Category Archives: romance novel

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!

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

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

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

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.

Discover ‘Under The Autumn Moon’: A Steamy Romance Novel

Romance Novel Now Available

When bestselling author Lexi Maxwell meets legendary guitarist Paddy May in a quiet London bookstore, she doesn’t expect her teenage crush to be soft-spoken, holding her latest book and extending his left hand to shake, knowing she doesn’t have a right.

That single, deliberate touch sparks more than just a connection. It awakens something electric. What begins as a morning coffee becomes a day-long walk, a moonlit dance, and a night of aching closeness neither of them wants to end.

Lexi lives a life of word and solitude- famous for her novels, but not her face. Paddy has been running from fame’s glare, numbing himself with noise and excess. But in Lexi’s presence, he finds something he thought he’d lost- desire, purpose and maybe even a little magic.

To stay together, they’ll have to fight for something rare and sacred: a love powerful enough to burn through fame, grief and the ghosts of the past. A love written in the stars- and sealed Under The Autumn Moon.

Award-winning poet, essayist and author Betheny Lynn Reid has written a lyrical, mystical, sometimes steamy, story that reminds us to always take the first step toward love.

Now Available online or ask your local bookstore.

Where to Find Betheny Lynn Reid’s Under the Autumn Moon

under the autumn moo_audiobook

So excited my first novel officially arrives on October 21st. Find it at bookstores (you may have to have them order) or on Amazon and Kindle.

Please search using Betheny Lynn Reid. I also show up as bethenylreid or bethenylreid, writer.

There is a poet with my name only she uses an “a” in the first name.

Please help me elevate my name in searches by using Betheny Lynn Reid and bethenylreid.

Thank you.

Under The Autumn Moon (arriving at your bookstore October 21st)

When bestselling author Lexi Maxwell meets legendary guitarist Paddy May in a quiet London bookstore, she doesn’t expect her teenage crush to be soft-spoken, holding her latest book and extending his left hand to shake, knowing she doesn’t have a right.

That single, deliberate touch sparks more than just a connection. It awakens something electric. What begins as a morning coffee becomes a day-long walk, a moonlit dance, and a night of aching closeness neither of them wants to end.

Lexi lives a life of word and solitude- famous for her novels, but not her face. Paddy has been running from fame’s glare, numbing himself with noise and excess. But in Lexi’s presence, he finds something he thought he’d lost- desire, purpose and maybe even a little magic.

To stay together, they’ll have to fight for something rare and sacred: a love powerful enough to burn through fame, grief and the ghosts of the past. A love written in the stars- and sealed Under The Autumn Moon.

Award-winning poet, essayist and author Betheny Lynn Reid has written a lyrical, mystical, erotic story that reminds us to always take the first step toward love.