The River Witch

Social Media and Authors- good together?

I tweet like nobody’s business. I tweet about books, daily events, great restaurants, upcoming events- and a million more things. I tweet about TV shows, I tweet certain lines from books- I tweet! If I like you, like your book, show, event- I’ll tweet and spread the word (don’t get the wrong idea- if I don’t like you, I don’t sabotage- I’m just really kind to things I like!)

I’m not a writer, really, in any shape, form, or fashion. Tweeting was my blog (limited to 140 characters) before I decided to take the plunge and join the blog world. Blogging has been a fun way to write about different events and books that I’m loving, currently looking forward, or am re-reading.

I also enjoy posing a question for the people reading this- so today’s question is: Social Media and Authors- a good mix like peanut butter and chocolate or a terrible idea like dialing while intoxicated?

I’ve been thinking on it and I’ve got some ideas:

I think social media, for new authors, especially is probably a good idea- if used correctly. You should use it to connect to fans, to connect to would-be fans. Hosting a giveaway is never a bad idea (people LOVE free books). Hosting a giveaway where you’ll buy the book from the nearest independent bookseller is even better idea (Thanks, Hallie Sawyer!)

I think fans like to connect with authors they admire or enjoy their books.

The bad side of social media- as I’ve said, I’m in no way a “writer”. I also don’t work for a publishing house. Maybe it’s because I tweet about books a lot- but I get MANY follows from self-publishing authors- and while I respect that writing is hard, it’s some of those people that give pause to other authors trying to decide if and how to use social media to their advantage.

I’m curious to hear thoughts on this subject- and also do you think established authors should jump on social media train or is for the newly established and trying to get established?

Last thought on social media- you start following an author, see them tweeting with fans- so you try to interact and never hear any interaction from them? Chalk it up to their being exceptionally busy? Leave a bitter taste in your mouth? Would social media, in this instance, be harmful to the author (maybe you won’t recommend book to friends)?

Finally, a shout-out to 3 debut authors that I think are using social media to their advantage AND gaining fans/attention all along the way : Kimberly Brock The River Witch, Erika Marks Little Gale Gumbo, and Robin O’Bryant Ketchup is a Vegetable: And Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves. Well done, ladies!

Wednesday’s List…

Some days my head is just filled with all kinds of interesting things to talk and blog about- some days a list is about all I can come up with.

Here goes:

1. Pinterest is annoying me lately- I can’t seem to get my pins to show up on facebook. Bothering me!

2. I’m reading Sweet Valley Confidential- so far I’m liking it.

3. I like to use words in cute ways- so I have “literary crushes”- right now- Peeta is still my most favorite “literary crush”

4. I have less than a 100 pages left in The River Witch. It’s been a great story, thus far and I’m already jotting notes and getting ready for a blog post.

5. I tend to read 2 books at the same time- usually one humorous and one more serious. So they don’t overlap in my mind.

6. While I’m not a good cook, I think my collection of cook books is growing. I’m most happy with my newest addition- Miss Mississippi Cooks. It’s pretty, pink AND has a tiara on it- what more could a girl ask for?

7. On the being a non-good cook note, I have a recipe for shrimp and grits that I’m dying to try AND a chocolate pie. I’m looking for the perfect “let’s cook this right” music for my Ipod!

8. If you haven’t checked out Deep South Magazine’s Summer Reading List– seriously, you need to! Chock full of goodies!

9. Books on the Nightstand podcast recorded live at #BooktopiaMS (if you’re a Twitter fanatic- check out the hashtag- some of us were tweeting up a storm!)

10. Already looking forward to #fridayreads- I’ve got a pile of books that need to be read- narrowing down the choices now! Seriously, this is what happens when you love books so much- you have to start piling them up and deciding days ahead what book will get the honor of #fridayreads!

11. Speaking of #fridayreads- I think it should be Everyday Reads, but #fridayreads is much cuter.

 

 

Friday Reads ya’ll…..

It’s Friday- so I’m going to jump on the #fridayreads bandwagon!

If you like a little Southern Lit (#southernlit)- be sure and look at Deep South Magazine‘s Literary Friday page- sometimes an interview with an author, sometimes just random literary facts; but always a guaranteed good place to check out.

Currently my Friday reads consists of The River Witch by Kimberly Brock and Alex Cross’s Trial by James Patterson. The River Witch is magical, reminding us that while we may be broken- somewhere in us and somewhere in the world is a place to heal. Roslyn is a character that will haunt me (in a good way!) for sometime. Final thoughts and a full review of book will be forthcoming.

Alex Cross’s Trial– chosen by a member of the book club I’m in- is interesting. It’s not like the typical Alex Cross books I’ve read lately, though.

Other books I look forward to putting on my Friday Reads list soon: The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. by Nichole Bernier and  Sea Change by Karen White (also a book on Deep South Magazine Summer Reading List 2012).

