Tag: writing

Authors! Here are some things you should never do

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Writing can be glorious. However, the business aspect of being an author, not so much. Here are some things to think about.

I’ve been writing books for over 30 years. Today, I have six traditionally published novels, which means a publisher paid the bills for editing, proofreading, internal design, cover art, and, on occasion, advertising

However, authors must participate in marketing and promotional campaigns, including creating websites, attending book signings, eliciting reviews, writing blogs, appearing on podcasts, and coordinating media appearances, on top of having a robust social-media footprint. The manuscript writing required of an author pales in comparison to the public relations aspect of the job.

That said, I’d like to address some traps some of my peers stumble into. First, let’s look at those moments when authors scream “Best Seller!”, in an effort to get their book to pop on posts or when courting reviewers.

It used to be that a best seller was a book that racked up a lot of sales during a specific time frame and appeared on one or more of several well-known lists published by the New York Times, U.S.A. Today, or Publishers Weekly, for example. Of course, today there are many more outlets that issue such lists, like Amazon which defines a best seller as a book that appears in the top 100 in a specific genre category. If one’s book is so honored, the author can certainly lay claim to that accomplishment. However, all too often, the source of the “best seller” accolade remains a mystery. Is it a New York Times best seller? Is it a bestseller in your home town of 600 people? Is it a best seller because it sold more copies than any other book you wrote? Or is it a best seller because the author felt the need to gin up attention?

I mention this because I am a big believer in truth in advertising. If you can’t say exactly where your book was a best seller and why, it’s simply disingenuous to use the phrase in marketing.

Then there are reviews. I’ve seen posts that boast glorious verbiage: “Fantastic!” “I loved it!” 5 Stars! “A real page turner!” Then the source is revealed as “Amazon Reviewer.” I’m not saying the reviews aren’t real, but without a name, website, or media outlet, the reviewer could be the author’s mom or no one at all.

And speaking of reviews, it is never okay to ask friends and family members to review your book. I mean, geez, they love you, yes? Understandably, they would never admit your book is really bad, so any reviews from them would be disingenuous at best. Also, don’t say to a fellow author, “I’ll review your book, if you review mine.” That reeks of quid pro quo and is just plain awkward. And never be tempted to purchase fake reviews. Remember, Amazon and other media outlets have their own fake-review police, and you never want to find yourself squaring off with them. Yes, finding strangers who will take the time to read and review your book is a difficult and sometimes disappointing task, however there is no way around it.

I realize a lot of people have an idealistic and rather romanticized version of what being an author means. I’m just saying writing is like any other business where there are responsibilities and rules that need to be respected.

Wolf Catcher

Anne Montgomery

Historical Fiction

In 1939, archeologists uncovered a tomb at the Northern Arizona site called Ridge Ruin. The man, bedecked in fine turquoise jewelry and intricate bead work, was surrounded by wooden swords with handles carved into animal hooves and human hands. The Hopi workers stepped back from the grave, knowing what the Moochiwimi sticks meant. This man, buried nine hundred years earlier, was a magician.

Former television journalist Kate Butler hangs on to her investigative reporting career by writing freelance magazine articles. Her research on The Magician shows he bore some European facial characteristics and physical qualities that made him different from the people who buried him. Her quest to discover The Magician’s origin carries her back to a time when the high desert world was shattered by the birth of a volcano and into the present-day dangers of archeological looting where black market sales of antiquities can lead to murder.

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Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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An author’s dilemma: So many social media sites, so little time

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Authors understand that they need to be on social media if they want to sell books. At least, I hope they do. In fact, anyone with a merchandise to sell needs to be regularly taping away, telling consumers why their product is a must have.

In case you’re skeptical, note that, according to DataReportal,  there are currently 5.31 billion social media users around the world, people who log onto almost seven different social media platforms each month, where they spend over 18 hours weekly visiting various sites.

Despite what youngsters tell you—Kids apparently prefer platforms that cater exclusively to them and don’t like scrolling through postings by old folks.— Facebook is still king in the social media world with over three billion users visiting monthly. I mention this because love it or hate it authors should have a presence on the site.  

But where should authors go from there? Depending on who you ask, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok are where they should be. But here’s the thing, when you throw in the effort required to run a website, write regular blogs, participate in podcasts, appear at speaking engagements and book events, as well as posting on myriad social media sites, authors can get overwhelmed. (And I didn’t even mention that they should also find time to write.)

