From Susan Henderson of LitPark-
The Liar's Diary Blog Day
Today, over 300 bloggers, including bestsellers, Emmy winners, movie makers, and publishing houses have come together to talk about THE LIAR'S DIARY by Patry Francis. Why? To give the book the attention it deserves on its release day while Patry takes the time she needs to heal from cancer.
Before I talk about this book, I'd like to tell you a story about how this extraordinary day happened.
First, you need to know something about Patry Francis.
What if you worked for years as a waitress and then went home at the end of the day to your husband and four kids, and in those rare minutes of free time, you dared to dream that one day you might write a book? This is the story of my friend, Patry - a story that leaves out years of false starts, revisions, and rejection slips. It's a story that writers know intimately, though the details are different. Every one of us is well acquainted with the struggle of getting a story on paper, of honing it and believing in it enough to send it out, only to receive rejection, or worse, silence for our efforts.
Imagine, after many years, you beat the odds. You finish that book. You find that agent who sells your manuscript. Your dream is about to become a reality. But just as your book is due to be released, you discover you have an aggressive form of cancer.
Patry's story struck such a deep chord with many of us, not just because she is our friend, but because those of us who know her or read her blog have relied on her company through the ups and mostly downs of trying to write and sell a book. She is our buoy. She has shown us time and again her great gift for shedding light in the dark. Even her blog post about her cancer showed this - in her greatest time of need, she was still somehow comforting all of us and showing us glimpses of joy.
Patry is part one of this amazing story.
Now you need to know something about Laura Benedict:
On New Year's Day, or thereabouts, Laura wrote to me, calling my attention to Patry's publication date. "Perhaps we could do a 'Patry Francis/Liar's Diary' blog-o-rama or carnival or something to promote the book?" she wrote. "I'm such an amateur at this stuff that I don't know what's possible."
I didn't give a moment's thought to what we might try to pull off, or how; I simply said, "Yes! Let's do it!"
It's very important to me that Laura is recognized for her initial gesture - not just because she's a great and generous woman, but because it says something about the strength of the heart over the kinds of power most of us are without. When you see the amazing outpouring of support and the high-profile people who joined this effort, remember it started with one small voice.
Laura is part 2 of this amazing story.
Now let's talk about you:
In less than one month, over 300 bloggers, writers, readers, and just big-hearted people signed on to take part in this day. I am overwhelmed and grateful for every single person who said yes or helped spread the word, but let me reserve some enormous thanks for the people who traded hundreds of emails with me to put this together: Karen Dionne of Backspace, Jessica Keener of Agni and The Boston Globe, Tish Cohen, author of TOWN HOUSE, Dan Conaway of Writers House, and Alice Tasman of the Jean Naggar Literary Agency.
What began as a personal gesture of caring for a friend became an astonishing show of community - writers helping writers; strangers helping strangers; and most surprising of all, editors, agents and publishers, who have no stake in this book, crossing "party lines" to blog, to make phone calls, and to send out press releases.
This effort has made visible a community that is, and has been, alive and kicking - a community that understands the struggle artists go through and rejoices in each other's successes. It's a community made up of many small voices, but - guess what? - those many small voices can create some noise. So while today is for Patry, it's also a symbolic gesture for all of you who work so very hard for little or no recognition, for all of you who keep going despite the rejections, and for all of you who have had illness or other outside factors force your art or your dreams aside. We are in this together.
About the book - The Liar's Diary
Answering the question of what is more powerful—family or friendship? this debut novel unforgettably shows how far one woman would go to protect either.
They couldn’t be more different, but they form a friendship that will alter both their fates. When Ali Mather blows into town, breaking all the rules and breaking hearts (despite the fact that she is pushing forty), she also makes a mark on an unlikely family. Almost against her will, Jeanne Cross feels drawn to this strangely vibrant woman, a fascination that begins to infect Jeanne’s “perfect” husband as well as their teenaged son.
At the heart of the friendship between Ali and Jeanne are deep-seated emotional needs, vulnerabilities they have each been recording in their diaries. Ali also senses another kind of vulnerability; she believes someone has been entering her house when she is not at home—and not with the usual intentions. What this burglar wants is nothing less than a piece of Ali’s soul.
When a murderer strikes and Jeanne’s son is arrested, we learn that the key to the crime lies in the diaries of two very different women . . . but only one of them is telling the truth. A chilling tour of troubled minds, The Liar’s Diary signals the launch of an immensely talented new novelist who knows just how to keep her readers guessing.
