JENN McKINLAY: One of the things I love most about the self-publishing gig is the input I get on the cover. An author friend of mine (Lori Wilde) who put out her extensive backlist in e-book form after she got the rights back to her books, connected me with my cover artist Lyndsey at Llewellen Designs.
And she returned this:
How great is that? She just makes everything so much better. In fact, her covers are so perfect, that the audio publisher who bought the rights to the novellas bought her covers, too!
What I love most about working with Lyndsey is that she can execute whatever I imagine and she is open to all of my input, which I so appreciate. For example, the book our gent is holding on the cover of BOOKED is a color reversed version of the original (look closely). When I asked Lyndsey in the design stage if this was possible, she jumped on it and made it happen. So fun!
Clearly, I am a firm believer in hiring a professional to do what you need to have done, which is why I also employed a professional editor to go through each novella a couple of times to make certain they were as tight as could be. The fabulous Traci Hall, recommended by another author friend (Jennifer Ashely) was amazing. There was not one line that went unscrutinized, which is exactly what you want in an editor.
All of this is to say, the writing community is one of the most generous and gracious spaces out there, and I could not have pulled this off without the help and support of a lot of writer friends.
So, tell me, Reds and Readers, what positive interactions have you had within the writing community? Has any author made a huge difference in your life on a personal level? If so, how?
About the book:
From New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay comes the Museum of Literature RomCom Omnibus.
For the first time all three novellas are in one volume.
Royal Valentine
The Attraction Distraction
It Happened One Christmas Eve
Come join the fun with a secret identity and a trip to England, a second chance romance while in search of an ancient literary artifact in Greece, and a holiday caper starting with a hijacked sleigh! As the intrepid librarians and archivists of the Museum of Literature travel the world for the love of books, curating their own happily ever afters along the way. What more could any romcom adoring book lover want?
Buy Links:
Audio: https://tinyurl.com/2s3kcuu2
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/2s3wxr6n
Books-A-Million: https://tinyurl.com/mvpw2y9p
Bookshop.Org: https://tinyurl.com/yc5mzdxm
BN: https://tinyurl.com/45zr5uhb
Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/w86s88aw
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/38w45s9c
Other (Books2Read): https://books2read.com/u/4AjEnp
Happy Book Birthday, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteOver the years I’ve met some writers in person [Hank, Rosemary Harris, Ray Bradbury, Jane K. Cleland to name a few] and, to a person, they were kind, generous, and friendly. For me, those were amazing, exciting, wonderful experiences that I shall always treasure . . . .
I felt the same way when i met Barbara Mertz (Elizabeth Peters) and Sue Grafton. They made such a positive impression on me. I cherish the memories.
DeleteWhat a wonderful project, Jenn - I agree, finding the right professionals makes all the difference. I love the covers!
ReplyDeleteNearly every interaction I've ever had in the writing community since I discovered it when I started writing fiction almost thirty years ago has been positive. The New England Sisters in Crime community particularly encouraged me, including Hallie, Roberta, and Hank. Rhys and Julia have blurbed books. You, Jenn, and Debs have never been anything but welcoming. My fellow Wicked Authors, others in New England, Catriona McPherson - too many to count have lifted me up with kindness, generosity, and support.
I knew I wanted to have a novel published. I never knew I wanted to find dozens of new and dear friends!
Jenn, I meant to ask if you also hired someone to help with production of ebook and print books? Or did you do that yourself. Thx.
DeleteThe software is now so easy you set up your document into a pdf and then upload it. It's pretty amazing. So, no, I didn't use a book designer (although for the next cookbook I likely will - that one was HARD), but for fiction it's pretty straightforward.
DeleteEver since I first attended Malice Domestic in 2010, the writing community has been a blessing. We are all friends and I like how they rally among each other to support and be there. My experience with this community have all be positive (okay a few negatives, but we won't mention those) and I relish every time we gather at conventions for that hug we so enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful community! I'm looking forward to seeing you as GOH this year at Left Coast Crime! Tucson is going to be lit! :)
DeleteJenn, I forgot to say, Congratulations on your book release! And it is so cool that your book titles are on the shelves. Nice!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I do love how this cover pulls them all together :)
DeleteCongratulations on your new release. The cover is really eye-catching. As for the writing community - I've appreciated so much how contacts have become friends, and how much help critique partners have given me. Once I decided to write full time, this marvelous world opened up to me.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. I wish I'd started going to conferences sooner - that's always my advice for aspiring writers. Find your people.
