Giving Back to the Writing Community

 

Today the Femmes welcome NANCY J. COHEN, a multi-talented author known for her excellent mystery, romance and sci-fi/fantasy books. I met Nancy many years ago at my first Malice Domestic convention and have enjoyed her books ever since.

So glad to have you here, Nancy!

 

 

Giving Back to the Writing Community

 

During a recent weekend, my husband and I drove to a hazardous waste disposal site to get rid of a box full of household cleaners and other chemical agents. We were told our city no longer had a contract there, and to go to another depot that wouldn't open again until August.

 

Our good intentions foiled, we landed at a restaurant and ate a late breakfast. Our stomachs got the toxic waste instead of the disposal site. Goodbye to my diet plan for the day and my good intentions to eat only healthy foods.

 

How does this relate to writing? In our careers, we have many opportunities for doing good. Our best intentions might get shuffled aside under external pressure, but we shouldn't lose sight of our altruistic goals.

 

Ask yourself, which will be more lasting in the long run -- your books or the influence you have on others? You may leave them both behind someday, but the effects you've had on other people in your life might create ripples that turn into streams. So what can you do to help others in a good way?

 

• Give workshops so other writers can benefit from your expertise. Learn how to teach and use your skills to imbue new writers with the techniques they need to improve their writing.

 

• Act as a mentor. Take a fledgling writer under your wing, or offer advice to a more experienced colleague who needs career guidance. Be realistic but encouraging. Your feedback and valued opinions will be appreciated.

• If you see a need, fulfill it. This is what let me to write Writing the Cozy Mystery.

 

 

No one had specifically addressed this genre in a how-to guide before. Everyone seemed afraid of the label. Not me! I'm proud of what I write. My mysteries are humorous whodunits with a romantic subplot. I even had the nerve to marry off my main characters.

 

Hanging by a Hair is the eleventh book in the series and the first book following the happy couple's nuptials. My years of workshops on writing mysteries are in this little gem of an instructional guidebook. Believe it or not, this nonfiction title has received more reviews than any of my novels. Who would have thought?

 

• Reward your readers. Run contests, offer giveaways, reveal new cover art and excerpts. Make your readers feel connected to you by sharing aspects of your life. Show them you appreciate their loyalty. We write for our audience. Always keep them in mind and give back whenever possible. Offer prize drawings for blog commenters and random giveaways on your Facebook page. Hold a new release party and give away swag related to your book. Ask your readers what they like to win and follow through. If you're really ambitious and have enough of a following, consider starting a street team. Again, reward your loyal followers for their efforts in your behalf.

 

•  Support your local libraries. Offer to do writing workshops at your local library or contact the Friends of the Library and let them know you're available for book and author events.

 

•  Promote an indie bookstore. If you have an indie bookstore in your locale, support it by frequenting events there, buying books, and mentioning signed copies of your titles are available there to readers along with a link on your website.

 

•  Help your colleagues by commenting on their blogs, sharing their posts, retweeting their messages, and highlighting their new releases. Spread the word about their work to your readers. Post reviews of their books and consider giving one as a gift.

 

• Volunteer to assist at a writer's conference or at your local writing group.Step forward and take on a responsibility. You'll make new friends while generating good will.

 

By doing all or some of these items, you'll feel better about yourself while supporting your writing community. Giving back is one way of showing gratitude for your good fortune. Do some good out there, and it might follow you home.

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Hanging By A Hair, a Bad Hair Day Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen

Marla's joyous move to a new house with her husband, Detective Dalton

Vail, is marred by their next-door neighbor who erects an illegal fence

between their properties. When Dalton reminds the man of the local

permitting laws, tempers flare -- and worse, the neighbor is found

dead the following day. Dismayed when Dalton is removed from the

case due to a conflice of interest, Marla decides it's up to her to find

the killer. Can the intrepid hairstylist untangle the clues and pin down

the culprit before he strikes again?

