This week I received the happy news that my historical novel, The Healer's Daughter, is a finalist for the High Plains Book Award. I'm absolutely thrilled. And astonished!
I realized, too, that I'm so used to hearing bad or disheartening information that my expectations have become grey. That's too bad because lovely things are happening all around us. I'm amazed at how many organizations have pulled themselves together and soldiered right on via Zoom and other media offerings.
It's not the same. I've decided not to go to the annual convention of Western Writers of America this year. It breaks my heart because Johnny D. Boggs will receive the Wister Award. Johnny is a wonderful writer and I can't think of anyone else who has contributed so much to this organization. I would love to be there when he receives the Wister.
I find that Fort Collins, especially Larimer County, is very conscious of the dangers of COVID. Here, and next door in Weld County, we've been hard hit. I pretty much fall in line with our governor's Safer At Home instructions.
Normally, I would be anticipating attending the High Plains Award ceremony in Billings, Montana this September. I would be fussing around over clothes. My shoes, my hair. Everything having to do with grooming. My heart would be in my throat as the chairman announced the winners. But as with Mystery Writers of America and nearly all organizations, the awards ceremony will be virtual this year.
Isn't it wonderful that we've found a way to work around this limitation? A couple of weeks ago, the Rocky Mountain chapter of Mystery Writers of America had another outstanding program, via Zoom. I've missed our local Sisters in Crime meetings due to conflicts, but the group hasn't cancelled a single meeting.
I realize substituting media for personal interaction is not as satisfying, but it's keeping things together. I've had four events cancel. Then yesterday I realized that I could be copying some the techniques used by the major publishers. I could contact the persons and arrange for a presentation via Zoom. It wouldn't be the same as being able to sell and autograph books, but I could let them know how much I appreciate their support.
Who knows? By the time we develop a vaccine and work our way through the COVID crisis, we may discover new promotional techniques for our books.
Hang in there!
5 comments:
Congratulations Charlotte!
Re: book promo ideas, PW ran a recent article on what children's publishers and authors are doing to stay connected to customers and support sales. Most of the ideas are probably adaptable for adult titles, as well.
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/83518-pandemic-progress-report.html
Congrats!
Wonderful post, Charlotte and my congratulations again. The Healer's Daughter is a super good book!
Not good news — GREAT news. I now have my fingers and toes and eyes crossed for you!
Thank you all of you. The county seat fight in Graham County Kansas (the setting for this book) was the first time in American history that African Americans determined the outcome of a critical election.
Talk about milking a subject. It was the subject of my master's thesis, I had an academic article and an academic book published.
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