Pat here, doing the obligatory promotion for MYSTIC WARRIOR (Signet Eclipse) on stands soon, I assume, since my copies arrived last week. The wenches have a long lovely list of new releases in July--so stock up for your beach reading!
I think most of our readers understand that Blatant Self-Promotion (BSP to those Who Know) is a topic with which most authors are uncomfortable. I was brought up in the days of children are seen and not heard, and nice girls don’t brag. When I reached the age of Ladies don’t talk about themselves I was wearing mini-skirts and boots and declared I had no intention of being a lady. Unfortunately, I was brainwashed and indoctrinated far too young to really rebel. And I’m still uncomfortable with talking about myself and my books. Writing is very personal for me, so I present my baby with pride and fear.
So here’s the official promo:
As Europe is torn by revolution, the fate and survival of the Mystic Isle of Aelynn is dependent on an elusive treasure and a man who has been banished for his dangerously erratic psychic powers.
Lissandra Olympus seeks the help of renegade warrior Murdoch LeDroit in assuming leadership of the island, even though he believes his psychic abilities would cause more harm than good. But to protect Aelynn from chaos, they must work together to retrieve the Chalice of Plenty. Only then can Murdoch ever hope to rule Aelynn with Lissandra by his side, ever his co-ruler, his lover, his wife.
(excerpt at http://patriciarice.com/mysticwarriorex.htm)
Sounds easy to write those short blurbs, doesn’t it? It’s not. I must have a dozen equally important threads in the book. How can I leave out the part about Murdoch killing Lissandra’s father? Or the blue ball of spirit flame? Or Murdoch’s fiery disasters and Lissandra’s fascination with a world she’s never seen? And his fear that he’ll kill her if they make love? But authors are increasingly asked to reduce their 100,000 word novels to a few sentences. Good for the soul, maybe, but I want to pull hair.
And then we have to reduce even those few sentences to punchy one-liners we can quote on bookmarks and at autographings. Take a look at my wench bookmark. In creating that, we giggled and gave up and simply said: He's Fire. She's Ice. They have a steamy relationship.
Second place was: She’s good. He’s Bad. Of course they’re in love.
I mean, a single sentence begs the obvious, doesn’t it?
So let’s have fun with this silliness. I’d love to hear what you have to say about BSP—and the flames may fly any way you wish. (Given Murdoch’s fiery tendencies, it’s only fitting, after all.) I have a love/hate relationship going with self-promotion, so I’m open to all manner of diatribes, suggestions, or praises.
And if you’d like to reduce some of your favorite (or not so favorite) books to single sentences, throw them in here. It’s a pity it isn’t possible to hand out leaflets on upcoming wench books so readers could help come up with blurbs for them!
Since I have boxes of MYSTIC WARRIOR filling my office, I’ll happily give a book away to any entrant drawn by our inestimable Sherrie from among the comments (just click on the link that says “comment” below). And if a really good blurb appears (good, bad, or ugly about any book at all), I’ll pick another winner.
I'm uncomfortable talking about myself as well-especially my writing. However it is expected of us!
I think the bookmarks are a wonderful idea-something useful and yet marketable.
You self-promote all you want! The more you talk about your love of writing, the fabulous characters you come up with, the more I am interested in getting your book. And we both win there:)
Posted by: Liz Brooks | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 05:34 AM
I've been waiting a year for Mystic Warrior. Finally, not much longer for my Fourth of July present. **grins**
As for BSP (which I call Shameless Promotion), I hate it. It takes so much time, time I could spend writing. And I really don't know if it does much good.
Well, here are three of my loglines, all for Regencies:
A legend spanning time and the man and woman caught in it. (time travel)
Pumpkin thieves, a youthful love rekindled and a jealous goose. Oh, my. (Halloween)
A man who sees mistletoe everywhere is mad--or in love. (Christmas)
Posted by: Linda Banche | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 05:41 AM
I will have to do this in two parts. Mainly because time is short and I need to get to work...
