Jess Steven Hughes's Blog, page 27
October 1, 2013
Successful Book Signings @ Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
Book Signing follow-up. I conducted two very successfull book signings of my historical, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE, @ Barnes & Noble stores in Federal Way (0928) and Silverdale (092913), Washington. In each case I sold out the entire stock of books on hand. Met lots of good people, gave out flyers and book markers and received many positive comments about the portrait painted by my niece Katrina Hughes Brennen, for the book cover. I want to thank Communitry Relations manager, Carla, Federal Way store and Ruthann, CRM and store manager, Verne, of the Silverdale store for their kind support.
Below is an email I received from Ruthanne Devlin, the commumity relations manager at the Silverdale store. It might give you an idea how I operate.
Jess, we very much appreciated having you in our store Sunday. The feedback was positive, and said you were extremely personable and greeted everyone who came within an arm's reach, which is no very small feat in our store! I saw you also sold out the books I an ordered in. I hope the rest of your signings go well, and we look forward to possibly having you back for book #2!
Have a wonderful Fall...............
Ruthanne Devlin
Community Relations Manager
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
10315 Silverdale Way NW at Kitsap Mall
PO Box 250
Silverdale, WA 98383
Below is an email I received from Ruthanne Devlin, the commumity relations manager at the Silverdale store. It might give you an idea how I operate.
Jess, we very much appreciated having you in our store Sunday. The feedback was positive, and said you were extremely personable and greeted everyone who came within an arm's reach, which is no very small feat in our store! I saw you also sold out the books I an ordered in. I hope the rest of your signings go well, and we look forward to possibly having you back for book #2!
Have a wonderful Fall...............
Ruthanne Devlin
Community Relations Manager
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
10315 Silverdale Way NW at Kitsap Mall
PO Box 250
Silverdale, WA 98383
September 11, 2013
Another 5 star review for THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE
Check out the latest five star review received for my historical novel, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Sign-Eagle-...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Sign-Eagle-...
August 30, 2013
Latest Website Blog Post
Check on my latest blog and progress on my novels in progress and new installment of Ancient World Notes, Apartment Living in Ancient Rome.
http://www.jessstevenhughes.com/blog....
http://www.jessstevenhughes.com/blog....
August 22, 2013
Successful Book Club Presentation
On Wednesday, August 21, I spoke to the Spokane Valley Library Book Club @ the Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main, Spokane Valley, Washington to discuss my historical novel, The Sign of the Eagle. This turned out to be a pleasant and relaxing experience. Although there were only ten members present sitting in a round table format, they were a lively bunch who asked intelligent questions. It turned out most of them had already read the book which was available at the library. After the moderator, Jay Holliday, asked a couple of initial questions to get the meeting rolling, I spent the rest of the session answering questions re: writing techniques; why I became a writer; and telling the group about different aspects of Celtic and Roman history.
There was one or two people that questioned the authenticity of some of my facts, etc. At that point, a fellow novelist, Carol Crigger, who writes historical mysteries and westerns (she goes by the pen name, C.K. Crigger), came to my rescue. She explained that historical novels are a work of FICTION, not history. As authors of fiction, we have the leeway of filling in the blanks to move the story along in a logical and believable manner. It was obvious that a few of the members had gotten so involved with the story, they forgot it was a work of fiction. Thank you, Carol.
As the meeting neared the end, Spokane Valley Head Librarian, Kandy Brandt, who was present asked if I would return next year. She is planning to offer a three-four part presentation in which authors of historical fiction will speak on certain periods of history from a writers perspective. She wants me to make a presentation on the Classical Period. When I asked her why she wasn't interested inviting history professors who might be more knowledgeable she said, that professors treat their audiences like students. She said I am very approachable and speak to people in a easy manner. Nice compliment.
I want to thank Librarian Kandy Brant and Moderator Jay Holliday for assisting me in creating a successful and enjoyable presentation.
There was one or two people that questioned the authenticity of some of my facts, etc. At that point, a fellow novelist, Carol Crigger, who writes historical mysteries and westerns (she goes by the pen name, C.K. Crigger), came to my rescue. She explained that historical novels are a work of FICTION, not history. As authors of fiction, we have the leeway of filling in the blanks to move the story along in a logical and believable manner. It was obvious that a few of the members had gotten so involved with the story, they forgot it was a work of fiction. Thank you, Carol.
As the meeting neared the end, Spokane Valley Head Librarian, Kandy Brandt, who was present asked if I would return next year. She is planning to offer a three-four part presentation in which authors of historical fiction will speak on certain periods of history from a writers perspective. She wants me to make a presentation on the Classical Period. When I asked her why she wasn't interested inviting history professors who might be more knowledgeable she said, that professors treat their audiences like students. She said I am very approachable and speak to people in a easy manner. Nice compliment.
I want to thank Librarian Kandy Brant and Moderator Jay Holliday for assisting me in creating a successful and enjoyable presentation.
August 19, 2013
Book Club Appearance.
Hello everyone, just a reminder. BOOK CLUB APPEARANCE. I will be attending the next meeting of the Spokane Valley Library Book Club, as a guest speaker, at the Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main, Spokane Valley, Washington, Wednesday, August 21, 2 p.m. Not only will I discuss my historical novel, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE, but I will speak on the basics of novel writing techniques (as they pertain to historicals), the role of women in Celtic and Roman Societies and what got me interested in writing novels. The meeting is free and open to the public.
4 Star Review - The Sign of the Eagle
Check out my latest 4 Star Review of THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE on Amazon. Thank you.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Sign-Eagle-...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Sign-Eagle-...
August 11, 2013
I could use some good reviews for my historical, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE
Could I ask a favor? Although there have been fifteen reviews written on my historical, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE, on Amazon, I could use a few more good ones. If anyone out there is willing to review my novel, I will be glad to send them a signed copy. Thank you.
Jess Steven Hughes
Jess Steven Hughes
July 20, 2013
5 Star Book Review - The Sign of the Eagle
Check out the wonderful 5 star review written by Goodreads member and Author Patty Wiseman for THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE. Thank you, Patty.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Latest Website Blog Post
Check out my latest blog update. Includes the latest progress on rewrites of THE WOLF OF BRITANNIA and THE BROKEN LANCE. Also my fall book signing schedule (added another B&N store to list) and another installment in my Notes on the Ancient World segment.
http://www.jessstevenhughes.com/blog....
http://www.jessstevenhughes.com/blog....
July 10, 2013
Book Signings @ Barnes & Noble
Just an FYI, so far I will be signing copies of my historical, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE, at three Barnes & Noble stores this fall (so far), Federal Way (Tacoma area), WA, Sept. 28; Spokane Valley, WA Oct. 5 and Woodinville (Seattle area), WA, Nov. 2. Two other stores in the Puget Sound area asked to me call back in two weeks when they do their scheduling. On a roll. I have been trying to get signing dates at stores in the Puget Sound area from the beginning and its finally paying off. More details to follow as I receive them.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-s...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-s...
