Publishing

Print Advertising – Yes or No?

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Moose Tracks SUM.16 Third Vertical V05I suppose that’s not really a fair question in that I’m committed to this first stab at print advertising…I’ve already paid the fee to have a print ad produced and for it to appear in in the Summer and Autumn quarterly issues of Foreword Reviews, in an effort to maximize on the news that Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven (which is on sale now!) has been named a finalist in their prestigious Book of the Year Awards.

As I’m sure you’ve already deduced, this is the ad. What do you think? It was created (with some back and forth input from me) by talented graphic designer Barbara Hodge, who works freelance but also works in a design capacity for Foreword Reviews as well. It will be 1/3 of a page in the glossy print magazine (which is also available to subscribers in a digital reader online).

I guess I’m tossing the question from the post’s title out there to see what any of your thoughts on the matter are. I don’t have a background in marketing, nor am I a large-scale book-buyer (though I do buy a LOT of books! 🙂 ).

Basically, I’m wondering whether or not you as a consumer believe that print ads have any effect on your purchasing choices…or if you are an author, if print ads have been successful or not for you or other authors you know? I’m trying a few different things, and though I realize there are many “free” ways to market (like a web presence etc), my efforts at that are often sporadic, as many of you who follow me here know, due to life/day job circumstances outside my control; that’s why I’m looking to widen the process where I can.

So…please chime in! Do print ads work for you as a reader, buyer, or author? What makes you “notice” and try the work of a new author? I’m open to any and all suggestions (though depending on the cost of them in time or money, I may not be able to actually put them into practice, LOL) 🙂

Fire away with your thoughts (and/or feedback on this particular ad…I’m all ears!)!

 

Award-Winning Novel SALE!

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MooseTracks_CoverFor a limited time…my award-winning, full-length general fiction/women’s fiction novel Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven is available in e-book from Amazon for just $3.99! That’s $10 off the print price!

Described as “Fried Green Tomatoes meets Prairie Home Companion”, this novel is set in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains and is over 100,000 words/300+ trade size print pages. If you’ve been waiting to give something new a try, now is your chance.

For those who are new to this site, you can click on the title to be taken to the book page, where you can read an excerpt and learn more about the book. Click on the word “Amazon” above to be taken to the sale page for your e-book copy. In the meantime, from the back cover blurb:

“…Humorous, poignant, and endearing (Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven)…is a tender foray into the emotional landscape of family, friendship, and the kind of love that transcends boundaries, weaving an inspiring tale about what it means to hang on before learning to let go . . . and remembering how to keep living when you lose someone you love.”

I hope you’ll give it a try, and enjoy a new read at a bargain!

 

2015 Book of The Year Finalist!

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FINAL COVER MOOSE TRACKS

Feeling the #indielove! Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven has been chosen as a Foreword Reviews’ prestigious #INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards finalist in #General Fiction! In a competition with over 1500 other entrants, it’s pretty great to have made it this far. Stay tuned for the winner announcements at the end of June, at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference, in Orlando, FL.

Click HERE to go to the list of General Fiction Finalists, and HERE if you want to go directly to the finalist page for Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven.

Woohoo! 🙂

Foreword Reviews “Reviewer’s Choice” Award!

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FINAL COVER MOOSE TRACKSJust in time for Christmas…

I’m delighted to share that Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven has received a “Reviewer’s Choice” Award from Foreword Reviews, the preeminent Indie Book Review Quarterly.

Considering that the quarterly publishes more than 600 book reviews annually, this nod for Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven – one of only 15 chosen for the year – is a real honor, and I am thrilled.

Just click on FOREWORD REVIEWS right here and it will take you to the blog posting and the list of books named. Mine is the sixth one down, with the original review by Maya Fleischmann, along with some lovely commentary just before it, explaining why she chose my book as her favorite of 2015. 🙂

 

 

Author Talk FREE Event!

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For those of you who might be near Central Upstate New York this weekend, November 28th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving…

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My talk and signing will be at Jervis Public Library (613 N Washington St, Rome, NY 13440 Call: (315) 336-4570 for more information) in my old hometown – which was the inspiration for the fictional setting of Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven. I’ll be talking about converting real life into fiction, publishing, writing in general…and pretty much anything else anyone wants to know or have a conversation about.

