The Little Bloggers welcome guest Kit Ehrman, author of the award-winning Steve Cline Mysteries, including COLD BURN, an IPPY Awards Finalist and ForeWord Magazine’s Book-of-the-Year Bronze Winner.

For a New York Times bestselling author, the writer’s life might more
closely resemble that romantic idea I used to have about what it
meant to be an author. The reality for most authors–the necessary
effort they put into promoting their work–is something else altogether.

Before being published by Poisoned Pen Press in 2002, I was an
innocent, naïve newbie who couldn’t begin to fathom the promotional
side of the job.

Not that I’m complaining. In fact, I love it. Even though it means I
now have two jobs on top of the usual household management and
parenting of teenaged boys.

Speaking of household management, Heather, I adore your closet
makeover. Wow! And Judy, um . . . what can I say? I am now reminded
that I have a smelly job to attend to. Well, the septic guy does. I’m
with you on that one. No way . . .

Anyway, back to book promotion. I don’t mind it. If I had to complain
about anything, it would be that I like it too much. For me, doing
all the “promotional” stuff easily becomes a means of avoiding the
difficult work of writing. When facing that blank page feels
overwhelming, or when I’m feeling less than inspired, there are a
thousand jobs I can be doing on the promotional front that tap into
my creative side and are significantly easier. Let’s face it.
Producing a book takes about a year. For me, sometimes longer. But I
can put together a pamphlet or work on my website or add names to my
snail mail database and be instantly gratified because I’ve produced
something tangible. And I won’t even get into the fun of attending
conventions here–the schmoozing and socializing and hanging out in
bars. Oh, boy.

On the downside, there is a lot of pressure to sell better with each
book, and I far too easily fall into the trap of obsessing over what
I can and should do. The next Steve Cline mystery’s due out in
January ’07, and since it’s set in Louisville and at Churchill Downs
during the two weeks leading up to the Derby, I just put together a
pamphlet that I hope to use for regional promotion. I could have
hired an ad agency, but I need to be frugal with my promotional
dollars and opted to do it myself.

Another “procrastination job” I recently completed was creating a
book trailer for TRIPLE CROSS which was way too fun and something
I’ll no doubt do for the next book . . . once it’s written, that is.
Speaking of which, that blank page is calling my name.

Kit

P.S. If you want to watch the trailer, it’s up at www.kitehrman.com.