Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Guest Author Edith Parzefall on Panic! The book's about to be released!

Since November, Francene Stanley and I have been looking forward to the release of our co-written post-apocalyptic fantasy novel Wind Over Troubled Waters. When we signed the contract, the release was planned for 2013. Then Double Dragon Publishing surprised us by scheduling the release for May 2012.

I've been counting the weeks till the release with the four-week span: in 6-10 weeks, in 4-8 weeks... Of course, I always rather expected the later date. When 2-6 weeks arrived, the publisher informed us the book would be released in 1-2 weeks. Excitement and panic embraced each other for a crazed dance around my study.

I hadn't yet sifted through all those links on marketing, book review sites, etc. Not to mention the two ebooks on marketing still untouched on my e-reader. I usually love to be prepared well in advance, but I felt certain I had plenty of time. And marketing isn't exactly the most favorite task for a writer.

Also, after years of collecting rejections, persevering and slaving on, it still seemed a little surreal that finally the first book should be published. Suddenly we only had a week or two to sound the fanfares and beat the pots with wooden spoons. No idea how that happened! Well, I do have a suspicion. Such a mind-shift isn't easy when you've been shooed away for so long, then stare at open doors, friendly faces, and arms waving you in. Also in November last year, MuseItUp Publishing accepted my thriller Strays of Rio to be published in September this year. Or so I think. Maybe MuseItUp is going to sneak up on me as well, when I least expect it--shortly before the planned release. Still, by then I might have learned from the experience with Wind Over Troubled Waters. Or not. ;-)

If you see me flapping around the Internet in headless chicken mode the next few days or weeks, don't shoot me, please! The head might grow back. I sure hope so. There's this new novel I want to write and a brain certainly helps.

Um, excuse my rambling. I just located a sliver of gray matter and realized Debi usually likes guest bloggers to actually provide useful information, give advice and insights. Well, I provided an example above of what you shouldn't do: neglect marketing. And there's only one advice I have: If writing is your passion, never give up! Listen to what the shooing folks say, if they talk sense or talk at all, work hard on improving your work, and keep knocking on doors.

Wind Over Troubled Waters
by Francene Stanley & Edith Parzefall


Oh, and here's more free advice: Don’t be shy about advertising your books when the time comes. Be bold but subtle. I’m still working on that. So, go buy Wind Over Troubled Waters from the publisher, or from Amazon, write a review and post it everywhere. Why? Because we'd love that. :-D

Links to my blog & website:
http://blog.edith-parzefall.de
www.edith-parzefall.de
www.facebook.com/people/Edith-Parzefall/100003176920875
Wind Over Troubled Waters by Francene Stanley & Edith Parzefall



17 comments:

  1. Well done, partner. Useful advice indeed. An author never knows when their book will be accepted and should have a few marketing strategies in place. Or follow advice given on the Internet Writing Workshop from the other wonderful authors.

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  2. Hehe, and I thought you mean, 'Good advice to buy our book.' You still gotta learn about shameless marketing, partner. ;-)

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  3. It time to be shameless...and proud! Love the book, almost done.

    I read a piece of advice when I was sending out query letters.(before IWW)
    'Celebrate' each rejection, because you are already farther along than most will ever get.Okay, good advice and better than Valium, your advice is better, it will serve you desserts in the end.
    I'm glad the euphoria is still playing the happy dance!

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  4. Yay! I'm going to buy it right now! Payday! I'm so proud of you and Francene. WTG!

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  5. Thanks, Carole and Holly! I'm starting to relax but the euphoria still lingers. ;-)

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  6. It's great to experience the excitement through your eyes Edith. The euphoria will make marketing a breeze.
    You are off to a good start obviously... Congratulations and may you book/s never go out of print!

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  7. Congratulations Edith and Francene. I bought Wind Over Troubled Waters, read it, reviewed it, Liked and Tagged it on Amazon and featured these talented authors as Authors of the Month in Calamity's Corner. I'm so proud of my old IWW crit partners I could bust. (old as in 'a bygone age' not in personal years :))and this is the 1st of more books in the series - 4+? Can't wait for your new Book from Muse too Edith. Well Done!

    You have a lovely, serene blog, Debi. Perhaps rattled a little bit by our excitement today, though.

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  8. Thanks so much, Rosalie! The print books are on the way... Can't wait! I'll probably fondle one of them all day and keep staring at the beautiful map you created for us. :-)

    I hope soon the paperbacks will be available all over the world! Ah, dream on, little Edith... :-)

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  9. And a big thanks to you, Wendy! You've been a great friend and wonderful supporter. Remember when we toasted with Brazilian beer to Strays of Rio? Who'd expect Brahma to be served in a quaint pub in Australia? Definitely a sign! I still have the bottle.

    Hehe, Deb knew what she was getting herself into by inviting me. Maybe she should enlist you next for some more profound insights and a glimpse of your wonderful novels and short stories.

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    1. Sounds good to me. How about it, Wendy? I'd love to feature you on the blog.

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    2. Yikes, silly me only spotted the Reply button now. Would have made my responses a little clearer. Oh well, don't tell anyone. ;-)

      Wendy is great. She can get a little giddy too, but I'm sure you can cope with that. :-) I'll lure her. Shush...

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  10. Now she is being shy. I might help you ensnare her. ;-)

    And thanks so much for hosting me, Debi!

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  11. Hi Debi and Edith,
    I like your teamwork! I'd love to linger here with the shining stars. Thank you so much for the invitation Debi. I've read some of the other guests posts and will send you something similar.

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  12. Yep and yep. It's so hard going from being a writing fool to a marketing whore. We are living now in our own dystopian future where writers are no longer mollycoddled along by vast publishing empires and must run ahead of a wild pack of competitors, cheats, and cut-throats, while trying to reach the promised land of readers that always seems beyond our vision, time, and resources. Forge on. That future is now yours to conquer. I wish you and your partner a strong breeze at your back across the troubled waters of writing success.

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    1. Now I feel like I'm living in a thriller! :-) Fortunately there are a few people who nudge us on. Thanks, Rick!

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  13. Congrats on the release of your book! I hope all has been going smoothly since you posted. I am sure you are learning lots and figuring out new things each day. Best of luck!

    ~Jess
    http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

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