The solution? Think carefully about where you’d like to spread the word about your books. Note which social media sites appeal to you. For example, I struggled with Instagram. The picture/video-dominant platform often confounded me. When TikTok somehow took over my Instagram account and I was unable to retrieve it, I just let it go. Similarly, I’m not a fan of X, still I do share my weekly blogs there.

If you’re looking for a time-saver, I recommend checking the pages where you share your work. Consider that Facebook has dozens of sites for authors, many with thousands of followers. But here’s the problem. There is often virtually no interaction on some of these sites. You can post your blog or ad, and pretty much never get a single like. I have spent time on these sites, but finally, in an effort to streamline, I let them go.

Authors must determine which sites they’re comfortable with, then put their best work into those platforms and build a clientele. If you don’t see results from one site, try another until you’re making progress. Just don’t spread yourself too thin. The hope is that authors will eventually settle in and learn to enjoy the social-media marketing aspect of their job.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

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Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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Authors need to polish their interviewing skills if they want authentic characters

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Authors need lots of skills. And while writing is clearly at the top of the list, interviewing chops might be a close second, especially when one is writing fiction.

While many of us are quite comfortable writing about careers with which we are familiar, good novels are often filled with people who do a variety of different things. So, in order to create believable and interesting characters, we need to talk with real people who live in those realms. Hence the need for interviewing skills.

Before heading out to talk with people, authors should sketch an outline of a character. Perhaps you’re writing about a thirty-something police officer, a woman who’s been working in a small town for five years. She will need a backstory. Is she from the town or did she relocate? What kept her from leaving or what induced her to take a job there? Describe her physical characteristics. What are her quirks or flaws? On the latter, never make a character seem perfect. No one is and stories about unflawed characters are often boring and unrealistic.

Once you have an idea of who your character is, see if you can find a real person to talk to, in this case a woman who’s a small town police officer. The Internet makes this easy. But also think of family, friends, and acquaintances who might be able to help. Now pick up the phone or send an email. I may be old fashioned but I don’t think a text is appropriate at this point, because you will need to explain who you are and why you’d like to do an interview, and an email looks more professional.

I know what you’re thinking. Why would a complete stranger want to talk with me? But fear not! In my experience—I was a reporter for about 15 years, so I did this a lot.—people love to talk about themselves. Simply explain you’re doing research for a book and would love to speak with them. And, on the off chance they say no, do not be deterred. Just find someone else.

If you can, meet with your interviewee in person on their turf. You will get a better picture of who they are. Make sure you have a list of questions prepared, especially in regard to the day-to-day requirements of their job. Note this is especially important if you’re writing about someone, for example, in law enforcement, medicine, or the military. You don’t want to have your characters saying or doing things that real cops, doctors, or soldiers wouldn’t do.

In regard to your questions, there is no reason to religiously stick to them. I often recall the student I sent to interview a new teacher. The prepared questions were not very interesting: What brought the teacher to our school. Where did he come from? Why did he want to teach math? Then the teacher casually mentioned that he’d been an acrobat in the circus and toured the world for 20 years. Still, my student never followed up. I had to send the kid back to ask some more interesting questions.

The point is relax your ideas about your character. Note that I needed to write about a cattle rancher for my book Wild Horses on the Salt. I called one and he invited me to his ranch. While I was there, he mentioned he was a beekeeper and I ended up making my character a beekeeper, as well. In another case, the National Park ranger I interviewed for The Castle had served in the Coast Guard and was a plant specialist who spoke to tourists about the flora where she worked. My character shared those similarities. In another case, I interviewed a deputy sheriff who was a first responder to a deadly train wreck. When I went to his house, I was surprised to see that this “tough guy” collected fine glass objects. And you guessed it, my character also liked objects made of cut glass. So be open-minded.

I always record my interviews, but take notes, as well. I have often gotten more from my written notes than the actual recording, which I use to check for details I might have missed.

Many authors admit to being shy and the idea of interviewing someone makes them a bit nervous. But all you need to do is think of your interaction as a simple conversation with you leading the way. After the initial jitters, you’ll calm down. And, in the end, your characters will be more interesting and well-rounded.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

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Apple Books

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Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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Amazon

Literary contests: Think hard before grabbing your credit card

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Everyone loves a prize.  I know I do! And the vast majority of people who run the hundreds of literary award competitions in the U.S. each year know this too. Authors are bursting with excitement to get the word out about their new book, and are drawn to these contests like teenage girls to a Taylor Swift concert.

