Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

MACKENZIE CROWNE -- Romance Author

Lucky me, I've got Mackenzie Crowne, my fellow Rose sistah, visiting today. And folks, she is a dearheart. Truly. You can't spend much time around her, even if it's online, and stay down. She's got a buoyant personality -- like a butterfly floating on the breeze. Give her some love today, because she's a debut author who's been on a whirlwind virtual book tour.


Will the real Mackenzie Crowne please stand up!


Since I first read the words, We think Gift of the Realm would be a perfect addition to our line, I’ve been plunged into chaos.


Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria!


Okay, not quite, but that line from Ghostbusters has crossed my mind a number of times since signing that first contract. Here I was, realizing my dream, floating on a high drug dealers would kill to bottle and sell. The spoiler? Promotion. I was shocked to discover how much there was to learn and do.


 I’m not sure what I thought exactly. Maybe that my story would magically find it’s way into the hands and hearts of readers. In my ignorance of the publishing game, that made perfect sense. I’m a reader, after all, and I pick up books all the time without any conscious thought of what the author or publisher went through to get the book in front of me.

  ~ Now I do. ~

Promotion is the key. Though it’s the most important, writing a good story isn’t going to do the job. The cover must pop, and make the correct first impression. And the blurb, that synopsis on the back of the book? If it sucks, so do your chances of seeing your book in the hands of readers. In my humble opinion, I have both of those issues covered. So, what’s left? Social media hell!


I’ve joined the groups, read the blogs, tweeted my little heart out. I planned the blog tour, answered the interview questions, and tweeted some more. Basically, I’ve run myself ragged for months, getting my name out there in every way I could think of. I’ve given it my best shot. Now my efforts will have to stand on their own, because today I’m letting my promo hair down. Thank you, Vonnie, for suggesting I speak on the joy and excitement of realizing my dream,



So, here you have it. The real Mackenzie Crowne.

Four years ago I was facing a diagnosis of stage three breast cancer. Today, I’m a published author. I find that reality frigging awesome! Like a great big ‘screw you’ to the demon cancer. What’s more, I achieved that reality by doing something I love.


I’m a pantser by nature and thoroughly enjoy letting the characters do most of the heavy lifting. I love learning about their dreams and goals, discovering their weaknesses and fears. Like a voyeur in my own manuscripts, I crouch over my keyboard, gleefully watching my characters meet, struggle to find their footing, and ultimately fall in love. I laugh and cry with them, cringe when they are hurt…and make faces in the mirror in order to describe their reactions to one thing or another.


I’m here to tell you, writing is a pure joy. Okay, sometimes I want to rip my hair out when the characters take me off in a direction I didn’t expect, but for the most part…Wow, what a ride. And writing Gift of the Realm was a blast! Fairies, gorgeous hunks, curses, a mystical ring of stones, magical gifts, and did I mention gorgeous hunks?  Oh, yeah. I’ve got the best job in the world!



To see a story I love succeed, and find it’s way into the hearts of others, I’ll do the promo thing. I’ll answer the interview questions, and race from blog to blog. I’ll host a virtual scavenger hunt (Details @ mackenziecrowne.com ). I’ll tweet until I can’t tweet no more! I’ll run myself ragged, shouting from virtual mountain tops, but at the heart of it all, I really am living my dream. I’ll continue to write, and have a ball doing it.




My friends call me Mac, I hope you will too.   







15 comments:

Kylie Frost said...

Hi Mac, whew, I'm exhausted just reading that! Who knew it took all that. Congratulations on your book's release!
and...keep going

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Good morning, Vonnie, and thanks for letting me drop by to pimp my story. A butterfly, huh? LOL I feel more like a manic hummingbird these days but I love the analogy. You're a sweetie.

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Hi Kylie, and thanks. I plan to. The rush is exhausting, but the rewards are well worth the effort, especially when I get to meet people like our lovely Vonnie.

Thanks so much for popping in.

Calisa Rhose said...

Hi Mac! Hi Vonnie!

I was a lot like you until I realized the promo that goes into a book's success. And like you, I thought everything that went into a book just 'was' and the publisher did it all. I'd write and hand over the masterpiece and wait for 'them' to write the blurb and all that cool stuff that goes inside the front cover pages. Then I'd rake in the money with a smile as wide as the Rio Grande... I am smiling, but it's more like the rain dug trench in my driveway than the Rio at times. Oh- and I've yet to see a penny! I still have that one last Horrah in publishing my first baby and I can't wait to run with that check...straight to my copy machine. Yep. I signed up for a paper check my first payment so I can hold that puppy and cry happy tears on real paper! AFTER I copy it to frame, of course! lol Why? It's my first tangible proof of the dream come true, that 'first earned dollar' from realizing a life long dream.

Great post!

AJ Nuest said...

You know...Vonnie is right. It's actually IMPOSSIBLE for me to read anything you write and not smile. Like I gotta bite my lip and then THAT doesn't even work. I am dying to read Gift of the Realm. Just cuz I already know what a talented author and incredible story I will be holding in my hands -- and let's face facts, the gorgeous hunks don't hurt either. You are as cute as a bug and I am bursting at the seams with excitement for you! ROCK ON, my friend. And remember this one key word while promoting...vodka.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

I'm reading GIFT OF THE REALM now. Great story, Mac. I am LOVING it!!!

Mackenzie Crowne said...

You crack me up, Calisa. A rain dug trench indeed. You know, I hadn't even thought about holding that first check. Duh! But I guess that is the purpose of all that promo. I've just been so dammed jazzed at the idea of being a storyteller.

Okay, new focus. Making buckets of money! ;-)

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Aww Thanks AJ. And I'm with you on the vodka thing. It would be blasphemy not to say God is my copilot, but vodka is the fuel in the tank!

Mackenzie Crowne said...

I'm so glad you're liking it, Vonnie. My nails have taken a beating at the thought of people actually READING my efforts. LOL Thanks so much for picking it up.

Did you hear that clang, Calisa? Vonnie added a drop to that empty bucket.

Joya said...

Vonnie and Mac! Two of my favorite people.
What a great interview. Vonnie, I agree that Mac is like a butterfly.
Congrats on your release, Mac, and good luck with the promo. Just remember...you've done the most important part. You've written a stellar book!
Keep up the great work and best wishes for continued good health. :)

Alison Henderson said...

Good morning, ladies! Mac, this promo stuff will run you ragged if you let it--and then there are still a hundred other things you think you SHOULD do, too. And the thing is, it doesn't get any easier after the first one. Keep files and good notes on what you did this time around so you can do it again for the next one! I wish you all the best on your wonderful debut story.

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Joya and Alison, thanks ladies. I don't see how I can fail with such stellar examples to stalk... I mean, learn from. ;-)

Mary Ricksen said...

I love the cover of this book!
Wish you the best of luck with all your promoting. Sell a ton, go Mac, you're blooming...

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Thanks Mary, I love it too. I'll be entering it in some cover contests... as soon as I figure out how to do that. Sheesh, one more thing. LOL

Thanks for swinging by. Such lovely roses I've met.

Nancy Jardine Author said...

Upwards and onwards...Mac! that first book is REAL. BTW Like Calisa intends to do I also scanned and saved THAT FIRST CHEQUE. (Sad for me that a chunk of it went on currency exchange...ooops) but you'll enjoy every penny that comes to you. I look forward to reading your release.