Books on the Avenue -- Booksigning

On Saturday, November 24, I had the pleasure of signing copies of Murder at Whalehead and The Healing Place at one of Wheeling's independent bookstores, Books on the Avenue. Owners Caryn Braunlich and Debbie Miller have done a great job offering the Valley a great selection of new and used books. The store also serves delicious coffee and snacks, and the owners encourage customers to plop down in a comfy chair in one of the back rooms, relax, and thumb through a book. Arts and Crafts lovers will discover that Books on the Avenue is a great place to buy supplies and even take watercolor painting lessons.

Many regular customers stopped in to purchase signed copies of my books. I also had an opportunity to share my new PowerPoint presentation to a group of interested readers. The presentation covers my journey as a writer and offers some insight into the background of my two novels. If you have a group who would be interested in hearing the presentation, please call me at 1-740-633-0423. All in all it was a good time.

I got an encouraging email today from Sarah at Beach Bag Books and Music in Corolla, NC. She informed me that Murder at Whalehead is still "selling great!" Because Murder at Whalehead had been selling so well, Manteo Booksellers (down near Hatteras) ordered a dozen copies of The Healing Place. I'm hoping it will sell well also. The Island Bookstores have also made The Healing Place available. Hopefully in time all of the Outer Banks bookstores will get on board with The Healing Place.

Talk to ya later,

Joe C. Ellis

CLICK HERE to view video trailer for Murder at Whalehead
Link to front cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to back cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to first eleven chapters:CLICK HERE
Visit my website at http://www.joecellis.com/

Back from the Buckeye Book Fair

On Sunday afternoon we cruised 90 miles across beautiful Ohio country side, returning along Route 250 from Wooster, Ohio where the 20th anniversary of the Buckeye Book Fair was held. Rubbing elbows with other Ohio writers at Ohio's biggest literary event was exciting, at times intimidating, and often eye-opening.

On Saturday morning before the doors opened at 9:30, I toured the Fisher Auditorium to see the wide variety of books on sale. After glimpsing the offerings, I wondered how my novel, Murder at Whalehead, made it through the selection process. Most of the books were beautifully designed with eye-catching colors--easy to see that professional graphic artists had exercised their creative powers. A couple of authors told me that to be approved by the BBF steering committee was quite an honor because many books are turned down.

Once the doors opened the day whirled by. I was amazed at the number of customers interested in my novels. Many had read about the plots in the brochure and wanted copies of both books. Others were familiar with Martins Ferry and were interested in reading about The Healing Place. Quite a few were Outer Banks regulars and were anxious to read a murder mystery set at their favorite vacation spot. One patron explained that he loved to read books set in real places that he could one day visit. I told him to stop by the Ohio Valley after reading The Healing Place and I would show him the Chair. Of course, I warned him not to sit on it at midnight.

All in all it was a great experience. It would be neat to return there and do it again some day. Who knows? If I publish The First Shall Be Last next year, maybe they will invite me back. Until then I'll keep plugging away at marketing and writing.

Talk to you later,

Joe C. Ellis

CLICK HERE to view video trailer for Murder at Whalehead
Link to front cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to back cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to first eleven chapters:CLICK HERE
Visit my website at http://www.joecellis.com/