Dawn Reno Langley's Blog, page 2
October 3, 2017
How about a Giveaway?
I received a box of my ARCs for The Mourning Parade the other day, and I've been thinking of what to do with some of them. I want to send some to special movie folks who I think might be interested in optioning it for a film. I'd also love to start a Homeless Book Club. I would start with my books, then get other local authors to bring copies of theirs to share, as well. Or a discussion with a group at the local Senior Center. AND I'd love to share a few signed copies with my favorite group of readers: Goodreads Readers! Watch the Giveaways for some very special copies :-)
peace
Dawn
peace
Dawn
August 28, 2017
Home from the Amtrak Book Tour
I’m home after spending more than a month on the road, visiting bookstores, colleges, book clubs, friends, and family to talk about my new novel, The Mourning Parade. It’s been a whirlwind of a tour with interesting conversations, amazing insights, awe-inspiring vistas, warm hugs, and long walks. I’ve loved every moment of it, but you know what they say: home is where the heart is. It’s also where Izzy is, and Ryes and Jen (my grandson and daughter) aren’t far away.
The trip started in Boston—actually, Everett, my hometown. We had a launch party for the book with almost two hundred people: family members I hadn’t seen in decades, friends from high school that I hadn’t seen since graduation, writer friends who’ve been in my life for years. I held it at the Paris Street Gallery, a working home for artists and other creatives, built in an old brick warehouse in the factory section of the town. My sister ordered a cake with a picture of the book cover on it, we had champagne, music from 1971, and a disco ball.
My friend, the international bestselling author, Shannon Capone Kirk introduced me, which was a huge honor, and I shared details about my trip, information about the book, as well as a short reading, with all of the people who gathered there.
The surprises kept coming all night, and I loved every hug and every shining face. Members of the City Council arrived with a commendation from the City and a representative from the Mayor’s office gave me one as well. My heart just about exploded. I have wonderful photos from the evening and hold them close to my heart. It was a phenomenal evening. One of the best in my life.
The following morning, I visited Bunker Hill Community College, where I’d received my Associate’s degree years ago and where I held the position of newspaper editor. I spoke to students in a large hall, my stepson, Billy, accompanying me, and fielded questions about elephants, PTSD, writing, and my life after BHCC. Afterwards, I signed their books and asked each where they were from. It still astounds me how many countries they represented. When I was at the school, we were all from the local area, but the scope has grown and the world now lives in those corridors.
That night: a visit with my old friend, Pegi (we’ve been friends since high school, I was in her wedding, we had kids together, the whole 9 yards). We caught up for what seemed like moments, but it was actually more than two hours. Then she drove me to a meeting with the Malden Writers Collaborative at the library there. I was with my tribe that night, talking about the difficulties of editing, about character creation and narrative arcs, and what it takes to put together a book tour. I know they’ll be friends of mine forever.
Then the Amtrak tour started. My stepdaughter Christine and her son Darrias drove me to South Station where I dashed into the terminal only moments before the train departed. And I was off!
For the past month, I’ve visited readers, writers, friends, and family in almost every corner of this beautiful country. Memories were made, friendships cemented, and I had the adventure of my life.
Here are some glimpses:
Chicago—Walked through the downtown area on a beautiful sunny day and listened to a xylophonist whose music stopped me in my tracks, watched kids playing in the fountains in Millenium Park, met my writer friend Christine Due (who’s also a symphonic violinist) for breakfast, and visited the American Writers’ Museum where I gazed with reverence at the original manuscript for On The Road by Jack Kerouac.
St. Paul—Met the booksellers at SubText Books in the downtown area and bought one of the best t-shirts I’ve ever owned (it says “The Resistance Reads Books”). Walked miles in the city that was home to Bob Dylan, Charles Schultz, Judy Garland, Prince, and F. Scott Fitzgerald – and of course, had to find Scott’s home and visited Garrison Keillor’s bookstore.
Havre, Montana—Shared a wonderful night and day with Rachel Rawn and her folks at the Havre-Hill County Library, the only place on the tour where I actually showed my video. The best part of that visit was talking to the little kids about the sounds elephants make. Their faces lit up when they saw baby elephants trying to use their trunks. Great fun!