I’ve entered book contests and on occassion I’ve actually won something. Still, are literary contests worth the time, effort, and costs?

Before I go on, note that there are certainly legitimate and influential literary competitions out there like the Pulitzer Prize, the Nobel Prize in Literature, the National Book Award, and the Booker Prize, to name few, ones that can obviously change the course of one’s writing career. I’m not talking about those.

While I’m not saying all the other pay-for-play literary contests are scams—though some are—the vast majority are just simple money-making schemes. When you check out those submission guidelines, send in your manuscript, and pay the application fee, someone will win. Maybe they’ll even take home a check, but it won’t be much, because those submission dollars generally stay with those running the contest. Still, the folks in charge will point out that you can win pretty stickers to put on your books, or maybe a free or discounted public relations/marketing package, or a visit with a literary agent. Hell, they might even invite you to a fancy dinner.

But, in the end, your little prize means, well . . . little. I suppose you can call yourself an award-winning author, still whenever I see that particular claim, I’m always skeptical. It reminds me of the hand-painted sign I saw on a recent road trip: World’s Best Jerky! I couldn’t help but wonder how said jerky earned that appellation. Was there a world-wide jerky contest? Or did the jerky-maker’s mom say, “Gosh, honey, that’s the best jerky in the world!”? (Note here that there apparently is a Top Artisan Jerky Creations of the Year contest—Who knew?—still I doubt the guy who painted the sign in the backwoods of Washington state had been a participant.)

The point is “award-winning” implies something big. At least it does to me. So, though I’ve earned a couple of literary awards, I don’t generally mention myself as being an award-winning author. Somehow, though it’s technically true, it seems a bit pretentious.

I’m going to guess that I have now annoyed some authors who proudly display their medals, ribbons, and stickers. And I’m certainly not saying they shouldn’t. It’s just that, in the long run, almost all of those contest submission fees go to waste. Authors might be better served spending on book promotions, hiring a publicist, or sprucing up their website, for example.

Now I understand the draw. We authors are all pretty sure we’ve written the best book in the history of the world. (I have six traditionally published novels and I believed every one of them was worthy of a Pulitzer. Sigh…) So if you feel compelled to enter literary competitions, maybe give yourself a contest-entering budget. Some small amount that won’t affect other areas of book promotion where you’ll get a bigger bang for your buck. Though I know it’s tempting to zip out one’s credit card and pay those submission fees, think before you do.

And here is where I’ll admit that despite what I know I couldn’t avoid the pull of winning a competition. I sent my World War II historical fiction novel Your Forgotten Sons to the Independent Publishers Book Awards. It’s tantamount to the excitement of buying a lottery ticket and like the lottery the chances are exceedingly slim. Still, a girl can dream.

Because I understand that you might also need a thrill, find a link to hundreds of literary contests here. Just carefully read the submission guidelines, consider what you might actually win, and think hard about clicking that payment key.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

Authors: Polish that elevator pitch

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I was at a book event a while back, and as often happens when you get a bunch of authors together, the same question was asked repeatedly: So what’s your book about?

Seems simple enough. But as I listened to a few of my peers rattle on and on about their books, I wanted to gently point out that the fewer words they use in what is called an “elevator pitch” the better. An elevator pitch, is a brief description of one’s current writing project, one that might pass between the author and the president of a huge publishing house on the occasion that they find themselves in an elevator for 30 seconds or so. Obviously, this pitch is short. Very short.

Writers know that it is much easier to fill five pages than a 30-word paragraph. The latter is extremely difficult as every word must count. Though the above elevator scenario is unlikely to happen, the ability to define your work in a few sentences is important to you and any agents, editors, publicists, or media people who might be interested in your book. So the elevator pitch is a tool that every author needs to have ready.

The pitch should be maybe 20-40 words. It should identify the main idea and what the protagonists are seeking. For example. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory: “Two sisters, Anne and Mary, are driven to advance their family’s power by courting the affections of the King of England and a ruthless rivalry develops between them.”

Here are a couple more, like the one above courtesy of Reedsy.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han: “When her secret love letters somehow get mailed to each of her five crushes, Lara Jean finds her quiet high school existence turned upside down.”

