If You Love A Good Thriller James Patterson's Crosshairs is the Book.

Is you love a good thriller and mystery you will want to delve into Crosshairs.

James Patterson is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. His books have sold in excess of 375 million copies worldwide. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past two decades – the Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, Detective Michael Bennett and Private novels.
The series,Michael Bennett is a series of thriller books by James Patterson. Michael Bennett is an Irish American New York City detective solving crimes and raising his ten adopted children. So far, there are sixteen books. This books is authored by James Patterson and James O. Born.

Crosshairs:

“Turn. Up. The. Heat” (New York Times) with this psychological thriller. New York City detective Michael Bennett faces his most terrifying killer ever. It could be anyone. They could be anywhere.
A killer uses fearsome precision to take out impossible targets.Detective Michael Bennett teams with a shooting expert—a former Army Ranger and sniper with NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit. But Officer Rob Trilling seems more comfortable with rifles than he is with people. When his new partner begins to log unexplained absences from duty, only Bennett can prove whether the decorated officer is a lonely hunter or a hardened assassin.

James is passionate about encouraging children to read. Inspired by his own son who was a reluctant reader, he also writes a range of books for young readers James has donated millions in grants to independent bookshops and has been the most borrowed author of adult fiction in UK libraries for the past eleven years in a row. He lives in Florida with his wife and son.

Years ago I got a call from James Patterson. He wanted to know if I was interested in working with him. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity. Now I cowrite the Michael Bennett series as well as the occasional standalone. And I’ve never looked back.

2 Great Ideas for Getting Kids Reading

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine

You may have seen the commercials. It starts with author James Patterson speaking in front of a backdrop of the American Flag. He states, “I’m James Patterson and I’m not running for President. But if I was running for President, I’d scream at every debate about getting kids reading.” Sure, it is an ad for his book cowritten with Chris Grabenstein entitled MAX EINSTEIN REBELS WITH A CAUSE but if you go to his website, he has 10 Tips for getting your kids’

reading. 

James Patterson's "10 tips to get your kids" reading

-Start today!

-Find books your kids love.

-Get a Library Card in your child's name.

-Set aside a daily "no-electronics" time for reading.

-"Buddy Read" together.

-Create a Reading Club with friends.

-Reward progress.

-Travel with your books wherever you go.

-Remember: it's up to you to make it fun.

Patterson developed these 10 Tips with Summer reading in mind but you can adjust and apply them year-round.

Another great idea to get your kids’ reading comes from England Elementary School in England Arkansas. I’m especially proud of this idea because it’s a fantastic idea and it comes from my wife’s and mine alma mater. It has received tens of thousands of likes on Facebook  and TV coverage on their local news channel out of Little Rock AR. 

It is a book vending machine. Many schools have bought into the idea and used their student activity money to purchase the $4,000 machine manufactured by Global Vending Group.  The way it works, each week there are 50-60 golden tokens awarded to children showing outstanding behavior. Those awarded may take their coin and purchase a book from the vending machine. The kids love this because as one little girl said this book is mine and I can keep it and take it home. The other books are the schools.

There has been a great interest in the book vending machine and in the exceptional behavior of the children so they can earn a golden token. It would be a way for literacy groups, book clubs, writer’s groups and the like to encourage reading. Fund raisers could easily reach the $4,000 purchase price in a short period of time.

As a grandparent of 10 I know the struggle to get our digitally minded kids to put down the screens and read a book. It can be difficult but it is possible. We have used the “no-electronics”, or as we call it digital blackout to gather the grands around the dinning room table for art, board games and reading. I enjoy seeing and hearing them take turns reading from a book they choose. It’s a magical moment for grandparents and I think your kids/grandkids will love you for it.

Your Grand Opening!

By Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief, Southern Writers Magazine   

Yes, the release date of an author’s book is like a “Grand Opening”. If you notice in retail when a new store opens, they pull out all the plugs and start advertising. They want as many people as possible to come to their opening day. For an author that translates into the more buzz you can create leading up to that opening day (release date) the more turnout (sales of your books) you are going to have.

