(as of August 27, 2008)Monday, September 1Release date for Paper, Scissors, DeathThursday, September 11Booksigning and presentation: Blast that (Writer's) Block7 p.m. CSTSt. Louis Park Library3240 Library LaneMinneapolis MN 55426Phone: 952-847-6125Friday and Saturday, September 12 & 13Booksigning1-2 p.m. CSTScrapFest 2008Archivers in Mall of America60 East BroadwayBloomington MN 55425www.scrapfest08.c9mThursday, September 18Booksigning4 p.m. … [Read more...] about Upcoming Appearances
Blog
Seven Days Without Showering–Don't Try This at Home
"I can go seven days without showering and I won't stink at all," said the woman standing next to me inside the gas station outside of Clarksville, Tennessee. She was addressing her comments to the young girl behind the cash register. "That's one advantage of being Native American."Now I don't know about you, but I love learning new factoids, especially when they are so totally unexpected. So I paid for my bottle of Starbucks Frappacino, my … [Read more...] about Seven Days Without Showering–Don't Try This at Home
Marketing Lessons from Girl Scouting
Remember Girl Scouts? Thinking back on it, I believe that Juliette Gordon Lowe was actually creating a marketing organization, designed to promote the idea of good self-esteem to young women. She was a remarkable woman, and obviously a smart (Girl Scout) cookie.Let's rethink some of the precepts:1. Make new friends but keep the old. Okay, you never know what you'll learn from a pal. I just received an email from Jess Lourey telling me that my … [Read more...] about Marketing Lessons from Girl Scouting
Go Tell It on the Mountain
You remember this song, right? I'm not trying to be disrespectful to anyone's religion, but I think this song title could well be adapted to our work as promoters of our books.I think it's my job to tell anyone and everyone who meanders across my path about my books, because you never know when you are going to meet a new (potential) fan.Let me give you a few examples:1. I was talking with the account rep at National City Bank about transferring … [Read more...] about Go Tell It on the Mountain
Promoting Your Book to Organizations
Motivational speakers often promote their books to businesses. They offer to personalize their books or individually sign them, and then to appear at a business meeting for free. There's no reason fiction authors can't do the same.For example, my husband hosts a meeting of the St. Louis Area Music Teachers Association every year. This year, I suggested he purchase a copy of my book for each of the teachers who'll be in attendance. I'll appear at … [Read more...] about Promoting Your Book to Organizations
The Lesson of the Starfish
I found a starfish on the beach today.I admire starfishes. Their power to regenerate impresses me. And most of all, I admire that even if they are missing a limb, they go on.I think there's a lesson there. It's all too easy to give up. To throw in the beachtowel and say, "Things are going wrong. I want to cut my losses. It's time to quit."But I wonder how often we quit right before we become successful. I imagine it's more often than not. … [Read more...] about The Lesson of the Starfish