Regarding BSP, it is something prevalent in our society now, even us non-writers must do so - at least on our resumes. I remember having to send in a resume for a study we were doing. Everyone at work always lists their long line of degrees after their names, and one day I was feeling particularly punchy. You have to understand I'm in science and I did a lot of fecals and I bred flies - by hand. I typed out my name, and added the degrees. It went like this: Christine H-R, AHT, B.S.A, FFG.
Only one person asked "What is FFG?". Fecal and Fertility Goddess. Yep, a little bit of BSP, which no one ever questioned. I left it on my resume for years.......
Keep on with the BSP, if you aren't willing to blow your own horn, you can bet no one else will either.
Posted by: Piper | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 06:06 AM
It's good to know there are people out there awaiting Murdoch's debut, thank you! Love the blurbs, Linda. Mistletoe everywhere! Maybe he's poisoned. "G"
And LOL, Piper, on the FFG! A scientist with a sense of humor is a pleasure to behold. But you're right, resume writing has become a creative art. They don't want to know dates and degrees anymore. They want specific keywords. And it's up to us to figure out what they are. Kind of like writing back cover copy on romance--arrogant, sexy, beautiful... Don't think it helps resume copy though!
Posted by: Patricia Rice | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 07:18 AM
I am not looking forward to BSP. The mere though of it send me into hiding. It's not so much that I'm bashful or overly private. I have a real thing about embarrassment. (and rejection, but I'm working on that one) I think it stems from a significant lack of belief in self. My mind says, “if no one else believes in you (enough to try your book, or visit a book signing, read your website (when I get one) etc.. etc..), then what gives you the right to believe in yourself?” I'm strange, I know. But that’s what runs through my mind and is immediately mirrored on my face for all to see. (thus the embarrassment factor) That’s why I plan to play dress-up if I ever have to do a book signing. No, really. I'll show up in my Regency garb. At least it will attract attention, even if no one is interested. Then I can pretend that they care and I'll find the courage to keep going.
Nina, thankful Prof. Pat is teaching her about what to expect (and looking forward to spending the 4th with a fiery Mystic Warrior)
Posted by: NinaP | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Nina, the Regency outfit sounds wonderful, but you still have to smile until your face freezes. "G" But you can practice writing blurbs for your books in private!
Posted by: Patricia Rice | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Hey, Nina, I'm not a fan of BSP either, but we have no choice.
The web is a great place for shy people. Promote all you want and no one ever sees you. The romance community is, in general, very polite, so no need to worry too much.
What I object to is the amount of time promotion takes. I have yet to figure out what works.
Says Linda, who has a website, blog, 7 group blogs, myspace, facebook, twitter and dozens of yahoo loops. Is anyone buying her story? A few, but not many
Posted by: Linda Banche | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 01:42 PM
To Prof. Pat --
I can smile, but I can't write a book blurb worth a darn.
Linda... you are right, I have found the romance community to be very polite. But seven group blogs... I don't know how you keep up.
Nina, off to check out Linda's story.
Posted by: NinaP | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 01:48 PM
Okay, a few pitiful blurbs for you.
Financial planning – no one does it worse. (Confessions of a Shopaholic)
A year in the life of a SWF (Bridget Jones’ Diary)
She's poor, young and single. He's not. How can this possibly end well? (Jane Eyre)
Posted by: Piper | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 03:39 PM
Piper, great job! Love the Shopaholic blurb in particular. Want to write mine? "G" But you have certainly figured out the knack of it.
Linda, while the romance and online communities are wonderfully inviting places to be, they simply don't sell many books. They get your name out there, which isn't bad, but unless you have a hook (see Piper's blurbs!) that intrigues, people have no good reason to go looking. Sad fact of life. No one knows what works.
Posted by: Patricia Rice | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 05:15 PM
Okay, some are movies and some are books, but hey...it's how my brain works1
He had a secret. She kept it. They all said red was her color. (The Scarlet Letter)
When the irristible force meets the immovable object, the boat never fares well. (Titanic or Moby Dick, take your pick)
High fashion. Low country. Can it get any sweeter at home? (Sweet Home Alabama)
The night they missed the forest for the trees. (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
and I'll stop now because I know how bad these really are.
