Category Archives: Mystery Novels

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Promote Your Novels with the All Mystery e-newsletter

The following article is written by Rebecca Dahlke, author of four great mystery/suspense novels, including “A Dead Red Oleander,” “A Dead Red Heart,” “A Dead Red Cadillac,” and “A Dangerous Harbor.” She is also the publisher of the All Mystery e-newsletter!

In 2010, I started an e-newsletter for mystery and suspense authors. It ran, free of charge to the authors until December 2012. I decided to let it go because: 1) authors just weren’t with me on how effective this kind of advertising could be, and 2) I had my own books to write.

So I put the website in mothballs, but kept the Facebook site, the yahoo group (which is where authors meet to talk about promotion, and readers come to see what authors are talking about.) and Good Reads group for Indie and small press promotion, and a Twitter account.

Since then, I have put four mysteries up on Amazon/Kindle, and because I understand that this my book is a product, I also began a six month quest for the best, and most effective, form of advertising my books.

The results were exciting! I discovered that with a combination of inexpensive paid and free promotion, I could sell more books. I thought the results of this were interesting enough to share with my writing friends. So the first thing I did was put together a 7 page handout and speak on this subject with my local Sisters in Crime chapter in Tucson. The handout was necessary because I had a lot of powerful and helpful information to share, but cautioned my grateful listeners with the following: The only thing I could guarantee about this information was that some of it would change.

That was in June, and sure enough, things have changed… again. One of the sites I listed as smart and creative just bit the dust, and another site, Digital Books Today, has taken a giant leap after only 18 months in the business.  Eighteen months? Gee, All Mystery e-newsletter had started before Digital Books Today… so that meant… but wait! There’s more!

In a recent e-mail from the founder of Digital Books Today, Anthony Wessel, he says, and I quote: “Traffic on our Sites: March: 8,000, June 16,000″ and in their “The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books List: November 2011: 600+ and June 2012- 10,000+ with 38,000 click outs to books on Amazon.”

It is obvious that Indie and small press authors are now using paid book marketing as part of a successful campaign to sell their books. I know, because I was using them too, and the results have been gratifying—except for one thing. As a mystery writer, all of the best e-newsletters had mystery squished in between vampire and memoir.

It didn’t take me much more than a nano-second to see that All Mystery e-newsletter was needed.

I ticked off the possibilities for resurrecting this e-newsletter against the fact that it might take some time to gain momentum. Then realized I already had all of my requirements for a good promotion site: Facebook page, Yahoo and Good Reads groups, and Twitter with a small army of Re-Tweet pals.

The website is now up and running. Better yet, September is already SOLD out, but I am accepting submittals for October through December 2012. And, yes, the ad insertions for this e-newsletter are reasonably priced: $10.00 a book insertion.

Here are links to All Mystery e-newsletter places:

  1. http://allmysteryenewsletter.com
  2. http://www.facebook.com/allmysteryenewsletter
  3. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/allmysteryenewsletter/?yguid=185161871
  4. http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/42847.All_Mystery_e_newsletter
  5. Twitter handle: @allmysterynews

Last but not least, for those of you who would like a copy of my updated copy of that 7 page hand-out for both free and paid promotions for authors, send me an e-mail with “promotion handout” in the subject line and I’ll send you a PDF copy. E-mail: rp@rpdahlke.com

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Arizona Mystery Writers – May Meeting

Arizona Mystery Writers invite you to attend our May 12th meeting.

Morning Speaker:

Mike White, owner of  local publisher, Ghost River Images, will talk about current aspects of e-book publishing: the economics of it, how to do it, and whether you should. In the current market when the big publishing houses are in financial trouble, self-publishing  and e-publishing are increasing. However, most authors don’t want to be bogged down with the details of publishing and that’s why they hire Ghost River Images. Visit their website at www.ghostriverimages.com. Mike also conducts classes at Pima college.

