Stephanie Gayle

As a writer I consider it my duty to pimp the work of my fellow writer friends.
So, without further ado, you should read this!

Former Boston Globe journalist Alison Bass tells the story of two courageous women who helped expose a giant pharmaceutical company's corruption.

How do I know Alison? We took a class together at Harvard called Writing the Novel. It's where My Summer of Southern Discomfort's first chapters were created.

Alison's book is non-fiction, but we won't hold that against it. Some very good stories are not made up.

I have a feeling this won't be the last you'll hear about this book. It's gonna be big, I tell ya!

Posted by Stephanie at 08:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The other day I was reviewing my book contract (a lengthy document of 8.5x14 inch papers). I happened to notice that the royalty rate on ebooks is much more generous than that applied to hardcover or paperback copies sold. Wow, I thought. Better royalties. But who buys ebooks?

Relevance then kicked in. Because I was thinking about the format I noticed when my novel began popping up in ebook form, whether it be for the Kindle, the Microsoft reader or the Mobipocket.

But lo! It seems that there are plenty of stores selling the ebook format, even brick and mortar stores that I would have expected wouldn't (given the whole brick and mortar thing). Amazon has a separate ranking for its Kindle books. I myself, late adopter to technology that I am, have never read an ebook. I am a bound-paper kind of reader. But I'm beginning to suspect there are more folks reading books and newspapers and what have you on the electronic device of their choice than I had thought. And to these people I say this: buy my ebook! Because those royalty rates are nothing to sneeze at friends.

Posted by Stephanie at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's the season of reincarnation and, to celebrate, my novel has undergone a chrysalis stage and emerged as a paperback.

Internal dialogue break:
Me: I think you mixed your metaphor in a blender there, Homes.
Other me: Don't call me Homes.
Me: Were you even paying attention in Biology?
Other me: Yes! It was Chemistry that was the snooze fest, remember?
Me: Oh god, yes. The monotone science teacher. And the flints! The thirty-year-old flints only monotone science teacher could operate.
Other me: The many adavtages of public schooling.
Me: Sing it, sister.

Back to business. May 6th marks the official release of MY SUMMER OF SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT in paperback. Check it out:

Now with 25 percent more flowers!!! Lighter too for less shoulder strain.

Go buy a copy and be the first of your friends to be seen toting summer's must have accessory! Because reading is always in style.

Posted by Stephanie at 08:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My Summer of Southern Discomfort hits stores next Tuesday, May 6th, in paperback form. So I've begun rattling my saber, i.e. calling and emailing bookstores to discuss readings. So far, the results have been a wee bit disheartening. A "no" and several non-reponses. Granted, the rejection had a good reason: their library is being remodeled. I need to place more calls. The onus of selling myself and my book is on me. But where I live authors litter the sidewalks like cigarette butts (I mean we're not actually lying on the ground, reeking of nicotine and ash. Not usually, anyway. We save that kind of behavior for special occasions.)

What authors look like when they've been partying.

I've done readings with a former Poet Laureate and an Academy-Award nominated writer, because they happen to be local. Gather a bunch of Boston/Cambridge authors and one of them probably has a Nobel prize rattling in his/her closet. Even where I work at MIT, a school better known for producing advanced technology than for supplying superior prose, we have Junot Diaz. Who won this year's Pulitzer Prize (and Powell's Tournament of Books!)

I sometimes wonder if I lived some place where authors were scarce, would booking readings be easier? But then would I be some place where there are so many reading venues? Probably not.

So I'll make more calls and I'm sure I'll book more readings. And while I don't have a Pulitzer or a Nobel I do have a Presidential Academic Fitness pin. I think I've just hit upon a new marketing strategy.

"Hello, events coordinator? This is Stephanie Gayle, Presidential Academic Fitness pin wearer and author, and I have a proposition for you."

Hell to the yeah!

Posted by Stephanie at 06:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It looks as though you can pre-order the paperback version of MY SUMMER OF SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT. Depending on where you live and what book site you're visiting and perhaps whether Venus is ascending, the pub date is listed as May 6 or May 8 or maybe even May Day (the 1st). Actually, that would be awesome. I have very positive associations with May Day. For reasons unclear to me it became a tradition in my family to loot neighbors' gardens of their choicest flowers, run like hell when they discovered us pulling their blooms from their carefully tended soil, and deposit said stolen goods on our back door. Then we'd knock loudly, wait a moment, and run around the corner of the house to watch as our mother opened the door to find our purloined bouquet. She's always exclaim, "Oh I wonder who left these?" and we'd giggle madly, with one ear cocked for our angry neighbors, just in case they were still pursuing us. When we'd enter the house hours later we'd always make a big point of admiring the flowers (now in a vase). "Those are beautiful!" we'd say. "Where did you get them?" And our mother would say she didn't know. She just found them on the porch and weren't they lovely? Yes, they sure were, we'd say. This may explain why I never feel that buying and sending flowers is much of a gesture. Where's the effort? There's no running, no stealth involved.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, you can pre-order a copy of my paperback novel. Consider it a way of keeping me off the mean streets, where apparently I might do okay what with my criminal childhood and all. (Remind me to tell you the story of my first encounter with a police officer someday. I'll give you a teaser: it involved a lot of lying on my part.)

