HEROES & HOOLIGANS IN GOOSE PIMPLE JUNCTION

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Goose Pimple Junction is just recovering from a kidnapping and a murder, its first major crimes in years, when trouble begins anew. Life is turned upside down in the quirky little Southern town with the arrival of several shifty hooligans: A philandering husband intent on getting his wife back, another murderer loose in town, a stalker intent on frightening Martha Maye, and a thief who’s stealing the town blind of their pumpkins, pies, and peace. Together, they’re scaring the living daylights out of the residents and keeping the new police chief busier than a set of jumper cables at a redneck picnic. Suddenly, he has his hands full trying to apprehend a killer, stop a stalker, and fight his feelings for the damsel in distress.

Heroes & Hooligans is the second book in the Goose Pimple Junction mystery series.

EXCERPT FROM HEROES & HOOLIGANS IN GOOSE PIMPLE JUNCTION

Chapter 1

Marry in haste, repent in leisure. ~Southern Proverb


Lenny drove to his neighborhood bar with the windows wide open and Johnny Cash blaring on the radio, but he was oblivious to both. He was thinking about the phone conversation he’d just had with his ten-year-old daughter Carrie. It made him crazy the way her mother’s family called her “Butterbean.” What kind of a name was that for a child? But today he was crazy for a whole new reason. Jealousy and anger tore through him faster than small-town gossip. His daughter had spilled everything, and just when he thought he’d finally gotten a break, she said, “Mama kinda had a boyfriend but not anymore.” And: “Mama was kidnapped, but she’s back now.”

He pulled into the parking lot of the bar thinking, Boyfriend? We literally aren’t even divorced yet and she had a boyfriend? He pounded his fist against the steering wheel. He knew she’d been cheating on him. And now she’d done it right in front of their daughter. No doubt about it, he was going to have to do something about this Martha Maye situation.

Pulling into a primo spot at the front door, he looked up at the old rusty sign that had been over the entrance for years: TEETOTALERS AIN'T WELCOME HERE. He winced at the loud screech announcing his car door opening, followed by the same screech when he slammed it shut. He glanced around the parking lot and saw the same cars that were there every night. His feet crunched on the gravel as he walked, and he remembered waking up three months earlier and slowly realizing his wife and daughter weren’t there.

The familiar bacon and coffee smells were gone. Cartoons weren’t blaring on the TV. His wife’s clothes were missing, along with his daughter’s, her teddy bear, and her dolls. The bookshelves were dotted with bare spots where Martha Maye’s favorite knickknacks and paddywhacks had been. And then he saw the note on the kitchen table that said she was divorcing him and that he shouldn’t try to find them. The realization that she’d left him in the middle of the night and taken their daughter seared through him like a red-hot poker.

Pretty stealthy for a woman who could literally be outwitted by a jar of marshmallow fluff. If she thinks she can literally run out on me and then humiliate me by going out with some scumbag before we’re even divorced, she has another think coming. I’ll show her. I’ll put on the charm and win her back.

Country music blasted as he opened the door, turned his head, and spit in disgust. She literally can’t be let her out by herself. Just look where it got her: kidnapped and almost killed.

His daughter had told him they’d been staying at his mother-in-law’s house. He should have figured. He’d always known Louetta to be a meddlesome old biddy. She lied to me when I called looking for my wife and daughter. She aided and abetted a woman leaving her husband. She allowed nefarious suitors to court my wife. Both of them must have literally stopped to think and forgotten how to start again.
And then there was his no-account, good-for-nothing brother who, upon learning of the impending divorce, wanted to know if Lenny would mind if he dated Martha Maye. Boy, I’m gonna slap you so hard, when you quit rolling your clothes’ll literally be outta style. My baby brother and my wife. Yeah. Over my dead body. How could he even ask such a thing? Both of them were nothing but a bunch of backstabbing traitors.

He hitched up his jeans under his overflowing beer belly, swaggered into the bar, and ordered a Colt 45. The jukebox was playing, “I Want a Beer as Cold as My Ex-Wife’s Heart,” and he thought that was pretty darn perfect for his life at the moment.

Looking around the room, he spotted a hot blonde giving him the eye. He sucked in his gut—a move that didn’t yield the desired result—and looked back, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. She brazenly smiled back at him.

How dare Martha Maye leave me? I can literally get any woman I want. And two on Saturday.
A football star in high school, homecoming king, and voted best looking his senior year, Lenny was used to women coming onto him, not leaving him. He put the bottle to his lips and downed half of it.

That woman was literally lucky to have me. Sure, I’ve put on a little weight, but only in the gut. I practically have to fight women off with a stick. Looking around the room again, he saw female eyes on him from several tables in the room. Yessirree, sir, I still got it.

Lenny started to lift his bottle to his mouth again but halted midway when two men sat down heavily on barstools on either side of him; they looked capable of eating their young. Both men were muscular and tough. One was as tall as a telephone pole. One was as short as a gnat’s tail. The taller man had black eyes under bushy eyebrows, and the other man wore aviator sunglasses on a flat, wide nose. He pushed the glasses to the top of his head to give Lenny his best glare.

“We’ve been looking all over Hell and half of Georgia for you, boy.” Eyebrows scooted his stool in close, crowding Lenny.

“Shoot.” Lenny’s hand automatically moved to his ankle holster, checking for his knife. “That don’t surprise me none. You literally couldn’t find oil with a dipstick.”

“Solly says he’s had about enough of you,” Eyebrows said.

“Yeah,” Mr. Gnat joined in, “he’s had about enough of you.”

Lenny snorted. “You can tell Solly to blow it out his butt,” Lenny said boldly, more boldly than he felt. He shelled a peanut, popped it in his mouth, and threw the shell into Mr. Gnat’s face.

“Solly says not to let you off the hook this time.”

