Stories that Matter

Cathy West

Buzz – Say What??

Jan 30, 2012

I’ve ‘labeled’ Mondays on the blog as “Book Buzz.” It’s an interesting thing, this concept of ‘buzz’. I’m not sure when the word as it is most often used today, entered our vocabularies. I certainly don’t remember using it as a child. Here’s what I found in an online dictionary: buzz 1 [buhz] noun 1. a low, vibrating, humming sound, as of bees,machinery, or people talking. 2. a rumor or report.…

Meet Author Michael Duncan!

Jan 27, 2012 | 1 Comment

Today we have author Michael Duncan visiting with us! He’s here to answer the questions I’m sure we all want to know! Who Are You? Who am I? That’s a good question and one that ought to be answered! 🙂 I am Michael – husband to my beautiful wife and father to three amazing children.…

So You Want To Be A Writer?

Jan 25, 2012 | 6 Comments

Over the last few years, I posted a fair bit about the writing life on my other blog. Since this is now my primary blog, I thought some of those posts might fit here on Wednesdays, when we discuss writing. I hope they’ll be helpful to you wherever you are on your journey. November 2010.…

The Language of Flowers

Jan 23, 2012 | 3 Comments

The Language of Flowers was one of those books I heard a lot about after it was released, but put it on my ever-growing TBR pile. A couple of weeks ago I finally got around to reading it. You know sometimes you long for a story that reaches deep into your soul, wakes something…

Historical Fiction Author, Christine Lindsay!

Jan 20, 2012 | 6 Comments

Last year was a landmark year for me as far as reading goes. I found I had more than a few friends who were writing historical fiction, so I began reading it. And immediately got hooked. When Christine Lindsay asked if I would read her debut novel, Shadowed In Silk, for possible endorsement, I agreed.…

Realizing The Dream – Some Unsolicited Advice On Getting From A to B

Jan 18, 2012 | 3 Comments

I apologize for not posting on Monday, but I’ve been getting over a stomach virus. Laying on my back immobilized is a great opportunity for pondering, thinking of things past, dreaming of things to come. Lately I’ve been remembering things about my journey to publication. Things that might be helpful to share here. I…

Meet Sandra D. Bricker!

Jan 13, 2012 | 9 Comments

Otherwise known as Sandie! I got to know Sandie last year when a bunch of us agency mates got together to create a blog. I followed her journey through illness and read her brave posts about getting through it all with grace and courage, and I was inspired. Until we ‘met’, I hadn’t read any…

Those Darn Girls! (Or Maybe I Just Need A Shrink).

Jan 11, 2012 | 14 Comments

One of my biggest struggles as an author is writing female characters with authenticity. There. I said it. I think if I could write stories about guys blowing things up and having knock down drag out fights, I’d be a happy camper. But since Ronie Kendig’s got that market cornered, I’m sticking with contemporary romance.…

What Can Writers Learn from Television?

Jan 9, 2012 | 2 Comments

I meant to be good this year. I don’t normally watch a lot of television. But then I started watching Once Upon A Time. And then I started watching Hart of Dixie. And then…as I was innocently browsing around Facebook late yesterday afternoon…someone who shall remain nameless but not innocent who also happens to be…

Meet Lindi Peterson!

Jan 6, 2012 | 18 Comments

Romantic comedy author Lindi Peterson burst onto the book scene last year with the release of Her Best Catch. I’ll be the first to admit that in the past I was never a big fan of this genre. ‘Chick Lit’ or ‘Hen Lit’, as it used to be called, just didn’t interest me. Whenever I…

When the World Stopped

March 30, 2020 |

It took a couple hours to get through the cobwebs to find this page. It’s been a little over a year since I wrote my last blog post. I figured it was a waste of time, and I had better things to do. Better things to spend my time on. Time was precious.And now there…

The Next Best Step

March 25, 2019 |

The one sure thing about life, the one thing you can pretty much count on, is that it won’t always be easy. You know this. You’ve already been through some tough stuff. And you’ve survived. Maybe even triumphed. But then it all comes back for a second round. Or a third. Maybe you’re getting hit…

What To Do With Fear and Failure and Other Nuisances

February 18, 2019 |

I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. Maybe you’re familiar with the mantra? It’s easy to say. Easy to repeat. And easy to convince yourself of. Because if you say something enough times, eventually you begin to believe it. Even if it’s not true. So last week I wrote about change, and how I was going…

Change. Again.