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: “A murder inside the Louvre, and clues in Da Vinci paintings, lead to the discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society for two thousand years, which could shake the foundations of Christianity.”

The point of course is to make your book unique and compelling and to get that CEO—or whomever your trying to pitch—to say, “Tell me more!”

Developing an elevator pitch that makes someone’s eyes light up and request additional information is the goal. Your handful of words needs to be striking and memorable. So, be clear: Who is your protagonist? What do they yearn for? How do they plan to get what they want? What is standing in their way? Make sure not to include spoilers. Memorize your pitch and be prepared to deliver it in a conversational way. Smile and sound confident

It is ironic that of the tens of thousands of words authors put into their books, the few in an elevator pitch are perhaps the most important.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

Simple hacks to being a better writer

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Luckily, writing is a skill not a talent, which means authors can impove as long as they practice. Just for reference, a talent is defined as an innate, natural ability one is born with. Think swimmer Michael Phelps, with his massive feet and incredible wingspan. I mean the guy was born to be a swimmer. A skill, meanwhile is something we acquire which develops over time through education, dedication, and practice. Note that Phelps didn’t just have immense physical talents, he had the drive to spend tens of thousands of hours in the pool over his career, honing his abilities on the road to those 28 Olympic medals.

Even though I was not a good student when I was young—I’m a low-level dyslexic and hated to read—I have spent much of my life writing as both a reporter and an author. I only mention this because I believe that if I can be a competent writer, lots of other people can too.

There are some things you can do right now to improve your writing. Little hacks that make your prose more professional. One is to avoid the repetition of words. There are about 170,000 words currently in use in the English language. Americans typically use only about 5,000 when speaking and 10,000 when they write. While that seems like a lot, it’s not. Using the same words over and over is a bore, and we lose the opportunity to add richness to our writing when we don’t branch out. Now don’t go crazy and use words that seem pretentious or grandiose. Also try to avoid overused words like good, bad, old, beautiful, happy, sad. Learn to love your thesaurus app and check out options if you find yourself repeating the same words in a paragraph.

Because writers love their words, they are often tempted to use too many. As a former journalist, I had to learn to utilize my words sparingly, since I was often constrained by time limits or word count. That often meant eliminating any words that were unnecessary. For example. Here’s how I initially wrote a previous paragraph. I deleted the underlined sentence because it added nothing essential to the story: Even though I was not a good student when I was young—I’m a low-level dyslexic and hated to read—I have spent much of my life writing as both a reporter and an author. That I ended up making a living from words surprised some who knew me back then. I only mention this because I believe that if I can be a competent writer, lots of other people can too. (I will point out here that in this paragraph I overused the word “word”. Sometimes, there’s just no way around it.)

Good writers take their readers along with them right into the story. The best way to do that is to give readers the opportunity to smell, taste, touch, and hear the story. Warm cotton sheets. Birds chirping in the trees. Smells of toast and bacon. That first sip of coffee. That’s called painting a picture for your audience, one that touches their senses. Note, however, that writers sometimes add too much description to a scene, and this often bogs the story down. There’s a fine line between not enough description and too much.

Another way to make your writing more dramatic is to use fewer pronouns. Try of avoid he, she, his, hers, it, we, they, them and all the other pronouns since they add little in the way of description. Now this doesn’t mean you can never use pronouns, just think before you do and consider if there’s an alternative. Using proper nouns or linking two sentences together are good ways to eliminate pronouns.

Like anything else improving your writing involves practice, practice, practice. So go ahead and give it a shot.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

When should you publish your book? It’s not an exact science.

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Those unacquainted with the publishing world perhaps don’t know the vast number of decisions an author has to make. Note that I’m in the midst of remodeling my kitchen. It’s kind of like that. One has to consider plumbing and electrical, colors and texture, flooring and countertops, cabinets and appliances, and myriad other options on the road to the finished product.

Authors need to think about things like genre, characters, plot, setting, cover art, and marketing and promotional strategies, including blogs and podcasts and personal appearances.

But there’s another big decision to consider. Timing. When should authors release their baby to the public? For those who go the traditional route—meaning a publisher has acquired their book—the decision is often made for them. Since traditional publishers are paying the bills, they get to decide when to put your book on the market. Still, it never hurts to point out a specific date, if you have one in mind. My most recent book, Your Forgotten Sons—a World War II novel inspired by a true story—came out June 6, 2024 in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, because I asked my publisher to hold it several months.

