Chanticleer Book Reviews

Author: chanti

Spotlight on: Books By the Bay Book Fair
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A Unique Book Fair for a Unique Conference

If you know one thing about the Chanticleer Author Conference, you know it is unique. We specifically cater to already published authors and teach the tools they need to successfully sell and market their books.

Books by the Bay is also a unique book fair. Many conferences offer book rooms to sell the books of their presenters. At CAC the book room is for everyone! All attendees books may be sold in the book room!

And it is OPEN to the General Public for 3 days!

Books by the Bay Facts:
1. The book room is fully staffed by Village Books – one of the top five best Independent Booksellers (rated by Publisher’s Weekly)
2. The book room is open to the public all three days of the conference
3. It stays open late on the night of the awards gala
4. Some of our big winners have sold out completely and gone on to receive special placement in the Village Books store long after the conference is over.
5. Other authors buy a lot of books, and bring friends to buy books, so a good elevator pitch is essential to bring along to the conference.
Everyone who registers for the conference will receive instructions, closer to the date, of how to enter books into the Village Books system for the event. The book room will be open all weekend for sale, and on the last day, Sunday, from 1pm to 4 pm, when conference sessions have ended the book room will transform into a festival of authors meeting and greeting the public, signing books, performing readings and more.[/fusion_text][fusion_text]

History of Books by the Bay and the Chanticleer Author Conference

Our First Poster

September 14, 2014 Chanticleer held the very first Books by the Bay, then known as the Books & Brews Book Fest, at Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham Washington. This was our very first Book Fest. And the inaugural Chanticleer Author Conference #CAC14 followed days later on September 19th. Looking even further back, the very first seed of the Chanticleer Author Conference was planted when we held our first awards gala in the summer of 2013.

In the second year of our book fest it was rebranded as Books by the Bay and relocated to the Hotel Bellwether, so that it could coincide with #CAC15 in September 2015. In the third year, we did something crazy and moved everything up to April 2016 (leaving us only 6 months to organize), so that we could give our awards out in a more timely fashion.

And here we are at #CAC17, our fourth conference, fourth book fair, and fifth awards gala. Whew! It’s been quite the ride.

We invite you to join us! Either by attending the conference and making your books available for purchase in the book room, or by dropping by to see what the book room has to offer, meet a few authors and support the creative community by buying some books.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=”” min_height=””][fusion_text]

Books by the Bay is held at the Ballroom of the Hotel Bellwether. The Book Room, from Friday to Sunday, is in the atrium and the Book Fest, on Sunday from 1-4, will be in and around the main Ballroom. Will you be there? Let us know on our Facebook Page.

Will your books be there? Register for the conference today!

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January 3, 2017
10 New Year’s Resolutions for Authors to Improve Marketing and Book Sales
What are YOUR Next Moves in 2017?

Five Free Action Items to Strengthen your Author Platform in 2017
1. Spiff up point of sale information on Amazon Author Central – Read our handy how-to article on using Author Central.
2. Create your author media kit – A page on your website which contains, at the very least, your official bio, both long and short versions written in third person, your official author image, nice and large, with a good quality resolution.
3. Write your book club questions – Read our article on how to write your questions and pitch to book clubs, written by two of our speakers for the upcoming Chanticleer Author Conference.
4. Create an editorial calendar for 2017 – Plan your blog and social posts ahead so you never miss an important time sensitive topic. Make a spreadsheet to track holidays and days devoted to important social issues which you might want to post about such as: Banned Books Week, or Independent Bookstore Day, or Indie Author Day (celebrated by local public libraries).
5. Make an appointment to meet with your local book store’s buyer – If your books are not on the shelf of your local book store, often all it takes is making an appointment with the right person. If your books are on their shelf already, it’s a good idea to touch base now and then, ask about special display opportunities and events you can get involved in.
Five Ways to Invest in your Author Career Business in 2017
1. Commission your professional head-shot – Have you been using an assortment of photos taken with your phone for your author photo? A professional photo will boost your confidence and give the impression to potential readers that you are serious about your craft. Show them they can expect your books to be worth the time and money you are asking them to invest, by making a little investment yourself.
2. Hire a professional cover designer – Take a hard look at your book cover. A good cover can make or break your book sales. Don’t make the mistake of thinking any good artist can make a book cover. There are subtle and even subliminal cues for each genre that communicate to readers through your book cover. Read our article on the concepts professional designers use to create book covers that can mean the difference between hundreds or thousands of book sales per year. It is worth the investment.
3. Improve your book with editing services – even if your book is already published. The digital age allows for tidying up those little typos and “orphans and widows.” The editorial process is an essential tool for authors. There are a range of services available and every one of them can help improve your book. A better book means more book sales. Satisfied readers will be create buzz, write reviews and become dedicated fans for future book sales. Investing in editing is not as simple as hiring an editor, most editors specialize in one specific type of editing. Read our article on the 5 different types of editing services to understand what you are getting when you hire your editor.
4. Invest in your author website – If you don’t have an author website yet, you need to get one. If you have a website, when was the last time you refreshed it’s look and design? Website fashions come an go, keeping your site design fresh tells visitors that you are still “there” and they can expect fresh content if they come back often, or a response if they comment.
5. LEARN – Professional development for authors is never ending. More information exists about writing than one person can probably absorb in a lifetime. You can read books, sign up for classes, get a coach, go out with publishing professionals for lunch or an after work drink to make connections and build relationships, and attend author conferences and stay in contact with those you meet. Make a professional development budget for 2017 to improve your craft as well as your business skills.
What are your next moves? We’d love for you to share them with the Chanticleer Community of Authors!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
December 31, 2016
Spotlight on: Susan Conrad, CAC17 Speaker, Author & Graphic Designer

You wrote a book, you sent it out to some editors and agents…and it wasn’t accepted. Are you feeling like giving up? Are you wondering if its possible to do it all on your own? Do you need some inspiration and encouragement?