DeleteJenn, congratulations on your book birthday. You always put the "com"
ReplyDeletealong with the "rom" and I adore these three novellas! The audios are fabulous, too. Please tell the audio story again;^)
In answer to the question, my experience here has changed my world. Special thanks to Debs for bringing me in. Love you all.
Oh, I'm so glad! I love how we make these precious connections through a love of stories. Do you mean the spite story? LOL.
DeleteYes! Yes I do.
DeleteJudy, it has been entirely my pleasure! You are a wonderful edition to the community!
DeleteJenn, congratulations on the new book!
ReplyDeleteTo the best of my recollection, every interaction I've had with authors has been positive. Jon Land was the first author I met at a signing and since that first meeting, I've been to a bunch of his signings and he usually tells others that I know his books as well as he does. It's a little bit of overhype but it is definitely fun to help sell new people on his books, which are always entertaining.
Then comes Hank Phillippi Ryan. I met her for the first time at an Ingrid Thoft signing. I was across the aisle from her. I knew her from the TV of course,but had just discovered her books. I leaned over, excused myself and told her that I loved her books. That has led to me attending a number of signings that were either for her or that she was the interviewer. She always makes a point of introducing me to the other author (even took photos of me with Craig Johnson) and has given me a shout out in her talks at least three times. Including one in front of my senior year English teacher at my local library.
Next would be Edith Maxwell. What can I say that I haven't said before? Edith rocks! I'm a big cheerleader for her books since they are always great reads (my favorite is the Country Store mysteries) and she's been so kind to me at signings. Plus, we've had lunch or dinners together which is always nice. Talking books with an author in a relaxed setting is SO cool! Plus, she came to one of the local library's Mystery Book Club meetings when we read her first Quaker Midwife mystery.
These are just some of the above and beyond instances I've experienced with three authors, but I've had great times with any number of others. Talking Ireland with Sheila Connolly, Hallie Ephron saying that she and Hank "had" to take a photo with me when we were all at a signing for Bruce Robert Coffin. Ingrid Thoft skyping into a book club meeting. Meeting and becoming a big booster for Joanna Schaffhausen (who then thanked me in the author acknowledgements of a book a few years down the line.) Hitting it off with Kristopher Zgorski when I met him at a Boston book signing (he found me a copy of Julia Spencer Fleming's In the Bleak Midwinter).
I've been very lucky to have all these great interactions and more. As I transitioned out of coaching, getting involved in the book world has given me a new life as all of these authors and others have been great to me.
You just captured the essence of the writing community, Jay. One author leads to another and another. I love it!
DeleteLove these stories, Jay!
DeleteDiana
Agreed, Jenn!
DeleteDiana
Love these stories, Jay!
DeleteLove the cover, Jenn, with all the covers. So much information in one bit of artwork. Now that's "telling a book by its cover".
ReplyDeleteFor me, it all started with the actress Harley Jane Kozak. When I was pregnant in the extremely hot summer of 1984 my OB told me to limit physical activity, so I was stuck at home. I found the new soap "Santa Barbara", and became a big fan. Harley was one of the (still, especially in Russia, of all places) beloved stars, and years later I saw her name on a mystery at a bookstore. Bought the book, enjoyed the smart, madcap quality (similar to Jenn's style, come to think of it), and watched for more. She only wrote three books in that series, while she was waiting for her three kids to practice sports, etc., and I wanted more so I went in search of a presence on the Web.