I’d love to meet you there and chat! 🙂

I’ve Started Writing A New Medieval…

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Well, it’s a novella and not  full-length book.

But it’s in response to numerous reader requests over the years, related to the main characters of one of my medieval romances, originally published with HarperCollins/Avon and then released under my own imprint Teabury Books with a new cover and revised contents, once rights reverted.

The Crimson Lady, originally released in 2003 and re-released in 2012

The Crimson Lady, originally released in 2003 and re-released in 2012

Here’s the book that the novella will be based around.

Anyone want to guess what the story will be about? (Hint: because of the context of this story, and in order to be honest to the characters and circumstances, this novella will probably end up being a bit more “intense” than my usual romances – and it’s certainly not a romance in and of itself). 😉

It feels good to be writing again!

New Covers for the French Editions of My Templar Knights Trilogy!

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11834885_876029062450367_2637383930381154010_oHere are the lovely new covers from my French Publisher, J’ai Lu, for their reprint of my Templar Knights Trilogy!

Book I (Beyond Temptation in English) was released in July, with Book II (Sinful Pleasures in English) coming later this month and Book III (The Templar’s Seduction in English) coming in early September.

These are my favorite covers for my trilogy in any language so far. 🙂 The style, the correct hair colors…even Book II, which is Alissende and Damien’s book, conveys perfectly the setting from the book’s Prologue. It’s set outside Montivilliers, on the coast of France near the English channel, with Alissende pacing and anguished at learning that her former lover, Damien, whose heart she had broken years earlier, is in the hands of the Inquisition – and wondering if he will ever even consider helping her thwart her corrupt cousin’s betrothal plot once she arranges for his rescue.

What do you think?

Signing and Book Talk Event!

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Please see the following press release and come on out if you’re in driving distance!

Writers Circle to host M. Reed McCall

GLOVERSVILLE – Novelist M. Reed McCall will be the visiting author at The Writers Circle’s Author Luncheon on Friday, July 17 at 11 a.m. at the Gloversville Senior Center. 

McCall is the author of the recently published “Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven,” a humorous, quirky, and poignant novel about family, friendship, love, loss, and coming to terms with what it means to keep living when someone you love dies.

The author will discuss her work from 11 a.m. to noon, when a light lunch will be served. Copies of her book will be available for signing. The public is invited. $5 payable at door. For further information, call Ellen DiScioscia at the center, 725-0923.

FINAL COVER MOOSE TRACKSAs Mary Reed McCall, she published seven historical romance novels with HarperCollins Publishers. “Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven” is her first work of mainstream contemporary fiction. Born in Rome, NY, Mary makes her permanent home in Upstate New York with her husband and children. When she is not writing or involved with family activities, she teaches high school and college-level English.

 

BEA 2015 – and TWO Chances To Win a Free Autographed Book!

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MooseTracks_CoverIs anyone here attending BEA (Book Expo of America 2015) at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC?

CF5bKZFUEAAbuN9Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven is making an appearance! The book will be displayed digitally at the New Title Showcase…BEA 15

CF5Y-74UUAAD5KvAnd in trade-size paperback at the Foreword Reviews Indie Press Collective (Booth 453)BEA 15 fOREWORD rEVIEWS

So, here’s your TWO chances to win a book!

Chance 1: If you’re attending BEA 15 and take a photo of Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven at EITHER the New Title Showcase (where it is part of the digital display) OR Foreword Reviews Booth (where it is in trade-sized paperback) and then post it here in the comments, or to my Twitter account @MaryReedMcCall, you’ll be entered to win. If you take a picture of BOTH and post them here or at my Twitter…well then you’ve automatically won an autographed book. I’ll message you privately to get your mailing info. 🙂

Chance 2: Even if you’re not attending BEA 15, you can re-blog this post and by doing so you will be entered to win an autographed book.

CONTEST ENDS Friday May 29th, with the end of BEA 2015, and winners will be announced here, sometime next week!