“Webs of Power” Receives Another Award!

Yes, it’s true, “Webs of Power” has received Best Books Finalist Award in The National Best Books 2009 Awards for Fiction & Literature: General Fiction.

If you haven’t bought your copy of “Webs of Power” it is out in paperback now. Already have a copy – buy it for a friend or relative as a perfect holiday gift.   “Webs if Power” is still available in hardcover online, as well as kindle and ebooks.

The sequel “Twisted Webs” is almost complete!

Congratulations Darlene, we look forward to “Twisted Webs”.

~Kathy Porter

I just might finish “Twisted Webs” the sequel to “Webs of Power” today!

Reading and Children

Have you ever taught a child to read? You may not think you have, however, if you read to your children or grand children at an early age, you have made a significant contribution to their ability to read and learn.

Recently I saw an infomercial with a new way of teaching young babies to read.  They suggest holding up colorful flashcards with words and pictures, saying the word to the child. These tiny tots are learing reading and language skills far above their age level. I am not promoting that anyone go out and buy a set of flash cards or a reading program to teach their children to read, but I am suggesting that all children be read to at an early age for their educational developement.

Setting a pattern of reading for your child at an early age is a wonderful way to stir the imagination of a child. It encourages them to want to read on their own. There is nothing sweeter then having a child sit in your lap listening to you read a book and allowing them to turn the page for you. Or sitting beside their bed at night, reading a bedtime story before tucking them in. Children that have been read to, read better, which is a great asset to their ability to learn and excel in school.

As the holidays approach consider a gift of books to local schools for their classrooms or media centers. Schools welcome books for all age levels. You may want to contact the school librarian or your childs teacher  to find out if there are particular books that are  needed.   

Books unleash a child’s imagination and desire to learn, as well as creating a pattern of reading, for learning or hours of reading  adventure.

Read to a child today.

~Kathy Porter

Books for the Holidays

It’s time to start looking ahead to the holidays which will soon be upon us.  Gift buying for Christmas and Hanukkah is sometimes difficult, like knowing  just what to give Uncle Joe or Aunt Mary. There will always be a huge variety of department store wonders to choose from, but you can spend hours agonizing over who gets what.  Then there is the problem of  it being sold out while you were taking  the time to make your decision. Do you order or choose something else? Holiday shopping  can be a challenge.

To make your Christmas and Hanukkah shopping easier I suggest you buy books. There are thousands to choose from in book stores and online. You can find  book gift suggestions on the internet, books to give  mom’s, dad’s, grandparents, teens, children, and then there are also many book club recommendations.

After the hustle and bustle of bumper to bumper Mall traffic you will find that a book store filled with the scent of new books and hot coffee offers the tranquility and solace you need.  Uncle Joe would like a mystery, Aunt Mary enjoys mainstream fiction all easy to find on the well marked book shelves. Once your shopping is complete you will still have time to sit and have a nice relaxing cup of coffee.

Remember if you do your book shopping early you can mail out your books using media mail rates, a special low rates for books, through the US Postal Service.

Now that you know how to make your holiday shopping far more enjoyable and easy I have a few book suggestions for you. For your friends and relatives who enjoy feeling smarter about things they have heard or read about, while sharing the lives of fascinating characters and being thoroughly entertained - I suggest Darlene Quinn’s “Webs of Power”, which is now in paperback! Let’s not forget the mystery readers, especially those who watched Barnaby Jones, or the Beverly Hillbillies and enjoyed Buddy Ebsen’s many talents. For this select group I recommend “Sizzling Cold Case” a Barnaby Jones mystery. Darlene complete this novel for Buddy Ebsen at the request of Buddy’s widow Dorothy. 

Each of your relatives and friends has their own unique taste in books,  however, you can rest assure that ”Sizzling Cold Case” or “Webs of Power” can cover the  majority of your gift giving needs. So go and buy several copies and take a huge bit out of you holiday shopping needs.  Please don’t forget to have a rewarding cup of coffee after you shop! You deserve it. 