“Yeah, not to let you off the hook.” Mr. Gnat’s left eye twitched.

“What’s with Mr. Echo over here?” Lenny pointed his thumb at the short man.

The telephone pole ignored him and said, “Solly says you’ve screwed him over for the last time.”

“Yeah, the last time.”

“I didn’t screw him over the first time.” Lenny drained his bottle. He felt like his mouth was full of cotton. “Solly wouldn’t tell the truth to save his life from dying.” Lenny tried to stand up, but the men had him penned in.

“You can’t talk about Solly that way.”

“Yeah, not that way,” Mr. Gnat echoed.

Eyebrows looked behind Lenny to his friend. “This boy has the mental agility of a soap dish, Joey.”

“Yeah, a soap dish.”

Lenny leaned in real close to Joey, who said, “Whatta you think you’re doing?”

“Just wondered if I got close enough if I could literally hear the ocean.”

“Boy, what you need is an education,” Eyebrows said.

“Yeah, an edj-ee-cation.” Gnat strung the word out.

The men grabbed Lenny’s arms, lifting him off his stool. The song on the jukebox had ended, and Lenny heard the crunch of peanut shells as the men propelled him toward the door.

“Boys, y’all best not be messing with me,” Lenny snapped, trying to break free.

“That’s mighty big talk for a punk like you.” They stepped aside as someone came through the door, and then they threw Lenny through it. He landed on the ground but sprang right back to his feet, his dukes up, ready to fight.

Eyebrows was fast. He knocked Lenny to the ground again with a left hook. Joey followed up with two kicks to the ribs.

Lenny pulled himself into a ball, both to protect himself from further harm and to have better access to his ankle holster. But Joey saw the knife and kicked it away as Lenny drew it from his pants leg.

The men both grabbed Lenny by an arm again, pulling him upright, and Eyebrows punched him in the gut, causing him to double over. They double-teamed him and left him on the ground bloody and beaten, as cars whizzed past on the road in front of the bar.

Right before Lenny passed out, he thought: Tomorrow I’ll pack up and head for Goose Pimple Junction to reclaim what’s rightfully mine. I’ll literally be a devoted husband and father and get my family back. I ain’t gonna let that woman leave me. Nobody leaves Lenny Applewhite.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Metz is the author of the Goose Pimple Junction mystery series. She is a former first grade teacher and the mother of two sons. When not actively engaged in writing, enjoying her family, or surfing Facebook or Pinterest, Amy can usually be found with a mixing spoon, camera, or book in one hand and a glass of sweet tea in the other. Amy lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Connect with Amy:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Buy the book: 
Amazon 

 

FEATURED AUTHOR: SUZANNE TRAUTH

ABOUT THE BOOK

The tide has turned for Dodie O'Dell since a hurricane upended her life on the Jersey Shore. Now she's further up the coast in sleepy Etonville, managing a restaurant that dishes dinners themed around the community theater's latest productions. But Dodie just never imagined she'd land the starring role in a case of bloody homicide . . .

Intrigued by rumors of vanishing box office money, Dodie has agreed to help oversee the casting of Romeo and Juliet at the modest Etonville Little Theater. If nothing else, it's a welcome escape from the thirty-something's usual going-to-bed-with-a-mystery-novel routine. But when Jerome Angleton, a well-respected member of the theater company, is inexplicably found murdered on the loading dock, deadly drama transcends the stage-and the page. As a crime wave crashes over the small town, the spotlight is on Dodie to orchestrate her own investigation behind the scenes . . . before someone has a chance at a killer encore.

INTERVIEW WITH SUZANNE TRAUTH

Suzanne, how did you get started writing?
I’ve been writing since I was in grade school, entering writing contests, writing essays. I write in several genres, so I was writing plays and screenplays before novels.

What's your favorite thing about the writing process?
Getting into the flow so that I’m not even aware time is passing.

Do you have a writing routine?
I try to work every day, writing new material, revising work I’ve already drafted, promoting my work.

What do you think is hardest aspect of writing a book?
Sitting down at the computer, getting started!

What’s more important – characters or plot?
I start with character ideas and incorporate plot.

How often do you read?
Every day! I am always with a book . . . don’t go anywhere without reading material.

What is your writing style?
For this novel, I wrote a story that can be read quickly, a page turner. A light summer read. But I’ve also written more serious, literary work.

What books do you currently have published?
Non-fiction: Sonia Moore and American Acting Training; play anthology, ed.: Katrina on Stage: Five Plays.


Is writing your dream job?
Yes, yes, yes!


What is the worst job you’ve ever had? What did it teach you?
Selling magazine subscriptions on the phone. I got fired after one day. I learned phone work is not for me. Face-to-face is another story.

If you could only watch one television station for a year, what would it be?
PBS.

How do you feel about Facebook?
I love it . . . getting the word out and meeting people from my past and present.

For what would you like to be remembered?
Being generous, being creative, having a good sense of humor.

What scares you the most?
Hate.

Would you make a good character in a book?
Maybe. I’m quirky in my own way and have had some interesting backstory experiences.

What five things would you never want to live without?
Books, comfortable shoes, jeans, tea, books.

What’s one THING you never leave the house without.
My purse. It is jam-packed with stuff I probably don’t need with me all of the time.

What do you love about where you live?
New Jersey – proximity to New York City, access to the shore, a few hours by car to mountains, country.


What’s your favorite thing to do on date night?
I love dinners out; I live near a great restaurant town.

What's your favorite treat for movie night?
Popcorn and character-driven movies.

What’s your favorite beverage?
Tea . . . and seltzer

What drives you crazy?
Traffic jams!


Name one thing you’re really good at and one thing you’re really bad at.
Good at organizing people and events; bad at directions! I am directionally-challenged
.