Spokane—Stayed with the woman who’s been my best friend since we were four years old, Therese Weyland. She knows me as well as my sister does, and it was great fun to explore her new city, traversing the city streets to see the river running through the city in deep waterfalls and booming waves. My event at Aunt Annie’s Books in downtown Spokane brought people from a couple of hours away – and the one in Spokane Valley at Barnes and Noble brought me some new writer friends who’d found out about the event on Facebook.
Seattle—My high school student, Melissa Mitchell, welcomed me to her home outside the city and showed me a Seattle I didn’t know. We explored Fremont, ate great food, and went to my event at Third Place Books together where my friend Kristin’s daughter, Jennifer, and her husband showed up to cheer me on. It was at this point in the trip that I realized my mother was with me, too, leaving signs of elephants at almost every turn. She was the one who inspired this book, and even though she’s been gone for more than fifteen years, I think of her every day.
Portland—The time in Portland was short, but I filled it with new folks – and the funkiest hotel on the trip: the Jupiter. Someday, I’ll return. My new friend Kathy and I shared coffee and conversation at Powell’s Books and my doctoral buddy Mary Wilby introduced me to Bradley and his partner, and we had a great dinner and discussed just about everything that night.
Healdsburg, CA—My longtime friend Ellyn Boone and her husband George welcomed me into their home where I got some much-needed puppy love from their three dogs. We rested and caught up before my event at Copperfield Books in that cute wine town. Some of Ellyn’s friends joined us, as well as my high school friend, Joy Fitzgerald, who took me to her town . . .
San Francisco—What a wonderful city—I’d forgotten how much I loved it until Joy showed me her side of the Bay Area. We rode into the Headlands, had quiet moments at her partner Walt’s home in Redwood City, and visited one of the most iconic bookstores in the country: City Lights. I’ve grown to love the animal-like fog that creeps in and out of the area – and really needed the time on the beach that they gave me before I left.
**Pause for the cause here: Riding the Amtrak through this country has given me time to write, read, meet new people, and see parts of the United States that I would never have seen otherwise. I’ve looked out the window at the Badlands, at the Rockies, Glacier National Forest, the Pacific Coast, the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, ranches across Texas, backyards throughout Mississippi, the marshes of Louisiana, farms everywhere, and rivers both small and huge. I couldn’t have had a more exciting view of our beautiful land.**
Los Angeles—a very quick switch to another train, but I did see the lights of the city and dreamt of Hollywood that night.
Phoenix/Scottsdale area—Wow, was it hot there! At one point, I looked at my friend Terry’s dashboard and it said 113 degrees. YIKES. My cousin, Jodi, picked me up at the smallest Amtrak station I’d seen on the whole tour. It was so small that Jodi’s GPS kept telling her “you have arrived” and Jodi said she replied, “No, I haven’t” each time she drove by. Finally, on the third drive by, she spotted the small Amtrak sign. That’s what arriving at 4 AM does to the people who pick you up. The visit was phenomenal—especially the visit to The Poisoned Pen bookstore. Not only did family and friends turn out for me there, but the bookstore actually interviews writers in a format somewhat like The Actors Studio. I loved it! Not only did I have a great bookstore visit, but I also loved seeing the Desert Botanical Garden with Jodi and the Saguaro National Park with Terry.
Houston— The heat continued in Houston, where I stayed with my friend, Johnette. Formerly my agent, Johnette spent her career as a family lawyer and now runs an AirBnB business from her bungalow home within the city’s inner loop. I had been in Houston years earlier, but to tell the truth, I didn’t remember anything about the city. Johnette showed me some of the museum district, treated me to a stellar Mexican meal, and joined me when I met with the Houston Women’s Book Club. They were my first book club group, and I loved the questions they brought to the table (literally, a picnic table). We talked about elephants, Natalie’s motivation, Thailand, school shootings, Peter’s nastiness, the Amtrak trip, and writing in general. I loved their enthusiasm and the way they responded to The Mourning Parade. I’ll never forget that group of women!
