Thursday, October 11, 2012

Two new Tag! entries and a great marketing experience

Two more blogs from the Tag! You're It! blog game are up: at http://teacherwriter.net/2012/10/11/name-that-book, Suzanne Lilly is asking for help with a title and describing the basic plot of her work-in-progress, a young-adult novel with elements of magical realism. Help her out and  you'll be in the dedication. At http://tarynraye.blogspot.com, effervescent Taryn Raye is full of plans for the romance she'll begin November 1 for National Novel Writing Month--and she even has a title.

This morning I had a unique marketing opportunity. I talked briefly to a small group of realtors--highly appropriate since Kelly O'Connell, heroine of my series, is a fictional realtor working in the same communities these people do. My son-in-law Christian is marketing person for a local title office, and he had arranged a small breakfast for them and asked me to talk. (Christian even made an egg/cheese/green chili casserole to take to them--they had already cleaned the platter when I got there!) One of the realtors is a particuar fan of Kelly, so she whipped up enthusiasm. Christian introduced me, and I was able to surprise him with the news that the latest mystery, Trouble in a Big Box, is dedicated to him for his patience in teaching me about title searches and real estate. He didn't know because while Trouble is available in e-book, the print version isn't out yet. Then I briefly described cozy mysteries, why I chose to write about a realtor in the particular neighborhood I did, the three books in the series, and asked for questions--there were plenty. And I sold 17 books, passed out bookmarks and fact sheets, and garnered new names for my mailing list. I'd call that a success in 45 minutes. Four of the realtors even ordered my cookbook which I showed mostly because it has Jacob on the cover.
Christian now has big plans for similar breakfasts at other real state offices. Great marketing niche for me! And he doesn't even ask for a commission!

4 comments:

jan godown annino said...

Judy, Hi.

I have to say, awww, quite the wonderful son-in-law you have there to create this successful event.

And thanks for sharing this excellent idea, of reaching out to constituent communities connected to our characters.

And big kudos on the new novel!

judyalter said...

Thanks, Jan. He is a great son-in-law--of course he married a great girl.

LD Masterson said...

All in all, a very good morning for you.

judyalter said...

Yes, LD, it was. And this morning was just as great--rewarding in a different way.