Marilyn's Musings

Creating A Buzz (Building A Platform) Branding yourself as an author—highlighting the types of books you write—can help you increase book sales. Create a campaign message and write a synopsis of your book tailored for marketing and PR activities in order to create buzz about your book. Author Branding Determine what distinguishes you as an author. Consider promoting yourself as an expert on a particular subject. For example, if you are a mystery writer, share information about police methods of a murder investigation or the science of forensics. Develop two or three speaking concepts that focus on a topic rather than just your book. Also, identify personal contacts who might refer you to potential speaking venues. Book Launch Start to execute your book marketing actions at least three to four months prior to publishing date. Determine the best day/time to have an in-person launch; consult bookstore owner. Invite people you know: friends and family, co-workers, the medi...

Hamptons Murder Mystery Series Asks: What’s More Shocking, the Crimes or the Reasons People Commit Them? The “Dying To Be Beautiful” mystery series introduced this spring is set in the Hamptons, where sometimes it seems that even the murdered and suspected murderers have a sense of entitlement. In the first few lines of Book One of the series, “Without A Head,” Rosen immediately grabs our attention: “The head in the sink stared up at her. Darcy Monroe, the owner of a popular, chic hair salon was used to this. Only this time, the head was there without a body.”   In the first few lines of Book Two, “Fashion Queen,” Rosen draws us in again: “Kevin Larson swam in his pool nearly every morning. Going on sixty-five, he prided himself on being in good shape. Walking toward the small pool house, he noticed a light was on to the left of the pool. He was certain he turned it off the night before. Strange, he thought. Even stranger, lying in a different sort of pool — blood...

Can you write if you’re not inspired? Perhaps. It’s different for each of us.  I like being inspired.   You get to choose what is best for you and yet, most of us writers are inspired by a desire and a passion to write. We might look for inspiration from artists, writers, psychologists, philosophers, religious leaders, and great minds who by their words or actions can open our own minds and hearts. Some of us are inspired by best selling authors, others accomplishments; people overcoming great difficulties; people daring to do what seems impossible.  . However, the power of some outside influences can be devastating.  Many can surely be positive and create hope while others are negative and can create fear making us as writers feel vulnerable.  Outside influences are all around us. There are family and friends who often believe their opinions and ideas are the best, but are surely not and, there are those who believe in us and in whom we ...