Guest-Krista Davis

Jessie: In New Hampshire where the forecast is above freezing all week!

I met Krista Davis for the first time several years ago at my very first Malice Domestic. We were both waiting in the lobby for a group of authors scheduled to have dinner with our shared publisher. I was in awe of her. No only was she one of the authors whose careers I admired, she was gracious, friendly and very kind to a neewbie like me. It is my very great privilege to welcome her to the Wickeds today!

Congratulations Sandy Gidden and Faith Creech! You are the winners of Krista’s ARCs! Jessie will email you to arrange to send your prizes.

How Can You Help Your Favorite Authors?

I get this question a lot. To be honest, before I was published, I had no idea what went on in the background. I just knew that I liked to read. I was one of those people who would read a great mystery and return to the store to buy the entire series. What’s more fun than binge reading? Right?

            But that can get pricy. Most authors aren’t reeling in John Grisham type income and we love to read, so we can relate to that. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to give authors a boost. Even better, some of these things can be done online, from the comfort of your favorite cushy chair. And some only require the click of a button!

1. Don’t ever feel guilty for borrowing our books from a library. After all, the library bought the book, and that counts as a sale. If your library doesn’t carry your favorite author’s books, ask if they can buy one. Most libraries are very pleased to order books that their patrons request. And hopefully, someone else will notice the book and read it, too. In addition, if you’re an audio addict, a lot of libraries carry audio editions. It’s an inexpensive way for you to enjoy audio books and libraries are happy to carry them.
2. Are you on Goodreads? Here’s something that doesn’t cost a cent and can be done from your sofa! Add a book to your want-to-read list. I love this because it lets other readers know about a book. People who belong to Goodreads want to hear what’s out there. How many times have you looked around for something new that other people are itching to read? Or did you miss a release by a favorite author? It’s such an easy way to spread the word about a book. And by adding a book to your want-to-read list, you’re doing the author a big favor. You don’t have to write a review or rate the book. You’re just telling people that you want to read it. So easy!
3. While we’re talking about Goodreads, here’s another easy thing you can do from your sofa—enter a giveaway. No kidding. All you have to do is enter a Goodreads Giveaway. Your Goodreads friends will be notified, which is actually a favor to them because they’ll find out about the giveaway and the upcoming book. Best of all, you might win the book!
4. Write a review. I think a lot of people are intimidated by writing a review. It doesn’t have to be long or super sophisticated. It can be even be one or two sentences. Admittedly, it does take a little bit more effort on your part, but it can be very helpful to the author. Did you know that the Amazon algorithm treats a book differently when it has fifty or more reviews? It will start popping up as a suggested read to other people who are interested in similar books. Wow! That’s like free advertising. Most people know about Amazon, but you can also post reviews at Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and a host of other places!

What do you like to do to help spread the word about your favorite books?

Readers: Krista will give away an advance reader copy of The Diva Sweetens the Pie to two people who leave comments today. US mailing addresses only, please.

Krista Davis writes three mystery series. The Diva Sweetens the Pie is the 12^thbook in the Domestic Diva mystery series about a group of friends in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Krista also writes the Pen & Ink Mysteries, featuring Florrie Fox, who manages a bookstore by day and draws coloring books at night. 

If dogs and cats are your thing, you might enjoy Krista’s Paws & Claws Mysteries with Trixie the Jack Russell with a nose for trouble (or more precisely—dead people) and Twinkletoes, the long-haired calico cat. The animals don’t speak in Krista’s books, but they do know how to follow the scent of murder.

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