What is one of your happiest moments?
Seeing the cover of my book Show Time.

What do you like to do when there’s nothing to do?
Read and do crossword puzzles.

Where is your favorite place to visit?
The south of France.

What’s your least favorite chore?
Food shopping . . . it’s such a trek, so many people, avoiding bumping into carts, waiting in lines . . .


Would you rather be a movie star, sports star, or rock star?
Movie star
.

Do you procrastinate?
Sometimes I have to really talk myself into sitting down at the computer.

What’s your most visited Internet site?
Right now it’s Facebook!

What’s in your refrigerator right now?
Peanut butter, orange juice, jelly, bread, salad, frozen yogurt, frozen vegetables, condiments.

What is the most daring thing you've done?
Walked 60 miles in three days for a fundraising effort.

What is the stupidest thing you've ever done?
Gotten on a motorcycle (and had an accident).

What would your main character say about you?
We are alike in some ways!


Where is your favorite library, and what do you love about it?
The Performing Arts Library at Lincoln Center in New York City; it has an enormous number of resources, rare books, historical material, videos of NY shows. It’s just an amazing place for research.


If you had a talk show who would your dream guests be?
Meryl Streep, Judi Dench, Brad Pitt.


What’s one thing that very few people know about you?
I sometimes like to cook.



How do you like your pizza?
With mushrooms and onions

.

Describe yourself in 5 words.
Driven, fun, organized, conscientious, social
.

What’s your favorite song?
Any of the songs from the Big Chill

.

What is your favorite movie? The Big Chill.

Do you have a favorite book?
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.


If you had to choose a cliché about life, what would it be?
Things happen.


What are you working on now?
Book 3 in the Dodie O’Dell Mystery Series.





Connect with Suzanne:
Website  |  

Facebook  |  Twitter  |  
Goodreads  

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble 


 

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FACEBOOK FROM THE READERS' POV

On Sunday I posted thoughts from some of my writer friends on the roll of social media in an author's life. Then I started wondering about the readers' points of view. I didn't get as much feedback as I got from the authors, but the readers who did speak up all had something interesting to say. I'm grateful for their time and input. Thank you, Sharon Vertetis Aguanno, Judy Gardner, Amy Workman, Phylis Carpenter, Joan Falten Somers, and two readers who preferred to remain anonymous. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions!

What types of posts do you like to see authors post on social media?

Sharon Vertetis Aguanno: I absolutely love Facebook! Although I have a Twitter account, I am not much of a twitter user! I like seeing personal postings from my author friends. How they are doing with their work in progress from a personal perspective. E.g. Excitement over a character, how many pages written, personal distractions… blocked feelings! Outside of their books, I like to see personal things, pictures, vacations, and even memes (these tend to tell a tale about the personality of the person posting them). Also, announcements of their tours… which I love to follow.

Judy Gardner: Posts of upcoming new books and date coming out.

Amy Workman: Updates on the new book they are writing; the cover for a new book; upbeat posts...inspirational, happy or funny frustrations.

Phylis Carpenter: I like to see posts that show me their books with a small description.  Something that catches my eye as I scroll down. I also like to see giveaways because money here is tight. 

Joan Falten Somers: 
My favorite posts are either funny or simply something the author finds endearing.

Anonymous #1: Updates on their books, and snippets of how their lives are going.

Anonymous #2: I like to see posts about new books/series, special sales, and giveaways.

Do you find new books and new authors on Facebook and Twitter?


Sharon Vertetis Aguanno: Facebook – Yes, Twitter – No.



Judy Gardner: Rarely. Only if Mrs. Must Read Mysteries or Must Read Mysteries posts them and they are new authors (I only get free books because of my lack of funds).


Amy Workman: Facebook, yes.

Phylis Carpenter: I have found a lot of new authors on Facebook. I have also joined their Facebook pages to keep up with their latest news and books.

Joan Falten Somers: I find new authors on Facebook. I'm not very often on Twitter.

Anonymous #1: Facebook, from the groups I am in.

Anonymous #2: I find new books and new authors on Facebook.

What do you think an author can do to attract you to “Like” or follow them? 


Sharon Vertetis Aguanno: Most of the authors that I have liked or followed in the past year, I have done so on the recommendation of another author—usually through an FB posting or a blog posting. The only thing I really look for is that they are interesting. Topics of interest include areas that I know and love, Humor in the Memes and down to earth people! So if I were to offer a suggestion to an author, it would be to share other authors they have read and enjoyed.

Judy Gardner: Put an excerpt of the upcoming book, ask readers to follow for further updates.

Amy Workman: Actually respond to fans. If you’re on FB, it is nice and inspiring that you like and interact with us. I have unfollowed many authors that are on FB, post lots but do not interact with fans. If you add me on FB, then I think you could at least interact also. I know you’re busy but as the saying goes . . . you have time to do what you want.

Phylis Carpenter: If they are doing an event on Facebook I will like that and share it, if it’s a genre that I usually read.  I know writers are busy, but I like those that take the time to answer your questions or just attend a Facebook event that allows you to chat and get to know the author.

Anonymous #1: I connect via the book launch parties. They are awesome.

Anonymous #2: Write good books, respond to questions, have contests/giveaways where they interact with readers.

When you’re scrolling your newsfeed, what types of posts are you most likely to “like” from an author? (About their books, funny memes, personal things . . . )

Sharon Vertetis Aguanno: All of the above, and from the last question, down to earth authors.

Judy Gardner: The ones announcing a new book coming out or that share something quirky about the author.

Amy Workman: Now that actually depends. I will like, luv haha many posts because the author posts as a friend. Others, because they do not interact with fans (friends) I have clicked unfollow. It means more if you act as a friend even though your profession is being an author. You act as a friend not as a celebrity who thinks they are better than the rest. If you want me on FB, act like you do.

