Building a Following is a Marathon, Not a Sprint,
Says Corporate Exec-Turned-Novelist

If you want people to read your book, you have to be more than a talented storyteller or researcher - you will need plenty of persistence, says Darlene Quinn, a 75-year-old award-winning novelist whose passion for the written word trumped her lucrative position as a top executive at the legendary Bullocks Wilshire department stores.

"Sometimes an author has it easy; either they're already a celebrity, or their name has been widely reported in a major public scandal - or both - but not even those criteria guarantee readership," says Quinn, author of "Unpredictable Webs", (www.darlenequinn.net), the newest in her stand-alone series of suspense-filled dramatic novels.

"Many authors will tell you just don't get into the book-writing business, because writing something that people will want to read is challenge enough. Then you face the daunting process of getting people to buy it!"

She offers these tips for getting your book in front of the masses - and enticing them to buy it.

• Draw on the strengths that helped you meet previous challenges: Quinn found professional footing decades ago, in a time when it was rare for women to rise to executive positions. After earning a bachelor's at San Jose State University, she became a schoolteacher. She later climbed her way up to working as a department store executive during a time of tremendous upheaval in the retail fashion industry. The tenacity and perseverance required to achieve that dream served her well when she fixed on another dream - writing - late in life. She sharpened her writing chops by penning articles for trade journals, magazines and newspapers.

• Book awards: Simply entering your book in a contest gives it some exposure. Should it be selected for an award, you've got a great marketing tool that can open doors otherwise closed to you. Awards sticker or seals, which can be added to the book cover, can help persuade book stores to carry it. The press release announcing winners of local, national or international book awards also trigger Google Alerts, positively increasing exposure. Announcements of winners prior to publication alert avid readers to upcoming releases.

• Book awards II: Do your research; make sure that the contest is well-established and legit. Read the rules, and if at all possible, research the judges who will be reviewing the books. Try to avoid contests that have high entry fees and those that appear to be non-discriminating. National and international contests such as the Indie Book Awards, Writers Digest Book Awards, USA Best Book Awards Reader's Favorites, and International Best Book Award (sponsored by USA Book News) are just a few respectable contests that meet these criteria. There are also many legitimate regional and local book contests to consider.

• Quality in every respect: With power comes responsibility. In the past, the only real hope an author had of being read by anyone beyond his or her immediate family was going through a major publisher. Today, authors can take production matters into their own hands with self- or independent publishing, which may lead to a contract with a major book company. Either way, a writer should ensure quality in every aspect -- from the plot and characters, to the cover art, design and paper. Make sure the book is edited by an objective professional.

About Darlene Quinn

Darlene Quinn is an author and journalist from Long Beach, Calif., whose novels about deceit, intrigue and glamour in the retail fashion industry were inspired by her years with Bullocks Wilshire specialty department stores. Her newest, Unpredictable Webs, is the winner of the Beverly Hills Book Awards for Excellence in Fiction and was selected as the number-one President's choice before publication. The novel continues her series, including Webs of Fate, which won the 2011 Reader's Favorites Award before it hit bookshelves; Webs of Power, winner of a 2009 National Indie Excellence Award, and Twisted Webs, winner of the 2011 International Book Award for General Fiction and the 2011 National Indie Excellence Awards for General Fiction.

"It all started at Willie's Wee Nee Wagon in Markham, Illinois, a Chicago suburb," says author and Chicago-area native Tim Murphy. "To this day the best hot dog I've ever eaten."

Murphy wanted to pay tribute to the hot dog stand of his youth, and adulthood, that he frequented for over 30 years. So he wrote this book featuring 50 recipes.

"It was my first stop when I came home from college or returned for the holidays to see family. In 2009, Willie's acquired a new owner, a new name and a different brand of hot dogs. I went there once and it just wasn't the same.  But I have some great memories. Willie's had been around since 1955, first a metal food trailer, then they constructed a building in the late 1970's.  

I am a bit of a fanatic about the place. I still have two of the paper bags from old orders. They must be ten to fifteen years old. One is framed and hangs in my kitchen, proudly emblazoned with Willie's motto 'We Relish Your Bun'.  The other travels with me everywhere and hangs on my office bulletin board. A great souvenir of home."

"When you grow up in the Midwest, it's a given you'll be eating hot dogs and brats, but here is so much more to that meal than just meat in a bun. I wanted to gather some of those great recipes and share them with other tube steak aficionados."

THE TUBE STEAK BOOGIE COOKBOOK features about 50 recipes, including The Diablo Dog, The Elvis Dog, Kielbasa Lasagna Wraps,  Smokin' Sausage Soup and for the holidays, Sloppy John's Thanksgiving Hot Dogs. There is also a lengthy dedication to Willie's Wee Nee Wagon and a huge list of traditional and unusual condiments to build your own gastronomic creation.

