Today I am talking to Award Winning Author Dani Pettrey about the value of attending Conferences, Events and trade fairs and how they can help boost your author career. With hints tips and advice to help you navigate the conference circuit and make the most of your attendance at such events.
Today I am talking to Award Winning Author Dani Pettrey about the value of attending Conferences, Events and trade fairs and how they can help boost your author career. With hints tips and advice to help you navigate the conference circuit and make the most of your attendance at such events.
Hi, and welcome to the writing and marketing show brought to you by author Wendy H. Jones. This show does exactly what it says on the tin. it's jam packed with interviews, advice, hints, tips and news to help you with the business of writing. It's all wrapped up in one lively podcast, so it's time to get on with the show. And welcome to episode 169 of the writing and Marketing Show with author entrepreneur Wendy H. Jones. It's a pleasure to have you here again, as always, today, I'm going to be talking with award winning author, Danny Petrie. And we're going to be talking about conferences and events in the vault and reader events, and the value of these for an author. So well worth listening today. Before I tell you about Danny, and we meet with her, I would just like to give you an update on what I've been up to. Well, as you know, I've been reading a magazine called mom's favourite reads magazine. And I've been running it now for a few months. I was the editor prior to that. But I and the core team have made a decision that we are going to retire mom's favourite reads. At the end of July, however, we are going to be starting up a brand new magazine called writers universe. And it's going to be a writing magazine. And I'm very, very excited about what's going to be lying ahead for that. And I do know that we are going to have lots of different articles, lots of different information that will help writers in the writing journey and more about that in the future. We're also looking at having competitions as part of it. So you know, keep an eye on this space because one will be looking for contributors. And two, we will be we will be running competitions and it will be an excellent magazine for writers. So exciting times with that. And also Scott publishing and retreats that I'm setting up. So that's two new businesses as well as continuing to write so exciting times in the Jon's household and I'm very much enjoying the journey. So what have Danny, well, Danny, she's a number of she's a Publishers Weekly a number one Amazon Best Selling Author, and she's sold nearly 800,000 copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Danny combines the pitch turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy ever after a romance. Her novel standout for the wicked pay snappy dialogue unlikable characters. According to the Publishers Weekly on the gripping storylines. According to RT book reviews and sizzling undercurrent of romance USA Today, and Alaskan cottage Chesapeake, violent and coastal Guardian series have received praise from readers and critics alike. She has been honoured with multiple awards, including the Daphne du Maurier award to hope medallions are two time Christy award finalists to national Readers Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence and Christian retellings best award. So I'm very excited to welcome Danny back to to the writing and Marketing Show. And I'm looking forward to hearing what she has to say about conferences and event reader events, and also about her new novel that's coming up, which is also very exciting. So without further ado, let's get on with the show and hear from Dan. And we have Danny with us. Welcome Danny.
Dani Pettrey:Thank you. I'm so excited to be back.
Wendy Jones:Oh, it's really good to have you back. I always love having you on the show because you give us so much value, Danny.
Dani Pettrey:thank you. I love being on it..
Wendy Jones:And where are you? Because you're not where you were last time are you
Dani Pettrey:No, I've travelled I'm down in Florida visiting my daughter and her husband and my grandsons. So it is I'm sitting by a window with palm trees outside and it's bright and warm and about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wendy Jones:it's freezing in Scotland, so I'm not jealous in the slightest. It must have been some trip all that way down to Florida. That's
Dani Pettrey:yeah, it was I just got on an aeroplane it was only a few hours flight. So it's really not bad driving wise it is we drove last time and it's about 1617 hours. So it's a long drive.
Wendy Jones:I suppose people that get in a car in Canada and drive to Florida every year.
Dani Pettrey:I know. That's too long for me. 16 hours was pushing it but yeah, I can't imagine what they do. A lot of people do that.
Wendy Jones:Yeah, blimey, I think I'd be the plane type of person as well.
Dani Pettrey:I think so too.
Wendy Jones:Anyway, today, thank you for coming on, because we're going to be talking about conferences on reading events, which is something dear to my heart because I love a conference or a reader event. And so thank you for agreeing to that. So you and I met at a conference and today's podcast, as we say is about conferences, a reader events. Can you talk us through what sorts of conferences and reading events are out there?
