Supporting Local Writers like Steve Bradshaw at his Book Signing

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine

Steve Bradshaw unveiled his latest book, the third in The Bell Trilogy. Bluff City Butcher, The Skies Roared and Blood Lions complete the set. The scene was The Booksellers at Laurelwood in Memphis, TN. All three books have a Memphis connection so the location was indeed appropriate.

Steve had an agenda which I feel accomplished everything he intended to accomplish and met the expectations of the readers. There were authors as well as readers attending and most were familiar with Steve’s works. They wanted to hear about the latest offering in this trilogy. Steve brought this and more.

Steve began with an overall view of his trilogy and how all the parts fit. He gave an insight of the characters and locations he used and he mentioned people and places that are referenced from one book to the other. Clues are important in a forensic mystery thriller. Steve, having been a forensic scientist in real life, investigated over 3000 unexplained deaths and over 300 homicides. He knows how to carefully place a clue in his story. The readers enjoyed this section and were well pleased.

Steve then talked about what I like to call the business of getting published. He took us through his journey to find an agent and publisher. Steve, a Biotechnology Founder-President/CEO, is familiar with business and how it done so he was better equipped than most to meet the challenges of the business. Steve happened to have his business partner along that night shared that the two raised $25 million to start a new company. He explained his experience in this field had prepared him for the trilogy because locations in the book are actually places he had traveled to while in the biotech business. At this point Steve had spent about a half hour with these two portions of the agenda and the reading from his latest in the trilogy series. The time involved was well planned and well received.  

I believe fans enjoy the final segment the most. That is the personal meetings, discussions and book signing with the author. Although Steve had signed the available copies in the bookstore, he was ready and willing to personalize their copy. Open and welcoming to his readers Steve made each individual meeting a memorable one for the fan.

To have the opportunity to get the insight of one of your favorite authors is a real treat. To hear their account of how they put their story or in this case stories together, their challenge to get it out to the readers and a personal glimpse inside their background and experiences that led them to this story is a real unusual opportunity. Then there is always that treat for the fan in each of us, to meet the author. Steve had a great format and one that others would be wise to mirror.

You can also catch his interview in the November/December 2014 issue of Southern Writers Magazine by our very own Annette Cole Mastron.

        

Paying it Forward

By Annette Cole Mastron, Communications Director for Southern Writers Magazine

May is the month of Mother's Day, various educational levels of Graduations, and Memorial Day. It is fitting to say thank you on all these occasions.  Words and actions to mothers, students, teachers and veterans are always appreciated but especially on their special designated days.

Thank you is such a simple word but has wonderful residual effects for both the giver and receiver. I truly think the giver receives the most benefit. Today, people refer to a gesture of thanks as "paying it forward". A concept that is not original to the 21st century but very worthwhile for us embrace.

Acts of kindness have been the subject and themes of countless books. Southern Writers Magazine's blog, Suite T, strives to "pay it forward", five days a week. SWM's Suite T blog provides an opportunity for authors to learn from other authors, as does the magazine.

As May comes to an end, take a stroll through the blog archives. There may be a post you overlooked that can help you through a current writing challenge. The authors who guest post want to mentor other authors. Sharing their experiences may help you tackle a writing issue.

As Communications Director, I thank all our writers and contributors to SWM's Suite T and the magazine!

Did you know May 30th; is the 150th day of the year? There are 215 days remaining until the end of 2013. You have plenty of time left in the year to share your writing experiences. Isn't it time you send in a guest post to SWM's Suite T blog and "pay it forward?"

Paying it forward helps the giver remember how they got to be a writer and it defines where you are going as a writer. Generous sharing of your talent experiences will definitely payback to the giver. There may be a writer who could benefit from some advice that helped you. 

Pay It Forward, y'all!