We're midway through launch week of One Murder More! 

You did this, you made this happen. 

Without you, there would be no book, only a manuscript. Thank you! 

And (since no good deed goes unpunished) here are 3  more things you can  do now:  

1. Read the book. (Somehow find time!) When done, post a review on Amazon. You don't need to have purchased the book on Amazon to review it there. Go to www.kriscalvin.com, click on Amazon icon, scroll down and submit a review.  If you belong to Goodreads, please copy and paste your Amazon  review there, as well.  (If you received more than one copy and shared it with someone, please encourage them to submit a review.) 

2.  If you know anyone who has  "a platform (where their promotion  would reach many) who you might be able to encourage to read the book/blurb it or comment, please let me know if they agree to do so. Actor, politician, "man (woman) about town ".  (John Oliver would be top of my wish list, but I'm sure there are many who would be a huge help. ) In any case, tell EVERYONE you know about One Murder More! Word-of-mouth really matters.

3. Finally, back to sales. If it's possible for you, please consider buying a copy  now  and holding it as a gift for someone special. Limited time Amazon discount for launch: ebook under $8, hard copy under $17. Sales at the start dictate the future life of the book. At www.kriscalvin.com purchase options on home page (Amazon, Inkshares, Indie).

And just  for fun:  my recent Original Post: 5 Places to Stage a Summer Mystery  http://artbookscoffee.com/the-bookshelf.html?view=entry&id=665#sthash.kIbQ2wPD.dpuf

What do you think I should talk about in this interview? 

I  am honored to be invited to write  a  lead piece for a  website (that will remain unnamed until publication date) that specializes in reviewing "art and books" and introducing site visitors to  new artists and writers. 

The invitation  is as follows: 

 "One Murder More is kicking off our Summer Extravaganza so please include a summer theme, if you wish to use your own creative prompt you are more then welcome to as long as it includes a summer aspect." 

The only  thing I can glean from prior author's posts is that some include  "lists" (e.g., "10 best places to write").

Any ideas for "a summer theme"/"creative prompt"/possibly a list (or not), in which I talk about One Murder More or writing or politics or some combination? No specific length. 

Please send ideas to kcalvinauthor@gmail.com. 

Thanks!!

Kris 

PS  Two great reviews of One Murder More came out today, I am grateful. (Caution: For those who don't like to know any of the action ahead of time, both reviews contain limited spoilers, without giving away "whodunnit".)

 http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2015/05/fresh-meat-one-murder-more-by-kris-calvin-lobbyist-debut-mystery-doreen-sheridan

http://www.sdemagazine.com/one-murder-more-book-review/

One week to publication  of One Murder More!  Note: In anticipation of publication, my website  has been updated. Please check it out at  www.kriscalvin.com

If you have not received your  First Edition copy of  One Murder More by the end of the day Tuesday, May 26th,  email me so I can follow up for you. For those who are speed readers (!) if you are able to read the book prior to  June 1st (next Tues)  plz consider posting a review on Amazon. You do  NOT need to have purchased One Murder More  on Amazon to review it.  The below directions come directly from Amazon ;.  All that is needed is an Amazon account through which you at some time purchased something (anything). 

20 or more reviews (there are currently six) will help push the book out to new readers, a requirement for One Murder More to have more than modest success.  

"From Amazon: Before you can post a review, you need to have an Amazon.com account that has successfully been charged for the purchase of a physical or digital item. (Free digital downloads don't qualify.) You don't need to have purchased the product you're reviewing.  To submit a review ; Click "Write a customer review" in the Customer Reviews section. ; Click Submit."

(If you are a Goodreads member, plz copy your Amazon review and post it on the Goodreads One Murder More page.>;;;

The feedback on One Murder More  continues to be overwhelmingly positive —thank you again for your support and encouragement!

Kris 

 "T  minus 10 days"  to launch of One Murder More ...   

3 things:

1.  Final batch First Edition copies of One Murder More  were shipped today,  if you have not received yours yet, please watch for it. (The public will not be able to purchase  until June 1st.)  Can't wait to hear what you think!

2.    I am thrilled  that my interview on  Land of Books  went live today. (Puts me in the company of legendary writers like Stuart Woods,  author of  34 Stone Barrington Mysteries.)     

http://landofbooks.org/2015/05/21/kris-calvin-one-murder-more-is-told-with-humor/

3.   The life of this book, whether it has "legs", is heavily influenced by the launch— by what occurs June 1 & in the few weeks following. I'm committed to continuing to write  no matter what (Book 2 in the Maren Kane Mystery  Series is underway),  but anything you can do to help  now is  much appreciated!   Word of mouth matters most, please tell your friends about the book & share/post  www.kriscalvin.com.   Related to that, I will be sending you more communications  than usual during this brief window—it won't last long, and I appreciate your  understanding & patience. (This is an extremely exciting time, it's nice to have you to share with.)

Thank you again for everything!

Kris Calvin

 I find myself holding my breath, trying not to move too fast so that I don't miss any part of this lead-up to the launch of my debut novel. It would not have happened without your support.Thank you.

Some of you  have  your hardback First Edition of One More Murder More, the rest should receive it within the week.  We are featuring selfies/photos of folks (anonymously—no names) with their copies at www.kriscalvin.com in the "gallery",  if you're willing, plz email me your photo at kcalvinauthor@gmail.com! If you ordered an ebook, you will get directions for download soon, thank you for your patience.

 Next steps: when you have the book and are ready,  please consider posting a review—it's really important, and the sooner you do that the more impact it will have!  ( You don't need to have purchased One Murder More on Amazon to review it there—search the book by title, scroll down to reviews, choose your star total and leave a few honest sentences. If  you're on Goodreads you can copy your Amazon review there.)

