Accidental Cowgirl Appears in Person!

If you live in Sonoma County, check this out:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Lynn Archibald
707-395-0542 Phone
707-529-9873 Cell
marylynn@winecountrywriter.com

“Accidental Cowgirl” to Appear at Cloverdale Seniors’
Annual Spring Literary Luncheon

Healdsburg, CA March 26, 2010—Mary Lynn Archibald, long-time local resident and three-time award winner for her second book, Accidental Cowgirl: Six Cows, No Horse and No Clue, will be the guest speaker at Cloverdale Senior Center’s Spring Literary Luncheon, Saturday, April 17th.

The theme of the book, the saga of how two suburban greenhorns spent twelve years attempting to raise a herd of Polled Hereford cattle in the remote wilds of Trinity County California, has a much wider appeal than even the author expected. As one magazine columnist put it recently, “Don't we all, deep down, long to be cowgirls and cowboys?

It was, however, something that the then interior designer had never planned to do—shoveling manure being somewhat incompatible with manicured nails and chic business suits.

“In 1990, we heard the wilderness call to us, and God help us, we answered,” says Archibald. Her book, now in its second printing, is the humorous account of what happened next. Says reviewer Alice Berger: “Rarely do I find a book so enjoyable that I savor it in small nibbles, like fine chocolate. Accidental Cowgirl is such a book.”

Mary Lynn believes in the personal essay and memoir form. “People nowadays are truly interested in sharing their own history as it is made,” She also teaches the art of memoir.
Her next book contrasts her small-town idyllic childhood with her young adulthood in the big, bad city of San Francisco, learning the ropes as a chorus girl, fashion model, sales clerk and switchboard operator.

Archibald will speak about and read from her work at the Senior Center Literary Luncheon from 1-3 P.M. on the 17th. The Center is located at 311 Main Street in Cloverdale. Call 894-4826 to reserve a table for 4-6, or to make an individual reservation. A $25 donation is requested. You may also reserve online at their website: http://www.cloverdaleseniorcenter.com/?p=466.

The author will also be signing her books at the event.

Hands

Don't know if you have this problem, but I have to take some time away from the computer. My hands hurt and go numb. Tendinitis. Nasty. Back soon.

What To Do About Publishing?

As noted so ably by my recent guest blogger, Julia Lindsey, there are many options to consider nowadays, when it comes to deciding how to publish what you write.

If you're an author, it's always tempting to go with a conventional publisher, especially if you desire hand-holding and instant prestige. But wait! Unless you're the Next Big Thing (or a recycled Last Big Thing), don't count on either one.

Unless you can sell 10-25,000 out of the gate, you may not even be able to make back your advance. And that's after you've spent it!

Self-publishing may be the answer, but that's only if you're a do-it-yourselfer, like me. There are many pitfalls to be overstepped there as well, but at least you have a lot more control over the process and the product.

The two biggest obstacles to overcome with self-publishing are decisions about printing and distribution. And if you don't employ someone to help you market, then you have to spend the time to learn all there is to learn (or all you can) about marketing, and believe me, there is a lot to learn. It helps to have a buddy who can do some info-sharing with you, especially if your budget is tight (and whose is not?)

Just in case you didn't have enough to worry about.