Yesterday, for example, I was interviewed on A Mighty Blaze by Sara DiVello (“Where in the OM Am I?”)
I have a guilty secret. There’s actually an upside to being grounded for a book launch. I’m not a huge fan of airports, TSA, or coach seating. I am such a compulsively on-time person that I end up getting to the airport ridiculously early.
Just when you think you're such a hotshot visiting author, you arrive at an alien airport and wander around in baggage claim looking for the person who's supposed to be there to claim you. It's happened. More than once.
I’m also not thrilled when the only place to get a bite near my hotel is a gas station’s convenience store across the highway, and I have to walk there and back in the dark. Not to cast aspersions on convenience stores—the best boudin sausage I ever had was from a gas station in suburban New Orleans. The microwave pizza somewhere in Florida, not so great.
And I’ve grown to love Zoom. Here’s me on Zoom. Wearing makeup (a rare sighting these days). What you can’t see:
- My feet (they're bare)
- My bottom half. I'm wearing pajama bottoms
- The back of my head. I haven’t had a haircut since January and while I can manage to tame the wildness surrounding my face, I’ve given up on trying to manage the back 40. Fortunately viewers only see me coming.
Here's me on Zoom taping an interview with Scott Turow, Guest of Honor at Bouchercon 2020. (I asked him how he came up with the twist at the end of PRESUMED INNOCENT and you'll be amazed at his answer. Be sure to register! It's going to be great and a bargain at $55!!)
My fancy setup is to perch my laptop on a pair of cardboard boxes. Light streams in from the window in front (not behind) me. I have notes printed out and hanging at eye level, as close as I can get it to my computer camera’s eye.
The poster for my book is strategically placed behind me along with a cascade of name tags from every conference I’ve spoken at (in person!) since my first book came out in 2000, fake pearls, and a tiara.
When it comes to putting my best face forward on Zoom, I ask myself: What would Hank do? Dark top. Signature necklace.
Camera shooting DOWN (never UP!) and from a distance.
Having had to go virtual, what do I miss? Selling books. Duh. Signing books. Of course.
But more than that, meeting readers. Meeting readers. Meeting readers.
Seriously: Meeting readers.
So here I am, not in person, but hoping that if you haven’t read it, you’ll Order CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR from the bookseller of your choice. If you have a copy and would like a signed bookplate, email me: Hallie@HallieEphron.com
And asking: Have you gone to a Zoom event? Did you turn on your camera? Unmute your voice? Did you wear shoes? Pants? Did you stick around until the end?
GOODREADS GIVEAWAY: My wonderful publisher, HarperCollins/Wm Morrow, is giving away 50 copies of CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR! Go to to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/310425-careful-what-you-wish-for-a-novel-of-suspense
to sign up for a chance to win a copy! Giveaway expires in 2 weeks.
CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR (BUY IT from the bookseller of your choice.)
From the New York Times bestselling author of There Was an Old Woman comes a novel about a professional organizer with a deadly problem she may not be able to clean up.
Emily
Harlow is a professional organizer who helps people declutter their
lives; she’s married to man who can’t drive past a yard sale without
stopping. He’s filled their basement, attic, and garage with his finds.
Like other professionals who make a living decluttering peoples’ lives, Emily has devised a set of ironclad rules. When working with couples, she makes clear that the client is only allowed to declutter his or her own stuff. That stipulation has kept Emily’s own marriage together these past few years. She’d love nothing better than to toss out all her husband’s crap. He says he’s a collector. Emily knows better—he’s a hoarder. The larger his “collection” becomes, the deeper the distance grows between Emily and the man she married.
Luckily, Emily’s got two new clients to distract herself: an elderly widow whose husband left behind a storage unit she didn’t know existed, and a young wife whose husband won’t allow her stuff into their house. Emily’s initial meeting with the young wife takes a detour when, after too much wine, the women end up fantasizing about how much more pleasant life would be without their collecting spouses.
But the next day Emily finds herself in a mess that might be too big for her to clean up. Careful what you wish for, the old adage says . . . now Emily might lose her freedom, her marriage . . . and possibly her life.