Meet Susan Conrad, someone who knows a little bit about persistence and going it alone after her 1,200-mile solo kayaking journey to Alaska, as well as how to get out and tour with her book in unique ways that reach today’s audiences.

And you can find her at the upcoming Chanticleer Author Conference—CAC17—March 31st to April 2nd where she will be teaching My Life as an Unconventional Book Tour and be around to talk about the many things she has learned and experienced.

As part of our spotlight series, we asked Susan our five questions to get her perspective on professional success.

1. When did you know what you really wanted to be?

Well… I’m 55 now and I’m still pondering what I’ll be when I grow up. When I was a little girl, my best friend and I had these reading contests to see who could read the most books in any given week. She always won, but I devoured every adventure book I could get my hands on: Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, The Hardy Boys, you name it! That same friend and I also had feverish letter-writing contests. That was back in the day when people actually wrote letters, with a spiral notebook and Bic pen! We’d even get out an old-fashioned envelope, lick a stamp, and send our ridiculously lengthy letters off with the mailman. I had such a confusing childhood that I don’t think I saw myself as growing up and being much of anything, but the magic of words—and the places they could transport me—definitely consoled me.

2. What was the biggest challenge you faced?

Not believing in myself.

3. How do you define success?

I’ve never embodied the traditional view of success: money, big job, material possessions, etc. When I’m doing what I love, when my heart zings, and I feel good about myself, when I feel I’ve connected with others and contributed to something bigger than myself, I feel I’ve been successful. It’s a personal thing.

4. How long did it take to achieve your success?

“Achieving success” is an ongoing process. It takes time, patience, and hard work to achieve our biggest dreams. Somedays it’s being successful at simply feeling content with where I’m at in life. Other days it’s not leaving my keys in the refrigerator. Will I feel I’ve achieved success when Ellen Degeneres calls me (move over Oprah)? Hell yeah!

5. What is the best advice you have ever received?

If you’re going through hell, keep going!

If you have not registered for CAC17 yet, what are you waiting for? Susan Conrad and more fantastic speakers (including yourself possibly, if you register before the schedule is full) will be sharing their experience and knowledge about writing books, selling books, and everything to do with being a successful author.

About Susan

Susan Conrad is an author, adventurer, and speaker who has paddled extensively throughout the Salish Sea—and beyond. On an early spring morning in 2010, Susan dipped her paddle into the water near Anacortes, WA and began a 1,200-mile solo journey of the sea and soul to Juneau, AK. Her debut memoir Inside: One Woman’s Journey Through the Inside Passage is the story resulting from that life-changing journey. (released May 2016)

Susan’s tenacious exploration by sea kayak has fueled her stories and images of the natural world for decades. Her articles and photographs have appeared in Sea Kayaker, Canoe and Kayak, Adventures Northwest, Figure magazines, and more. Wielding her graphic design skills, Susan is keen on helping other authors create visually-polished book proposals, media kits, cover designs, and websites.

Susan’s class:

My Life as an Unconventional Book Tour – Gone are the days where an author simply reads, opens the floor to Q&A, and then signs books. Your audience craves engagement, and you want them to leave with your book in their hands—and with vivid memories in their minds. Learn how to: find your audience, generate clever promotions and land the venues you want, organize and present a killer book tour and not go broke doing it, set the mood, engage and dazzle your audience, and more.

Check out all the classes and sessions we have scheduled!

Register for CAC17 NOW!

December 27, 2016
The CLUE Awards for Thriller/Suspense Novels 2016 – Official Finalist Listing
The CLUE Awards Writing Competition recognizes emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genres of Thriller and Suspense Novels. The CLUE Awards is a division of Chanticleer International Novel Writing Competitions.

More than $30,000.00 dollars worth of cash and prizes will be awarded to Chanticleer Book Reviews 2016 writing competition winners at the Chanticleer Authors Conference April 2, 2017!

The CLUE Awards FIRST IN CATEGORY sub-genres are:
- Suspense/Thriller
- Detective/Crime
- Private Eye/Noir
- Legal/Medical/Police Procedural
- Spy/Espionage
The following titles will compete for the Short List (Semi-Finalists) Positions.

