Southern Writerswww.southernwritersmagazine.com $12.99 September / October 2012

SANDRABALZOSuspense

Turn your passion into a career

TERRI BLACKSTOCK

The Thrill of It All

Stirring Up

BYRD BAGGETTYou Can Do It!

Secrets ofDevelopingCharacters

T H E A U T H O R ’ S M A G A Z I N E

Out of the BoxBook Marketing

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Welcome to our home! Come in and sit a spell. This is one of our favorite times of the year. September is here and with it comes the end of summer. We now look forward to fall with its beautiful colors and smells. Soon to follow is October, when “ghost and goblins” will be knocking on doors for tricks or treats. By then there will be a slight chill in the air, but don’t fret; we have hot apple cider and warm pumpkin bread for all.

Southern Writers has a wonderful array of authors and articles for you in this issue. This maga-zine is committed to helping you build your name recognition, assist you in marketing and getting more of your books, and increasing your network. We want to serve you in getting ypurs out into the hands of all who like to read. They need to know they are not alone. So do published authors.

Authors need help creating a following of readers, marketing and selling their books. This new century brought a wonderful smorgasbord of fresh ways that can help authors become known, liked and read. Technology can be overwhelming but we are going to show writers (show don’t tell) how to use it to create a network of fans who will want their books. Some of these tools are web sites, blogs, e-books, and social media; however, there are more.

Our goal is to provide a stage for Southern writers to highlight their work and see what other Southern writers are doing. It is important for writers to interact and network with each other. This interaction will flow over to your readers, which in turn will create more sales for your work.

While region is a factor, we feel the geographical birthplace of the writer is only one defining factor in Southern writing. Embedded in Southern writing is a strong emphasis on family, religion, dialect, community, tradition and social life. And don’t forget our Southern hospitality.

We believe writers should never stop asking questions. The Q and A section will provide a place where writers can ask both general and specific questions. None will be too small or too big.

We will learn more about the authors; not just how they got started but about their pitfalls and joys. Why they wrote the books, what they would do differently. Get to know the authors.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITORThank goodness, fall is here! Soon the days will be cooler. Just the season to highlight “Mystery, Suspense and Intrigue.”

Come see how Sandra Balzo keeps them guessing in books that will keep you awake better than caffeine. Terri Blackstock writes thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Susan Sleeman blends heart-stopping suspense with heart-warming romance. Sharon Potts puts her characters in tense, suspenseful situations. Mona Risk’s books captivate us from first page to last. Carolyn Haines’ plots have dangerous twists and turns. Martha Carr is a national syndicated columnist with a new political thriller. Wait until you meet KC Frantzen’s K9 Spy, and Wayne Whicher takes us on tropical adventures. You will want all of their books by your side as you hunger for mystery, suspense, and thrills that will chill you.

We are fortunate to have Edie Melson direct us through the social media maze, and if you want to know how authors developed specific ideas for their books, be sure and pull up a chair at Magnolia Corner. Writing a romance? Katie Ganshert continues her series on literary love.

Marketing expert Danny Iny is going to share with you how to fire up your audience. See how Martha Bolton blends humor with drama, and then leave a legacy as Phyllis Porter Dolislager helps you write your obituary. Oh my!

Gina Conroy shows us how to build relationships with our readers, and Dr. Lin Stepp confirms you don’t need to wait for the door of opportunity to open; just build your own.

Join Judy Lockhart DiGregorio and Lynne Gentry to find how they have harnessed humor. Be sure and read Byrd Baggett’s inspiring message to authors. Visit with Bob Strother, a master at getting short stories published. Tracy Crump has good advice about the writing craft.

Vicki Moss and George Lucas give us pointers on public speaking, and Kala Ambrose is going to show us how to turn our passions into profit. Don’t miss W. Terry Whalin’s tips on submissions. We hope you will like the books chosen as Good Reads, and be sure and check out the Sneak Previews on the new releases that are just out or will be out soon. Lastly, Clyde Edgerton gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming book.

Wherever you are in your writing journey, we hope to encourage and inspire you, through fall and beyond.

Keep writing, Susan Reichert Editor-in-Chief Southern Writers Magazine