A Book Signing!!!!!!!!

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   RGrafposted 14 years ago

   I've got a book signing scheduled for my first ever published book.  I'm so excited.  We are getting some good responses on it and are hoping to have some local write ups in the paper soon.  Though I have to admit that the marketing part is harder than the writing.

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      AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am soooooo excited for you!!! Congrats

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      Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Congratulations-- and you are right about the marketing. The good thing is you have a niche. There are lots of Christian bookstores.
      
      Have a great signing! It is a lot of fun. Make sure you have some bookmarks made up with your contact info.

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         KT pdxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         You could also send out a press release to churches in your area and see if they want to buy a copy for their library/Sunday School program.

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            Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            That's a great idea-- I know Rgraf lives in a rural area-- but there are always churches. They might even give you a chance to present a program.

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      Maddie Ruudposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is HUGE, RGraf!!! Congratulations!

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      anjalichughposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Congratulations and all the best! I've gone through this marketing stuff...it definitely is tougher than writing. )

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      marriedwomanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Wow! that sounds really exciting...good luck..

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      Patty Inglish, MSposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Congratulations; this is simply the best!

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   cashmereposted 14 years ago

   That's great news! Congrats!

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   Lucey Knightposted 14 years ago

   Congratulations!!!  Much success to you.

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   Feline Prophetposted 14 years ago

   What's the book about RGraf? Hope you get to work your fingers to the bone! All the best.

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      RGrafposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It is called A Gift for a Mouse (link on my profile page) and is about a little mouse watching the last supper.  It was originally published on HubPages and is the first of a series.  A friend of mine illustrated it.

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   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   Congratulations!  Hope you find it an enjoyable time.

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   Dame Scribeposted 14 years ago

   Do we autographs too congratulations

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   KT pdxposted 14 years ago

   That's awesome!  What's the book?  Are you self-publishing, or who are you publishing through?

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      RGrafposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It's called a Gift for a Mouse (see profile page).  I am self-published.  I went through CreateSpace which a division of Amazon.  Therefore, my book is also being marketed by Amazon.  This company got great reviews from everyone (including people on HubPages).

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         KT pdxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks.  I just looked at their site, and I think that's what I'm going to use, too.  Good luck with the signing and marketing! 

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            RGrafposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Good luck, too.  Let me know how it goes.

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   Shalini Kagalposted 14 years ago

   Great RGraf - congratulations!

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   maidouxixiposted 14 years ago

   Congratulations!I will be your supporter all the time `````

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    dianacharlesposted 14 years ago

    Congrats........awesome work.

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    jimmythejockposted 14 years ago

    Fantastic News, great to see all of your hard work pay off, you go girl and enjoy every moment of your success.....jimmy
    P.S where can I get a hold of a signed copy? lol

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       RGrafposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Anytime!  Just say the word.  It is all due to HubPages that this ever happened.

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    Joelle Burnetteposted 14 years ago

    Congrats! How long did it take you to get your book published?

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       RGrafposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I went the self-publishing route with CreateSpace.  The whole process with proof copies and editing took about 2 months.  A friend of mine edited it and then I sent it off for publishing.  CreateSpace says it takes about 3 weeks to print and ship, but I got it in less than a week which I think is outstanding.

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    ripplemakerposted 14 years ago

    Congratulations!!! That is so cool! 

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    Triplet Momposted 14 years ago

    Congratulations!!

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    kbristow01posted 14 years ago

    Congratulations, that's great news, I hope it is successful for you!

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    Ladybird33posted 14 years ago

    Keep us posted so I can learn from your experiences.  I am soooo happy for you!!!  Huge accomplishment.

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    RGrafposted 14 years ago

    Thank you ALL for your support and encouragement.  To be honest the hardest part is the marketing and it is scary because that is not my strong suit, but then neither was writing.  I'm learning thanks to many people who have been down this road already and is not hesitant to give advice.

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       Leta Sposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Congrats, RGraf!
       
       And actually, the marketing part (at least for the signing) is easier than the book writing.  lol  It's what I do.  You need to put together a professional press release and/or press kit and send it to all your local papers, regional magazines, libraries, book stores, etc. (you can research how to online).  Churches--that's good, too....
       
       Include an author's bio, photo, something colorful and eye catching--a color copy of the book, perhaps.... Maybe get some stuff up on some websites with good traffic.  Give free readings at children's libraries and publicize them.  Contact local radio stations/church stations and see if they'll do some kind of segment on you.  Or public access television.
       
       At the signing, also--you are always more popular if you have a little food!    Can vouch for that one!

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    Eaglekiwiposted 14 years ago

    I am so happy for you, Congratulations!!!

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    Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

    Look at all the cute felines on this forum! Must be all the talk about a "mouse" that brought them out:-). Seriously, that is an awesome accomplishment, RGraf. I am so impressed!
    It's exciting to know another bona fide, published author! MM

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    Frieda Babbleyposted 14 years ago

    Congratulations.  Took a look at the discription page and it sounds delightful.  Good luck.

