Hi, folks!
I'm reposting a piece from my other blog - Murder*by*4 - so that you might hop on over to see how you can win a copy of Tremolo! This is a great blog run by four writers, and I'd love for you to meet them.
Stop by if you can!
Aaron
***
Contest: Win an Autographed Book!
Welcome to the first contest sponsored by Murder*by*4 – we plan to give things away regularly, so stop by often for details!
In honor of our 1000th visitor, we’re offering an autographed copy of Tremolo by Aaron Paul Lazar. Read more about this fantastic story here.
To enter, we’re sending you on a sleuth hunt...
The Game
Sleuth: To spy, watch, observe, or inquire secretlyYou are a sleuth, and your mission is to gather information on four suspects and/or their accomplices. You have the names, you have the addresses – a little digging, and you’ll have the answers you need to close this case.
The Clues*
Marta Stephens pulls the strings behind the scenes in the life of one Detective Sam Harper. We’re not sure what drives this guy, but we think it has something to do with his mother. What did she do for a living? Poke around Marta’s site here: http://www.martastephens-author.com/*
Aaron Lazar’s multi-faceted involvement in the arts is surprisingly complex, extending to both written and photographic evidence. We know he controls at least two accomplices. One goes by the name of Gus LeGarde. Who is the other one? Find out here: http://www.legardemysteries.com/*
Kim Smith partners with a feisty woman named Shannon Wallace. Plans are in place to blow their cover sky-high this fall, but for now, we have only names. One known accomplice, Dwayne Brown, frequents a certain joint in South Lake, Mississippi. What’s the name of that place? Further investigation here: http://www.mkimsmith.com/*
S. W. Vaughn is charged with aiding and abetting the kidnapping and possible torture of one Gabriel Morgan. Multiple contacts are necessary for this operation, and Vaughn has learned another language in order to coordinate various groups. What language is it? Check for an answer here: http://www.swvaughn.com/
The Rules
1. Hunt down the answers to the four questions regarding the Murder*by*4 crew. The answers can be found on each authors’ website (links provided).
2. E-mail your answers to Marta Stephens with the subject "MB4 Contest Entry". Include your name and e-mail address. We’ll contact the winner to request a physical mailing address.
3. Entries must be received by April 14, 2008. Winner will be chosen in a random drawing from all correct entries.Good luck, everyone!
A USA Today Bestselling author, this slightly out of place Renaissance man writes mysteries and more. Topics include writing, family, gardens, and more, often infused with a bit of gentle philosophy and always with a lust for life.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Friday, March 07, 2008
Hi, folks!
I haven't posted in a while, 'cause life went a little crazy on the home front. Two of my three daughters and my grandsons all moved out over the past month. They're close by, and we see them often, so it's not as traumatic as I feared. Even though we do miss them, sometimes dreadfully. My wife keeps mournfully talking about getting a new kitten or puppy.
It's been just nutso around here! I've been helping them move their furniture and get organized in their new digs, plus cleaning, painting, wallpapering, and trying to get our old place back in shape after years of kid and puppy wear.
Anyway, I wrote this piece for the Gather Writing Essential, and also will post it on the new blog, murder by 4. Check it out if you have the time!
In advance - I hope you can forgive the self promotional tome that follows - it's still hard for me to "toot my own horn," so to speak, even though I know it's a very necessary part of being an author. (wry smile) Thanks and have a lovely weekend!
***
Virtual Book Tour Update for Tremolo: cry of the loon
For any of you who have written books and are considering a virtual book tour - go for it! But don't think it's easy. Far from it!
I'm still breathing hard, trying to keep up with the tour for Tremolo: cry of the loon, recently released by Twilight Times Books.
Shelley Glodowski, senior reviewer for Midwest Book Review, says of Tremolo: "It's easy to see that Aaron Paul Lazar loves to write, as his style is lilting and beautiful. He weaves childhood memories of the lakes of Maine into a stylized whodunit that is original and breathtaking."
And Bob Williams, of Compulsivereader.com, wrote, "Tremolo is a monument to the enduring values of love, integrity, and bravery and has all the signs of persistent endurance."
I love those quotes. They make me feel validated as a writer, especially in the days when confidence flounders. But you know, good reviews aren't all you need to sell books. You need constant exposure, and a virtual book tour is a good way to exponentially increase your internet presence.
The tour sure has taken a toll on my "real" writing time. I don't think I've written more than three chapters in my new book (#13) in over a month. That's very odd for me, as I usually like to write a chapter a day.
And answering all those interview questions and keeping up with the comments on everyone's blogs is time consuming. But that's okay. Like I said before, "nobody ever bought a book they haven't heard about." So targeted promotion is a fundamental part of this business, and it's frequently necessary to funnel ones energies into another branch of the field.One little problem is that I received so much interest from folks to host the tour that it stretched from December through March. Phew. But it's been a blast! And now, as we round the corner into the last few days of February, I'm gearing up for the March group, which promises to be very exciting!