Btw...can I BSP? I just sold my first article to our local newspaper. It's not fancy, and it's really not my best writing (the style isn't my favorite), but hey, it's money!
Posted by: txgina | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 05:23 PM
***Financial planning – no one does it worse. (Confessions of a Shopaholic)**
***A year in the life of a SWF (Bridget Jones’ Diary)***
**She's poor, young and single. He's not. How can this possibly end well? (Jane Eyre)**
LOL! These are great, Piper. I especially like the Jane Eyre.
Congratulations, Txgina! You are now officially a professional writer! Break out the chocolate!
Mary Jo, who has heard much about Mystic Warrier during its creation, and is now ready to read the whole story!
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Pat, yay! I'm also hoping Mystic Warrior arrives in the post before I leave for the USA.
Love all those brief log lines.
Nina, a regency costume is a great idea. I firmly believe a costume makes it easier for a shy or modest person to put themselves in the limelight.
And Pat, you don't have to grin all the time -- take a fan. ;)
And congratulations txgina, how lovely to be a Paid Writer!
Posted by: anne gracie | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:12 PM
I love Piper's FFG -Fecal and Fertility Goddess. It shows how important what you put on your resume is.
The only book blurb I can think of : A Pig, A Spider, A Legacy - Charlotte's Web
Posted by: Patricia Barraclough | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:56 PM
okay Prof. Pat... I just might have one!
Kirk gets the chair. Spock gets the girl. Time gets a reaming. (from the new Star Trek movie)
Of course, you might have to be a die-hard trekie to really get it.
Nina, trying to think of one for her current ms.
Posted by: NinaP | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 09:19 PM
I am & I did, Nina :)
As for BSP, I've always hated it. At work I'd choose to martyr in the corner rather than ask for an increase, as I felt that my employers really should have realized my coruscating brillance on their own -- but I would brace myself and just mention it in passing. For their part, they all said they didn't know everything I did until I wasn't there doing it anymore.
But this is counterproductive; what you want is for the excellence of your work to be recognized right away, so you do have to speak up in as many places as possible, even though it's a time sink.
You all seem like nice people, it shouldn't be that hard. Roamnces are all about people learning to get along with each other, so you all have lots of practice in not being obnoxious. I say go for it, unapologetically.
Posted by: Janice | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 09:43 PM
Oh, glad to hear you find BSP as hard as I do. Writing is such a personal endeavor—to have to wrench yourself out of that mindset and go trumpet how wonderful your books are makes my skin crawl. Unfortunately it's a fact of life for authors these days. I had to laugh about how to distill a plot into a punch line. I find it enormously difficult. But the impetous to do it is reading my publisher's last few attempts at promo copy. Arrrgh. I simply HAD to put brain in gear.
Can't wait to read Mystic warrior!
Posted by: Andrea Pickens | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 06:09 AM
Don;t think of it as BSP. Think of it as a proud mom bragging about her children. You could even carry in your wallet minatures of the covers.
Posted by: Lyn S | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Great tries, thank you! Now go back and see if you really want to pick up a book with those blurbs attached. "wg"
Janice, that's exactly it. I want people to recognize quality without my pushing it in their faces, but the world is too big a place these days. Go ask for the promotion.
LOL, Lyn! I don't even bring out the kid pics unless someone asks. I don't want to bore everyone!
Posted by: Patricia Rice | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Hi Pat,
I read the blurb for Mystic Warrier. Sounds like a great book.
She's finally found him. Now she has to figure out what side he's on. And that's just the biginning.
Posted by: chey | Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Great blurb, chey! I think you've got the knack...
Posted by: Patricia Rice | Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Got the book today! Yay! Can't wait to put the kids to bed tonight and dive into it.
Thank you so much!
Posted by: txgina | Monday, July 06, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Glad you got it, Gina. I'll knock wood that you enjoy it!
Posted by: Patricia Rice | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 01:37 PM