Archive for the ‘Announcements’ Category

An Apology to Readers

Saturday, September 7th, 2013

To those of you who were so kind as to purchase a copy or read a review copy of my first novel, Catnapped, A Klepto Cat Mystery, I apologize for the less than clean Kindle version you received. First, I jumped the gun, broke my own rules and published the book too soon. But I learned a lot from critics and reviewers and did a revision. Had the book proofed. In early August, we resubmitted Catnapped to Amazon for the Kindle Direct Publishing. I checked the sample text on the book page at Amazon and was convinced it was ready to go. I had no reason to doubt it.

So I promoted far and wide–sent an enewsletter out to two thousand people, etc. It came to my attention this week that the old version of Catnapped was still being sold at Amazon. While they had updated the book page, they were still sending the original version to customers–over a thousand customers, unfortunately.

I have two things to say–if you have revised a book for the KDP program, make sure that Amazon follows through in all areas or your old version might still be going out to customers. And that’s downright embarrassing. How do you find out? In at least some cases (such as ours), Amazon won’t allow you to purchase the revised edition for your Kindle if you’ve already bought the original. We scrambled to find someone with a Kindle who had not purchased the book so we could check it to make sure it is right this time. It appears that they are selling the revised, updated, corrected version. If anyone knows of another way the author can get a copy of the current version of his/her Kindle book once they’ve already purchased another version, please let me know. plfry620@yahoo.com

I appreciate your interest and support as I attempt to shift from a life-time of nonfiction writing to potential novelist and, again, I apologize for letting you down by allowing Amazon to sell a book that wasn’t quite ready for you.

If you haven’t read Catnapped, you can order a copy for your Kindle here: http://amzn.to/14OCk0W

Need Pre-publication Readers for Mystery: Please Apply

Friday, August 16th, 2013

Patricia Fry Interview Live
SPAWN member and colleague, Joanna Celeste asked if she could interview me recently on the topic of writing—changing over from nonfiction to fiction—marketing books in this competitive publishing climate and what’s happening publishing today and beyond. Here’s the result of that extensive interview
http://fromtheauthors.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/a-conversation-with-patricia-fry

Read Cat-Eye-Witness Free This Month
I’m seeking pre-publication readers for the second in my Klepto Cat Mystery series. I want some honest feedback before publishing it as a Kindle book. If you’d like to read Cat-Eye Witness and report back to me by September 10, 2013, please email me here and I’ll send the manuscript to you as an email attachment. plfry620@yahoo.com

Publishing/Marketing News and Views

Saturday, August 10th, 2013

My first enewsletter goes out today. My test runs have seemed to work out, only I can’t get the document to look right in Yahoo. So if you are on my list and you have yahoo, the format may look a tad off. Sigh.

Oh, I’m not new to writing newsletters. I’ve been compiling the SPAWN Market Update (for the member area of the SPAWN website) for a dozen or so years and I’ve written articles for newsletters for decades. But I’m new to the software and managing an email database.

If you’re not on my list to receive Publishing/Marketing News and Views, please contact me and I’ll make sure you get a copy of the enewsletter. The premiere issue will include:
• A Successful Book Starts Before You Step Up to the Keyboard (10 Tips)
• Book Promotion Activity of the Month—Book Reviews (100s of Reviewers)
• Recommended Reading—Fiction (Catnapped, a Klepto Cat Mystery)
• Book Review Opportunities for Readers—Speak Up
• Reader Review Sites (Start Here)
• Resources of the Month—Recommended Books for Authors
• Patricia Fry’s Bio Roundup

If you’re on my list, you should receive this sometime today.

In the meantime, a new 5-star review has come in for Catnapped, a Klepto Cat Mystery.

“Light and cozy read with good character development and a nice story. Thanks for offering at such a reasonable price.” (It’s only $2.99. It’s on Kindle only at this point. But I may have print books for you to give as holiday gifts.) Order your Kindle copy today: http://amzn.to/14OCk0W

Sign up for the bimonthly enewsletter: “Publishing/Marketing News and Views” plfry620@yahoo.com

Catnapped—Patricia’s Cozy Mystery

Friday, August 9th, 2013

As many of you know, I came out with my first novel—my first work of fiction—in June. It’s Catnapped, a Klepto Cat Mystery and it’s on Kindle. After two months, BRISK sales, good Amazon rankings and some great and critical feedback, I decided to pull the original version, hire a proofreader and do a rewrite. The new, improved Catnapped is live at http://amzn.to/14OCk0W It’s $2.99 and only on Kindle. Soon to be in print.

