What Worked? What Didn't?

Arlee Bird - http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/Yolanda Renee - http://yolandarenee.blogspot.com/Jeremy Hawkins - http://www.beingretro.com/Alex J. Cavanaugh - http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

In all honesty I think one strategy that's worked (even though on a small scale, 14 to 20 books sales in fifteen minutes) for me has been creating and presenting writing workshops. I'm able to meet readers in person and since many students return for two or three years, I build a small but steady reader base. They keep in touch, asking when my next book is coming. My biggest problem is having a new book ready for sale.


My Class of 2013!

Leslie Rose read Alligators Overhead to her fifth grade class and whether or not that sold books, I couldn't say, but I sure got a lot of feedback from her kids--wonderful notes and great pictures.
I think if I get my act into gear and finish that sequel, this classroom exposure might prove to be a great way to attract attention. Now I need more fifth grade teachers who want to read stories to their classes.


One Picture of the Haunted Mansion + Alligator

I contributed to two anthologies The First Time and Two and Twenty Dark Tales. That led to several bookstore appearances where I met other authors, but also booksellers. Knowing the people is a big part of getting books noticed. Plus I was well reviewed in both anthologies for Premeditated Cat and Into The Sea of Dew. Good reviews always help if only for the ego, but after the book signing, sales on Amazon went up for two of my books.



Me, Suzanne Lazear and Nina Berry at Mysterious Gallaxy Books
Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12
Two and Twenty Dark Tales (Anthology story: Into the Sea of Dew