My New Book Shows Great Promise
September 26, 2008 by rtwsenior · Leave a Comment
It has only been a week since my first order of one hundred Hey Boomers Dust Off Your Backpacks books arrived from Lightning Source. And what a confirming week it has been! I already had my first internet order from this blogsite, so I popped one in the mail bound for North Carolina. After hand-delivering a few books to those who were waiting breathlessly to see one and to begin their reading, I began to think about the publicity that I would now have to begin in earnest. That will be an ongoing process of sending press releases and, once in awhile, a book for review or to request interviews.
Then, I went to a Book Club meeting and my friend, Fawn, mentioned that I had just published mine and proudly passed around her new copy. They decided, on the spot, to make my book the November selection for the club and all of the girls gathered around to buy copies, sometimes two for Christmas gifts, or for that someone whom they knew “needed to read this.” Luckily, I had put a box of the books in the car and was prepared for this sudden run on seventeen books, hot off the press. So, now, I’m scheduled to give two talks in November, right in the same week…one to this book club and one at the Dunedin Library. Actually, with the club, I get to sit quietly while they discuss it (Ohhhh, I LOVE that idea) and then be available for questions.
I had my proof copy with me at the stadium for the political rally for Obama’s visit on Tuesday, and the woman sitting next to me wanted to buy that dog-earred copy off of me. But, I wouldn’t sell. It’s too precious. She too, could think of someone else who “really should read this,” and was already figuring out a Christmas shopping list. I hope she comes to this blogsite or Amazon.com to make good her decisions. The woman next to her also got in on the act and wanted some too, just from the brief look at mine and a hint of what is inside.
Yesterday, I accompanied Fawn to her speech at the Sarasota Newcomers Club to handle her book sales, and as we had hoped, those ladies snapped me up as a speaker for next summer, since I will be away between January and May traveling on my next around the world trip. I’m really looking forward to seeing them again.
When I returned home, my son’s friend, Tony, bought a book and has just emailed us that his Mom is now reading it and loves it. She’s my age, but is not in good health. This way, she can go vicariously to all of the places of the world, cruising along in her easy chair. That’s what I have hoped for in the writing of this. Not only to speak to boomers who are the natural travelers and who will be doing this as a matter of course, but to all of those who will never go, for one reason or another, but who can now feel as if they, too, have personally been in these many touristed and un-touristed spots in the world. I hope that all can enjoy the strange and wonderful things that I experienced.
At that Obama rally, I just couldn’t resist approaching members of the media as they either interviewed us, or stood in line at the press table waiting to enter the stadium. I gave them my card and told them to call me. Guess what? They all were happy to hear about this and some even asked me for more cards as they knew who they wanted to refer me to. They could recognize a story when they saw one. And that leads me to the incident that happened at the first of this week, when my book itself caught the eye of a reporter.
I went to the small post office in Dunedin and showed the friendly lady behind the counter the reason for all of this media mail I was beginning to send out. Then, I turned to leave and was asked to comment about the Obama visit to town by a local reporter. So, I put my book down on a pile of tee shirts for sale on the counter while I discussed politics. The book slid off, plop onto the floor, and in picking it up for me, he became enchanted with the cover and then learned that I was the author and a little bit about the theme. So, he decided to get back to me for a larger interview than this one, commenting about how my book seemed to have selected him.
So, that’s the story of my first week as an author. Sunday will be the biggest day of all, as it is my Book Launch Party at Fawn’s house, where I will give a speech and sign some books and we will all have a real celebration for this great Big Event – my first book sent out into the world.
