Today I’d like to give you a sneak peak into the not-so-glamourous side of a soon to be published, debut author. I know that some days it seems like it’s all “cover reveals” and “fabulous blurbs” but there are tons of little things in the publishing world that are the equivalent of doing those endless loads of laundry or scrubbing the toilet. Right now I’m pretty obsessed with sending postcards out to as many Independent Booksellers as I possibly can. It is lots of fun seeing all the cool names for the Indie Bookstores. It makes me want to go visit each and every one of them, but that’s impossible so the best I can do is reach out to them and hope that they like TOUCHING THE SURFACE and that they can see my enthusiasm for trying to help this book be a success.
The first thing you need to do when sending out postcards…is to get postcards. I had mine made by the very talented Jeff Fielder. After that it’s time to compile the list of bookstores you want to contact. I was very fortunate to win a pre-compiled list from Saundra Mitchell in a charity auction. I thank my lucky stars EVERY NIGHT! Even with everything already researched, it took me over two hours just to attach the pre-printed labels. *head thunk* We are talking about 760 bookstores here. *head thunk again*
Once your labels are on, you need to HANDWRITE a message on EACH postcard. Let the hand cramps commence. The most I’ve been able to do in one sitting is around the fifty card mark. But I also think it’s worth it. I want those booksellers to know how hard I’m willing to work and how important personal connections are to me. Every time I get a little free time I jot off a couple cards or if I’m lucky, sometimes I have an hour or two where I go for it and write as many as I can. I’ve sent out over three hundred cards so far YAY!!!!
But unfortunately, I’ve got this many left to go…
Yeah…that’s like 400+ postcards left to go. And don’t forget that some labels get cut off accidentally so I have those in a pile to fix when I’m done. And the hardest part of all…when they come back RETURN TO SENDER. Those go in another pile to see if I can find the bookstore on line and resend. So far out of the 300+ I’ve sent–I’ve gotten back 28 but I expect a few more soon because I just recently sent out my last batch.
And don’t forget the stamps. Postcard stamps are cheaper than regular stamps but every 100 stamps costs $32.
And of course–the truly hard part is not really knowing if the all the effort is worth it. I’m hoping it is, but for all I know, all my hard work could end up being a coaster under someone’s drink. But then again…they’re book lovers!!!! Besides, I’ve got to believe that a purple Sharpie pen is a magic wand in disguise.
What do you think is the most un-glamourous side of being a writer? Any fabulous tips to share about the not-so-glamourous tasks a writer must tackle? Do you like doing something that you think most people hate? Any questions on postcards or preparing for a book launch? I’ll do my best to answer them.
My nightstand has started to groan and mumble under it’s breath and it’s not even holding all my books from BEA. Which means, yeah…now the dresser is starting to complain too. It’s getting loud in my room when I’m trying to sleep, so to quiet down the furniture, I’ve decided I need to part with some of my lovelies from time to time. Today will be my first Save the Nightstand Contest!
So, why am I giving this away without even having taken off the wrapping and peeked inside?
First, I’ve read Smoke and Bone already so I already have a copy. Second, I know that the teaser will just drive me crazy!!!! It’s like asking me to hold an ice cream cone but only take a lick. Do you want my head to explode?
But I’m figuring some of you have been dying to read book one before Blood and Starlight comes out OR you just have a lot more control than I do and you’re capable of licking your books without any major ramifications.
So how do you get this lovely little book appetizer?
THE DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE did something that is really hard to do in the book world–it brought something unique to the table. In my opinion, the fresh concept combined with the fabulous writing made this book a force to be reckoned with. So I want to talk about what makes a book a stand out. Why do books go viral? And is viral created equal? Do you give the same weight and respect to all books that go viral? Do you see THE DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE the way you do TWILIGHT, DIVERGENT, THE SHACK, THE HELP or FIFTY SHADES OF GREY? (just to name a few viral examples) Is it the characters or the content? Is it word of mouth or marketing or perhaps just luck? I’d love to hear what you think about the topic.
This contest is open internationally and don’t forget to leave your contact information with your comment. You can’t win if I can’t reach you. Usually I run the contest all weekend but if the conversation is really good I reserve the right to make it last a little longer LOL! The winner will be picked by Random.org. Good luck and much thanks from my nightstand and my dresser.
I’ve officially entered the summer time warp. Not familiar with the warp? It’s that weird bending in the space-time continuum that happens to me every summer. One minute the summer is stretching on like an endless and vast ocean with no land in sight. The next minute it’s OVER. DONE. And it feels like fall is just around the corner. I know…you’re wondering why this natural phenomena of time passing is being called a time warp. It’s because this jump between endless and over isn’t linear. I bounce back and forth between the two over and over again. Here are some examples…
*FAST! When planning ahead to do weekend get togethers with friends and family–I find myself saying, “I’m sorry, but we’re already booked into November. *head thunk*
*S-L-O-W When I’m trying to write and the three boys are staring at me and saying they are bored.
*FAST! When I think about how much time I need to clean my house, do my last year’s fall yard clean-up in addition to this year’s spring clean-up while getting a jump on the coming fall clean up.
*S-L-O-W When I’m waiting for my garden to produce tomatoes. *yum*
*FAST! When I think about all the things I have to do to get ready for a book launch.
*S-L-O-W When I think about the moment I can hold my book in my hand for the first time.
*FAST! When I’m eating an ice cream cone.
*S-L-O-W When I’m eating healthy and trying to get in shape.
*FAST! When I’m on my family vacation. (I already know it’s going to fly by *sob*)
*S-L-O-W When I’m packing and unpacking.
I think you get the idea LOL! It’s the summer TIME WARP!!! Are you a victim of the warp??? What’s your fast and best parts of your summer? What’s your slow and yucky parts?
Yeah, I’m late. Not a new experience by any means, but disconcerting despite it’s familiarity. I think I have all my ducks in a row and suddenly BAM! I don’t. And for just a moment the panic slips in and I think…it’s a blog post. No lives have been lost, no puppies have been kicked and Monday will be another opportunity to not be late…maybe.
Are you often late? Completely annoyed by people like me who fly by the seats of their very unorganized pants? Do you have legitimate reasons for running around like a chicken with your head cut off (or at least believable ones…like three young boys?) Or can you juggle whatever’s on your plate making me look completely incompetent? Come on…Time to confess.
