TWISTS AND TURNS

 

Today the Femmes welcome a special guest, mystery and romance author MAGGIE TOUSSAINT. She talks about the less-than-straightforward roads we often have to navigate in our careers. That's something writers deal with, for sure.

 

Welcome, Maggie!

 

 

 

Twists and turns pervade the book writing process

 

By Maggie Toussaint

 

 

 

One of a mystery author’s many jobs is to dazzle the reader with enough suspects to keep ’em guessing until the end. As it turns out, the entire process of getting a book to press is a lot like creating a mystery plot. Let’s take a look, from start to finish.

 

 

Authors juggle plot twists, turning points, and character flaws like circus performers, and with luck, skill, and a good timing, land publishing contracts.

 

Then the work begins anew. Depending on the publishing house, authors may receive copy edits and line edits. Authors get a book cover that is someone else’s take on their possible suggestions for cover art; often there is little to no author say in the cover art.

 

Most authors take a deep breath at this point, believing the worst is over. But no. Reviews are the next twist in the publishing wrinkle. I write mysteries for a library press. Consequently, Five Star authors yearn for a review from the Big Four that librarians rely upon: Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. If you get two of these reviews on a book, then you can die happy.

 

Or not.

 

I’ve been fortunate to get at least one review or mention from these sites on each of my mysteries, but sometimes the wording isn’t exceptional, though it’s never been bad. One review in particular of a book in my Cleopatra Jones series made me sit up straight and take notice. It said something to the tune of I was unkind to seniors to portray them in such an unflattering light.

 

The scene referenced was indeed full of dithery seniors, but they acted that way to misdirect the sleuth and to make her go away. In every other scene of the book, these same seniors acted like mature, responsible individuals.

 

A second review site echoed the first reviewer’s criticism almost verbatim in their remarks. Library sales for that title fell slightly under the mark set by the debut book of the series, and when book 3 went out for reviews, I wanted to crawl under a rug and hide for a few years. The big-time reviews for book 3 were better than the book 2 reviews, but the damage had been done. Sales were tepid at best.

 

Clearly, I needed another storyline if I was to survive in publishing. Since I’d moved from where my original series was set, I created a new setting similar to my current coastal locale. I also created a new sleuth, Baxley Powell, with more problems and more extraordinary abilities. This Dreamwalker Series debuted in April with Gone and Done It.

 

 

 

 

While series #2 was in the acquisition pipeline, the ebook revolution gathered speed. All three books from that Cleopatra Jones series were rolled into digital format and launched into the world. Interestingly, the books are selling well, and “senior-bashing” book 2 has over 88 fab reviews on Amazon. Not a single reader-reviewer has been turned off by a comical scene of dithery seniors who run a con on my sleuth. Readers want more of the series, like yesterday. The turnaround in response boggles my mind.

 

 

Meanwhile, Gone and Done It released and is perking along in the sales and review department. With readers already clamoring for more in my Dreamwalker Series, I’m pleased to say book 2 of that series, Bubba Done It, has just been contracted by my publisher for release in 2015. I’m polishing my draft of book 3 in that series with hopes of a 2016 contract for that mystery.

 

 

Is this how I envisioned my publishing career? Not exactly, but the twists and turns along the way sure keep me focused on the end game – getting more books published and attracting more readers.

 

    

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Maggie Toussaint is the author of the Cleopatra Jones mystery series and the new Dreamwalker mystery series, both from Five Star/Cengage. She has eleven published books, six of which are mystery releases, five are romantic suspense novels. She’s a member of MWA, RWA, and SINC. Her latest release, Gone and Done It, is her paranormal mystery debut. It’s about a petsitting landscaper who communes with the dead through her dreams. Maggie’s interest in the paranormal was stimulated by the moss-shrouded oaks of her youth, thick fog rising up off the marshes, and ghost stories galore.

 

 

Ooh, I love the sound of those ghosts and fogs and paranormals. :) Maggie, thank you so much for sharing with us today. We all have such bumps in the road. It's great to hear success stories like yours. Best of luck with the Dreamwalkers!

 

 

Any of you have 'twists and turns' stories about your writing or other careers?

 

 

 

Comments

[Celia Yeary]

Maggie--I can hardly keep up with the twists and turns in your career. You are truly amazing.
And I admire the fact you keep yourself and your books rather low key. Oh, I know you spend a good amount of time promoting, but I don't think anyone feels hit over the head with it.
You've hit upon a style that is "you" and you've hit your stride, too. Good luck!

[Mary]

Thank you for being with us today, Maggie. Yes, it is hard to deal with those weird reviews sometimes.