Posted by Stephanie at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For all of you interested in the inner workings of my mind (I swear parts of my mind work) there's a new interview with me up at BellaOnline. You can check it out here.
I liked it because some of the questions were brand new.

Posted by Stephanie at 06:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Day Two of Open Studios: whatever will happen?
Come along for the ride and find out!
11:59 Studio door is open. Let the guests come!
12:05 Checking my email until someone pops their head in.
12:20 It's very, very quiet. I suppose I should take this opportunity to do some editing.
12:32 Okay, I wasn't editing. I was checking my Amazon and B&N rankings. Bad author! Bad!
12:50 First two visitors. They seemed to know a thing or two about the world of books. Asked good questions.
1:18 Four more people have come in, if you count the child who hurried in and out. Guess the kid isn't interested in chapter books.
1:27 Thought I had a real buyer there. He thumbed through the book, read a few pages, but nope.
1:32 First question about how to get published.
1:47 Very nice neighbor (Jack) just introduced himself. Open Studios also functions as a "Hey, I'm the person who lives above/below you" meet and greet.
1:56 I've opened an impromptu book store! Two young women were just browsing my book, standing and reading. Alas, they did not buy the book.
1:59 Lappy is making bad fan noises. Must power down.
2:32 Did a reading for three people.
3:05 For the guy who asked, "So you're just selling books?" could you please come back here so I can kick you? I didn't like your tone, sir. And if you'd spent more than six seconds judging me you would have seen the thoughtful exhibits I'd created.
3:31 I'm listening to Kanye. He's making me feel better.
3:37 I got a fair amount of editing done these days. I'm now officially half done with draft two of book two. Huzzah!
3:55 Wow. I have no words for the guy who just insulted me seven different ways, except, "Wow." I can actually feel my skin growing thicker. Good for the coming winter weather I suppose.
4:00 I cannot wait until my parents show up. They like me.
4:27 Yay! My parents are here. I've sent them off to check out the other art.
4:56 I sold a book! I'm going to win my bet after all. (I bet the very handsome boyfriend yesterday, before the excitement began, that I would sell exactly two books.)
5:09 Oh sure, Bloomingdales, send me an email enticing me to buy more winter coats. Like I need enticement. I have an addiction.
5:24 Winding down. Boy am I looking forward to a hot meal and a shower. (I realize this makes it sound like I've been working in the trenches--I have! The trenches of art!)
5:44 Brickbottom artists and neighbors rock! I would like to thank them for their kind words, support, and encouragement. They made both days enjoyable. Thanks y'all.
5:55 I'm declaring this thing done!
6:00 Show is officially over.

Posted by Stephanie at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey y'all. It's Open Studios at Brickbottom Lofts and I have decided to blog it, mostly for my own amusement, but for your edification too. Isn't it nice how I look out for you?

Saturday
12:00 PM The Studios open. The waiting begins.
12:20 My first guest is a volunteer scoping out the work so he can make recommendation to visitors in search of a specific type of work. That's dedication. I like him.
12:30 People begin walking by, peering in.
12:45 First visitor. I explain the art on the walls was not created by me. She's hard of hearing. I yell, "I didn't make THOSE! I'm a writer." This is going well.
1:00 A trio enters. One one of the gentleman tells me a joke. I've heard it before. I laugh because I feel I should, but it is not a very good joke. I made a better knock-knock joke this morning.
1:30 I forgot how many people just like to come in, scope out your apartment space, nod at you, and leave.
1:39 A couple enters. I tell them no, they can't wander the apt. They're good about it. They even read the cover copy of my book.
1:44 I'm holiday shopping online.
3:10 Just finished talking to some people, who had interesting questions for me. Also, Todd's friends, Jean and Paz, stopped by. They were sweet. Very nice meeting them. I "missed" my first reading because I was talking to people and none of them demanded, "Read to me!" Don't worry. My parents will for my second reading.
3:25 I've noticed something. A lot of people say, "Congratulations" to me about my book. It's not that I mind. I think it's a genuine sentiment, but I somehow doubt they say this to the artists. Why is that?
3:39 Yes, I know I have a typo on my poster. Damn it.
3:58 I think I made a future sale, as he didn't have the $20 on him. Hope so.
4:56 The photographer I threatened at the Somerville News Writers Festival just came in. He was very cordial given that, you know, I threatened him the last time we met.
5:32 Seems to be quieting down now.
5:33 My parents are coming tomorrow. Huh. I swear they said today. Ah well.
5:40 Todd is teaching Maggie how to juggle. That's how we roll in this studio.