Afternoon Workshop:

Clark Lohr will speak on  Using Film to Learn Structure and Plotting. He will  explain Syd Field’s model for story structure as set forth in Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. We will then watch part of a classic crime film, stopping the action to ask ourselves questions about the plot, the action, and the use of characters. We’ll guess where the story is headed and challenge ourselves to invent outcomes. Clark has a BA in Literature and Writing. His latest crime novel, Devil’s Kitchen, was published by Oak Tree Press in 2011.
Join us, the second Saturday of each month, September through May, at El Parador Restaurant 2744 East Broadway Blvd. (East of Tucson Blvd), 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, for fascinating and informative speakers on all aspects of writing mystery, thrillers, and suspense. $20 non-members and walk-ins includes lunch; $14 RSVP’d members.  $10 for one session, morning or afternoon, no lunch. No credit cards please. Pay at the door, or at the web site using PayPal.

Make your reservation and menu choice by noon Wednesday before the meeting, at www.arizonamysterywriters.com or rsvpmystery@gmail.com

When you RSVP, please indicate your menu choice:

#1.  Chimayo Chicken Sandwich
Grilled breast of chicken served on a toasted bolio roll and topped with a roasted anaheim chili and jack & cheddar Cheese. Served with Bonita French fries

#2 Traditional Topopo Salad
A traditional Mexican salad in a flour tortilla
floret filled with refried beans. Greens and
mixed vegetables tossed with house dressing cheddar cheese.trimmed with fresh avocado slices, tomatoes,cheese and grilled marinated chicken breast.

#3. Veggie Burro
Refried beans, Spanish Rice, Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, Cheese and pico de gallo, Rolled in a chipotle tortilla. Garnished with sour cream, and guacamole. No lard ever

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“Read Local” event at Velma Teague Library

The Velma Teague Library will be hosting a “Read Local” event on Saturday, May 12th at 2 p.m. A panel of seven authors will be discussing their novels and selling after the event.

The authors scheduled to appear are as follows:

  1. Ruth Douthitt from Phoenix – The Dragon Forest – middle school reader
  2. Lori Hines from Goodyear – The Ancient Ones & Caves of the Watchers – mysteries set in Arizona and the Four Corners
  3. Merle McCann, Scottsdale – The Longjohners Mystery series for middle school and family literacy
  4. Andrew Means, Apache Junction – Some Memories: Growing Up with Marty Robbins
  5. Jennifer Muraca, Glendale – Blackstrap’s Ecstasy, a pirate adventure
  6. Kris Tualla, Glendale – 6 historical romances involving Norwegian heroes
  7. Wayne Voegher, Glendale – The Silent War, a thriller/horror

 

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Arizona Women of Worth – International Women’s Day

This will be a great event! I will be selling and signing my first paranormal mystery novel, The Ancient Ones and will also be presenting on Native American history of the Southwest.

Arizona Women of Worth, located in The Valley of the Sun, joins International Women’s Day and the United Nations in celebrating the achievements and commitments of ALL Women!

March 10, 2012 at the West Valley Center for Spiritual Living, 9745 W Peoria Ave., Peoria, AZ

Entertainment begins at 8:30 am with Steelin’ the Night Away. The program begins at 9 am. Cost is $20 when you pre-register or $25 at the door. This price includes a box lunch.

Visit the AWOW website for more information on AWOW, vendor and speaker information and to register!


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November Bootcamp for Novelists

UPCOMING CLASSES – Don’t Miss the Last Classes of 2011!

November 4 to December 3

2-B DYNAMIC PLOTTING

Some people believe that stories come from a magical realm and simply float down to some lucky writers. But could it be possible that given a character with a goal who faces conflict that you can give them situations that make your story sing? This course shows you how.

  1. The Story Question
  2. Four Act Structure
  3. Eight Major Plot Points
  4. Making It a Page Turner

FEE $28 – LATE REGISTRATION UNTIL 11/10

ENROLL NOW

November 11 to December 9

1-P THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS

Learn how to hook the reader, build reader empathy and use emotion to your story’s best advantage. A must-take class on how to grab the reader and keep him reading until that last page. You will use the beginning of your novel in the exercises. In this course we discuss:
  • Understanding emotion and bonding
  • Purpose
  • Beginnings, Middles and Endings
  • And much more!

