Star Wars Saturday: January 26th

Well, I could say that I forgot the Tuesday article, or that I didn't forget it, and was saving up for today's post. Like most truths, it lies somewhere in the middle.

Today we'll be spending the day in the Boise area, the highlight being our involvement in an 'Empire Uncut' filming at the Ada Community Library on Victory. Most everything this week has taken a backseat to our preparations for that. It sounds like it will be fun, around 20 people registered to attend, so it won't be too crazy. The trunk of the car is packed full of snacks and costume changes, and I'm going to abuse the heck out of my Micron discount at Papa Johns and take a bunch of pizza down for the cast and crew.

In other news, you might have already heard, but I have a tentative invite to have Apprentice Swordceror featured as a Kindle 'Deal of the Day'. It's a program where they discount your book up to 80%, but still pay you 70% royalty on the discounted price, as opposed to 35%. Plus it's a ton of free advertising. I accepted right away, of course, but this morning I mailed the contact at Amazon and asked for preferential treatment. I asked if they would be able to have the promotion coincide with the donation period for the New Plymouth High school library I have scheduled for the week of February 6th, and even asked about a possible donation match from Amazon. It's a long shot, but it would never happen if I didn't ask.

The Tuesday morning writer's group will now remain a morning only event for the forseeable future. Attendance is spotty at best, if it improves enough that a solid evening attendance is likely, we'll discuss it.

Well, have an appointment to keep with Darth Vader, so we'd better get on that hyperdrive motivator.

May the Force be with you.

Tuesday Talk January 15th: Lots of Libraries

Just got back from the latest installation of the self promotion and marketing series at the Ada Community Library Victory Branch. From coffee vans to Disney sound producers to Latino drummers that almost made it big... a good time was had by all.
It wasn't the first library I visited this weekend. Carrie and I ran down to the elementary school to work on box tops, and decided that it would be a good time to deliver the check for the library donation. I ran down ton the bank and got a cashier's check, and brought it back to the school. Mrs. Lee, the librarian, was really excited about it, and wanted to have the Principal there. We walked down to his office, and the School Board members were all arriving for a meeting. Everyone got to hear about the book, the donation, a little back story. It wasn't expected, but it was a photo op with the superintendent, principal, and librarian, with the rest of the School Board looking on, and the students in the library gawking as well. It was amazing, as always. The response I always get when people learn about the book never gets old.
I got the chance to drop off the donation to the High School library earlier today. It was considerably smaller, but brings the total donated this week to over $1700. We're currently working toward getting another donation program started with another local school.
Our first actual Writer's Group meeting was this morning, with Neal T. and Rebecca W. It was more about getting to know each other than anything else, but I can see it being a good source for inspiration and other resources.
Still shopping for a book trailer producer, but have a few new leads on that.
It's all so amazing, I can't wait to see what happens next.

Tuesday Talk January 8th: I'm a Purple Cow!

He approached the group with a mixture of anticipation, and trepidation. There were half a dozen of them, and the two he did recognize were wild cards, even in the best of times. He knew what they expected, but was completely unprepared, as usual. He opened his mouth, as if to speak... and then... He did.

Then everyone ate meatballs and went home.

Wow. The end of that story seemed a little rushed too, huh?

Tonight was the first in a series of marketing and self promotion talks/workshops/etc at the Ada Community Library on Victory. Attendance was light because people are big chickens when it comes to driving in less than optimal conditions in Boise. Well... I'm from Michigan, and this is nothing! I remember when I was... wait, I was only two, so I guess I don't. But I digress. The crowd (artistic license) was perfectly proportioned for someone of my caliber when it comes to inspirational speaking. It was a great start. It felt like I really connected with everyone in the room, they all seemed to get something from what I said, and the excitement level about buying the book was definitely there. Hopefully it spreads!

Which brings me to the reason for the excitement level this week. The donation to the Elementary School Library is getting close to changing hands. $1500 for the four and a half days of Book Fair, a pretty accurate estimate of my U.S. sales for that period, rounded up. The next chapter of giving back has already begun. A portion of my proceeds this current week will go to the High School Library program in Fruitland. They have been supporting my marketing efforts, displaying posters in the library and outside the school office.

So here's the deal. $1 of each U.S. sale for the week will go to the library. With no extra pushing, that should be maybe $40 a day average. But wait... There's more! If, by chance, the book's Facebook page gets 50 new likes, and this blog gets 20 new followers (19 now, I think there was a new one yesterday), this promotion will renew on the first full calendar week of next month! If things go right, there is somewhat unlimited earning potential, for the school, and, by extension, me. Good deal, eh?

I'm looking forward to it, but I'm also jazzed to get more local events going where I can connect with people, move a little further out of my comfort zone, and have my own personal growth mirror the confidence and ability that my characters are gaining as the Blademage Saga continues.

But that is another story.

Tuesday Talk January 1st: New Beginnings

Working at a different site for the company for a couple more weeks. It's different, fresh, engaging. Keeps the mind turning over, churning up new ideas for break and lunch times, that seem to flow into the book easier than usual.

Looking at different avenues for advertising and public relations, book trailers, etc. Currently in touch with a local, and a national firm.

Finally beginning the local writers group, by executive order. First meeting is Tuesday morning, 10 A.M., at the sandwich shop in Ontario. Event schedule to be posted here, on the Amazon site, and the Facebook page. Alternating weeks tentatively scheduled to be held in the mornings and evenings, evening sessions probably at my house to start.

Prepping Apprentice Swordceror for print, tentatively scheduled for the end of the month.

Getting the details for the Book Fair donation to the Elementary School in order. That's $1500 that they'll be able to spend on new books! Pretty excited about that.

Due to illness/family/etc, only got half the writing done on Journeyman Warsmith that I had projected. What did get written, though, surpasses what I did have planned. Storyline splits and new tangents... Chapters now have temporary headings because I'm not sure what order they will fall in. I could keep them switching back and forth, keep the timeline close, as they are being written. But they may have more impact if presented in a somewhat "Go"-like fashion, letting the questions build in the reader's mind for longer before answering some of them. I will probably leave the temporary headings until Ken has a chance to look at it.

Time to get back to it!