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    SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

    Congratulations RGraf!  I think the good part about having your book on amazon is the potential for people from all over the world to order your book at any given time.  Of course you will have to market it in other ways if you really want to make a profit, but I am sure you are on your way.

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    Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

    Yes, snacks and punch. Or in the case of a book with a Last Supper theme-- grape juice (wine) and bread might be appropriate.

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    KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

    Congrats!  How terribly exciting for you! We're all envious!

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    diplessposted 14 years ago

    Congrats thats fantastic, hope all the marketing is a success and the sales just keep on coming in

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    RGrafposted 14 years ago

    Again, thank you all for your support and encouragement.
    
    The book signing location is a local coffee shop and from what I've heard every one she has done has turned out great.  I'll make sure that some food is available.  That always does seem to work.
    
    A lot of marketing help is coming from the illustrator who owns his own tattoo shop and does a lot of marketing and a friend who owns several highly successful online businesses.  We are giving promotional copies to our local bookstores and library.  The editor of it is the editor for the local paper and she might see about getting it written up. 
    
    I'm also looking at making bookmarks to go with it and a starter charm bracelet so when each book in the series comes out you can buy a charm for the book's main character.  I love to make jewelry so that won't be hard for me at.
    
    Our website for the book also is a chance to give promotional coupons and affiliate marketing to help word of mouth.
    
    Thank you for all the great suggestions.  I appreciate any help I can get because this is a whole new world for me.

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    DonnaCSmithposted 14 years ago

    Book signings are so much fun! And yes, the marketing is the hard part of writing!

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    cindyvineposted 14 years ago

    Well done RGraf!  Excellento!  Please let me know if you come up with some great marketing tricks, as that's what I'm really needing!  Marketing from China is so difficult!  Hey Lita!  maybe you can give me some ideas as well?  I'm currently working with Createspace as well!

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    megs78posted 14 years ago

    Hey RGraf, congratulation on your new book. That is great.  Perhaps you could share the secret as to how you got published?  I've been trying to get published for years now, but keep getting the same response; the childrens book market is not viable in todays economy and we are not currently publishing any childrens books.
    
    Do you have any tips or advice? 
    
    Thanks in advance.
    
    Megs

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       RGrafposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I looked at the standard publishers and most were not wanting any new writers.  So, a friend of mine has self-published his books.  I looked into it and decided that CreateSpace was the way to go for me since my book would then be available on Amazon. 
       
       The children's book market is flooded with books.  So the book needs to be unique.  With mine, I've never found anyone who wrote anything close to it so mine will stand out.  the best test is to give it to a child in the age group you are targeting and get their response.  To be honest, I wrote mine first for HubPages and the response was so big that several close friends encouraged me to publish it.  I asked my children and a few of their friends.  That got the ball rolling.

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          megs78posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Hey again, thanks for rseponding.  But did u publish your story to hubpages so everyone could read it?  Were you worried about someone stealing it?  I would def do that if I thought that it wouldnt get copied.  How do you make sure?  I've ahd my book read to children and a copy has been read by at least a hundred people and i have had great feedback, even by a publishing house, but rejected it for money issues in printing picture books.  so i think it would bode well. is it really safe to publish it to hubpages?  thanks for your info

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             RGrafposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             HubPages has dates on when I published it so that it would be protected from stealing.  I periodically went out to see if it had been copied anywhere and never could find it.  When I published the book and copyrighted it, I took it off HubPages then.

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                megs78posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                thanks again RGraf and congratulations on your book, I'm happy for you.  You are an inspiration to me to keep trying to get published. 

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    cindyvineposted 14 years ago

    It is a great feeling to publish a book.  It's definitely the marketing after that's the most challenging part!

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    RedElfposted 14 years ago

    Congratulations RGraf. That is quite an accomplishment. You certainly give us hope.

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    RGrafposted 14 years ago

    I am glad others are taking encouragement from this.  I was so scared to do it, but once I took the leap I loved it.
    
    Write something unique.
    Edit really well.
    Get comments from indented audience.
    Use others hubbers for tips and suggestions.  They love to help.
    Don't give up!
    
    I sold my second copy today and marketing has barely started.

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    onthewritesideposted 14 years ago

    Congrats RGraf!  I, too, just published my first book...it's an alternative history fiction novel called "First Testament---The Stones of Knowing" and is due out in print this August or September at the latest.  I chose the self-publishing route as well, but decided to use the services of a self-publishing house.  It cost me a few bucks but with all the services they provide, I felt it was worth it.  I have a summary of the book on one of my hubs, if anyone is interested.  And as for Megs78...if you still have questions about getting published, I also have a hub describing the self-publishing process, why I chose it over traditional publishing, and which house I decided to go with.  Just search for "onthewriteside" or click on my profile pic and you can find them both.  Good luck to all!

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    Enelle Lambposted 14 years ago

    Congratulation RGraf! How exciting for you! You are right...marketing is the hard part...

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