 ~Kathy Porter

Friendly Marketing

Darlene has been very busy writing “Twisted Webs” the sequel to “Webs of Power”. Something I have observed working with Darlene is that, although life has it interruptions, she rarely fails to get some writing in each day. True to her craft, her creativity and determination see her through chapter after chapter. I admire her tenacity.

Darlene also taps into her best sources for marketing her books. This past week she attended “Ladies Evening with the Authors” at the Long Beach Yacht Club, which she is a member of, to speak about “Webs of Power”. This was a very wise decision from a book marketing perspective, a large friendly crowd is always great, but the event was filled with readers – and readers buy books.

The best authors know how to engage their family, friends, and acquaintances successfully create not just immediate sales, but also word of mouth sales generated by doing local book signings, and speaking engagements.

Darlene will complete “Twisted Webs” shortly and she has a long list of friendly supporters locally that will help launch it successfully into the hands of eager readers. Soon we will begin planning our next local events inviting friends, family, and neighbors etc. and urging all to bring along a friend or two. We hope to see you there!

~Kathy Porter

Peparing for Promotional Events

Unless you have written a book intended only for family and friends, you must develop a marketing plan. To be commercially successful this is required. Writing is a craft~A book is a product and requires promotion aimed at connecting you with your readers and potential readers. Bookstore talks or book signings, speaking at book clubs, book festivals, and writers conferences, etc. Bookstores are one of the most popular, especially for launching new books. If you are a new author, bookstores are a great venue to introduce you and your book to readers. But what do you need to make an event successful?

The typical bookstore Meet and Greet (known as an author signing) places you at the front of the store where shoppers are most likely to see you. Usually, you will make the arrangement for either a M &G’s or group discussion with the Communities Relations Manager (CRM) @ B&N Events or Sales Manger @ Borders or Store Manager. They schedule the date and time, and order a supply of your books to sell. Bookstore normally do a minimum of advanced promotion. Some fliers in the store, maybe a poster in the window, and if you’re lucky a few local newspapers will be notified. Events in book stores must usually be scheduled at least three months in advance.

Every author should include promotions aimed at putting them face-to-face with their readers and potential readers. Bookstore Meet and Greets (author signings), speaking at book clubs, book festivals, and writers conferences, etc. Bookstores are one of the most popular, especially for launching new books. If you are a new author, bookstores are a great venue to introduce you and your book to readers.

But what do you need to make an event successful? The typical bookstore Meet and Greet places you at the front of the store where shoppers are the most likely to see you. Usually, you will make the arrangement for M &G’s or talks with the CRM (Communities Relations Manager @ B&N) (Events Mangers @ Borders) or Store Manager. They schedule the date and time, and order a supply of your books to sell. Bookstore normally do a minimum of advanced promotion. Some fliers in the store, maybe a poster in the window, and if you’re lucky a few local newspapers will be notified.
What can you do to boost sales? When Darlene started promotional book talks and Meet and Greets (author signings) she contacted local newspapers. Your small local newspapers are a bevy of free or very inexpensive advertizing. Getting a free interview and your picture in the local newspaper prior to your event will draw more people into the store than the newspaper calendar posting the bookstore placed for you. Also bring along a large poster of your book cover to place on your display table or bring a tripod to display it on. Have plenty of handouts for your potential book buyers such as bookmarks, postcards, pens with your book title and website, etc.

Book festivals, conferences, authors associations, and writers groups are also great places to promote your book. These types of events have programming staff who will guide you through the process of getting your booth or table. Some have fees involved, and at most festivals you will schedule your event a few months in advance. The event promoters usually have a large email lists of potential buyers and will do email blasts, newspaper, direct mail promotions, and sometimes radio and TV ads aimed at drawing in crowds. Your name and picture will appear along with an article about your book and sometimes an author bio. You can gain greater exposure if you become a speaker at these events. As a speaker, your name, book, time, place, and the title of your talk will appear in the speaker’s list–prominently placed in the event program, encouraging potential readers and readers who are already fans to come and meet you and listen to you talk.

