Hey, all! Hope you’re doing well. I am here at my favorite cafe this morning creating my very first blog post for my writing website. It’s beautiful outside. The breeze is just perfect. On this particular blog, I’ll be giving updates on my writing career. In addition, I’ll include all of you on the adventures that writing brings. For example, the struggle of naming characters. See below 🙂
I am just days away from self-publishing my first novel The Closeted Life of Claude Hartel. It’s been a long, arduous road. I cannot wait to push this little birdie of mine from the nest and into the world. Hopefully it flies. Haha. At this point, I am just excited to have not only wrote a novel but to also have made it perfect, polishing it an endless amount of times, serving an exemplary product to my “customers.” I think it’s a great book and I’m extremely proud of myself. It’s by far the most challenging thing I’ve ever worked on. We’re finishing up the font and typesetting of the book. I’ve included images of what that will look like. We’re also getting the covers finalized for print and eBook. I’ll of course let you all know when the book is ready to be ordered and bought and read. I’m beyond thrilled to have everybody hear Claude and Jim Hartel’s story.
Any good ideas on how to market and sell this sucker? With COVID and everything, it’ll be difficult…It sucks not having the chance to take my book and advertise it at booths in bookstores or the library or conventions or any public space. It’ll have to be mainly online. I was thinking I could have a Facebook Live Book Launch Party of some kind? Thoughts?
I just received my “first” edit of my next book Jose Leyenda and the Wailing Woman. This is a middle grade horror mystery about a boy and his friends discovering the existence of a supernatural being in their Milwaukee neighborhood. It’s sort of Scooby Doo meets Stranger Things with legends from Mexico. If it’s successful or popular it might result in a series of books. I’ve actually written half of the second book. This book was edited once already…But I don’t count that one really. It’s a long story…Lets just say that editor was…Well, sketchy. My current editor is one that assisted with Claude Hartel too and I trust and respect her expertise and advice. I am guessing this book will need a couple more edits ven though I think it could be very close to publishing. I’ve already tried to get this book published traditionally, I may try it again one more time. Otherwise I will just self-publish this book too.
Question for you guys – Should I rename the book to Jose Legend and the Wailing Woman? “Leyenda” is the boy’s last name in the book. It translates to “legend” in English. I’m wondering though if the book will be a little more marketable to kids if the title is Jose Legend. Sounds kinda cooler. And it’s more clear. However, I like that there’s a Spanish name in the title right now. Young people are not exposed to something like that very often…If at all. Whatcha guys think? Help!
Lastly, I am beginning the process of researching for my next novel. I was suddenly blessed with the idea about two weeks ago. I cannot get it off my mind. And now I just NEED to get it out on paper. I can’t let this story be unheard. Even though I have no idea what the story will even be yet. LoL.
I know it’s going to be a “cozy.” This is essentially a mystery book about an amatuer sleuth who solves murder mysteries in their small, quaint town. Think Murder She Wrote. Or Agatha Christie. There is a huge crowd for “cozies” and it could be profitable if I can do this well. Google “cozies” and you’ll discover a whole world and culture of rabid fans. There’s all kinds of “cozies” out there and they’re usually focused on an interesting female character who has a fun career of some kind…There’s ones about bakers and quilters and nannies and pet groomers and everything in between. These books are often read by women. Right now I’m flooding my mind with nothing but mysteries. I read And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Loved it! I am currently reading the Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke. It’s good so far! Watched Unsolved Mysteries. Amazing! And I am hoping to next read the modern day mystery, true crime book I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara.
Anyways, my creative notion for a “cozy” deals with…Drum roll please…A drag queen! Yup. It’ll tell the story of a drag queen that suddenly stumbles upon a dead body and their journey to solve the crime. I want it to be light and quick and funny and bright. Something I feel like readers desire right now. Not only an escape…But also a “therapy session” in a way. I’m gonna try to make people laugh and solve a “whodunit” on the way. I’m thinking the series of books could be called “Death Drop Mysteries.” I’m not sure if I will set the story in a small town (which is the normal setting for a “cozy”) or in Milwaukee (which is a more normal city setting for a drag queen). Don’t worry. I am going to make this a respectful representation. And because I am gay, I think I’ll be able to do that. I mean, I’m half drag queen in my soul. 🙂
I am basing the character’s drag queen persona as a sort of Chrissy Snow from Three’s Company. I thought I’d name the amateur detective “Lucki Somers.” Thoughts on this drag queen name? Y’all have better ideas?
Okay. I think that’s it. Assist me and let me know what you think about some of these questions I had. I am hoping to delve deeper into my writing thoughts in future blog posts. But as you guys all know, I’m busy. And as with my other blog about my surrogacy journey, life and writing books (not blogs) always comes first for me.
Read a book today people. Peace!
-JOE NEMAN
Joe Neman : Writer 