G.R.D. Wheeler's Blog, page 23
July 8, 2011
Sequel Started!
A couple days ago I began working on the sequel to Blood for the Living. I managed to get the first page of the first chapter done in the little time I had. But it was enough to get me excited about it! I've decided to pick up right where I left off the first book, starting the very next day.
Meanwhile, my laptop battery is refusing to take a charge, so I won't be able to take it to McD's to write. *sigh* Really need to find some time at home to sit down and write the chapters I've already run through my mind.
In other news, Dennis Sharpe & I are having technical difficulties with our competition. My publisher doesn't put out sales data quickly enough, and they're always more than a month behind. I won't know my sales figures for up to the end of June until August 11.
I am in desperate need of an intern! There's so much I want to get done for book promotion during the day & i just can't get to it.
Tagged: book, chapters, intern, internet, laptop, marketing, science fiction, sequel, vampires
July 5, 2011
My 1st Book Signing!
Had my very 1st book signing yesterday at Prospero's! I only sold 4 books, but what a learning experience!
I got a lot of practice talking about & pitching the book. Unfortunately, it was after the guy from 88.5 stuck a microphone with a tape recorder in my face. Asking the vampire novelist about the upcoming civil war festivities in town was probably not the best idea for a good sound byte, but there was nothing else going on that early in the afternoon.
Sadly, I can't think that fast on my feet. Even when I'm sitting down. =) Pretty sure that my unrehearsed babble is not going to make it on the air (I didn't even remember to mention the NAME of my book! *sigh*), but it reinforced the need for a pre-prepared talking points.
Hubby stayed with me the whole time, so during the many lulls he asked me lots of questions. Hopefully the next time I get interviewed with no notice I won't sound like a complete idiot! Although to be fair to myself, it could have been much worse. At least I remembered to mention my website this time.
I now have a much better idea of what to do & to expect for future signings. Going to try & get to a lot of conventions this year, I think I'd be a lot more successful in that sort of venue.
Me - Kate Nevermore - in front of Prospero's Books
Tagged: book, conventions, Prospero's, science fiction, signing, vampire
July 1, 2011
If you didn't win the contest....
Contest Results!
Congrats to Camelia Rotaru & Kathleen Bradley, the winners of my free autographed book giveaway on Goodreads! There were over 1000 entries!
Also, for those who missed it, you can watch me on Jellyvision at: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/15720465 I thought it went pretty well, even though I was SO nervous!
My next public appearance will be this Monday, July 4, from 1-5pm at Prospero's in downtown Manassas. Please come visit my table!
Tagged: appearance, book, book signing, contest, giveaway, Jellyvision, results, science fiction, talk show, vampires
June 29, 2011
Just One More Day!
Tomorrow is my very first book reading & signing! Don't forget to tune in at 7pm for the Jellyvision live internet talk show!
I'm excited, nervous & probably not as prepared as I'd like to be. Tomorrow morning I have to get a bunch of ones from the bank to make change. I also still need a decent ultra-fine Sharpie for signing (publisher recommends this.) And at some point, I have to practice reading out loud to adults. I've yet to have time w/o kids around, so I apologize now if my reading makes you feel 3 years old!
And in other news, my publisher STILL has not finished upgrading their sales reporting system, so I have NO IDEA how many books have sold so far! SOOO frustrated with them!
Tagged: books, internet, publisher, reading, science fiction, talk show, vampires
June 21, 2011
I've Been Reviewed From The UK!
"Blood for the Living" has another review! Please check out the blog Taliesin Meets The Vampires for my first international review!
I'm counting down the days until my first live talk show appearance – just 9 left to go! I still have no idea what passage I want to read. I love the scene between Mathius & Alice on the roof, but it doesn't showcase either the vampire or the scifi aspects, just the romance. I also love the scene with Xander & the juniors when the find the secret door, but it's probably a little too out of context. If I can't make up my mind soon, I'm going to default to the beginning, which is realistically the best place to start a story anyway.
Tagged: book, reading, review, science fiction, UK, vampire
June 16, 2011
No Kindle? No Problem!
Have you checked out the new Kindle phone app? You don't need a Kindle to read Kindle ebooks anymore!
So now you don't need a Kindle to read an ebook copy of "Blood for the Living"!
If you use twitter and would like to follow me there, please find me at: https://twitter.com/#!/kate_nevermore
Also, I now have a page on Fresh Fiction! http://freshfiction.com/book.php?id=47172
And don't forget to check out Kindleboards!
In other news, I am anxiously awaiting my promo materials, which are supposed to arrive some time today. I'm considering using the promo picture to make up graphic T-shirts to sell & give away, but I want to have a funny saying of some kind on them, and I can't think of anything. If you have an idea, please email me!!
Tagged: fresh fiction, kindle, links, science fiction, twitter, vampires
June 14, 2011
Behind the Times
Wow, just got an email rejection letter from a publishing house that I think my first agent submitted me to about 3 years ago! I had the pleasure of responding that I had signed with another publisher about 6 months ago. They did say my writing was "smooth & strong," so that was nice. Wonder if I should put that on my reviews page, LOL!
In other news, I'm looking into getting T-shirts made. Seems like a good way to advertise!
June 13, 2011
Promo Posters
I finally received the final proofs for the promo poster & the top of the display case. I think they came out pretty neat looking! Should arrive in about a week.
Tagged: display, eye, posters, promo, promotional, science fiction, vampires
June 10, 2011
Everyday
So my goal is to do at least one thing for the book every day. Today I updated my author posting on kindleboards.com. Yeah, not the most productive day so far. I'm waiting to hear back from the marketing people at my publishing company. They still owe me promo materials, as well as some much-needed marketing advice.
On the upside of things, my wonderful hubby reminded me that if I do a book tour in NY, I can write all the travel expenses off as business expenses. Yay! Of course, this is only really useful if I actually make enough money on the book that I can use the tax write-off! But still makes the trip seem more affordable and justifiable. Ultimately, I'm going to have to wait until after my first real book signing to figure out if it will be worth it.
Started looking into science fiction conventions. If I paid for a vendor table, on average I'd have to sell 80-100 books just to break even. And I'd have to be able to not only pay for the table, but also pay for the books up front. Maybe I'll just shoot for trying to get a guest spot as a reader? Or maybe I'm looking at the wrong conventions!
Tagged: books, business expenses, conventions, kindle, marketing, science fiction, vampires
