Danny in a Newfangled World

Dear Literary Agent

// November 3rd, 2011 // No Comments » // Books

First of all, thank you so much for dropping in for a visit.  Seeing as you have arrived, I assume that you have recently received a query for my two books: Danny in a Newfangled World and Saving Ivan.  To help you better understand me and my books, I’ve compiled a list of personal facts:

1. I only send queries to agents whom I have researched and feel certain that my book has the potential to fit into their roster of books.
2. I have been toiling over my most recent synopsis re-write for an entire day (admittedly my day ends at 3:30pm when my boys race through the front door) and will continue to “perfect” it today.  I’m serious about my writing.
3. One prominent literary agent asked me for a partial review of both my manuscripts.  However, as patient as I am (and hopeful), I’ve decided that after 2 months with no response, it is time to resume my search for representation.  I still await their response and will apprise all queried agents of any change in the status of my manuscript.
4. Saving Ivan is, in fact, the fourth novel I have written. My first – a somewhat cheesy teen novel was completed back in 2000 when I was 29. I cringe when I read it now.
5. I have a small piece of paper hanging to the left of my desk with the words: Rejection Tally – Go up to 100. (I’d prefer to stop anywhere closer to 50, so feel free to help me out with that.)
6. Although self-publishing Danny in a Newfangled World may have ultimately hurt my chances to find a publisher now, I don’t regret it because I am a better author, speaker, book seller, and risk-taker now than I was over a year ago when I decided to go for it.
7. I now realize selling books is harder than writing them.  Way harder.
8. I actually think my sequel, Saving Ivan, is funnier and more exciting than Danny in a Newfangled World – which is strange because when I started writing it, I didn’t think I could live up to the first book’s standard.
9. I take criticism very, very, very well.  I may sit in my room sulk for a bit after I hear it (pity party!), but then I suck it up and make the changes, knowing they are creating a better story, article, assignment.
10. I am now reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (yep, for the first time).

I hope you feel you know me a bit better now.  Thanks for stopping by and it would be so lovely to receive a personal response, rather than a form letter, but I understand your predicament. So, no hard feelings if things don’t work out between us.

This Sequel Has a Title and Here’s a Sneak Peek

// March 17th, 2011 // No Comments » // Books

I’ve come up with a title for my book’s sequel. Of course, this may change, as I can be rather indecisive in this regard. But for now, the title is:

Danny in a Newfangled World: Saving Ivan

I’m working on the first major re-write these days and want to offer a sneak peek at the first chapter.  It’s only a couple pages’ worth, but I’d love to hear feedback below or on the facebook page.  And remember – this is a work-in-progress, so there may be major changes ahead.  Enjoy!

Chapter 1  The Secret is Out

Everybody needs to have some sort of skill.  For Danny, it was playing video games.  Although it wasn’t exactly a talent that his mom and dad would have picked for their first born son, it was a source of pride for him.  He was okay at sports, as long as the ball never came to him.  And his school marks were somewhere between crummy and not bad.  At least that’s how his parents described them.  Those things might have bugged him a bit more if he didn’t have at least one awesome talent.  But he did.  Best video game player… EVER… (at least, in his grade).  That is, he was the best… until recently.

The problem is that he’s afraid of his computer.  One of the downsides of being a monster killer, he supposed.  A month ago, Danny was sucked inside his computer. Yeah, very cool, right?  But things took a turn for the worse when he realized his new cyberspace buddy, Desmond, was actually a monster that had a taste for ten-year-old boys.  Danny had always struggled watching his avatar die when he played video games, but was especially horrified to experience his real self chomped into digital bits.  That’s why he had to take Desmond down.  It wasn’t so hard.  Just a push off a cliff.  But the whole experience left Danny jittery about going near a computer.  For weeks after he returned, he didn’t dare turn it on. 

His cool factor, which wasn’t all that impressive to begin with, took a major nose dive when he quit playing video games.  Although being a monster killer should have (by most kids’ standards) given him some serious bragging rights, he kept it a secret.  Sharing that kind of story could just as easily turn a slightly unpopular kid into a complete loner if no one believed him.  And that was a risk that Danny wasn’t willing to take. 

Chances were slim to none that anyone would believe he’d leaped inside his computer screen.  Oh yeah, and been chased by a hoobogey that wanted to eat him alive.  Danny knew how ridiculous that sounded.  With his stories of video game glory growing stale among his classmates, his usually proud voice grew softer and softer each passing day.  He was now just an average kid.  Average at school.  Average at sports.  Average at video games (oooh, that one hurt).  Who cared about an average kid?  He dropped into the background, like the framed photos of every graduating class hanging in his school hallway – always there, but nobody bothered to take any notice.

