For more information on any release, contact TL Hines.
Billings, MT (PRWEB) October 21, 2008 -- Montana author TL Hines is disassembling a single copy of his latest novel, a thriller called "The Unseen," and hiding all 383 pages across the United States and Canada, hoping to connect with potential readers in unexpected settings. Bookmarks attached to the pages invite people to visit the author's website, tlhines.com, and leave a comment before placing the pages elsewhere for other people to find.
"I was looking for a unique way to connect with readers," Hines says of the idea, which he's calling the Unseen Pages Project--so named because the book is called "The Unseen," and because the pages are being hidden in "unseen" places. Hines began his unique social media project by sending the individual pages to dozens of volunteers across the continent this week; those volunteers are putting the pages in coffee shops, libraries, airports, hair salons, hospital lobbies, and other areas.
Hines is offering a prize to encourage people to leave a comment, then hide the page for others to find: the page receiving the most comments on the web site wins free signed copies of the author's first two books, "Waking Lazarus" and "The Dead Whisper On," for every person who found it.
The Unseen Pages Project isn't Hines's first out-of-the-box effort to connect with fiction readers. In 2006, he invited people to sign up as Volunteer Book Publicists on his web site, and shared 10% of his first royalty statement with the 100 most active participants. For his second book, readers completing a puzzle at deadwhisperon.com received a song written and recorded for the book by the band Pivitplex. Hines also names a character in each book after readers who are web site members, or who are fans on his Facebook Page.
Such unique marketing tactics have earned coverage in trade publications such as "Publishers Weekly" and several online media outlets. "It's just a natural part of what I do," he says. "I'm kind of a geek about social media, social networks, and how technology is tying us together in new ways. Sure, I'm trying to sell a few copies of books, but more than that, I'm trying to create a community of fun and excitement for readers--and for myself."
About T.L. Hines
TL Hines writes "Noir Bizarre" stories, mixing mysteries with oddities in books such as "Waking Lazarus," "The Dead Whisper On," and "The Unseen." His work has won recognitions ranging from the Maryland Writers Association novel contest to Library Journal's "25 Best Genre Fiction Books of the Year" award.
Bio, images, and other press information: http://www.tlhines.com/press
Information about the Unseen Pages Project: http://www.tlhines.com/interact/upp
Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/TL-Hines-Author-of-Noir-Bizarre-Stories/26...
About "The Unseen"
Religious Fiction/Christian Fiction: Suspense
Cloth Hardcover: $22.99
Thomas Nelson Publishers
ISBN: 1595544526 / 9781595544520
Available at your local bookstore or favorite online retailer.
Lucas Freund is an urban explorer who has stumbled into an underground society with a chilling mission. Everyone can be watched. No one is safe. And the most terrifying secrets of all remain unseen.
"Hines's dialogue is darkly funny as he explores the depths of the human desire for authenticity....fans of breathless suspense that's a little off-center will enjoy this." -- Publishers Weekly
Media Contacts
AUTHOR
tlhines:at:tlhines.com
PRINT/TELEVISION/INTERNET
Katie Schroder, Fiction Publicist
Thomas Nelson Publishers
615-902-2704 or KSchroder:at:ThomasNelson.com
RADIO
Jeane Wynn
Wynn-Wynn Media
918-283-1834 or jeane:at:wynnwynnmedia.com
Waking Lazarus, by Billings author TL Hines, has been selected for the next series of One Book Billings discussions, sponsored by Parmly Billings Library. Six discussions are scheduled throughout the community, during which participants will read and talk about this recent mystery that takes place in Red Lodge.
The following discussion groups are planned:
Finally, all are invited to come and hear author TL Hines talk about, and read from, his book on Saturday, January 19th at 11 a.m. at Parmly Billings Library.
To sign up for one of the discussion groups, and to receive a free copy of Waking Lazarus, courtesy of the Friends of the Library, call 657-8258. Registration is required and space is limited.
For more information about this and other Library events, call 406-657-8258, visit the Library website at www.billings.lib.mt.us/ or stop by the library.
Billings, Montana, January 16, 2007 - Waking Lazarus, a supernatural thriller with spiritual overtones set in Red Lodge, Montana and written by Billings resident T.L. Hines, has been picked by the editors of Library Journal as one of the "Top 25 Genre Novels of 2006" in its January issue released today.
In picking Waking Lazarus for its 11th annual list of best genre fiction, the editors said, "Hines' intricate thriller about a man declared dead several times offers plenty of twists and turns without sacrificing character development" and called the book "supernatural suspense that pushes the envelope." The novel, along with other books on the Library Journal "Best of" list, was selected from more than 7,500 works reviewed by the publication in 2006. It was one of only five novels selected in the "Christian Fiction" genre, as well as one of only three debut novels. The complete list is available online at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6401664.html#genre
The book was previously reviewed in the publication's June 1 issue, earning a starred review, which indicates work the LJ editors feel is exceptional; it also received positive reviews in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus Discoveries and several other publications after its release in July of 2006.
"This is a huge honor," says Hines. "I was thrilled to get a starred review in Library Journal this summer, but making their 'Best of' list caps a pretty incredible year for me." The book has been a commercial success as well. It's now in its third printing as a hardcover, and will be released as a trade paperback in early 2007--just before Hines' next book, a Butte-based supernatural thriller called The Dead Whisper On, releases in hardcover.
Hines has also received national attention for his unique marketing efforts on behalf of the book; he enlisted more than 400 "Volunteer Publicists" at his web site to help build word of mouth, which generated a feature story in Publishers Weekly, as well as other national and regional press.