Dani Pettrey:Sure. Oh, my goodness, there are so many out there. I think there's more than I could possibly attend in a year. I think that conferences are amazing. And so some of my favourites are C three con, which is where we met the creatures crime and creativity, which is in Columbia, Maryland. I attend often American Christian Fiction Writers Conference, ACF, W. It's a really big conference, and they focus on Christian fiction. I attend a bunch of reader events. There's just so many that are available. There's a fiction reader Summit, there's a Mississippi River readers retreat. And conferences are just all over the place. There's one in Oregon, there's several in Florida. It's amazing to just Google writers conferences, and how many will come up?
Wendy Jones:Yeah, I mean, there's loads in Britain as well. It doesn't matter where you want to go in the world as controllers. And there's reader events, and there's retreats, writing retreats.
Dani Pettrey:writing retreats. Yeah. I just got done with a retreat actually, two weeks ago.
Wendy Jones:Oh, wow. Listen, we weren't going to talk about retreats. But I'm going to ask you how did it go? What did you do at your retreat?
Dani Pettrey:Sure. Oh, thank you. So it was lovely. I had a group of seven women, I like to keep it small and intimate. And we basically take this Thursday night to Sunday morning, and we have a class Thursday night, I always have a guest speaker that zooms in this time, we had an agent, Cynthia araqchi, who's with my Buxton such agency, and then we had another agent the next day. And then I just take work teach workshops on various craft elements. This time, we went through advanced skills. And we worked our way from kind of one thing like pacing dialogue, looking at syntax and style, and just kind of subtext, a lot of deep stuff. And we worked our way through them. And then we did the art of layering and how to layer all those elements into a novel. And then there's time of fellowship and fun. We played a blind date with a book where you can steal books from each other. And it's just nice to be around other writers. We had some writing time and, you know, being around other writers, there's nobody that understands us better, right? And understands the world of writing.
Wendy Jones:That sounds brilliant. I love the idea of all of that. And I'll have to get to one one of these days. Yes, that would be lovely. Definitely. So we've talked about the conferences and reading events, and you've actually spoken at conferences. So I'm curious, how does one get invited to speak at attend them?
Dani Pettrey:A great question. So normally, which has just been kind of the way it's happened when I sign up for a conference and asked if you're published. And if you put in your published and they asked if you're willing to speak on a panel, you can check that you are and then most of the time, they will ask you to speak on a panel and one of the conferences I forgot to mention, I attended lots thriller Fest in New York for mystery, suspense and thriller writers. And they've always been so great to put me on a panel or two. They really try to get everybody that's an author. And they asked what kind of things you talk on or what areas you specialise in. And then they try to get you on a panel that falls into that like strong female heroines was one I spoke on. One was on complex plots, and C three con is a great one too. And they had me speak at that. So usually, if you're attending and your published you put in that you're willing to speak a lot of times they will ask you to do so.
Wendy Jones:Excellent. Good advice there. Now, I would say that one of the huge advantages of conferences is the networking opportunities. So why is networking so important to authors?
Dani Pettrey:Oh, that's such a good question. So networking is amazing. That's how you and I met at a conference. We started talking. You shared that you love my books, which was super sweet. I love that. But through that you interviewed me on your podcast, got an article in mom's reads magazine. I think that networking is so important because you meet other writers and all writers have different areas that they have specialty and like one of yours is podcasting speaking webinars. And so being able to to speak with you, I've learned a lot about podcasts. And you really get to make relationships with people. That's kind of the key I look for. It's not even so much like, who can I meet, it's who can I enjoy chatting with and develop a relationship with, and you never know what's going to come of it. People are looking for speakers. Sometimes people are looking for writers for an anthology, sometimes it's to join a new organisation that kind of broadens your reach. And through it all, you make some friends, and you gain different opportunities for your book to get spread to a wider audience.
Wendy Jones:Yeah, I would agree with all of that. I mean, you talk about C three, con. And I mean, that was an amazing conference, because I met some absolutely delightful people who I'm still friends with. And I'm hoping I'll meet up with them again, when I'm back in the States later this year. Because obviously, you're not going to be friends with everybody. But I was friends with some made friends with some readers, I made friends with writers. And I should say, get invited for anthologies, you got opportunities. People write for the magazine, I've had people on my podcast. And it's to do with just chatting to people being pleasant quickly. Just getting to know them over a cup of coffee.