This is the OFFICIAL FINALIST POSTING of Authors and Titles that have made it to the Finalist List of the CLUE 2016 Novel Writing Contest. Good luck to all as the works compete for the 2016 CLUE SHORT LIST!
- Craig Anderson – Grabbed and Gone
- Ken Baysinger – El Camino
- Phillip Buchanon – Sexual Departure
- Timothy Burgess – The Never-Ending Swell
- Pamela Crane – A Secondhand Life
- Elaine Williams Crockett – Do Not Assume
- Don Daglow – The Fog Seller
- Dermot Davis – Fatal Eclipse
- Denise Dearth – Blind Redemption
- Joshua Andrew Dickson – Canon
- Donna Dillon – Dreamcatcher Chronicles: Little Girl Lost
- Keith Dixon – The Innocent Dead
- Jack and Sue Drafahl – D.N.A.
- Gregg Dunnett – The Wave at Hanging Rock
- A.S.A. Durphy – The Thing Speaks for Itself
- Lonna Enox – Striking Blind
- Danielle Esplin – Give It Back
- Alan J. Field – The Chemist
- Zach Fortier – Baroota: The Hunting Ground
- Patrick M. Garry – The Illusion
- John Herman – My Father’s Son
- Clint Hollingsworth – The Sage Wind Blows Cold
- Tina Meggs Keller – Baptism by Fire
- Matt Kilby – The Road Cain Walks
- Christopher Leibig – The Black Rabbit
- Christopher Leibig – Almost Mortal
- Christopher Leibig – Montanamo
- Michael Byars Lewis – Veil of Deception
- Kara Lumbley – Never Alone
- LS Cahn – The Trus Game
- Ken Malovos – Fatal Reunion
- James Marshall Smith – Silent Source
- Kaylin McFarren – Banished Threads
- A.B. Michaels – Death Runs on Time
- A.B. Michaels – Sinner’s Grove
- A.B. Michaels – The Lair
- M. Ruth Myers – Maximum Moxie
- Toby Neal – Wired In
- Dana Ridenour – Behind The Mask
- Bjarne Rostaing – Epstein’s Pancake
- Janet Shawgo – Archidamus
- Ben A. Sharpton – 2nd Sight
- James G. Skinner – The Goa File
- Lee Strauss – Gingerbread Man (A Marlow & Sage Mystery – A Nursery Rhyme Suspense)
- E.V. Stephens – Accountable
- Cary Allen Stone – After the Evil: A Jake Roberts Novel, Book 1
- Susan Strecker – Nowhere Girl
- Luke Swanson – The Ten
- Keith Tittle – A Matter of Justice
- Lawrence Verigin – Seed of Control
- Timothy Vincent – Prince of the Blue Castles
- Jim Weber – Jehovah: A Novel
- P. K. Williams – Buried Beneath
- Manning Wolfe – Dollar Signs: Texas Lady Lawyer vs Boots King
- DM Wolfenden – Carly
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.

Congratulations to the Finalists in this fiercely competitive contest!

Good Luck to all of the CLUE Finalists as they compete for the coveted First Place Category positions.

First In Category announcements will be made in our social media postings as the results come in.

The CLUE Grand Prize Winner and the First Place Category winners will be announced and recognized at the April 2nd, 2017 Chanticleer Writing Contests Annual Awards Gala, which takes place on the last evening of the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in Bellingham, Wash. To be present when your name is called, register for the Chanticleer Author Conference.

We are now accepting submissions into the 2017 CLUE Awards writing competitions for Thriller, Suspense & Mystery Fiction. Please click here for more information or to enter the contests.
December 22, 2016
Spotlight on: Pamela Beason, CAC17 Speaker and 2014 Mystery & Mayhem Grand Prize Winner

You’ve written a book, or maybe you’re writing a series or two. Your mind is full of questions. What lies ahead? How do you sell more books? How do you decide between traditional and Indie publishing? Do you get an agent? How?

Wouldn’t it be nice to hear from someone who has been through all of it before?

Meet Pamela Beason, the multiple award-winning author of 4 fiction series, 9 novels, 2 non-fiction books…and still more to come. She’s been both Indie and Traditionally published. Her agent has sold her books internationally.

And you can find her at the upcoming Chanticleer Author Conference—CAC17—March 31st to April 2nd. She will be on hand to teach authors what she has learned from her years of successful publishing.

Pam will be talking on How to Pitch Your Story and Writing in Multiple Genres.

As part of our spotlight series, we asked Pam our five questions to get her perspective on professional success.

1. When did you know what you really wanted to be?

As a kid, I wanted to be something different every week–a spy, a wildlife photographer, an astronaut. My”what next?” attitude has pretty much continued into adulthood: I’ve worked as a translator, mechanical/architectural drafter, palynology technician, a teacher, technical writer, managing editor, and a private investigator. But through it all, I have always loved reading and writing, and all my experiences flow together beautifully in the world of mystery fiction. For now, I have definitely decided to be a professional author when I grow up.

2. What was the biggest challenge you faced?

Are you kidding? Did you read the list in my response to question #1? I had a different challenge every week. In my most recent careers, 1) private investigation and 2) author, the challenges have been 1) keeping an open mind and 2) finding ways to build an audience in a world where millions of new books appear every year.

3. How do you define success?

To me, success is feeling satisfied with your accomplishments and your life in general. So I’m always reaching for more success, but I’ve already had a lot so far.

4. How long did it take to achieve your success?

I achieve success every year in some way. I learn what works for me, and what doesn’t. The audience for my books is growing, which means sales are growing, but it took years to get to where I am today, even though (or perhaps because) I was traditionally published in the beginning. Being a professional author is a long-term process and you can’t ever stop learning or producing.