FEE $28

ENROLL NOW
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Scottsdale Public Library Local Authors Collection

My book, titled The Ancient Ones, is now available for checkout at the Scottsdale Public Library as part of the local authors collection:

http://encore.scottsdaleaz.gov/iii/encore/search?formids=target&lang=eng&suite=def&reservedids=lang%2Csuite&submitmode=&submitname=&target=The+Ancient+Ones.

Here is the link if you would like to have your own novel considered as part of this collection: http://library.scottsdaleaz.gov/main/local_collection. Dana Braccia is the contact.

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Great Reviews for So West, So Wild Anthology

Check out the following reviews for the Sisters in Crime, Desert Sleuths Anthology, titled So West, So Wild. There are 20 writers who have contributed to this anthology, which features stories about the Southwest. I also have a story included titled The Princess Guardian.

Lesa Holstine’s excellent site Lesa’s Book Critiques features this one: http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com/2011/08/sowest-so-wild-by-desert-sleuths.html

Suspense Magazine review: http://damnedinsatiablethirsteternallanguor.blogspot.com/2011/10/sowest-so-wild-desert-sleuths-sisters.html

The anthology can be purchased at the Desert Sleuths Website: http://www.desertsleuths.com/Anthologies.html

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Book Trailer – The Ancient Ones

Check out the book trailer for my first paranormal mystery novel, The Ancient Ones.

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How to Get Your Novel Published

I never thought my hobby as a paranormal investigator would lead to a novel titled, The Ancient Ones. But it did. Or that I would get a publishing contract only 8 months later. But I did.

Lucky? Perhaps. But I believe it helped to incorporate my interests in Native American history, including Indian ruins and petroglyphs. And mix in metaphysical elements, including astral travel, reincarnation, Reiki, the dark arts and the talents of a Native American shaman for a different sort of paranormal novel.

The road to publishing is never easy! For those trying to get published, consider joining groups in your genre or area of expertise. Since I’m fascinated by mysteries, I decided to focus on only short stories and novels combining the paranormal and mysteries or thrillers. Sisters in Crime has been a great organization to help me fine tune the craft. They have great monthly speakers at the Desert Sleuths chapter in Scottsdale, hold annual WriteNow! Conferences and sponsor a monthly writer’s critique meeting.

Mysteries not your cup of tea? There are many other local and national organizations to help you in your chosen genre. The complete list of writers associations can be found online at http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/writers-associations.html.

1.       Historical Novel Society
2.       Horror Writers Association
3.       Poetry Society Of America
4.       Romance Writers Of America
5.       Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
6.      The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
7.      Western Writers Of America

Have you completed your manuscript and are ready to begin the process of finding an agent or publisher? So where do you begin? In addition to joining other writers groups and organizations, the following websites are great resources that helped me. The first is Predators and Editors – http://pred-ed.com/. This site lists literary agents, attorneys, editors and book publishers to name a few. I went alphabetically through the list and submitted to the ones that were considering the paranormal genre.

The other website is Publishers Marketplace – http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/. For a small fee of $20.00 per month, you receive a daily newsletter. Track deals, sales, reviews, publishers and agents. You can also receive a free, shorter version of Publishers Lunch.

I went through about 65 agents before sending to publishers. It’s not advised to send to both at the same time since agents work with a variety of publishers. And you may be submitting to an agent who works with a publisher you’ve also submitted to. This creates confusion and may result in your manuscript not being considered.

Finding an agent or traditional publisher requires just as much patience as the writing process itself. The primary piece of advice that helped me and that I kept hearing throughout completion of the manuscript – write what you know about. For me, this involves my fascination with the paranormal, metaphysical and archaeology. If you heed this advice, it will be reflected in your writing and will translate through to your audience!

How can you get your manuscript published? Join a good writers critique group. Join organizations focusing on your genre. Hire a great editor. And most importantly, don’t give up!

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2011 Desert Sleuths Anthology

Murder and mayhem western style.

The Desert Sleuths Chapter of Sisters in Crime offers 20 exciting tales. Everything from old-time shootouts to modern day forensics, noir to comedy can be found in the compelling anthology. Walk on the wild side of the SouthWest, as Arizona celebrates its centennial year. Hang up your spurs, kick back and enjoy!

Click on the link below to order any of the Desert Sleuths anthologies:

http://www.desertsleuths.com/Anthologies.html