Mentor Book Club - The Faithful

It's been a frightful while since I've been here on the blog. I've missed it. I think Facebook has taken over for some bloggers, including me. You can find me on Facebook every day. Both on my personal page and book page.

Personal page: https://www.facebook.com/pam.cable.5
Book page: https://wwwfacebook.com/southernfriedwomen

But I've been blogging since 2005 and I don't think I'm ready to give it up entirely. Facebook does not fulfill a writer's need of expression. So I'm giving my blog another chance, even though I'm not sure how many of us are faithful at reading blogs every day. I know I'm not. I do good to keep my own online.

My life is filled with many distractions at the moment. The biggest being yet one more edit on The Sanctum. I started writing this second novel over five years ago, and I think God is trying to teach me the virtue of patience, no matter how hard my head tends to be.

Even with all this work, including my frustration with the publishing industry, I'm hoping to sign with a great editor and publishing company in the very near future who will take my work to new levels. Someone I can work with a long time, believes in me, and loves what I write. The good news is that I really like my new Literary Agent. Sarah Joy Freese with WordServe. I did not anticipate such a nice working relationship, but shocker, it's been great.

In the meantime, below are a few pictures of a recent visit to the Mentor Book Club, near Cleveland, Ohio. What a hoot! One of the best book clubs I've ever come across, these ladies have read more than 98 books since they started the club! My novel, Televenge, was their March pick. I wasn't surprised by their questions, and there were A LOT of them. Wonderful, beautiful ladies who I hope will have me back with The Sanctum is published. Thank you all, for your faithfulness.

On The Road Again ...

Mile by mile, the earth turns gently. It rushes up, then moves away. I’m conscious of its pitch and roll in my stomach, traveling the rising hills and pushing against the horizon. For a little while at least, I empty everything out of my head but what’s on the road ahead of me. Unhappiness that once pumped through my hollowed-out heart is surrendered to the freedom and relief of this time and this place in my life. Knowing the slow climb of Televenge is like our trek up the mountain.

 

Definite. Clear. Forward.

 

The Televenge book tour marches on ... there are tunes in the CD player, my white knight drives the van full of books, and our faithful pup, Scout, keeps watch in the back ...

 

Life is good.

 

Blessings to you and yours.

What's The Highlight Of The Week, Pray Tell?

Sometimes I don't know if I'm comin' or goin' ... the days fly by and every once in a while I get a glimpse of where I want to be ... Today, Charlene Wilson honored me by her interview. It's the featured Highlight of the Week. http://highlightedauthor.com/2013/01/welcome-pamela-king-cable/  Charlene's book blog is a thing of beauty (in this writer's opinion) and it made me take a look back at just how far I've traveled on this journey. Where I've come from ... where I'm going ...

I've traveled thousands of miles ... navigated many cities and hundreds of small towns ...

from coast to coast ...

I've stood on every type of landscape, spoken to well over 200 groups in every type of venue, been on TV and radio, and have had my picture taken with some well-known authors, agents, and editors.

 

But one thing never ceases to astound me. One thing stands out in my mind as the crux of real achievement. Something no writer can do without. It is the one thing critical to a writer's success. I've discovered it takes more than the natural talent of a great storyteller. It takes more than knowing your craft like you know your name. It's not about how many writing conferences you rack up in a year, or the prestigious contacts you've made. It has nothing to do with social media, or landing an agent, or a book contract. Degrees, awards, accolades, and TV interviews ... none of it means a thing, without this one thing. One vital attribute. Humility.

  

I've always said a writer can live without a lot of things. Courage isn't one of them. Humility, my friend, is the other.

 

There's nothing wrong with taking pride in your work. But you've got to look back. See how far you've come, in order to know where you're going. Without a humble spirit, you can't help others. You can't pay it forward, and you've got to pay it forward. Kindness, a gentle spirit, and the ability to be truly thankful each and every time someone puts you and your work on their blog, web site, and facebook page. Every time somebody mentions you, or says something kind or good about your work it's not always possible to thank them all, but in your heart you better offer up a word of thanks. You must. He knows the intent of our hearts, He knows. And I have to believe it's the secret to success.