5. What is the best advice you have ever received?

I don’t know that I’d call it advice, but the statement that has most influenced my life was one I got in a Philosophy and Ethics class in college. The professor said, “You always have a choice.” Sometimes the choice is between options you don’t particularly want, and often the choice is to take a risk or do nothing and maintain the status quo, but you always have a choice. My own advice to others is usually “Be fearless.”

If you have not registered for CAC17 yet, what are you waiting for? Pamela Beason and more fantastic speakers (including yourself possibly, if you register before the schedule is full) will be sharing their experience and knowledge about writing books, selling books, and everything to do with being a successful author.

About Pam

Pamela Beason is the author of nine full-length fiction works; The Only Witness and The Only Clue in the Neema Mysteries, romantic suspense novels Shaken and Call of the Jaguar, and Endangered, Bear Bait, and Undercurrents in the Summer Westin mystery series, published by Penguin/Berkley. She has most recently self-published the first of her YA series, Race with Danger. Pamela also wrote the nonfiction ebooks: SAVE Your Money, Your Sanity, as well as Our Planet and So You Want to Be a PI? Pam has been awarded the Daphne du Maurier Award and both First Place and Grand Prize in the Chanticleer Novel Competition. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she writes novels and screenplays and works as a private investigator.

Her latest book Race to Truth is part of the award-winning Run For Your Life Young Adult Mystery Series.

Pam’s classes:

How to Pitch your Story – As an author, you need to learn how to pitch your stories, both in person and in query letters. Writing a pitch really helps you to focus on your story line, not on all the little details. When asked, “What’s your book about?”, the worst thing you can do is go on and on about plot events in your story.

Writing in Multiple Genres – Join authors Pamela Beason (YA, mystery, romantic suspense and non-fiction), and Susan Colleen Browne (women’s fiction, short stories, MG and memoir) to look at the ins and outs of writing in different genres. Pamela and Susan will discuss story development, juggling different writing projects, and how genre influences their marketing approaches. They’ll also share what they’ve learned in their multi-tasking writing lives!

Check out all the classes and sessions we have scheduled!

Register for CAC17 NOW!

December 20, 2016
Gift Ideas for Writers from Chanticleer Reviews (and a special holiday discount!)
It’s that time of year, the annual dilemma of what gift to get your favorite author…or the annual dilemma of how to suggest to your family and friends what author-ly gifts you really want this year. Or maybe you are looking for something special to gift yourself this year? We are gonna make it easy–if you are the gifter then use this post as your guide, if you are the giftee, forward this post on to your family and friends as a not-so-subtle hint.

Of course, the old stand by is a notebook and pen, but anyone whose been a writer for any length of time probably has a secret horde of pens and notebooks and other stationary fetishes, and may have had too call a moratorium on the acquisition of more writing implements. Once that happens, it is important to start getting creative. Though, let’s face it–creativity is a key component for giving a gift to a person whose whole life revolves around creativity!

There are so many articles out there already–we really should start with a few of these great resources:
And now we are adding to the already abundant repertoire on the subject (plus throwing in a few bonuses as our gift to gift givers!)

1. An editorial book review

Do you know an author who has published a book or will be publishing a book within the next year? One of the best tools for boosting the success of a book is having an honest and objective editorial book review (what is an editorial book review?). If the book is not published yet, quotes from an editorial review can be used for cover blurbs, and once the book is published it will lend a great deal of legitimacy that can help readers make the decision to buy the book. It is also an expense that, after paying for editing, cover design, printing, etc. an author may have a difficult time fitting into their budget. If the author in your life has a hard time buying it for themselves, why not buy it for them? (some of these gifts require uploading manuscripts, so if you don’t have access to that check out the gift cards in #6).

2. A manuscript overview

Is your favorite writer struggling with the first draft of their novel, or do they need a fresh set of professional eyes? A manuscript overview is one of the first steps of the editing process that publishing houses will use to make sure that the overall story and structure is sound. It’s an evaluation to give the author a sense of where they are strong and where they need work in their story, giving them a guide for how to tackle editing the book. It’s a step indie authors sometimes miss out on. Help out the author in your life by gifting them a manuscript overview.

3. A Book Award

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just give a book award to the author in your life? Well, it doesn’t work that way, but we have the next best thing–a contest entry! It’s also a good low budget option if you started reading this article thinking of just buying a pen and some paper, and the prices on the first two options were way out of your league. Our Chanticleer International Writing Contests and Book Awards come with all kinds of goodies for winners, including a free review, a blue ribbon, digital badges, and even cash for the grand prize winners. The odds are better than a scratch and win ticket if the book is well written and well edited! Why not do something nice for the author in your life and enter their book into our writing competitions!

4. An Author Conference

The Chanticleer Author Conference is an exceptional gift idea for the author in your life. And it’s not your typical authors conference. This is the one for the author who knows everything there is to know about writing craft and now just needs to know how to sell their darned book. We teach actual business skills necessary for any author looking to build an audience and boost their success. And if they won one of our book awards, a ticket to our Awards Gala to walk up to the podium and accept their award is part of the conference package! Buy the author in your life some extra business skills with a ticket to the Chanticleer Authors Conference.

