Tonya Duncan Ellis's Blog, page 8

Granny Washington’s Berry Special Lemonade

Sophie Washington: Lemonade Day releases in less than a month! I included a lemonade recipe (created by Sophie’s grandmother) in my book and had to try it myself. It’s so good I hid it in the back of the fridge after I made the first batch so my kids wouldn’t drink it all! Try it, you’ll like it! 

Granny Washington’s Berry Special Lemonade

Ingredients: 
Sugar (1 cup)
Lemon juice (1 cup)
Water (4 cups)
Berries (optional)

Directions: 
Boil one cup water with one cup sugar to make simple syrup. Cool.
Squeeze 5-6 lemons to make lemon juice. Add water and syrup mixture to pitcher then add three additional cups chilled water. Add berries. 

Enjoy! 

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How To Sell Boatloads of Books at In-Person Events

Before the pandemic, I was a vendor at from two to three live events per month, where I sold hundreds of books. At times I felt like a mall kiosk person, but the experiences have been invaluable in terms of generating word-of-mouth about my Sophie Washington children’s book series, making contacts with teachers and librarians, and getting my books in the hands of readers. Here are some of my best practice tips authors can use to be successful at in-person events.

Things you need – My basic set-up for events are a table, a tent and two chairs (for outside markets), and a tablecloth with my logo, and customized banners. If you’re planning on doing lots of events you may want to invest in a rolling cart to carry your supplies. I use a Square for payments. You’ll also need small bills to make change.  Consider giving an event discount to encourage traffic and sales. I make special table signs for these. Since I have many books, I invested in a wire book rack to display them. I order my display materials (brochures, book marks, post cards, banner, tablecloth, etc.) from Vistaprint. I really like their quality, plus they have great customer service and run frequent sales on materials. I usually bring about 50 books to sell, just in case. It’s better to have too many than run out. If I’m at an event for holidays I may add some special décor, i.e. a mini tree at Christmas, paper hearts around the table for Valentines, etc. to make things festive. Don’t forget to bring snacks, water, and hand sanitizer.

Where to sell – Surprisingly, I’ve often sold more books at events that aren’t book related, like farmer’s and holiday markets. Since I’ve been the only book there, there was no competition. Think outside the box when selecting places to sell your books. Bakeries, coffee shops, Hallmark stores….Some grocery stores also let authors set up shop to sell books through special commission plans.

Make friends – Introduce yourself to other vendors at the event. Some of them may have kids or family who’d be interested in buying your books, or you might meet someone you can collaborate with in the future.

Get on your feet – In the words of Gloria Estefan, “get up and make it happen.” I’ve gotten many sales from people not intending to buy anything just because I was standing up and making eye contact. The worst thing you can do at a live event is be in your chair scrolling on your phone while potential customers walk by. You’ll be able to sit (and hopefully count your earnings) when you go home.

Have a bribe – Candy works for me. But anything you can use to attract readers to your table, such as a raffle or a small giveaway, should do the trick.

Grow your email list – Live events are perfect opportunities to grow your email list. Have a sign-up sheet handy for browsers in exchange for a free book mark or post card. Or even better, have them type in their email address to your list directly on an iPad to receive the gift. This saves you from having to input the information later and having to translate messy handwriting.

Take pictures – Get pictures and video shots of readers buying and holding your books that you can use later on in ads and on social media.

Make the most of it – Even a slow day can be a success if you are interactive with those around you. I can’t count how many times a vendor day that seemed like a dud ended up with a media feature, a school visit, or a positive online review later on. Be excited about your work and others will be too!

Want to learn more about selling your books at live events? Check out my Book Echoes Podcast interview on the topic: HERE

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the best selling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks

The post How To Sell Boatloads of Books at In-Person Events appeared first on Tonya Duncan Ellis.

How To Sell Boatloads of Books at In-Person Events and Venues

Before the pandemic, I was a vendor at from two to three live events per month, where I sold hundreds of books. At times I felt like a mall kiosk person, but the experiences have been invaluable in terms of generating word-of-mouth about my Sophie Washington children’s book series, making contacts with teachers and librarians, and getting my books in the hands of readers. Here are some of my best practice tips authors can use to be successful at in-person events.

