Patricia Stoltey

Author

Exiting the Doldrums

By:

No, I haven’t been to the Equator

I’ve been lost in those other doldrums–the kind characterized by inactivity and slothfulness. I don’t feel depressed, just plain old-fashioned lazy. I’ve read a lot of books though. And I have applied my critique group’s suggestions to my work-in-process. But have I finished the big revision yet? Nope.

I am, however, encouraged by the stirring of interest–that little itchy feeling that says, “Get back to the story now. It’s time.”

Kerrie Flanagan will be my guest blogger December 12th

My interest in blogging has also returned. My next guest will be Kerrie Flanagan who has a fun and fascinating story to tell about working with another writer to create a novella trilogy in a genre neither had ever tackled before. The novellas were written under a pseudonym, and when I finally found out who Kerrie’s writing partner was, I was flabbergasted.

Really, I was.

You’ll learn more about that when Kerrie’s guest post appears on Wednesday, December 12th.

Large-Print edition of Wishing Caswell Dead coming in January

Good news! Thorndike’s Wheeler Publishing will release a large-print version of 2018 Colorado Book Award finalist in general fiction, Wishing Caswell Dead, on January 9, 2019. The book is listed for pre-order on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com, so it can most likely be ordered through any bookstore. If you have a library card, I’d love to have you request your local library purchase the book. Large Prints are pricey, so library purchases are one of the best avenue for sales.

Wishing Caswell Dead is also available in hardcover regular print and as an ebook.

Pat’s New Personal Rules for Social Media in the Modern World

I’ve been exploring new ways to look at my online activities in this fast-evolving world of misinformation, subterfuge, and general nastiness. Some of my writer acquaintances are choosing to leave Twitter and Facebook, for many good reasons. For one thing, a big motivation for getting on there in the first place was the belief an online presence builds platform, grows an audience, and therefore sells books.

Well, as it turns out, not so much.

I haven’t left those two social media giants yet, but I am drastically changing the way I use them.

The idea of building a vast network of fans/readers on Facebook or Twitter might work for best-selling authors, but it’s a time suck for us regular old writers who publish or get published once in a while.

I’m now convinced a relatively safe venue such as a website and/or blog work much, much better.

What do you think? Whether you’re a writer or a reader (or both), are you avoiding Facebook and Twitter more? Where do you go to find books to read? How do you feel about Goodreads? Library Thing? Any book review sites you like? My favorite, just so you know, is Lesa’s Book Critiques blog.

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Comments

  1. It’s always good to connect with you, Liz. I agree that Goodreads has lots of advantages for those of us who love to read. I’m also exploring a site called Library Thing and may start hanging out there as well.

  2. It’s great to see you back, Pat. But sometimes, we all have to take some time away and work through the doldrums. I’m happy for you about that large print edition. More and more people are wanting that. In fact, I’ve been thinking about that possibility for my own work.

    • Cutting way back on my activities and reading more has sure been nice, Margot. So far, I’ve had no desire to sign up for a conference or convention or anything that takes me away from home for more than a couple of hours. Right now, I think I’ll head down to my easy chair, tune in my favorite radio music station, and read some more . 😀

  3. I’m not on Facebook or Twitter, but I have my blog and that’s plenty for me. 🙂

    I’m also on Goodreads, but I tend to use it more as a reader. I so enjoy seeing what people are reading and loving, what new books are coming out, if there are any giveaways, etc. My TBR pile, though, wishes I would cut back just a bit. 🙂

    • Madeline, you’re one of the readers on Goodreads that I pay close attention to when you’re recommending books. My “Want to Read” list is out of control, but I kind of like it that way. I’ve done well with entering giveaways too. I just received another advance review copy in the mail yesterday.

  4. I can only imagine how many pages that adds to put your book into big print. That’s why I like ebooks – I can make the font bigger so I can actually read it.

    With the variety of books DLP publishes, I probably have lists totaling over 1000 book review sites.

    • Hi Diane. Yes, it does make a book longer…and heavier, but my mom loved LP editions as her eyesight started to fail. She looked at my ereader but decided she still preferred holding the real print book in her hands.

      Hmm. Maybe you should offer us a copy of that review site list for a (small) fee! 😀 And you’ve reminded me I need to check Dancing Lemur Press’s website to see your latest releases.

    • Alex, you’re the perfect example of a writer who has figured out how to reach a huge audience without hanging around on Facebook. Well done!