Beneath the Super Moon, my new novel

My new novel, Beneath the Super Moon is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and ABQ Press.com. Your local book store can also order it for you. Here is the synopsis and book cover:   By the mid 1960’s, at the thrust of the Chicano Movement, Suzanna Montoya had settled in the city and began to address urban concerns about race, class, and gender. Like many of her nameless contemporaries, Suzanna did her part where she lived on the west side of town, part of, but isolated from the mainstream. Once again, Irene Blea’s analytical gift renders a colorful voice to those concerns as they are faced by Suzanna, who still seeks to reunite with the sons she left behind when she ran from her abusive husband.

Book signing: Dec. 3rd Old Town Treasure House south of beneaththesupermoon_frontcoverthe gazebo, Albuquerque, NM

To order:

Beneath the Super Moon, Irene I. Blea
ABQ Press, 2016

ISBN 978-1-68418-902-1

 

Your Book Release Date Has Changed?

moon-harvest_moonYour publisher told you your book would be launched in September, now he tells you it will be the end of October. It’s okay. The end result will be a celebration. These things happen. Take advantage of the situations to release the announcement, and to give your reader a shot synopsis of what the book is about. For example, this is what my next novel is about: By the mid 1960’s, at the thrust of the Chicano Movement, Suzanna Montoya had settled in the city, gained a critical consciousness, and began to address urban concerns about race, class, and gender. Like many of her nameless Southwest contemporaries, Suzanna did her part where she lived on the west side of town, part of, but disenfranchised from the mainstream. Once again, Irene Blea, via Suzanna’s analytical gift renders a colorful voice as she takes action to address the manifestation of racism, sexism and class discrimination where it happens: in her life. All this is done while she seeks to reunite with the sons she left behind when she ran from her abusive husband.

Submit Your Work

I know writers who have been writing your years but have not submitted their work for others to read. I understand the hesitation, and the fact that having others read our work is a little like exposing ourselves in public. However, if your aim is to get published, you must allow others read your work. I like critique groups of no more than 5 persons, and exclude relatives and friends. Critique groups tell me what works and what does not in my writing. They also catch my grammatical errors. Beginning writers can submit their work to newsletters and newspapers after at least one other person has read it. Start small if you are shy, and submit to larger venues as you grow. Keep writing.

Advertise. Don’t be shy

Box

As a child, I was taught not to “blow your own horn.” As a woman, I was socialized to be quiet, listen. and learn. I’ve learned that when it comes to sharing my books with the public, I have to advertise. I use as much free space as I can get on social media. I also volunteer to do interviews, and have copy ready to send to those who respond. Google free advertising for more ideas. Today, I posted on my FB page that a box of book had arrived. I posted the photo of the open box and used the opportunity to once, again, advertise my upcoming presentation and book signing at the Carnegie Library, August 6th, 2:00 in Trinidad, Colorado.

Save This Date Notices

Plan ahead. This morning’s Southwest Writers meeting was great. Fiction writer, Michael McGarrity spoke about backstory and the role it plays in our writing. I generally sleep late, but I planned ahead by going to bed early, having my clothes ready, and coffee set to brew at 7:00 a.m. After the SWW meeting,  I drove to the Kokopeli’s Enchanted Doll Club meeting. I suggested we send out save-this-date notices. Example: “Keep an eye out for the upcoming doll show and conference in July, 2017, by visiting the Kokopeli’s Enchanted Doll Club Facebook page. Yes, July, 2917.” If you have an event planned, even if it’s a year away, it’s okay to send out SAVE THIS DATE notices. Keep your readers updated on events leading to the final event, and don’t forget to use free media.

Two Book Signings

This weekend, Saturday, I have two book signings: one at South Broadway Cultural Center, 1:00 & another Bookwooks Sunday, 3:00 in Albuquerque. After writers write their book and do the marketing via media, it is time to sign some books. Setting up book signing will be discussed later. For know, keep in mind that signing books goes beyond inviting everyone you can to your book signing. It demands conversation, setting boundaries, and being available to those who attend. Readers want to meet authors. They want to talk to them, ask them questions. Be open to this, but don’t forget to pay equal attention to those seeking your attention; especially if there are several people in line. There will be at least one person commanding all your attention. Be polite. After two or three minutes, I say to this person, “I would love to talk to you after I have a moment with those waiting. Do you mind waiting until I finish with them?” Most people don’t realize they are monopolizing your time. They generally apologize. Don’t forget to tell them you enjoy the few moments you had with them. COVER_Daughters of the West Mesa

I Crave Reviews

Selling well on Amazon. If you purchased your copy of my novel, Dalughters of the West Mesa, on Amazon, please post a review on the lower left hand side (at the bottom of the page). What do reviews do? An honest review informs the reader if the book is worth purchasing, and they inform the writer how to be a better writer- sometimes. A review is welcomed by this writer. Thank you for supporting my work. I’m providing a link. http://www.amazon.com/Daughters-West-Mesa-Ire…/…/ref=sr_1_1…

Irene Blea's photo.

My New Novel: Daughters of the West Mesa

My new novel has been release and we are working to schedule book signing as of this moment. Daughters of the West Mesa is about Dora a single mother of two daughters; one is missing. Dora buys a new house and in the field behind the house the remains of 11 young women and an unborn fetus are discovered. This is a work of fiction based on a true story, published by ABQ Press.COVER_Daughters of the West Mesa

http://www.amazon.com/Daughters-West-Mesa-Irene-Blea/dp/0991604660/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435010243&sr=1-1&keywords=irene+blea