Dani Pettrey:And agreed. Yeah,
Wendy Jones:I mean, I would feel and I want to know what you think about this, but a lot of what you get out of conferences as well, you get so much out of attending the attending the sessions. But you get even more out of sitting having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with somebody after hours.
Dani Pettrey:I agree with you. Yes, the The sessions are amazing, because you learn so much. And so conferences kind of have that dual purpose, like you said, you get to learn a lot, you get speaking opportunities. But you're right sitting down with somebody over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine afterwards, you really get to know them. And so like when I went to see three con I met you, I met the president of Mystery Writers of America. And we chatted about that organisation. So I plan to join, I got to speak with Austin and his wife who run the conference and just get to know them. And I'm helping now on the media relations team to get more people in for the book signings. And so it's just you kind of build those that rapport and relationships and the friendship with them. And I think that's the attitude to have going in. Like you said, it's not so much like, How can I meet? And what can they do for me, it's who can I chat with and get to know and develop friendships with? And you know, it's a blessing all around?
Wendy Jones:Well, absolutely. And I know when I looked at who was going to see three con, and I saw your name come up. I was like, Oh, my goodness, here, and I didn't want to bother you or anything. But I thought I've got to go out and introduce myself and say, Look, I love your books. You know,
Dani Pettrey:I'm so glad you did. And
Wendy Jones:you did that. You know, I wasn't expecting anything from it. But we got we got to know.
Dani Pettrey:And that's how it goes. Absolutely. And you were kind enough to sign a book to my grandson's. And they both loved it. So thank you or to the buffalo? Yes, or to the Buffalo. And actually, I'm at my grandson's in their room right now. And it's sitting on the bookshelf. So they love when author signs books to them. And they think it's really special. So yeah,
Wendy Jones:I'm glad they liked it. So we've talked about conferences, but let's talk about readers events, because they're a totally different animal altogether. What can what's the value of them? Sure, that's
Dani Pettrey:a great question. So each reader event that I've been to I've been to several, they all run a little differently. But the value of them is just getting to hang out with readers. I've made a lot of friends that way as well. But different reader events are set up differently. So for example, there's a fiction reader summit in Grand Rapids, Michigan, every May I believe. Chris Jagger's. The lady that runs it, and she does an amazing job. And so it starts with you all have dinner together on like Thursday night, so you get to meet all the readers that are going to be there, you get to meet and chat with other authors. And then for the summit itself, that one is run with they have they pick speakers, and they try to pick new speakers each year. So there might be maybe eight speakers, and they put them up on a stage and it's kind of a panel format. And so they'll talk on different subjects. And they usually get a wide variety of genres. Sometimes they have an agent there, and readers, just gonna listen and ask questions and engage with the writers and have meals with them. Like you're saying that over coffee. I've attended where I've spoken when I've been invited to speak and then I've attended just as a reader and a writer just to kind of hang out with all the other readers. You do learn so much of them from the authors as well. I think for some of the reading rich reader retreats, or reader events A lot of times, somebody who runs it might know you or know of your books, and they'll reach out to you. But you can always reach out to the person in charge and just express interest, hey, you know, if you ever have an opening, I would really love to come. I think it helps if you attend one yourself and kind of get a feel for it and make sure it's the right thing. And then, you know, then you're asking, having known what it's like. But I think the value is just really engaging with readers and finding out what they're looking for what excites them about writing how they love to connect with writers, it just gives you a really great perspective. And, you know, as writers, we're readers first. So you know, it's great talking about books.
Wendy Jones:The only difficulty I find when going to readers events, is even as an author, you come away with so many books, you're like, how did that happen?
Dani Pettrey:Yes, that is so true. They have these amazing gift bags, when you check in and they're full of books. And then throughout the whole thing, you get more books. And it's like, you know, sometimes if I have to fly home, and so I have to have somebody ship them to me, because I can't take them on the plane. So it's fun, it's fun getting all those but you're right, I have like to be read piles that are so high just from reading retreat books
Wendy Jones:to to to be read mountains.