Special Bonus Gift!

Now through midnight on December 31, 2016, we are offering $50 off the current Early Bird rate for the Chanticleer Author Conference for a limited time.

Purchase your conference package with the code 50CAC1716 before December 31st.

5. Promotional Stickers Stocking Stuffers

If the author in your life already has an award or a book review from Chanticleer stuff their stocking with a new pack of “Award Winner” stickers to put on their books. Every little thing to make their book stand out on the bookstore shelf will increase book sales. We conveniently have an entire line up of stickers for every type of winner and reviewed book. Put your sticker order in soon! (sorry it might not get there in time for Christmas at this point…but just don’t put the stockings away when you take down the decorations…)

6. Gift Cards from Chanticleer Reviews!

A brand new feature that people have been asking for and we have finally created. Chanticleer Reviews now has gift cards! Order them for the author in your life today! Send us an email with the subject “Purchase a Chnticleer Gift Card” to chanticleer@chantireviews.com.

Thanks for checking out our holiday gift ideas! We love helping authors boost their success. If you are thinking of buying one of these items for the author in your life and need help deciding. Please send us an email with the subject “Help me buy the perfect gift from Chanticleer!” to chanticleer@chantireviews.com.
December 20, 2016
Spotlight on: Sara Dahmen, CAC17 Speaker and 2015 Laramie Grand Prize Winner

You wrote a book. You published it. Congratulations, you are now heading up your own business. Even if you are traditionally published, so much of being an author is all about having good business skills, but so few treat their author career like a business. Time to be serious authors and learn how to be an authorpreneur.

Meet Sara Dahmen, who is both an author and an owner & designer at Housekeeper Crockery (plus a blacksmith which is really really cool!). She knows what business skills need to be applied to a successful author career.

And you can find her at the upcoming Chanticleer Author Conference—CAC17—March 31st to April 2nd. She will be on hand to teach authors how to treat publishing like a business–and other topics (check out her bio below, she’s been a radio and TV producer, event planner and more–maybe we should just call her Wonder Woman).

If you need to learn more about being an authorpreneur be sure to attend Bigger Than Books: Business Growth Applied to Authorship & Beyond.

As part of our spotlight series, we asked Sara our five questions to get her perspective on professional success.

1. When did you know what you really wanted to be?

As a Gemini (can I use that excuse?) I feel I’ve had multiple professional lives and enjoyed most of them. As an event planner, I did it because I was good at it and enjoyed the design and the puzzle of producing. As a metalsmith, the challenges are constant and exciting and unique and the learning curve is huge, which I enjoy. As a writer, which I feel has been a part of my identity since middle school, I know it’s my blood, so I feel it was never a choice – I’ve always known I needed to write. The stories burn, and must be told to satisfy my spirit. Whether people read and like them…that’s gravy.

2. What was the biggest challenge you faced?

I have always faced multiple issues. Horrific bosses, people who purposefully didn’t want to give opportunity “just because” no matter how hard one works…or fighting against a mentality and culture (as an event and wedding planner). As a metalsmith? The WHOLE THING IS PECKING HARD! Building up an American cookware business from scratch is ridiculous. As a writer, it’s fighting time (I never have enough) and the work of doing the promotion. It’s a tough game, so one has to enjoy enough of it to keep going.

3. How do you define success?

Being happy over 50% of every day. No matter what is going on. As a writer, I think success is knowing in your gut that you’ve finished a good book. It is a huge bonus if it wins awards and people like it, because, let’s face it, that’s vindicating and wonderful. But finishing a GOOD book, one that you are insanely proud of (and not constantly fixing and nitpicking)…that’s happiness and success together.

4. How long did it take to achieve your success?

It’s ongoing, obviously. But, for the sake of time, let’s say I started writing when I was in 4th grade. So, I was…9ish. So well over 20 years of working at writing bit by bit to feel good here and now.

5. What is the best advice you have ever received?

To always know the answer to the question “Who are you?” Everything good comes from that place of knowledge, comfort, and self-security. Goodness and happiness generally follow, or even if it doesn’t, you’ve the self-possession enough to handle it.

If you have not registered for CAC17 yet, what are you waiting for? Sara Dahmen and more fantastic speakers (including yourself possibly, if you register before the schedule is full) will be sharing their experience and knowledge about writing books, selling books, and everything to do with being a successful author.

About Sara

Sara Dahmen is a metalsmith of vintage and modern kitchenware in tin, copper and iron. Her debut novel, Doctor Kinney’s Housekeeper, won the Laramie Award Grand Prize for Western Historical Fiction, and inspired House Copper & Housekeeper Crockery – American-made cookware. She has published over 100 articles as a contributing editor for multiple magazines, book blogs and review blogs and spoke at TEDx Rapid City, at the Historical Writers of America inaugural conference in Williamsburg VA, and has co-chaired the Port Washington Literary Festival since its inception. Prior to her writing gigs, Sara was a print, radio and TV producer in Milwaukee and owns and has operated a nationally award-winning event planning company since 2006. When not writing or sewing authentic clothing for reenactments, she can be found hitting tin and copper at her apprenticeship with a master smith, reading the Economist and reference books, or playing with her three young children.