 

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hanging-Hair-Nancy-J-Cohen/dp/1432828142

 

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hanging-by-a-hair-nancy-j-cohen/1116603785

 

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Nancy J. Cohen writes the humorous Bad Hair Day mystery series featuring

hairdresser Marla Shore. Several of these titles have made the Independent

Mystery Booksellers Association bestseller list. Nancy is also the author of

Writing the Cozy Mystery, a valuable instructional guide for writers on how to

write a winning whodunit. Her imaginative romances have proven popular with

fans as well. Her titles in this genre have won the HOLT Medallion and Best

Book in Romantic SciFi/Fantasy at The Romance Reviews. A speaker at

conferences, libraries, and community events, Nancy is listed in Contemporary

Authors, Poets & Writers, and Who's Who in U.S. Writers, Editors, & Poets.

Currently, Nancy is President of Mystery Writers of America Florida Chapter.

 

 

Follow Nancy Online

Website: http://nancyjcohen.com

 

Blog: http://nancyjcohen.wordpress.com

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJCohenAuthor

 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nancyjcohen

 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/91508.Nancy_J_Cohen

 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/njcohen/

 

Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyjcohen

 

Google Plus: https://google.com/+NancyJCohen

 

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Yb2zOkXEQ6xmAeYv8Jp5w/

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Mary]

Thank you, Nancy! Good topic. I know I've had a lot of help. The mystery community is full of giving people.

I can't believe this is Marla #11 already! Congratulations on it and the new writing guide. Hope there's a new fantasy in the works, too.

[Nancy J. Cohen]

My next fantasy romance comes out August 1st. I'll have a launch party online for Warrior Lord, #3 in my Drift Lords series. Thanks for having me here!

[Christine Kling]

What a great topic, Nancy. I've been so fortunate to know writers like you and the many others in our community who have shared their knowledge and experience. You might add another way to give back through volunteering to serve a writer's organization. As the current president of our local MWA chapter I know you are giving loads of your time to serve others. And we appreciate it.

[Susan Oleksiw]

Excellent post. Your list shows how easy it is to give back. We have lots of opportunities to help each other, and we can each find something unique. There's wonderful synergy in the mystery community, and I think this is why librarians always comment on how much fun mystery panels are.

[Jan Washburn]

You do practice what you preach, Nancy. You have been so generous with your time and your talents to help other writers.

[Hebby Roman]

This is a wonderful topic, as I've found that writers/authors are very giving of their time and talent with mentoring on both writing and promotional topics.

[Marilyn Levinson]

What a wonderful post, Nancy. You remind me of the importance of helping our fellow writers and some great ways to do it.

[Jacqueline Seewald]

Good suggestions, Nancy.

[Nancy J. Cohen]

Yes, volunteering for your local writers group can be very rewarding and is certainly a great way to give back. I forgot to mention judging contests, where you offer feedback, as another way to share your expertise. Also, answering pleas for information on the loops when you have time can be helpful to newer members.

[Jane Ederlyn]

As one of your mentor students, your time, thoughtful editing, & career advice was an experience that we're extremely grateful for and will never forget. We hope to pay it forward.

[Mary Ricksen]

You are a great example of practicing what you preach! You do all of these things Nancy, and I respect you so much for it...

[J.C. McKenzie]

Great post Nancy! Definitely a great list for authors, including myself.

[Nancy J. Cohen]

You're making me blush, people. Thanks for the compliments, but I am only returning the favor after learning so much--and I still am--from my fellow authors.

[catriona]

"Do some good out there and it might follow you home" - I've never heard it put better!

[Mary S.]

Yay on a new Drift Lords!! Looking forward to it.

[Marlow]

Thanks Nancy, as a new writer I appreciate all the generous writers who have helped me along the way. One day I hope to repay them by helping other. Of couse, I have to learn what to do first.

[sydney St. Claire]

Great post and good things to keep in mind. None of us got where we are on our own. There are many people in our backgrouns. Thanks for the reminder to pass it own.

[Nancy J. Cohen]

You're right, Sydney, in that none of us got where we are on our own. My career didn't go anywhere until I joined Florida Romance Writers back in 1988, joined a critique group and attended my first conference. To this day, I attribute my getting published to FRW. And I gave back by serving as President for two years, along with many other roles.

[Marlow]

Thank you Nancy. What a great post. As an emerging writer I'm constantly impressed by the generosity of my fellow writers. Writers like you are an inspiration.