  How did you decide on the precise flashbacks in the book?  Were there others that didn’t make the cut?

dk - Niagara is steeped in history and lore. People only think of the Falls themselves when they think of Niagara. I wanted to show people some of the history of Niagara. The events are true – the characters and stories came from my pen. There are so many more stories I wanted to write about but I thought four was enough. Anymore and it would have taken too much away from the central story. I also wanted to tie in some of the threads of the historical stories with the main story and these were appropriate. One I wrote but cut out was about the power plant collapsing, as I mentioned. Also one about the Honeymoon bridge collapsing.  I was going to write one about Maria who was the only woman to ever walk across the gorge. But that’s a story into itself.

5 – Of the historical flashbacks, which is your favorite and why?

dk - I don’t have a favorite, couldn’t do that. That would be like picking which son is my favorite. I love each one for different reasons. Each is separate and stands on its own and I tried to bring each one alive for the era in which it occurred. Lizzie and the Drummer boy and Francis and Henry are all my friends and family.

6 – What was the most challenging part of researching and writing Bridges?

dk - The hardest part is and ‘is’ and not a ‘was’. Not being satisfied with what’s finished. I never am. To this day I can’t read any piece of it without grabbing a pencil and making changes. I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse – but it sure makes me unhappy.

The hardest parts to write about were the historical inserts. After some failed attempts, I realized I had to write each one totally separate and then bundle everything together. With those inserts, the novel covers 230 years of history with varying nationalities, dialects and races included. Each one required separate research and background development. I had to keep each one separate and real. Turned out to be a lot more difficult than I had anticipated.

Lots of research went into the novel. I’m physically very aware of the Falls and the Gorge, but the stories I wasn’t. People there don’t know their own history as much as we’d like to think we do. But there is a large contingent of ‘history nuts’ who know a great deal of Niagara history, so I took a lot of time to research the events surrounding the stories to make them as historically accurate as I could. In fact most of the ‘editing’ and revising I did to get the novel down from over 100000 words to just over 80000 was cutting out detail.

7 – How long did it take you to complete Bridges?

dk - Not long, somewhere between 2 and 38 years.

In September 2008, I had cause to go through some old papers and I came across a short story I had written 36 years earlier. It was 12 typewritten, yellowed pages and was about an old picture of the ice bridge of Niagara Falls I had seen then. Reading it on the floor I grabbed a pencil and immediately started rewriting it. One year to the month and 350 pages later “Bridges” was written.

One year and  22 rewrites after that, “Bridges – a Tale of Niagara” was done. So, I guess you could say it took somewhere between 2 and 38 years. (let you in on a secret: read my blog here and see if you can’t put my answer to this question together with the blog?!)

8 – Excellent answer, now, as you are aware, taking a novel from conceptualization to reality can be a long and frustrating journey.  What advice would you offer for those writers who are just starting out?

dk - Everyone has their own system and way of writing. Whatever that system is, stay true to the writing and to yourself. Believe in yourself and allow the pen to work. Don’t force it and don’t stick to preconceived plots. Let the creative energy that’s inside you work. It will if you let it and it’ll always be better by it.

Then polish, polish, polish. For me it never ends. If I pick it up now and read it I start penciling in changes. I can’t rest unless each word is right.

9 – Going back to “Ol’Gordy’s” for a moment.  Are there any local icon type establishments in the Niagara area where one may stumble upon a picture of you on the wall?  If so, is there a story behind the photo?

dk - No one’s ever asked anything like that, but since you did, there’s pictures hanging inside the ‘Barton’ house. Yes it’s still there today. Another secret: You see I once owned it, but that’s another story.

10 – After reading Bridges one can only wonder if you have ever been out on an ice bridge and if you have, what was it like?  Any photos you’d like to share?

dk - I’ll leave that answer for the reader to decide. How do they say it “I plead the fifth, so as not to incriminate myself”?

11 – Finally, what's next for you as a writer?

dk - Absolutely! I’ve written some short stories recently that I’m preparing for publication soon and I’m working on my next novel.  I’m fortunate and blessed that my ‘flame’ didn’t go out over the years and was able to be turned up, so as long as there’s breath in my body, words in my mind and feelings in my heart, I’ll find the means to write and hopefully, someone will want to read it.

