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July 10, 2012

The Top Ten Reasons BEEF STOLEN-OFF Will Sell



I am so insecure when it comes to my own writing. I have another book coming out this year and three coming out next year. I couldn’t suck, right? Yet, insecure me sometimes looks over my shoulder to make sure someone isn’t chasing me to take it all away. Last year when LIVER LET DIE first came out I put together this top ten list, and I decided that it still applies—maybe even more so. At the time I whined about the fact that Berkley bought three books from me after only reading three chapters and that I was  worried they wouldn’t like the finished project. Thankfully, they loved that first manuscript as well as the next two. I am currently working on Book 4 in the Clueless Cook series for them and just recently I signed a two book deal with Midnight Ink for my paranormal mainstream mystery series.  Now, I can’t seem to get my rump in gear and write those stupid books, so I’m whining again.


I know some of you out there would love to slap me right now. Hey, I wanna slap myself. What is wrong with me? My life-long dream comes true and I whine? The fact that I have two different editors at two different houses paying for my stuff should make me swell with pride.

So, I need an attitude adjustment. I know if I write the best I know how to, that’s all I can do. I just have to sit in the chair and put words on the paper.  Some people will love it, some will think it’s so so, and others will wonder why I left the medical field. Hopefully, the lovers will far outnumber the haters.

Anyway, with my new attitude, I decided to come up with a list for the top ten reasons why I think my book will sell.

Ready?

10 – I have a lot of friends out there and I definitely plan on playing the friendship card to get them to part with eight measly bucks.

9 – I’m not shy about leaving my business cards everywhere and talking up my story.

8 – I plan on buying a couple hundred myself.

7 – Did I mention I am one of nine children? There are a lot of little “like me’s” out there. My mother had 33 grandchildren, a slew of great grandchildren and now two great great grandkids. That’s at least 50 or 60 books.

6 – If my children want to remain in my will, they’ll get all their friends to spring for the paperback.

5 – Berkley is a great publisher and people will try a new author based on their reputation for printing great books.

4 – I said a novena to St. Jude (the patron saint of impossible causes) to get this deal. Surely, he won’t abandon me now, especially since I fired off a check to St. Jude’s hospital and Danny Thomas is smiling at me from above.

3 – I am kinda cute and my picture will look good on the back inside cover. I plan on paying big bucks to get air brushed  to have twenty pounds knocked off and to have my face look like a plum and not a prune. Of course, at book signings, I run the risk of people thinking some older, chunky chick is trying to pull a fast one.

2 – Writers are also readers and love to support each other. I’m on a lotta freakin’ loops.

And the number one reason for thinking my book will sell – It’s a damn good story!!!

There, my new attitude is alive and well. Do you still wanna slap me?

Now let’s hear why your book will sell. Now’s not the time for fake humility. Give it up. One lucky commenter will receive a free copy of BEEF STOLEN-OFF from Berkley. US only per their request.

Liz Lipperman writes mysteries to die for. BEEF STOLEN-OFF is the second book of her Clueless Cook Series about a wannabe sports reporter who ends up writing the culinary column at a small town newspaper in Texas despite the fact that she can't cook a lick. Her Romantic Mystery, MORTAL DECEPTION, written as Lizbeth Lipperman, is available now at Amazon  and she's just sold a paranormal series titled A Dead Sister Talking Mysteries Series to Midnight Ink. The first book, HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE, also written as Lizbeth Lipperman, will release in May 2013. SHATTERED DREAMS, a Romantic Suspense will be available in the Fall. When she's not writing, she's spending time with her grandchildren and watching any and all sports.You can find her here.

24 comments:

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Liz!!! Of course, it will sell. Was there that much doubt??? I can't wait to read since the PP girls helped plot. Congratulations, girlfriend.

Michelle Miles said...

Of course people will love your book! You're awesome

My book will sell because it's a damn good book!

:)

Sylvia said...

Liz,
The reason your book is gonna sell is you're a funny funny person. I'm sitting here at work laughing out loud. Love your top ten list. And if I had that many family members I'd be a NYT best-seller. So go girl. Now I'm going to steal your nouvena to St Jude.

Drinks in the bar in LA! You are going right? Now sit down at the computer, slit open a vein and let the words pour out. You've definately got the stories in you!