 

Without humility you won't stay on top long. You won't even see the top that few have seen.  You'll ride a wave, but it'll take you out to sea and drop you into a cold ocean, instead of setting your feet firmly on a golden shore.

 

So for me, this week ... the Highlight of the Week http://highlightedauthor.com/2013/01/welcome-pamela-king-cable/ is an honor, but it's also a humbling experience. Any success I experience is due to the hundreds of folks who have cheered me on and the thousands of readers who have taken a chance and bought the book. For that, I'm eternally grateful. And forever ... humbled.

 

Blessings to you and yours.

Why It's Hard For An Author To Give An Honest Book Review

 



I don't give book reviews unless it's a four or five-star review. I don't even like to give four-star reviews. For obvious reasons.

As an author myself, to give anything less than a great review is ludicrous. I mean, who the hell do I think I am?  ...

But c'mon ... writers are constantly reading. When we aren't writing, we're reading. And lately, I've read some pretty awful stuff. But can I say what? Of course not. I'm not that stupid.

You can be sure when I review a book, it's because it's fabulous. In my review, I'm sincere, meaning every word.

I love a great read, stuff you haven't seen before, the kind of book that roots in my soul, creating great vines of tangled prose I will never escape from. Godamighty, it's the stuff legends are made of ... great stories to soothe the mind of the tormented and stir the rage of the stoic. There's nothing better than a life-changing story. I've read a few in my life that remain close to me to this day.

But back to the "terrible-awful". (Love those words from Kathryn Stockett's novel, The Help) ... I recently spent a couple days with my nose in a novel that was heralded as one of the top five of 2012. And I'm not talking about 50 Shades of Gray. That's the one exception I made earlier this year, and I won't waste another breath on it. The novel I'm talking about was recommended to me by numerous friends and so, I bought it and could not for the life of me, get through the first 100 pages. I gave it 100 pages and stopped. Ugh. I was so disappointed and figured it's just me. Me. Everybody loves this. There's something wrong with me.

So I read ten more pages, stopped, took out my book marker, and put it back on my shelf. I wish I could say why I didn't like it, but it would give it away ... so I'll just leave it at that.

Writers, authors -  we cannot give honest book reviews. Not of the books we don't like. It's makes us look haughty. Prideful. Like a Kardashian at a country club. Nose in the air know-it-all.

And I'm not so ignorant to think everyone will love everything I write. That's the beauty of books. There's something for everybody.

As an author, it's just not a good idea to be anything other than humble. If I don't have something nice to say about another author's work, I don't say anything at all. Raised by a southern mother, it was the code she lived by. A code I've passed down to my own daughter.

If I'm asked to critique a manuscript, that's between me and the writer ... but once the book is published, then as an author myself, it's best left to the readers to judge. Not me. I live in a glass house. I never throw stones.

Blessings to you and yours.

When Your Candle Burns At Both Ends

“My candle burns at both ends it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - It gives a lovely light.” Edna St. Vincent Millay

How many times have I quoted this poem, but never have I felt the force of it until now.

It’s November! So much has been happening … here’s the latest update, in case you haven’t seen it! (And be sure to see the pictures at the end of this post!)

A very nice review from Publishers Weekly!

“Cable's unflinching fictional exposé of the dark side of televangelism has a human victim in the person of Andie Oliver. … Cable, a former member of a megachurch, places Andie's desperate struggle against the oppression of (Reverend) Artury's church, its brutal inner circle, murderous practices, financial fraud, and (husband) Joe's abuse. This powerful story, skillfully written and with well-drawn characters, reveals the classic entrapment of vulnerable people in the name of a vengeful god …” PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

The hurricane is over in most parts of the US, but I think mine is just beginning. I’m leaving again tomorrow for two weeks of book signings and interviews throughout the south … Atlanta, Georgia, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Outer Banks, and Mobile, Alabama.