Posted by Stephanie at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For those fans who live outside my touring region (as thus far traveled) I have exciting news: I have bookplates. So? So now I can personalize (i.e., sign) your copy of My Summer of Southern Discomfort if you'd like (via bookplate). I'd meant to do this sooner, but I'm picky about bookplates and none of the common "This book belongs to" models work because if I signed my name it would imply that the book you bought belongs to me. Weird.

So anyway, for those of you who have been breathlessly awaiting this opportunity: exhale! And then email me at stephgayle at gmail dot com and ask for a signed bookplate. Tres easy, non?

Posted by Stephanie at 09:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hey y'all. You know what you should do this weekend?
Come to Brickbottom Open Studios, from 12-6 PM, Saturday and Sunday. I've gone the past three years and always had a great time. Over a hundred artists open their lofts and work spaces to share their art (often priced to move pre-holidays!) You get to see some amazing stuff, talk to the artists (or not, if you're shy) and shop for gifts (if you've artsy folks on your to-shop-for list). It's a good time. And this year I'll be exhibiting! I'm going to be reading at 2:30 and 4:30 PM each day and I'll also be displaying a novel timeline and "Artifacts of a Writer" that includes some ordinary and strange objects I use in my writing process.

Here's a link with loads more information.

I'll be in the Bakery building, Unit 455. It's a rare chance to see me in my somewhat normal habitat.

Posted by Stephanie at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We both speak and write English.
We're both Massholes. (Though I'm born and bred. He's a transplant.)
We both write poetry. (His is much better).
He has taught at a women's college. I attended a women's college.
He was Poet Laureate of the U.S. and I have heard of the position.
We will both be at the Somerville VFW on Sunday, November 11th.

Woot! Check it out: www.somervillenewswritersfestival.com.

At 371 Summer St in Davis Square Somerville. Get a drink and chat us up at 6:30 P.M. Readings start at 7:00 P.M.
Get your tickets now!

Posted by Stephanie at 06:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You know what makes a great holiday gift? Books! Here's some reasons why:
They don't require batteries or power adapters or other fussy accessories.
They are easy to wrap. (I'm scissor challenged--always have been. So my gift wrapping often looks as though it was done by a small child. But books have edges and are rectangular or square and flat. Love that.)
Books come in many subjects and age-appropriate levels. Plus, if you don't know what book to buy your seven-year-old nephew you can ask the bookseller and she will offer suggestions. Awesome.
They can be shipped very cheaply (use Media Mail).
Books can inspire conversations unlike, say, fruitcake.

But, you say, none of my family or friends read! Ha! For the non-readers in your life there are picture books and photography books.

I've asked for books, and I've enjoyed them long after the last of the nog was drunk and the dried pine needles were vacuumed.

Disclaimer: I write books. Some of my friends write books. This could be viewed as a thinly veiled sales pitch by the very jaded (such as myself).

Posted by Stephanie at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Yesterday I partook in the Concord Festival of Authors by reading at the Fowler Library in Concord. I was part of a "New Literary Voices" panel along with Eleanor Lincoln Morse and moderator Johnathon Wilson. The event was well attended and people asked good questions. I got teased for claiming all writers are good, generous people (most are--I stand by that). The very handsome boyfriend got recognized as being the very handsome boyfriend (though I didn't "out" him--people just figured it out). Plus, the helpful librarian there hooked the v.h.boyfriend with a new library card as his record had been "purged for inactivity." He was able to check out the Al Gore book he was reading right then and there. I love libraries and librarians. They rock.

Posted by Stephanie at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today there is an interview with me published in the Somerville News. I ran to get a copy. (Literally--I was starting to run when I remembered I'd forgotten to pick up the paper so I ran toward Davis Square to get one). Ahem. It was fine, good stuff. Except there was a bit about the book I'm working on now, and when I read it my stomach tightened. My gut didn't like that bit. Not because the reporter got it wrong (she got it right) but because I realize that if I had been interviewed midway through writing My Summer of Southern Discomfort and I'd been asked to describe what I was working on the synopsis I would have provided then wouldn't have been accurate as of print time. Things change in drafts. Plus, I don't want to give too much away.

I know some authors who don't discuss their works in progress because they feel that once they've talked about it there's no fun in writing it. Talking it out ruins the suspense for them, destroys the feeling of discovery. That's not the case with me. I've been talking about this work in progress with friends and writers since I began, but somehow that's different than seeing it put in print.

So from now on when I'm asked about what I'm working I'm either going to say, "My twelve steps" and if they persist I'll say, "A story. It's going to be good, I hope."

Posted by Stephanie at 05:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey! All of you people in Aurora and points nearby (that means you, residents of Chi-town). Where you going be this weekend? Cuz I'm gonna be in ur hoodz teaching you writing skillz.