Of course, those who choose to self-publish have more options. So, assuming you have control over the timing of your release, what should you consider? One obvious idea is to launch your book alongside a holiday, as I did with Your Forgotten Sons. Are you a romance author? The weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day would be a simple choice. If horror’s your genre, time the release around Halloween. A memoire about your mom: Mother’s Day. Note that readers aren’t the only ones thinking about these topics as the holidays approach. Bookstores, bloggers, and podcasters are looking to feature holiday-themed books as well.

November and December are also good times to get your book out there. The idea is that people are buying gifts for loved ones and books are easy choices. Still, you might be surprised to know that January and February are considered a good time for self-published books to be launched. Why? People are itching to use all those new e-readers they got as presents, as well as those gift cards. And don’t forget the spring and summer months, when people have vacations on their minds, times when they are much more likely to sit and read at their leisure. Yes, book sales do tend to slump in the summer, but with traditional publishers heavily focused on back-to-school and holiday sales, there is certainly a window for those who self-publish when people are looking for beach reads.

There are certain books—primarily non-fiction based on or related to current events—that should be published quickly, while subject is a hot news topic. Getting these books out in a timely manner is not easy, but shoot for it if you can.

Despite all of the recommendations, this is not an exact science. There is no perfect date to launch your book. In the end, authors should revel in the fact that their book is out in the world. A finished project.

I wish I could say the same about my kitchen.

“What a brilliant book! I couldn’t put this novel down…It is a solid five-star read… Your Forgotten Sons should be a must-read for all lovers of fiction, especially WWII fiction. The tale was educational, provocative, enlightening..” 

Virginia Dill  Book Sirens

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

Authors! Learn to love that microphone

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Writers write. That is abundantly clear. But is that enough in today’s whirlwind of book marketing? It is not!

Authors especially are sometimes categorized as introverts. Some of the all-time greats— Edgar Allan Poe, George R.R. Martin, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, and Agatha Christie are among the many that have admitted to being shy. Which makes me wonder how they would fair in today’s marketplace if they were just starting out. My initial thought is they would fail—despite their brilliant prose—because today authors must speak if they want to get the word out.

Here’s where I’ll point out that authors aren’t the only ones afraid of public speaking. It turns out that getting up in front of a crowd tops the list of American phobias. Over 25% of those polled say they would rather face drowning, bugs and snakes, heights, and claustrophobia among other perceived scary situations than get sweaty palms at a podium.

So, what’s an author to do?

Get better at public speaking! Get better the way we improve at anything. Practice! Practice! Practice!

Note here that in another life I spent a great deal of time in front of a microphone when I was a TV sportscaster. And over a 20-year period in the classroom I taught communications skills. So let me pause for a moment to put on my teacher’s cap…Okay. Good!

Admittedly, I’m a bit of a ringer since I spent a lot of years holding a microphone when I was a sportscaster, still I believe anyone can master public speaking skills.

Now, the first thing to remember is that you have a whole lot to say. You would not write books if you weren’t bursting with ideas, which means there’s plenty of material to mine for interesting things to talk about. So banish the terror of standing speechless before a mic.

With that in mind, you bravely agree to speak to a local book club, so the first thing to do is ask about expectations and the venue.  Where and when will you be speaking? How long will you be speaking? Is there specific information the host would like you to touch on? Will you be taking questions? Will you be at a podium? (For those feeling skittish, a podium can be helpful in hiding shaky knees and gives one a spot to place notes, as well as something to hold on to. While a podium might not always be available, it never hurts to ask.)

And now it’s time to decide what you want to say.

“Oh, gosh!” you’re probably thinking. “How do I begin?”

Glad you asked! Simply, in a few sentences, introduce yourself. While the host will no doubt give you a brief introduction, have your own prepared. And make sure to say how happy you are to have been invited, even if it’s a complete lie because your gut is churning and all you want to do is run away. Calm your nerves by remembering the folks at the book club are not mean high school kids who are waiting for you to fail so they can laugh at you. They want you to be great. So tamp down the terror and smile!

As for the talking points, take into account what the host suggested. Did she ask you to discuss your new book? Marketing tips? Why a weekly blog is important? The everchanging world of publishing? Take that assignment seriously. Do some research, but you don’t have to be an expert. Just share your personal experiences.