You make several good points for the upside to being grounded for a book launch, Hallie . . . .
ReplyDeleteHave I gone to a Zoom event? Yes, a few times. No camera, no unmuting . . . I’m good at lurking in the background.
No shoes, either. [But I never wear shoes around the house.] And I was dressed, so yes to the pants.
Did I stick around until the end? Of course.
And today’s a good day to order a book . . . .
Virtual hug!
Delete:)
DeleteGood Morning. You look splendid on Zoom, do you know why the image is flipped though? Your post has so much to offer us this morning, first and formost I am so happy that Careful what you wish for is coming out in paperback. Kudos and congratulations. Also thanks for the update on Bouchercon. I will be happily joining in.
ReplyDeleteZoom and I are having a cautious relationship. I don't have a camera or use a microphone, so I am one of the 'silent' minorities. I am still lip reading and it is hard with the tiny little images.
On the other hand, it is nice to attend the events without having to wonder what others think of my physical shape. and you look absolutely smashing.
Thanks, Coralee! The upside of Zoom that hadn't occurred to me is that we're on without masks, making lipreading at least a possibility.
DeleteHappy paperback publication day Hallie!
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken part in any Zoom events and I don't plan to. The speakers on my computer are crap and I can barely hear anything. So I will have to wait until in-person book events can happen again.
I do miss the opportunity to have signed books.
Wishing for an upgrade for you soon, Jay! The other thing that's changed so much is how completely computer-depended I've become.
DeleteToo many Zoom events to count - including two last night, and your fabulous interview of Lucy and Susan on Sunday. Camera on, always pants (although usually around-the-house shorts) always stay to the end unless it's a really long Noir at the Bar (which is Crowdcast, not Zoom) and it's getting past my bedtime.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a good face-the-window setup and I still haven't figured out good best lighting for evening events, but I should, as fall approaches.
Where did you order your bookplates? I've been meaning to get some!
We even have Quaker Meeting on Zoom...
I had bookplates from way-back-when... I'm about to order some new ones. Leads, anyone?
DeleteEdith, if you can only face the wall, try aiming a light source at the wall so the light softly bounces onto your face.
DeletePhotographer's wife here, using one of his tricks.
Thank you!
DeleteI forgot to mention that virtual events open the door to a readers from a much broader geographic area, but the time shift can be tricky. A 7 PM PST event for those of us early-to-bed folks in EST can be a challenge. Yawn for the camera...
ReplyDeleteHallie, you look great! Love seeing "both sides" of your setup.
ReplyDeleteWe have had several family Zooms, usually with the four family units each together. Last week's session, though, was far-flung: Daughter and son-in-law in Virginia, me in Cincinnati, hubby at the farm in Kentucky (his first solo Zoom, we were all so proud of him), daughter at her Detroit home, son-in-law and grandson at their Northern Michigan vacation home, and daughter at her new Portland, Oregon home. Way more fun than a conference call!
Since March I've been on five or six book club Zooms, which tend to be way shorter than regular book club, since we aren't sharing wonderful potluck meals. I really miss that part, but the discussions have been good enough to make up for it.
Has anyone else tried a Crowdcast session? I logged into one that came out of Malice, which was really fun. Authors (Hank was part of it) took turns talking about their books, and they were the only ones on screen. Participants could type questions and comments into the side bar. But I usually forget these things are going on. Pitiful, I know.
I can so relate to your book club comment! We met via Zoom through the winter and even spring, since we weren't blessed with good weather on our scheduled night. But for June, July, and August we have met in person in someone's backyard, with our chairs spaced 6 feet apart and BYOE (bring your own everything - camp chair, wine, snack.) Those outdoor meetings were SO MUCH more satisfying than the Zoom ones -- and yes, they went on much longer!
DeleteThe Noir at the Bar sessions have been on Crowdcast, as have a couple of day-long conference. I must have missed the Malice one!
DeleteWe had a family Easter zoom that took place in two countries, two states plus Puerto Rico, five towns!