Phylis Carpenter: Anything that pops out at me. Again, I love the giveaways or the possibility of a giveaway. Such as if I see one that says "when I reach xx number of likes I may give a book or two away. Then I will like and share the post. If I decide that I don't want to follow that author anymore then I just turn my notifications off for them, but I do not unlike their page when the contest is over.

Anonymous #1: All of the above. :)

Anonymous #2: For me, this really depends on who the author is.

Are there some authors with whom you’ve become friends but don’t follow?

Sharon Vertetis Aguanno: Yes, I have authors on my Facebook page that I friended or they friended me and I love reading and responding to their personal posts, however I do not enjoy their genre. Sci Fi is a good example.

Judy Gardner: Yes, one, because she has never asked me to follow her!

Amy Workman: No. I follow the Authors who actually interact on a personal level on FB with me. I have clicked unfollow on about 20 authors due to no interaction from them. They post that they have drawings to win a book or set of their books, but I am not impressed they only post that type of items.

Phylis Carpenter: No, not that I can think of.

Anonymous #1: I wouldn't say "friends" past FB to an extent, but I don't follow some of them. A few are, well, off-putting, but that can change.

Anonymous #2: This doesn’t happen often, but posts annoy me where the author tells you he doesn’t make much money and “begs” you to buy his books so he can eat next month.

What types of posts from authors annoy you? 


Sharon Vertetis Aguanno: Not just authors . . . I dislike strong political statements and harsh statements about God! And Negative attitudes!

Judy Gardner: nothing from authors annoys me!

Amy Workman: Posting “win a book or set of my books” but do not actually interact with anyone. They only use FB as social media to promote something.

Phylis Carpenter: I can't think of any unless if you count the ones where they put a cute cover and a great description and then I have to wait a couple of months before I can buy the book because it won't be released until then. I hate to wait.

Joan Falten Somers: I avoid any people who post anything political!

Anonymous #1: I'm always happy to know about books, or be reminded of a book. But when I have 15 posts in 15 groups from the SAME author on the SAME day, that is overdoing it a little.

Anonymous #2: If I like and would recommend an author’s books, I will share author posts about new books, special sales, and giveaways.

What types of posts from authors do you share? 


Sharon Vertetis Aguanno: Anything that I personally relate to. A funny meme, for example. Book promotions, book tours, blog postings. It only takes a minute to promote an author or a good book/series. If I can help, I like to do it!

Judy Gardner: Book sales or new books.

Amy Workman: I share a lot of the funny memes, I share about new books coming out or the updates on how the new book is coming. It means I endorse you as an author that I luv luv luv to read and am proud to say I think of you as an actual FB friend.

Phylis Carpenter: Any posts announcing Facebook events the author might be in, or anything that catches my eye, I think it might appeal to my friends as well so I will like and share. I know I keep mentioning giveaways, but I really like reading and read a lot of books. I always try to leave a review and recommend books to my friends as well. It doesn’t have to be print books—ebooks are great because you don't have to wait for them to be mailed.   
 
Anonymous #1: Book launches, book sales, interview links.

Anonymous #2: If I like and would recommend an author’s books, I will share author posts about new books, special sales, and giveaways.


So there you have it. I would have liked a few more perspectives, but you can lead a horse to water . . . In any case, this has been an interesting subject to delve into. Leave a comment if you want to give your feedback on any of the questions. If, by any chance, you missed the post with the author's thoughts, keep scrolling down. Thanks to the readers who participated and to those who stopped by A Blue Million Books. Happy reading!

THANK YOU!

Sharon Vertetis Aguanno is from Kingston, New York, Lawrenceville, Georgia, Tampa Bay, Florida, Sierra Vista, Arizona, and finally San Antonio, Texas.

Judy Gardner lives in Florida.

Amy Workman's hometown is Wadsworth, Ohio. She currently lives in Aurora, Colorado.

Phylis Carpenter is from Frederick, Maryland. She currently lives in Ranburne, Alabama.

Joan Falten Somers lives in Severna Park, Maryland.

AUTHORS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media is a big asset to authors, allowing us to connect with multitudes in an instantaneous fashion. But lately I’m wondering how should authors spend their time on Facebook or Twitter? Does social media really help sell books? Is Facebook a valuable marketing tool, a way to connect with readers, or just a huge time vacuum? I wondered what other authors thought about this subject, so I asked. Read on for thoughts from Christoph Fischer, Celeste Burke, Brent Hartinger, Maria Grazia Swan, P.C. Zick, Sarah Mallery, Jane Firebaugh, Julie Moffett, Julie Seedorf, Ritter Ames, Frankie Bow, Kathy, Carol Keen, Cindy Blackburn, Lisa Binion, Amy Reade, and Tricia Drammeh. Next up (July 26) authors on social media from a reader's perspective.

Do you use social media for business or pleasure or both?

Christoph Fischer: Both. Sadly, I spend most of the time on it for business.



Celeste Burke: I use it for both . . . but spend much more time on FB involved in writing-related activities. That includes time spent in activities in groups that I have joined focused on various aspects of writing and marketing books.

Brent Hartinger: Honestly, I'm not sure I would be a big social media user if not for my writing career. That said, to have any success at all in social media, you have to enjoy it, and it has to be personal. Just constantly flogging your work is pointless, and probably counter-productive.
The most important thing isn't what you post, or how you post. I think it's how you react and interact with people. Are you accessible? Are you genuine? This sort of thing really builds up fans, and allows you to make contacts with people who will be your devoted boosters. But it has to be genuine. And because it's genuine, it's really time-intensive.
Another way to look at it is that you're serving your reader, giving them something of value—and it's something a lot more valuable that the opportunity to buy your brilliant book or bask in your genius. No, you're giving them genuine personal access to you, an author they're somewhat or very interested in. That's valuable! But again, it's also very time-consuming, at least if you're doing it right.

