Monday 13 July 2015

What I learnt on the Aussie Voices in Print Tour


by Karen M. Davis 

I was lucky enough to be a part of a “first” in Australian publishing history recently; a joint publishing house author book tour orchestrated by Simon & Schuster and Harlequin Australia. Three authors on a road trip around rural NSW to meet with readers who don’t usually have access to authors, to promote Australian stories.




My partners in crime were Jenn J McLeod, who writes contemporary small town tales set in rural NSW, and Tricia Stringer, who writes historical and rural romance set in South Australia. Since I write Sydney-based crime fiction we were all very different. A clever move, combining three authors from varied genres, as it provided variety and encouraged readers to look outside their usual preferences and perhaps experience something new.


It also ensured we didn’t hurt the competition – each other...


No, in all honesty, although it got hectic, we survived in a minivan with our respective publishers (5 in total) without an argument or cross word (that I’m aware of) while racking up around 2,000 kms and over 21 hours driving time. Not a bad feat for ladies who hardly knew each other. Thankfully we got along well or it could have been a long thirteen days…

What did we do?




Well, in between brainstorming, singing, eating and sipping the occasional wine, we had an event each day at a local library or bookshop where we each talked everything writing: our love of the craft, why and how we started writing, books, authors and people who have inspired us, the roller-coaster ride of highs and lows on the road to publication. Fortunately each event was casual and we could interact with the readers. They asked us multitudes of questions and we got to not just share information, but to learn from them also.


What did I learn?


Talk about brain overload. I took notes (literally—in my notebook, on my phone). My constant voice-recorded notes caused much amusement but did the job. Jenn and Tricia have been writing longer than I have and I benefited immensely from their knowledge.


Having the opportunity to be up close and personal 24/7 with our publishers was amazing. I learnt so much about the publishing world, and while I know there’s still an awful lot I don’t know, at least I have a slightly more educated insight into the industry.


I learnt about backlists, self-publishing on demand, advertising yourself as a brand, tag lines, networking and self-promotion. I have trouble with self-promotion—I have this thing about not being pushy. My background in policing makes me rather guarded and having been trained not to show emotion or give anything away does not assist in putting myself ‘out there’, even though it’s necessary in order to gain reader interest and let them know you exist.


I’ve always believed in supporting fellow writers but hadn’t thought about supporting bloggers and reading-related Facebook pages. Having met the lovely Shelleyrae from Book’d Out, I was amazed at the time and effort she, and other bloggers, put into their work without claiming a cent. I learnt about i-access, a website that allows vision-impaired readers to listen to books. I learnt more about great resources like RWA, ARRA, Sisters in Crime, and writers' centres.


But the most important thing I learnt is never to trust a person (Jenn J) who says ‘what goes on tour stays on tour’ — after seeing myself and the lovely Anabel from Simon & Schuster on Facebook (in secretly-filmed footage) singing at the top of our voices. Not pretty, but entertaining on some level, I think...


Although it was exhausting at times, it was also exhilarating and an experience I will always cherish and be grateful to have been a part of.




I love to laugh... at anything really but especially at myself. Here is evidence that my partners in crime also enjoy laughing at me...




 I love to love the company of good and inspirational people.



I love to learn to conquer new challenges – like how to negotiate a phone/radio interview on the side of a highway with trucks roaring past...

15 comments:

  1. That sounds like such fun, Karen! Also a tremendous chance to meet readers in places where authors don't necessarily always go. And readers are obviously super special! Was there a favourite place you went? It all sounds so interesting.

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    1. Hi Malvina, it was a lot of fun and very exciting to meet with avid readers who could give feedback on our books and who just love reading in general. Favourite place??? That is a hard one. Sometimes we didn't get to see a lot of the towns as we were in a different place every day but we saw some great libraries - Ulladulla had a great café inside its library and we stayed near the beach at Mollymook so if I have to have a favourite place I'll pick that one. Although in Lismore, our last stop, the event was held in a lovely little café/wine bar in an old movie theatre so that venue was fantastic also.

