Danny in a Newfangled World

Change Can Be Good

// January 13th, 2011 // No Comments » // Books

I am excited to share that Danny in a Newfangled World has completed its mini-makeover.  I think everyone will appreciate its subtle changes.  The back cover now offers a mini-biography of its author (that’s me), and the social media logos, Facebook and Twitter, are gone.  After some careful thought, I decided they didn’t belong on the cover of a kids’ book.  Heck, I don’t let my kids join facebook, so I don’t want kids or parents to believe that I’m encouraging kids to join the social network.  However, kids and/or their parents are still welcome to become fans on the book’s facebook page, where I post regular updates about the book, its sequel, and book signings.  The more, the merrier!

The margins have also expanded to make the reading a bit easier on young eyes.  As a result, the final page count has gone up from 105 to 120.  Lastly, the illustrations will appear sharper in the newest edition.  Having just spoken to my printer, my next big print run will use 100% recycled paper.  I’m very pumped about that!

It hasn’t been easy, but my pledge to write one chapter every day (excluding weekends) has been going well this week.  I am now on Chapter 7, and by the end of tomorrow… should be done Chapter 8.   The downside to such a schedule is that my first draft will be a bit rougher than I’m used to.  The upside is that I will have the entire first draft complete by mid-February, at which time I can concentrate on major re-writes and smoothing out some of the sticky plot issues I am encountering along the way. 

The second book is turning out to be one fantastic cyber-story, so kids have much to look forward to!  Still haven’t thought of a title, though.  That’s always a tough call.  Hoping to get that ‘eureka’ moment in a few more chapters.

My Tweets are Like Acorns Dropping on a Barren Sidewalk

// December 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

On November 24, I published a blog post here about my goal to tweet every day for thirty days in an effort to use this social media tool to market my book and my parenting blog, porridgereport.com (check it out.)  I had initially planned to tweet 30 times a day.  That didn’t last long, however.  Mostly because a few days into my tweet fanaticism, I began to dream about tweeting in my sleep.  Needless to say, it’s not pleasant to wake up and feel like you’ve been sitting at your laptop throughout the night.

I have kept up my daily tweeting, nonetheless, (albeit in smaller doses) and have experienced a few successes as a result.  I’ve contacted a few book bloggers who have agreed to review my book for their blogs.  I have also increased my number of followers from 93 to 188.  That’s not bad.

In an effort to best utilize Twitter and the blogosphere, in general, I also began reading a book called Trust Agents written by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith which details how the tools of social media are offering businesses a new way of building relationships.  I really, really want to believe them.  I would love to believe that my time spent tweeting is helping me meet new people.  But, I don’t.  At least, not yet.

Call me old fashioned, but my relationships involve back and forth conversations.  The odd “hello, how are you?”  “Well, thank you.  How are you?”  My tweets, however, drop like acorns on a barren sidewalk.  Someone may come by and kick it around.  The very rare squirrel may think that acorn is THE acorn it wants to carry home.  But usually, it just sits there, alone.  Whether others are paying it any attention, I would never know.   

Some of the most devoted twitterers have their own posses.  They respond to tweets about this and that.  Share inside jokes.  Broadcast their whereabouts and what they’re doing together that particular moment in time.  It sometimes leaves me the impression that I’m back in some virtual cyberspace high school.  The cool kids versus the “outsiders.”  You can guess where I belong.  I send out a question to Twitter land and the response is similar to those I’ve received from most publishers.  Silence.

I don’t doubt that the tool is a useful method to market one’s blog or merchandise.  I think it has an immense amount of potential to do that.  But building relationships?  Like real personal relationships?  Nu-uh.  I don’t buy it.  The best relationship building takes place over a cup of coffee or glass of wine.  Face to face. 

I’ll keep tweeting because it’s a fabulous way to spread the word about my blogs and books.  And perhaps my current impression of Twitter will prove wrong.  Perhaps I’ll actually start meeting some of these Tweeting peeps over coffee.  But virtual coffee just won’t cut it.

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.

Generous Givers are Diamonds in the Business World

// November 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

This morning I was thinking about how grateful I am to those people who have gone out of their way to help me succeed with my book.  Of course, there’s my husband and family and friends who have been my consummate cheerleaders.  I’m grateful to them, however I want to write about those people who have chosen to give of themselves even though they have no personal stake in my success.  They just want to help.  There aren’t as many of these folks around.