Edith, it was Noir at the Bar, thank you!
DeletePandemic brain, that's my excuse.
Crowdcast? Going to look it up.... Yes, the food and in-person cameraderie of in-person book groups are irreplaceable.
DeleteYou look GREAT!
ReplyDeleteYep, I've been Zooming, but only for day job purposes. It's been good though because it gave me an opportunity to experiment with camera angles and lighting where it didn't matter what I looked like. I've seen these people on a regular basis for the past 16 years. We did have one funny, impromptu, occurrence. In the middle of one Zoom, my boss (dressed in a button down shirt and tie) announced that everyone needed to stand up. The view from the bottom was hysterical. Jammies, shorts, bathing suit, sweat pants.
That's hilarious, Kait!!
DeleteLOL. Totally funny!
DeleteYep, it made going to work worth it that day.
DeleteLoved seeing and hearing you and Lucy Roberta too. Julie and I wouldn't never get to so many real time book launches, living as we do up here on the tundra where no one every comes. So we are not only getting to see our favorites but are meeting and hearing new authors. We are doing this several times a week, still getting used to zoom/crowdcast/whatever. Keep it up. Consider it a way to reach out to people you'd never meet otherwise.
ReplyDeleteYou're such a good pal, Ann -- I like the way you put it.
DeleteAnn, it's not just the tundra. You'd think Cincinnati would be on a lot of author tours, but it isn't, despite us having some great book stores. The only Red I've ever known to come here was Debs.
DeleteI've been to Cinci many times! BEST ice cream ever. WORST "chili." But it's always been for a writing conference. I've flown through there for MAD ANTHONY WRITERS.
DeleteBut you were in Hamilton, which is even more obscure than Cincinnati, Hallie. Different county, even.
DeleteThat's where we first met, actually.
I have to echo Kait -- you really do look GREAT!
ReplyDeleteI have been in what feels like millions of Zoom meetings over the months, but not so many "events." However, the Boy Scout council I work for has decided to do our two big annual fundraising events -- normally a luncheon and a dinner-- as virtual events and all of a sudden I'm watching recordings of a bunch of them to try to glean best practices. The challenge I'm seeing is that for best production quality, you pre-record. But for engagement of the attendees, you need live interactive pieces. So it is a challenge.
I've done both... Pre-taped interviewing Scott Turow -- they'll be able to edit out the ums and uhs. But I do prefer live but that's because I like to *Meet Readers*! I'm giving a talk for the Wareham Library tomorrow night - their annual fundraiser which was originally planned as a dinner. Here's the registration page: http://www.supportwarehamlibrary.org/annualfundraiser.asp
DeleteCongrats on the new release! You're looking good. Zoom events are picking up, though if it's late evening I watch the recorded version the next day.
ReplyDeleteAnne Lamott did a three hour virtual workshop run by Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA. She sat on a couch with her dogs, her husband nearby but off-camera, the session shot by a professional video person. What a difference in visual clarity! Yes, her husband filled in while she took a halftime break, and questions were submitted in advance. She sat in front of a neutral wall, a filled bookcase and cluster of candles to one side, dog's head on her lap.
What a treat, to have Anne Lamott in your living room! Look to Book Passage for great programming, live or virtual.
DeleteI had a Zoom event for my launch last night. I had on a nice dark top. I did my hair. I put on makeup. What I couldn't find was a place with the right light (it was 7pm Eastern and I got a glare from any natural or artificial light anywhere), or get the computer at the "right" height (I'm sure I was looking down, although I did try.
ReplyDeleteWhat people couldn't see: the bike shorts on my bottom half and my bare feet. :)
I loved CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR Hallie. I remember devouring it on the plane ride back from Bouchercon Dallas last year. Many wishes for success with the paperback!
I thought the light was perfect, Liz, and you did a great launch. I'm glad I logged in!
DeleteThanks, Liz. I have your new book, BROKEN TRUST, right here! CONGRATULATIONS!