Maria Grazia Swan: Both, and while I should talk books, 80% of the time I don’t. It feels too crass . . . plus, I do enjoy my FB friends . . .


P.C. Zick: I do both, but really most of my time is spent on business and trying not to annoy my friends and family.

Sarah Mallery: I use FB mostly for business. I share other authors’ announcements/posts, but if I have a more personal message to add, I will PM that person privately. However, these days, I’ve been concentrating far more on Twitter.

Jane Firebaugh: Both – More time spent on business.

Julie Moffett: I use it for both, but I think I use it more for personal than business. Still, I’m pretty active on both of my pages.

Julie Seedorf: Both they seem to meld together.

Ritter Ames: Both, but it’s kind of a merged thing. I tend to stick to more personal things on my profile page and more “my writing” type things on my author page.

Frankie Bow: For me, Facebook is a great way to connect with other authors and mystery fans. There are groups devoted to cozy mysteries, to favorite series, and to specific author interests.

Kathi Daley: Both but mostly business.


Carol E. Keen: More business, but my business is a pleasure, so that is harder to answer.

Anonymous: Both—mainly business.

Cindy Blackburn: Both—spend more time on Twitter.

Lisa Binion: I mainly use Facebook to share my articles and info about my book. I also use it to keep in touch with friends and family.

Amy Reade: I use Facebook for both business and pleasure. It's hard to know how I spend my time, since I follow a lot of authors and bloggers in my personal feed. I spend time commenting on their posts as well as posts by family and friends. I try to post something original on my author page at least once a day. Sometimes it's book news, sometimes it's just what I'm working on. I also like to share posts from other pages that focus on the places where my books are set. I guess I would say I probably spend a bit more time on author stuff than personal stuff—maybe 60% business, 40% pleasure.

Tricia Drammeh: I use my Facebook Author Page for blog posts, book-related posts, and to promote other authors. I post everything on Twitter! Links to a variety of articles (book related or non-book related), promos for other authors, pictures of my dog, you name it.

Tony Scougal:  Facebook for business and pleasure but mostly business since I am a member of numerous book groups and run/administer Kindle Books 2.

On what type of posts do you get the most response?

Christoph Fischer: Positive success stories and positive personal stories, e.g. getting awards and getting a new puppy, getting engaged etc. get the most responses.



Celeste Burke: Now that FB has reduced the reach that we get from posting, I get the most response to posts that actively engage my readers. That includes giveaways, news about books, events held on FB. Posting in FB groups about books and book promotion also seems to help create activity.

Brent Hartinger: Well, it's sad to say, but simple is always better than complicated, and a video or attention-getting photo is always better than text. I used to bristle at this, but I suppose it's human nature. I'm a busy person too, and I scan just like everyone else, only clicking on things that really jump out at me.
Mostly, it's important that the post have some kind of "hook"—something that is instantly obvious, and draws the reader or viewer in. There's a reason why cat videos and baby photos are so popular!
Unlike most authors, I do occasionally do long, thought-provoking posts on Facebook. Sometimes they go nowhere, but sometimes they do. And when they do, I'm pleased, because I feel like they reinforce my brand more than yet another cat video. But if you go this route, it's important to have something to say. And it's also important to frame it with a big, fat, attention-drawing hook or title.
It's easy to get a response to political posts, or general rants about life, but I think this is a mistake. I don't see what's to be gained by getting into politics, or negatively in general, except that you're potentially alienating half your readers. The point of social media as author isn't to change the world. It's to reinforce your brand, and create interactions with readers that ultimately leads to more book sales (and other assorting opportunities, like speaking gigs). Unless your brand IS politics, I don't see the point of this.

Maria Grazia Swan: Jokes, PG jokes and blogs with pics of people . . . yes. . . I keep track. Faces get you the most views.


P.C. Zick: I get responses from my groups—street team and colleagues—where I ask for shares or tweets.

Sarah Mallery: Actually, the posts that have clever sayings on them, or sometimes URLs from YouTube that I’ve shared get the biggest response.
 
Jane Firebaugh: New releases and multi-author giveaways.

Julie Moffett: Giveaways for sure, announcements of new releases, and Facebook parties/giveaways with other authors.

Julie Seedorf: New releases and multi-author giveaways. The most response is when I ask a question, share something personal, and giveaways. They tend to be even.

Ritter Ames: Funny things that relate to everyday life, contests, and things that show the goodness of others.

Kathi Daley: Contests and specific questions that readers are prompted to answer.

Carol E. Keen: Book launches and free books of mine or someone else's.

Anonymous: I post pictures/quizzes/blogs about the 70s. You never know what will resonate. McDonalds’ glasses did, drinking out of a hose did, a caftan did not.

Cindy Blackburn: Twitter—lots of RT’s on blatant self-promo stuff.

Amy Reade: The posts that get the most responses are those about book news- covers, progress updates, etc.


Tony Scougal:

Do you feel Facebook or Twitter has an impact on your book sales?

Christoph Fischer: Not on the same scale as they were a few years ago. I think the number of books published and tweets being tweeted has put a damper on things a little. They are still important tools, though.



Celeste Burke: That is such a difficult question to answer because I’m doing everything at once. My understanding is that the different social media outlets reinforce one another by offering repeated exposure to information about me, my books, and the material I share about other authors.