Sylvia said...

My Christmas Book will sell because it's full of emotional things that made me cry at the end.

Liz Lipperman said...

I just got back from taking my sisters and nieces to the airport after a 7 day visit. I am so ready to do nothing, but I know I have to write.

Vicki, I don't know what I would do without the PP girls plotting with me. I will be ready to plot book 2 of my mainstream paranormal mystery. When are we meeting????

Liz Lipperman said...

Love the attitude, Michelle. And I know yours is a damn good book!~!

Liz Lipperman said...

Yay, Sylvia, I love books that make me cry. This is the Santa Clause one, right?

And no, I won't be at Nationals this year. I'm going to the International Women's Fiction Festival in Italy in September with my agent and Joni (CP.) I'm on a panel and I'll get to rub noses with European editors.

Okay, you can slap me now!!

Jennifer McAndrews said...

love it, love it! I know the book is going to be as smart and amusing as this blog! off to click the buy-now button!

Christine said...

LOL Liz! I love your attitude. My second book is coming out this summer, too...it'll sell because, like yours, it's a damn good book! I don't have as many relatives as you do, but they'll all be strong-armed into buying the book.

Cheers hon! I'm gonna go check yours out right now!

Liese said...

I'm all for #1--it was a damn good book and you've created quite a cast of characters. I KNOW Beef Stolen-Off will be delicious! (ha!)

Liz Lipperman said...

Jennifer, how sweet of you to say that--and it really feeds into my ego!! Are you with Amazon now?

Liz Lipperman said...

Christine, tell me the name of your book that's coming out and I'll lend you my relatives. Oh wait--they all want a free book!!

Liz Lipperman said...

Ah, Liese, that is so sweet.
And you didn't say why your book, Saving Hope, will sell. I personally know it's also number one--a damn good book!!

Alisha said...

I KNOW your books will sell! Not only because of #6...SNORT! I laughed so hard when I saw that! You are so hilarious! Your book will also sell because you're an amazing writer! Your fantastic personality shines through in your writing....such quick wit, saucy and smart, smart, smart!!!! You make the PP retreat so much fun! And you have the VERY BEST TITLES IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE!!!! And you're going to Italy with your agent and Joni to rub noses with European editors and you're whining? Come here...a little closer now...SO I CAN SLAP THE INSECURE OFF OF YOU!!!

Liz Lipperman said...

Wow, Alisha, you make me sound so good!! Please, please, please slap the insecurity off me!! Love you for those inflated words.

Kathy Ivan said...

Of course your book will sell. You are a terrific writer and your stories are funny, exciting and the perfect read. Why in the world wouldn't they sell?

I'm going to use this top 10 as my writing mantra now.

Liz Lipperman said...

Hey, Kathy, I love using it as a mantra. Writers need an ego boost every now and then and Desperate Choices is a damn good story!!

Cara Marsi said...

Love your top 10 list. Congratulations on your great success, and it is a great success.

Karilyn Bentley said...

Hi Liz,
I love, love, love your list! And I love your writing b/c it's a damn good book!!! When you get your insecurity slapped off by Alisha, maybe one of you could come over and slap off mine? :) I'll take your #1, my book will sell b/c it's a damn good book!

Liz Lipperman said...

Hey, Cara, thanks for those nice words. I love writers!!

Liz Lipperman said...

And Karilyn, I've read your stuff so I can verify it's a damn good story!! We can have a slapping session at the next PP retreat.

Liz Lipperman said...

And the winner of the free book is Cara. Send your snail mail address to liz@lizlipperman.com and I will pass that on to Berkley.

Congrats to Cara and thanks to all who commented.

Kathleen Baldwin said...

Hi Liz!

You crack me up, girl. I love this top 10 reasons list.

I would add one more reason to your list. Book one of your series was so much fun readers will be back for more.

I don't have a book out at the moment, but I'm gonna go make a top ten list of why these edits I'm avoiding doing are going to turn out fabulous...

Oh, OH, and that might be why the book will sell.

Taadah! I did your assignment after all.
Hugs!

Liz Lipperman said...

Kathleen, I love that you're making a list for the top ten reasons your edits will turn out fabulous (and I know they will!) I have found another list maker!!

And thanks for those kind words about LLD.