For more information on the author, visit his website here.  For a review of Bridges – A Tale of Niagara go here.

“Okay, we have everything?”

“Books, business cards, bookmarks, stand, poster, yes, it all seems to be here.”

“Did you get the bricks?”

“Damn it, we forgot the bricks.”

Getting ready for a book signing is a exercise in planning and organization – plain and simple.  Oh, and plan on nothing going the way you plan or organize.

However if you do plan you can at least minimize the chaos that will surely be trying to run you down.

I’ve developed an approach I use to get ready for the book signing events that I’ve found works well to make sure things run as smoothly as possible.  I thought I’d share it and, please, comment or email and let me know if I’ve overlooked anything or if there are things that help your events run more smoothly.

The first thing I do for events is to maintain a pre-packed set up ready to go.  This includes copies of my books that I monitor and restock to ensure ample copies on hand for future events. 

I make sure I have an adequate stock of all of my promotional materials.  I keep refills of pens for signing and I also keep a change for payments. 

As to payments, make sure to take credit cards.  One of the neatest things I have found is an app for the iPhone called SquareUp.  The app lets you process credit cards on your iPhone.

I also have other assorted things in my brief case – assorted office supplies, paper, post it notes, calculator, scissors, and the like.  Basically if I am at a signing event and need something that I don’t have then I get it after the signing and put it in the permanent kit.

I keep all of this organized in one area of my home office so it’s ready to go and I can avoid last minute, “Where is the darn widget?” moments.  As well you never know when you may need to do an emergency signing.

Now you’ve got your stuff ready to go.  What’s the next step?

What follows assumes you’ve already booked a signing.  It’s a timeline of sorts to ease with planning and make your event all that much more enjoyable.

When you’re about 3-4 weeks out from the event, follow up with the venue and find out what set up they will offer.  Make sure to discuss your specific needs – table, chairs, etc.  You don’t want to be signing books sitting on the floor!

If you’ll be doing a reading find out if they’ll video it or if you need to arrange to do it.  Don’t speak unless you record it for use on your website.  Talk through the logistics.  This shouldn’t take long, but do it in advance to avoid last minute problems.

About this same time start marketing.  Market, market, market.  I find it helps with events if you have a core group of people who will show up when you do your events as it will let the event host see that you have support which will cause word of mouth to kick in and will help with getting booked again.  Make extensive use of social media.

About a week out confirm once again with the host and make sure that the times are firm and a meeting place is established.  Make sure the event host has a handle on everything from their end. 

The day before, check all of your material and supplies to make sure you have everything you need.

On the day of the event, pack early.  Leave early and plan to arrive early.  If you are driving, don’t speed.  Nothing will ruin a book event like a speeding ticket.

One of the most crucial elements I have at my book signing events is an email sign up list.  Even if people don’t buy your book, get their email and put them on your mailing list (You do have a mailing list, right?)

I also find it really helpful to have an assistant or someone else to help out.  If you are busy talking to a person then the second person can answer questions and then introduce you to the new folks.  Sometimes I take one of my dogs to events (Check with the venue in advance) people love dogs and my dog loves them.  Helps to get people talking and if readers start talking they want to buy and read your book.

Set up smile and sell some books!

Oh yes, the bricks.  When I do signings I have a tripod stand where I display an enlarged cover of my book with Microsoft tags for more information, jpegs of awards and a photo of myself.  If the signing is outdoors the tripod and display tend to want to blow away in the wind.  The bricks are to anchor the stand do I don’t look like I am running away from potential readers.

While you’re here, if you would like to read an excerpt from my book do that here.  You can also buy your own copy – they are available through the website with free shipping.  A portion of all proceeds will be donated to canine charities. 

My book, The Trust, has been out for about 5 months.  I’m not giving up my day job anytime soon, but I’ve been overwhelmed and humbled by the support and reception the book has received.

Especially when you consider the fact that I am a first time, unknown writer such as myself.

However several interesting things have happened I never expected.  I was completely taken off guard at the new things I began to notice that before I never even knew existed.  (Of course this makes me wonder what else I am missing).

