My publicist and I met recently to plan the campaign to attract and capture readers with publication of Dead Reckoning, the final book in the Ian Murphy series.  I mentioned to her that I was concerned that unlike the previous two books, Murphy’s Troubles and Out of Darkness the third book may not be accepted as historical fiction.

Both the Historical Novel Society and the Historical Writers of America define historical fiction as events that occurred 50 years ago.  Dead Reckoning occurs in 2003-2005 – a mere 15 years in the past.  However, historical fiction is defined as much more than the time period.  Elements of historical fiction include accurate portrayal of social conditions, customs, language, historical events and setting.  The period in Irish History known as The Troubles is the backbone of my novels and the plot for each book is woven into historical events.

Yet . . . there is that pesky time period element of historical fiction.  My publicists told me to pose the question to Henschel HAUS publishing and let the publisher make the determination because they would select the correct ISBN.

That same day I emailed Kira Henschel.  Her response was swift and definitive – I wouldn’t call the book historical fiction.  Maybe it could be called Ireland-Fiction or Ireland-Drama.  She asked which I preferred.

I would prefer Ireland-Drama but then worried potential readers would be confused that the work is a stage play and not a novel.  I worry about things like that.  Kira promised to do additional research on the best genre – sub-genre.  Who knows, maybe a change in category or genre will expand potential readers.
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I’ve always thought I wrote historical fiction, there has been no intent to misguide readers.  In terms of how the novel is written, all three books are historical fiction – just not 50 years in the past.
Opps!  Wrong genre – my bad.

Ready to Launch 10 . . .9
 
As 2017 draws to a close my focus is in launching Dead Reckoning in April 2018.  There isn’t an exact publication date yet so for planning I’m using April as the official launch date.
I have made proposals to speak at the Untitled Town Book & Author Festival         Green Bay April 20-22; WAPL Conf. Pewaukee May 2-4; and the Lakefly Writers Conf.  Oshkosh May 11-12.
 I will contact the Milwaukee Aug. 16-19 and the Irish Book and Music Festival in Chicago October in the near future.

I have several confirmed events too.  First a guest blog and facebook post with Valerie Biel around April 24th.  Official Launch at Sun Prairie Public Library on April 24th.  The Wordsmith book club, N Fond du Lac June 14th.

That’s a start – but just a start.  On Friday I’ll be meeting with my media/publicist guru and I’ll share that experience with readers on my final blog of the year December 27th.
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Anyone interested in helping me with the LAUNCH of DEAD RECKONING can contact me at:  [email protected].  I will go to pubs, libraries, book clubs, coffee houses, book festivals, bookstores, senior centers, civic clubs, and writer’s conferences and anywhere there are three or more readers.
 

 
In my presentations I always share with the audience that the image of a writer spending endless hours alone bleeding over their laptop to conjure up the great American novel is a MYTH.
Every author has their own style of writing.  Some do devote a great deal of time to living in their own imaginations and watching words pop onto the electronic page.  I admit that long works writers must spend a lot of time alone as they produce the first draft.  Although some writers will share their work prior to finishing the first rough, unspeakable, first draft.  I am not one of those writers but I have met a few – just a few.

After the first rough draft is done, to publish a book, using any method takes a team.  I have had a team work with me for each of my three books.  It has been interesting because some team members have helped with all three books and others have worked only on one.
I want to share with readers a few of my team members.  Christine D. helped me craft the final chapter of Dead Reckoning.  The third book completes the series and I wanted to make sure the final chapter would satisfy readers and successfully bring the series to a close.  Christine K. edited the entire manuscript and with her David Bowie knife cut out about 5000 unnecessary words.  Marshall C. helped me craft a perfect query letter.  Out of 8 letters sent out – 5 requested the entire manuscript.  Nick C. introduced me to Kira Henschel the owner of Henschel Haus Publishing who gave me my first traditional publishing contract.  Valerie B. is creating a marketing/publicity plan for me because about 95% of my book sales have been through direct sales – I need help.
To transform the manuscript into a book will require other team members I haven’t met yet through Henschel Haus publishing like the graphic designer for the book covers.  There will be others I’m sure.
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There is one person in a category of her own – Lynette.  She has the patience to put up with my insane desire to write and publish and travel with me to a myriad of book events.  She’s learned the pitch and how to use the ‘square’ to sell books.  She is very creative on ways to sell books and get noticed.  I have the immense good fortune to share my life with her.     

Lesson #4 - Publishing Strategy
 
Early December on note a single flake of snow in Wisconsin!  Can you imagine?  No, there’s no such thing as global warming.  I miss when facts and data were used to determine rational policy – but I digress.

Previously I’ve noted that my publisher, Henschel Haus Publishing, wants to re-publish my first two novels, Murphy’s Troubles and Out of Darkness.  Initially the strategy was to concentrate on publishing the third novel in the series, Dead Reckoning and follow-up with the re-published books.
In discussing options with Kira Henschel a week ago she suggested we change our strategy.  She believes that publishing all three books in the series at one time will improve sales of all three books.  That makes sense, she even wants to package them into a “box set”.  I know authors like the concept but right now the prospect of getting all that done by end of March is daunting.

After agreeing on a triple strike launch I was asked to give a demographic of my readers.  I have a fairly good idea and gave Kira an outline.  Based on my readers profile she suggested we change the size of the font, the space between lines and the space between paragraphs.  I completely misunderstood the purpose of her question.  However, in reflecting on the interior design of the books he question was obvious and to the point.
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The next step will be to receive sample interior pages to review and sample book covers.  I don’t pretend to have any basis to make an informed decision on these things.  I do like that I am being asked for my viewpoint but I don’t expect or intend to make the final decision on such things.
Every time I talk with or email Kira Henschel I learn something new and I deeply appreciate her professional guidance.