Please pray for me next Wednesday, Nov. 7^th. In one day I’ll have a live interview with WYRQ FM in Little Falls, MN at 8:00 am EST, a blog post on http://blog.juliealindsey.com/, an interview on CBS Atlanta TV (which will air on Sunday, Nov. 11^th  at 10:30 am)  an interview with Vipp Jaswall on Fox News Radio http://radio.foxnews.com/category/podcasts/the-vipp-jaswal-report (to be announced as to air date) and a book signing at Charis Books in Atlanta at 7:30 pm Nov. 7^th.

You would think I was twenty-five again, and running after my career! My twenties are gone by the wayside, by I’m still chasing that dream.

My appearances, past and future, as well as radio interview links, book trailers, and book excerpts can be found on my web site. www.pamelakingcable.com. The blog tours are also online with links to some really great book bloggers.

What has been a thrill are the reviews. My status on Amazon and my Alexa rating climbs higher every day. The book has gone national and international in a month. I'm humbled. Grateful. And now there are rumblings from the movie industry. So who knows where this road will take me. I'm grateful for my family, a great publisher, and readers I hear from each and every day along the way.

I’m consumed by it all. Actually, I work even harder on the road. Moving in and out of one hotel after another, setting up a desk area, working on my laptop instead of my home pc, trying to get enough sleep, eating food I'd rather not. Who said it was going to be easy? It wasn’t easy for Southern Fried Women, and it’s even tougher now. The schedule is heavier, with bigger venues, and more media interviews. But Televenge is moving at a steady pace. The climb is daunting at times. We’re always praying the weather cooperates. And all the while, I’m still writing. I’m still editing the finished second novel, and writing the first draft of the third.

Still, I can’t imagine doing anything else. After the holidays, we head west. All the way to California and back. Speaking and signing books. Below are priceless memories along the way …

And it's only just begun ...

Blessings to you and yours.

 

Why Do Writers Need Blog Tours?

 



Last night, around midnight, I completed the last of my submissions for my first blog tour. I have another blog tour coming up but it felt good to get this one done, although I find I rather enjoy the process.

When I attended the BookExpo in New York this past June, I met many bloggers. These folks are serious about what they do. Blogging with a passion, some are writers, some combine it with their day jobs, and some are stay-at-home moms and dads who simply love books. But book bloggers number into the thousands these days. Each one has a unique interest and you as a writer, need to understand that in your approach.

Think of it as if you're standing on somebody's front porch, and knocking on their door. Wouldn't you feel more comfortable if you knew the person opening the door? You need to know a bit about the blogger before you go knocking on their door. As you would be a guest in their home, you're a GUEST on their blog. Familiarize yourself with their blog. What are their passions, their pursuits, what do they care about? What kind of books do they read and review? And if they "invite you in" be kind, courteous, and meet their deadline.

What do you notice about their website? What is their appeal? To readers or writers or both? On the day your post appears, be sure to visit the site regularly throughout the next few days to respond to comments. Post your appearance throughout your social media sites and your web site.

Does the public buy books from book reviews? There are differences of opinion when answering that question. There are many factors that play into why readers buy certain books. But the one thing almost everyone agrees on is that we have grown to trust the book blogger. Their honesty, their appeal has driven the book-buying public to reading their favorite blogger on a daily basis.

Your obligation as a writer, is to utilize this service. You can pay for a blog tour that is set up for you, or you can take the time to research the bloggers on your own. Some blog tours offer wonderful additions to their services, like contests and giveaways. But whatever you decide, you must remember that word of mouth is paramount when it comes to selling your book. And to sell you book, a blog tour can reach thousands of readers.

As you write the next bestseller, keep this in the back of your mind. Either you or someone willing to help you must take the time to set up a blog tour. Besides getting out there and meeting your readers up close and personal, blog tours are your best bet to successfully marketing your work.

Blessings to you and yours.