Amazon sales rank for instance.  As any writer is likely aware Amazon and other online retailers track sales numbers for books that are sold through their respective sites. 

Amazon goes so far as to regularly update their ranking numbers giving authors the ability numerous times through the day to see what their books are doing (of not doing) as to sales.

This has also created a plethora of individual lists for rankings.  This has also created an addiction of sorts for some new authors, or so I’ve been told.

In the past the one major list people looked towards for “best seller” information was the New York Times Best Seller List.  Period.

Today things are decidedly different with some of the online retailers offering a seemingly ever-increasing number of “best seller” lists. 

In the past we had a fiction best seller list and a non-fiction best seller list. 

Today while those two lists still exists, is seems like every week new lists are added as the existing lists are broken down in to growing list of categories. 

However, this creates an interesting reality.  Much like a search one would do on Google™, the more the search is refined the fewer results you get.  In the realm of best sellers, the more you focus the list, the fewer books you have that make up the sub-genre.

In the past if you had two novels, one about a young woman involved in a coming of age story with vampires and another about a retired watchmaker searching for the perfect left-handed coffee cup, you’d have two works of fiction massed together with all of the other books on a single best seller list. 

However, today with multiple sub-categories present, while the coming of age tale may be in the top 10 on virtually any all encompassing list from the New York Times Best Seller list on down, there may be one or two lists where the coffee cup seeker’s tale is #1.  However, when was the last time you looked at the best seller list “Fiction-ebook-mystery-thriller-coffee related books-left-handed protagonist?” 

Probably not too recently.

I’ve found myself in this trap and have worked to stay away from the fray.  I find I generally feel better when I avoid the temptation to check my Amazon too often.

In large part, I’ve tried to avoid the sales rank obsession.  Sure, I want my book to do well and I, like the majority of independent and small press authors, am working incredibly hard to ensure the success of my book, but Amazon sales rank is not the be all end all in the success equation.

Focus on small quantifiable steps.  Every sale counts and if you go out and make the sale happen yourself, you stand a much better chance of having the reader you connected with go out and tell someone else about your book.

If you have a couple of events in a week and sell 50 books your Amazon numbers may drop significantly, but it was an incredible week for you as an author. Bases loaded home runs are amazing to watch but small ball will win games too.

Look at Amazon sales numbers from time to time, but remember that those sales numbers don’t take into account the good will you are building by getting out and selling your book.  Take half a step back and realize the success you are enjoying.

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.  I promise I won’t check my Amazon sales numbers until tomorrow!

Niagara Falls evokes similar images for virtually any who consider this natural wonder and the surrounding area.  Water flowing over the two falls, the Maid of the Mist, and yes, honeymoons, all likely come to mind.

But it shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn there is oh so much more to Niagara.

With this in mind, dk LeVick opens the door to the history and lore of all that is Niagara.

The tale opens as a firefighter slowly makes his way towards the falls to render aide during a natural phenomenon that occurs at the Falls.  From time to time the river below the falls freezes forming a natural “ice bridge” that allows the brave, or foolish, to walk out literally to the base of the falls.  The firefighter is investigating reports of people on the ice when,….

It turns out several young boys, all residents of the area embarked on a winter adventure below the falls.

The members of this rag tag crew decided the best way to make their mark and to preserve their place in Niagara’s history is to accomplish a feat worthy of a spot on the wall of fame at the local café where the history of Niagara is told through photographs. 

What better way to get their photo on the wall than by venturing out onto a rare ice bridge and capturing the moment on film? A quick trip down for one picture and the boys place in history is ensured.

If only reality was as simple as conceived by the adolescent mind.

Set in the early 1960’s, Levick uses the boy’s adventures to escort the reader on a trip through Niagara’s fascinating history by using a series of flashbacks to paint the picture of the Falls’ colorful and amazing past.

Those who have traveled to the Falls will recall seeing a small island that divides the American and Canadian Falls.  The island, Goat Island it is called, has a history all its own centered around a reclusive soul who once called the island home.  Thus the reader learns about the Hermit of Goat Island.

