How To Get an Experienced Author to Help You

My 21st book has just come out, and I've been doing the rounds of Author Events, as provided by my publisher.  This weekend I will be in Kingston (4 hours away, so a major gig requiring hotels) on a Women of Crime panel.  I love meeting crime writers and readers - they're my tribe.

However, for the umpteenth time, I've been faced with the following.  A man in his sixties came up to me at a signing, shoved his manuscript in my face, and said I had to read it - I'd love it.  And he would let me read it for FREE.

He did not, to my knowledge, buy one of my books.  Nor had he read any.  It was enough that I was a well-published author.  Surely I would read his first attempt - which was brilliant - and recommend it to my agent.

Needless to say, I smiled wearily, and told him that alas, all requests for endorsements and blurbs go through my agent or publisher.  They decide how my time should be spent.

He seemed a little shocked.  And he moved away without buying a book. 

This got me thinking about how aspiring writers, who are obviously eager for connection and endorsement, should go about networking.

1.  If you want a more established author to take notice of you, read their books!  In particular, give them good reviews.  Respond 'Like' to their posts on Facebook, etc.  Comment, when you can.  Follow them religiously. Go to their events, if they are local.  Then you can point to this, when you meet them in person.    

In a perfect world, we would give our time freely.  But ours is a world where there is a constant tug on our time, especially time we aren't paid for.  Established writers simply can't respond to every demand for attention, from complete strangers.

So that's the key.  Don't start out as a stranger when you approach us.  Establish a relationship on social media; be a supporter of our books.  Buy our books!  Then we will be more likely to say,  "Oh, so *you're* Jane Doughy!  I'm happy to meet you in person."

 2.  This excellent advice came from Vicki Delany, maybe 20 years ago.  "If you want a more established author to invite you to participate on a panel, make sure you invite them to join you in one of your events first.  It should be obvious!"

It's true.  This happens more with men than women, I find. Male writers have begged me to include them in my local events, and have yet to reciprocate.  I wish it weren't so.  I hate breaking things down by gender. 

But this advice is true for any aspiring writer or newly published author.  I actually sat down with one new author who asked me, "How do I get to be on one of your Women of Crime panels?"  And I said, "Invite me to do an event with you first."  It was like the light dawned in her eyes.  She was most appreciative.

But will it happen?  I don't know.

The truth is, I enjoy helping new writers.  I taught aspiring writers for over 20 years at college.  I want to encourage new writers; I even put money behind it and sponsor the Best First Novel award for Crime Writers of Canada.  But you can't help everyone.

And that's why I thought it might help to write this column today.  Give yourself the best chance possible!  Become known to your favourite local authors. 

We want to know you too.

Compared to Agatha Christie by The Toronto Star, and “Christie-meets-Wodehouse” by Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Melodie Campbell is the winner of 10 awards. Her publications include 21 novels and over 60 short stories. The Pharaoh's Curse Murders, from Cormorant books, has just been released.  http://www.melodiecampbell.com