Here’s the storyline: When Savannah Jordan agrees to help her aunt while she recovers from a broken foot, she doesn’t expect to walk into a mystery, become part of a not-quite-legal surveillance team, be kidnapped by a deranged stranger and meet a steaming hot veterinarian. Beloved neighborhood cats are missing—the community can only guess at their fate—and Aunt Margaret’s life is being threatened. Is it because she has a clue to the missing cats or is it something more sinister?

If you like light mysteries with only a little terror, if you’re infatuated by interesting cats and if you love a love story, you must read this book.

This story of neighborhood cats disappearing is loosely based on a true story. Cats were going missing in a California neighborhood. Just this week, I heard from a friend in Arizona who said neighborhood cats were disappearing. She later let me know that most of them returned home after a few days. Very strange. Perhaps the Arizona cats were being taken by aliens—you know, little green men. They were implanted with super intelligence genes and will soon be running the country OR they’ve been programmed to murder their families in their sleep. Maybe they’ll spawn litters of little green kittens. Well, that’s for another story—and maybe a science fiction author. For now, I love the cozy mystery.

In fact, book two, Cat-Eye Witness will be released probably mid October. Some people say that cats would make great witnesses in court. Well, in this story, the main cat character, Rags, actually participates in a line-up and he does a pretty good job of pawing the bad guy.

Intrigued? Buy your copy of Catnapped, a Klepto Cat Mystery for your Kindle this afternoon for your weekend reading pleasure. http://amzn.to/14OCk0W

Police Writers in Las Vegas

Monday, July 15th, 2013

I apologize for being MIA this week. I was in Las Vegas at the Police Writers’ conference for four days and wasn’t able to post the blogs I had prepared for you. (Not sure if it was the connection, my computer or a glitch with WordPress…)

The conference was presented by the Public Safety Writers Association (PSWA). What a friendly, prolific, interesting group of writers and authors. The sessions were fascinating. I had the opportunity to learn something about the prostitution culture, the mystery of DNA, homeland security as well as writing dialog, the hallmarks of a cozy mystery and so forth.

A large number of the nearly 60 attendees write mysteries and crime/police stories. Since I’m now dabbling in mystery writing, myself, I was quite interested in some of these topics.

My contribution to the conference was a presentation on book promotion–that element of publishing that most authors would like to avoid and that we all need to engage in for as long as we want our books to sell.

Today, I’m inundated with work. I want to post more information about public speaking with you. But let me start the week by sharing an announcement. My little cozy mystery, Catnapped, is finally up at my website. Check it out here: http://www.matilijapress.com/Catnapped There’s a link to the ordering page at Amazon.

It is a Kindle book and sells for $2.99.

Sales have been brisk—staying within four digits. It was down under 6,000 last week. If you like mysteries and cats, you really ought to read this little book.

Here’s a NEW Newsletter With Value for Authors

Monday, July 1st, 2013

I’ve been promoting in high gear. My focus lately is my new Kindle novel, Catnapped, a cozy mystery.

I’m also preparing to send out my first newsletter this week. Included will be tons of information and resources for both fiction and nonfiction authors. Yes, this newsletter will have value. If you’re not on my emailing list or you don’t know whether you are, email me right away and I’ll include you. plfry620@yahoo.com

The newsletter is called: Publishing/Marketing News and Views and our mission is to “Bring you the information and resources you need to succeed.” Here’s what’s on tap for the July 2013 edition:

• A Successful Book Starts Before You Step Up to the Keyboard (10 Tips)
• Book Promotion Activity of the Month—Book Reviews (100s of Reviewers)
• Book Review Opportunities for Readers—Speak Up
• Reader Review Sites (Start Here)
• Tips for Authors (Who’s the Best Agent for Marketing Your Book?)
• Recommended Reading—Fiction
• Resources of the Month—Recommended Books for Authors
• Question, Questions, Questions (About Cross-Promoting Your Books)
• Patricia Fry’s Bio Roundup

Words from a Newly Published Novelist

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013

It’s been a busy few days since I’m now a published novelist. While it appears that promotion will be the same, I will be approaching a whole different audience with my promotional ploys and material. Tonight, I’m attending a writers’ club meeting to hear a friend of mine, author, Wendy Dager, speak. I have some charming promotional handouts I plan to take with me—just in case I have the opportunity to talk about Catnapped, the first in my Klepto Cat Mystery.

