Have you by chance been wondering what I have been up to these days, aside from writing my scheduled posts? You may have noticed that I hadn’t advertised for, nor posted a presentation wrap-up of, an event, until the September 24th double-event day.
The REAL reason I haven’t been more active with book one’s marketing, is because I have been hard at work on BOOK TWO! Unfortunately, this has meant I haven’t had much time to even think of, let alone schedule, new events, in between this and working my day job! I do feel disloyal, like I’ve pitched my old favorite stuffed animal for a shiny new one. But inspiration smacked me in the face over a year ago, leading to a tear with illustrating and writing book two. And here I am again, on the cusp (sort of) of publishing.
As a children’s book author, the marketing/promoting responsibilities do take a life on their own. Once you get published, you don’t get to lock yourself away and create your next book, and after that your next book. You have to be the ambassador for your book whenever called upon, and only you can be that advocate. You also have to be savvy about money decisions, time management choices, and social media options. For me, it was time to put the writing and illustrating hat on again. And though it’s undoubtedly my favorite hat, I must pay attention to ALL my hats equally. It won’t work any other way.
So, early in December (definitive date TBD), Charles Beatley Central Library in Alexandria, VA, will be kindly modifying one of their weekly evening events, Maker Cart Madness, to host me for a special “focus group” session for kids 8 years and older (but younger siblings are welcome so long as a parent attends with them). During this 1-hour event, I will read book 2 with the images, and get participants’ feedback. Then there will be an exercise on writing a story.
So, please come join me for this and have your child put their two cents’ worth toward my book!
The REAL reason I haven’t been more active with book one’s marketing, is because I have been hard at work on BOOK TWO! Unfortunately, this has meant I haven’t had much time to even think of, let alone schedule, new events, in between this and working my day job! I do feel disloyal, like I’ve pitched my old favorite stuffed animal for a shiny new one. But inspiration smacked me in the face over a year ago, leading to a tear with illustrating and writing book two. And here I am again, on the cusp (sort of) of publishing.
As a children’s book author, the marketing/promoting responsibilities do take a life on their own. Once you get published, you don’t get to lock yourself away and create your next book, and after that your next book. You have to be the ambassador for your book whenever called upon, and only you can be that advocate. You also have to be savvy about money decisions, time management choices, and social media options. For me, it was time to put the writing and illustrating hat on again. And though it’s undoubtedly my favorite hat, I must pay attention to ALL my hats equally. It won’t work any other way.
So, early in December (definitive date TBD), Charles Beatley Central Library in Alexandria, VA, will be kindly modifying one of their weekly evening events, Maker Cart Madness, to host me for a special “focus group” session for kids 8 years and older (but younger siblings are welcome so long as a parent attends with them). During this 1-hour event, I will read book 2 with the images, and get participants’ feedback. Then there will be an exercise on writing a story.
So, please come join me for this and have your child put their two cents’ worth toward my book!
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