Another flash back touches on the history of the honeymoon or “honey-lunacy” the tradition was first called.   In 1848, two couples travel to Niagara to celebrate their respective marriages.  During their stay the falls runs dry leading to a chain of events that one would have never expected.

Bridges is full of unexpected flashbacks such as these making the book so much more than a tale of the less than well developed plan of a group of boys.

However, the major theme of the book is that of the bridge.  Through the book, bridges become the touchstone for literally every major event. 

LeVick gets a lot into the book.  Given the time period and his unique way of revisiting the past, he is able to deal with a number of themes that would otherwise be difficult to tackle.  Racism, slavery, coming of age, parent/child relationships and the general and life’s ever-present balance of right and wrong are all woven together in surprisingly effective fashion.

I’m often skeptical when I see an author tackle too many lofty themes and I will say that I was initially a touch confused when the story was broken up with the first flashback after what I would describe as a very compelling start.  However, the rhythm and pace of the story is quickly established and the fabric of the story is woven together in a way that ties the past together with the present making the flashbacks a pleasant twist.

LeVick has a gift for dialogue, particularly with the boys who are the central characters.  Even though he is dealing with adolescents, he does a very effective job of capturing the personalities of his characters as they grow through the story.   His dialogue also shines in capturing nuances in the language and speech patterns covering more than 150 years of cultural change.

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the story is how LeVick leaves a trail of literary breadcrumbs through the novel that he assembles at the end of the tale leaving the reader quite satisfied and, at least for this reviewer, quite impressed. 

Bridges is an easy and enjoyable read that I would recommend for someone looking for an interesting and engaging tale.  In particular fans of historical fiction will find this book interesting as so much of the less known past of Niagara is told throughout the book’s story.

In a nod to Forrest, Forrest Gump, “Momma said you never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

Words more true have never been spoken. 

Particularly if you’re a writer.

As a writer, it’s all about grabbing a reader’s attention and getting them serious about another look.

Think about it for a moment. 

Say you want to get an agent’s attention.  What do you need?  An amazingly effective query letter.  It doesn’t matter if your manuscript is out of this world, you have to quickly grab the agent’s attention and keep it.

Say you want to get the reader to move past the first page. Your first line has to be enough to get them to the second line, then to the next then to the end of the page and beyond. 

Keep in mind readers have any number of things they could be doing other than reading your book.  In fact, before a reader even gets to the first page, they have to get the book in their hands. 

Here the first impression is of paramount importance.

How does your book make a first impression?  Either have a well-funded ad campaign behind it or have a great cover (though both really helps).  Since most of us don’t have huge ad budgets, we get to go with the cover approach.

You need a cover that sets your book apart and makes it really stand out.

Take a look at the cover.  Something about this just makes you want to read the book.

Check this one out.  How could you not want to read that book?

Then there’s this one.  Personally, one of my favorites. 

Now, I will say that not every great book has a great cover.  One of my favorite books, A Confederacy of Dunces, has an interesting cover, but it, in my humble opinion, the cover doesn’t really make you rush right over and want to dive in.  It more so makes you stop, wander over and wonder what the book possibly could be about.  If your wondering, check out the review here.

So what do you need for a good cover?

1 – Go Professional

If you have a publisher, follow their lead.  Your publisher knows what sells and what works.  They will be motivated to have  your book grab attention and fly off the shelf.  They want that first impression to be a reaction that makes the reader reach for their wallet.  If your publisher suggests a cover, give it really careful attention.

So you don’t have a publisher?  Spend some money to have a professional with a tight portfolio design your cover.  There are loads of firms online that provide the service at all price points, so shop around.  One firm you might want to check out is Novel Publicity.  (I don’t own the company or even get a kickback, but they are great people who do good work.)  The point here is money spent to put a great cover on your book will always be an excellent investment.

It’s your book, but remember you’re a writer not a design professional.  (Unless you happen to be a design professional who is also a writer.)  Get a pro involved.

2 – Keep it Simple

The one thing I like about effective book covers is that they aren’t too busy.  They pick a theme and convey it in a straightforward fashion.  If a cover is too busy you run the risk of having the reader move on to the next and more appealing cover. 