And now, here are Patry's words, which I lifted off her blog: "Though my novel deals with murder, betrayal, and the even more lethal crimes of the heart, the real subjects of THE LIAR'S DIARY are music, love, friendship, self-sacrifice and courage. The darkness is only there for contrast; it's only there to make us realize how bright the light can be. I'm sure that most writers whose work does not flinch from the exploration of evil feel the same."
Ready to buy the book? Why not buy one for yourself and one for a friend? And if you like it, tell people!
Here are links to THE LIAR'S DIARY at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Powell's. You can also buy directly from Penguin to save 15% (after you add the book to your cart, just enter the word PATRY in the coupon code field and click ‘update cart’ to activate the discount).
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
More Diversity and New Stations in 2008
REC TV has big plans for 2008!
First of all, we hope to see our favorite love advisors come back in a second season of The Lonesome Losers! Todd and Terry are looking to add song writing to their arsenal of love to win women's hearts...or whatever part a woman might be willing to give them.
REC TV will start a new show called Bookend Book Reviews that are made up of video book reviews of some of your favorite authors, and some we hope will become your NEW favorites!
As always we have new and exciting book trailers, behind the scenes videos and author interviews.
The big secret is (shhhhh...don't tell anyone) MUZE. MUZE is our newest endeavor for REC TV original programming. If you like books, ghosts, romance and authors you'll love MUZE!
REC TV plans on adding 2 more stations this year! A Christian Station and a Hispanic Station! Stay tuned for an exciting 2008 at Reader's Entertainment TV!
First of all, we hope to see our favorite love advisors come back in a second season of The Lonesome Losers! Todd and Terry are looking to add song writing to their arsenal of love to win women's hearts...or whatever part a woman might be willing to give them.
REC TV will start a new show called Bookend Book Reviews that are made up of video book reviews of some of your favorite authors, and some we hope will become your NEW favorites!
As always we have new and exciting book trailers, behind the scenes videos and author interviews.
The big secret is (shhhhh...don't tell anyone) MUZE. MUZE is our newest endeavor for REC TV original programming. If you like books, ghosts, romance and authors you'll love MUZE!
REC TV plans on adding 2 more stations this year! A Christian Station and a Hispanic Station! Stay tuned for an exciting 2008 at Reader's Entertainment TV!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Drama, Espionage, Romance and a SciFi TV show?!
Cue the James Bond music and call the Geek Squad! If you like your espionage with thrills, romance and a touch of humor look no further! Lucy Monroe, internationally best selling author, brings us sensuality and sass with her new high-tech action romance called “Deal With This”.
It’s lights, camera, action as this novel brings the reader inside the Vancouver film industry. It’s a fun look at the industry itself while taking you through a rollercoaster ride of spy action and hot romance. The book is lighthearted but intensely researched for believability. There’s no doubt that the romance and sass will satisfy as much as the action and technology.
Michelle Buonfiglio of Lifetime TV's Romance: B(u)y the Book says Monroe "excels at creating alpha bad boys and authentic erotic romance." The love scenes sizzle and the characters are the highlight of every scene. Her “alpha bad boy” Alan goes undercover to find out who is trying to auction off international secrets and finds himself on the set of scifi TV show with the star of the show, Jillian, set to help him whether he likes it or not!
Monroe is especially pleased with this novel because of the character development of both the hero and heroine. The hero isn’t a typical “alpha male”, but he has layers of complexity to him that allows him to appreciate the heroine’s independence and accept himself without having to be in charge all the time. The heroine is strong, sassy, fun and loveable. She isn’t going to faint at the sight of a gun and she doesn’t mind talking about sex, needs and what she really wants.
Throw in a scifi TV show, producers, spies, anti-gravity planes, costumes and great love scenes and you’ve got a formula for a best selling novel! Deal With This comes out November 27th!
It’s lights, camera, action as this novel brings the reader inside the Vancouver film industry. It’s a fun look at the industry itself while taking you through a rollercoaster ride of spy action and hot romance. The book is lighthearted but intensely researched for believability. There’s no doubt that the romance and sass will satisfy as much as the action and technology.
Michelle Buonfiglio of Lifetime TV's Romance: B(u)y the Book says Monroe "excels at creating alpha bad boys and authentic erotic romance." The love scenes sizzle and the characters are the highlight of every scene. Her “alpha bad boy” Alan goes undercover to find out who is trying to auction off international secrets and finds himself on the set of scifi TV show with the star of the show, Jillian, set to help him whether he likes it or not!