If the host didn’t specify a particular subject, talk about what inspired you to write your book, describe the main characters, briefly outline the plot without giving away any spoilers, describe the setting and explain why it’s important to the story, and talk about the road to publication.

It’s important that your talk is conversationl in style and that you make eye-contact with those in the audience.

Once you’ve got all the ingredients assmbled, practice your speech in the mirror. And if you’re concerned that you might lose your train of thought, feel free to keep some notes, but never type out your speech and try to memorize it. Go for the conversational approach and remember to make frequent eye contact with the members of your audience. It’s also nice if you can inject some humor at your own expense. Don’t shy away from the times when things went horribly wrong. I’m betting your audience will be able to relate to your disappointments more than your successes.

Later, after you’ve collapsed in your car, taken a few calming breaths, and checked your watch to see if it’s even remotely close to cocktail time, think about your performance. Note what went well, what went wrong, and how you can improve the next time, because there must be a next time. Remember earlier when I said “Practice! Practice! Practice!”? Well, I meant it.

Because public speaking opportunities are not all that common for most of us, I have a secret weapon in regard to practicing. It’s called podcasts. Because I’m way too lazy to do my own, I offer myself as a guest on other people’s programs. I subscribe to a service for $15 a month. (I use podcastguests.com, but there are probably others.) Twice a week, I get a list of podcasters looking for guests. Here’s where I’ll recommend that you don’t limit yourselves to literary podcasts, instead be willing to talk about anything you feel comfortable speaking about, because almost always the podcaster will get down to your books and a link to your website, which even happened when I was a guest on a program about caring for stray cat populations. There are podcasts on thousands of subjects, so don’t be shy. And be happy to be appear on any podcast. I’ve been interviewed by a 14-year old and had a blast. I’ve been on podcasts that have aired hundreds of shows and others that have only done ten. Every one is an opportunity.

And here’s the thing. If you don’t like how you did on a podcast, you don’t have to share it. Like the book talk, ask yourself, “What could I have done better?” Then make adjustments and put yourself out there again.

I promise you’ll catch on. And then don’t be surprised if, eventually, you find yourself loving that microphone.

You can check out my podcast page here.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

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Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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Authors, watch what your characters say!

2 Comments

I just finished reading a novel that was based in Ireland. As a women of Irish descent, I loved the descriptions of the rural town where the story was located, all wild green countryside and soft rain and colorful characters. And the story was dramatic and engaging with a missing teenager and mysterious events.

It seems lots of people like the book as it’s a New Your Times best seller with several pages of glowing reviews. Still, I’m hesitant to give you the title, since—as an author myself—I feel badly about denigrating others in the field.

Still, there are things I must point out. The protagonist is a former Chicago detective who spent 25 years as a cop in that gritty city. He moves to Ireland, burned out by his career and a messy divorce, looking for peace. When we meet up with him, he’s fixing up a rundown cottage, where he’s only been for a month or two.

So, what’s my beef? It’s the things Jim says. (Note his real name is not Jim, since I’m doing my best not to reveal the book’s title.) The words coming out of his mouth kept throwing me off.

“People are fierce talkers around here.”

“Well, I’m not rightly sure.”

“Much obliged for the meal.”

Ugh!

Like many of you, I’ve spent way too much time watching American crime shows and reading mystery novels filled with police personnel and detectives, and I’ve never heard one of them speak this way.

“That suits me down to the ground.”

“Looks kind’a loco to me.”

“Got a mess of perch.”

The author points out once or twice that Jim grew up in North Carolina, still that doesn’t explain his choice of words, or that he seems to magically understand terms the local Irish people use. When he’s told that someone “gave grinds,” Jim instantly knew the person in question was tutoring students. Jim also uses the word “townland” repeatedly, when an American would simply say “town.” It’s ironic that at one point the author explains, “One of the reasons he picked Ireland is so he wouldn’t have to learn a new language,” and yet, clearly, Jim has done just that.

“I was just tidying up this thicket of mine.”

“Sang like a little birdie.”

“This dinner’s down to you.”

And now I bet you’re thinking, “Well, gosh, Anne, why do you care about this?”

The answer? Putting this type of language in a hardened Chicago cop’s mouth is distracting. It makes the reader momentarily pause and pulls one out of the story.