Does anyone remember the site that had a name like "Writers' Caves", or similar? It had photos of the writing spaces of many authors, mostly in the mystery genre; Harley's writing space was on it, along with a link to her webpage. Where she had additional links to author blogs, including The Lipstick Chronicles, where she was one of the rotating women mystery bloggers. I became a backblogger there, and even had one or two front of blog articles, and still have many friendships from that time, including Hank, the late Margaret Maron, Cornelia Read, and more. I've met SO many authors--including Harley--over the years, as well as a slough of other fans.
The sewing world is much the same, but it's changed a lot in the last couple decades.
Karen, I loved the Lipstick Chronicles! While doing a lot of searching after they disbanded, I finally found my way here, for which I am very grateful.
DeleteJudi, didn't you once say you used vinegar in your washer's rinse cycle? I thought I got that from you. Which I've been doing ever since, like for 16 years now.
DeleteForgot about Annette Dashofy! And how could I miss mentioning Nancy Martin, who pretty much set the standard for the author blog format.
How did I not know Harley was on Santa Barbara? I had a high school pal who LOVED that show.
DeleteShe played Mary, the former nun who played opposite Mason Capwell as his ill-fated love interest. Famous romantic duo, Jenn!
DeleteKaren, I loved this backstory of your intro the mystery community!
DeleteCongratulation, Jenn! Love the covers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz!
DeleteJENN: Congratulations on BOOKED! It's great you found Lyndsey & other professionals to help make your books even better.
ReplyDeleteAs for the mystery writing community, so many authors who I admired (from afar) have now become friends. And fellow enthusiastic readers are also a positive part of my life.
It's like an instant bond when you meet someone who loves to read the same books, isn't it?
DeleteCongratulations, Jenn! The cover is very cool! Ya done good all around!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judi!
DeleteCongratulations Jenn! Wasn't it just yesterday you were telling us about the first novella? What a fantastic trip it has been.
ReplyDeleteIt really has been! I kind of wish I'd planned more but...well, maybe someday.
DeleteSo happy to see this and can't wait to read... the cover is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteOops that was me - Hallie
DeleteThanks, Hallie!
DeleteCongratulations, Jenn! My sister and I have gone the self-publishing route and I am fortunate that she has the chops to work with our artists. We just finished work on the cover for my forthcoming combo edition, Deep Ellum Duet, which will combine my two Deep Ellum e-stories into one paperback volume and I could not love my cover more. Chaz Kemp is our cover artist, and I think he has perfectly captured Ms. Eddy's mystery and sass. I'll tell my sister about Lyndsey!
ReplyDeleteAs for authors who have had a huge impact on my personal life? Well, I married SF/F author Warren C. Norwood. Yesterday would have been our 35th anniversary, had he lived. And I don't know where I'd be without the daily friendship and support of Deborah Crombie. Not in the relatively happy place I am now, for sure. Many of Warren's former students, including Lori Wilde, have offered me kind advice over the years, and I have always found the writing community a warm and welcoming place. Jungle Red Writers is a marvelous virtual community in itself. Love you all!
I'm very excited to see your new cover, Gigi. I swear isn't the writing world like the Kevin Bacon game - we all know someone who connects us to someone - in our case Jungle Reds but also Lori Wilde. Amazing!
DeleteSuch a trail of interconnected parts. Someone I met at one of my first ever local writing conferences recommended Warren's writing course. I signed up for it, and through that met the writer's group that suffered with me through many early books, and of course, you, Gigi!
DeleteI have to second Gigi's shout out to her cover artist Chaz Kemp--I've seen the cover of Deep Ellum Duet and it totally rocks!!
I thoroughly enjoyed both books which are in my Kindle. When they are released in paper, I will give them as gifts to my fantasy loving family members!
DeleteThis is SO great and SO fascinating! Oh, cannot wait to read, and it's irresistible. And that's why some people are one kind of artist and others have other skills! YAAY!!! You are SO fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hank!
DeleteCongratulations on the new book. I've loved the covers on this series. They are bright, creative and fun.