DeleteI'll be tuning in tonight (August 12, 2020, 8pm EDT) for your Facebook launch party
I see you're partnering with Marie from A Cozy Experience for this one. Stop by the Facebook event page to particpate. Prizes, questions, laughs! No fee, no registration required. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/606424186650439/
Congratulations on your new book Liz !
DeleteEdith, it was great seeing you!
DeleteAwww, thanks Hallie! I think the FB party is going to be post-poned, though. Marie is currently without power due to a huge storm and she isn't sure when it'll come back. She had to drive to another town to be able to email me! Keep an eye on the FB event for the new date.
Thanks, Danielle!
Hallie, I wish you a great success with the paperback, I loved Careful what you wish for.
ReplyDeleteI did four Zoom with a social women group I'm part of. Everybody with camera and micro on. I was dressed, no shoes.
I installed my IPad with the photo on. I took pictures of me until satisfied of the result and the background and then went to Zoom. I tend to go full face at a distance as I don't like to be seen from above where there is not a lot of hairs.
I did only one Zoom as a spectator but I want to catch some of the ones with the Reds.
Thanks, Danielle!
DeleteI have been Zooming a lot with friends and family and for those, I don't care what I wear or what I look like. They love me anyway. Today, however, I have a Zoom Board meeting so thank you for all of the tips on dark top, statement necklace and makeup. I never wear it now but I will today. The last time we had one of these Board Zooms it was funny because you couldn't see yourself, only all of the other participants so people forgot that the rest of us could see them and read emails or phones or were just obviously not paying attention. Plus as we are all amateurs, the lighting was awful. Some looked like they were in witness protection and others looked like they were being grilled by the police.
ReplyDeleteAll of the virtual book events I've done, they've asked me to do a 'light check' first - just a quick virtual meeting where they can check out whether I look dead, half-dead, deranged, or presentable.
DeleteI look at myself on FaceTime.
DeleteFacetime! Me, too. that's my lighting and background check.
DeleteHallie, good luck with the release of your paperback. You do look lovely with your longer hair in your Zoom studio. I only wear make-up for Zoom, not for forays to groceries, bank or pharmacy.
ReplyDeleteI have a Hebrew Ulpan (spoken language) class on Zoom every week with just a few people, but I do put on eyeliner and a usually a dress. It's a very satisfying evening which I look forward to a lot. We laugh, tell funny stories, and the teacher corrects our grammar and pronunciation as we chat. My husband walks in about 1/2 way through the class with a cup of coffee for me and that is a topic they love to talk about!
I have attended a couple of Zoom author events and sometimes watch a replay of one of the JRW authors if I could not be there for the event. It is a whole other way of meeting people, but it is fine. Live events are just too dangerous right now.
Judy, is "Ulpan" like "Berlitz"? It IS a great time to learn another language.
DeleteI think that originally it was a total immersion in the language. I did an Ulpan in Arad, Israel in 1975. It was seven months with a half day of classes then out into Arad. We lived in dorms, but everyone was paired with a family so we could practice our Hebrew. In my case, I think they all practiced their English, which was superior in all ways, to my Hebrew.
DeleteShalom Friends,
DeleteI took Hebrew lessons online within the last decade. The company eteacherhebrew.com conducted the classes also weekly at the level you tested at. Not being a beginner or a novice, I was not in a large class; maybe 5 or 6 students per class. They also included open classes 2 or 3 times a week. I had to work to make my schedule match the offerings. The platform that they used at that time was Webex; I believe that platform was probably better suited than anything that Zoom currently offers. Everyone could hear and see the teacher. You could see the images of students as they spoke. The teacher could use a whiteboard for writing and also share images with us. It was pricey but certainly a lot of fun.
I also travelled to Israel and participated in a Kibbutz Ulpan. That was years ago and certainly before personal computers and tablets were so ubiquitous. Level C and D were taught by Walter B. who was the finest of the fine language teacher in all of Israel. He tried not to tolerate English (most of us were English speaking young people). The most fun I have ever had in my whole life was getting up and telling a prepared story to the class, strictly in Hebrew. I couldn’t just use a dictionary because the vocabulary had to be accessible to the class, for all of whom Hebrew was not their native tongue. I brought a picture of Walter home with me, but it has long been lost to history.