Dani Pettrey:Yes. But that's actually a really good point, too, that if you are an attending author you can put in to put stuff in the gift bag. And so you can put, usually they do more than bookmarks, but you can put something in there that will let readers know about you and your books, and kind of be a gift for them. But it's a great way to share your books with all the readers in attendance. So there are opportunities like that as well. And if you're an attending author, then you get assigned books as well. And you have a book table set up. And you know, there's lots of opportunities on top of it.
Wendy Jones:Yeah, they are great fun. I went to one in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Oh, my can we remember what it was called. But it was amazing. It was the first time they'd run it. And I've never been to anything like this before. I'm from Britain, we don't do the same as you do in America. So I'm like, we had dinner the night before. And people have to pay to come and speak to you to come sit at your table. And I'm like, Who the hell is my table? Nobody knows me, you know. So they got the dinner as well as part of it. But sure said, Oh, we bring a gift bag. So for each of the personally tables that can do that. So I'm from Scotland, I can do a Scottish gift bag, which I do that we find on my books. So I did it round all the first six of my books in my series. So they got a mug, they got a bookmark, they got a coaster, a pen with all the books, but they also got a lot of Scottish stuff. So they got Scottish toffee, they got Scottish. They all got a brooch in the shape of Scotland. They got I mean, I did as much as I could. What a fun idea. So, I thought I won't have anybody at my table. Who the heck knows me. Of course, Nancy Nagel was there. And Nancy is huge in America because all her books are movies on Hallmark. So right, it was just delightful. By the way, she's delightful. People want to know new authors as well, which is why I brought that up, it wasn't to say anything else. You know. It doesn't matter if you think you're unknown author, because it's a way of becoming known.
Dani Pettrey:It is they love to discover new writers. I mean, they're always interested in finding new writers so they can read their books, and I'm a little jealous, I would have loved one of the Scottish gift bags. That's a great idea.
Wendy Jones:Consider it done. .
Dani Pettrey:Right? But you're right. They do love to discover new writers. And they're so interested in how different writers write and what type of books they write. And it's just a great opportunity to speak with them.
Wendy Jones:Yeah, it is because people read. They don't just read the same author all the time, they say, but then they don't bring a book out for another year. So, they can only read one book a year. So, they discover more authors and they buy their books.
Dani Pettrey:Yes, they do. And I get emails because I write a book a year and I get emails while I'm waiting for your next one. Who do you recommend? So they're always looking and so I'm always recommending author, friends that right in the same genre. And it's just a way because you're right they they read voraciously, and they always want something to read. So it's a great way to make that connection
Wendy Jones:It's when you write a book and they send you a message the next day going. When's the next one coming out?
Dani Pettrey:I know it's amazing.
Wendy Jones:I can bring out one a day.
Dani Pettrey:No, I can't either. Some authors can do it. I have a friend who writes a book a month I have no idea how she does it. I'm like in awe. But yeah, I can't do that. So but the other thing is I've made friends with readers that are very close friends today. I mean, you know It's not just other writers, you make friends with readers and they kind of cheer you on and and I all I one of them I made such a good friendship with I stayed at her house when I was at a Christian product Expo and she lived in the area and you just develop these great relationships.
Wendy Jones:Yeah, absolutely. It's great. I mean, one of the people I met at the one in the Blue Ridge Mountains. And she loved my books, she got a gift bag, and then she bought books. But she's now writing from Mom's Favourite Reads doing book reviews. It opens up opportunities for everybody. So she published.
Dani Pettrey:That's amazing. I love that. And it's such a good publication. I love Mom's Reads.
Wendy Jones:It's good. It's fun. It is fun. So we there's only a limited amount of conferences and readers events you can go to in a year, because quite frankly, we have to write as well, you know? So if you had to choose to go to a conference or a reader event, which should also choose and why?