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    2. Love Mollymook and Ulladulla! Lucky you. And I've been to Lismore a few times following a son who lived there for about ten years. Lots of funky places there to enjoy. Jealous!

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  2. What an opportunity Karen. And to share the experience with two other writers is fantastic. As writers we are by ourselves so much it is nice to do something like this with like minded people. I followed your travels on Facebook and enjoyed all the pictures from the trip. I hope they do more of these types of things so readers in more remote areas can enjoy meeting authors and finding out about new books. What was the strangest question you got asked while on the tour?

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    1. Hi Cassandra, exactly right. We are so often by ourselves writing it was weird having to put make-up on and get dressed up nicely every day. Like having a real job I suppose... And being with Jenn and Tricia was great. As I said in above, I learnt sooo much. Strangest question? That is a good question itself. I'm not sure this is strange but names came up a fair bit. How did I pick my characters names. And I got asked a lot of police questions which always happens when I do talks. People are fascinated with the real police stories. So when I say I use real events that happened to me and turn them into fiction, that sparks some interesting conversations... I suppose a standard line that I get told a lot is; "Ï had no idea police had to do all that."

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    2. I also meant to say thanks for following us on facebook and that the publishers were happy with the way this trip went and hope it becomes a more regular thing in the future. Of course that will be great for authors and readers alike.

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  3. Sounds like all you ladies had a fabulous time on the road, Karen. Interacting with readers from isolated areas must have been great for both writers and readers alike, and learning a bit about the publishing industry must have been an eye-opener, too. Excellent post!

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    1. Sorry Marilyn, I posted my reply to you in comments instead of in the proper reply box. I seriously have a love hate relationship with computers...

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  4. Hi Marilyn, thanks. We did have a great time. Certainly can't say we were ever bored... I was always amazed at the enthusiasm of some of the readers. A lady that came to our Lismore event travelled two hours each way and a gentleman travelled to Belmont from Tamworth and stayed overnight just to meet Jenn J. Probably a six hour round trip at the least. Amazing and very humbling.

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  5. What an amazing way to meet with readers! Your post indicates you had a fabulous time chatting with them as well as getting to know your fellow writers. And learning so much more about the publishing industry was a bonus, I'm sure. And yes, I understand completely readers who travel far distances to meet their favourite authors. I travelled to the US to meet Nora Roberts so I could ask her specific questions about a series she'd written and that I loved. :)

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    1. Hi Enisa, well I think you win in the travelling to meet your favourite author category. Wow! Heading to the US to meet Nora Roberts. I know you still love Nora so it was obviously worth it. Maybe you could tell us more about that meeting in one of your posts. I would love to hear more...

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  6. A lovely post Karen :) It was great to meet you and Tricia (I already knew Jenn) and so nice that you have shared some of the fun and adventures you three (plus publishers) had. Great you used one of my photos too - a fluke that I managed to get you all laughing, but I'm very happy with it! Now we just have to hope you get to do it all over again next year!

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    1. Hi Brenda, I remember you well and it was lovely to meet you also. I had that photo of us laughing sent to me as we pooled some of the better shots taken. I didn't know you took it so thanks for that - great shot. Yes, let's hope we, or at least another group of authors, do the rural tour again. It's a great experience for all involved (authors, readers, aspiring writers and librarians). As for knowing Jenn - everyone knew Jenn. She pretty much had her own fan club everywhere we went! That worked well for Tricia and myself because we got to meet some of her lovely fans also... like you.

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  7. Aw, Karen, loved revisiting the tour. I actually went thru withdrawals when the tour ended. I missed you guys so much. #RockStars!!!!!! :)

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    1. Hi Jenn, thanks for visiting our blog. Yes, I had withdrawals too. I think it took me about two weeks to get over it. Was very tired but felt I had to be somewhere all the time. It was a bit strange. Anyway, I hope your life on the road is going well and the weather is warmer than Sydney at the moment - though I suppose that's a given... I hope you are working hard on book number four you RockStar you. (Sorry private joke for anyone else reading this)

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