You must do what you can to capture your readers in unusual ways. One author I know, rented a billboard sign, so that people driving to work every day would see that sign. She had a photo of herself, a title that got your attention in big letters, short description and her website. It brought in several hundred hits a day on her website. She started marketing and promoting her book on her website before it was released. She put press releases out, on all the venues how to purchase a signed copy of her book. Prepared and sent out post on social media, emailed list of people with release day. 

She got 95,000 hits on her website just by doing this.

Look for the unusual to market and promote you and your book. Yes, it did cost that author some money, but to her it was worth it because she spent a lot of time and effort on writing her book.

For authors you want to find free places to list your book, but you will also have to use places to pay for ads. Make them count. Where you buy ad space, will be able to give you good pointers on how to use the promotion to your best advantage. Be wise, plan your advertising out. Be consistent with it. 

Advertising before the book is released is smart. You can start out with small ads and build up as you get to the “Grand Release”. This is part of the nature of selling anything.

Advertising is necessary. It is the best way to be noticed and it must be consistent. That’s how we know about John Grisham, James Patterson, Coca Cola, McDonalds, Home Depot–through advertising. There also must be a variety of things you do along the way to get attention for your books. Don’t be afraid to step out of your box. It’s worth it to build your name as an author and sell a lot of books. To hear someone tell you how much he or she enjoyed your book is wonderful.

You’ve brought joy, pleasure, and happiness to someone else.

Be Unique.

Writing Inspiration

By Annette Cole Mastron, Communications Director for Southern Writers Magazine

It’s official. Summer is here, so let the writing inspiration begin. I’m always energized by warm summer days. Ideas abound for writing projects. How about you?

Best-selling author, James Patterson says in a 2017 interview, I’m “inspired when they (stories) occur to me and I go, wow, now that’s a neat idea for a story. I don’t know how to describe the process, but I have to see the whole story in my head. Crime details and the rest fall into place later, after I’ve figured out the main twists and turns.”

I’m intrigued by Patterson’s latest endeavor, a collaboration with former President Bill Clinton. It is sure to be THE beach read of the summer. 

How did this unusual pairing of authors occur? A New York Times article advises, “The project came about late last year when Robert B. Barnett, a lawyer at Williams & Connolly who represents both Mr. Clinton and Mr. Patterson, had the idea of pairing them up on a novel, according to someone familiar with the project who did not want to speak publicly because the publishers were holding back details about the publication. Mr. Barnett, who also represents the Obamas, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Laura Bush and other politicians, first approached Mr. Clinton to see if he was interested in collaborating on a novel with Mr. Patterson. President Clinton, a longtime reader of Mr. Patterson’s breathless thrillers, was game, so Mr. Barnett took the idea to Mr. Patterson. Mr. Patterson wrote an extensive outline. So far, they’ve written a few chapters into the novel, which will be edited by Sonny Mehta, chairman of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, and Michael Pietsch, chief executive of Hachette Book Group.”

How did they do the writing? In a recent Time article, “The authors, both of whom favor writing in longhand, spent a year passing handwritten drafts back and forth. The publishers have ordered a first print run of 1 million copies—more than double the already considerable amount for a typical Patterson release.” 

The new political thriller, The President is Missing, releases this week the authors are both on book tour together this month. I’m sure the conversations at these various events will provide for a lively exchange. 

Watching these two authors may provide me and others with possible inspiration for a good thriller story. You can find inspiration anywhere. Enjoy the unexpected inspiration you may find in Summer of 2018. Where have you found inspiration?

The King and I

By Elbert Alberson

I just read an interview with James Patterson, the author of all authors, that I call the King.  Every time I do this, something sticks in my mind. I refer to him as the king, but in fact, he portrays himself as a humble, writer that has discipline and is a father and a husband.  A braggart, he is not.  He has produced 73 #1 best Sellers and sold 325 million books.

Now in comparison, I have yet to have a #1 best seller.  I have self published 12 books.  That is a far cry from being a comparison.  But there are comparisons. James Patterson writes in the early morning. And I write all night, sometimes until morning. I play a game called spider for a while to clear my head of everything but my story. Then I refer to my notes and write my heart out. We both write multiple genre books and book series.

He writes everything from mysteries, detective, cook books, children books and many others, so I do the same. I write mystery, detective, history, adventure, military, western, and romance, autobiography and book series. Both of us have a book in the making when we finish the one we are on.  I have three in the making at the present time.