If a reader is browsing the bookstore shelves they may spend perhaps 2 seconds on a particular cover. 

So you have 2 seconds to grab their attention.  The previous paragraph is less 20 words and it likely took you longer than 2 seconds to read it. You have to grab and keep a reader’s attention.

Short and simple.  Powerful and effective.  Those are the covers that scream, “READ THIS BOOK!”  Of course, without literally saying that.

3 – Color or Black and White

Ah, there’s the rub.  As with many things in the writer’s realm, there is no simple answer.  Think mood.  What are you trying to convey?  You may not want to have a black and white cover for a tale of hope and wonder, but for a edgy tale black and white may be just the thing.  Check this one out.

The same is true for graphics or a photograph.  It depends on the mood you are trying to convey and what you are wanting to get across to the reader.  My book, The Trust, has a photograph on the cover, but the photo yields to the theme and feel of the book.

4 – Options and more Options

Before you decide on a final cover for your book, work through several options.  Get input from other readers, from friends and even those off of the street.  A second opinion is always important and a third and fourth are even better.  Particularly when it deals with the face you’re putting forward on your book.

That all being said, there are no hard fast rules for covers.  Perhaps the one rule that covers all situations is, “Don’t have a bad cover.”  Another good catchall rule is, ”When in doubt, less is more.”  There is nothing wrong with a simple design.  No one can complain about a text only publisher. 

At the end of the day the cover of the book is the face the world will see.  Make sure it is one everyone wants to look at again and again.  As long as it is effective then the cover is right for you!

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   Feel free to leave a comment, even if it is about my cover. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.

I thought it time to review a classic.  A Confederacy of Dunces.

The late John Kennedy Toole wrote Confederacy and no review could be complete without an understanding of Toole. 

Toole was born in New Orleans where he started writing at an early age.  His first novel was completed when he was but 16.  Toole became a college professor though he wrote Confederacy while in the Army.  Once completed, he undertook the task we all know as publishing; however, Confederacy was universally rejected.  Suffering from depression in part from his perceived failure as a writer, Toole took his own life at the age of 31.  With his death came the end of one of the most unique voices in American literature.  Ever.

More than a decade after his death, through the tireless efforts of his mother and with the assistance of novelist Walter Percy, Confederacy was published in 1980.  It went on to be receive a Pulitzer.  Not bad for a book that was called “pointless” by one editor. 

Today Confederacy is recognized as a mainstay of Southern Literature.

At the heart of Confederacy is Ignatius J. Reilly, a flamboyant, vile, larger than life anti-hero.  In fact if told the main character was a 30 something overweight, grotesque, flatulent, self-indulgent slob, it’s no surprise that an editor might pass on the book.  However, to pass on this book is to pass on virtual perfection.

In short summary, Ignatius is frustrated by the hand in life he has been dealt.  No one understands his genius.  No one understands his plight.  No one is his equal.  He struggles everyday to bring some semblance order to his world, to unite those around him in the common goal of realism and intellect – his intellect.

Oh the ride on which he takes us. 

Ignatius abhors all that is modern culture.  He despises Greyhound.  He attends the movies only to mock them.  He feels the world lacks order and “geometry.”  He finds solace in the medieval philosophers, Boethius in particular.   However, this is balanced against his love for all of the modern conveniences of the world. (If Ignatius lived today he would curse social media, technology and progress all the while Tweeting about it to the masses.)

Ignatius feels he does not belong in this world and that a higher power, Fortuna and her evil wheel of fate, guide his destiny and that all he can do is hold on and bear witness. 

As complex as is the plot, it begins in the most simple of fashions.

Dressed in a green hunting cap complete with earflaps, large tweed trousers, flannel shirt and muffler, Ignatius awaits his mother’s return from shopping in downtown New Orleans.  While waiting Ignatius and his garb attract the attention of a patrolman who decides to haul him in as a “suspicious character.”  Though Ignatius avoids a trip to jail, while driving them home, his mother crashes their car into a building.  Not having the money to pay for the damage, Ignatius must go to work to help pay the debt.  From here we are off to the races, or for Ignatius, off to the hot dog cart by way of the textile factory.