Brent Hartinger: It's not a direct relationship, but yes, it's a huge impact, almost beyond measuring. Honestly, I think I sell way more books through social media that I ever did through newspaper profiles. If I had to choose between social media and never having another media profile of me, I'd choose social media in a heartbeat.
Social media is as much of a revolution as the Gutenberg press. It's HUGE. It's changing EVERYTHING.
The key revolutionary features are (1) it speed (instantaneous), (2) its reach (the entire world instantly!), and (3), mostly important, its interactivity. Mass communication is no longer a one-way street! Think about that, what a monumental change that it is. It gives me the chills just thinking about it.
For authors, this allows us to create a genuine, interactive relationship with our readers. That means more than just posting things and selling yourself. It means also being accessible, being open to instant messaging, responding to comments, responding to tweets. More than half the time I spend on social media is interacting with readers. It's one on one. But I also think that's the most important part of it, the part that sells books.
Interesting side-note: social media has mostly replaced email for me. I used to get ten to twenty emails from fans a week. Now I get maybe five. But I get dozens of messages and inquiries via social media. Honestly, I find social media easier, and better, because I don't feel the pressure to write a 500 word response, and because there's more of a back and forth. I can answer exactly what the person wants to know about.

Maria Grazia Swan: Honestly I have no clue, but I tell myself it does in order to justify the time I spend online.


P.C. Zick: Twitter does more than Facebook unless it’s a new release.

Sarah Mallery: Since I don’t use FB except for specific book promotions and sharing, I would say Twitter has had more impact on my sales.

Jane Firebaugh: Yes, probably both do.

Julie Moffett: Absolutely.

Julie Seedorf: Yes, absolutely. But not always because I promote my books, but because I let them know me.

Ritter Ames: I think it’s a long game approach. I don’t think either affects my day-to-day sales, but as I build a relationship with the fan with both venues, I think I gain later sales that way. Unless a book is on sale—then I think I gain immediate sales from both FB & Twitter.

Frankie Bow: Facebook, no. Twitter, maybe. Twitter is a great way to get out news about promotions and new releases, both mine and those of other authors

Kathi Daley: Absolutely. Big time!

Carol E. Keen: Yes, I do. Facebook especially. I'm still rather new to Twitter. (I would NEVER have joined Twitter if it weren't for my books.)

Anonymous: I do think FB can be especially helpful for a new author. There is a cozy community.

Cindy Blackburn: Yes—I’m a firm believer in Twitter. The more I do there, the better my sales

Lisa Binion: Not really, but I don't often send out posts that advertise my book. I do feel that Facebook has had a positive impact on my editing business. Since I've never mentioned on Twitter that I edit books, I doubt that social media site has sent any authors to me.

Amy Reade: In terms of selling books, I'm sure FB is more helpful than Twitter. Twitter is like a vacuum of authors, all trying to out-shout each other. Most of my tweets are actually retweets of other authors' stuff, though I try to post something original every day on Twitter.

Tricia Drammeh: I'm not sure if I can directly link book sales to my activity on social media, but I've met a lot of amazing people, and for me, that's what matters.

Tony Scougal: I post Amazon links and my blogsite links to my groups about 3 times a week. I tweet the same links about 3 times a week on twitter. I probably spend about 1 hour a day on these two social media sites (in total) posting links, usually at coffee time when relaxing and quite literally hitting 'share'. There is no doubt in my mind that posting these links directly to these two sites results in sales. As another 'guide' I share my blogsite which is book related only and have taken 220,000 views using Facebook and twitter sharing capacity.

Is there a secret to getting "likes" on a Facebook post or an author page? 

Christoph Fischer: I know Rafflecopter giveaways ask people to like pages, tweets and Facebook post campaigns try to entice readers. I’m not sure what works. I think the significance of a high number of likes is over-rated. When people see your page they are already interested. More important is the actual content on the page. To keep the following you need to produce fresh and interesting, original content.



Celeste Burke: Posts that engage visitors and then are shared seem to help new readers discover me. They often will come to check out a post and like my page as well as the post! So, it happens as a byproduct of those other activities. Giveaways do that, too, even though FB does not want you to expressly request people to “like” your page in order to enter a giveaway. Friends will respond to invitations extended to them to like a page or post, but I don’t like to do that often since I don’t want to swamp people with social media requests.

Brent Hartinger: Writing good books? Being a positive, accessible, kind human being? Doing things that people actually like? ;)

Maria Grazia Swan: Again, clueless, but when I feel particularly brave and ask for a like I usually get it.

P.C. Zick: I get most of my likes from Facebook parties where I request it and on new release information.
 
Sarah Mallery: Recently I’ve been asked by people on Twitter if I would like their page, and after I do, I ask them to reciprocate. Also, because I’ve been getting more and more people following me on Twitter, I noticed I am get far more Friend requests on FB.


Jane Firebaugh: I wish I knew it. lol

Julie Moffett: Tag it to a giveaway. That almost always seems to work for me.

Julie Seedorf: Usually for me it is when someone reads my books or sees a post about something they are interested in and then they like my page.

Ritter Ames: I think in regard to both venues, the more you interact with fellow members, the more others will see your posts and want to like or follow you. I also gain a lot of likes and follows from my Amazon author page, btw.

Kathi Daley: Give stuff away or post cute pet photos.

Carol E. Keen: What I'm seeing is many authors having giveaways, and using Rafflecopter. Several entries have to do with liking FB pages, Amazon pages, and so forth. It's free, and easy, and counts towards the odds of winning whatever it is that is being offered.

Anonymous: I think being consistent and not trying to sell something all the time helps immensely.

Cindy Blackburn: Funny, pics of animals. Pics of any sort get more attention.

Lisa Binion: If there is, I wish I knew what it was.

Amy Reade: If there's a secret to getting likes on Facebook other than being wildly famous, I hope someone shares it with me.

Is there a secret to getting followers or retweets on Twitter?