Monroe is especially pleased with this novel because of the character development of both the hero and heroine. The hero isn’t a typical “alpha male”, but he has layers of complexity to him that allows him to appreciate the heroine’s independence and accept himself without having to be in charge all the time. The heroine is strong, sassy, fun and loveable. She isn’t going to faint at the sight of a gun and she doesn’t mind talking about sex, needs and what she really wants.
Throw in a scifi TV show, producers, spies, anti-gravity planes, costumes and great love scenes and you’ve got a formula for a best selling novel! Deal With This comes out November 27th!
Friday, August 31, 2007
TV, Radio, Newspapers = 0 Internet= 3 My how the times have changed!
If you’ve been following the COS MySpace blogs you won’t be shocked by any of this. Internet is THE place to be if you’re advertising. More and more people are turning to the internet for news, weather, sports and entertainment than ever before.
In this article on Media Daily News they discuss the statistics and reasons behind the phenomenon that isn’t just revolutionizing communication and entertainment delivery systems, but establishing it as the newly accepted “norm”. Media Daily News also reported that Newspapers have gotten the “Red Alert” with realizations that, “"the proliferation of emerging media" is giving "advertisers many new alternatives for reaching their fragmenting audience bases."
Is TV next to feel the bite of a very hungry internet appetite? According to a recent study done by IBM the answer is yes. Another recent article looks closely into the trend and talks about exactly who is or isn’t watching TV now . This article asked a very interesting question about whether or not traditional TV viewers are really your target audience. Therein lies the part of the reason that eventually internet will become more popular than TV for advertisers. People may still watch TV, but you don’t know who is watching. The measurements are hard, or perhaps faulty, in gleaning a real life look at who is watching. But, with internet you can be more target specific and you can interact with the audience, thus giving you more insight to not only the “who” but the “why” someone is interested in a subject, show or game online.
Reader’s Entertainment TV is a perfect example of target-specific audience. Because the site specializes in books, authors, literacy, reading and shows that include those themes, you can bet that people who purchase books go there. So, why aren’t more authors or publishers rushing to purchase ad space there? Why is it that more non-industry companies are interested in this site?
Part of it has to do with the fact that the publishing industry is notoriously slow in responding to new trends and technology. Instead of getting in on the ground floor to help grow a site that brings book buyers to one place, publishers sit back and watch to see if enough people will come on their own and make it worth their while to be there. It’s this kind of passive non-support that is hurting the overall industry. Unless someone in the industry steps up to the plate, the site will start to show ads for cold cream and sanitary napkins since the site is primarily visited by women. And a chance to promote to book buyers will go to other types of products.
Some publishers are trying to start their own version of REC TV. They then play videos and discuss books that are specific to their company. It gives them control of the content. But, because it is the company’s products, it comes across as very commercial and people know they’re being sold something. People aren’t going to go there for entertainment when it is really just cleverly disguised ads.
REC TV promotes itself as an entertainment portal. Like MTV, you’re given video meant to entertain that also happens to help sell books. But, it’s the original shows that are brining in viewers that aren’t traditionally readers. These are the people the book industry should be romancing. These are potential readers who are looking at books in a new light. REC TVs The Lonesome Losers has been hot on the internet. It has been featured on major social sites, comedy sites and featured in talk shows. Yet, publishers aren’t interested in sponsoring the show and REC TV producers are now turning to non-industry companies to get the $5000 it will take to make the next season of The Lonesome Losers. And with equally popular online original shows raking in more than $50,000 for sponsorship, there’s no doubt that The Lonesome Losers will get picked up. It’s just a shame that the publishing industry isn’t willing to support shows that bring in new readers.
Where The Lonesome Losers are bringing in a younger crowd due to its SNL-like brand of humor as well as bringing in men ages 18-34, the book trailers and author interviews appeal more to women of all ages. The site is primed to show people that reading is an exciting form of entertainment, but the support from the industry is sad to say the least.
New shows and new sponsor opportunities are coming to REC TV, but whether or not the publishing industry will support it is yet to be seen.
In this article on Media Daily News they discuss the statistics and reasons behind the phenomenon that isn’t just revolutionizing communication and entertainment delivery systems, but establishing it as the newly accepted “norm”. Media Daily News also reported that Newspapers have gotten the “Red Alert” with realizations that, “"the proliferation of emerging media" is giving "advertisers many new alternatives for reaching their fragmenting audience bases."