Dani Pettrey:Oh, that's a good question. I think it depends on what you will get the most out of depending on what's happening at that time in your life. Like if you feel you really need to get some learning in and you would like to speak and really connect with other writers. A conference is a great way to do that, because it is networking. It is time with other writers, there's often readers will actually sometimes attend writing conferences, just to hear the speakers. And I think it's a great learning opportunity. Like C three con, I learned a lot on the listening to those panels. I was amazed, I even went into the wrong panel one time because the signs were wrong. And I got in there. And I ended up being fascinated. And so like you can just learn from so many, where's the reader event, especially if you have a new release? It's a really good way to interact with readers. And just spend time with them. So I try to do one conference in one reader event a year if possible. If not, I do every other year. So conference one year reader event conference reader event, I feel like both are just so beneficial. But it's really kind of where you're at, at that particular time. Like, is this going to work in your schedule? Are you looking to share a new release with readers? Do you want to learn from the authors, the other authors at the reader events because they're still learning? We're conferences are more on specific topics like FBI or you know how to write strong fantasy or you know, so many different topics. So it's really what you need, at that point in time and what you would like to get back as well.
Wendy Jones:Yeah, I know, they're good answers. Thank you. Because it's true. I think you need a balance of both. Yeah, I'm just fortunate when I come to America, I do loads of both.
Dani Pettrey:That's so great.
Wendy Jones:Which is fun. Because meeting readers is amazing. But also meeting other authors is amazing.
Dani Pettrey:There's a there's a difference in the two and they're both just really beneficial. So and there's actually a conference when you said Blue Ridge, there's a Blue Ridge Christian writers conference every May. And I'm going to be teaching at it next year, for the first time. I'm super excited. But it's this beautiful place up in Asheville, North Carolina at this retreat centre, and it runs for like five days. And it's just massive learning and writing and fellowship time. And so it's a new conference for me. And so I like to check out new conferences, too.
Wendy Jones:I might have to see if I can get out for that one. Yes,
Dani Pettrey:I bet you would like that. Yeah, but it's like Memorial Day weekend, which is sometimes a hard week for it. But I think it's gonna be worth it. I've heard so many good things about it. And I know a lot of the people who teach and they're just lovely.
Wendy Jones:And I've even been to Asheville, North Carolina.
Dani Pettrey:Oh, well, perfect. So, you know the area? Yes, absolutely. Because you'll be back in the States then. Right?
Wendy Jones:Well, I don't know but I can get on a plane.
Dani Pettrey:There you go. There you go. I'll send you the information. It's a really good conference.
Wendy Jones:Right. So, the thing that every author wants to know is how can I sell more books? So how can you use these to promote your books? What's the best way of doing it?
Dani Pettrey:A great idea or a big, great question. There's a lot of ideas depending on which one you're at, if you're at a conference, a great way to do that is to have books at the book table. They always have books for sale, and writers or readers so you can sell books there. Speak on the panels so other writers get to know you and have interest in your books. Some conferences like thriller fest, for example, you can have like a big banner of your book set up and so people can see it walking by their sponsorship up portunities for most conferences, and you can sponsor and have your name up there, and they'll usually highlight your book. Reader events are great just because you're speaking in front of readers, but you also can put things in gift bags for them. So they can kind of see what you write or get to know you. And a lot of them will also ask for sponsorships of books like we were talking how many books you get, putting your book in a reader's bag at a reader event totally introduces them to you. And then readers tell friends when they read a book they like. And so they're great ways to have promotion, just by speaking, gift bags, sponsorships, even gift baskets, like see three contests, gift baskets, and putting together a gift basket and putting your book in it. And some fun items like your Scottish items would be lovely. Everybody at the event, you know bids on those because they all want to win a gift basket. And it's another great way. So there's lots of different ways to promote your book and bring your bookmarks with you or your business cards because I always forget that and people ask and I'm like I should have brought them. So it's a great way to hand information out to other readers and writers.
Wendy Jones:Yeah. Bookmarks. And, you know, business cards are essential. Really? I've managed to leave them in my room? Or leave them behind? Or not even at the hotel?
Dani Pettrey:Yes, I know, I leave them in my room. If I'm at a hotel, and if I'm travelling just for like the day and back, I live in my home, I have to get really much better now.
Wendy Jones:I need business cards everywhere. You know?
Dani Pettrey:Yes, exactly.
Wendy Jones:Yes, that's true. I know you write , Christian romantic suspense, and which types of events are better suited to this genre of book?
Dani Pettrey:That's a great question. So I found that all conferences, Christian ones, and ones that are not specifically Christian are so welcoming, like thriller fest, C three con, they're just so welcoming to Christian authors. But there are specific Christian writers conferences, and they are spread across the country. There's Oregon Christian writers. There's one in Minnesota. There's several in Florida, I think Florida Christian writers. There's ACF, Debbie, which is American Christian fiction writers, which is the biggest one. And you know, those events, you get to meet other Christian authors. But there's a lot of readers that come to those events as well. So there are you can just type in Christian writing conferences, and Google it, you would be amazed at the number that will come up for that.