Time to Think Like a Publisher

// December 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

Two nights ago I lay awake in my bed feeling anxious.  When I began my journey to publish Danny in a Newfangled World, my final goal was to find a commercial publisher.  A knight in shining armour who could carry me with my gleaming book to a paradise called bestsellerdom where demand for my books was high and I’d no longer have to spend half my working hours marketing and selling.  It is every writer’s dream.  But that night, I came to the realization that I may never find a publisher knocking down my door to represent me and my books.  I may, in fact, become a full-fledged publisher as I continue to write my kids’ series and, in the process, create other books for different age groups (I have a list of ideas!)

It’s not that I’m afraid of hard work.  In fact, I don’t recommend that anyone consider writing and publishing a book unless he or she has a heavy streak of tenacity.   The source of my anxiety is likely that of any new business owner who, during different stages of growth, must continually remind oneself of the viability and future success of the venture.  Unfortunately, insomnia tends to amplify those concerns. 

Thankfully, I have slowly been altering and expanding my business plan to include a more variable source of income than just book sales.  Yet, as gratifying as building my business has been, it brings with it plenty of risk – both financially and personally.   

The next morning, I woke up feeling slightly refreshed and more confident in my potential to become both the writer and publisher, and media literacy speaker (I told you I had expanded my business plan) that I envision myself being.  And, while a small part of me still hopes to entice to publisher to scoop my book up, my entrepreneurial journey is only beginning.  And anyways, being the boss has its perks.

Where to Buy the Book

// November 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

More and more people are asking me where they can pick up a copy of Danny in a Newfangled World.  It is still not widely available at bookstores… But I’m working on that.

For now, the book can be purchased at Lollipop Art Lounge in downtown Oakville and a Different Drummer Bookstore in Burlington.  As well, it is available through Amazon.com and will soon be on the shelves at Chapters Oakville.

I am hitting the Christmas fairs in and around Oakville and Mississauga starting with the Hopedale Presbyterian Christmas Fair this Saturday.  Next week, I will be attending Chapters Oakville to do a reading from my book on Tuesday November 23 at 7pm.  On December 4, I’m selling at St. Christopher’s Elementary School Christmas Bazaar in Mississauga.  On December 9, I will be at the Sip & Shop event at the e-Spot in Oakville above Artisano Restaurant from 4 to 8pm. 

Better news is that I’m meeting with a distributor next week and hopefully will soon see my books in more local stores.  The biggest challenge to a self-published author is definitely distribution!  It doesn’t help that most bookstores across Canada are owned by one corporation.  Although Chapters is a fantastic bookstore that I love to shop at, they do not sell books by authors who do not have a distributor, except by consignment.  And, selling by consignment is proving quite difficult to do at this time of year since their shelves are full for the holiday season.  I’m thrilled, however,  that our own Oakville store is welcoming my book during the Christmas season.  Hopefully more Chapters and Coles will follow in the new year.

Selling 101 at a Holiday Fair

// November 6th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

Today I attended my first ever holiday bazaar – as a seller, that is, rather than a customer.  I have a whole new level of respect for the entrepreneurs who work the holiday fair circuit.  It is exhausting!  While I am not complaining (I enjoyed the experience), the effort that I expended smiling, chatting, coercing, and just plain old standing left me pooped long before the six hour day was over.

On the other hand, I felt a sense of pure pride in peddling my book to passersby.  As it turns out, it’s not so hard to sell wares when you’re 100 percent passionate about them.  Having written and produced Danny in a Newfangled World myself, it’s clear that I’m the best person to market and sell it to customers. 

Thankfully, the day was an overall success.  I sold a decent quantity of books and am happy to admit that I am almost sold out of my stock and look forward to picking up another 200 copies next week.

One of my favourite parts of the day was getting to know other vendors. Susannah, a mother of two and owner of Colours to Go was a great neigbour (her table was right beside mine.)  Her fantastic crayon/marker rolling packs and bags for kids are fun, colourful, and ideal for kids on-the-go.   Moms and dads should check out her cool creations for unique Christmas ideas for the little ones in their lives.

My overall observation for the Iroquois Ridge Holiday Marketplace was that it was a positive experience.  It helped me hone my marketing and sales skills, as well as, gave me fresh ideas on how to run a successful book signing in the new year.  Although my computer shaped gingerbread cookies were not the runaway bestseller that I’d envisioned them to be, the books sold very well.  (I’ll try not to think about the hours I spent baking, decorating, and wrapping 100 cookies!)  I also met wonderful entrepeneurs, parents, and kids, and I look forward to partaking in future Christmas bazaars this holiday season. 

Some tips for authors considering selling at a fair:

1. Be prepared to talk.  A lot.  Selling requires proactive efforts to draw in the customers and sitting on the chair waiting for them to flock just doesn’t happen.
2. Set up a practice table at home to ensure that your display will appeal to your market.  If it’s kids, then consider adding a lot of colour, some interactivity, and anything else to catch a kid’s eye.
3. Consider additional merchandise to sell as add-ons to the book.  Theme-based cookies or crafts can help take the pressure off of selling just books and will add to your overall revenues.