Is TV next to feel the bite of a very hungry internet appetite? According to a recent study done by IBM the answer is yes. Another recent article looks closely into the trend and talks about exactly who is or isn’t watching TV now . This article asked a very interesting question about whether or not traditional TV viewers are really your target audience. Therein lies the part of the reason that eventually internet will become more popular than TV for advertisers. People may still watch TV, but you don’t know who is watching. The measurements are hard, or perhaps faulty, in gleaning a real life look at who is watching. But, with internet you can be more target specific and you can interact with the audience, thus giving you more insight to not only the “who” but the “why” someone is interested in a subject, show or game online.
Reader’s Entertainment TV is a perfect example of target-specific audience. Because the site specializes in books, authors, literacy, reading and shows that include those themes, you can bet that people who purchase books go there. So, why aren’t more authors or publishers rushing to purchase ad space there? Why is it that more non-industry companies are interested in this site?
Part of it has to do with the fact that the publishing industry is notoriously slow in responding to new trends and technology. Instead of getting in on the ground floor to help grow a site that brings book buyers to one place, publishers sit back and watch to see if enough people will come on their own and make it worth their while to be there. It’s this kind of passive non-support that is hurting the overall industry. Unless someone in the industry steps up to the plate, the site will start to show ads for cold cream and sanitary napkins since the site is primarily visited by women. And a chance to promote to book buyers will go to other types of products.
Some publishers are trying to start their own version of REC TV. They then play videos and discuss books that are specific to their company. It gives them control of the content. But, because it is the company’s products, it comes across as very commercial and people know they’re being sold something. People aren’t going to go there for entertainment when it is really just cleverly disguised ads.
REC TV promotes itself as an entertainment portal. Like MTV, you’re given video meant to entertain that also happens to help sell books. But, it’s the original shows that are brining in viewers that aren’t traditionally readers. These are the people the book industry should be romancing. These are potential readers who are looking at books in a new light. REC TVs The Lonesome Losers has been hot on the internet. It has been featured on major social sites, comedy sites and featured in talk shows. Yet, publishers aren’t interested in sponsoring the show and REC TV producers are now turning to non-industry companies to get the $5000 it will take to make the next season of The Lonesome Losers. And with equally popular online original shows raking in more than $50,000 for sponsorship, there’s no doubt that The Lonesome Losers will get picked up. It’s just a shame that the publishing industry isn’t willing to support shows that bring in new readers.
Where The Lonesome Losers are bringing in a younger crowd due to its SNL-like brand of humor as well as bringing in men ages 18-34, the book trailers and author interviews appeal more to women of all ages. The site is primed to show people that reading is an exciting form of entertainment, but the support from the industry is sad to say the least.
New shows and new sponsor opportunities are coming to REC TV, but whether or not the publishing industry will support it is yet to be seen.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Publishers following COS trends
Without a doubt Circle of Seven Productions is the trend setter for book video creation and marketing. COS has been making book trailers since 2002, but started to revolutionize the trend in 2004 when they made a deal with a major movie theater chain and started showing book video in movie theaters.
A year later Harlequin decided to give it a try with a video by Heather Graham. And, today HarperCollins is determined to see if they can utilize movie theaters with the same effectiveness COS has experieneced. You can see the video HarperCollins made - HERE.
The COS Newsletter has many publishers, booksellers and competitors subscribed to it. Often, information newly released by COS is found later in blogs, competitor newsletters or as publisher's press releases as they utilize COS marketing ideas.
So, the question is - What's next?
After COS announced an online tv station for readers last year others found the idea to have merit. Simon and Schuster announced recently that they have started their own online site for book video called bookvideos.tv.
Not only have publishers found book videos to be a great way to engage readers and entice them to buy, but booksellers have embraced the new age of video with Borders now offering book video in their newsletters, on their main Borders Media site and a special page just for romance. Barnes and Noble have their Meet The Writers program and are also taking book trailers to enhance their reader's buying experince as seen on these pages-
Safe Harbor
Lord of the Fading Lands
And many, many more.
Authors are creating their own tv players for their site like Douglas Clegg and Cheryl Holt
Reader's Entertainment TV has lead the way into a new trend to bring readers more dynamic material online. But, there's more!
In 2006 COS worked with author Christine Feehan to start offering online games associated with books. The FOG (Feehan Online Game) attracted over 10,000 people who played the video game all the way through and received a screensaver as a prize!
The future of online marketing both with video and with other opportunities continues to be a main focus for COS Productions. Leading an industry into a new era of opportunity using video and online endeavors, new ideas and creative media is a staple for COS, and having industry giants follow that lead is a sure sign of success.