This is Tim Murphy's Fifth "Cookbook for Guys." The first four were under the "Flannel John" banner.

"Flannel John is a character based on a few old hunters I knew. I wanted to honor their spirit and what they taught me. He is also part Babe Winkelman, Ted Nugent, Red Green. Grizzly Adams and crusty mountain man. I have written four Flannel John books with another six planned.  The next one, "Flannel John's Tailgating & Couch Potato Cookbook" will be out the first week in August. This latest book was much more personal so I wanted to keep it strictly under my name."

The first book, Flannel John's Hunting & Fishing Camp Cookbook, grew out of friends complaining about the food at fishing and deer camps. Their buddies would show up with cheese, bologna, beef jerky and beer. If the fishing wasn't good or the deer tag wasn't filled, meals were slim pickings. Murphy wanted to collect simple, good-tasting recipes that weren't too complicated, that could be knocked out fairly fast.  That idea launched the first book in October 2013 and cracked Amazon.com's "Top 1%" Sales category.

Three more Flannel John titles have followed including Flannel John's Woods and Water Cookbook - Critters, Fritters, Chili and Beer in February 2013, Flannel John's Pirate Galley Cookbook - Coastal Cuisine and Maritime Meals from Oceans, Lakes and Rivers in April 2013 and for the backwoods, rustic soul there was Flannel John's Mountain Man Cookbook - Frontier Food from the Hills, Country and Backwoods in May 2013.

Why cookbooks for guys? "I didn't see anything written for men, especially beginner and novice cooks," said Murphy. "The first book covered comfort food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, deserts and drinks. It was aimed at hunters and anglers but it's great for campers and RVers."

Future releases include "Flannel John's Tailgating Grub & Couch Potato Cookbook" in August "Flannel John's Cabin Christmas Cookbook" in September plus cookbooks for single guys, truckers and wild game lovers in 2014.

"If this book is successful, I plan to open my own hot dog stand here on the Oregon coast. Maybe a Willie's Wee Nee Wagon West," said Murphy.

Tim Murphy is a graduate of Western Michigan University. This 23-year radio veteran spent 17-years hosting morning radio shows in several Michigan cities including Holland, Muskegon, Traverse City, Saginaw and Houghton plus Fargo, North Dakota, Stevens Point, Wisconsin and Ketchikan, Alaska. Murphy has had a long career as a freelance and comedy writer. His work has appeared in dozens of outlets including Backwoods Home Magazine, The Porcupine Press U.P. Magazine, National Lampoon, The Traverse City Record Eagle and ABC Radio Network.

He lives in Seaside, Oregon with his wife LisaMarie Costanzo.

All five of his books are $7.95 and can be found at Amazon.com and at www.flanneljohn.com.

For additional information on the books, to interview the author or to inquire about wholesale book pricing, contact Tim Murphy at (701) 238-1775 or at shamrockarrow@gmail.com.

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"I have had great fortune with these books this past year," said author Tim Murphy. "25% of all the profits from the four titles sold in June will be donated to the Red Cross to assist the Oklahoma Tornado victims. If we sell at 2500 in June, I will double that to 50%."

How did these books come about?

"It all started when friends would show up at fishing and deer camp with cheese, bologna, beef jerky and beer. I would shake my head and 'say we do better this.' So I wrote the first book and it just took off," says author Tim Murphy. 

It was that idea that launched "Flannel John's Hunting & Fishing Camp Cookbook" in October 2013.  His first "Cookbook for Guys" cracked Amazon.com's "Top 1%" Sales category in six weeks.

Why cookbooks for guys? "I just didn't see anything written for men, especially novice cooks," said Murphy. "I wanted to assemble, hearty, good tasting meals that could be prepared easily and quickly. That first book covered breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, deserts and drinks. It was aimed at hunters and anglers but it's perfect for campers, RVers, male or female."

Now Murphy has penned the third and fourth titles in a planned ten-book series. For fish and seafood aficionados there's "Flannel John's Pirate Galley Cookbook - Coastal Cuisine and Maritime Meals from Oceans, Lakes and Rivers." For the backwoods, rustic soul there is "Flannel John's Mountain Man Cookbook - Frontier Food from the Hills, Country and Backwoods."

"The Pirate Galley Cookbook focuses on seafood dishes, lake and river fish recipes with a touch of southern cooking," said Murphy. "If you like albacore, lobster, sea bass, crab, lake trout, salmon and walleye this is for you. It covers dishes from the west coast, Alaska, the Gulf, Caribbean, Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, New England and the Bayou."

"The Mountain Man Cookbook goes real old school with recipes that go as far back as the mid-1800s. It features pioneer recipes and country staples like corn pone, hard tack, rhubarb cake, venison stew and sourdough plus new twists on older dishes." Both books feature over 110 recipes and in keeping with past titles, are simple for guys to pull.