If you will be near Lemuria Books in Jackson, MS on July 13- stop by for a Karen White book signing- begins at 5pm. And if you are reading Kimberly Brock’s The River Witch and will be in Greenwood, MS on August 14 or Tupelo, MS on August 16- stop in Turnrow Books (Greenwood) or Reed’s  Gum Tree Books (Tupelo) for a book signing AND to hear the Anna Kline and the Grits and Soul Band. Both appear to be fun events!

Happy Reading!

 

A big box of books…

Thanks to Harper Collins and their #fridayreads giveaways- I received 7 new books! So huge thanks to Harper Collins!

One of the books- Before I go to Sleep- looks really great. Chilling, suspenseful and a book that could be hotly debated in a book club.

I was also fortunate to receive another big box of books from a book-club friend- she went through her bookshelves picking out books that I might like- I enjoy getting the fruits of a good cleaning out of shelves!

Still gathering my thoughts and energy to post about Booktopia in Oxford, MS (#booktopiams). Seriously a fun weekend.

Currently reading Alex Cross’s Trial by James Patterson for my book club AND still working on The River Witch by Kimberly Brock (poor Kim, her book is great- I just started it at a bad time- between getting ready for Booktopia AND Book Club- her book is getting a chapter read at a time.)

Happy Reading ya’ll!

 

Book news…. (list style!)

1. Recently began reading  James Patterson. Sorry to report that I have been ignoring his great books for years. Loved Kiss the Girls, I, Alex Cross and now reading Roses are Red. Good books.

2. Received my copy of The River Witch by Kimberly Brock that I won from Hallie Sawyer’s blog. Kimberly personalized my copy with the sweetest message: To Tamara- My sweet friend. May the story sing for you! Love, Kimberly Brock
I cannot wait to sit down and begin reading this book. With the rave reviews it’s getting, I’m very excited about reading it.

3. Bought Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn yesterday. Have never read a book by her, but between the description of the book from Reader’s Digest, the book cover and my book friend, Keetha’s, excitement over the book- I feel sure it’ll be a winner. I hope so anyway.

4. I’m still waiting on the library to get my copies of Ready, Player One and The Rook from the inter-library loan. This is probably why people buy, as opposed to borrow books mainly- it’s too long of a wait.

5. I was asked to guest blog about The Hunger Games trilogy for a friend’s blog- Man Vs Books Club. The blog is a collaborative effort among a group of people who read and encourage others to read. If looking for another blog to read or some great reviews, please check them out.

6. It’s 9 days till Booktopia Oxford, MS. Books on the Nightstand has several great events planned. Look for future blog posts on the authors I met at Booktopia.

7. Speaking of Books on the Nightstand, if you don’t listen to their weekly podcast, give it a try. They usually have great recommendations for books. This week, they recommended Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D by Nichole Bernier. Nichole’s book was getting quite a bit of attention from several bloggers I follow yesterday- based on the talk, I’ve decided to add it to my list of books to read this summer.

8. My “to-read” list is growing exponentially. It bothers me because no matter how much time I devote to reading, it seems I never make a dent in my list.

9. She Reads is looking for more bloggers to join their network- if you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please check out their website.

 

 

The River Witch by Kimberly Brock (June’s She Reads Book Club Selection)

Kimberly Brock has taken the publishing world by storm- her debut novel, The River Witch, is earning high praise from other authors and getting quite a bit of attention from other bloggers.

Kimberly- no stranger to social media (if you follow her on twitter, you’ll see that posts quite a bit and retweets even more) has been promoting her book like crazy. Reaping the awards of good promotion- on June 8th Deep South Magazine will conduct an online chat with her about her book and writing, She Reads has picked The River Witch as their June book selection of the month, and other bloggers have been giving away her book to their followers.  Hallie Sawyer featured a fabulous chat and book giveaway a few days ago with Kimberly Brock

She Reads will be hosting The River Witch as their book club selection for month of June. They will also be giving away fabulous prizes for commenting and joining in the book club.

With all the great publicity for The River Witch, if you have not found a book to read this summer- give this one a look. Find you a cool place to get, a comfortable chair, delicious drink and sit down to enjoy this book.

To learn more about Kimberly Brock or to read the first 2 chapters of her book, The River Witch, for free- please visit Kimberly’s website

Upcoming Book Signings….

Excited to hear that 2 of the authors that made the Deep South Magazine’s 2012 Summer Reading list will be coming to book stores nearby for book signings/readings. Kimberly Brock- The River Witch and  Karen White- Sea Change.

Both books have intriguing covers and definitely have my interest for an addition to my summer reading list. As of now, I’m pretty sure I’ll be attending both events (I’m a book nerd- so I love to go to book signings), so check back for pictures and snippets of information from the book signing and readings.

2012 Summer Reading List.

Check the 2012 Summer Reading List for new books to read if you like interesting books or southern lit books. I dare say that the list Erin compiles is some of the best and brightest established authors or debut authors. Enjoy summer reading!