Here's a list of the tour stops to date - I've included links for those of you who might want to swing by and say hi to the hosts, or to comment on the reviews/interviews.
Lesia Valentine hosted the debut book tour with a great review and interview. Here's a quote: "This book is so cool I could eat it like ice cream. I felt like rolling down a hill in a big refrigerator box when I read it, and you will too, because Tremolo by Aaron Paul Lazar, is a nostalgic and adventurous romp through summer camp." Isn't she a great writer?
Debbie G. Deb wrote a lyrical review and asked me some interesting questions about my deepest fears. Feel free to add your own questions if you'd like to comment. Here's an excerpt from her review: "Aaron Lazar's first line in Tremolo, immediately transported me from my couch potato perch into danger, mystery and adventure. Young Gus, caretaker and protector of his grandfather's boat desperately pulls on the oars in an attempt to reach the safety of the shore before the thick fog descends. You hear the wooden paddles creak, and the lake slosh, and feel the fear as the three young friends hear a motorboat bear down on them. In that initial scene the reader loses real time and enters Gus Legarde's childhood, never to be disappointed."
Jane Corn, on Gather (of course!), blogspot, Amazon, Digg, and Associated Content.Jane asked some unique questions and posted a great review of Tremolo here. "This novel set off powerful waves of memories and pure nostalgia in me. I remembered those days when the Beatles were popular and Beatlemania was in full swing, when John Kennedy and Martin Luther King were well-known and children spent summers outside, not in front of video games.
"Mayra Calvani - on the Dark Phantom Review, Blog Critics, and Gather. Mayra posted a wonderful series of questions and also gave me a chance to list a synopsis of all twelve books. Some are available now (http://www.legardemysteries.com/) and some are in the works. But it was fun to list them all together in one spot. ;o)
Elizabeth Evans ("Bob" or "Bobbi" for short) on Gather.com here and again, here.It's amazing how unleashing others' creativity can open up a whole new way to review a book. Bob's cats and dog helped out with this one, which was hilarious! I loved getting to know Ophelia, Sophie, and Tuck even better than before. They are a great crew and keep their Mistress on her toes!
Flit , posted this lovely review, right smack dab in the middle of her insane college schedule. I don't know how she does it, but she wrote a great review. "Tremolo, like the other books I've read by Aaron Lazar, is a fast paced, easy, and enjoyable read. The characters are well-developed and very real, and consistently portrayed throughout the novels. And most importantly, of course, they are characters that it is easy to care about. You'll want to keep turning the pages because you will want to know what happens to them next."
April H conducted a long interview in two segments on Gather.com.
First half of interview
Second half of interview
She also posted excerpts from Tremolo: cry of the loon, all week as teasers to the reading community. Thanks, April!
Beverly McClure asked some interesting interview questions in this post on Gather, too.
Interview You can find out all about my "favorite" stuff in this one - including what time period I'd like to live in, if given the choice. LOL!
Beryl Singleton Bissell posted a new interview this week - and she asked some of the most stirring questions of all.
One final tip for those of you writers who might be planning a tour - it's okay to plagiarize yourself and repeat similar answers on repeat interview questions! You don't have to beat yourself up to be clever each time, trying to top your own answers to "Why do you write?" or "When did you start writing?"
I love answering the questions no matter what, especially when I get to talk about my characters in the LeGarde or Moore Mystery series. ;o)
So - if you're not sick to death of reading about me and my characters at this point, pick a few stops along the way to visit. And remember, if you love to put the virtual pen to paper - write like the wind!
***
Next stops on the tour include posts by Marci Baun (Wild Child Publishing), Marta Stephens, Kim Smith, and the lovely Patry Francis, author of The Liar's Diary.
I haven't posted in a while, 'cause life went a little crazy on the home front. Two of my three daughters and my grandsons all moved out over the past month. They're close by, and we see them often, so it's not as traumatic as I feared. Even though we do miss them, sometimes dreadfully. My wife keeps mournfully talking about getting a new kitten or puppy.
It's been just nutso around here! I've been helping them move their furniture and get organized in their new digs, plus cleaning, painting, wallpapering, and trying to get our old place back in shape after years of kid and puppy wear.
Anyway, I wrote this piece for the Gather Writing Essential, and also will post it on the new blog, murder by 4. Check it out if you have the time!
In advance - I hope you can forgive the self promotional tome that follows - it's still hard for me to "toot my own horn," so to speak, even though I know it's a very necessary part of being an author. (wry smile) Thanks and have a lovely weekend!
***
Virtual Book Tour Update for Tremolo: cry of the loon
For any of you who have written books and are considering a virtual book tour - go for it! But don't think it's easy. Far from it!
I'm still breathing hard, trying to keep up with the tour for Tremolo: cry of the loon, recently released by Twilight Times Books.