New Orleans--Coming into the city that night, the train pulled up beside the Superdome, which was lit in varying neon shades. To me, NOLA is the party city, and it didn’t disappoint. My cousin Coral and her husband Paul picked me up that evening, and we stayed at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon Street, where Paul works. What a fabulous hotel! Coral and I used it as our base as we explored the antique shops and galleries, treated ourselves to beignets, and took a ride on the trolley through the Garden District. They joined me that evening for my event at the Garden District Book Shop. A writer friend from Vermont College came to see me and friends of a friend from Durham came, as well. I truly appreciated the support from both the people who came, as well as the bookstore.
Then it was time for the ride home, and as usual, I met people on the train who were fascinating and fun to talk to. One was a 92-year-old man who’d been in NOLA for a funeral. We had a great dinner and conversation about books and art and traveling and life. I think we both were happy to have each other as dinner mates, and of all the people I met, I think he made the biggest impact on me.
Once home, I started the North Carolina tour . . . more on that later!
In the meanwhile, love ach other and treat everyone the way you want to be treated!
Peace,
Dawn
The trip started in Boston—actually, Everett, my hometown. We had a launch party for the book with almost two hundred people: family members I hadn’t seen in decades, friends from high school that I hadn’t seen since graduation, writer friends who’ve been in my life for years. I held it at the Paris Street Gallery, a working home for artists and other creatives, built in an old brick warehouse in the factory section of the town. My sister ordered a cake with a picture of the book cover on it, we had champagne, music from 1971, and a disco ball.
My friend, the international bestselling author, Shannon Capone Kirk introduced me, which was a huge honor, and I shared details about my trip, information about the book, as well as a short reading, with all of the people who gathered there.
The surprises kept coming all night, and I loved every hug and every shining face. Members of the City Council arrived with a commendation from the City and a representative from the Mayor’s office gave me one as well. My heart just about exploded. I have wonderful photos from the evening and hold them close to my heart. It was a phenomenal evening. One of the best in my life.
The following morning, I visited Bunker Hill Community College, where I’d received my Associate’s degree years ago and where I held the position of newspaper editor. I spoke to students in a large hall, my stepson, Billy, accompanying me, and fielded questions about elephants, PTSD, writing, and my life after BHCC. Afterwards, I signed their books and asked each where they were from. It still astounds me how many countries they represented. When I was at the school, we were all from the local area, but the scope has grown and the world now lives in those corridors.
That night: a visit with my old friend, Pegi (we’ve been friends since high school, I was in her wedding, we had kids together, the whole 9 yards). We caught up for what seemed like moments, but it was actually more than two hours. Then she drove me to a meeting with the Malden Writers Collaborative at the library there. I was with my tribe that night, talking about the difficulties of editing, about character creation and narrative arcs, and what it takes to put together a book tour. I know they’ll be friends of mine forever.
Then the Amtrak tour started. My stepdaughter Christine and her son Darrias drove me to South Station where I dashed into the terminal only moments before the train departed. And I was off!
For the past month, I’ve visited readers, writers, friends, and family in almost every corner of this beautiful country. Memories were made, friendships cemented, and I had the adventure of my life.
Here are some glimpses:
Chicago—Walked through the downtown area on a beautiful sunny day and listened to a xylophonist whose music stopped me in my tracks, watched kids playing in the fountains in Millenium Park, met my writer friend Christine Due (who’s also a symphonic violinist) for breakfast, and visited the American Writers’ Museum where I gazed with reverence at the original manuscript for On The Road by Jack Kerouac.
St. Paul—Met the booksellers at SubText Books in the downtown area and bought one of the best t-shirts I’ve ever owned (it says “The Resistance Reads Books”). Walked miles in the city that was home to Bob Dylan, Charles Schultz, Judy Garland, Prince, and F. Scott Fitzgerald – and of course, had to find Scott’s home and visited Garrison Keillor’s bookstore.
Havre, Montana—Shared a wonderful night and day with Rachel Rawn and her folks at the Havre-Hill County Library, the only place on the tour where I actually showed my video. The best part of that visit was talking to the little kids about the sounds elephants make. Their faces lit up when they saw baby elephants trying to use their trunks. Great fun!
Spokane—Stayed with the woman who’s been my best friend since we were four years old, Therese Weyland. She knows me as well as my sister does, and it was great fun to explore her new city, traversing the city streets to see the river running through the city in deep waterfalls and booming waves. My event at Aunt Annie’s Books in downtown Spokane brought people from a couple of hours away – and the one in Spokane Valley at Barnes and Noble brought me some new writer friends who’d found out about the event on Facebook.