Pair with Ignatius a burnt out manufacturing executive, a scheming female burlesque club owner, an African-American porter, a downtrodden police officer, a crew of French Quarter dandies, a juvenile delinquent, a moronic night club dancer and a cast of other characters and the fun is non-stop.

Toole is from New Orleans and his knowledge of the city with all of its subtleties is the true strength of Confederacy.    He has a command of the dialogue and undoubtedly was intimately acquainted with each and every character in Confederacy. 

The prose is lyrical as the tale unfolds. 

The dialogue at times will have you pause to put the book down.  You’ll be laughing so hard you won’t be able to focus on the words.  At other times the plot will make you stop in an effort to understand how Toole was able to accomplish what you just read.

For fans of southern literature, read Confederacy.  For those who have yet to discover the magic, read Confederacy.  For those of you who are reading this review having read Confederacy, read Confederacy again.

We have heard a lot about New Orleans today and perhaps we have lost perspective on what the city once was.  Confederacy will always preserve the city in a way that everyone should love to remember.

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.

I’ve never been a marketer.  Never really been a salesman either.  Sure, I’ve sold stereos at the now sort of defunct Circuit City but the idea of planning a marketing strategy was enough to make me roll my eyes and throw up my hands in surrender.

Oh, I’m talking about marketing my book, The Trust.

I remember the day I received a phone call from a publisher saying he wanted to publish. 

There was much rejoicing. 

The contract was reviewed and signed. Then waiting began.  Sometime between my pen hitting the contract and the day the book was released there was an “Oh S*#T!” moment when I realized that I, the marketing apprentice at best, was going to be leading a marketing campaign for my first book.

Rejoicing turned to terror.

So I took a deep breath and embraced my reality.  I compare it to being thrown into the deep end of the pool.  At night.  With sharks.  Hungry sharks.

So with that I began to learn about marketing and today I’m going to talk about a few non-traditional ideas for selling your books.  I should warn you that this is going to be old school and low tech.  We are going to talk about book events. 

1 – The First Step

As obvious as this may seem, the first step is the most important.  Think to all of the cheesy real estate commercials you’ve seen. 

Location, Location, Location.  This is the most important thing you can do – target your event location. However, I would encourage you to avoid visiting only bookstores as the location for your events.  Simply put in a bookstore you book will be one of many.  Sure you will be there, but so will countless others. Mix it up.  Have fun with it.

2 – Think Outside of the Box

This is the most important component of the equation.  I’ve developed a formula of sorts for book events.  To be successful I need a stream of people, a comfortable location, and a conversation starter.  If I can get people talking then I can get them talking about my book.  If I can get them talking about my book I can get them to buy it.

An example of such a location is a small wine shop.  Small wine shops (or gift shops, or tobacco shops or specialty shops or store with a theme matching your book, etc.) don’t stock or regularly sell books.   You’ll be the only game in town, competing with not a single other writer. 

What wine shops do have is wine tastings and sometimes they are free.  Keep in mind people love free stuff, especially free wine.  There’s the comfortable location and stream of customers.  Now all you have to do is get them talking.  (Hint – the wine never hurts when it comes to that!)  People will naturally want to see the author in the wine shop.  Start the conversation and watch the books sell.

Think locations where there are large groups of people.  Sporting events for instance.  Nearly every mid-size plus urban area has a minor league sporting team of one ilk or another.  These organizations are AMAZING for community support and will generally welcome an author out for a game.  Offer to pair your event with a fund raising cause that the team supports.  They’ll love you.  Think about an afternoon at the ballpark signing books and talking to baseball fans.  Stream of people, great location and people talking about your book.

3 – Give the People what they Want

Book clubs are a great way to market your book and to get feedback at the same time.  If you get a book club interested in your book then you can count on a number of sales.  To help this, I offer to attend the meeting when my book is discussed.  These have been some of the most enjoying times involving my book. 

For every book club I’ve approached they’ve loved having the writer come to speak to them.  Seems most readers don’t get to meet writers.  Book club members have friends in other book clubs.  They talk.  If you’re a hit at one, word will get around.  I’m starting to believe there is a book club circuit.