How should you prepare? At these large crowd events, it is important you are prepared with plenty of books to sell and one or more methods for your book buyers to pay. These are all day events, or at least several hours. Since food venders may not be conveniently located, you will need to have some snacks and water with you. Have plenty of handout materials and freebies, like bookmarks, pens, and maybe a bowl of candy for your buyers and browsers.

Publishers today are looking for authors that not only have excellent book’s, but are able to get in front of people at writers conferences, book clubs, etc. It is important that you are well spoken and can deliver a good speech now and then.

If you don’t like to or are afraid to speak in front of an audience, what do I do? This will take some action on your part, if you want to become a successful author. Although Darlene has always been able to speak publicly she joined “Toastmasters International” to improve her speaking skills. Toastmaster is a great way to learn how to speak, how to organize your speech, and how to deliver your speech. The cost is to join is minimal and is a great investment in your future, and the future of your book. Darlene highly recommends that you join!

Darlene is in demand as a speaker now, not just for writers conferences, and book club, but she is requested as a guest on both radio and television on regular basis. Each time she is seen on TV, or heard on the radio, her book “Webs of Power” is exposed to anywhere from several thousand to several million potential book buyers.

As a new author, I recommend that you follow Darlene’s lead and start calling bookstores to schedule Meet and Meets (book signings) and author talks. (Until you are well know, you should set up talks only in your home town where you are able to attract friends and family), attend writer’s conferences, contact book clubs, and start selling your books at book festivals. Join Toastmaster International so you are confident and prepared to speak at various events, and promote your book. Darlene and I wish you the best!

~Kathy Porter

Hardcover vs Paperback

Hardcover books are usually the first round of publication to arrive in bookstores. This is true of many genres, especially mainstream fiction. Many of us are excited about the feel of a new edition hardcover book. Let’s face it, hardcover books with their thicker softer paper, dust jackets, and smooth surface grace bookshelves in stores, as well as the shelves of home libraries, in a particularly appealing way. They stand rigid, and tall, and although they have been read, perhaps several times, still displaying their title and author proudly.

After hardcover books have been available for one year, which is standard for most publishers, the paperback edition will be printed. Once a paperback is available there is a typically a surge in book sales among the paperback readers, who have been waiting patiently for the latest paperbacks to arrive in their favorite bookstores . Paperback readers usually have a practical reason to purchasing a soft cover book. Millions of readers take trains, or buses to work daily. For many readers commuting to and from work takes up a substantial part of their day. Hardcover books are heavier and difficult to stuff into a purse, tote bag or briefcase, so paperback is the best choice for traveling.

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, by air or sea, a paperback is a traveler’s choice. Most airport bookstores primarily carry paperback books, and only a few choice hardcovers. When you look across the aisle on an airplane, or while relaxing on the deck of a ship, or on a sandy beach, you will see readers clasping well-worn light weight paperback books held easily in one hand. Whether you take a bus, train, taxi, airplane or ship, millions of travelers find that reading a good book is one of the most relaxing ways to spend their time.

Webs of Power is about to hit shelves everywhere as a paperback book in August. So for those of you who have been waiting for the lighter weight, easier to carry version of Webs of Power your wait is about to be over. Start watching the bookshelves of your local bookseller, or better yet, place an advance order so you’ll will be one of the first to commute with a Webs of Power paperback clutched in your hand.

~Kathy Porter

Writing is the Only Thing

Faxes coming in, blogs to write, update Facebook, MySpace, and Shelfari etc., emails to handle, signed books to mail, videos to put on YouTube and websites, where does it end. Authors have to overcome several challenges just to find the time to write. How did I find the time to write a book in the first place? What was I thinking when I began the sequel? Time is just something I don’t seem to have enough of – and worst of all – my characters as screaming at me – they want their story told. These are examples of the continuous doubts and dilemmas writers face daily as they seek out those few hours of time, hoping to write a few paragraphs or, if they are lucky, an entire chapter.

