Writer’s Life—Marketing, In Archaeology & Lit: Medieval Forensics and Best Mythology Books

From My Fantasy Writing Desk:

While I waited for copyedits to return to me, my writing tasks this week all fell in the realm of marketing. People don’t think of this aspect when they imagine a writer’s life, but no matter who you are as a writer, you market. I enjoy reaching out to other people and interacting, extrovert that I am, so parts of marketing are fun for me, but, on the other hand, I would love a magic wand that I could wave and create perfect scripts for all that marketing copy stuff.

Composing marketing copy is painful to think through, but I also think it’s valuable. What’s my upcoming book’s essence? What about it will readers find utterly compelling? Where among the many books out there does this book fit and how will I cue readers to that? For all that it is painful, I also find it productive to me as a writer to articulate these issues. I will build a dressy, shiny wardrobe for my latest book baby. Fill the world with its sweet perfume. Or so I hope! Back to brain pain…

Archaeology & Lit I enjoyed:

Dead Bodies and the Evidence

Gruesome fun for the historically minded: Sarah Woodbury describes what forensic knowledge a medieval “detective” would have. She writes the excellent Gwen and Gareth medieval mysteries, so she’s learned all the bloody and stiff details. How do you tell if a body was moved after being killed? And just when did the poor soul pass to his or her reward? Click here for Historical Fiction eBooks “Medieval Forensics by Sarah Woodbury”

Love Greek Mythology?

marble sculpture of Zeus and a female, semi-naked goddess talking with a pitcher of water flowing out between them — Zeus chats with one of his “friends” about which book is best.

50 Must-Read Greek Mythology books by Book Riot. I found a number on this list I haven’t read that sound good. It covers collections, translations, fictional retellings and nonfiction commentary. A useful resource if myth is something you enjoy in its myriad configurations. It has the newest (and probably currently the best) translations of the Iliad and Odyssey on it, if you were wondering which to read. Click here for Book Riot “50 Must-Read Greek Mythology Books”