Such a great memory, David!
DeleteHallie, congrats on the paperback release--and I echo all those who say the upside of all this virtual stuff is that many more readers get to participate in events. And you do look great! It's good to see everyone safe.
ReplyDeleteThat said, no zooming here so far. Covid-tiredness, I blame.
I hear you, Flora... boy howdy, can I relate.
DeleteCongratulations on the paperback launch! You look great. I've only done one streaming book event so far, but I hope to do more. I have a whole Zoom setup which I use for work staff meetings. It's not optimal, but it is functional, and I get to use my USB mic, which I have sort of fallen in love with although it probably looks dorky.
ReplyDeleteSo, hooray for bare feet, pajama bottoms, and the ability to reach many, many more readers from the comfort of your own home.
Echoing that hooray!
DeleteI was happy to meet you and get my book signed at Bouchercon last year. Otherwise I would probably be leaning on you for a signed book plate! No, I have not Zoomed. I have attended live Facebook events. It looks to me, Hallie, like you have the Zoom routine nailed.
ReplyDeleteI'll happily give up zooming as soon as it's safe to emerge...
DeleteHallie, congratulations on your paperback book release. I already have the ebook version of your book. It was great to meet you at Bouchercon in Toronto. It's great to be able to meet your readers via Zoom from the comfort of your own home.
ReplyDeleteSome people cannot go out and it is a wonderful way for them to be able to interact with people via Zoom. They can participate in Zoom events with authors.
Have I ever taken a Zoom event? Yes. I participated in my local exercise classes via Zoom and that is the best for me. Unfortunately, the other Zoom events with various bookstores are NOT captioned :-(. My cochlear implant speech processors are broken and I cannot get them fixed since I cannot see my audiologist in person until the pandemic is over. That is the way it is for the time being.
However I have a author friend whose husband is a tech wizard and every time she gives a talk on Facebook / You Tube, I can get CAPTIONS and read the words of the dialogue.
I prefer You Tube to Zoom since Zoom does not seem to have the CAPTION available on their equipment.
Zoom is great about seeing people. I get to see what books are on the bookshelves behind the author. It will be interesting to see what books are on your bookshelves when you are talking on Zoom with your readers. I prefer FaceTime for video calls with family.
Forgive me if I sound funny here. I just started taking the painkiller last night.
Diana
Hoping you're feeling better soon, Diana! And thatis shocking about Zoom having no captions. So basic.
DeleteThank you, Hallie. It will be about ten days of antibiotics. Agreed about Zoom.
DeleteHallie, congrats on the paperback pub, and the Goodreads giveaway! Fantastic!! And you look great! Love seeing both sides of the set up. I have a big stack of books for my laptop, too, for these things, and Rick has set up a professional photographer lighting umbrella in my office. We check the lighting and angles before an event. I don't have anywhere to set up, however, where I have book shelves behind me. I have worn nice tops--with shorts. So can't stand up, either:-) Looking forward to Zoom/FBing with Lucy next Tuesday!! Where I'll get to show off my grown out hair, too, although I whacked about an inch off the bottom last week. Much better!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have fun with Lucy! I zoomed with her and her sister Susan Cerulean earlier this week. I'll be tuning in.
DeleteChurch is via Zoom and I watch/listen but no video and no mic. The "no mic" is at the church's request to eliminate feedback and buzzing. The "no video" is my choice. I'm usually sitting on my bed in my old sloppy comfortable T-shirt and the world just doesn't need to see that. I had just rejoined the choir prior to the lockdown and there is a weekly Zoom choir meeting. It is right as I get home from work so I'm dressed in my "public can see" clothes. I have yet to find good location to set up my pile of boxes formy phone or Kindle. Last week my Kindle had issues with my new living room so I ended up in my bedroom on my phone. When I finally get a more permanent set up I'm going to remember your set up, Hallie. I have plenty of boxes still to unpack from the move. Anyone need boxes?