The differences between Patterson and me are huge. Patterson is smart, successful, and good at what he does and I am trying as hard as I can to be successful writing to multiple markets.  Patterson has co-writers, publicist, editors, secretaries, publishers, a marketing machine and a wealth of readers.  Me, myself and I are hard at work to be the best I can with what I have to work with, giving up is not an option. I read all I can every day about what the top writers are doing, what they are posting, and I post something similar on my author page.  I learn something new every day.

Another writer second only to Patterson had a hard time finding a publisher just like everybody else.  He didn’t give up.  He got smart.  He had boxes of his books self published, filled his trunk and went door to door to sell them. He did what it took to sell what he had, so he could do it again tomorrow.

In comparison, I posted my books on every group page at Facebook that might be interested in that particular book,  Air force base Yokota in Japan,  Clark Field in the Philippines, Hunter  Field in  Savannah, Ga.  Then the orders started coming in for my two military books. Women even like military books. I was advised to not publish military books, nobody would buy them. Boy were they wrong.  I published my autobiography even though I was advised not to.  That is my Best Seller. Knowing Elvis and Johnny Cash probably had something to do with it. LOL

The top-selling author in every genre puts his pants on and goes to work writing just like you do.

__________________________________________________________________ 

ELBERT ALBERSON was born in Memphis, Tennessee.  He left home at an early age joining the Air Force and traveled extensively.  During his travels, mostly in the Air Force and in the early stages of Vietnam, he experienced   adventures  of a life time flying  North  to  Newfoundland, South to  the Azores in Portugal and  the Far East to include Vietnam,  Japan, Philippines,  Cambodia, Laos,  Australia, Thailand,  Okinawa, Burma and Singapore.  He experienced   near death incidents multiple times and learned the many customs and traditions in these countries.  This has led to many stories to tell, most of his story lines are fictional stories and people. After serving his time in the military, his adventures continued   through his associations with the sport of Scuba Diving for many years. There are many stories of real Experiences of Adventure and Excitement. Most story lines are fictional stories.  But Elbert is the main character in most of his books with real people and places in his books. Because of his travels and experiences and the research required to write his stories to include real historical events and actual happenings, you will relive and experiences through his eyes. Elbert and his wife live in a small town in South Georgia.  Being retired now, gives him the opportunities to write his books, his experiences and historical Adventures he has had in mind for years.  His books include:   Cotton Top Remember Me,   Red Bull,   Cay Sal,   Diamonds and Gold,   Old Gold,   Fire Island, The Italian Incidents,   River of Intrigue   and   Memphis Intrigue 1940.

3 Tips for Highlighting Your Book on Amazon

By Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief, Southern Writers Magazine

By now, every author on the planet knows the importance of having their name everywhere they can put it. Exposure is publicity is “Limelight”.

I am on Amazon daily looking at authors, their books, and descriptions of books. I notice what the successful authors like John Grisham, James Patterson, and Steve Berry, (just to mention a few) have on their Author Page.

First, they have a picture. You will notice it is on the left hand side of the page. Pictures are most important. In our world today, people want to see the writer they are reading, by seeing your picture they can relate visually when they are reading your book and because of that picture when they are finished they just might buy another one of your books, that is, if the first one was good.

Second, they give a description of themselves, their work, what’s going on and they list magazines they have been.  James Patterson tells you in the first sentence a magazine showcased him on the cover. Steve Berry tells you in the first sentence he is a New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author and goes on to mention the titles of his books. John Grisham starts right off telling you his background that grabs you.

Third, they write a description of the book to grab the reader’s interest and that will pull them into reading the rest of the description. That first sentence you write in the description is the most important. It has to grab your reader instantly for them to read the rest of the description and the entire description has to make them want to buy the book.

Take a look at your “Author’s Page” on Amazon. Now look at the three authors I mentioned. Read their descriptions of a couple of their books. Then look at a couple of yours. Make sure you are doing the right things on Amazon to get readers to want to read your book.

If your book has been in a magazine, then mention it. If you were interviewed on the radio and/or TV go ahead mention that.

Today authors not only have to write the book they have to promote it. But that’s a good thing. It gives you a lot of control and an opportunity to take your writing career where you want it to go.

I will look for you on your “Author’s Page”.