Danny in a Newfangled World

Winston Churchill and a Good Horoscope

// May 26th, 2011 // No Comments » // Books

I was up past midnight — way later than my usual bedtime – compiling an exhaustive list of literary agents who are accepting submissions for middle grade fiction. Now that I’ve polished the sequel to Danny in a Newfangled World, it’s time to find it a home.  Since I’m not knew to querying for either fiction or non-fiction books, I am girding myself for a torrent of rejections. I’ve been down this road before.

Having self-published Danny in a Newfangled World, I feel much more prepared to tackle this daunting task this time around. For one thing, I now recognize how hard, hard, hard it is to market and sell a book. I’m fortunate to have published a book that Chapters-Indigo believes in. But getting the book on their shelves (fabulous as it is!) is just one step. Spreading the word about this awesome book for kids is a huge challenge – more so for an author without a big publisher’s name to back her. So, I can honestly admit that I am more motivated than ever to find a publisher. My face can handle a lot of door slams.

Today I will craft the “perfect” query letter (whatever that is) and send it out to literary agents. My goal is a few queries per day. I know, from experience, that agents are quick to reply. Publishers, on the other hand, prefer to keep you hanging… often indefinitely.  As I embark on this stage of my writing journey, I thought it seemed a perfect time to read my horoscope. I haven’t read it in about six months and I need some extra special guidance and motivation today.

So glad I read it:

You will face many challenges over the next few days but with Mars in your sign you have what it takes to survive and thrive (yeah!!) Think of new ways to make a name for yourself – but make sure it’s a good one (I’m on it!)

Not much later, I stepped into my office to turn on my laptop and just happened to look to my left where I hang all sorts of papers that are meant to remind me of stuff that, well, I don’t remember.  A wonderful quote by Winston Churchill caught my eye (did I put that there??)  Here it is:

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.

Now. I’m ready.

Successful Book Signing at Chapters

// January 15th, 2011 // No Comments » // Books

Today I experienced my first official book signing at Chapters, Oakville.  Although I’d hoped to lure a few of my friends who had not yet purchased my book, none of them showed.  It was just between me and whoever happened to walk through the store entrance. 

I am happy to report that the overall experience was very rewarding.  While not every family that I enticed to my table actually purchased my book, many of them showed genuine interest.  The greatest reward was watching kids’ eyes light up when I described the “cyber” premise of Danny in a Newfangled World. 

Also fulfilling for me, was the wonderful support I received from parents who understood the significance of this book.  They agreed that a cautionary tale about the internet is most relevant to the modern-day kid.  They recognize that, whether we like it or not, kids are online.  And this book provides an opportunity for kids to better absorb the message that the internet can be dangerous (while enjoying a fun story). 

Before my book signing, I set a goal (as I always do).  Today, I wanted to sell ten books.  While this may seem a rather low threshold to some, it is actually not an easy target to reach for an unknown author.  Certainly, when Suzanne Collins, author of the Hunger Games trilogy, visited downtown Indigo for a signing, she would have been inundated with a hundred or so fans, eager for her signature.  Not quite the same circumstance for, well, little ol’ me.  I ended up selling 12 books (on a January, snowstorm-kind-of-day).  In other words, a successful day. 

My next book signing is at Indigo in Erin Mills (across from Erin Mills Town Center) on February 12, 2-4pm.  I will be reading an excerpt from the book, and… offering a few other surprises!  I look forward to meeting more wonderful kids.  And selling, um, 15 books?