In case you missed the big announcement, it’s at Amazon for Kindle and sells for only $2.99. Here’s the link: http://amzn.to/14OCk0W There is one review already and another reader told me she posted a review.

Yesterday Hope Clark wrote about me and my novel at her blogsite. Check it out: http://chopeclark.com/blog It’s her June 10, 2013 post.

For those of you who follow my work for authors—be sure to check out my article in the June 10, edition of Brian Jud’s Book Marketing Matters on Before the Book Promotion Can Begin. I’m guest columnist.

Speaking of Brian Jud, did you know that he took over leadership of SPAN—Small Publishers Association of North America? He and the board have changed the name of the organization to The Association of Publishers For Special Sales (APSS).

Well, I’m off to send my first email blast using my new email program. You could be getting an email from me today announcing my new novel, Catnapped: A Klepto Cat Mystery . If you read mysteries and you like cats, intrigue and a little romance, I think you’ll enjoy my book. Buy it at Amazon.com—review it at my Amazon page.

Patricia’s First Mystery Novel Published

Monday, June 10th, 2013

Okay, here it is: Catnapped, A Klepto Cat Mystery. It’s live at Amazon.com ready for you to download onto your Kindle. We’ve priced it at just $2.99 for your summer reading pleasure.

Here’s a description of the story: “When Savannah Jordan agrees to help her aunt while she recovers from a broken foot, she doesn’t expect to walk into a mystery, become part of a not-quite-legal surveillance team, be kidnapped by a deranged stranger and meet a steaming hot veterinarian.

“Beloved neighborhood cats are missing—the community can only guess at their fate—and Aunt Margaret’s life is being threatened. Is it because she has a clue to the missing cats or is it something more sinister?

“If you like light mysteries with only a little terror, if you’re infatuated by interesting cats and if you love a love story, you must read this book.” http://amzn.to/14OCk0W

Let me know if you like this one because there are two more to follow—“Cat-Eye Witness,” and “Sleight of Paw.” I’m working on a fourth as we speak. In each story, Rags, a traditional grey and white cat, has a paw in solving the crime. But don’t worry, he and his furry friends are all regular animals—no talking cats in these stories.

If you don’t have a Kindle, let me know—within a week or so I will have the ebook up at my website and can send it to you as a PDF. But do click on the link above, visit the Amazon book page and check out the great cover artist Bernadette Kazmarski created for the book.

At $2.99, this ebook is affordable for any Kindle owner and it’s a great story for anyone who likes cats, enjoys a good mystery and can’t resist a love story. Catnapped, A Klepto Cat Mystery by Patricia Fry
http://amzn.to/14OCk0W

Something New on the Horizon

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

I’ve been gone for a couple of days. It was a fun and relaxing get-away. And I’m glad to be home and back in my routine. While I was enjoying life away from the office, I also stayed closely in touch with the artist for the cover of my first novel. Before I arrived home, we had the cover set. Within the next week or so, I will be making the big announcement for my cozy mystery, Catnapped, a Klepto Cat Mystery. So get your Kindle ready to download the debut novel and learn all about Rags, the cat and all of his special people and how he helps to solve a mystery involving a ring of catnappers. No, he doesn’t have a speaking role in the book. He’s an ordinary cat with a few out of the ordinary habits.

But doesn’t that describe many cats you know? They each have such different and intriguing puuuursonalities.

I’ll also have a new freebie for you on how to build and maintain your author platform. I’ll make that announcement soon as well.

As you can see, lots popping here in the offices of Patricia Fry and Matilija Press. So stay tuned.
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

New Book for Authors on Kindle

Sunday, January 27th, 2013

Talk Up Your Book, How to Sell Your Book Through Public Speaking, Interviews, Signings, Festivals, Conferences and More has been in print since November. It is now on Kindle! Some of you have been asking me when it would be available on Kindle. Well, there you go. Order your copy now either in print or for your Kindle at http://amzn.to/ZMJndK

This book also has reviews posted at the Compulsive Reader and in “Freelance Writer’s Report.” You’ll see a dozen favorable reviews at the Amazon book page.

Oh yes, and my article on small talk is in the February issue of The Toastmaster with a blurb at the end of the article pointing up Talk Up Your Book.

So here I am getting additional exposure for this book in my blog. I’ll also do an email blast letting my clients, customers, colleagues and other interested authors know that the book is finally on Kindle.

This is what promotion is all about, folks. Continually promoting and talking it up!