Christoph Fischer: There are re-tweet groups to share each other’s platform. That gets you retweets, as does Twitter etiquette of retweeting tweets of similar content, which often results in kind reciprocation.
 Relevant hashtags in moderation will get you attention and retweets. 
One way of getting followers is by following them first, hoping they will reciprocate.
‘Raiding’ the followers of similar author accounts can be useful. 
Again, hash-tagged, relevant content in your tweets will bring the right people your way. 



Celeste Burke: I don’t think it’s a secret, but joining retweet groups on FB helps. Using hashtags when you send out a tweet is important. Tweets with pictures attract more attention and get more exposure. Supporting other authors is always good too—following something close to the 20-80 rule: 20% about me 80% about others. That’s another advantage to joining retweet groups—you get your tweet sent out but you do the same for the others in the group so you’re sure not all of your content is about yourself.

Brent Hartinger: Honestly, a big part of this is being uniquely you, being genuine. What is it about you (and your books) that is different from others? What makes you worthwhile as an author, what sets you apart? What do you bring to the table that no one else does? What is your personal "voice"? That's your brand!
I see my own brand as that of a "storyteller." I am a novelist and screenwriter, and I love the whole idea of a "story:" what it is, and how to make it accessible. So I write about my own personal and professional struggles as a writer, examples of successful and unsuccessful stories by others, and also other media trends. I sometimes include personal anecdotes, to give readers a sense of "me," but I mostly focus on my life as a storyteller. My personal life? That's not really relevant to my social media presence, except as it directly relates to my brand.

Maria Grazia Swan: Retweet and you get retweeted and you get followers, that’s my experience.


P.C. Zick: Join groups that share tweets. I use ManageFlitter to get rid of those who don’t follow back and to search for readers, reviewers, bloggers for my genre to follow.
 
Sarah Mallery: I have discovered that if someone RT’s my Tweet, it takes a little extra time, but I first go check out that person if I’m not already following them. Then, if they seem legit, I will go to their Media stream and RT something from them. That’s been garnering a lot of RTs and good will from people.


Jane Firebaugh: I wish I knew that too! lol

Julie Moffett: Same as Facebook. Make it a required part of a giveaway.

Julie Seedorf: Sharing with other friends and writers and sharing my cat pictures.

Kathi Daley: I follow almost everyone back—there are exceptions. I also belong to several tweet teams.

Carol E. Keen: See above for followers. For retweets, I do all I can to promote other authors. IF they do the same for me, we all prosper. ​There is this CoPromote app, I can't totally figure it out, but I'm using it. It is able to use Twitter, Vine, Tumbler and Instagram. I feel a bit drowned in social media sometimes.

Cindy Blackburn: Effort. I follow and unfollow people every day. I try to RT as much as possible—especially those the RT me. I repeat--effort.

Lisa Binion: If there is, I don't know it.

Amy Reade: I've noticed that pictures on Twitter are essential. I get far more likes and retweets when there's a photo with my tweet. Also, I tend to get more likes and retweets when I use specific hashtags. Not just "#fiction" or "#blogging," but something that narrows the focus, like "#CR4U" (clean reads) or "#lucilleball."

Do you have both an author page and a profile page or just one or the other?

Christoph Fischer: I have both. Author page for book-related issues only, the profile page for some of the book content and personal. The line is fluid, as I have become friends with many colleagues and readers via my personal profile. The profile gets more attention overall, possibly because enthusiastic readers like to know a bit about me as a person, too, and a few have sent me personal friend requests.

Celeste Burke: I have a personal page and an author page. I believe the author page gets more activity. I try to use that page to keep readers informed about what’s new, but also use my blog and newsletters to do that.

Brent Hartinger: It's essential that authors have both a fan page and a personal page, mostly because you're limited to the number of "friends" on a personal page. Furthermore, Facebook will probably eventually restrict the use of personal pages for promotional purposes.
I get much more activity on my personal page, and I do accept superfans as friends. But an author page allows you to "boost" occasional posts (for a small charge), and this can be extremely helpful in reaching interested, but less passionate fans. It's absolutely targeted marketing in a way that's never existed before. I think this is even better targeted marketing than a newsletter, which is supposedly the "holy grail" of marketing. Not everyone opens newsletters, but almost everyone will see a boosted post on Facebook.
I've also had great luck uploading videos directly to Facebook (as opposed to embedding them from YouTube), then "boosting" the video. This has sold an almost surreal number of books. I spent $25 boosting one video, and immediately sold well over $1000 worth of books in the two days that followed.
(If I had to do it over again, I would have an author fan page, a personal-fan page, AND a private personal page, to keep my personal life completely separate from my professional one. Ah, well!)

Maria Grazia Swan: I have both, and my profile page gets a lot more activity. Then again, I have more friends on that page than on my author’s page. And I don’t post the same thing, also, whatever I post is for the whole wide world to see. I have yet to figure out how to be selective and limit some posts to specific friends . . . so far so good.

P.C. Zick: I have an author page. I don’t know what a profile page is. But I also have several pages for specific genres since I have a diverse selection of published works.

Sarah Mallery: I have an author “Fan” page and a profile page on FB. Probably my profile page gets more activity, since I’ve not been promoting on the other so much.

Jane Firebaugh: I have both, but I don’t use the author page enough. Personal page gets more activity, because I use it a lot more.

Julie Moffett: I have both and am active daily on both.

Julie Seedorf: I have both, and they both get a lot of activity, but I don’t use the author page enough. 


Kathi Daley: Both plus several group pages. When you post to an author page only a very small percentage of those who have liked the page even see the post. I have almost 15,000 likes and I have a lot of posts where it says my reach is around 50. That’s sad. I feel I get a lot more bang for my buck on my personal page and my group page.

Carol E. Keen: Yes, I have both. My regular page gets way more activity from others, because I was a "person" before having an author page. FB's algorithms are so messed up, it is wonder we see anything AT ALL!

Cindy Blackburn: I have an author page on FB. Don’t even know if I have a profile page??? Not sure what that is.

