Hey!
Michelle and I are excited about an upcoming event. On Friday, April 23rd, we will be in Ozark, Arkansas. Author and Illustrator will be reading to children. This is my second event, but the first reading event I have had. I love children so much. Our hope is that they will like the book, discoverr a love of reading, and realize it is "okay" to play or interact with others who are "different" than we are.
Event Details:
When: Friday May 23rd
Time: 9:30 A.M.
Where Melton Child Development Center, Ozark, Arkansas
We will have books available for purchase. So, feel free to come on out and say hello. Hope to se you there!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Writing, activities, family, how they all fit in
Hello Friends!
I realize it's been awhile since I have written on the blog, but you know, times flies when you are having fun! I have been busy with the book, of course, trying to find places to promote it. "I Sit in a Wheelchair.........But I Will Be Okay" has given me a lot of joy. For those of you that have been around me lately, it's all i seem to talk about. But, you know what? I love it! I have found something I love to do (writing) and have gotten totally immersed in it.
Writing is not my entire life. I love to read, and am even part of a book club. I like to go to church, when I can, to be thankful to God for all He has provided for me. I spend a lot of time with my sweet Grandmother, whom I love dearly. Grandma is one of my biggest fans in my writing endeavors. She has inspired a lot of my stories. I love her so much.
Some people have asked me over the years about a writing schedule. Well, I try to keep one. My favorite time to write is between 8:00 P.M. and Midnight. The house is quiet. There is nothing good on television these days (Except "American Idol", and Lifetime Movies.) Some nights, the words just flow. However, at times I grow frustrated, and pick up a book to read.
I get up about eight every morning, but that time is reserved for helping Grandma with a few things, and cleaning the house. Occasionally, I will get creative bursts throughout the day as well. I stop whatever I am doing, and write. Facebook, Twitter, and E-mail are a big part of my day too. I check all three constantly. (Something I am trying to learn to do a little less of.)
In short, I do take my writing life seriously. I treat it as my "job", since I can't work a regular office job. As I have said before, books do not sell themselves. Therefore, you have to work hard. Writing is hard work, but as long as you learn to have fun and relax it is all worth it.
I realize it's been awhile since I have written on the blog, but you know, times flies when you are having fun! I have been busy with the book, of course, trying to find places to promote it. "I Sit in a Wheelchair.........But I Will Be Okay" has given me a lot of joy. For those of you that have been around me lately, it's all i seem to talk about. But, you know what? I love it! I have found something I love to do (writing) and have gotten totally immersed in it.
Writing is not my entire life. I love to read, and am even part of a book club. I like to go to church, when I can, to be thankful to God for all He has provided for me. I spend a lot of time with my sweet Grandmother, whom I love dearly. Grandma is one of my biggest fans in my writing endeavors. She has inspired a lot of my stories. I love her so much.
Some people have asked me over the years about a writing schedule. Well, I try to keep one. My favorite time to write is between 8:00 P.M. and Midnight. The house is quiet. There is nothing good on television these days (Except "American Idol", and Lifetime Movies.) Some nights, the words just flow. However, at times I grow frustrated, and pick up a book to read.
I get up about eight every morning, but that time is reserved for helping Grandma with a few things, and cleaning the house. Occasionally, I will get creative bursts throughout the day as well. I stop whatever I am doing, and write. Facebook, Twitter, and E-mail are a big part of my day too. I check all three constantly. (Something I am trying to learn to do a little less of.)
In short, I do take my writing life seriously. I treat it as my "job", since I can't work a regular office job. As I have said before, books do not sell themselves. Therefore, you have to work hard. Writing is hard work, but as long as you learn to have fun and relax it is all worth it.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
One Never Knows What Might Happen in the Writing Business
"I Sit in a Wheelchair.......But I Will Be Okay" as been out for just short of two months now. Times are tough everywhere. This means people may or may not be able to afford a children's book right away. However, I would first like to thank-everyone who has supported Michelle and I by purchasing a copy of our book.
Since the economy is not that great right now, authors and illustrators like myself and Michelle are constantly thinking of new ways to get the word out about the book. I have a wonderful lady at Stragetic who is helping me get some valuable insight into selling books. Earlier this week, I tried on of Alethea's (Our book coach) ideas. I wrote a cover letter to several libraries in and around my area, describing my book, where it can be purchased, and why writing this book was important to me. well, Wednesday morning, I received a nice E-mail from Pryor, Oklahoma's public library. The director informed me that they would be purchasing a copy for their library. So, to my friends in Pryor, at some point in time, it will be in s library catalog. Thank-you Aletha for that awesome idea!
Another idea was given to my by a college friend of mine, Ashley Bryant. She is not only a Mom who works in the Sperry, Oklahoma school system, she also recently went to work for a marketing company that will get local businesses put in google, and GPS devices. I am so proud of her. Ashley got me set up on a website called LinkedIN This is a website where you set up a profile, and it will connect you with thousands of businesses across the country. Well, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to sell more books, so I signed up. I am looking forward to establishing contacts who could help promote this children's book. Thank-you Ashley!
As always, I am on Facebook as well as Twitter........I haven't found my way around Twitter too well yet, but I am working on it. I am using every means that I can think of to sell books. After all, you never know what might happen in the writing business.
