Christine said it, we repeat it...book promotion is a marathon. So I passed mile marker 1 this weekend with my first book signing on Saturday, and book launch Sunday.
Firstly, the Barnes & Noble signing was arranged before the decision to make spring releases on-demand was made. During the follow-up process, I got a call from the Manager asking me about my "self-published book", and I quickly responded. Using on-demand distribution does not necessarily mean self-publish, and the print-on-demand industry is growing exponentially with such a high profit margin, it is not so much a stigma anymore. My neighborhood Barnes & Noble decided to go ahead with the signing because I was a local author, and there was local interest. Because we chose to make my books non-returnable, we worked out a deal where I bring in 30 books and they reimburse me for what I sold. I get to the event and there are 4 books displayed next to a table and chair in the cookbook section. I sell one to a passer-by. The rest go to people I know, who turned out in good numbers for a boost in support. I was nervous. The people who know me read that.
"So, how many did you sell?" asks Mr. Manager. "I sold out," I reply, a matter-of-fact but not overstated smile on my face. I know I'm a rookie, let's just move on. "Sold out? Wow! I had a local cookbook author come in who didn't sell one book! This worked out great!" All the while I am thanking God it's overwith. "But it was 24 books, not 34, my husband grabbed the wrong box when loading the car for me." I am reassured that this was worth their time, the corporate book store, and there was, I am picking up, some doubts about that happening.
We square, I give him the Hershey's Kisses I brought (again, that would be Ms. Christine's recommendation)...and I tell my Mom in a quiet voice, "Mom! He had a local cookbook author who didn't sell one book!" I am starting to feel like a rookie off to a good start. "A local crippled father didn't sell any books? That's sad, Sami!" Mom has a way of hearing things incorrectly. "No, Mom. Cookbook Author. The cookbook author didn't sell any books!" She gets it now. "But you did." Such a Mom. She'll always give me a vote of moral support.
So that night my girlfriends and I make 200 gift bags for my book launch the next day, while drinking Cosmopolitans, the men watching the fight and the kids (and the kids fight). Now, that was the biggest pain in the arse. But I'm glad I had them.
The morning of my book launch I baked a cake to relax myself. Then I rolled my hair because I am a child of the 80s, prayed as I zipped up a skirt I haven't worn in a year, and lined up my Clinique inventory...a book launch calls for the big cosmetic guns.
Have you heard of those places, this one in particular called The Dinner Studio, where you go station to station making food from a menu and prepped ingredients, assemble fabulous entrees, package them up and return home to freeze or serve accordingly? Thanks to Julie, I arranged my book launch with some good people at a popular place having an open house and of course, food. The owners Kathy & Gloria even featured one of my recipes on their May Menu, 'Flank Steak a la Little Grapes on the Vine", and mention my book and signing in their newsletter. Laws of attraction, I chalk it up to. I'm pretty lucky. Many of my friends and family show up, as do regulars of Dinner Studio and some people curious about the signing and food for sampling. 29 books sold in four hours...and I am ready to call it a day on my book promotion weekend. Oh, and I had a cluster of grapes which were really cupcakes with purple cream cheese frosting. I seem to attract other foodies to me, and in my daughter's pre-school class there is a little boy with a Mom in culinary school who works at Starbucks and is starting her own catering business. Not long after meeting Melissa I decide she needs to envision and and be part of my book launch. She provides me coffee for the event and just the most fabulous cupcakes you could ever imagine (pictures coming). So I partnered with people like me, on their way, positivity radiating from their efforts, and that makes me just as happy as anything.
Just when I thought I was done with this part of the race, the ladies of Dinner Studio asked me to come back and sell books at their next open house. And my husband's Aunt asked me to do her book club in August. And in July I am giving a "talk" at my neighborhood library. This one makes me wonder, What the hell am I going to say? So I'm flying my best friend in from Iowa. In case my Mom's hearing gets any better.
I have to say, the key is mindset. Just like ivillage Live, when the self-sabotaging thoughts came into my head, I shooed them away. I did feel vulnerable in that chair at Barnes & Noble, almost like, Please approve of me. Please buy my book. But I knew that was the voice of some insecure kid who dreamt of writing when asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?". That insecure kid, me, did it.
Besides, who can't sit in a chair and smile for an hour? The Barnes & Noble signing was short and sweet. The book launch had food and Diet Coke, so I was okay. And most importantly, I had a team of supporters, who looked exactly like regular customers, and I felt I sold enough to make it worth my while. I survived, even had fun (at times).
So, on to the next thing. Have to make hay while the sun shines. I strike out but I also get on base. Like any other player (author), I get mixed results of disappointment and satisfaction. And believeing that attitude is everything, I keep showing up (writing, querying). "It's a long season and you've got to trust it," ... Annie Savoy/Bull Durham.
I trust these things that I love doing, I trust these things that I fear but I face will lead me on to warm, sandy beaches and some nice ballparks. I can feel it.
