Southern Writers Magazine Southern Writers May 2018 | Page 3

L ETTER FROM THE EDITOR
John Steinbeck, author of Grapes of  Wrath, once said, “Ideas are
like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and
pretty soon you have a dozen.”
Ideas pop in our heads every day but if we do not write them
down they fade away and that opportunity is lost.
The writers in this issue must have written an idea or two down
and followed through for they have produced books for us to
enjoy.
We are pleased to bring you Daryl Wood Gerber, an Agatha Award-winning and
nationally bestselling author who along with Sandra Orchard, Tina DeSalvo, Tracy
Barrett, Donald James Parker, Jessica James, Steve Yates and others will be sharing
their techniques and a few of their secrets. Kathleen Rodgers shares a special story and
P. M. Terrell gives us information on organizing an event for authors. You will meet
Audry Wick, the New Voice in Town and see books you’ll want to read.
As our industry continues changing, authors will need to learn more about marketing
and promoting their published books while increasing their reader base. With more
books published every year, the competition is high. However, as in any industry, the
cream always rises to the top. Authors who hone their skills, network, market, and build
relationships with their readers will be at the top 1% in sales.
Readers want to read good books. The writer gives the reader an opportunity to walk into
another world and be entertained.
With the venues available to writers, they now have the opportunity to bring about
change in the books we read, movies made for the big screen and for television.
Happy Reading and Writing!
Susan Reichert
Editor-in-Chief