Ann Benjamin's Blog, page 297

Celebrity endorsement.

I was trolling for a book similar to mine on Tumblr and happened upon an image of its cover that appeared in the Instagram of a C list celebrity persona.  Naturally, I was jealous.  Then, I started thinking, who would be the best fit for Room 702?  Of course, I would love someone in the stratosphere (A List) to be actively involved with my book somehow, but even in a fantasy, the possibility seems a bit unrealistic.  Although still in the realm of unlikely, as for most effective, I would be happy with anyone (celebrity or otherwise) that had a large following on Twitter or Instagram to be interactive with Room 702 (I’m looking at you, Aziz Anazari).  However, if I guess I had to choose one celebrity that I would most like to be involved with my book, I would have to choose one of my celeb crushes, the lovely Ms. Emma Stone.

I think Emma represents someone who is approachable, humorous, but also well traveled.  While she doesn’t entirely embody the demographic I’m aiming for, I think she’s very close to it.

She’d actually be holding a tablet to read the e-version, but I couldn’t pass up this image…

So, Emma, if you’re listening/reading/stumble across this – I’d be happy to send you a free copy of Room 702!

And you, dear reader, who would best represent your brand, book or self?

Some days.

This is what is produced instead of actual usable sentences, dialogue or passages.

Changing themes.

 

In some ‘research’ on Pinterest (hey – checking out the ‘luxury hotel’ tag is legit exploration of a topic), I happened across some alternate themes I could use on WordPress (including below).  At the moment, the only thing holding me back is the price tag ($60!) and also that while Ann Benjamin is currently all about Room 702, there are also other books and projects that have nothing to do with hotels.  Anyway, this is just one of the many ideas I get in a day that I decide, usually, to not act on or do anything about.

New word, good feeling.

Although I recently posted about ‘is it just me?’ I then stumbled across a word like above.  Take for example – the fact that in less than a month, I’m going to do a flight around Mount Everest.  Vorfreude would be the feeling I get when I think of being on a national morning talk show, signing into my Amazon account to see that I sold 100 books in a day, logging into any form of social media to see a glowing review of any of my books, seeing friends I haven’t seen in awhile, meeting friends’ babies for the first time, getting to know old friend’s spouses and partners, traveling somewhere new, revisiting old favorite places…it’s a long list.

What gives you vorfreude?

Book promotions…

…if I had an unlimited budget and was a wildly successful author.

I ran across this article yesterday which highlights Hugh Howey, author of the wildly successful Wool (and following novels, Dust, Shift).  The giveaway (in this case a well branded USB drive which contains content for all of the novels) was a brilliant one and now can be purchased for almost $20 via Mr. Howey’s website.  Had I the interest or audience, I would love to do something similar and in fact, why stop there?  Here are a few ideas I’d love to have the budget for.

Winchester Hotel room key (USB drive – hey – the article is what gave me the idea for this blog post in the first place!).

Branded w/Winchester Hotel and with USB, could be fun.

Another idea I had would be more difficult to deliver, but still fun as a giveaway for any conference, fair or event I never attend.  Who doesn’t like cool matchboxes?  Oh wait, maybe it’s just me.  Obvs, they would be branded in a similar pattern to the room card key.  Although there would be no direct tie in to my book, I would be able to include details for my website, as well as the title of the book and contact details on it.

And because I like booze so much As the minibar is a regularly featured fixture in the room, why not give away some branded mini bottles?  Because if you can’t beat em’, booze em’.  It would be fun to have a set of promotional materials to give out at a book signing.  First, I just need to finish up the print addition!

 

I’m sure I’ll think of more.

How about you, dear reader?  When was the last time you received a piece of marketing that encouraged you to interact with a brand (and perhaps even buy what they were selling)?  And for you creative types, any other suggestions?

Snippet from Room 702 (via text).

I can be very creative when it comes to procrastination.  Case in point, below is an actual excerpt from Room 702 that I created in iphonetextgenerator.  This is from Chapter 22 and takes place between a DJ and the lead singer of an up and coming rock band.  While the text doesn’t appear this way in the book, it’s interesting to think as technology for ebooks change that it one day could look like this.  Quite honestly, my earlier works could all use a bit of a ‘technology upgrade.’  The rate at which communication has changed between 2005/6 and today is quite different.

On the topic of sleep.

Probably due to a number of external reasons, this week has not been my week for sleep. This quote and short comic pretty much sum up my nightly existence.

 

“Sleep tries to seduce me by promising a more reasonable tomorrow.”

—
Elizabeth Smart, By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept

Is it just me?

Oh Bloggess…how I love you.  Not heard of the Bloggess?  Aka Jenny Lawson?  You are truly missing out.  In fact, run over to her blog and then come back to mine.  Her work is one of the most honest glimpses into a person’s life I think you can get (and it is a very refreshing thing).

Recently she posted, ‘Is it just me?’ a post about feeling hopeless, pointless and where lines are drawn in relation to personal success.  I am one of those people who is extremely difficult on myself.  I like nothing better than to beat myself up about stuff – insignificant details from the past, goals I haven’t hit and probably never will, events I should be attending, research I should be doing, books I should be reading, blogs I should be following up, places I should be going, the list goes on.  Maybe many of us are just hard wired this way.  Maybe it’s getting comfortable and accepting that editing 10-20 pages in a week and writing a book a year is enough.  That I should be celebrating the fact that, while perhaps not runaway best sellers, my books at least do sell regularly and that I tend to publish one a year.

The problem is, once I get started on a negative tangent like above, it’s tough to get off of it – made more difficult because of my nature to monitor my books and their success at multiple points during the day week.  Is it just me?  I’m sure similarities could be found in a diet and exercise or career advancement.

So, while I’m pretty sure it’s not just me, some days, it really does feel that way.

My thoughts on Doha.

Art by Exploding Dog.

I almost wrote, ‘presented without comment,’ but I think it’s worth mentioning that where you live can have an impact on any number of details in your life.  When I saw this little comic, it spoke to me about my current living condition.  I am more fortunate than many people who work in this country – I have a chance and the ability to leave.  I have a passport that allows me to go and come as I please.  I have a partner who supports our family in this decision.  I have a set of job skills that are easily transferable.  Maybe it seems silly to blame a city / country for creating a certain level of resentment, frustration and genuine angst, but I am literally counting the days until we move (more on that later).

The one positive element about living in such a sad and stale place is the motivation to GET OUT.  I have been able (and again, lucky enough) to travel A LOT since moving here – mostly as a way to escape Do’hole for just a few precious days.  I’ve been able to leave once a month for the (almost) every month in the past year.

 

Books I’m looking forward to reading.

If you check out my wishlist on Amazon and order me something from it you’ll notice there are quite a few books I want to read but am waiting for the price to come down/get an Amazon gift card.  However, there are a few I just can’t wait for and have queued up to read in the next few weeks.

Where did I find out about these books?  Funny you should ask – two were through the Goodreads pinterest board, one was Jezebel and one, well, my love of YA knows no bounds.  Hopefully I’ll get around to writing reviews for some of them.

Fangirl

If You Lived Here, You’d Be Perfect By Now

 

Divergent

*I started this last night and am really enjoying it.  It’s not Hunger Games, but it’s still worth reading.

And the Mountains Echoed

So, yes, an eclectic group to be sure.

What are you reading these days?  Any suggestions?