A year later Harlequin decided to give it a try with a video by Heather Graham. And, today HarperCollins is determined to see if they can utilize movie theaters with the same effectiveness COS has experieneced. You can see the video HarperCollins made - HERE.
The COS Newsletter has many publishers, booksellers and competitors subscribed to it. Often, information newly released by COS is found later in blogs, competitor newsletters or as publisher's press releases as they utilize COS marketing ideas.
So, the question is - What's next?
After COS announced an online tv station for readers last year others found the idea to have merit. Simon and Schuster announced recently that they have started their own online site for book video called bookvideos.tv.
Not only have publishers found book videos to be a great way to engage readers and entice them to buy, but booksellers have embraced the new age of video with Borders now offering book video in their newsletters, on their main Borders Media site and a special page just for romance. Barnes and Noble have their Meet The Writers program and are also taking book trailers to enhance their reader's buying experince as seen on these pages-
Safe Harbor
Lord of the Fading Lands
And many, many more.
Authors are creating their own tv players for their site like Douglas Clegg and Cheryl Holt
Reader's Entertainment TV has lead the way into a new trend to bring readers more dynamic material online. But, there's more!
In 2006 COS worked with author Christine Feehan to start offering online games associated with books. The FOG (Feehan Online Game) attracted over 10,000 people who played the video game all the way through and received a screensaver as a prize!
The future of online marketing both with video and with other opportunities continues to be a main focus for COS Productions. Leading an industry into a new era of opportunity using video and online endeavors, new ideas and creative media is a staple for COS, and having industry giants follow that lead is a sure sign of success.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
REC Tv on MySpace!
Come join the fun! REC Tv on MySpace! Find out what new shows we have, what the schedules are for author interviews and read some exclusive interviews on the REC Tv MySpace Blog!
New shows include the My Word! Show that currently has interviews with Robin Schone, Kayla Perrin, Michele Scott, Stuart Ellison and Renee Bernard!
The new show - Off The Shelf - is currently showing the annual Heather Graham's Vampire Ball play, exclusively on REC Tv!
New Book Trailers and other fun stuff for readers is available at REC Tv!
We have seen an increase in viewership since advertising in USA Today online and there are plans to advertise in the RWR magazine and other exciting sites or print magazines.
The station was set up to capture the attention of readers and POTENTIAL readers by show how exciting books can be!
New shows include the My Word! Show that currently has interviews with Robin Schone, Kayla Perrin, Michele Scott, Stuart Ellison and Renee Bernard!
The new show - Off The Shelf - is currently showing the annual Heather Graham's Vampire Ball play, exclusively on REC Tv!
New Book Trailers and other fun stuff for readers is available at REC Tv!
We have seen an increase in viewership since advertising in USA Today online and there are plans to advertise in the RWR magazine and other exciting sites or print magazines.
The station was set up to capture the attention of readers and POTENTIAL readers by show how exciting books can be!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
AtomFilms, MySpace, Funny or Die and Veoh...
What do they all have in common? Reader's Entertainment TV!
Two weeks ago REC Tv's hit original comedy show, The Lonesome Losers was featured on Funny or Die! Last week The Lonesome Losers was featured on MySpace! This week we found the guys featured on AtomFilms! And, Veoh featured Circle of Seven Productions, parent company of REC Tv and where REC Tv videos live!
With all of this online exposure REC Tv is reaching readers, finding fans and making history with online reader's entertainment!
We were very excited when the director of The Lonesome Losers was contacted and asked to have the show entered into a contest where the winner has a chance for a deal with Comedy Central!
The online hit show VIRAL caught up with our Lonesome Losers a couple of weeks ago and interviewed them for the show. We are currently featuring the VIRAL episode on REC Tv on the main player after The Lonesome Losers episode of the week!
Two weeks ago REC Tv's hit original comedy show, The Lonesome Losers was featured on Funny or Die! Last week The Lonesome Losers was featured on MySpace! This week we found the guys featured on AtomFilms! And, Veoh featured Circle of Seven Productions, parent company of REC Tv and where REC Tv videos live!
With all of this online exposure REC Tv is reaching readers, finding fans and making history with online reader's entertainment!
We were very excited when the director of The Lonesome Losers was contacted and asked to have the show entered into a contest where the winner has a chance for a deal with Comedy Central!
The online hit show VIRAL caught up with our Lonesome Losers a couple of weeks ago and interviewed them for the show. We are currently featuring the VIRAL episode on REC Tv on the main player after The Lonesome Losers episode of the week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
