When my first book, Murder at Pelican Lake, was published in 2018, I was nervous about anyone reading it. Especially my book club at the lake, which has a fairly sophisticated taste in books. I knew my book was fun. I had no illusions that it was great literature. It is a cozy mystery, and those are rarely considered great literature. But they are fun.
I gave everyone in my book club a copy, a little sheepishly. I didn’t want them to feel obligated to read it, but the women meant a lot to me, and I wanted to share it with them.
Any concerns I had were completely unfounded. They embraced my writing. One of the women took up a personal mission to sell books for me. She sold over a hundred copies to friends on the lake. Another friend started a competition with her and sold sixty copies to her friends. They were happy for me. They encouraged me in my writing, cheered when additional books came out, kept them on their coffee tables so others could see them.
Here’s a picture of my wonderful book club. When I gave them copies of my most recent book as a gift, they each chipped in to contribute to my favorite charity – the Jeremiah Program, supporting single mothers getting a college degree. I chair Jeremiah MSP’s Board of Trustees, so it was a meaningful gift.
Many thanks to these dear friends pictured here: Barbara Williams, Betty Lou Scott, Suzanne Lervick, Marilyn Hanson, Jean Rayl, Georgia Sue Black, Kathy Lervick, Evonne Lund, Peggy Jo O’Brien
5 Responses
This is great!
Thanks, Corey!
I just returned from an annual visit to Fish Lake where I bought your first book at the hardware/convenience store next to the Cornfield Cafe in Dunvilla. I loved reading it and especially enjoyed the references to Fish Lake. I have since ordered the others in the series. My grandfather moved from Vermont and homesteaded in what became Wolverton, 19 miles from Barnesville. One of my cousins still lives in the family home and farm, well over 100 years old. Another cousin owns the cabin on Fish Lake which was built by my grandfather around the same time. The family name is Peet, and others had cabins on Lake Lizzie and Lake Melissa. We’ve also spent endless hours on Pelican Lake. So…what fun to see my favorite places in print, thank you! I reside in Eden Prairie, MN, but a huge part of my heart remains at Fish Lake!
Ohmygosh, Beatrice!!!!! You made my day!!!! Thank you for your wonderful note!!! I love Fish Lake and spend a lot of time there. I almost bought a place on Fish Lake last year!! So glad you enjoyed the book. I’m working on the 4th book now, to be completed by January. If you give me your email, I’ll add you to my mailing list and let you know.
Thank you for such warm and thoughtful feedback!!
Marjorie Mathison Hance
Your first publication Murder at Pelican Lake was purchased at the Fargo ND airport last Memorial Day by Dr. Daniel Streifel and brought home to his parents place on Lake Tamarac. It was shared with his family and friends who await the next books with baited breath:-) Dan will get the next two books for a Christmas present but I personally (friend) do not want to wait 3 months for the other two books. I am trying my local library which will take 5-6 weeks to get a response. I will continue with my request to get Marjories books on the shelf at my local library in Las Vegas, NV.
Thanks for the fun read Marjorie. We all look forward to the next three? of the series.
Best regards,
Mary