Wendy Jones:Yeah, I know that. That's useful to be honest. And won't matter what genre you're right. There will be a festival for it. Yes, that's true. Yes, the festival. festivals were in the world, but most of them in America. Yeah, there are lots. I mean, if you want a crime festival, but it is your place, we do like a crime book in Britain. You know, we've got a lot of crime festivals. That's nice. Yeah. And I'm curious as to whether you feel that trade shows such as London book fade or the book fair, or even the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. So what's it for authors? And why or why not?
Dani Pettrey:It's a great question. I have never been to any of them. So I don't know for sure. The benefit, or you know, how it would be best for an author. I know, for example, my publisher has their international sales lady, go to all of those, and they they represent our books. So if we can't make the trip, but I would imagine making the trip and meeting different people and meeting publishers from other countries would be a great way to introduce your book to them. I'm sure that they're set up very similar to trade shows here, where your publisher or you have a booth, and they can come by and be introduced to your books. I think that the one like, not downside, but the one big thing is the cost of travel that you have to take into account. But I would love to attend them. I know that the lady from our publishing house goes to Frankfurt goes to London, you know is there to represent but they're representing all the books from the publishing house of you can be there yourself, you probably can get some more connections. There are some great trade shows in the US. There is one called pushing product Expo if you write Christian fiction, and it's an August in Lexington, Kentucky, and it is held for all the independent Christian bookstores in the country. And you can go and do a signing on that Sunday night and they come by and get a book and there's interviews and you know you could meet different ones have different things. I met my German publisher at one of them. I came up and said, Hi, I just bought your rights to your book for Germany. And so getting to know your foreign publishers is a great experience.
Wendy Jones:Yeah. I've actually been to Christian Products Expo, I was signing copies of Bertie the Bufallo.
Dani Pettrey:Oh, that's great. I went last year, and I loved it. I'd been for a number of years, and then I wasn't I think they stopped because of COVID. But I went back last year, and it was wonderful.
Wendy Jones:I was there in 2019. Just the year before. Nashville, Tennessee. Oh, okay.
Dani Pettrey:Great. Yeah. Last year was Lexington, Kentucky, and this year, it's there again in August. So, but I would love to go
Wendy Jones:300 times bigger than the Christian expos here. It's, massive.
Dani Pettrey:Another thing, it's totally different kind of reasons for going in addition to conferences and reader events, trade shows are a whole nother aspect of connecting but connecting with bookstore owners.
Wendy Jones:Absolutely. Yes. Yeah. I mean, the bookstore owners. To be honest, I don't have to try very hard to sell anything because I've got a Scottish accent. Oh, yeah, we'll have your books, we'll buy them.
Dani Pettrey:Exactly.
Wendy Jones:I'm sure it would be the same if an American came to Britain, you know, it'd be like, oh, yeah, you're American
Dani Pettrey:right. There you go. Got to keep that in mind.
Wendy Jones:People were lovely. They were delightful saying do you do book signings where will come and do one. I had a raft set up and COVID hits. So, that's one of the things about trade shows like that, that's a bit different, because you're meeting with book shops, rather than the trade shows where it's publishers, that you can get invited to do book signings?
Dani Pettrey:Absolutely, absolutely. It's a huge benefit one, your book is introduced in case they are not familiar with you. And if they are, you still get that personal connection. And you are absolutely right. I got asked to come and do signings when I was there this summer. And they also have a lot of different Christian radio shows or publications that do interviews while you're there as well.
Wendy Jones:Yeah, no, you're right. There's all sorts of things that you can look for. So good advice, as always. So, what would be your advice to any author attending a conference or festival in terms of maximising the promotion of their books?