Seattle—My high school student, Melissa Mitchell, welcomed me to her home outside the city and showed me a Seattle I didn’t know. We explored Fremont, ate great food, and went to my event at Third Place Books together where my friend Kristin’s daughter, Jennifer, and her husband showed up to cheer me on. It was at this point in the trip that I realized my mother was with me, too, leaving signs of elephants at almost every turn. She was the one who inspired this book, and even though she’s been gone for more than fifteen years, I think of her every day.
Portland—The time in Portland was short, but I filled it with new folks – and the funkiest hotel on the trip: the Jupiter. Someday, I’ll return. My new friend Kathy and I shared coffee and conversation at Powell’s Books and my doctoral buddy Mary Wilby introduced me to Bradley and his partner, and we had a great dinner and discussed just about everything that night.
Healdsburg, CA—My longtime friend Ellyn Boone and her husband George welcomed me into their home where I got some much-needed puppy love from their three dogs. We rested and caught up before my event at Copperfield Books in that cute wine town. Some of Ellyn’s friends joined us, as well as my high school friend, Joy Fitzgerald, who took me to her town . . .
San Francisco—What a wonderful city—I’d forgotten how much I loved it until Joy showed me her side of the Bay Area. We rode into the Headlands, had quiet moments at her partner Walt’s home in Redwood City, and visited one of the most iconic bookstores in the country: City Lights. I’ve grown to love the animal-like fog that creeps in and out of the area – and really needed the time on the beach that they gave me before I left.
**Pause for the cause here: Riding the Amtrak through this country has given me time to write, read, meet new people, and see parts of the United States that I would never have seen otherwise. I’ve looked out the window at the Badlands, at the Rockies, Glacier National Forest, the Pacific Coast, the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, ranches across Texas, backyards throughout Mississippi, the marshes of Louisiana, farms everywhere, and rivers both small and huge. I couldn’t have had a more exciting view of our beautiful land.**
Los Angeles—a very quick switch to another train, but I did see the lights of the city and dreamt of Hollywood that night.
Phoenix/Scottsdale area—Wow, was it hot there! At one point, I looked at my friend Terry’s dashboard and it said 113 degrees. YIKES. My cousin, Jodi, picked me up at the smallest Amtrak station I’d seen on the whole tour. It was so small that Jodi’s GPS kept telling her “you have arrived” and Jodi said she replied, “No, I haven’t” each time she drove by. Finally, on the third drive by, she spotted the small Amtrak sign. That’s what arriving at 4 AM does to the people who pick you up. The visit was phenomenal—especially the visit to The Poisoned Pen bookstore. Not only did family and friends turn out for me there, but the bookstore actually interviews writers in a format somewhat like The Actors Studio. I loved it! Not only did I have a great bookstore visit, but I also loved seeing the Desert Botanical Garden with Jodi and the Saguaro National Park with Terry.
Houston— The heat continued in Houston, where I stayed with my friend, Johnette. Formerly my agent, Johnette spent her career as a family lawyer and now runs an AirBnB business from her bungalow home within the city’s inner loop. I had been in Houston years earlier, but to tell the truth, I didn’t remember anything about the city. Johnette showed me some of the museum district, treated me to a stellar Mexican meal, and joined me when I met with the Houston Women’s Book Club. They were my first book club group, and I loved the questions they brought to the table (literally, a picnic table). We talked about elephants, Natalie’s motivation, Thailand, school shootings, Peter’s nastiness, the Amtrak trip, and writing in general. I loved their enthusiasm and the way they responded to The Mourning Parade. I’ll never forget that group of women!
New Orleans--Coming into the city that night, the train pulled up beside the Superdome, which was lit in varying neon shades. To me, NOLA is the party city, and it didn’t disappoint. My cousin Coral and her husband Paul picked me up that evening, and we stayed at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon Street, where Paul works. What a fabulous hotel! Coral and I used it as our base as we explored the antique shops and galleries, treated ourselves to beignets, and took a ride on the trolley through the Garden District. They joined me that evening for my event at the Garden District Book Shop. A writer friend from Vermont College came to see me and friends of a friend from Durham came, as well. I truly appreciated the support from both the people who came, as well as the bookstore.
