Taking My Show "On the Road"

A few days ago I registered to be a vendor at a Christian Book Summit (conference) in Orange, VA. I have heard the sponsor, Eugene Williams, Jr. with Wise Educators speak at a Christian writer's conference last year and really liked his presentation (and him). I also was excited to see the summit because Renee Bobb is the keynote speaker. She has become the "self-publishing guru" to many and has built a thriving business by sharing her own experiences, then helping others achieve their goals.

I called the information number because I wanted to be sure I didn't also need to pay for a ticket to attend some of the workshops. When I received a return call, the coordinator asked me if I would also like to speak at the summit!! I am so excited to have this opportunity! What a wonderful chance to tell my story of the journey to having my book published and to encourage other Christian writers!

The Summit is at the end of April, so I'll plenty of time to prepare marketing materials and print of sets of my Scripture cards, order copies of the book and copies of my blank journal as well. The other really great thing is that one of my Christian sister/writer friends is going to go with me! We're both really pumped up and just brimming with excitement to have the chance to minister to other writers

Marketing Strategy for My Book

I just finished brainstorming all the Richmond area shops, stores, etc., where I will ask about stocking my book for sale. Then I went on line and looked up "gift shops richmond virginia" and one of the directories that came up included 248 listings.

Now the real marketing work begins. I've read that the easy part is writing the book! I woudn't have believed that throughout the past five years, but now that I see what is ahead for me to market my book, I may agree:-)

The decision to self-publish was mainly a financial one. Their were other considerations, though. The primary one was that I had to just 'DO IT' so I could check that off my list of life goals. Another consideration is that I'm a control freak and I wanted to be the one who decided everything - what poems and devotions to include, how to lay out the book and the cover art.

While I'm convincing folks they absolutely need to Woman at the Well to their inventory, I'll bring some copies of the Inspiration, Imagination and Faith journal as well. You never know!

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Take heed to the path of your feet, then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. [Proverbs 4:25-27 25]

We Have A Winner!

Wow! That was really fun! Half of the fun was finding out who the winner of the journal would be! I'm not going to publish her name here until I ask her permission to do so. I'll deliver the journal to her on Sunday at church.

I have set up yet another blog! I've called it the Crayon Chronicles. It's still set on private viewing so far until I decide whether or not I will be able to make a go of it. Most of the posts will be about the 3 children I nanny for three days a week. I've been with their family for almost 2 years now. Oh, my gosh! Time flies. The little girl is four years old today! Her twin brothers will be two in January. Yep. Lots of drama in that house!!!!

I'll keep you posted on the new blog.

It Came In The Mail Today!

I received my "proof" copy of Woman at the Well in the mail today! I still can't believe it's really done! Well . . . I made a couple of changes and will hopefully receive the "new" proof copy early next week. I hope so since I wanted to give out several copies as Christmas gifts to family and a couple of friends.

Since so many individuals and websites are giving away freebies, I decided I would sponsor one in my newsletter this month. The fifth person who emails me that they have NOT finished their Christmas shopping will be the winner of a copy of Inspiration, Imagination and Faith blank journal! (Click on the link to go my lulu.com storefront and preview the journal.) I've received four emails so far. Either everyone is so busy finishing their Christmas shopping, or they're too busy to check their email! Of course it hasn't even been 24 hours, yet.

I think next month I'll give away a copy of my book, and then do other items in following months. One more reason for people to subscribe to the newsletter:-)