The second title, released in February 2014,"Flannel John's Woods & Water Cookbook: Critters, Fritters, Chili & Beer" featured wild game recipes like Mountain Bear Stew, Rasta Mon Squirrel and Rattlesnake Chili with traditional dishes including burgers, stews, corn breads, chilies, chicken and beer.

But who is Flannel John? 

Born in northern Wisconsin and raised in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, he is equal parts Babe Winkelman, Red Green, Grizzly Adams, Ted Nugent and crusty mountain man. He has hunted and fished in 40 states plus Canada and Mexico. He is, in essence, Murphy's alter-ego.

"I've crossed paths with men like him over the years. This was my way of acknowledging their spirit and thanking them," said Murphy. 

Flannel John summed up the first book best. "If you're tracking deer in the U.P woods, searching for elk in Colorado, bird hunting on the Dakota prairies or ice fishing in Minnesota...food keeps the camp sane. A hearty breakfast or sustainable snack sharpens the senses. That end of the day dinner can celebrate bringing down a ten-point buck or be warming comfort when the deer tag goes unfilled. Breaking bread, eating from the community pot and telling stories around the table bonds all outdoorsmen. A good meal always makes for a good day."

Future releases include "Flannel John's Tailgating Grub & Couch Potato Cookbook" in July and "Flannel John's Cabin Christmas Cookbook" in September. 

Tim Murphy is a graduate of Western Michigan University. This 23-year radio veteran spent 17-years hosting morning radio shows in several Michigan cities including Holland, Muskegon, Traverse City, Saginaw and Houghton plus Fargo, North Dakota, Stevens Point, Wisconsin and Ketchikan, Alaska. Murphy has had a long career as a freelance and comedy writer. His work has appeared in dozens of outlets including Backwoods Home Magazine, The Porcupine Press U.P. Magazine, National Lampoon, The Traverse City Record Eagle and ABC Radio Network. 

He lives in Oregon with his wife LisaMarie Costanzo. 

All four Flannel John books are $7.95 and are available through Amazon.com and at flanneljohn.com. For additional information on the books, to interview the author or to inquire about wholesale book pricing, contact Tim Murphy at (701) 238-1775 or E-mail him at shamrockarrow@gmail.com.

"I have had great fortune with these books," said Murphy. "25% of the profits from all the books sold in June will be donated to the Red Cross to assist the Oklahoma Tornado victims. If we sell at 2500 in June, I will double that to 50%."

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Making the Case for Diversity in Our Kids' Literature

Need is the mother of invention, which is why Jeff Rivera decided to create a line of children's books that emphasis diversity.

"I'm the uncle of 12 nieces and nephews who live everywhere from Costa Rica to Australia to all over the United States, which is no longer the only melting pot in the world," says Rivera, author of "Um...Mommy, I Flushed My Brother Down the Toilet" and "My Two Uncles & Me," (www.jeffrivera.com), which have been endorsed by comic book icon Stan Lee and legendary best-selling novelist Jackie Collins. "There are just not enough books for little kids that represent families with diverse backgrounds, like mine, so I decided to create them."

There are still segments of society that do not embrace differences of race, culture, religion and sexuality, which is why it's all the more important for children of different backgrounds to feel included, he says.

Rivera reviews a few reasons why major publishers should consider children's books for diverse families:

• Something probably makes you unusual, too: "Some of us had attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Asperger's syndrome, dyslexia or emotional traumas. Some of us came from blended families, mixed-race families, or were adopted. Some of us had gay and lesbian family members, some of us were on food stamps and welfare growing up, or were homeless, like I was. There are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and atheists. Not everyone can be pegged into a nice square box, and our kids shouldn't be," says Rivera, a media personality featured in a variety of outlets.

• Together, 'minorities' become the majority: In the U.S., one out of five people has a learning difference; one in two children born are a minority ethnicity; and more than 14 million children have gay or lesbian parents. "When you add it all up, that's easily the majority of people in our country," he says. "It just does not make good business sense to ignore so many of us."

• Overlooked entrepreneurs: American history is rife with examples of overlooked business opportunities. Just a few decades ago there was an emerging subculture created by inner-city youth. The most prominent feature? Hip hop, or rap music. For several years record company executives dismissed the budding genre, and all the while an under-the-radar entrepreneur named Russell Simmons helped present the new music to mainstream America and the rest of the world. As of April 2011, he had a $340 million net worth.

About Jeff Rivera

Jeff Rivera is a bestselling author, journalist and inspirational media personality whose work has been mentioned on TMZ, WABC, WNBC, WCBS, NPR and many other outlets. He is a full-time author whose humble beginnings living in poverty on welfare and food stamps as the child of a single mother, to his days living in his car and final success in media have inspired many.