Lisa Binion: I have a personal page. Then there is my Fiction Writing page that attracts a lot more activity than my personal page. That makes me happy because that is the page I want people to pay attention to. Why? It will direct them to my website.

Amy Reade: For Facebook, I have author and personal pages. I do this because not all my FB friends want to know about every little book thing that goes on with me. Likewise, all my author followers (there's some overlap, but not total) might not care to know what's growing in my flowerbeds. 
For Twitter, I only have one account- my author account. 
I would say my personal FB page gets a bit more activity than my author page.

Tricia Drammeh: On Facebook, I interact with authors and readers on my regular profile, and though I do sometimes post reading-related articles, I don't do any hard selling. The only time I post about my own books are when I have a new release or a free book offer.

THE SECRET

I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no secret. The right way to use social media is as diverse as its users. It can be a marketing tool, a way for authors to check in with friends and make new ones, or both. In a post titled “Please shut up: Why self-promotion as an author doesn't work,” Delilah S. Dawson wrote: “Because here's the secret: None of us know what we're doing, but we're all trying our asses off. We are all hungry.”

The good news is the lines of business and pleasure can blur in social media. I think Facebook recognizes that too, hence the opportunity they give us with author pages. Is social media a place to sell ourselves or a place to share ourselves? Authors get to decide whether to “push” (constant tweets and posts about their book), or “pull” (sharing a bit of themselves to forge a genuine connection with others).

Social media can be so much more than just “buy my book” or “notice me, talk to me.” Facebook is a great way for authors to connect, support, and encourage each other. And authors promoting fellow authors’ work, particularly when it’s new, on a special sale, or in a giveaway, can more effectively help readers discover a new author than self-promotion.

For a lot of authors, Facebook is their water cooler. For those who work alone, it may be the only human interaction they have all day. And even at the water cooler, you’ll find some who are there for some “it’s all about me” time, while others are there to share ideas, news, and thoughts.

Sometimes authors can get so caught up in selling their book that marketing becomes their sole reason for using social media. They friend and follow people with the intent to be friended or followed back. Where’s the social aspect in that approach? Dawson made the point: “Would fishing be fun if the fish jumped out of the ocean and smacked you in the face?  . . . that's what a lot of social media by authors is starting to look like, to feel like: being smacked in the face, repeatedly, by hundreds of fish.”

Authors can use social media for the hard sell or as a way to attract new friends (and readers) with their personalities, making sales a happy by-product of connecting with others. Beyond “networking” with other authors, Facebook gives authors a chance to connect with people, whether they are writers or readers. It’s a way for authors to use their work to make friends, not use their friends to make money. I don’t want to go to the water cooler to be bombarded with a sales pitch. I want to go for some levity, friendship, and genuine connection. I think to use social media purely to promote a book or to “like” and “friend” other authors only to sell a book would be missing the point of social media. What do you think?

ABOUT THE AUTHORS


Christoph Fischer is a UK based author of historical fiction (Three Nations Trilogy, Ludwika, In Search of a Revolution), contemporary fiction (Time to Let Go, Conditions), and thrillers (The Healer, The Gamblers).

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Celeste Burke is the author of the Jessica Huntington Desert Cities mystery series, the Corsario Cove cozy mystery series, and The Georgie Shaw cozy mystery series.

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Brent Hartinger is a writer of just about everything that involves words: novels (including the Russel Middlebrook new adult series), screenplays, plays, web content, even greeting cards. A feature film version of his first novel, Geography Club, was released in November 2013.

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Amazon

Maria Grazia Swan is the author of the Mina Calvi Adventures, Lella York series, and non-fiction.

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P.C. Zick  is the author of contemporary romance, contemporary fiction, and non-fiction.  (Florida Fiction series, Behind the Love trilogy, Smoky Mountain romances.)
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Sarah Mallery is a historical fiction writer with four published books to date: Tales to Count On, Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads, Unexpected Gifts, and The Dolan Girls.
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Jane Firebaugh is the author of the White Mountain Romantic mystery series: Antiques & Avarice, and Old Crimes & Nursery Rhymes.

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Julie Moffett is the author of fifteen published novels in the genres of historical, paranormal fantasy, and time travel romances, and action/adventure mysteries (the Lexi Carmichael series).
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Julie Seedorf is a cozy mystery author of the Fuchsia Minnesota Series, Granny Is In Trouble children’s series, and Brilliant Minnesota series.
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Ritter Ames is a cozy mystery author of the Art Mysteries Series & Organized Mysteries Series. 
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Kathi Daley is the author of six cozy mystery series, including: Zoe Donovan Mystery, Whales & Tails Cozy Mystery, Sand & Sea Hawaiian Mystery, TJ Jensen Mystery, Paradise Lake Mystery, and Seacliff High Mystery.
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Frankie Bow is the author of The Professor Molly Mysteries, Miss Fortune Kindle Worlds Novellas, and coloring books for all ages.
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Carol E. Keen currently writes books in fantasy genres for adults and YA, as well as in the Supernatural Thriller Mystery genre.
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Cindy Blackburn is the author of the Cue Ball Mysteries cozy series.

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Lisa Binion is a freelance editor and the author of Softly & Tenderly, a paranormal horror novel.

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Amy Reade is the author of women's contemporary and gothic fiction with three published books to date: The Secrets of Hallstead House, The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor, and The House of the Hanging Jade.
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Tricia Drammeh is the author of the Spellbringers series, The Seance, Sweet Sorrow, The Fifth Circle, and Better than Perfect.

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Tony Scougal: Tony writes under the pseudonym Paul Anthony. A former counter terrorist detective for Cumbria Police proper, he is anuthor of thrillers, murder mysteries, espionage, television and film scripts, and screenplays. 

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