Summertime and everyone is…busy! There have been a lot of writing-related
activities going on. Time for my latest thoughts on writing, my work in
progress, events, podcasts and more.
There’s also a different take on an interview and some music to keep
things going.
Ready? Let’s roll!
Writing
When I first started seriously writing, the idea of promoting
and marketing my books never crossed my mind. Sure, I pictured myself at the
local bookstores, with people lined up to get a signed copy, maybe listening to
me read a scene or two. But I had no idea how to make that happen.
Flash forwards a few years and now, having
written eight books, promoting has become second nature. I’m not claiming
expert status or anything like that. But I’ve discovered several different
methods to attract some interest in my novels.
One of my favorites is the art
festivals, where I pitch my tent, set up my display and chat with people as
they are walking by. Sometimes, you get a pleasant surprise. At one of the events last month, a young
couple was slowly passing my table when the woman stopped in her tracks.
“Jefferson Chene! Like the
intersection?” she asked.
Obviously, she was a fellow
Detroiter. I nodded and we got to talking
about our own experiences in Motown.
Turns out, she lived within a mile of the family home where I grew up
in. Small world. When I explained
Chene’s backstory, she immediately grabbed all three books and was eager to
start reading them.
Over the last year, I’ve also been
doing several podcasts that are focused on authors. A link to each one is
listed on the sidebar for the blog. This
is a great way to reach a wider audience.
Some of these podcasts have listeners around the globe.
I keep looking for new and different
ways to connect with more readers, outside of traditional marketing. You never
can tell which method may have the greatest impact, so I keep trying.
Work In Progress
In less than a week, “Chasing Favors”
will be released. I’ve had some great
feedback from a few readers who got their hands on advanced copies, which
always makes me smile. But before the
book is officially available, I’m having a party. Everyone is invited!
It’s a Virtual Launch Party. Diana, my very good friend who, among a
multitude of other duties, hosts the Indie Reads Aloud podcast
series, persuaded me to give this a shot. She will be hosting the event.
What’s it going to entail? Well, from the comfort of your own home, you
can dial in to the Zoom broadcast. I’ll
be reading several scenes from the book and answering questions from the
audience. Anyone can register. The more people who attend, the more prizes
I’ll give away. The grand prize will be one autographed print copy of “Chasing
Favors”.
So you can be poolside, with a
margarita in hand, or lounging in your pjs with a glass of wine or a cup of
cocoa. Whatever works for you. Registration in advance of your attendance
gets your name on the prize wheel. You
never know what you might win!
Meanwhile, my latest project is still
demanding my attention. Whenever I have an hour or so, that story calls to
me. I’ve been able to add a few new
scenes and expand on others. While the
progress is slower than I’d like, it reminds me of the favorite maxim from an
old mentor. ‘There are times when all anyone can expect is that you do the best
you can with what you have to work with, right now’.
I keep that in mind.
Podcast
Earlier this month I was invited to
speak on the Linderson Creations “Dear Writer” podcast. This series delves into more background and
the journeys authors have taken to get their work published. Many thanks to Ashley and Sarah for the
opportunity to speak with you. Here’s a
link to that episode.
https://open.spotify.com/show/2JfOo6e8YjLjXeCVA58Ek4?si=cbVJWgFqSle1xy3AM4rgUg&nd=1
Interview
More than once I’ve had a reader tell
me how much they enjoy certain characters from my books. Since these are all
people created from my imagination, I always strive to make each one unique,
with their own traits and quirks.
Leo Agonasti gets the spotlight in the
new book. This is a result of comments I
received after his appearance in both “Your Turn to Die” and “The Wayward
Path”. Readers wanted to know more about
this smooth operator. Inspiration has
yet to strike me with a title for this one, but it’s sure to arrive at some
point.
Instead of a mystery, this novel is
more of a thriller or a crime novel. It will be set in the early 1990s, with a
few flashbacks to the early 1970s, when Leo first begins working in organized
crime.
This month’s interview is with Leo
Agonasti. Here’s a picture of what he might look like.
Welcome,
Mr. Agonasti.
There’s no
need for such formalities. Please, call me Leo.
That
sounds good. Can you tell us a little about your background?
I was born
and raised in Dearborn, just a little west of Detroit. Mine was a blue-collar
family. I did well in high school. A local businessman recognized my aptitude
for a few subjects and offered me a scholarship to continue my education. I graduated, worked for a few years with an
investment firm, then started my own business.
Isn’t
this ‘local businessman’ you mention a gangster?
Romeo
Giacalone has family members that are involved in organized crime. He’s a
businessman.
Understood.
Are you familiar with Detroit’s long reputation with gangsters?
(Smiles) I’m
a bit of a history buff. As such, I’m well aware of some of the violent times
and activities that stem from the early days of the twentieth century. Detroit
can be a dangerous city. But that’s not unlike many metropolitan areas
throughout the country.
You’re a
successful businessman. Tell us a little
about that.
My company
offers financial advice to people. But we take a little different approach from
the traditional operations, where the focus is on stocks and bonds. While we do offer recommendations in those
matters, we also encourage investors to consider partnering with entrepreneurs
to fund their business’s growth and expansion.
Sounds interesting.
Is this popular?
Yes, and it
has been well received. My financial advisors and I do a thorough review of the
entrepreneur’s business plans before we ever consider recommending the
opportunity to potential investors.
Tell us
about your relationship with Maximo Aurelio:
(laughs) Max
and I grew up together. We’ve always been close. He’s an honorary uncle to my
two daughters and he thoroughly spoils them rotten. Max is my best friend.
Any
concerns about the actions he’s been accused of?
How Max
spends his time is of no concern to me. And he has never been convicted of any
criminal activity.
How do
you react to comments that you and your business may be linked to organized
crime?
I am a
successful businessman. My company has received accolades from several
community organizations that we support. Through the efforts of myself and my
associates, we have helped a great many entrepreneurs achieve their goals and
objectives, by pairing them with people who have the funds available to make those
dreams come true. Sadly, there are some people in the world who are jealous of this
enterprise and as such, make unfounded accusations. These comments are unworthy
of further speculation.
Thank you
for your time, Leo.
It has been
a pleasure speaking with you.
Music
Sinatra!
Frank
Sinatra performed for sixty years. He got his start working with big bands like
Tommy Dorsey and Harry James. Many consider him to be one of the iconic singers
of the 20th Century.
In addition
to his singing career, Sinatra also did a fair amount of acting. He starred in
a number of hit movies, including the original Ocean’s Eleven. Sinatra was
popular on a number of television shows as well.
My top five
favorites.
Fly Me to
the Moon: https://youtu.be/ZEcqHA7dbwM
One for My
Baby: https://youtu.be/hkwdkUXQ1yo
The Way You
Look Tonight: https://youtu.be/TgrvCb778kk
Come Fly
with Me: https://youtu.be/SLC5AGGHLz0
Under My
Skin: https://youtu.be/C1AHec7sfZ8
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