Her book Doctor Kinney’s Housekeeper was last year’s Laramie Grand Prize winner in the Chanticleer book awards and writing competitions. She will be presenting this year’s Laramie awards to their new recipients.

Sara’s class:

Bigger Than Books: Business Growth Applied to Authorship & Beyond – What more does it take to be a successful author? Whether you’re represented or self-published or somewhere in between, using overarching business tools are a huge assistance in building success. How can the tools commonly manipulated by marketers, large and small companies, and retailers help you create a successful ‘business plan’ as an author? From multi-pronged approaches, to developing a tiered ‘clientele’, to organization and presence, business is business, whether you’re an author or the manager of Apple. Use those same tools to create yours.

Check out all the classes and sessions we have scheduled!

Register for CAC17 NOW!

December 14, 2016
How to Add Your Chanticleer Editorial Review to Amazon
Yay! You received your Chanticleer book review and it filled you with pride to see all the glowing things the reviewer had to say…now what? A few things are obvious. Quote it on your book cover, your website, social media, marketing materials, etc.

One of the most important things to do with your review is adding it to the “Editorial Reviews” section of your book on Amazon Author central.

It’s also one of the most often missed opportunities among authors.

Some authors are intimidated by Author Central, but it’s a very easy system to use, and we are going to show you exactly what to do. (If you are already comfortable with Amazon Central, skip the next section and scroll down to the Quick List of Steps for Adding Your Editorial Review to Amazon)

Meet Author Central

This is a screenshot of the welcome page when you visit authorcentral.amazon.com and log in with your Amazon username and password. In this one little square of webpage real estate you have, at your fingertips, everything you will need to manage your books: keep your author profile up to date, add and edit book information, check on your sales–even access Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), CreateSpace, and the Audio Creation Exchange (ACX) to manage your books if you are self published.

The important thing to note is this extra place to add and edit your book. Most people know about KDP and how to upload and edit books. But after you have added your book to KDP, you also have to “add it” on Amazon Central.

To do that click on “Books” in the menu options (as seen in the image above). On the next page you will see this:

And if you have already added books you will also see a list of your own books. If you have a publisher actively involved in updating the Amazon information for your book, you may want to discuss your using Amazon Central with them first, because changes to sections here may prevent them from making future changes to those particular sections in their own access panel for your book.

To add a book, click the button and search for it by author or title, if it’s available on Amazon, you will find it quickly (if it’s not available on Amazon then you still need to add it to KDP and/or CreateSpace–and that is another article entirely).

When your book is listed on the “Books” page of your Author Central you can click the title and access its details. In “Editorial Reviews” you will find all kinds of goodies to play with!

You will see something like this:

This Review slot is what we are after. You can also add things in the other slots if they are needed, but keep in mind these are the bits that your publisher won’t be able to edit anymore if you change them. (Also you won’t be able to change them over on the KDP side either, so you will always have to come back here to make your changes).

When you click the “add” button next to Review, a window will pop up to enter the text as well as a detailed set of instructions from Amazon on how format your reviews and their guidelines.

Choose a good quote from your Chanticleer review, a couple sentences, without too many “…” between snippets (you don’t want it to look pasted together like a ransom letter). Remember less is more. Use words that convey excitement and opinion about your book. Don’t waste your quote on plot description, that’s what your synopsis is for.

For example: “A riveting adventure…” — Chanticleer Reviews

Once you’re happy with it, hit preview and save. That’s it. It couldn’t be simpler.

Quick List of Steps for Adding Your Editorial Review to Amazon
1. Log in to author central
2. Go to your Books Page
3. Click on the title of the book you want to edit
4. Under Editorial Reviews, click “add” review
5. Enter an exciting snippet from your review that clearly shows the reviewers opinion about your book and attribute it the Chanticleer Reviews (e.g. – “A riveting adventure…” — Chanticleer Reviews)
By adding your review you are taking advantage of the authority and reputation that a Chanticleer Review brings with it. You’re showing people that your book was vetted by a respected source within the publishing community. Remember your editorial review is one of the single most valuable tools available to you in persuading readers to take a chance and buy your book. If you don’t use it, you are missing book sales.
December 9, 2016
Spotlight on: Kathy L. Murphy, Book Club Queen and Special Guest at the 2017 Chanticleer Authors Conference

For authors, having your book chosen by a book club is one of those exciting author career highlights. A couple of book clubs is even better. But what about 700?

Meet Kathy L. Murphy, founder of the Pulpwood Queens book club with 700+ chapters in the US and 15 countries around the world. If your book is chosen for the Pulpwood Queens Book Club Selections by Kathy, then your book could be ordered and read by all the members of those 700+ chapters.

And you can find her at the upcoming Chanticleer Author Conference—CAC17—March 31st to April 2nd. She will be on hand to teach the ins and outs of book clubs and perhaps choose a few new books for her book club selection list.

If book clubs are on your marketing radar be sure to attend Everything you need to know to get your book discovered in a really big way: It’s all about Book Clubs and Social Media.

As part of our spotlight series, we asked Kathy our five questions to get her perspective on professional success.

1. When did you know what you really wanted to be?

I have always wanted to do many things. First, when I graduated from high school I did not know what I wanted to be so I decided I would become an airline stewardess. I figured I could travel then figure it out.