Adding to the dialogue issue, is the fact that authors need to understand that people do things differently in different parts of the world. For example, remember the World War II movies where the Germans could pick out an American spy simply by the way they smoked a cigarette? Europeans would hold it between the thumb and forefinger, while Americans held a cigarette between the index and middle fingers. Similarly Jim says with much certainty, “Etiquette is stuff you gotta do just cause that’s how everyone does it. Like holding your fork in your left hand.” And while Europeans eat that way, Americans primarily use their fork in their right hand, with the exception of the times they’re cutting meat when they shift from left to right.

I will admit here that I have also been guilty of errors like this. In the early drafts of my recently published World War II historical fiction novel Your Forgotten Sons, I had soldiers in the 1940s starting Jeeps with keys and adjusting rear-view mirrors. Oops! They used push starters back then and the vehicles had no mirrors. So, I admit, we can all make mistakes. The point is readers want to immerse themselves into the novels they’re reading, into the landscape and characters and plot, but when authors are sloppy, the book loses its magic, something we should all try to avoid.

YOUR FORGOTTEN SONS

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Order your copy today

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Universal Book Link

Find Anne Montgomery’s novels wherever you buy books.

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Book marketing and the humble business card

4 Comments
Old school? Yes! Still I love business cards.

When I tell people I’m an author, they often blurt out, “I’ve always wanted to write a book!” At which point I smile politely and urge them on. Why? Because writing books is fun and exciting. One gets to meet all kinds of people and travel to interesting places for research. And we live with fascinating characters, ones we can see and hear and chat with, which sometimes has loved ones questioning our sanity.

That said, the dark side of publishing is the part that comes moments after we slice open that delivery box and cuddle our baby in our arms, because then we must let them go. Like children we raise to grow up and head out into the world, we must also send our books away, hopefully to people who will love them as much as we do.

The question is how do we get readers to buy our books?

The marketing and selling of books has become multifaceted and complicated since the advent of the Internet, which sometimes makes writers want to toss their laptops out the window in frustration. In the old days—pre Amazon’s birth in 1995—an author could hand over a manuscript to a publisher, sit back, and wait for others to promote their book. But no more. Authors are now involved in every aspect of marketing, and if they don’t take it seriously, it won’t matter how brilliant their novel is. Did you know that before accepting a manuscript publishers will often scour the Internet to check an author’s digital footprint? And if they find the author is without a website, blog, podcast, proper social media links, and masses of followers, that manuscript—no matter how award-worthy—just might end up in the nearest digital trash bin.

I’ve done my best to follow book-marketing guidelines. I have a website where I blog weekly. I share reviews and promotions and am active on various social media platforms. I’ve engaged publicists at my own expense and held book signings. I give book talks and offer myself as a guest on podcasts. And despite all of that, let’s just say I’m delighted to be receiving  those monthly Social Security and pension checks, because there’s no way I could live on my royalties. (This is where I generally tell aspiring young authors that they should never, ever quit their day jobs to be writers.)

The thing is, authors need to find promotional avenues that work for them. And here is where I’ll mention the humble business card. I have always believed in that wee slice of paper, though I sense many feel that “technology” is outdated. But even today, in our digital world, business cards are perfect conversation starters, especially if one puts a little effort into their design. And then there’s the rather shocking idea that when one hands out a business card there’s a living, breathing human being reaching out to grasp it. Yes, I know when one hits the send button on our blogs and ads and posts they have the ability to reach lots of people, but there’s something special about looking someone in the eye and talking about your book.

Today, I rarely leave the house without a few business cards tucked in my pocket. I always have my latest book cover on the front and relevant contact information including my email address and website link on the back. I also list the titles of all my published books. Then I watch and listen. When I see someone with a book, I ask what they’re reading, which often leads to a conversation. Two strangers talking about books can be magical. If you don’t believe me, try it sometime.

As for all the other marketing approaches, the best advice is pick a few and stick with them. Try not to spread yourself too thin, and choose promotions you enjoy. For example, as a former TV sports reporter, I never met a microphone I didn’t like, so I enjoy being a guest on podcasts. However, Instagram always had me fumbling for something to post. It was almost a relief when someone from TikTok took over my account. (I know I should start over, but I just haven’t been able to make myself do it. Here’s hoping my publisher hasn’t noticed.)

So, get out there, fellow authors. Find what works for you. And always have a few business cards in your pocket.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Loryane, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Universal Buy Link

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Find Anne Montgomery’s novels wherever you buy books.

Goodreads

Amazon