Sometimes, the hardest step to take is the first one.
Here's the scoop. I want so very much for my current release, Hearts Crossing, to reach, and touch, as many 'hearts' as possible (pardon the pun!). After all, isn't that the point of writing? Of sweating and agonizing over each detail of the novels we create?
When White Rose Publishing, my fantastic authorial home, enabled print copies of novellas, I jumped at the chance to be able to offer both electronic and print versions of this contest winning story. However, beyond that, I wanted to promote. We want to reach readers.
So, after hearing about the success people had at coffee house signings, I thought: Hey, I could do that! I love coffee, I love getting folks together, I love sharing my work...
But then came shyness. Then came doubts and insecurity. I mean, really. Me? Who wants surrender part of a gorgeous spring Saturday in Michigan (after enough rain to float a boat!) to visit with an author and simply buy a book?
Then came an epiphany - something that should have occurred to me much earlier. Promoting, signings - they're not about me. They're about my work - a book I believe in with all my heart. That's what I'm asking people to take note of and support, not me.
That mental adjustment gave me just enough courage to put together a promotional piece, some business cards, and go to my local Biggby Coffee Shop and ask if they might be interested in letting me camp out at a table for a few hours and have a book signing.
I was overwhelmed by their response. Not only did they welcome the chance to have a local author conduct a signing at their shop, they promoted it on Facebook and Twitter (just like I did on my own sites...), they broadcast a promotional PowerPoint presentation I put together on their big-screen TV's, and were incredibly gracious as folks came in!
I gave away a Biggby Gift Card (Congrats Christy Ciaramitaro!!) and a Gift Certificate to White Rose Publishing (Congrats Suzanne Calvano!!) and so many great friends, family and fans came out!! Here are some pictures from the event - and for any subsequent publications, you can bet I'll be setting up signings at Biggby Coffee in the future.
Remember - it's all about the BOOK! I was nervous at the start, and as I set it up, but executing and enjoy the day was really fun, and was well worth the shaky steps forward into self-promotion.
Thanks for letting me share my excitement about a very successful and tremendously fun event! I feel so blessed!
