March 25, 2020

NM Book Co-op HELP CENTER #10

POSITIVE NEWS

AUTHOR INTERVIEW ONLINE
Peter Riva was recently interviewed about his new book Kidnapped on Safari. Check it out at https://radio-joyonpaper.com/author-interview-peter-riva/

NEW BOOK OF POETRY PROFILED
SW Festival of the Written Word's Kris Neri has a profile on a new book of poetry by Beate Sigriddaughter — https://mailchi.mp/2f82fdf34acb/testing-1251699?e=9c2a8657fa

HOARDING FOOD VERSUS HOARDING BOOKS
Roswell Daily Records' Christina Stock made a connection with author Savannah Hendricks right here in this newsletter and it led to her being featured in the Comfort Food and Food for Comfort column — https://www.rdrnews.com/2020/03/23/hoarding-food-versus-hoarding-books/

OPPORTUNITY FOR GROUP REVISION
Geri Rhodes has posted a manuscript that her husband Ralph Flores wrote before he died. She is offering this here to see if any Co-opers might want to join in a group revision of the story. All she asks as Ralph's widow is that if anyone does make revisions, that she receive a copy and that Ralph gets credit for the original. If there are enough improvements, she volunteers to be the editor and if sheI can find a publisher, she would give authorial credit to everyone who contributes. Email her at geriraf@nmia.com if you have things to contribute to the group effort.

CHECKLISTS FOR ALL
Jane Friedman has compiled several helpful checklists that authors/publishers might profit from.
* Self-Publishing Checklist
* Book Marketing Plan Checklist
* The Basic Components of an Author Website

JULES POETRY PLAYHOUSE OFFERS VIRTUAL READINGS
Jules' Poetry Playhouse is committed to poetry, play and community and they are trying out the ZOOM portal for everyone to join them by laptop, desktop or phone. If you have an internet connection, this should work for you. Stay connected while 'flattening the curve' on COVID-19. Check it out HERE

REALITY CHECK
Our Bookstores and What’s ‘Essential’: Check out this article on The Passive Voice — http://www.feedspot.com/?dadi=1#feed/fof_fo_1203053__f_494016/article/5975585782?dd=4311523016992171

Book Marketing During COVID — Check out this article at https://booklaunch.com/book-marketing-covid19/

Cancelations & Industry Changes
ALA Annual Conference has been canceled; Scholastic is reducing its staff temporarily; S&S has bowed out of BookExpo; Diamond has stopped distributing comics; and publishers are struggling with moving pub dates. Plus, NPR has reported that workers in eight Amazon warehouses have tested positive for the virus, while the Los Angeles Times notes that big national retailers plan to stop paying rent to offset coronavirus closures. In other news, Penguin Random House saw a 6% sales and earnings bump last year—although CEO Markus Dohle says even America's most dominant publisher is bracing itself for an outbreak-related impact—and a federal judge will allow PEN America's lawsuit against President Trump to proceed. — https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/82814-american-library-association-cancels-2020-annual-conference.html

SUPPORTIVE COMMENTS
We have been getting a lot of feedback and many comments on our HELP CENTER, including from Peter Riva, Pat Wood, and Kris Neri

Patricia Smith Wood said: "I'’m enjoying your newsy newsletters during the sequestration. You mentioned if you write humor, write some. Well, I’m toying with a subject that (basically) isn’t all that funny. However, when you’ve been married four times, there are a couple of giggles to be had along the way. Ruthe has suggested a book title for me: The 4th Wife of the 2nd Husband. I was describing myself that way to her whilst telling a story. It made her laugh (as what I say frequently does with her! She’s an appreciative audience for my weird stories!) But I don’t want to make light of marital strife or broken hearted break ups. What say you? Hugs.

Thanks to all of you!

ON-GOING LIST OF SUPPORT IDEAS: As a reminder of previous notes, here are things we all can do to support each other:
* Sign up for bookstore and local business email lists/blasts about current news
* Use curbside pickup and online ordering
* Buy gift certificates from local businesses for later redemption
* Don't forget emergency food programs — www.nmfoodbanks.org
* Talk with local business owners to explore other ideas -- by phone or email
* Cover•Reads — sign up to have your book promoted to stores and libraries all across the Southwest http://nmbookcoop.com/CoverReads/CoverReads/CoverReadsPromo.html

WAYS TO HELP DURING THIS CRISIS
Many of us are asking how we can help. While many in-person volunteer opportunities are suspended due to social distancing, there are still ways to make a difference.
* Donate Time and Money
* Check on family, friends and neighbors
* Share accurate information

Best advice:
* Don't panic and hoard
* Wash your hands
* Stay home and practice social distancing

CORRECTION:
Sorry, but my one-person editing/writing/proofing crew let one slip yesterday. My apologies to Nicolas Cabrera. The correct title of his book is Ecos Neomexicanos. Sorry about that.