Many, many people have offered advice to me, whether it was solicited or not.   It’s understandable given that I’m a writer and well, everybody reads books.  So, most everyone is an expert, at least to some degree, right?  And, although I do appreciate that all of them have at least an inkling of a desire to help me out, I’ve come to recognize two distinct types of “advisors.”  One group gives advice because they have a personal stake in it, and often have a particular tendency to enjoy the sound of their own voices.  Sadly, no matter how pure their intentions, they often don’t know much about which they speak.  And I’m often left feeling crummier about myself and my efforts when I talk to them.  Perhaps they have a need to feel needed by others and as a result, they prove their worthiness by diminishing another’s.

The other group bearing advice and help are diamonds in the business world (well, the world in general, really.)  Despite their vast knowledge, they always offer advice freely and humbly.  Many of those who have been most giving to me barely even know me, making their generosity that much more appreciated. 

Today I was struck again by the kind words of someone who barely knows me.  Neil Pasricha, the author of The Book of Awesome, was given a copy of Danny in a Newfangled World by a mutual acquaintance.  I had hoped he would read it over and possibly forward it to the agent Gods of the literary world.  Today I received the loveliest email from him and his assurance that he did, in fact, forward on the book and even wrote up a fantastic review for me to post on my site.  Although I understand the book may eventually be tossed in the bin of lost and forgotten books that has a place in every literary agent’s office, I was touched by his personal effort to help someone who he doesn’t know.  Just because.

Another acquaintance who has astounded me by her generosity is Mabels Labels co-founder Julie Cole.  She took time out of her extremely busy schedule to offer advice on social media, invited me to attend an event filled with the who’s who of mommy bloggers and writers, and then wrote an online review of the book.  Wow.  This is a woman running a company that was featured in Forbes Magazine recently.  Kinda’ mind blowing, eh?

I’ve always tried to be that person.  The one that wants to help another.  Just because.  If I find myself in a position, one day,  where I can help another entrepreneur trying to make it in her own way, (whether she be a writer, cleaner, or kids’ lunch box maker) I will do what I can to pave her way.  Just because.

Pounding the Pavement to Get Book in Stores

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

It’s a good thing that all my experience as a writer has thickened my skin.  I’ve gotten rather used to the rejection letters, in a good way, that is.  I get ticked off for about ten minutes, curse the publisher/agent/magazine, then get back to work on whatever it is I’m writing.  I decided long ago that if I wanted to be a successful writer, I couldn’t let a small thing like rejection get in my way.

Now I’ve published this fantastic kids’ chapter book (if I may say so myself.)  Countless hours upon hours were spent crafting this work from writing the very first sentence to proofreading the final pdf.  So, my work is done, right?

Wrong.

Sales and marketing is proving as challenging as writing.  I’m thankful that I started selling jewellery last year to help pay for my publishing expenses.  And that’s not just because I’ve earned some decent income from it, but rather I’ve absorbed some of the skills needed to get out and sell something… Something that not everyone necessarily wants to buy – without a little coercion, anyways.

My biggest challenge in sales, these days, isn’t in generating interest among kids and parents who want to purchase the book.  It’s trying to convince stores that this book should be on their shelves.  I’m busy visiting various stores across the GTA, and while I’ve had some wonderful experiences with Chapters stores, I’ve learned a hard truth – my book will likely be shut out of the Christmas buying crowd.  I contacted them too late in the season to sell my book on consignment (or do book signings).  And I have no one to blame but me for that.  Thankfully, there are some great opportunities for book signings in the new year which I look forward to.  **QUICK PLUG – BOOK SIGNING AT OAKVILLE CHAPTERS JAN 15**  But I need to sell some books now, while Santa’s still building toys. 

I plan to rely on local Christmas Craft Shows, online sales, and some wonderful independent book stores (yes there are still a few of those left.)   I’m sure these book store owners will find room on their shelves for this ambitious (and highly engaging) author’s book this holiday season.  What can I say… I’m hopeful.  But then again, I am a writer, and it’s often hope alone that keeps us writing.