Then it was time for the ride home, and as usual, I met people on the train who were fascinating and fun to talk to. One was a 92-year-old man who’d been in NOLA for a funeral. We had a great dinner and conversation about books and art and traveling and life. I think we both were happy to have each other as dinner mates, and of all the people I met, I think he made the biggest impact on me.
Once home, I started the North Carolina tour . . . more on that later!
In the meanwhile, love ach other and treat everyone the way you want to be treated!
Peace,
Dawn
August 8, 2017
The Amtrak Book Tour
No, I didn't write a book about Amtrak. But I AM on tour via Amtrak across the United States, and I'm nearing the end of this month-long trip. As I write this, I'm in Scottsdale, Arizona, trying to catch up while I have connectivity (it's been either poor or non-existent during most of the trip, so I've been making hay whenever I have decent WiFi service.
Being able to speak to people all over the country-- about the story, about my process, about the trip, and especially, about elephants--has humbled me in ways I never imagined would happen. From the very beginning when I started putting this marketing plan together, I knew that what I wanted to do was to use my own words to help the magnificent creatures I was blessed to see in Thailand. I think that my simple message is reaching people, and at this point, I'm feeling that perhaps my little ripple of information will spark some curiosity in others so that they, too, can become educated about what's happening in the elephant world.
Last night, the event at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, an event that I'd been expecting to be a reading-and-signing as are most bookstore author events, turned into an intelligent and valuable discussion of the themes of the book, specific analysis of themes, and an in-depth Q&A about what's happening to Asian elephants.
The hostess, Betty Webb, is an author herself and had read (and told me she loved) The Mourning Parade. Her well-thought-through questions opened the door to me to help the audience understand how traumatic it is for orphaned elephants to lose parents to poaching, what an elephant's trunk can do, and how their fairly delicate spine structure is damaged by the tourist practice of riding them.
I finished the evening feeling really good.
But, to be honest, there haven't been any events at all along the way that have been bad. Or even slightly disappointing. All of the people I've visited along the way and those I've met at events or on the train have been phenomenal. I've heard amazing stories about life and the human ability to survive.
I'm looking forward to the rest of my time here in Arizona, as well as to the last days of the trip, including my events in Houston and New Orleans where I'll stay with a writer friend and cousin, consecutively. I'm also looking forward to going home, cuddling up with Izzy, and giving Ryes and Jen big hugs. This is the longest time I've been away from home (a month, by the time I get home), and it's been a fascinating one that makes me appreciate the joy of home and family and puppies that make me smile :-)
Hope you're hugging those you love close and reminding them every day that you love them.
Peace
Dawn
Being able to speak to people all over the country-- about the story, about my process, about the trip, and especially, about elephants--has humbled me in ways I never imagined would happen. From the very beginning when I started putting this marketing plan together, I knew that what I wanted to do was to use my own words to help the magnificent creatures I was blessed to see in Thailand. I think that my simple message is reaching people, and at this point, I'm feeling that perhaps my little ripple of information will spark some curiosity in others so that they, too, can become educated about what's happening in the elephant world.
Last night, the event at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, an event that I'd been expecting to be a reading-and-signing as are most bookstore author events, turned into an intelligent and valuable discussion of the themes of the book, specific analysis of themes, and an in-depth Q&A about what's happening to Asian elephants.
The hostess, Betty Webb, is an author herself and had read (and told me she loved) The Mourning Parade. Her well-thought-through questions opened the door to me to help the audience understand how traumatic it is for orphaned elephants to lose parents to poaching, what an elephant's trunk can do, and how their fairly delicate spine structure is damaged by the tourist practice of riding them.
I finished the evening feeling really good.
But, to be honest, there haven't been any events at all along the way that have been bad. Or even slightly disappointing. All of the people I've visited along the way and those I've met at events or on the train have been phenomenal. I've heard amazing stories about life and the human ability to survive.
I'm looking forward to the rest of my time here in Arizona, as well as to the last days of the trip, including my events in Houston and New Orleans where I'll stay with a writer friend and cousin, consecutively. I'm also looking forward to going home, cuddling up with Izzy, and giving Ryes and Jen big hugs. This is the longest time I've been away from home (a month, by the time I get home), and it's been a fascinating one that makes me appreciate the joy of home and family and puppies that make me smile :-)
Hope you're hugging those you love close and reminding them every day that you love them.
