Shelly Frome is a Professor Emeritus of dramatic arts at the University of Connecticut. A former professional actor and theater director, his writing credits include a number of national and international articles on acting and theater, profiles of artists and notable figures in the arts, books on theater and film and mystery novels.
His books include The Art and Craft of Screenwriting, Tinseltown Riff, Lilac Moon, The Actors Studio, Sun Dance for Andy Horn, Playwriting: A Complete Guide to Creating Theater and his most recent, The Twinning Murders.
Thank you for this interview, Shelly. Can we start out by having you tell us briefly what your new book is about?
The Twinning Murders is a modern day classic mystery, one that centers on the ventures of Emily Ryder, a thirty-something rambler and tour guide. The story opens just before she embarks on this year’s Twinning, a ritual exchange between her historic New England home and its sister village deep in Dartmoor, a wild upland area in the west of the county of Devon, England. Shortly, a suspicious death occurs that involves Emily personally. A few days later, at the Twinning itself, her main client meets the same fate. As Emily’s world continues to unravel, and though she has little help, she finds herself compelled to piece together the games being played on both sides of the Atlantic .
More and more authors are realizing the potential for sales that derives from virtual book tours. Can you tell us your personal reasons why you chose a virtual book tour to help get the word out about your new book?
Since my mystery would be of interest to mystery buffs in the U.K. and beyond, this seems to be the only way to effectively reach these readers.
Is this the first time you have heard of them?
Absolutely.
What do you hope to achieve through promoting your book through a virtual book tour?
I hope readers at home and across the pond will find my tale so intriguing, they’ll not only order the book but perhaps tell their friends about it.
Do you promote online through other means? Website? Blog?
I’ve just registered on Facebook and hope it helps somehow.
Who maintains your website?
Barry Beckham, the publisher.
What are your experiences with offline booksignings? Do you have much luck selling your book through that method?
Only locally at the noted Hickory Stick Bookshop in Washington Depot, Connecticut.
Here’s a fun question. If money were no object, how would you promote your book?
I’d arrange for book signings all over the U.K. and various locales in the U.S., Hawaii and the Caribbean.
Thank you for this interview, Shelly. Do you have any final words?
Since publishers no longer seem to have an army of sales reps at the ready along with the rest of the old venues, I’m hoping to establish what the editors of Writers Digest call a “platform” or at least give it my best try in order to share my storytelling ventures.