Wrong, my counselor at school and parents decided I would become a teacher and go to college.

I wanted to major in art, but no, that was not a choice. So I went for two years and secretly changed my major. Then I was told I would have to find my own way to fund my education as my sisters were going to be starting college soon. So, I took a year off to become a cosmetologist as I knew then I could work as hairdresser to put myself through school. \I would scrape up some money and go, then when it would run out, I would have to drop out to work for awhile.

Fast forward to now, I am finally going back to school to finish my B.F.A in Art and Mixed Media but basically I have always been in survival mode on jobs including running probably one of the only hair salon/bookstores in the country, Beauty and the Book. I have been in my life a babysitter, lifeguard, bar maid, cook, waitress, hairdresser, au pair, bed and breakfast owner, bookseller, children’s bookstore manager, publisher’s sales representative, hair salon/book store owner, author, book club founder and moderator, college student, speaker, retail sales clerk, and soon to receive my degree in art–educating myself and reading have always been the utmost of my priorities.

It took me awhile but to the question “what did I really want to do professionally?”–the answer is everything.

2. What was the biggest challenge you faced?

Finances, I have been on the edge of poverty my whole life, but the answer has always been, get another job. Right now I have three, I own and operate Beauty and the Book, run The Pulpwood Queens Book Club and their convention, Girlfriend Weekend, work at Cato’s Fashions, all while being a full time college student. Perhaps four jobs if you count speaking engagements…

3. How do you define success?

Success to me is not about money, obviously, it’s hand to mouth most of the time. I work hard for my money. Success is when you have a little girl tell you that when they grow up, they want to be just like you. The story is in my book.

4. How long did it take to achieve your success?

Honestly, still working on it but when I look back and see my all accomplishments, even I am impressed. Started a book club with six relative strangers that grew to 700 chapters nationwide and in 15 foreign countries? I have been featured on Oprah’s OXYGEN NETWORK, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and in print, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, published a book, “The Pulpwood Queens’ Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life” with one of the top five New York publishing houses, Grand Central Publishing and sold my option for book to film to Dreamworks. But my greatest success is my two daughters, Helaina Amethyst Wilkerson and Madeleine Alexandrite Patrick. Two strong young women with big dreams, they are my biggest success.

5. What is the best advice you have ever received?

The best advice I ever learned is do the work. I earned everything I have ever accomplished and I take great satisfaction in that fact. I am not allergic to work, I revel in starting a job and finishing it well. But I have to also say, do the work that you love and it never really seems like work. My work and play are the same thing. Everything I do revolves around doing the work, it’s just that simple.

If you have not registered for CAC17 yet, what are you waiting for? Kathy L. Murphy and more fantastic speakers (including yourself possibly, if you register before the schedule is full) will be sharing their experience and knowledge about writing books, selling books, and everything to do with being a successful author.

About Kathy

Former book purchaser for Barron’sBooks, Kathy L. Murphy is the author of “The Pulpwood Queens’ Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life.” She opened the only hair Salon/Bookstore, Beauty & the Book in the country in Jefferson, Texas. She is the founder and operator of the 700+ chapter book club, The Pulpwood Queen and Timber Guys, nationally and in 15 foreign countries making it the largest “meeting and discussing” book club in the world. Featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Good Morning America. Recipient of The James Patterson Pageturner Award in 2007 for an individual going beyond the call for promoting literacy.

Attend the Exciting GIRLFRIEND WEEKEND hosted by Kathy L. Murphy

This year’s Annual Pulpwood Queen Book Club Convention will be held in Nacogdoches, Texas January 12th – 15th, 2017. The biggest meeting of authors and readers of its kind. Featuring their notorious author dinner–where the authors from the book club selections serve the readers dinner! And a weekend full of panels and fun.

Register soon because tickets will probably sell out! Make sure to purchase your membership before your tickets to the Girlfriend Weekend so that you get the discount. Tickets are non-refundable.

Kathy’s classes:

Everything you need to know to get your book discovered in a really big way: It’s all about Book Clubs and Social Media – Getting readers one at a time can be a long and grueling process. Book clubs are little groups of readers who read books as a single entity. Learn how to super charge your promotion by leveraging book clubs and discover how and where to source the best clubs and how to make the most of each and every book club appearance!

Check out all the classes and sessions we have scheduled!

Register for CAC17 NOW!

December 7, 2016
The Chatelaine Book Awards for Romantic Fiction 2016 Official Finalists Listing
The CHATELAINE Writing Competition Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genres of Romantic Fiction and Women’s Fiction. The Chatelaine Awards is a division of Chanticleer International Novel Writing Competitions.

More than $30,000.00 dollars worth of cash and prizes will be awarded to Chanticleer Book Reviews 2016 writing competition winners at the Chanticleer Authors Conference April 1, 2017!

The Chatelaine Awards FIRST IN CATEGORY sub-genres are:
- Contemporary Romance
- Historical Romance
- Adventure & Suspense
- Romantic Steamy/Sensual (Not Erotic)
- Inspirational/Restorative
The following titles will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. The Semi-Finalists will compete FIRST IN CATEGORY Positions and Book Awards Packages.

