Jule Selbo

7 DAYS, A Dee Rommel Mystery, was released a month ago. So far I have had a wonderful time doing events at Groveland Library in Massachusetts (what a reading community, headed by librarian Sue Nakanishi – she has such a loyal group of readers). A jolly time at Richmond Library (smaller crowd but amazing questions and great cookies provided by librarian Betsey Noble),an event at Print Bookstore (with crime/mystery writer Matt Cost as interviewer – we had lots of laughs and extra chairs had to be brought out of the closet). I spent a few hours Saturday at LetterPress books on Auburn Street in Portland (a steady and loyal clientele – many were excited to start a new crime-mystery series). And then came Baxter Library in Gorham (thanks librarian Nissa Flanagan and the Friends of the Library who champions these events). Coming up is Scarborough and South Portland and Bangor and almost a dozen more and ten bookclubs. Add to this several podcasts “appearances” and I am starting to think I’m on the Swift Eras tour.

     
Hard to tell which one is me, right?

I know authors are supposed to do these events and really, I am glad to be invited/accepted! And (for me) it is fun once I am at the venue – but hours before?

Yep, those introvert nerves kick in a good six or so hours before and I’m a Linus with a blanket over my head – suddenly agoraphobic and sure all will be a disaster.

For writers who set out to communicate/entertain/engage with readers –  why is face-to-face one of the harder things we do? As one writer told me – hey think of yourself as a musician who wants his/her album to sell. Well, he/she has to go on TOUR, right?

So that’s what we do – pack up the car with books and get on the road.  I heard John Grisham did this in his early writing career. I wanted to check to see if it was true and AI told me it was indeed true!

AI: Yes, in the early days of his writing career, John Grisham did sell copies of his first novel, “A Time to Kill,” from the trunk of his car. After his first book had a few thousand copies printed, Grisham would buy some himself and then sell them to try and increase sales. One account says he even purchased 1,000 copies and sold them from his car.

AI also tells me Stephen King, Jackie Collins, Dean Koontz and even Michael Connelly did “direct sales” at conventions, book clubs or going from bookstore to bookstore to sell their first self-published works.

My Dee Rommel Books have a small publisher – in Texas. When I signed my contract, they assured me their marketing arm was strong. I was naïve then – and believed all I had to do was “the writing”.  Well, we all know that’s not true –  so thank you all the great venues for being there, introducing the books to readers and supporting writers! And for creating those great posters and email posters and announcements on your websites!  Thank you!

I am so glad that 7 DAYS is out and joining the first three Dee Rommel Books.

PS: This month I wanted to write about ‘creeping sexism’ that is supported by the overuse of “you guys” for male and female groups. But between NOT wanting to leave the condo and LEAVING the condo and taking showers and deciding what to wear and how to make the book events fun for those who show up – didn’t get it finished. I’ll leave that for June.