Do stop by the Midwest Literary Festival this weekend! It should be fun! And I'll be there, trying to act all writerly and professional. Well worth the price of admission (free on Sat. and Sun.)

Hope to see you there!

Posted by Stephanie at 02:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At some point I intend to share the list of all the books I've read recently, but not now. No, now is the time when I tell you to buy a book and read it. Why? Because the author is my former writing instructor, Ellen Litman, and she knows a thing or twenty about solid prose. So go to your nearest independent bookstore and buy The Last Chicken in America. It's getting great reviews and was picked as an "indie darling" by Publisher's Weekly. You hear that? Darling! Now go get your copy before your bookstore sells out.

Posted by Stephanie at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last night's reading at the Harvard Coop had the biggest promotional window display for my novel that I've seen yet. Big piles of my book. Two big posters (one with my face, the other of the book cover). Right in view of Harvard Square. Classy! Unfortunately, only five people attended but I also had the nicest introduction I've ever had at a reading. Clearly the bookseller had read the book and liked it, a lot. So that was heartening. After the reading was over I was disposing of my water cup and saw the typed introduction he'd used for me in the wastebasket. I, um, fished it out. What? It wasn't dirty and I really did want a copy. And I just reread it, and damn. It's really entertaining and very flattering. I wonder if the bookseller has ever considered a career in writing?

# of books sold: one
So don't worry. My ego, lovely introduction notwithstanding, is firmly in check.

Posted by Stephanie at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Hey all you locals! I'm going to be reading this Tuesday, the 25th, at the Harvard Coop Bookstore on Mass Ave. at 7:00 P.M. Please come. Really. This is the first event where I'm concerned about attendance (In part because the reading area is on the third floor, in a very, very tucked away space. So no one is likely to wander in, catch a burst of my sparkling wit, and decide to plunk themselves down for a spell. Oh no. Not going to happen.)

We writers are frail creatures with easily wounded egos. Won't you come help boost my pride? If you come I promise to do my best to entertain you. Hey, if that involves busting out my super secret weapon (Bob Fosse jazz hands!) so be it.

Posted by Stephanie at 07:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There are a lot of emotions you feel when you become a published author. I'm finding one of these chief feelings to be anxiety.

I worry. I worry about sales. I worry about ever earning out my advance and earning royalties. I worry about reviews. I worry about interviews and the possibility of being misquoted. I worry about readings where no one shows up. I worry about being smart/funny/entertaining/enlightening enough at readings. I worry about my second book and whether my agent will like it. I worry that I'll never be able to earn my living as a writer (without needing a second job).

But you know what?

There are some nice surprises. Fan mail. Damn. That's an amazing thing that makes me go all tingly.

And the other day, when I was on the floor, doing contorted push ups, I looked ahead. Before my face was the box of my books my publisher sent just before My Summer of Southern Discomfort hit stores. Sweating, shaking on trembling arms, I felt the biggest grin pulling my face into two. Because that was my name on that box. That was my book title. And inside: my novel. I laughed, genuinely happy to be in that moment. It's still a joy to me. I have a book published under my name.

So when I start worrying that people won't buy a book with "summer" in the title in non-summer months I try to remember the happy moments and trust that my work will lead to another box of books in the not-too-distant future.

Posted by Stephanie at 09:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So today at Amazon.com (yes I was checking my stats) I saw something odd. Something I had never seen before. Today I saw a copy of My Summer of Southern Discomfort available for sale in large print. Although the book has always had a large print placeholder, to my knowledge it isn't available in large print. Being naturally inquisitive, I investigated. The book is for sale by a third party seller (not Amazon) and its price? $10,000.99. I love the 99 cents bit. You know, because $10,000 isn't quite enough.

To all of my visually impaired readers contemplating buying this large print copy might I suggest an alternative? Send me $10,000 (a savings of 99 cents!) and I will personally create a large print copy of the book for you. I'm guessing it's a new seller testing the system, but it's an odd way to go about it. Check it out here.

Posted by Stephanie at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Last Wednesday night I attended my first book club. Not as a reader, but as a writer. My friend Cheryl's book club had read my book so I came to answer questions they had and to talk about it. They fed me too, so I was happy. More folks have asked about the possibility of my visiting their book club. Will I visit your book club? Maybe. It's much more likely that I'll agree to phone in during your book club and take questions you and your fellow readers might have. If that sounds of interest, please email me at stephgayle at gmail dot com. Or click on the little tab to the right of this page that says "Email me." Please put BOOK CLUB in the title of your email and let me know when your club expects to meet (even a rough guess is good).

My schedule is getting semi-out-of-control for fall, but if I drop all friends and any pretense of a social life, I'm sure I can make time for you, my readers.

And know that, if I do talk to your book club, even if you can't see me, I will be wearing my awesome (thanks Jules!) Book Club t-shirt, with awesome back, as seen here.
If you haven't read, or seen, Fight Club then the t-shirt's joke won't really work for you. In that case you merely need know that I look fiiiiiiine in it.