As Darlene’s assistant it’s my job to keep the everyday distractions from bogging down her ability to write, and make it easy for Darlene to block out a world of interruptions. Of course, there will always be days that pressing family matters, professional obligations, and of course the distraction she looks forward to the most, quality time with her supportive husband, Jack, make it almost impossible to write. We have all experienced times when the balance between obligations, family, and work is overwhelming. So I do my best to take the reins from Darlene often as possible, which allows Darlene time to listen to her characters and write their stories.

Writing doesn’t always come easy even when you have the time, but Darlene seems to have the wonderful ability tell her story with ease each time she sits at her desk and allows her word to flow through her nimble fingers onto the keyboard. A fellow author recently said after reading Webs of Power, “I loved Darlene’s story, her words are like butter,” I have to agree, Darlene’s words are spread across Webs of Power’s pages and like a well buttered crusty bread, once you’ve had a taste, you can’t put it down till you’ve finished it. So we patiently wait for Darlene to write Twisted Webs, the sequel to Webs of Power. Thankfully chapters and characters are coming together because Darlene, like all writers finds the time to write against all odds.

All authors strive for more time to write. Especially when fans are looking forward to their next book, and fellow authors are acclaiming their work. It’s difficult to ignore the “writing bug” itch when you have a story ready and waiting to be told. While many of us are clamoring to the next great sale, Darlene will be passionately writing about how money, love, lies, and corporate greed, caused the demise of some of our favorite department stores and reveal the destiny of the corporate men and women desperately trying to survive their fall.

~Kathy Porter

The Importance of a Great Cover Design

We have all heard the saying “you can’t judge a good book by its cover”.  However, we all must admit that book covers have a huge impact on whether we pick up a book and read the introduction, or perhaps the jacket sleeve. A creative book cover designs has the potential to influences bookstore browsers enough to pick up your book  and the  increase sales and profits.

Darlene’s book “Webs of Power” has been blessed with an outstanding book cover designed that captures the attention of potential book buyers. Most people come into a bookstore with the intent to purchase a book they have previously determined to buy. With strategic location this customer may be influence to purchase and additional book, or change their mind and buy a different book, because the cover ‘caught their eye’ from across the isle, or perhaps from across the store. 

It has long been know to book cover designers, that if a cover does not yield attention from ten feet away, luring a potential buyer to pick up and investigate the book further, they have not done their job. Authors, who have lost potential book sales because their book cover didn’t command the attention the contents deserved, understand deeply how importent design and color influence sales.

Webs of Power’s cover dominates bookstore shelves from across the room, as well as the  attention of potential customers. Stop in a bookstore near you and take a look. You won’t  judge Webs of Power by it’s cover, but I guarantee many readers have picked it up to investigate further.

~Kathy Porter

One Author’s Challenge

Darlene has returned from her coast to coast book tour both exhausted and elated, having met some of her wonderful book fans– from coast to coast. Although completion of her sweep across country is a welcome relief, she still has a few local meet & greets to go.

 I can tell you first hand that once an author makes his or her mark in the industry, there is a compelling need to complete your next literary challenge.  Darlene’s sequel to “Webs of Power” has been awaiting its completion while she wrapped up her book tour. “Twisted Webs” will pick up where “Webs of Power” left off, reuniting us with her memorable characters. At the breakneck speed, Darlene has begun to tackle “Twisted Webs.” Her fans will have a short wait. (Late Summer or early Fall of 2010) 

 Today, June 17^th, is Darlene’s birthday, and I am certain at some point today she will take the time to celebrate, but this morning she is writing. Yes, writing. Paige, Ashleigh, and Viviana, the beloved characters from Webs of Power, still have a story that needs to be told. Welcoming the challenge, their story has ignited within Darlene’s creative mind. She is giving life to their story now and will celebrate later.

 There are characters that you love while you read their story, and they fulfill a temporary place in your heart as you complete the book. Then there are character that you can’t forget,and you “need to know” just what happens next in their lives. A lingering smile, or a melancholy moment, a blushing giggle, or perhaps a scolding frown returns to your face each time a particularly memorable part of “Webs of Power” comes to mind. I’m looking forward to reading “Twisted Webs” as are many fans, to sustain our memories and satisfy our curiosity with new ones.

Happy Birthday Darlene!

~Kathy Porter