Peace
Dawn
July 23, 2017
The Mourning Parade is LAUNCHED!
Well, nothing is more exciting than having a new book come out, but this one has been SUPER special, because it's the first time I've had a launch party!
The Mourning Parade is my 31st book, but it's the first one I've celebrated with a full blown launch party. And it was AMAZING! Hundreds of people showed up at the Paris Street Gallery in Everett, Massachusetts to help me send this baby into the world. A great group of my high school friends came, as well as family members, writer friends, press, and politicians.
I received TWO citations from the City of Everett for my accomplishments -- a total shocker -- and music from 1971 played while the disco ball twirled in the ceiling.
Now I'm on a cross-country tour to bookstores across the United States to meet with readers, but I've been meeting them along the way, as well. I'm on the Amtrak train and so far, I've sold a book to an African-American woman who was my seatmate, talked to an 18 year old boy from Kentucky and encouraged him to move on from his job at WalMart and follow his dream to become an IT professional, talked to a Muslim woman whose kids are bookaholics (and took a selfie with her that she was excited about sharing with them), and had dinner last night with three women who'd been friends since high school (all of them were members of book clubs).
If you'd like to follow the trip, look me up on Facebook! I'm posting photos and videos and comments about what I discover in the cities I'm visiting along the way. It's a fabulous trip already, and I'm looking forward to what's about to come.
Help me spread the word about The Mourning Parade ...Asian elephants, PTSD, school shootings, and the power of a mother's love!
Here's to the next town . . .
The Mourning Parade is my 31st book, but it's the first one I've celebrated with a full blown launch party. And it was AMAZING! Hundreds of people showed up at the Paris Street Gallery in Everett, Massachusetts to help me send this baby into the world. A great group of my high school friends came, as well as family members, writer friends, press, and politicians.
I received TWO citations from the City of Everett for my accomplishments -- a total shocker -- and music from 1971 played while the disco ball twirled in the ceiling.
Now I'm on a cross-country tour to bookstores across the United States to meet with readers, but I've been meeting them along the way, as well. I'm on the Amtrak train and so far, I've sold a book to an African-American woman who was my seatmate, talked to an 18 year old boy from Kentucky and encouraged him to move on from his job at WalMart and follow his dream to become an IT professional, talked to a Muslim woman whose kids are bookaholics (and took a selfie with her that she was excited about sharing with them), and had dinner last night with three women who'd been friends since high school (all of them were members of book clubs).
If you'd like to follow the trip, look me up on Facebook! I'm posting photos and videos and comments about what I discover in the cities I'm visiting along the way. It's a fabulous trip already, and I'm looking forward to what's about to come.
Help me spread the word about The Mourning Parade ...Asian elephants, PTSD, school shootings, and the power of a mother's love!
Here's to the next town . . .
July 7, 2017
Day 11 of 30 Days to the Birth of a Book: Marketing Materials
I've been writing a post every day about the writing, publishing, marketing process and with less than two weeks left until I leave for the cross-country tour, today's blog post is about marketing (they're all posted here on my author page).
https://www.facebook.com/dawnrenolang...
https://www.facebook.com/dawnrenolang...
July 5, 2017
Behind the Publishing Scenes
With less than two weeks before The Mourning Parade is officially released, I wanted to tell you to mosey over to my Facebook page for the secrets behind publishing. I've written one entry a day for the 30 days before the book is born and give all the details from the writing process through to publishing day. C'mon over and check it out: https://www.facebook.com/dawnrenolang...
June 25, 2017
30 Days to the Birth of a Book
It's less than 30 days until The Mourning Parade will officially be released, and I've been posting blogs on my Facebook author page about the process I went through to get this book out.
Between writing about the process, getting invitations out to the launch party, finalizing the trip details, and just living, my days have extended from 6 AM to 11 PM . . . working every single one of those minutes.
I'm exhausted and the trip hasn't even begun yet!
Come on over to the Facebook page and check out the details. https://www.facebook.com/dawnrenolangley
Between writing about the process, getting invitations out to the launch party, finalizing the trip details, and just living, my days have extended from 6 AM to 11 PM . . . working every single one of those minutes.