Posted by Stephanie at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today I got an email from my editor telling me that we need to think about the catalog copy for the paperback version of MSOSD. Egads! Really? Yes, really. No matter that the book's only been in print 6 weeks--we need to start thinking ahead to next year, when the paperback comes out.

Here's the stuff you don't realize/know/think about pre-publication. You never know that you'll get requests for things that seem so far into the future it's bizarre, but you will. And usually when you're least expecting/prepared for it. For example, I'm now staring at the catalog copy, scrambling for ideas, aware that for every word I add I have to take a word away. You don't get many words to begin with, so it's tough.

Unlike my character,Natalie, I never had a life plan and I don't make plans that extend more than three months out. Thinking ahead is a new skill.

Posted by Stephanie at 02:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey y'all: check it out. Another "local girl makes good" story about my library reading. It's a strange experience reading articles about yourself. You immediately hone in on any and all errors, misquotes, and unflattering pictures. And for me it's a little weird because reporters refer to me by my last name, which is also a first name and caused some confusion (still does) for others. I have a rule: only coaches are allowed to call me Gayle. So unless you're yelling at me to pick up the pace, increase the hustle, box out, or rebound, well, just call me Stephanie, okay? In print, I realize, last name is the standard reference. It's just going to take some getting used to, that's all.

Posted by Stephanie at 09:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's a write up on the reading I did at the EB Public Library on Monday.
Check it out!
Apparently they interviewed the heck of out my mother.

Posted by Stephanie at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I swear I heard that phrase more than once last night. "It's so nice to see a hometown girl make good." As if the rest of the hometown girls are busy making not good: thieving, drinking, kicking puppies. Bad hometown girls! Bad!

Last night's reading at the East Bridgewater Public Library was fantastic. Several folks I haven't seen in many, many years came, including a classmate from my school days and the wife of my 5th grade basketball coach. I had to admit I don't play basketball anymore and I still wouldn't know how to "go left" if you paid me. Left? Where's that?

I began the evening by reading from a fourth grade story I'd unearthed earlier that day at my parents' house. It was about a rabbit rebelling against his magician overlord, rabbit unionization, and chocolate. Honestly if it wasn't dated I might mistake it for something I'd write now.

Then I read a brief excerpt from MSOSD and did a Q&A. The Q&A was marvelous. People asked lots of great questions. It's so much fun to answer good questions and have a dialogue with the people in front of you. It sure helped that I knew a lot of them and they happen to like me.

Honestly, it was tons of fun and I had a blast. I even poked around the children's library: it hasn't changed much!

So thanks to Jane Finlay, director of the library, and thanks to everyone who came out last night. It was wonderful to see you and to hear that I "made good." Could I get that in writing, do you think?

Posted by Stephanie at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm off! To East Bridgewater, my hometown, where I'll be reading at the public library on Monday at 6:30 PM.
Until then I'll be visiting my Bumpa in the nursing home he has yet to escape from and playing Scrabble. Expect blog silence until late Monday/early Tuesday. Yes, my parents have a computer, but I'm pretty sure it's dedicated use is for playing poker online, and I prefer playing cards with people I can see and who are in the same room as me.

Posted by Stephanie at 09:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The most amazing thing just happened (no, it had nothing to do with Oprah). I just got recognized. I was purchasing a book at Porter Square Books and the young woman behind the counter did a mini double take. Then she smiled and I began thinking, "Does she think she knows me? Because we've never met. I'd remember those eyebrows. Man those are lovely. I wish my eyebrows looked like that." And then she apologized for not remembering my name and that's when I start thinking "Does she know me from my book?" So I gave her my last name (Porter Sq. has a book buyer program and they need your name to tally your books). Then she mentioned my book and I smiled and laughed and said something unintelligible because Holy Fried Tomatoes with Sprinkles! She knew me from my book and how cool is that?

I always argue with my friends that they wouldn't recognize more than two authors if they happened to be seated in a plane or trail or car full of them. Let's face it, authors don't have their images displayed everywhere as do movie stars (and generally with good reason).

But she totally recognized me which means: I really need to think about what I wear when I leave the house .

Posted by Stephanie at 04:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My next scheduled reading is next Monday, August 6th at the East Bridgewater Public Library. This might be the most significant reading I do for MSoSD, because it's at my hometown library. Not surprisingly, I was a big reader as a kid. Even before I could read I loved exploring the low shelves of the children's section, pulling out illustrated animal books. One of my first words was book, which I pronounced "bookuh." My mother and I would descend the incredibly steep steps down into the basement section of the children's area and we'd pick 6 books to read together. The children's librarian was wonderful. I wonder if she still works there?