About T.L. Hines
T.L. Hines has been an advertising agency owner/principal, a trade magazine editor, and now a novelist: Waking Lazarus, his first novel, released summer of 2006. He currently lives in Montana with his wife and daughter. As a teen, he was an undefeated 3-0 in air guitar competitions, in which he performed songs by ZZ Top.
http://www.tlhines.com
About Library Journal
Library Journal is the only independent journal in the field and the only one that is edited to be a conduit between vendors and librarians, and vice versa. It combines analytical news reports, features, and columns on the cutting edge of library technology, policy, management, and other issues and includes some 7500 evaluative reviews annually of books, audiobooks, videos/DVDs, databases, systems, and more, written by librarians for librarians.
http://www.libraryjournal.com
About Waking Lazarus
Christian Fiction/Religious Fiction: Mystery and Suspense
Cloth Hardcover: $18.99
Bethany House Publishers
ISBN 0764202049
Available at your local bookstore, bethanyhouse.com or by calling 1-800-877-2665.
http://www.bethanyhouse.com/wakinglazarus/
Jude Allman has died--and returned to life three times. Now, to stop a killer stalking Red Lodge, Montana, he'll have to unravel the mysteries of his own deaths.
"Readers who consider most faith thrillers too tame should find this satisfactorily chilling." - Publishers Weekly
(Starred Review) "A first rate work...Highly Recommended." - Library Journal
"[A] well-paced suspense narrative populated by dynamic characters." - Kirkus Discoveries
Media Contacts
AUTHOR
T.L. Hines
tlhines =at= tlhines.com
PRINT
Brett Benson, Bethany House Publishers
952-829-2529 or bbenson =at= bethanyhouse.com
BROADCAST
Linda White, Bethany House Publishers
952-829-2765 or linda.white =at= bethanyhouse.com
INTERNET
Jim Hart, Bethany House Publishers
952-829-2526 or jim.hart =at= bethanyhouse.com
CANADIAN MEDIA
Ellen Graf
519-886-6262 ext.4201 or egraf =at= rgm.ca
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Debut novelist will give 10% of his first royalty statement to readers in December, saying the idea was inspired by the open source software movement.
Billings, MT (PRWEB) October 28, 2006 -- Novelist T.L. Hines announced he will share 10% of his first royalty statement for his debut work 'Waking Lazarus' with 100 readers who sign up at his web site (www.tlhines.com) as Volunteer Book Publicists.
"I was inspired, in part, by the open source software movement," says Hines. "The whole idea of a community of people working together for a common goal -- and sharing the success -- appealed to me. This was my way of applying that open source mindset to the worlds of fiction and publishing, and helping support the launch of my first novel."
In return for signing up, Volunteer Publicists receive inside information about the novel, including a companion e-booklet with deleted scenes and extra commentary, a look at the novel's marketing plan, a photo tour of the novel's setting, interactive forums, and more. Each time users post ideas at the website or email the author with updates, they receive points. Hines sees the effort benefitting not only his work, but also the work of other authors and novelists. "Of course I'm doing this to promote my book," he says. "But I'm also opening the door and sharing what I do. I hope it will generate ideas for other authors trying to market their own work."
In December, the 100 people with the highest point totals will be named "Most Valuable Publicists" (MVPs), and split 10% of the author's first royalty statement. Hines guarantees a minimum of $2,000 will go to MVPs. In addition, one Volunteer Publicist has won a role in the next novel, and another, chosen at random, will win an iPod Nano loaded with a Waking Lazarus iMix of songs. Not surprisingly, the web site Hines maintains for Volunteer Publicists runs on open source software: Drupal. "I'm a geek wannabe," Hines admits.
So far, Hines reports success for the Volunteer Publicist project. "About 400 people have signed up--everyone from students to homemakers to librarians to booksellers. And the novel went into its second printing in a matter of weeks." The book has earned critical praise, as well, including a prestigious starred review in Library Journal and more than 30 five-star ratings at Amazon.
Hines says he plans to continue the project to help support the launch of his next novel, 'The Dead Whisper On,' due on shelves summer of 2007. "But it's not too late to sign up for the first book," he adds. "I think anyone can still crack that top 100 with a little bit of effort."
About TL Hines
TL Hines has been an advertising agency owner/principal, a trade magazine editor, and now a novelist: 'Waking Lazarus,' his first novel, released summer of 2006. He currently lives in Montana with his wife and daughter. As a teen, he was an undefeated 3-0 in air guitar competitions, in which he performed songs by ZZ Top.
About 'Waking Lazarus'
Jude Allman has died--and returned to life--three times. Now, to stop a killer, he'll have to unravel the mysteries of his own deaths.
Fiction: Mystery and Suspense/Supernatural Thriller
Cloth Hardcover: $18.99
Bethany House Publishers
ISBN 0764202049
http://www.bethanyhouse.com/wakinglazarus/
"Readers who consider most faith thrillers too tame should find this satisfactorily chilling." - Publishers Weekly
(Starred Review) "A first rate work...Highly Recommended." - Library Journal
"[A well-paced suspense narrative populated by dynamic characters." - Kirkus Discoveries
More than 30 five-star reviews at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0764202049
Media Contacts at Bethany House Publishers:
PRINT
Brett Benson
952-829-2529
BROADCAST
Linda White
952-829-2765
INTERNET
Jim Hart
952-829-2526
CANADIAN MEDIA
Ellen Graf
519-886-6262 ext.4201
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