I'm exhausted and the trip hasn't even begun yet!
Come on over to the Facebook page and check out the details. https://www.facebook.com/dawnrenolangley
June 16, 2017
EVENTS and how to get the news out
It's less than five weeks to the launch of The Mourning Parade, and my calendar is FULL. I'm posting all the events on my website https://www.themourningparade.com
but I guess I should add them to the calendar on this page as well.
My question is how many readers actually look at author's calendars to find out where they're appearing locally. Personally, I look at the calendar of events on the North Carolina Writer's Network when it's sent to me once a week, and I schedule time to see my friends or authors I'm interested in that way.
What do you do? Is there a favorite way for you to find out where the local book events are?
And if I AM in your area, will you come see me? Please??? Pretty please? How about if I give you something? :-)))))
but I guess I should add them to the calendar on this page as well.
My question is how many readers actually look at author's calendars to find out where they're appearing locally. Personally, I look at the calendar of events on the North Carolina Writer's Network when it's sent to me once a week, and I schedule time to see my friends or authors I'm interested in that way.
What do you do? Is there a favorite way for you to find out where the local book events are?
And if I AM in your area, will you come see me? Please??? Pretty please? How about if I give you something? :-)))))
June 12, 2017
The Good, Bad and the Ugly: Reviews
I must admit that most of the reviews on my books have been good, but occasionally, a negative one will pop up and, to be honest, my heart drops to my knees every time. I understand that not everyone will love everything I write. I don't expect that, at all, but I do want honest reviews. I don't want to get dinged because someone doesn't like me personally or, as happened recently, a reader isn't able to download one of my books!
I could get on my soapbox and rant and rave about how unfair it is to provide a "review" that truly isn't any reflection whatsoever on the book itself, but I'm not going to. As I say all the time, it is what it is.
Suffice it to say, I'm trying to teach myself not to have that visceral (heart to my knees) reaction and to understand that sometimes a review is not a review at all.
Peace.
I could get on my soapbox and rant and rave about how unfair it is to provide a "review" that truly isn't any reflection whatsoever on the book itself, but I'm not going to. As I say all the time, it is what it is.
Suffice it to say, I'm trying to teach myself not to have that visceral (heart to my knees) reaction and to understand that sometimes a review is not a review at all.
Peace.
June 6, 2017
Book Expo 2017 -- and meeting my publisher/editor!
I haven't been to Book Expo for a long time, so it was a real treat to be there last week and to do my first signing for The Mourning Parade. New York City is a place I enjoy visiting, but I love coming home, and this time was no different.
I arrived in the morning, went straight to the hotel (the cab driver was from Ghana, Africa but lived here for the past 22 years), the Flatiron, and checked in. Then I walked the 15 blocks to the Jacob Kravits Center, a monolith of glass and steel that swims in sunlight. Before I got there, I had to stop to buy a pair of flats. I'd forgotten what it's like to walk city streets.
HUGE book signs everywhere. I was blown away, especially after I met my publisher/editor and was told those signs start at $10K. Maybe somewhere in my future, I'll have one, but for this year, they belonged to John Grisham, Chelsea Clinton, Stephen King, and other writers much more famous than I.
The publisher's booth shared space with Midpoint Trade Distributors, which means we got a great location -- right across the aisle from Golden Books. Remember those skinny little books from your childhood?
The highlight of the day was meeting my publisher, Dayna Anderson, my editor, Jenny Miller, and my acquisitions editor, Kayla Church. All beautiful, happy, and supportive ladies. What a blast we had! We walked the floor, went out to dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant, drank too much wine, laughed a lot, and talked books.
The next day, I prepared for my signing, dressing business casual: a navy blazer, jeans, white shirt. To say I was nervous is an understatement. I felt like it was the first time I'd done such a thing -- and believe me, I've done more signings than I can count, but each time feels like the first one.
Throughout the morning, I floated around the center, picking up books that I would hide under the counter at the booth until I was ready to leave. Little did I realize I was amassing a pile that would fill my entire suitcase!
My editor, Jenny, and I took some of my bookmarks and magnets and roamed the floor to try to get people who would come to the signing. Everywhere I looked, lines snaked into the aisles and around corners. I hoped I would have at least a couple of people who'd like a free copy of The Mourning Parade.