Once I began reading my own books I enjoyed the transition from the low shelves to the tall bookcases where you had your Little Men and Little Women, Narnia books, and Nancy Drew collection. When I got older I ascended the library into the main level fiction section. In my mind I can still see the shelves. I know where Richard Adams' Watership Down is on the back shelf of the A section. I know where I planned my books would go one day: not under Gayle, under King. I was going to wed some man named King, write horror stories, and preempt Stephen alphabetically. Ah the dreams of my youth!

I generally went upstairs when I needed to do school projects because that's where the biographies and history books were located. Staring over the banister down to the second floor always made me dizzy. I liked leafing through the art books upstairs in high school, seeing works of art from all over time and the world. Did I mentuion it smelled different at the library: a little musty, like old books. I loved that smell.

Being a voracious reader is what made me want to write, and I couldn't have read all I wanted without access to a library. I certainly could never afford to buy all the books I wanted to read. Besides this, the library offered a calm, cool place to explore the world without leaving my small town.

I'm excited to go back on Monday and give a reading there. Somehow, I know, it will make this whole author thing seem legitimate and exciting all over again.

Posted by Stephanie at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Peoples of the Midwest: I have joyous news! I shall be in your heartland in early October, attending the Midwest Literary Festival from October 5th-7th. Much like the Sasquatch I am rarely seen outside my native territory, so this may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is certainly a once-in-this-October opportunity.

I'll be sitting on some panels, talking fiction, and signing books. Also reading from my novel. I promise not to make any Wayne's Worlds jokes (while sober) even though the event is being held in Aurora. I'm sure the folks there have probably gotten a bit tired of that whole "shwing!" gag.

Posted by Stephanie at 01:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last night I read at my neighborhood bookstore, Porter Square Books. I dig this bookstore because the staff are friendly, the aesthetics pleasing, and it brings joy to what is essentially a strip mall. The turnout was lovely, though I was puzzled by the very old couple seated in the back. As my Mom said, "Do you suppose they knew what was going on? Or did they just want to sit for a spell?" I think they actually came for the reading because they were early, but I do think one of them was asleep during the reading.

Nathan from the bookstore asked me to read longer than I usually do, so I was reading some parts cold, which freaked me out a little, but I think it went well. It was good I read longer though because no one had questions. Well, we made Erica ask a question but it hardly counted as it was coerced.

I was delighted to meet in person Jason Feiffer, whose blog,Happyscrappy, I've been reading for some time now. We talked about reading the New Yorker and his new gig at Boston magazine. I think Jason is the first person I "knew" through the Internets and have met after "knowing" them. And he wasn't a sexual predator lurking for 15 year old girls so yay!

I think perhaps the funniest moment came after the reading was over. A woman was hovering near the reading area and I felt my crazy radar spiking. So, of course, my mother starts talking to her. When confronted on this later, she admitted, "Oh sure, she seemed nuts. That's why I wanted to talk to her."

Anyway my Mom was talking up my book and waves me over and the woman asks me, "Does it have a happy ending?" I laughed and gave her a half answer and then she said, "But does the character stay down South or move back North?"
"I'm not going to tell you that," I said.
"Oh, well I'll never have time to read it," she told me.

Maybe I should start reading audiences the last chapter, to save them, you know, the time and trouble of reading the book?

Posted by Stephanie at 09:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey y'all, good news!
My book has gone into its second print run.
Come celebrate with me at Porter Square Books in Somerville tomorrow night (7 pm).
By celebrate I mean come listen to me read, ask me questions, and watch me wield my signing pens with the greatest of artistic flair.
Hope to see you there!

Posted by Stephanie at 05:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every now and again I like to check the stats for this blog: to see how many visitors have stopped by, how they got here and if they came vis another site. I'm always interested to see where people are from geographically. I got very excited when I had my first visitor from Kuala Lumpur (mostly because I really enjoy saying Kuala Lumpur).

But I've noticed I have a very odd mindset when it comes to checking the stats. For example, I get many folks visiting from Texas. So I'll sit and think, "Golly. Who do I know in Texas? Greg and Em and...huh. I can't think of anybody else, but I must be forgetting because there are Texans visiting my blog." The whole point of publicity: reaching out to folks who don't know you seems to have missed me. I assume anybody interested in me knows me.

Similarly, at my launch party I was delighted (and again) surprised when strangers attended. These folks didn't even KNOW me. Wow!

I worry that I must come across as somebody who never leaves the house, much less the state of Massachusetts by saying things like "You're from Florida! Amazing! Do you know my friend Dawn?"

I've got to work on being suave, urbane. I remind myself I once lived in Manhattan, but then I realize that the city exacerbates my "do I know you?" mindset because Northeastern city folk do NOT talk to strangers. We freak out a bit when strangers talk to us. Stranger danger indeed.

I've got a reading coming up Thursday. I'm going to practice not sounding like an idiot lest I run into anyone I don't know. The people who do know me? I'll just have to tell them to keep my idiocy under wraps.

