Category Archives: Publishing

The Table Fight

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I’m there often before the cafe opens. Not so much to grab the prized table near the fireplace, but to grab “my spot” to sit and write for two hours or more. My Muse has trained me to be punctual so she (he? still not certain) will tell me the story she wants to tell today.

The table has an energy for me.

Apparently it does for many others as well because patrons will round the corner in the cafe holding coffee and their breakfast place only to be disappointed when “the spot” is occupied.

Most will say something like, “You’ve got the best spot,” as if I am supposed to move. Often I’ve only been there fifteen minutes or so and my plate of partially eaten food is still visible.

So now I put buds in my ears, playing music or not, to tune out all the distractions. I move “my table” as close to the wall as possible, pulling the nearby table over to the fire so someone else can enjoy the warmth.

It’s never enough for others though.

The side eye from, sorry to say, usually women over fifty, burns my forehead. Some just stand, look and talk, loudly, with their group about how “that’s where I thought we would sit, but it’s taken.”

Mr. Coronado who cleans the tables has become my buddy. He has worked restaurants where he has seen customers shout and shove over similar situations. Gee. He’s told me to just say, “No entiendo.” That wouldn’t be true for me so I just smile, bury my head down and write. (today about them)

My Unexpected Adventure at a Small Book Fair

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I thought I was signing up for a different book fair held on the same day in my community so I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I realized I was heading to a small town I’d never heard of to participate in my first ever book fair at a new bookstore I’d never heard of.

The place was overflowing with vendors so Leather and Bound Bookbar had to set us up in the adjacent cross fit gym. It was unheated and the side garage doors were open showcasing the vibrant sunset.

I relaxed into my new adventure and had a GREAT TIME!

The people were warm, kind, fun and genuine.

Venders supported one another with conversation, professional advice and manning one another’s table if needed.

And I sold several books.

What was so fulfilling about the sales was that my future readers wanted to talk with me about the book. Several have already started following me on socials, giving sweet shoutouts.

What started as an uncertain journey ended up a meaningful adventure.

@leatherandboundbookbar Fate, Texas

Join Me for My First Author Event at Fate Bookstore!

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Well, here I go with my first bookstore appearance.

I thought I was signing up for a similar event in downtown Dallas on the same day, but am not.

I’ll be in Fate, Texas just thirty minutes east of Dallas and am very happy to be part of the new-ish independent bookstore. They will have everything- books, authors, tatoo artists, candle-makers, mysteries and all.

Next step in my life as an author.

Discover ‘Under The Autumn Moon’: Your Next Favorite Romance

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Romance Novel Now Available

There’s a reason Amazon is so popular. It’s convenient, fast and easy. It literally took minutes for my publisher to upload to Kindle and Amazon.com. Getting my book onto other platforms and into bookstores (still in process) is taking five weeks and counting.

However, you can now find Under The Autumn Moon by me, Betheny Lynn Reid, at Waterstones.com, barnesandnobles.com, TheStrand.com, Bookshop.org, etc. You can ask the bookstores, Waterstones, Barnes and Nobles, The Strand and other, to order it for you. That might encourage them to add a few copies for in store browsers to discover it.

Also, if you like my book, please place a review on their sites and any social media. It does make a difference, especially for new authors.

It’s a journey.

Promoting My Book: A Day at the Bookstores

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Yesterday was the first day I visited bookstores to introduce myself and ask for them to carry Under The Autumn Moon and schedule in store appearances.

I had my book, a bookmark and a promotional flyer to provide the decision-makers. I went to two bookstores. One asked if I’d been to their website and registered my book. “Yes.”

“Good. That’s the first step because we have more than one hundred authors apply every month.”

“That’s why I also wanted to stop by in person to introduce myself.” (hoping you’ll like me)

The second bookstore was more disappointing as they couldn’t find my book in their system. I googled it for them and showed it was in their system.

“Hmm. Well, let me give you the email for the person who can help you better than I can.”

On and on.

Writing a book is the easy part. Promoting it is rough.

This morning though, I was fine-tuning, probably for the seventeenth time, my next book. I felt very good about my edits and realized I was done. It is ready to send to my editor and publishing partner.

Then I felt tremendous sadness. The loss of not being able to sit every morning and listen to what my characters want me to write about their lives. We have completed that part.

Now I need to do all the things that have to be accomplished to share their story with the world.

Already the next lead character is whispering in my ear, “Can you please tell me story now?”

Finding Balance: The Writer’s Dilemma

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I’m exhausted by noon most days, just like my cat, Panda, pictured above.

By noon most days, I’ve been on my bike to the nearby cafe, checked the news (briefly), posted on social media promoting Under The Autumn Moon and then settled in to work on my next book (which was actually drafted before I ever thought of Under The Autumn Moon).

This pattern actually worked very well with Autumn Moon and the book flowed easily.

It’s not flowing as well with this story and it’s because I feel I’m on the hamster wheel of marketing/promoting, marketing/promoting…

The energy is completely different. I’m not living with my characters, I’m watching them. I’m thinking how they will be attractive to readers rather than just capturing their story. I’ve apologized to these “people”multiple times. They have trusted me with their tale and I keep saying, “But what about if I do this and change that.”

Tori (my son’s beloved) told me I need to find a cabin in the woods and sequester myself. A sleep, eat, walk, write pattern sounds appealing, but I’m not confident I would stick to it. A strange doubt because I’m very goal oriented and driven to meet deadlines.

As I write this, I keep glancing at the clock as it ticks toward 3 PM and I think how I haven’t done any exercise today, just a couple of short walks which don’t count as exercise, just movement.

I’m still thrilled to have published a book now, along with some previous poems and short fiction.

I just want to cloak myself in my writer’s world again.

Contests: Pitching for Profile

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Looking at my Instagram feed before settling in to write this morning, I saw a post from someone’s “Auntie.” She posts videos of herself using household items to sing to 1970’s rock songs. Today, it’s Joe Walsh, “Life in the Fast Lane.” In less than three months she’s acquired 2+ million followers.

I’ve been sending queries for my novel for about three months. Agents want to know how many followers I have on social media. They don’t ask directly, but they ask for my sites.

So, this morning I’m “pitching for an increased profile” by submitting to contests for writers. I’ll still use social media and I’ll still write everyday.

I joke that “writing is the easy part. Publishing not so much.”

Onward.