Shelley Glodowski, senior reviewer for Midwest Book Review, says of Tremolo: "It's easy to see that Aaron Paul Lazar loves to write, as his style is lilting and beautiful. He weaves childhood memories of the lakes of Maine into a stylized whodunit that is original and breathtaking."
And Bob Williams, of Compulsivereader.com, wrote, "Tremolo is a monument to the enduring values of love, integrity, and bravery and has all the signs of persistent endurance."
I love those quotes. They make me feel validated as a writer, especially in the days when confidence flounders. But you know, good reviews aren't all you need to sell books. You need constant exposure, and a virtual book tour is a good way to exponentially increase your internet presence.
The tour sure has taken a toll on my "real" writing time. I don't think I've written more than three chapters in my new book (#13) in over a month. That's very odd for me, as I usually like to write a chapter a day.
And answering all those interview questions and keeping up with the comments on everyone's blogs is time consuming. But that's okay. Like I said before, "nobody ever bought a book they haven't heard about." So targeted promotion is a fundamental part of this business, and it's frequently necessary to funnel ones energies into another branch of the field.One little problem is that I received so much interest from folks to host the tour that it stretched from December through March. Phew. But it's been a blast! And now, as we round the corner into the last few days of February, I'm gearing up for the March group, which promises to be very exciting!
Here's a list of the tour stops to date - I've included links for those of you who might want to swing by and say hi to the hosts, or to comment on the reviews/interviews.
Lesia Valentine hosted the debut book tour with a great review and interview. Here's a quote: "This book is so cool I could eat it like ice cream. I felt like rolling down a hill in a big refrigerator box when I read it, and you will too, because Tremolo by Aaron Paul Lazar, is a nostalgic and adventurous romp through summer camp." Isn't she a great writer?
Debbie G. Deb wrote a lyrical review and asked me some interesting questions about my deepest fears. Feel free to add your own questions if you'd like to comment. Here's an excerpt from her review: "Aaron Lazar's first line in Tremolo, immediately transported me from my couch potato perch into danger, mystery and adventure. Young Gus, caretaker and protector of his grandfather's boat desperately pulls on the oars in an attempt to reach the safety of the shore before the thick fog descends. You hear the wooden paddles creak, and the lake slosh, and feel the fear as the three young friends hear a motorboat bear down on them. In that initial scene the reader loses real time and enters Gus Legarde's childhood, never to be disappointed."
Jane Corn, on Gather (of course!), blogspot, Amazon, Digg, and Associated Content.Jane asked some unique questions and posted a great review of Tremolo here. "This novel set off powerful waves of memories and pure nostalgia in me. I remembered those days when the Beatles were popular and Beatlemania was in full swing, when John Kennedy and Martin Luther King were well-known and children spent summers outside, not in front of video games.
"Mayra Calvani - on the Dark Phantom Review, Blog Critics, and Gather. Mayra posted a wonderful series of questions and also gave me a chance to list a synopsis of all twelve books. Some are available now (http://www.legardemysteries.com/) and some are in the works. But it was fun to list them all together in one spot. ;o)
Elizabeth Evans ("Bob" or "Bobbi" for short) on Gather.com here and again, here.It's amazing how unleashing others' creativity can open up a whole new way to review a book. Bob's cats and dog helped out with this one, which was hilarious! I loved getting to know Ophelia, Sophie, and Tuck even better than before. They are a great crew and keep their Mistress on her toes!
Flit , posted this lovely review, right smack dab in the middle of her insane college schedule. I don't know how she does it, but she wrote a great review. "Tremolo, like the other books I've read by Aaron Lazar, is a fast paced, easy, and enjoyable read. The characters are well-developed and very real, and consistently portrayed throughout the novels. And most importantly, of course, they are characters that it is easy to care about. You'll want to keep turning the pages because you will want to know what happens to them next."
April H conducted a long interview in two segments on Gather.com.
First half of interview
Second half of interview
She also posted excerpts from Tremolo: cry of the loon, all week as teasers to the reading community. Thanks, April!
Beverly McClure asked some interesting interview questions in this post on Gather, too.
Interview You can find out all about my "favorite" stuff in this one - including what time period I'd like to live in, if given the choice. LOL!
Beryl Singleton Bissell posted a new interview this week - and she asked some of the most stirring questions of all.
One final tip for those of you writers who might be planning a tour - it's okay to plagiarize yourself and repeat similar answers on repeat interview questions! You don't have to beat yourself up to be clever each time, trying to top your own answers to "Why do you write?" or "When did you start writing?"
I love answering the questions no matter what, especially when I get to talk about my characters in the LeGarde or Moore Mystery series. ;o)
So - if you're not sick to death of reading about me and my characters at this point, pick a few stops along the way to visit. And remember, if you love to put the virtual pen to paper - write like the wind!
***
Next stops on the tour include posts by Marci Baun (Wild Child Publishing), Marta Stephens, Kim Smith, and the lovely Patry Francis, author of The Liar's Diary.
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