This is the OFFICIAL FINALIST POSTING of the 2016 CHATELAINE Novel Writing Competition & Book Awards.
- M A Clarke Scott – The Art of Enchantment
- Darby Karchut – Stone’s Heart
- Sabra Brown Steinsiek – ‘Til the End of Time #4
- B. K. Smith – Sands Point: Memoirs of a Money Trader
- La Kayshal – The Lost Crown
- Nicola Italia – Love in the Valley of the Kings
- Linda Patrick – Angels Unawares
- Vicki Volden – Both
- Judah Knight – The Long Way Home
- M A Clarke Scott – Reconcilable Differences
- Kate Vale – Where This Goes
- F. E. Greene – The Never List (Love Across Londons)
- Elise K. Ackers – One For the Road
- Lucy Carol – Stiff Competition
- Karen Fitzpatrick – After the Rain
- Mike Hartner – I, James
- Diana Forbes – Mistress Suffragette
- Rebecca Lochlann – The Sixth Labyrinth
- Blanche Mathes – Dead Wrong
- Kathrin Murphy – Gentlemen, Gigolos & Gelato
- Nicole Evelina – Been Searching for You
- Mira West – Sacrificial Sins
- Lucinda Brant – Dair Devil: A Georgian Historical Romance #2
- Toby Neal – Somewhere in St. Thomas #2
- Candace Sams – Galactic Hearts
- Laura W. Chance – To Cornwall, with Love
- Kate James – When the Right One Comes Along #2
- Nate Gagon – Breaking Dad
- Kate James – When I Found You (K-9 Trilogy)
- P. A. Estelle – Hannah: Bride of Iowa
- Kate James – A Child’s Christmas
- Kate James – The Truth About Hope
- Kate James – When Love Matters Most
- Ashlinn Craven – Building Mr. Darcy
- Jayne Castel – The Breaking Dawn
- Nina Romano – In America
- Gail Avery Halverson – The Boundary Stone
- Dorothy Wiley – The Beauty of Love
- Susan Boles – Fated Love
- K.L. Kreig – Luke’s Absolution
- P.A. Estelle – Hannah: Bride of Iowa
- Regan Walker – The Refuge: An Inspirational Novel of Scotland
- Kate James – The Truth About Hope
- Kate James – When Love Matters Most
- Phillip Buchanon – Icing on Your Fingertips
- Gillian Galbraith – Kismba
- Mysty McPartland – The Laird’s Kidnapped Bride
- Candace Sams – Galactic Hearts
- Kate James – A Child’s Christmas
- Gillian M. Mercurio –Kisimba
This list is INCOMPLETE as of January 24, 2017. Please check back often until we post that all the results are in.

IF your name is on this list, please follow us on Twitter (@ChantiReviews) and LIKE and Comment on our Facebook page so that we can tag you in our announcements.

https://www.facebook.com/chantireviews/

This list is the Official Posting of the 2016 Chatelaine Finalists. We will begin announcing the 2016 Chatelaine First Place Category Winners in 2017. Good luck to all in one of our most competitive novel competitions!
The Chatelaine Finalists will compete for the Chatelaine Awards First In Category Positions, which consists of Four Judging Rounds. First Place Category Book Award winners will automatically be entered into the Chatelaine GRAND PRIZE AWARD competition, which has a cash prize of $200 or $500 dollars in editorial services. The CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CBR Overall Grand Prize for Best Book and its $1,000 purse.
- All First In Category Award Winners will receive high visibility along with special badges to wear during the Chanticleer Authors Conference 2017 and Awards Gala. Register now for CAC17 to be there when your name is called!
- First In Category winners will compete for the Chatelaine Awards Grand Prize Award for the $200 purse and the Chanticleer Grand Prize Ribbon and badges.
- FOURTEEN genre Grand Prize winning titles will compete for the $1,000 purse for CBR Best Book and Overall Grand Prize.
- A coveted Chanticleer Book Review valued at $345 dollars U.S. CBR reviews will be published in the Chanticleer Reviews magazine in chronological order as to posting.
- A CBR Blue Ribbon to use in promotion at book signings and book festivals
- Digital book award stickers for on-line promotion
- Adhesive book stickers
- Shelf-talkers and other promotional items
- Promotion in print and on-line media
- Review of book distributed to on-line sites and printed media publications
- Review, cover art, and author synopsis listed in CBR’s newsletter
- Default First in Category winners will not be declared. Contests are based on merit and writing craft in all of the Chanticleer Writing Competitions.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.

Congratulations to the Finalists in this fiercely competitive contest!
Good Luck to all of the Chatelaine Finalists as they compete for the coveted First Place Category positions.

First In Category announcements will be made in our social media postings as the results come in.

If your name is on this list, be sure to check out: 7 Things to do if you are a finalist or winner in the Chanticleer International Writing Competitions on our Winner Circle page.

The Chatelaine Grand Prize Winner will be announced at the April 1, 2017 Chanticleer Writing Contests Annual Awards Gala, which takes place on the last evening of the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in Bellingham, Wash. Register now for CAC17 to be there when your name is called and accept your blue ribbon on our stage.

We are now accepting submissions into the 2017 Chatelaine Awards writing competitions for Romantic Fiction. Enter the 2017 Chatelaine Awards Today!
December 2, 2016