February 9, 2019 |

I didn’t pick a word for the year. I don’t know why, really. I guess I didn’t give it much thought. But now I kind of feel the word picked me. Change. Ironically, it was my word for 2015. And I wrote this blog post about it. Just a few months before I would announce…

Maybe It’s Time

December 27, 2018 |

“You gain strength,courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” — Eleanor Roosevelt. So we…

WINNERS!

December 27, 2018 |

Thanks so much to everyone who followed and participated in our Favorite Christmassy Things Giveaway! I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas! Here are the winners! AND, the winner of my giveaway is – DIANNA GARDENHOUR!! CONGRATULATIONS to everyone!! And thanks again for participating! Wishing you all the best for a very happy 2019!

My Favorite Christmas Gift!

December 21, 2018 |

I hope you’ve all been enjoying this fun giveaway, and enjoyed learning about all our favorite Christmassy things! Today, as we wrap up our twelve days, it’s my turn. And I’m delighted to tell you about my favorite Christmas gift! Actually, I have two, but they kind of tie together, as you’ll see.…

Welcome, Christmas! A Fantastic Author Giveaway!

December 10, 2018 |

Can you believe how fast the weeks are flying? It’s hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner. To celebrate my favorite season, I’ve asked some of my favorite authors to join me in sharing “Our Favorite Christmassy Things!” I’m excited to see what my friends have to share over the next twelve…

Summer Fun, France And Family!

July 9, 2018 |

How did it get to be July already? And I haven’t blogged since my book came out in May! Well. To be honest, I’m still on the fence with the blog, as it doesn’t seem to be the best way to connect anymore. But anyway, here we are, so until I decide to close it…

What To Do After Launch Day!

May 23, 2018 |

So Where Hope Begins is now out in the big wide world. Godspeed, my lovely. And yesterday was a little nuts. The nerves. The onslaught of notifications. The well wishes and fun comments, and feedback. All wonderful and totally mind blowing, not to mention a tad overwhelming. Oh and did I mention a Facebook LIVE…

Buzz – Say What??

January 30, 2012 /

I’ve ‘labeled’ Mondays on the blog as “Book Buzz.” It’s an interesting thing, this concept of ‘buzz’. I’m not sure when the word as it is most often used today, entered our vocabularies. I certainly don’t remember using it as a child. Here’s what I found in an online dictionary:

buzz

¹ [buhz]

noun

1. a low, vibrating, humming sound, as of bees,machinery, or people talking.

2. a rumor or report.

3. Informal . a phone call: When I find out, I’ll give youa buzz.

4. Slang .

a. a feeling of intense enthusiasm, excitement,or exhilaration: I got a terrific buzz from thosePacific sunsets.

b. a feeling of slight intoxication.

Like I said, interesting. I think when we use the word buzz in the world of publishing, we mean that a lot of people are talking about a particular thing – and this is good. Would you agree? For instance, if I said my debut novel had a lot of good buzz, you’d know what I meant, right?

SO, how do we generate this ‘buzz’? Why do some books get a ton of it and some books get very little?
How long does the buzz last? How long is it supposed to last? What indeed, is the lifespan of your average buzz?

As a new author, I worried a lot about the kind of buzz my novel would get. I wanted it to be good of course, and I wanted it to continue for a long time. I think a few months is probably the average for a debut novel. In my case, I’d say the buzz surrounding Yesterday’s Tomorrow has probably waned. I’m not sure there is much I can do now, after almost a year since the book’s release, to help it reach a wider audience. (Well, a movie deal would be sweet, but I don’t see that happening).

Is buzz the result of the author or publisher’s hard work in promoting a book? Or does it just happen?

I’m asking a lot of questions this morning, aren’t I? Oh, there’s another one!

But I am truly curious about this. Tell me what you think about this concept of ‘buzz’ – have you experienced it personally either with a book you’ve written or read? Does buzz ‘go viral’ so to speak? When I say that, I think of a series like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games. All of a sudden everyone’s talking about the books, and reading them.

What do you make of the buzz concept, and what are you buzzing about today?

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