Make Writer Conferences Pay--Advice to the Pre-Published

Advice from Joanna Campbell Slan, author of Kiki Lowenstein Scrapbooking Mysteriesl and past President of Greater St. Louis Sisters in Crime

Attending a conference is fun, but it's also expensive. There are travel costs, registration fees, food, lodging and time away from writing. So...the question is, "How do I maximize my presence?"

For me that means, "How do I promote myself and my book, Paper, Scissors, Death?" My mystery won't debut until September. Still, it seems silly to "waste" this opportunity even though I don't have a book in hand. After all, I know that I make a note of books I want to read and I might not buy them for months! Surely other people have the same habits. And, I remember from my days in advertising that it takes many exposures for people to form an impression. But those exposures can't be spaced too far apart. Waiting until my book hits the shelves means all those exposures would come AFTER the book is out. And those 6 weeks afterwards are critical because that's when sell-through happens. It makes sense to start now...if I can do it economically.

Here are all the promotional activities I've undertaken for my visit to Love Is Murder on Dark and Stormy Nights. I won't be able to tell right away which of these have been valuable. Maybe when my book comes out, I'll be more sure of what worked and what didn't.

1. Interviews--I offered to interview the headliners for LIM. This has given me the chance to ask questions of the best and brightest: Tess Gerritsen, Lee Child, Barry Eisler and Joe Konrath. Plus, the interviews were shared in the LIM newsletter, and I can now post them in the resource section of my website. My aim: To be on the radar screen of some of the nation's best authors. You never know whom you'll click with. Or who will bring you the next big opportunity.

2. Business cards--I was told to wait, but that's silly. How do you follow up a meeting without information? I had the cards printed with my book cover on the front. (A tip from Elaine Viets.) The ISBN is on everything. As my pal Angie Fox said, "It's like the Social Security number for your book." Should I get a tattoo? Nah.

3. Proposal for a presentation--My unique ability is my background as a professional speaker. So I offered to do a presentation on speaking before groups. The LIM people thought this was a worthwhile idea, and now it's scheduled.

4. Appearances--I was fortunate enough to be assigned as moderator on one panel and participant on another.

5. Panel descriptions--How do people choose which panel to attend? I tried to write my descriptions in such a way that they were full of promise...promise that I knew I could deliver. I want to brand myself as offering tremendous value while having fun. When Romance Leads to…A romantic encounter can make a character more real, more vulnerable and more deadly. They can move a plot along or stop it in its tracks. We’ll share our favorite racy scenes and discuss what makes a romantic climax, uh, climactic! The useful takeaway? Our list of helpful ideas for writing romantic encounters. Plus, lots of chocolate hugs and kisses to get you in the mood. How to be a Better Panelist Or presenter. Or guest speaker. Do your knees knock when you speak in public? Are you scared you will make a fool of yourself? Would you rather die than appear before a group? We can help. (With the speaking part. The dying on the platform stuff is up to you.) Public appearances are an important promotional tool for authors. We’ll share proven ideas used by the top professional speakers. These ideas will make your presence memorable, enjoyable and profitable. Don’t miss the handout: Top Tips for Presenters.

6. Handouts--This is a key. But the handouts can NOT be self-serving. So the handout for the "Writers Dish on Writers" compiles a list of debut authors including me. I figure those in the audience are looking to expand their TBR list. For "How to Be a Better Panelist. Or Presenter. Or Guest Speaker." I created a list of tips. Some are on the handout, but the list was so extensive, the majorityare going on my website under "Resources." They should be up by Monday. For "When Romance Leads to..." I compiled some of the best thoughts from those who do a cracker-jack job of writing romantic scenes, and I added Internet and traditional book resources. Of course, on all the handouts, I share my details.

7. Recipe Cards and Homemade Cookies--Hokey, I know. But every time I've seen them offered, people snatch them up. On the front is a recipe, on the back is info about my book and a contest (see next), and my book cover is in color on the cards.

8. Pre-Order Contest--Vicki Erwin of Main Street Books was kind enough to agree to take pre-sales. ( mstbstchas@sbcglobal.net 636-949-0105 ) She'll keep a list of all the pre-ordered books. From those, I'll draw one purchaser's name to be included as a character in book #2.

9. Bookmarks--Pretty standard stuff, except that I'm customizing each one with a scrapbooking embellishment. I did a trial run of these and discovered people oooohhhhed and aaaaahhhed over them.