Things you need – My basic set-up for events are a table, a tent and two chairs (for outside markets), and a tablecloth with my logo, and customized banners. If you’re planning on doing lots of events you may want to invest in a rolling cart to carry your supplies. I use a Square for payments. You’ll also need small bills to make change.  Consider giving an event discount to encourage traffic and sales. I make special table signs for these. Since I have many books, I invested in a wire book rack to display them. I order my display materials (brochures, book marks, post cards, banner, tablecloth, etc.) from Vistaprint. I really like their quality, plus they have great customer service and run frequent sales on materials. I usually bring about 50 books to sell, just in case. It’s better to have too many than run out. If I’m at an event for holidays I may add some special décor, i.e. a mini tree at Christmas, paper hearts around the table for Valentines, etc. to make things festive. Don’t forget to bring snacks, water, and hand sanitizer.

Where to sell – Surprisingly, I’ve often sold more books at events that aren’t book related, like farmer’s and holiday markets. Since I’ve been the only book there, there was no competition. Think outside the box when selecting places to sell your books. Bakeries, coffee shops, Hallmark stores….Some grocery stores also let authors set up shop to sell books through special commission plans.

Make friends – Introduce yourself to other vendors at the event. Some of them may have kids or family who’d be interested in buying your books, or you might meet someone you can collaborate with in the future.

Get on your feet – In the words of Gloria Estefan, “get up and make it happen.” I’ve gotten many sales from people not intending to buy anything just because I was standing up and making eye contact. The worst thing you can do at a live event is be in your chair scrolling on your phone while potential customers walk by. You’ll be able to sit (and hopefully count your earnings) when you go home.

Have a bribe – Candy works for me. But anything you can use to attract readers to your table, such as a raffle or a small giveaway, should do the trick.

Grow your email list – Live events are perfect opportunities to grow your email list. Have a sign-up sheet handy for browsers in exchange for a free book mark or post card. Or even better, have them type in their email address to your list directly on an iPad to receive the gift. This saves you from having to input the information later and having to translate messy handwriting.

Take pictures – Get pictures and video shots of readers buying and holding your books that you can use later on ads and social media.

Make the most of it – Even a slow day can be a success if you are interactive with those around you. I can’t count how many times a vendor day that seemed like a dud ended up with a media feature, a school visit, or a positive online review later on. Be excited about your work and others will be too!

Want to learn more about selling your books at live events? Check out my Book Echoes Podcast interview on the topic: HERE

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the best selling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks

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Keep Kids Reading This Summer

If they don’t crack a book in June, July, and August kids can lose up to 20 percent of their classroom reading gains. How can you keep kids reading when school doors close? Follow these tips:

Join a Summer Reading Program – Libraries and book stores offer programs where kids win prizes for the number of books or hours read.

Start a Book Club -Let kids pick a club name, serve snacks and do themed crafts or act out scenes from the books to make it fun.

Play Reading Bingo -Cross off items as your child completes them and give prizes for finishing rows or the entire bingo card.

Read Books Set in Vacation Sites -Choose books set in places you’ll be travelling to add excitement and learn about the local history and culture.

Read as a Family – Shoot for twenty minutes a day to keep kids learning and growing in the summer and beyond.

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the best selling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks

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2021 Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Winner

I won! My latest manuscript was selected for the 2021 Austin SCBWI Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award! For the next year, author/mentor Bethany Hegedus will work with me to polish my book for traditional publication.

I am beyond honored to be selected for this prestigious award, whose prior mentors have included Varian Johnson (The Parker Inheritance) and Christina Soontornvat (A Wish in the Dark). Thanks again to literary agent Adria Goetz for nominating my work, Bethany Hegedus for choosing it, and the Austin Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for providing this opportunity!

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the best selling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks

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Highlights Foundation-Sponsored Group Includes Tonya Duncan Ellis Books!

I’ve been selected as one of twenty-four authors in The Brown Bookshelf’s first-ever, Amplify Black Stories cohort! Sponsored by the Highlights Foundation, the group will be working to support Black storytellers, confront publishing industry challenges, and foster change. Some of my favorite kid-lit authors and illustrators are in this six-month initiative, and it’s an honor and privilege to work alongside them!

I can’t wait to see what the next six months will bring!