4 – Don’t be afraid to try something new.

You’ll have some book events where you’ll feel lucky to have sold one book.  However, always smile and tell the host how great it is to be there.  Follow up in your most gracious fashion and keep plugging along.  Keep books in your car when you drive around so you can always be prepared to pitch for an event.  Always have promotional material for people so they will know how to buy your book when they are looking for a new read.

I look at it the same as being a band trying to hit the big time.  I’m sure that U2 or The Killers or the current band de jure played to an empty house or two on the way up. 

The point of all of this is that one step, or in this case, one book at a time, is always a step in the right direction.  Think outside the box and if people are seeing you and your book, sales will follow.

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.

I’ve written blogs previously on sex – for example see here.  These articles have covered the topic of how to construct a sex scene.  What is enough sex?  What is not enough sex?  Generally the focus is how to construct a sex scene.

However, that begs the question of should you have sex, in your writing, at all?

Many would say that basically anytime you want would be a good time to have sex – again speaking of having it in your writing.  Others, most certainly, would say there is no need to include sex in your writing at all.

So what is a writer to do? Sex or abstinence?  Which is the road to literary fulfillment? Or perhaps, which is the path to literary enlightenment? 

As with any question of a literary nature, the answer is somewhat less that clear.

Likely it would be safe to say in the opinion of many there is no formulaic approach as to when to or when not to have sex.  There is many a literary masterpiece out there with not a single scene of intimacy.  The same is true on the other side of the equation.  Many a literary masterpiece has an overload of intimate scenes.

Different strokes for different, well, writers and readers.

Perhaps the easiest way to answer this question of whether or not to have sex in your book is to understand that a sex scene alone will not automatically make bad literature good, but it may make good literature bad.

In short it is not simply breaking up the work for a sex scene.  It is more about weaving a sex scene into the tapestry of the literature.

What? How do we do that?  Well, write about it to start with.

First and foremost, don’t make the sex awkward. Simply put, you don’t want to end up with sex scenes, even well written ones, that are gratuitous.  These will add nothing to the work, will seem contrived and will likely hurt your characters and the work as a whole.

Perhaps the most important tidbit of guidance a writer can have is that a sex scene is not and should not be an isolated scene in a book (generally speaking). 

For the most part, an effective sex scene builds, sometimes perhaps for a goodly amount of time, over several chapters.  While there will be occasions where the sex scene comes out of left field, if there are two characters in a sex scene, there needs to be some prep-work.  Readers want to identify with the character and their efforts. 

For example consider two characters, perhaps a male and a female detective.  Say they’re working a case and suddenly end up in bed.  That’s certainly not out of the question, but imagine how much more effective the scene would be if one of the two, or perhaps both, had been harboring thoughts of their encounter.  Perhaps they had dreamt fantasized about having sex with their partner.  Perhaps one thought about it and one didn’t. Perhaps one of them is married. 

This give you a vehicle to build tension prior to the sex scene, but also allows you to lay the groundwork for what happens afterwards. 

Also keep in mind that just because the sex is over it doesn’t necessarily mean that the tension between the characters has or should end.  A sex scene between two characters can give you tension fodder for the rest of your book (and into the sequels if you play your cards right.)

Take the example of our detectives.  Sure the actual sex scene is tremendously important; however, the options for sexual tension leading up to the actual sex scene provide for a sub-plot all their own.  Then there are the consequences of the sex for the characters. 

Perhaps the detectives discover that they’re great as cops, but lousy as lovers.  Perhaps they discover their soul mate in each other that causes problems with their professional relationship because now instead of a partner in harms way it is a loved one.  Perhaps one loved it and the other not so much and the feelings end up in contrast.  Loads of possibilities. 

The lesson is that sex allows for the opportunity for a great individual scene, but also for build up and aftermath.  Sure, a talented writer can evoke some incredible thoughts and emotions on the part of the reader with a well-crafted sex scene, but the real measure of the writer is how they are able to weave in the changes in the relationship between the characters as a result of the actual sex.

Experiment and be creative, build some tension, release it and let the characters guide you through the changes in their relationship post-sex.  You may just see that the book you started got a little better along the way.   

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.