ReplyDeleteHappy covers for happy stories :)
DeleteLove the covers, Jenn! And congrats on hte newest "baby." I have one of the older ones packed in my carry-on bag, ready to take on vacation later this week. :-)
ReplyDeleteDid someone influence me? Absolutely. Lots of writers have made my world more interesting, rewarding, and warmer, but the top of my list is Marilyn Wallace. I knew her name before a mutual neighborhood acquaintance introduced us. She had several successful suspense novels. I had stopped writing, fro several good reasons, and was not at all sure I would ever go back. We started meeting occasionally to talk writing, eventually found two other aspiring writers - through SINC!- and formed a writing group. She took me seriously as a writer, and because she did, I started to, again. Brooklyn Bones,the next book I finished (!) and published(!) was dedicated to her, with E.B, White's great words about writers and friends.
I loved those Brooklyn books, Triss!
DeleteThank you so much.
DeleteI love it, Triss! The journey is never over until you stop walking.
DeleteCongrats on your latest book, Jenn! The cover is great and the story within it is SO clever.
ReplyDeleteI have been welcomed with open arms (literally) by the JRW crew and it has taught me, in turn, how to welcome new people into my own local writing circles. It's a good way of being. Thank you, everyone here, and especially the JRW authors whose generosity is legion.
It truly is. I love writers.
DeleteCongrats! I definitely do like the art work for all of these stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark!
DeleteIt is always lovely to meet authors. So far it has been mostly at signings where time is short! The Dallas Bouchercon was wonderful as it allowed me to meet not only authors but some of the Reds commenters, Danielle and Ann in particular. I was utterly thrilled if I introduced myself to an author and she recognized my name.
ReplyDeleteJenn, I love the covers on your rom-coms. That style really appeals to me for that genre.
I can't wait to get back to Bouchercon this year!
DeleteCongratulations on book birthday and thank you for the behind the scenes look. Writers in the mystery community are so generous and willing to share resources and time. There are too many to list here (and I'd be petrified I'd forget someone), but hopefully, they know how grateful I am.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same. So many people are so great about giving you a leg up. It's remarkable.
DeleteCongrats on your pub day, Jenn, and let me tell you - the BOOKED cover is great, as are those of the individual novels. (Which is another reason to go for a talented professional - not only does an author want each cover to hit the mark, they also should tie together so readers can recognize this as an "Author Name" book.)
ReplyDeleteSo much help and support from other authors, including YOU, dear Jenn, that time we all sat down at Bouchercon and you gave the Reds a lesson in social media and graphics!
I wish we could repeat Jenn's tutorial!
DeleteAh, yes, in the days before Tik Tok blew it all up. We can do it again in San Diego!
DeleteJENN: Congratulations!!!Happy book birthday!
ReplyDeleteThank you for liking my BOOKED posts on FB and IG. Planning to read BOOKED on Valentine's Day.
Lots of positive interactions. Received a lovely package from Jacqueline Winspear, author of Maisie Dobbs. Received a lovely package from Ellen Byron, author of cajun country mysteries. Received a lovely package from Ellie Alexander, author of the Bakeshop mystery series,
Many years ago just before I was studying abroad at Oxford, I wrote a letter to Richard Critchfield, author of AN AMERICAN LOOKS AT BRITAIN, after I went to his book event at a local bookstore. I asked him a lot of questions about Britain and about Maggie Thatcher who was the Prime Minister of Britain at that time. He took the time to write pages of answers in response to my questions!
Mix of positive and less than positive below...
When I was at Book Passage writing workshop LONG TIME AGO, one of the Faculty authors (I do not want to embarrass her here) was conducting a interactive seminar where all of us were assigned to work on writing exercises and we were supposed to partner with someone. To my surprise, no one would work with me. This "friendly" person who was sitting right next to me bluntly said NO thank you when I asked. Shrug here. Her loss.
Looking back I recall this "friendly" person was rather patronizing. When we met at the beginning of the workshop, she came right up to me and did not bother to introduce herself. Instead of saying "HI, my name is..." guess what she said to me? She told me to my face in a patronizing voice "I think you are so brave." I asked her "Why?" She said "Because you are deaf and dumb". I forgot that and I thought maybe she was nervous. I am better at reading people now. She was my age and it really surprised me that anyone in my age group still had that mindset!