Posted by Stephanie at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jackie K. Cooper, an entertainment reviewer living in Georgia, sent me his review of my novel. You can read it here. The best part? His suggestion that the "Macon Chamber of Commerce should make her an honorary citizen." Ha ha! That would be...weird. Do people get honorary citizenships for writing about a place? I always assumed those "keys to the city" things were reserved for athletes and movie stars.

I'm told my book will get a blurb in the next issue of Macon Magazine.
I just found that it was listed in this month's Tampa Bay Illustrated as a terrific summer read offering "delicious escapism."

So there you have it: Southern stamps of approval.

Posted by Stephanie at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For those of you who like charts (who doesn't?) Charteo is a site that will chart your Amazon rank for you over time. You simply enter your ASIN number and watch it go!
This just might keep you from constantly Amazoning (ooh, sounds dirty!) yourself. Or not.

Posted by Stephanie at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I thought I would prove immune to Amazonarankitis, but alas, I have fallen victim to its disease. I check where my novel is ranked on Amazon more than once (ha! understatement!) a day. Then I got to thinking: how much does the Amazon ranking tell me about sales?

Being the geek I am I looked into this. For all the similarly afflicted, I'm going to share.
First, the obvious: Amazon.com rankings are like golf scores. You want a low number.
Second: only the top 10,000 books have their rankings recalculated hourly, and that's in comparison to the sales of the other top 9,999 books. Books between 10,000-100,000 in rank are recalculated daily.

Here's an estimate, provided by Dimitri at Civil War Bookshelf.

Rank / Copies per day
1 / X
10 / 100
100 / 30
1000 / 10
10,000 / 2 (11 copies every 5 days)
100,000 / 1 copy a week
1,000,000 / around 15 total, depends on pub date
2,000,000 / around 2 total, depends on pub date

It builds upon the chart and algorithm work of Morris Rosenthal (who uses too much math speak for me to follow well).

So, if your book is ranked, say 17,381, it means you're selling approximately 2 copies a day. Yes, less than that but let's aim for whole numbers, shall we?

This means you're never going to earn out your advance and earn royalties and be able to quite your job. Kidding! Kidding! Excuse me, but there are 6,380 in the year, yes? That's a relief.

Posted by Stephanie at 04:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So in my daily Googling on "My Summer of Southern Discomfort" I came across a link to Cornerstone Books, which is the lovely bookstore where I did a reading with Jennifer O'Connell. At first glance, I didn't see my book on the page link. But then I looked to the left, under Cornerstone Bestsellers and there was my book! Ranked #2 above Khaled Hossseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns and Paulo Coelho's The Witch of Portobello.

Suffice it to say that on all other sales list Paulo and Khaled are kicking my ass, but not this list pals!

So thank you Cornerstone Books. You and your customers are #1.

Posted by Stephanie at 01:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

At my reading at Cornerstone Books in Salem, MA two weeks ago someone asked about target audience. At first I thought they meant writing for an 'ideal reader,' but Jennifer O'Connell, who was reading with me, was savvy to the question. What the person wanted to know was: do I market my books to a target audience before I begin writing?

My answer: no.
Jennifer's answer: yes.

When I began writing MY SUMMER OF SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT I didn't think about who would read it. Most days I hoped my chapters would be good enough to pass muster for my writing class. Even when I was polishing it up to send to agents I didn't have a great handle on how to describe it. Literary fiction? Women's fiction? Commercial fiction? Miss Snark, agent par excellence, often remarked that writer's pitched their fiction wrong. That made me feel better, though still uneducated.

Much like a resume for different jobs, I pitched my query letter differently to agents depending on who/what they represented. I mean, I never called my book something it wasn't: a cookbook, for example, but I was willing to swap women's fiction for commercial fiction if it seemed the right thing to do.

Anyway, my lack of marketing focus is now leading to interesting reviews. Barnes and Noble has my book marked as a literary thriller. Huh. And it's gotten lots of favorable reviews from sites dedicated largely to romance novels though there is very little romance in my book. In fact, I think there may be more anti-romance (relationships gone sour) than romance of the good persuasion. I think my favorite description of the novel thus far might be as a "strange little story."

Jennifer, market savvy as she is, pointed out that the excerpt I read sounded more "literary fiction" while my cover said "chick lit."
"Um, yeah," I said. I didn't have a better answer than that.

So there you have it: lack of marketing focus=confusion. Ah well. I like to think of it as "my book is all things to all people."

By the by, if you run across any interesting descriptions of MY SUMMER OF SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT, please leave a comment. White-knuckled thrill ride? Sweeping epic? I want to know!

Posted by Stephanie at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For those of you unwilling to shell out the $3.50 for the July issue of Redbook, be not ashamed. Even you cheap bastards can see MY SUMMER OF SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT displayed in the Top 10 Summer Reads thanks to the freeness of the internets! Here is the link to see my book. My book is #10 so you have to scroll to the right to see it. (I'm sure #10 is the best number. As in "on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing plague and 10 representing panda hugs, where would my book fall?")