When the time came, I did have a line, thanks to Dayna and Jenny. I signed the books, told each of the readers about the story, talked to bookstore owners who were on my book tour route and made a few new connections that I wouldn't have made otherwise.
All too quickly, it was time to leave, and I went to the exit to wait for my Uber driver. I sat there on the cement wall, watching readers and writers and bookstore owners and publishers and agents walking in and out of the center, and I wondered who the breakout stars would be this year and who might be going home wondering whether a writing career might not be in their future. It was a sobering thought.
On the way to the airport, the Uber driver (born in India, in the US for 20+ years) told me about his life and his business, asked me what I was writing and about my life. I thought it was an interesting conversation, but I wondered why he kept making the point of being a "black car driver."
After he left me off, I went to dinner at the airport and checked my phone. When a message came up that the charge for the Uber had been entered, I almost fell off my chair.
Uber had quoted me $67. The charge was $225. WHAT?
Long story short, I called my bank and questioned the charge. Hopefully, it'll all be straightened out.
The trip was a huge success, in spite of the Uber affair, and I'm excited about the next month . . . only 43 more days until The Mourning Parade arrives on bookstore shelves!
Peace,
Dawn
The Mourning Parade
I arrived in the morning, went straight to the hotel (the cab driver was from Ghana, Africa but lived here for the past 22 years), the Flatiron, and checked in. Then I walked the 15 blocks to the Jacob Kravits Center, a monolith of glass and steel that swims in sunlight. Before I got there, I had to stop to buy a pair of flats. I'd forgotten what it's like to walk city streets.
HUGE book signs everywhere. I was blown away, especially after I met my publisher/editor and was told those signs start at $10K. Maybe somewhere in my future, I'll have one, but for this year, they belonged to John Grisham, Chelsea Clinton, Stephen King, and other writers much more famous than I.
The publisher's booth shared space with Midpoint Trade Distributors, which means we got a great location -- right across the aisle from Golden Books. Remember those skinny little books from your childhood?
The highlight of the day was meeting my publisher, Dayna Anderson, my editor, Jenny Miller, and my acquisitions editor, Kayla Church. All beautiful, happy, and supportive ladies. What a blast we had! We walked the floor, went out to dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant, drank too much wine, laughed a lot, and talked books.
The next day, I prepared for my signing, dressing business casual: a navy blazer, jeans, white shirt. To say I was nervous is an understatement. I felt like it was the first time I'd done such a thing -- and believe me, I've done more signings than I can count, but each time feels like the first one.
Throughout the morning, I floated around the center, picking up books that I would hide under the counter at the booth until I was ready to leave. Little did I realize I was amassing a pile that would fill my entire suitcase!
My editor, Jenny, and I took some of my bookmarks and magnets and roamed the floor to try to get people who would come to the signing. Everywhere I looked, lines snaked into the aisles and around corners. I hoped I would have at least a couple of people who'd like a free copy of The Mourning Parade.
When the time came, I did have a line, thanks to Dayna and Jenny. I signed the books, told each of the readers about the story, talked to bookstore owners who were on my book tour route and made a few new connections that I wouldn't have made otherwise.
All too quickly, it was time to leave, and I went to the exit to wait for my Uber driver. I sat there on the cement wall, watching readers and writers and bookstore owners and publishers and agents walking in and out of the center, and I wondered who the breakout stars would be this year and who might be going home wondering whether a writing career might not be in their future. It was a sobering thought.
On the way to the airport, the Uber driver (born in India, in the US for 20+ years) told me about his life and his business, asked me what I was writing and about my life. I thought it was an interesting conversation, but I wondered why he kept making the point of being a "black car driver."
After he left me off, I went to dinner at the airport and checked my phone. When a message came up that the charge for the Uber had been entered, I almost fell off my chair.
Uber had quoted me $67. The charge was $225. WHAT?
Long story short, I called my bank and questioned the charge. Hopefully, it'll all be straightened out.
The trip was a huge success, in spite of the Uber affair, and I'm excited about the next month . . . only 43 more days until The Mourning Parade arrives on bookstore shelves!
Peace,
Dawn
The Mourning Parade