10. Prizes--As a motivational speaker, I was always pleasantly surprised by how excited audiences got when they won something. So I had customized bags of M & Ms made up. The colors are the same as my book cover. They say "Get Kiki" on one side, and "PSD 2008" on the other. 11. A Small TBR Album--I've also noticed that folks seem really astonished that I actually do scrapbook. So I've made the most adorable TBR album to show off. It reinforces my niche and brands me.Okay, that's it so far. Now I'm staring out the window at the snow storm and crossing my fingers that after all this work, I can actually fly into Chicago! Posted by Joanna Campbell Slan at 9:15 AM

Joanna Slan

Our last panel member is our St. Louis SinC President, Joanna Slan ' All six will be chilling and thrilling at the McClay Library in St. Charles on October 8. Not only is the event free and open to the public, we're also giving out chocolates and prizes. Don't miss it.

Paper, Scissors, Death is Joanna Campbell Slan's first mystery. It's set in St. Louis and features Kiki Lowenstein. The book begins when her husband, George, is found naked and dead with a silk scarf in his mouth. Then his business partner claims George embezzled company money before he died. Kiki vows to bring his killer to justice.With the help of dashing Detective Chad Detweiler, Kiki discovers her husband had a tawdry secret life. When George’s mistress is murdered, Kiki becomes the prime suspect. Can she solve the murder—and save her own life? www.joannacampbellslan.com

New York Times Best Seller

The Accidental Demon Slayer

by Angie Fox

Here's a quick taste of this wild read.

Lizzie Brown had planned her future carefully, but becoming the Exalted Demon Slayer of Dalea was not on her list of things to do. However, it turns out Lizzie really doesn't have a choice when her long-lost biker witch grandmother shows up on a hot pink Harley and informs Lizzie she is the only one who can save the world from Vald the demon lord. Lizzie suddenly finds herself ready to take on the world.

With its sharp, witty writing and unique characters, Angie Fox's contemporary paranormal debut is fabulously fun.

Will Bereswill - a St. Louis "Mister"

For a man's point of view and just to prove that Sisters in Crime is not sexist (despite our name), Will Berewsill will add his low-key charm and a big shot of global intrigue.

Wilfred Bereswill – A Reason for Dying
· Is the natural gas you use to heat your home and cook your food really safe?
· Is it possible that viruses ravaged prehistoric life millions of years ago and lie dormant in oil and gas reserves, waiting to be released once again to lay waste to yet another species?
· It has happened before.
· Is it about to happen again.

· wbereswill.com

Jo Hiestand – Taylor and Graham Mystery Series

Giving a British flavor to the panel on October 8 is first president of Greater St. Louis Sisters in Crime, Jo Hiestand.


Jo is the author of the Taylor & Graham mysteries, set in Derbyshire, England. A specific English custom -- such as Guy Fawkes Night, St Nicholas Day, Turning the Devil's Stone -- provides the backbone of each book's plot. The current book, The Coffin Watchers, was released in September 2008 and is the sixth title in the series. In the book, villagers gather for the custom of Watching the Church Porch, an odd ritual of watching for villagers' souls to parade past the church, a sighting forecasting that person's death within the year. A spirit is seen, but someone else dies, and by a human hand -- leaving no question of murder. Jo co-authors several of the books with local police detective Paul Hornung. http://Johiestand.com

Eleanor Sullivan – The Nurse Monika Everhardt Series

Eleanor Sullivan, RN, PhD, is a former nursing professor and dean who uses her experiences in nursing to build fascinating behind-the-scenes medical mysteries featuring nurse sleuth Monika Everhardt. About the third book in the series, Assumed Dead, Anthony award winner Kate Grilley writes, “Turn off the phone and get ready to stay up all night . . . a medical thriller that pulls you in from the first page and doesn't let go! I loved this book!”
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A Thrilling Coronation

Greater St. Louis Sisters in Crime cordially invites you to attend the crowning of best-selling author Eileen Dreyer as our Queen of Clues for 2008.


Award-winning, best-selling author Eileen Dreyer, known as Kathleen Korbel to her Silhouette readers, has published 22 Silhouette books 8 medico-forensic suspense for Harper and St. Martin's and 7 short stories.

September 2008 sees the release of her eighth medico-\forensic thriller SINNERS AND SAINTS, starring forensic nurse Chastity Byrnes. Not only does Dreyer have twenty years experience in the field of medicine, sixteen in trauma nursing, she trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, which makes her particularly qualified to create the character of Chasity.

Dreyer won her first publishing award in 1987 and just keeps on winning. Her last paperback, Bad Medicine won a coveted Anthony Award nomination. She has over three million books in print world wide, and has made regular appearances on the Waldenbook and B.Dalton bestsellers list, and now the USA Today list. eileendreyer.com