For those of you who purchased the July Redbook, may I please call your attention to page 50? A "double zip belt bag" is a fanny pack by another name. Do not try to fool me, editors of fashion. I know a damn fanny pack when I see one. The shorts on this page are cute. Why would you assault them with a fanny pack?

Posted by Stephanie at 03:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Some days it feels as if the Cosmos is trying to beat a lesson into my thick head. This week, the lesson has been: if at first your polite inquiry yields no results nag, nag again. It's been happening at work (sorry to bug you, but...) and it's been happening in my promotional efforts for the book.

Just yesterday I called the bookstore across the street from my place of business. Yes, that one. And I asked if they wouldn't mind my dropping by when convenient to sign some copies of my book that I know they have (hidden, face in, on the shelf, not a table, but nevermind, nevermind). The person I spoke to said he'd check with his manager, and then took down my name and number. And never called me.

So I called again today and got the manager. Who said I could sign the "couple copies" they had in the store. Okay!
So on this sort of holiday week I'll be skipping out of work early to attend to the business of marking up those copies with my John Hancock. Hey, you know what would be funny? Singing them 'John Hancock.' Or maybe not. No, I'm going with my gut on this one. Funny.

My point is that as much as I dislike having to ask for something more than once (or twice), it can and does pay to do so.

Shoot! Guess who doesn't have her trademark signing pen on her? But I do have a purplish (it's not quite purple, not quite pink) Sharpie. John Hancock never looked so good!

Posted by Stephanie at 03:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Now that my novel is officially out I can go hunting in local bookstores. Playing "where is my book" is fun except when it is not. It's fun when it's easiest, when my book is up front on a table! It's least fun when my book is tucked away from eager book buyers whose attention spans might not be long enough to take them to the shelf on which my book is hidden, spine out.

Face out is much better, but face out is rare, because it takes up valuable shelf space. Face out is usually reserved for bestselling authors or authors of multiple books or authors whose names don't end in Gayle. Fuckadoodle! (Think that will get me a more 'adult' blog rating? Or will my made up curse fail the censors' check?)

Today I found my book spine out beside a face out book and my fingers itched, they positively itched to take my poor, unloved novel and put it, face out, atop the other book. But apparently I have morals or ethics because I couldn't. It felt wrong. Besides, what had William Gay ever done to me? Nothing. That's what. And that's why his novel, Twilight, remained unmolested, and damn it! Damn it! I had to look up the title of William Gay's book because I was uncertain. His book came out in October and the paperback version is due out September. Pal, you had a good run of shelf hogging. I've only had two days of shelf obscurity.

Perhaps my morals are not as fixed as one might suppose...

Posted by Stephanie at 07:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I would be the person on the right. Left is Jesse Haley, of Haley Booksellers.

Last night was crazy. So many friends and complete strangers showed up to Redbone's for the launch of my novel, MY SUMMER OF SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Wood, came! Personalizing her book was easy. "Thanks for teaching me to read." She did, actually, so yay plus she came all the way to Somerville for my party. All night I kept telling people, "My first grade teacher came!" Folks must have wondered which lady in the crowd was Mrs. Wood and I bet they guessed wrong because Mrs. Wood looks fiiiiiiine. I have no idea what the secret of her youth is. Working for years with children? That would have the very opposite effect on me, I fear.

I spent the early part of the evening hugging people and signing books, more hugging, more signing. I worried that I'd be too hoarse to read. Gin is not good for a pre-reading throat. A tip for the youngsters out there.

The very handsome boyfriend skipped out of his class early, brought me flowers and fetched me water when I expressed concern about my throat. He's so good to me. And he brought friends who bought books. He's a triple threat!

My best friend Julie introduced me and kindly refrained from pointing out that I was drinking at 8:30 PM the prior evening when I called to ask her to introduce me before my reading. (Thanks Jules!) And then I read for a very large number of people. It felt good, and I think the audience liked the excerpt. They laughed in the right places and even groaned in a good spot. Then I asked if anyone had questions, expecting that since people hadn't yet read the book, they wouldn't have questions.

Continue reading "The Launch Party Recap: Books, Booze and BBQ" »

Posted by Stephanie at 05:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Today we launch MY SUMMER OF SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT!
I hope to have excellent pics and such from tonight's event to post to the blog.
Until then, wish me luck!

Posted by Stephanie at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I guest blogged recently at a website I like to visit called Bookseller Chick. Linsey, the former bookseller chick in question, was gracious enough to let me hijack her blog not once, but twice. Here's the link to the second blog. Scroll down two entries to read the first.

I found the Q&A interesting and fun. There are kittens involved. Plus, it's always surprising to see what questions people have about your work. At least if you're a self-involved artist it is. So, yes, it was great.

Thanks Linsey!