Dani Pettrey:Great question. So I would say, depending on what event it is a conference or a reader event, you have different opportunities, but you just want to go with the attitude that you're going to meet new friends, that you're going to get to know people that you're going to show interest in other people, not just you know, focused on you, which you know, you've made tonnes of friends at these events. But I think maximising promotion is being sure that you, you know, are able to share about your books, if they ask you have, you know, an idea in mind of how you're going to explain your books or what you write. And having those bookmarks is really important. And really just talking to as many people as you can see if you can speak on a panel. And, you know, just building those relationships, I think helps a lot. And then seeing what advertising possibilities. They have almost all conferences, have in Reader events, do the gift bags, that writing conferences, usually have an advertising tab on their website, and you can look and see what opportunities are there. They have the you know, pamphlet or the conference book, that everything's in schedule wise, and you can put ads in those. And they're really reasonable. It's just looking for what opportunities and one other thing I will say, has been really wonderful is volunteering. You get to meet so many people, when you volunteer people who run the conference, if you're doing the registration table, people attending, just volunteering and giving back you get to know a lot of people, and it's a great way to help out.
Wendy Jones:Yeah, yeah, you're right. Volunteering can be good as well, because you do get to meet a lot more people as well. And it's, it's like any thing in life, it's about being pleasant and chatting to people and getting info about them. It's not - yes, you want to promote and sell your books - but that shouldn't be a primary focus.
Dani Pettrey:Exactly. That should be secondary. I agree. You're right. It's to make relationships and get to know people and show interest in what they write or what they like to read. It's just, that's the primary focus. Yes,
Wendy Jones:yeah. So tell us about your own books. And I absolutely love them, as I've said, already. So tell us about them. And I know you've got a new one coming out. So tell us about it.
Dani Pettrey:yes. So, my latest series is called the coastal Guardian series. It's about the Coast Guard investigative service. There are three full length books in it that following different members of the team and in each book there's kind of a standalone mystery in each book, but the the team is is woven throughout the books too. So it's always great if you can read the whole series. And I'm really excited about my new book that's coming out May 2nd, it's called the shifting current. And it came about because I got so many reader emails asking to learn about Logan and me who are a couple, their teammates, but they have feelings for each other and everybody kept emailing. And we'd already kind of done a three book contract and there was another contract for a new four book series I'm launching next year. So my editor and I talked and we asked what we could do. And so they suggested I do a short story or a novella. So I did a long novella on a shifting current, which is Logan and me story. And it starts out with some sad news for Logan that his grandfather has been murdered. And the two of them fly to his hometown is a fictional town called cauldron Creek, New Mexico, and robbery gone wrong shift into kind of this deadly maze of lies and blue slip through their fingers. And the only lead is a drifter who's like one step ahead. And so they've got each other to rely on. And they're trying to survive the killer knows who they are. And they've got it out stop the killer before he gets them. So I'm really excited about it. It does do a standalone because of the mystery. But it's also wonderful if you read the series so you can get to know them as it builds up. So it was really fun writing about New Mexico. I actually lived there for a number of years. And my husband and I both grew up on the East Coast about an hour apart. But we met in New Mexico, of all places. So it was fun writing about a place that I had lived and a new location because I always write by water. So it was it was a shift riding back in the southwest.
Wendy Jones:Yeah. Excellent. Well, I'm looking forward to it, I must say. So finally, where can my readers, listeners we've been talking about books, so I'm in readers, where can my listeners find out more about you and your books?
Dani Pettrey:Sure, they can come to my website. It's just danipettrey.com. And I'm on social media. Facebook is Dani Pettrey. Instagram is Author, Dani Pettrey. And I just love interacting with readers. Through my website, you can sign up for my newsletter or shoot me an email, and I love talking with readers.
Wendy Jones:Excellent. Well, thank you very much, Dani. It's been an absolute pleasure.
Dani Pettrey:Thank you. I love being on your podcast.
Wendy Jones:Hey, it's great having you here and enjoy the rest of your day.
Dani Pettrey:Thank you. You too. Bye. Bye.
Wendy Jones:That brings us to the end of another show. It was really good to have you on the show with me today. I'm Wendy H Jones. And you can find me at Wendy H jones.com. You can also find me on Patreon where you can support me for as little as $3 a month which is less than the price of a tea or coffee. You go to patreon.com forward slash Wendy H Jones. I'm also Wendy H Jones on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Thank you for joining me today and I hope you found it both useful and interesting. Join me next week when I will have another cracking guest for you. Until then, have a good week and keep writing keep reading and keep learning