Guest Post - Marilyn Meredith

This Writer’s Balancing Act by Marilyn Meredith

I know some people think that being a writer has some kind of romantic or mysterious aura. Believe me, that’s far from the truth. Though I can’t speak for all authors, I know a lot of them, and many spend their lives balancing all the things they have to do.

Many of us have families who would like to spend a bit of time with us. In my case, I’m the mother of four adult children, 18 grandchildren, and 11 greats. Two of my children live nearby, the other two farther away.

Running a household takes a certain amount of time, unless an author makes enough money to hire help. Unfortunately, I’ve never achieved that particular goal, so that means I clean, do the laundry, and cook meals.

To be a writer, one must spend a great deal of time in front of the computer writing. In my case, I write two series and must finish two books a year. For Mundania Press, I write the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, and for Oak Tree Press, I write the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. Dispel the Mist and An Axe to Grind are the latest.

Before a new book comes out, there are many things to do—the biggest is the marketing plan. It does no good whatsoever to write a book if you don’t let people know about it. No matter who you are published by (unless you’re a big name and there aren’t many of those) you are expected to do the major portion of the promotion.

In my case, I always plan a launch for my book. With my latest, Lingering Spirit, Oak Tree Press did it at the Public Safety Writers Association’s Conference. Odd place for the launch of a romance with a supernatural touch—but it worked. I’m also having a launch closer to home in a used bookstore.

Visiting Lori’s Reading Corner is part of a blog tour for Lingering Spirit. I like to do a blog tour for all of my books when they come out. It takes a bit of thinking and time to write a different blog for each place—but it’s also a lot of fun.

Of course I’m on Facebook and Twitter, though not as often as some folks. I have my own blog too, Marilyn’s Musings, http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com and I try to post something new everyday.

I write a monthly newsletter telling people who’ve signed up for it what I’ve been up and what’s coming up for me. Anyone who’d like to receive my newsletter can email me at mmeredith@ocsnet.net and put newsletter in the subject line.

My calendar is filled with speaking engagements for libraries, displaying and selling my books at book and craft fairs, and going to conferences. These are all work but enjoyable too because I love meeting new people and introducing them to my books.

Because readers know me because of my mysteries, it will be interesting to see how they like the different direction Lingering Spirit takes. When I’m talking about my books, I’ll be balancing again—mysteries and a romance.

Thank you so much, Lori, for letting me visit your blog today.

About the author ~  

Marilyn Meredith is the author of nearly thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest Dispel the Mist from Mundania Press. Under the name of F. M. Meredith she writes the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series, An Axe to Grind is the latest from Oak Tree Press.

She is a member of EPIC, Four chapters of Sisters in Crime, including the Internet chapter, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her site  Fiction For You and her blog at Marilyn's Musings.

Her latest book ~ 

 

Lingering Spirit

 After her police officer husband is killed in the line of duty, Nicole Ainsworth struggles with the changes forced on her life. Her efforts to focus on her daughters and cope with her grief are kept off-balance by images of Steve, her deceased husband who seems to be trying to communicate with her. Eventually, Nicole finds that Steve isn't the only one watching over her, and discovers a second chance at happiness.

Marilyn is currently at work on the next book in her Rocky Bluff P.D. series, which will be released in 2012. And in honor of that she is hosting the following contest. 

Have you ever dreamed of being immortalized in print? Well, here’s your chance! Award-winning author Marilyn Meredith is running a contest during her Lingering Spirit Virtual Book Tour, which runs from July 6th through July 30th. Marilyn will name a character in her next Rocky Bluff P.D. book the readers who comments on the most posts at blog stops during her virtual book tour. This book is currently scheduled to be released in 2012. Leave a comment and get your name in Marilyn’s next Rocky Bluff P.D. book!

Check out these other titles by Marilyn Meredith