Sunday, October 2, 2011

The Tipping Point for Kiki Lowenstein

When I started my mystery series, an other author told me, "You won't know if it's a hit until book number five." That seemed odd to me, but she went on to explain that #5 is a sort of tipping point, to use Malcolm Gladwell's term. By #5, you have enough critical mass to really make a difference in the marketplace. Newcomers to your series can buy five books, not just one.

I understand that. While browsing in a bookstore, my eyes go to mystery series. I knew that if I liked one book in the series, I could settle in and enjoy a long reading experience of following characters.
My editor, Connie Hill, recently sent me the galleys of Ready, Scrap, Shoot. She also complimented me on the dramatic tensions. She told me that she had taken the manuscript home over the weekend--rather than leave it on her desk to work on it on a Monday--because she had to see how it ended.

I passed the galley to two beta readers, readers whose opinion I value. The first reported back and she loved it. She had a few questions that I hope to resolve with an edit or two. The second hasn't contacted me yet.

Meanwhile, my husband enjoyed a quick and informal reunion this weekend with his high school friends in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. After a long day of golf on Saturday, one of them turned to David and asked, "Is your wife Joanna Slan? The mystery writer? We have three of her books at our house."

Wow. Maybe I have reached a tipping point. I sure hope so!

Here's the scoop on Ready, Scrap, Shoot--

You can pre-order it at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Ready-Scrap-Lowenstein-Scrap-N-Craft-Mystery/dp/0738727474/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317832835&sr=8-1

11 comments:

Dru said...

That is so cool. I love the cover.

Liz V. said...

I'm ready for Ready, Scrap, Shoot. Best wishes for its success.

Colleen said...

I hope April comes quickly. I can't wait to hear what happens to my favorite scrapbooking detective.

Lori Archer said...

I think you have absolutely reached a tipping point. I have just recently discovered your books and I LOVE them all and I hope you will continue this series for a long time. Here is what sets your books apart and has me raving about them to my friends. It is so exciting to feel like you are apart of the book. The first book got my attention when I was reading it and I thought,wow that sounds like a neat project, and then I got to the end of the chapter and there were the instructions so that I could try it myself. How ingenious! I also do not consider myself a cook but I actually had to try out a recipe from the latest book and it was a hit! These are books that I had planned to pass on to my mom to read and then donate. Now, I've told my mom that she can read them but that I want them back. I will be keeping them and referring to the projects often. Kudos and keep them coming!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Dru, Kevin Brown is the genius behind my covers. (Not UNDER them.) Isn't he great?

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Liz and Colleen, that's so kind of you!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Lori, you made my night. My week. My month. I hope you'll always feel like a part of Kiki's world. I really, really, try to make my readers feel at home!

Nancy said...

I agree with Lori Archer that you have reached the tipping point. What draws me back to your books most is the character development. I want to know how these relationships develop. Then there's the mystery, of course! I'm looking forward to your next book, and the next and the next...

Linda O. Johnston said...

I hope you have reached that tipping point, Joanna. I suspect I know the answer... :)

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Nancy, I know what's ahead for all my characters. Like real life, it's a mix of good and bad, beautiful and ugly. I'm glad you're enjoying them!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Linda, that's very kind of you.