ReplyDeleteThe thing about boxes is you never have them when you need them.
DeleteAin't that the truth and even if you save a couple they always end up being the wrong size.
DeleteThis is so much fun to read! And what a joy to see you… Congratulations! Who’da thought we’d have to be experts in lighting :-)
ReplyDeleteWe're looking to you, Hank, as our model!
DeleteHallie, you look great on Zoom! And I'm with you - while I do very much miss personally connecting with readers (and those wonderful moments of serendipity that only happen in person) I don't miss being a book tour road warrior. Flying into a lovely city -the only parts you will see will be the airport, the car rental, and a bunch of bookstores/libraries. Trying to drive from Bookstore A to Library B - your itinerary was put together by someone living in Manhattan who's never been to Kansas City in their life. The lovely hotel - where you forget your room number. Relaxing at the end of the evening - eating room service chicken caesar salad and watching "Say Yes To The Dress" like a braindead zombie. And then rising at 5am to fly out and do it all over again the next day...
ReplyDeleteI agree, a book tour is a mixed blessing, one you only appreciate when you don't get one.
DeleteI've done some Zoom events. My church small group is meeting that way, and we had a family get together via Zoom for Easter. I stayed until the end. I don't think the author events I've done were via Zoom. The platforms used didn't get me a chance to turn on my camera, and everyone was probably happy about that. :)
ReplyDeleteAs a family we're more likely to Facetime. Am I the only one that keeps my computer''s camera eye covered when I'm not using it?
DeleteI don't keep mine covered.
DeleteAnd the family Zoom was multiple family's. My parents. My uncle and aunt. My brother and his family. And his parents-in-law. So Zoom worked better than Facetime would have for all of them.
Oops. I lost my first response. Congratulations on the paperback edition of Careful What You Wish For, Hallie. I loved this book. You are so brilliant at suspense, creating that breathless, what’s behind the next corner feeling that makes readers keep turning the pages.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t done Zoom yet, working on it. When I read Joan’s comments, I was glad to learn that one can lurk and not be front and center in a zoom event. I think I’d like to lurk first. I have done FB events that various bookstores and groups have had, including ones with Hank and Rhys, I had to miss the one with you, Hallie, and Lucy/Roberta, and I was going to attend a Lucy event last night, but it was canceled due to the weather and the host’s electricity being out. Tonight I have on tap events with Hank and Kim Powers. I’m really looking forward to your interview with Scott Turow, Hallie, and learning the answer to that twist question, one of the best twists of all time.
Oh, and a reminder that there’s a Jungle Reds event coming up online, too. I don’t have the details in front of me, but it’s on my calendar to attend.
LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR ONLINE EVENT! It's hosted by Poisoned Pen Bookstore
DeleteSATURDAY AUGUST 22 2:00 PM PST (5 PM EST)
The good news with ZOOM is you start with the camera OFF and the microphone OFF...
Very often at the Zoom meetings, that I attend, there is a cat or dog, who decides to interpose themselves, between the zoomer and the screen. Either they are jealous of the screen getting all the attention. Or they are afraid that you may be going a little stir crazy and are talking to yourself and consequently needing a reality check.
ReplyDeleteCats like to sit on keyboards. Dogs just wanna be hugged.
DeleteWhy is your name Jungle Red? Is it after the lipstick?
ReplyDeleteGoodness... We named ourselves sooooo long ago. I think Jungle Red is the nail polish in "The Women." An extremely catty movie, so not a model of women supporting women. But once we had the name and we got some brand recognition, we were stuck with it. Someone correct me if my recollection on this isn't correct.
DeleteHappy book birthday, Hallie. I am so envious of that luxurious hair cascading around your face.
ReplyDeleteI find the worst thing with a Zoom event is having to smile solidly for an hour because if you don't smile you look old and grouchy. Then afterward my face hurts!
OMG I so agree... trying not to look like a poker face is exhausting.
DeleteCongratulations on the release of your paperback! This is such a great mystery! But, yes, I miss meeting the readers, partly because there were always cupcakes.
ReplyDelete