Business Calls

Ello-hay eople-pay! (Hooray for pig latin!)

So not a lot happening this week ... except for my first talk with SHP's marketing manager! Her name's Cindi, and she was super nice and really explained how the marketing is going to work for my book. Don't know if I can necessarily tell you all everything, but here's some things. We're looking for bookstores and libraries who can host book events, as well as looking into who can read the book and give it really good reviews! Cindi also gave me a little research homework of looking into others things, like finding other bloggers who could do interviews and things like that. Why couldn't homework be like this in high school?

These are just a few hints on what's going to happen from now until SA is published. Like I said, I can't tell you everything, but all will be gradually revealed as we start counting down to publication. :)

Weekly (Dis)Likes:

Like 1: The talk with Cindi. Having it with her is just making this all the more real to me, and what can come from all this. Haven't cried tears of joy yet, but they'll come soon enough.

Like 2: Don't really know if this counts as a like, but my sister is jetting off to Ecuador! She's studying abroad there, and it sounds like lots of fun (Machu Picchu, Galapagos, and lots of fish to eat!). Still, can't help but worry a little about the flight there and the stay, so prayers for her safety will be appreciated. Have a safe trip, Al!

Like 3: Dinner with the grandparents. Had the most delicious tuna with the best of company. ^_^

Like 4: Mail surprises. Got a bookmark and a letter from my sister's friend's family. Thank you, Kubickis!

Dislike 1: The tub faucet. The tub faucet broke earlier last week. You'd turn it completely off, but water would still be coming out and making this high-pitched noise like a whistling kettle. We had the plumber over to get it fixed, but just this morning it broke AGAIN. I don't wanna think about the water billing coming at the end of the month. >_<

Dislike 2: The mountain of laundry in my closet. Really need to do something about that...

Quote:

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius

Ye-bay Ye-bay,
Colleen

Bookmark Express

Zippy-de-do-da, zippy-de-day
Blog entery's a-comin' your way!

See? Told you I'd keep my promise. Would've actually posted something yesterday, but I was busy with what I have to report for today.

Basically, I borrowed a car and my dad for the day and drove around to somewhat local bookstores and libraries to see if I could leave SA bookmarks to promote the book. I hit about five place, four bookstores and a library, and most of them said yes. One of them, however, (and here I go into ranting, get off my chest mode) said no, and it wasn't even the library (which didn't say 'yes' but at least gave me the branch director's contact info to ask if it was okay). No, it was an independent bookstore about an hour away from the two first stops (which were good) whose front desk person didn't let me leave the bookmarks because I told her the book was available for preorder on Amazon and she didn't want to help 'support the compitition'. What excuse is that!? All I was doing was trying to promote a book, and she seemed okay with it until I dropped the preorder thing, then it was like I flipped the off switch. She even knew how far I'd driven to see her shop because I said where I came from, and she still wouldn't take them. Not that she was mean about it, but still. Even Dad agreed that she was over the line in saying that, because the Amazon thing is for those who can't get it from their local bookstore! Jeez! No more Book Barn in Leavenworth for me.

The other three stops at the independent stores were better. I actually got the email of one store's owners who likes to keep track of local author's books (and a possible event), and I received possible consignment deals and an author event from another. All in all, very well worth it. So were the other libraries and bookstores I hit on the expeditions before this one.

Weekly (Dis)Likes

Like 1: The bookstores I went to. Won't say what, but give your local independent bookstores some love!

Like 2: My job. I really do like it, and the fact I got a free day this week doesn't hurt. :)

Like 3: Books in general. There is no such thing as too many books (and I'd like to see anyone try to argue that with me).

Like 4: Netflix. So many good TV series, so much work to do!

Like 5: Friend's mom telling me she was going to preorder a copy of SA this afternoon. What's not to be happy about?

Dislike 1: Book Barn desk clerk. Read above for why.

Dislike 2: Bug bites. There is a reason why I don't like eating dinner outside. -_-

Dislike 3: Talking to said clerks at libraries and bookstores. I know it has to be done, but it still makes me so nervous!

Quote of the Week:

"An empty canvas is a living wonder... far lovelier than certain pictures." -Wassily Kandinsky

Pip pip cheerio,
Colleen

I'm Back (Again)

I know, my public. I'd said I was back, and then I end up being gone the whole month of July due to a mixture of no Internet access, internship work, and summer laziness (enjoy it while you can before going back to school!). But now I'm here, and a lot of stuff has happened since my last post. So much, I think I'll combine it with my Weekly (Dis)Like to make The List of Good and Bad Stuff that Happened While I was gone (not as catchy, but it'll work).

1. Book stuff first, and the biggest was getting my bogey copy of SA. Basically it's the manuscript printed in book format before its officially done, and it looked great. Most importantly, it felt great holding it IN MY HANDS for the first time ever.

2. Just recently got a box in the mail of a whole bunch of SA professional promotional bookmarks. I'm planning to try and get around to as many libraries and bookstore, independent and big, and ask if I can leave them a little pile. It's rather nerve-racking, but it's all going to pay off if it brings more popularity to my book.

3. Rewrote SA's manuscript for hopefully the last time. It is possible to get sick of your own book, as I've discovered. :P Hopefully I won't have to do it again.

4. I've also been working on my elevator prompt for my next book, BURN IN LIGHT, a story involving ghosts and exorcists. Me and my family friend/editor have been working on it for a few weeks. It's longer than it should be because of all the details in the story line, but Leticia says it's okay. Can't wait to send it to her.

5. Speaking of sending, finally managed to mail most of the promotional bracelets I made for SA giveaways. Hoped Rich likes them.

6. SA has been officially tested by the young adult crowd. My aunt's family came in for a week for a visit, and my two cousins (15 and 12) got to read the bogey copy. Both of them said it was very good (and they weren't just saying that because I'm their cousin). So it seems the crowd it's intended for likes it!

7. Life is good at the internship. I think I told you about that? Anyway, the work is good, the people are better, and I've really learned what it's like to working in a publishing company. Couldn't have asked for a better internship.

8. I had an interview with a recruiting head at a big publisher based in Kansas City. I was very nervous, but Micky was very nice, and I did a wonderful job and I was very proud of myself. He also was interested in SA as well. I hope I can get a job in the publisher once I graduate from college (he really made it sound like I had a chance).

And that's everything that's been happening. Book wise, I finished GOTH GIRL RISING, as well as another book, PLAYING WITH THE BOYS. GOTH GIRL was better to me because I liked the characters more; Kyra was kick-ass and sometimes I wish I could be as brave as she is. Not that PLAYING was bad. It's about a girl who makes her school's football team, and it was interesting to read it from a feminist point of view. Why can't girls play football, right? I just wish the author could've gone into that a little bit more.

Now I'm reading PSYCH-MAJOR SYNDROME, where the main character, Leigh, is a psychology college student trying to deal with personal problems. Roommate Ami is the best, but maybe that's because we're both studying art. But she is cool, unlike Leigh's jerk boyfriend Andrew. As for Leigh herself, a lot of her habits are weird (like super procrastinating on a paper), but she seems nice enough.

All right, that's all. I WILL BE BACK next week with another post, and I mean it. I'll make my mother watch me over my shoulder if I have to. And quote!

"Love dies only when growth stops." -Pearl S. Buck

Bye-bye,
Colleen