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the best selling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks

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Sophie Washington: The Snitch One Book/One School Event Highlights

I was over the moon excited when Sophie Washington: The Snitch was selected as River Oaks Elementary of Woodbridge, Virginia’s 2020-2021 One Book/One School, Book of the Year! The month-long event included various readings and activities, and I Zoomed in for a virtual visit on March 12. Each student received a copy of Sophie Washington: The Snitch, thanks to event sponsors, and readings from the book were uploaded on Think Big Experience podcast.

Special thanks to the school’s Reading Specialist, April Barrett, for presenting my books to the selection committee, and to Principal Aerica Williams, teachers, and staff for all your hard work and support. The excitement about reading and literature during my visit was infectious! Here are some photos from the month’s events:

students illustrate and write about their favorite scenes from sophie washington: the snitch. Reading fun!kindergarteners learn about character emotions. tonya duncan ellis virtual author visit event.classroom scenes and sophie washington: the snitch artwork.

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the best selling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks

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Representation Matters

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou 

Did you know… 

You’re more likely to see an animal or object than a minority character in a traditionally published children’s book. In 2019, twelve percent of children’s books featured Black characters, nine percent featured Asians, and five percent featured Latinx characters, while animals and others (dinosaurs, robots, etc.) were featured in twenty nine percent of children’s books. White characters starred in forty two percent of traditionally published books for kids.  

Events over the past twelve months have sparked a renewed interest in diversifying children’s book publishing, and also diversifying school and home libraries.  

How can you do your part?  

*Add books written by own voices authors to your shelves.  

*Don’t limit books featuring minorities to hardship or trauma stories. Include books with diverse characters doing “everyday” activities.  

*Remove books with problematic representation of minorities or marginalized communities from your collection.  

Together, we can make a change!  

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the best selling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks

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Sophie Washington: The Snitch is Book of the Year!!

River Oaks Elementary School of Woodbridge, Virginia selected Sophie Washington: The Snitch as it’s 2020-2021 Book of the Year! The school is reading Sophie Washington: The Snitch as part of their “One Book One School” initiative. I’m making a virtual appearance at the school next week and couldn’t be more excited about this honor!

Book Description
There’s nothing worse than being a tattletale!
That’s what 10-year-old Sophie Washington thinks until she runs into Lanie, a new girl at school. Lanie pushes Sophie and her friends around at their lockers, and even takes their lunch money. If they tell, they are scared the other kids in their class will call them snitches, and won’t be their friends. And when you’re in the fifth grade, nothing seems worse than that. Excitement at home keeps Sophie’s mind off the trouble with Lanie. She takes a fishing trip to the Gulf of Mexico with her parents and little brother, Cole, and discovers a mysterious creature in the attic above her room. For a while, Sophie is able to keep her parents from knowing what is going on at school. But Lanie’s bullying goes too far, and a classmate gets seriously hurt. Sophie needs to make a decision. Should she stand up to the bully, or become a snitch?

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the best selling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks

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Resolve To Read More

Happy New Year! With the change in calendar comes a flurry of resolutions. If becoming a reader is one of your goals here are some tips to help you make it happen: 

Stock Up On Books – Keep 3-5 interesting books on hand, so you’ll always have reading material available when you have the time to read.

Set Achievable Goals– If you read one novel last year don’t set a Goodreads goal of 100 books. Choose something that stretches you but that is attainable. 

Join A Book Club- Reading with friends is fun. Knowing you have book club meeting coming up is a great incentive to finish that book on your night stand. 

Sign Up For A Reading Challenge – There a plenty of reading challenges online that give you various book selection prompts to complete by year’s end (read a book that begins with the letter N, read a book about social justice, etc.). If contests like this inspire you this is a great way to up your reading game. 

Read Books You Like – Choosing books that excite and interest you is a great way to develop a reading habit. Branch off into other genres once reading is part of your lifestyle. 

Set Aside A Dedicated Reading Time – Twenty to thirty minutes before bed or during the time you’d normally watch television is a good place to start. 

Keep Books With You -When I’m stuck in a waiting room or standing in a long line, I read. It’s a pleasant way to make the time go by and helps me fit reading into my busy schedule. 

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the best selling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks

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