Back to the author, she noticed that the mean girl refused to work with me. The author took the time to sit with me and work through the writing exercises with me. This author is one of the kindest people and I LOVE her books.
To my surprise, a week after the workshop, the mean girl sent me an email and said "Hi, how are you?" as if we are friends. I never responded because I have to set clear boundaries. I have always been polite to her despite her rudeness to me. As far as I know, whatsherface never became a published author.
All of my interactions with Authors have been Positive! I am truly blessed to have met so many wonderful people.
Diana
That just makes me furious on your behalf, Diana. People are...ugh. But I'm delighted that the author saw what was happening and stepped in. I like to think that's a requirement for being an author - always send the elevator down!
DeleteJenn. thank you. I had forgotten about that until I was writing. Sometimes that happens. Grateful that the author stepped in.
DeleteDiana
Happy Book Birthday, Jenn! I loved reading about your covers and seeing the comparison of what you had in mind and what Lyndsey created. Your covers are always amazing. And, putting the rom-coms in one book is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteMe answering the query of what positive experiences I've had in the writing community and what a difference some authors have had in my life. Well, that's like me answering with, "How do I love thee, let me count the ways." Attending my first Bouchercon in 2013 in Albany was the beginning of a whole new life for me. Meeting you Reds and experiencing the game show panel you put on (with the amazing Ross and youngest) was so magical. I met you all right before the panel, and you were so gracious and kind. I fell in love for always then.
That first Bouchercon was the start of so many great things in my life. Elly Griffiths, aka Domenica De Rosa (Dom), and I met, which has given me a friendship I so treasure. We laugh about that first meeting because she wasn't really known here in the United States then, and I was the only one in her line(?) at the signing table. Of course, now her line is one of the longest when she's at Bouchercon. I met Jen Danna, who also writes as Sara Driscoll (the F.B.I. K-9 series), and joined her team on the spot. I met and talked with Debs, who was getting ready for her daughter Katie's wedding the next weekend, I believe. I met Lyndsay Faye and Laurie King. I had become a part of the Friends of Laurie before the convention, and so met Laurie and the rest of the FOLs and had dinner with them. Now, I can't imagine my life without them. And, there were more authors and reading friends I connected with at that first Bouchercon and many more at subsequent ones. The most wonderful part about it is that these are friends for always, not just for conventions and book signings and such. So many special experiences. Our dear Edith Maxwell used my mother's recipe for Southern Jam Cake in her Strangled Eggs and Ham, #6 in Country Store Mysteries by Maddie Day.
I had some author experiences before becoming immersed in this wonderful mystery/crime community, but this is the community where I found my people, readers and authors who share my passions. Thank each and every one of you!
Oh, that's wonderful! I love it when an author grows and yet remembers the readers who loved their work first. It is an extraordinary community.
DeleteJenn, huge congrats on Booked! This entire concept is so clever, and so well done. LOVE the cover! All the covers! And even though I've read all the novellas, I'm not going to check out the audio. (If our Judy Singer loves them, they go on my list!)
ReplyDeleteI met Barbara Mertz, too, at one of first conferences, it must have been Malice. What a character she was! And so warm and welcoming. I've met so many people in the mystery community over the years who have become friends--I can't imagine there is a more welcoming community anywhere.
I meant NOW I will check out the audio!
DeleteLOL! Thanks, Debs!
DeleteI'm very glad for you, Jenn; the cover of Booked works so well. As for your question, I don't think I've ever met any other mystery writers (although I did speak briefly to Ruth Ware at a conference in Switzerland). But I am deeply, endlessly grateful to six wonderful mystery writers whom I have never even spoken to for giving me terrific endorsements: two beloved Reds, Debs and Julia (thank you, my dears) plus Jim Ziskin (BOMBAY MONSOON), Laurie R. King (BACK TO THE GARDEN), Allen Eskens (FORSAKEN COUNTRY), and Martin Walker (TO KILL A TROUBADOUR). Yes, the mystery writing community is very supportive!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! I've discovered some amazing authors through endorsements - I love getting the early peek :)
Delete