Since the economy is not that great right now, authors and illustrators like myself and Michelle are constantly thinking of new ways to get the word out about the book. I have a wonderful lady at Stragetic who is helping me get some valuable insight into selling books. Earlier this week, I tried on of Alethea's (Our book coach) ideas. I wrote a cover letter to several libraries in and around my area, describing my book, where it can be purchased, and why writing this book was important to me. well, Wednesday morning, I received a nice E-mail from Pryor, Oklahoma's public library. The director informed me that they would be purchasing a copy for their library. So, to my friends in Pryor, at some point in time, it will be in s library catalog. Thank-you Aletha for that awesome idea!
Another idea was given to my by a college friend of mine, Ashley Bryant. She is not only a Mom who works in the Sperry, Oklahoma school system, she also recently went to work for a marketing company that will get local businesses put in google, and GPS devices. I am so proud of her. Ashley got me set up on a website called LinkedIN This is a website where you set up a profile, and it will connect you with thousands of businesses across the country. Well, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to sell more books, so I signed up. I am looking forward to establishing contacts who could help promote this children's book. Thank-you Ashley!
As always, I am on Facebook as well as Twitter........I haven't found my way around Twitter too well yet, but I am working on it. I am using every means that I can think of to sell books. After all, you never know what might happen in the writing business.
Friday, April 2, 2010
our new Amazon Page and "Life in the Ozarks"
Hi Friends!
Well, I think my friend Michelle and I have recovered from our first book signing, and we can't wait for the next one. (More on that later) I have still been plugging away....telling everyone I can think of about Penny Brown and "I Sit in a Wheelchair....But I Will Be Okay" The book will not sell itself. Like I have mentioned before, I think some people think being an author involves just writing the book.......not true. (especially with a self-publisher) However, it has been a fun journey so far.
Two interesting things that happened this week. One, Michelle and I now have a separate Amazon website to help us sell the book. This site is complete with pictures and discussion areas. The discussion area will be added to later. Amazon was gracious enough to set this up for us for free. (They do that for all of their authors, which I thought was nice. Here is the link for that.
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003EU8CNU
Please, look around, enjoy, tell me what you think.
Secondly, I believe there is more to writing than being a writer. The part I enjoy about signings is being able to engage and talk to people. I am apart of a group called "The Ozarks Writer's league" it serves people who love writing throughout Oklahoma/Arkansas/Kansas/Missouri/ and Texas. I e-mailed the entire group of people, and received several responses about "I Sit in a Wheelchair....But I Will Be Okay" A lady named Alice Chambers e-mailed me and said she would like to feature Michelle and I in her April issue of an E-zine called "Life in the Ozarks." This was thrilling to me. So, I sent information, and a week later, Michelle and I appear in The Arts and Entertainment section. You can view the article here:
www.lifeintheozarksonline.com/friends/oflito/
I am so excited! And, we have YOU to thank for helping make this happen! Thank you so much for supporting us in this venture.
Well, I think my friend Michelle and I have recovered from our first book signing, and we can't wait for the next one. (More on that later) I have still been plugging away....telling everyone I can think of about Penny Brown and "I Sit in a Wheelchair....But I Will Be Okay" The book will not sell itself. Like I have mentioned before, I think some people think being an author involves just writing the book.......not true. (especially with a self-publisher) However, it has been a fun journey so far.
Two interesting things that happened this week. One, Michelle and I now have a separate Amazon website to help us sell the book. This site is complete with pictures and discussion areas. The discussion area will be added to later. Amazon was gracious enough to set this up for us for free. (They do that for all of their authors, which I thought was nice. Here is the link for that.
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003EU8CNU
Please, look around, enjoy, tell me what you think.
Secondly, I believe there is more to writing than being a writer. The part I enjoy about signings is being able to engage and talk to people. I am apart of a group called "The Ozarks Writer's league" it serves people who love writing throughout Oklahoma/Arkansas/Kansas/Missouri/ and Texas. I e-mailed the entire group of people, and received several responses about "I Sit in a Wheelchair....But I Will Be Okay" A lady named Alice Chambers e-mailed me and said she would like to feature Michelle and I in her April issue of an E-zine called "Life in the Ozarks." This was thrilling to me. So, I sent information, and a week later, Michelle and I appear in The Arts and Entertainment section. You can view the article here:
www.lifeintheozarksonline.com/friends/oflito/
I am so excited! And, we have YOU to thank for helping make this happen! Thank you so much for supporting us in this venture.
Our First Book Signing
March 27th, 2010 was a big day for Michelle and I. We participated in our very first book signing at T Charleston's Books and Gifts in Branson, Missouri. The shop was located in the Grand Village. For those of you that have never been to the Grand Village, it is a beautiful place, let me tell you. The invitation to this book signing was made through one of my college friends, Tresea Clark. We went to school together at RSU online, and Saturday was the first time we had met in ten years! It was awesome! Michelle and I had a lot of fun at T Charleston's, but it was kind of a slow day.......We only sold three books, but handed out a lot of business cards. So, we are just going to see what happens. Silver Sollar City also had their 50th anniversary celebration this weekend, which may have rained on our parade, so to speak, but, I will not give up.......neither will Michelle! One note that was interesting....a gentleman from KLFC Radio out of Branson came by to meet with us. He gave me a copy of an interview that I had done on the Thursday before the event. I was on the radio talking with Charlie and Keith in the morning, and it was loads of fun! I can't wait to talk on the radio again. This Branson trip was not all about work. Michelle and I also shopped a little. I mean, who can go to Branson without shopping???? All in all, it was a fun weekend, and we would like to thank T Charleston's Books and Gifts for hosting us.
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