I'm excited about the Dreamwalker books. Congrats on the second book contract!

[Jacqueline Seewald]

I've read all of Maggie's Five Star mysteries and very much enjoyed them. As a writer myself, I can observe that you never know how the major publication reviewers will comment on your work. Well-written novels sometimes get poor reviews or are entirely ignored--bad either way. Other times, not so good novels receive praise and starred reviews. That's when it matters to get reviewed by online publications who are often more honest. Most important of all is reaching readers. If you are a reader and you like a book, please post your reviews on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, etc. Readers matter most! Your word of mouth makes a difference.

[Maggie Toussaint]

Hi Celia,

I appreciate you stopping by, and I'm flattered that you think I have a promotion style! In the beginning, my style was to throw everything against the wall and see what stuck! Nowadays, I don't have time for such a scattershot approach. I try to target what works and what I like to do. Otherwise, it feels too much like WORK, if you know what I mean.

[Maggie Toussaint]

Mary,

I'm delighted at the opportunity to post here at Femmes. I'm even more delighted I didn't misspell Femmes! Coming from the deep South, I learned good manners from the cradle, but the polish, if any, came a bit later in life.

My publisher stood by me 100% through all the reviews and sales rises and falls. I'm the one who was a nervous wreck. When you enjoy writing as much as I do, it feels unsteady if all systems aren't a go. I've been lucky, and God willing, I'll keep making my luck!

[Maggie Toussaint]

Hey Jacquie,

You and I have hashed out our feelings on reviews many times privately, and we are in complete agreement. Reviews are necessary and a tummy ache at the same time.

Several things ease my anxiety. Big name authors get mixed review same as us small fry, and it doesn't break them. A review is someone's opinion, and even if it is a learned opinion, I may not agree with it. And lastly, critical reviews, though I want them as much as pecan pie, don't always predict what the readers think.

In fact, when my husband and I select movies, the ones that suit us are often not the 4-star wonders. Our taste runs to the 2-star flick with a little action/adventure/zaniness. If I'm that divergent from the mainstream in my movie viewing, is it any wonder that my taste in reading and writing books isn't 100% mainstream?

Ah well. I can talk about reviews for hours, but Jacquie's right. Reader reviews are just as precious and just as valuable to a writer. We love readers!!!

[Diana Cosby]

Maggie,
I love your stories, and I'm so proud of you! You're an inspiration!!! *Hugs*

[Joyce]

Enjoyed the book and the blog!

[catriona]

Twists and turns is right, Maggie. Or climbs and plummets. My first book was going to be Crime Book of the Month in September 2005 in Scotland's biggest bookstore chain. It went bust in August. That pretty much set the tone for things to come.

[Mary S.]

Oh, Catriona! :) Luckily it was no match for you or your sense of humor.

[Joanne Guidoccio]

Maggie,
Excellent post!Thank you for sharing the twists and turns of your journey.
Joanne:)

[Maggie Toussaint]

Hi Diana Cosby,

What's an international bestseller like you hanging out at my blog??? I'm truly flattered you took time out of your day to stop by. Thanks for enjoying my books.
Maggie

[Maggie Toussaint]

Hey Joyce,

Thanks for your comment. It means a lot to me that you like my book, and that the blog makes sense. So many times, I feel very confident about my books, and then I wonder if I've started believing my own hype. It's always good to have outside confirmation!
Maggie

[Maggie Toussaint]

Oooooh, Catriona! I feel your pain. So many things are out of our control in publishing. Do you feel that we are defined by the "mistakes" whether they're our fault or not?

I may gripe when something goes awry, but the next day I'm trying to move forward. One of the things Diana Cosby taught me was to make opportunities out of challenges.

I'm guessing you didn't let that first setback define you, and that you reinvented yourself right away!

[Maggie Toussaint]

Thank you for your kind comment, Joanne. Just like on the playground at recess, not much happens when you fall on your face. It's what you do next that's most important.

Maggie

[Cheryl Pierson]

Maggie, I think this new twist in your writing career is going to be fantastic. I love the premise of a heroine who is able to communicate with the dead. You always have something new up your sleeve! Here's to many more successes!
Cheryl

[Maggie Toussaint]

Gosh, Cheryl! Thanks for your encouragement and support. You made me blush, and made me look to see if anything else might be hiding in my sleeves!
Maggie

[Nancy J. Cohen]

If it weren't for the twists and turns in my career, I wouldn't have written 12 books in my mystery series. You are so right in that curve balls can be thrown at us anytime, but we have to duck and bounce back into play.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Oh, MAggie, I saw the Bubba Done It announcement in PW, and I applauded! What a GREAT idea! xoo