Getting Martha's Vine & Martha's Mirror into the Spotlight

Sheree is always looking for opportunities to get her novel into the right hands, like the time she gave movie mogul, James Cameron, a copy of Martha's Vine.

Photo by David Thiel

_Chasing James Cameron by David Thiel

Something was bugging my ordinarily REASONABLY even tempered wife. I had no idea what it was. I mentally went through the list of things I've been known to mess up: Taking out the garbage (Check), digging out the daily treasures from our cat's litter box (Yuck...Check), flushing...you just shush.

I couldn't figure it out. But she was distracted and crabby and her face was taking on hard lines. Given that I was not aware of having messed anything up recently, I concluded there was some internal struggle going on. And when Sheree struggles with something internally, you need to tread very carefully...but you DO need to tread.

"So?" I ask --always a classic opening.

"So what?" she says. Flint slides against stone in those blue eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask.

She pauses a minute. I can tell she's deciding whether to be nasty or informative. I realize the world is still safe when she chooses "informative."

"James Cameron is in town," Sheree tells me.

"Yes," I reply. "And?"

She bites her lip. Then she looks up at me. "I'm going to give him Martha's Vine," she says. MORE


See the video on YouTube

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Sheree uses her reporter background to get interesting interviews...like the interview she got with the chief of the Hells Angels, Sonny Barger at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2010.

Photo by David Thiel

__Meeting Sonny Barger at Pee Wee's House by David Thiel

"I'm going to interview Sonny Barger," says Sheree. I am concentrating on something else and I make a polite "Uh huh" noise.

She taps my arm. "When we're in Sturgis. I'm going to interview Sonny Barger -- for my book."

That gets my attention. I remember seeing Barger on television: a special about the Hell's Angels. If the Angels have a King, I'm thinking it's Barger.

"You're going to do what?" I ask. I have instant visions of back alleys and large nasty bikers looming over me. I don't really know anything about bikers...but I DO know that Barger is the Real Deal...and lots of the Hell's Angels think he's the King. So he is.

"You're going to WHAT?" I ask. Again. My voice squeaks just a little.

Exasperation flickers across her face. (I see that a lot.) She tells me she's written to Barger's lawyer, explaining that she wants to interview him. Then she tells me Barger's lawyer has written back saying it's okay with him...and we can meet Sonny at "the Shop."

"What shop?" I ask. It's a stupid question, I know. But cut me some slack. I was grabbing here.

She shrugs. "I dunno."

"How will we find it?" I ask.

"We'll find it," she says. "We're going." MORE


See Sheree's story and images on FACEBOOK

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Some other things Sheree does to get into the public eye

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• Contacts the media and arranges interviews
• Maintains an Internet presence with several web sites and blogs (A Google search of “Sheree Zielke” results in many pages)
• Calls bookstores and schedules regular book signings
• Creates special events to generate excitement about her books
• Takes advantage of free publicity during media events, specialty shows, etc.
• Documents all her book related events through photography
• Maintains social networking sites (Flickr, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn)
• Active reporter with local media
• Travels extensively and always ties her novels to her adventures
• Attends events where her audience will be present (like the Royal Wedding)
• Does speaking engagements and book readings
• Attends book fairs and holiday book festivals
• Teaches photography and digital cameras as a link to her readership
• Adjudicates at arts festivals
• Gets involved with her readership by photographing their events (Women’s shows, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Motorcycle Toy Run, UFC events, and more.)
• Shares book excerpts with writing communities
• Volunteers at high profile events like the Edmonton Indy
• Took a seasonal job at a prominent bookstore chain to promote her books
• Maintains a “you-just-don’t-know-what-she-will-do-next” web presence
• Cultivates a strong fan following around the world
• Submits books to libraries, leaves books at airports, on trains, cruise ships, etc.
• Bookmarks, posters, signage, imprinted balloons, raffles and giveaways

Read recent reviews of Martha's Mirror on Amazon
& Martha's Vine on Amazon

Photo by Jason Balester

Sheree borrows a friend's motorcycle during the Martha Mirror's book launch in August, 2011.
Thanks, Jason.

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