The Shop: the Story Behind the Story

Thriller author M.J. Hawk posted a guest blog today (February 25, 2010), “The Shop: the Story Behind the Story” at Karin Tabke’s site The Write Life. Here’s the post in its entirety:

The Shop: the Story Behind the Story

Thanks, Karin, for letting me guest today, and to tell you about the marketing strategy for my book, THE SHOP.

I did everything I was supposed to do. I wrote the book of my life. I got a terrific, rocket-fueled agent. As with previous books, I trusted that would be enough, but realized early on that the publishing industry has changed, and not for the better. If I didn’t do something to add value to my book, it might never be published.

So my hubby and I came up with a plan. At the beginning of my thriller, THE SHOP, six people are killed in a house in Aspen, Colorado, including rising country and pop star Brienne Cross. The book itself does not explore the lives of Brienne Cross and the people with her—-not as much as I’d like. So I built a website around Brienne Cross and the final four contestants on her reality show, and captured their lives through features (Someday We Will Know the Truth), articles (Inside the “Soul Mate” Reality Show), blogs, and even blog comments.

An only child, I used to role-play with myself. One minute I was the swash-buckling sailor, the next, the beautiful maiden. It went like this: “Dost thou know how much I love thee?” “I do, sir.” Now, all these years later I am role-playing again, commenting on my own blog to build the aura of reality around Brienne Cross’s life and death. I’ve argued with myself, insulted myself, and agreed with myself. Some friends have pitched in, and we’ve had a whale of a good time.

I got help along the way. A friend told me about a “Demand It” button that musicians use to find out if people want them to come to their town. The movie “Paranormal Activity,” made for $11,884 dollars, was marketed this way. If enough people Demanded the film, it would show in their town. The “Demand It” button does ask you for a minimal amount of information, but they do not sell the info, and it’s just so The Demanders will be kept informed about the band or movie—or in this case, book.

So I put a “Demand It” button on my website. I’m hoping you will push it.

If I get a ton of demands, it translates into a readymade readership. Publishers love a sure thing.

Okay, end of sales pitch.

As happy as I am with the site “Who Killed Brienne Cross?” I believe I need to go one louder. This is a big project—-the first of its kind that I know of—-so it morphs as it goes along. I want it to be interactive. And I could use some help brainstorming.

One idea is to have a poll every week. Who Killed Brienne Cross? Or, did Brienne have plastic surgery? (Before and After photos.)

I’d like to sprinkle clues across the four sites (yes, there are four sites: www.briennecross.net, www.briennecross.com, www.celebritymurders.net, and the Mother Ship, www.whokilledbriennecross.com.) I don’t want to get too complicated. But I would like it to be fun, and there would be prizes. I’d like to make it part mystery and part scavenger hunt, with tiny icons marking the clues.

As you can see, this aspect of the project is still in its infancy.

I’d love it if you’d go to www.whokilledbriennecross.com, look around, maybe argue with me, and then Demand It.

And any ideas are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

M.J. (Maggy)

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