Thank you again for all you have done. I am a writer by nature, but an author only because of your faith in me. 

Kris 

I received my "author's copy" of the First Edition of One Murder More in the mail. It was a surreal moment.  It would not have happened without your support, for which I am deeply grateful.

If you ordered a hard copy, One Murder More is on its way to you now! Ebooks are in the final stage of "virtual construction". (When ready, you'll receive prompt notice  & instructions for access from Inkshares.)

Please note that the public will be able to buy  the book beginning June 1st, and many will look to you, as early readers, for guidance. So, within what I know are the constraints of your busy schedules,  the sooner you are able  to  read One Murder More and post your opinion, the more likely  it will be to gain readers and to create  "the  buzz" needed to give it  sustained life and a broad audience. 

 Star ranking is, of course, important, but equally critical will be a a few honest sentences  (if you feel they are warranted) on what engaged you most in the novel: which character, what element of the plot (but no spoilers, please!)— something to show the review was individually and  "human-generated", rather than  mass-produced or by an autobot.  

In addition to Amazon, Goodreads has become a popular spot for readers to go to learn about  books— you need to be a member to post a review, but it's free & easy to join.  (You can use FB to sign up, if you like).  If it works for you, copying  your amazon review there will reach lots more readers!  www.goodreads.com 

If you have  any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me  at kcalvinauthor@gmail.com.

You are my heroes.

Kris

As I write this my publisher, Inkshares Inc., is busy finalizing One Murder More for production and distribution! The  second round of cover art design is under way, and the marketing department is reaching out  to authors, reviewers and credible people in politics (yes, the latter exist) to see who might be willing to give a comment for the back cover. 

Meanwhile, I've opened a  twitter account to enable me to share  timely updates on the book, along with  pithy thoughts (mine and others) regarding  reading and writing novels, and on state  politics. 

But it's awfully bare right now with only one follower (Inkshares-ha!). If you're on twitter please follow me @kcalvinHQ. (Note: @kcalvinHQ is my  author account and the one I'm trying to build for the book--you may see others in my name that relate to my "day job". )

As always, my deep and lasting appreciation  goes to you for your support and patience as One Murder More wends it's way to publication!  Please don't hesitate to contact me at kcalvinauthor@gmail.com with any questions you might have. 

Kris

I'm excited to have One Murder More : A Maren Kane Mystery  in near-final form back from the copyeditor. (Although as I review  the  editor's recommended changes I'm learning that I have an unbridled enthusiasm for the use of  commas and capital letters—we're cleaning that up. ) I've also begun working with the Inkshares design team on cover art.  I'd like to keep the design relatively simple—perhaps a bold red, white or blue background (not combined—one of the three) with a silhouette of a woman  set against the Sacramento skyline. I'd love to hear your thoughts about what might induce someone to pick up One Murder More   in a bookstore or purchase it based on an online image of the cover. Please email me privately at kcalvinauthor@gmail.com with your suggestions (or any questions/comments you might have). Thank you again for making this possible and for your patience—we're getting close!

FOR GIFT NOTES—kcalvinauthor@gmail.com

Note: This offer for personalized gift notes from the author is limited to pre-orders made by January 15, 2015. Thanks!

If you have ordered one or more  copies of One Murder More  for which you would like a gift note  to the recipient "from the author" regarding when they will receive  their book (and  extending to them an invitation to a  One Murder More Gala Launch party) please send  that request to kcalvinauthor@gmail.com 

Include (1) the name of the gift recipient(s), (2) their email address(es)  (3) your name as the gift giver and, if appropriate (4) a  "hold til date"  for any gift recipient for whom you want my note  held  until after a specific date. (For example,  if you want to present the recipient with a gift card/tell them yourself first about the gift and have my note be the follow-up or if you would like the note from me to arrive closer to a birthday or other future date.)

Kris

I want to take  a moment to provide you with an update on One Murder More, a Maren Kane Mystery.  As a backer who preordered my book, you have a special place in this process, and for that matter in my heart! 

I've spent the last few months polishing the manuscript, prior to  submitting it to a development editor (via my publisher Inkshares) for final guidance on  content and structure.  The following is from the Editor's comments:  " In most ways, One Murder More is hugely impressive. It’s a compelling mystery featuring terrific characters and a level of wit and style that could only come from the mind of a truly gifted writer…This is going to be a fantastic debut…"

Next steps are copy-editing ( checking for commas, grammar "fails", etc),  cover art design, developing a marketing plan and off we go!  I expect you to have your book(s) in hand in March or April—I wish it could be sooner, and I will do all I can to make that happen. I'll keep you posted.

Thank you for all you have already done! If you would like  to purchase additional copies (last minute-gifts for the  mystery lovers or political junkies on your list?) you can do so at  the link below. When your order is complete, if you provide me with an email for the recipient(s) I will send them a personal message "from the author"  letting them know to expect a First Edition (ebook or hard copy, depending on what you choose) and providing them  with two passes to an Invitation-only Gala Book Launch, date to be determined, one held in LA, one in SF and one in Sac (their choice).  If you already ordered  one or more books as gifts, the same offer holds—please let me know to whom to send the  personal note and Gala invitations. If you would like me to wait until after Christmas (so you can tell them the  book is coming as their gift), please let me know, otherwise the note will go out within 48 hours of your request.

Again, thank you so much, I am having more fun with this project than I could ever have imagined. 

I hope you enjoy this special time of year and that all your dreams come true!

Kris

https://www.inkshares.com/projects/one-murder-more