All That Other Stuff

Pam DeVoe did a nice interview with me for the St. Louis Sisters in Crime blog. Check it out here.

One of the questions she asked, one I get asked a lot, is, "What's a typical day like for you?"

Today was anything but typical. I worked all day on promotions. I love that, but it's really time-consuming. I worked contacting the media in St. Louis because I'll be there in May. I enjoyed hearing back from my friend Jane Henderson, the book editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, right away. I hope she can get Photo, Snap, Shot reviewed because I think her readers will love it. But I also know book pages are getting fewer and fewer inches to work with.

I worked setting up another signing while I'm there. I'd been trying to connect with Timmy and Nancy from For Keeps Sake, and finally did. I'll go to a crop at their store after doing my signing at Pudd'nhead Books, Friday, May 21. See, scrapbookers stay up all hours of the night, so I knew this would work! It will be nice to see my sister scrappers at For Keeps Sake. I always enjoy Nikki at Pudd'nhead Books. Few people are as knowledgable about this business as she is.

I ordered some cool aprons for the Killer Hobbies Blog Sisters to wear at various events. I looked into some postcards so we could advertise our progressive story, which is really long enough to be a novella. We'll start posting the story on May 2, so if you aren't a follower at Killer Hobbies, you'll want to be!

I followed up calling a local craft store about a signing. I emailed another bookstore about a signing. I set up spreadsheets so I could track blogs that I'll be giving review copies of Photo, Snap, Shot. I emailed handouts to Peter Green with the St. Louis Writers Guild. I responded to fan mail and sent out new bookmarks. (Want some? Mail a self-addressed stamped envelope to me at Joanna Slan, c/o Steinway Piano Gallery, Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean VA 22102.)

Also, I worked with a graphic designer to get an ad ready for Crimespree Magazine. Fortunately, I was organized enough that I had my release form for my new photos at hand. This is one of them. I hope you like it!

I beat myself up a little because I can't find the name of the adorable young lady who runs some of the forums on Splitcoaststampers. See, I use Outlook, but sometimes things slip past me! Sheesh.

Then, from six to nine, I wrote. I'm working on a short story for a competition. I don't know if I'll get that done, but...

My husband will be home in a bit. He had a long day, too. We'll sit in front of the television. While we watch, I'll tie ribbons on bookmarks.

Tomorrow, I start all over again!

Upcoming and Incoming--Stuff I'm Doing and Thinking

* Listen in, please! I'll be Sylvia Dicky Smith's featured guest on Murder She Writes today at 5 p.m. CDT. You can listen in at http://www.blogtalkradio.com I hope to talk some about promotions as well as my new book.

* Welcome new subscribers! My Constant Contact list grew by 62 names this month. Why? I think that reminding people they can sign up for my newsletter as I sell my book has helped. Now the challenge will continue to be providing value in that newsletter.

* Old friends and familiar faces. I continue to be amazed by the people I run into who own one of my "older" books. This weekend, I met a woman who owns 3 copies of I'm Too Blessed to be Depressed, a book I self-published and then sold to Adams Media. I've since gotten the rights back, and golly, maybe I should reprint that title because it was incredibly popular! Meeting "old" fans is such a good reminder that every public opportunity is another chance to turn folks into "raving fans," the kind of people who talk you up at every turn.

* Good works and good reads. Just finished 35 or so bookplates for the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League. I'm tickled pink they are selling so many books to benefit homeless dogs.

* Book clubs are terrific. Marlis Day told me they've sold at least 18 copies of Paper, Scissors, Death to the book club there in Monroe City, IN. At the Barnes & Noble in Fenton MO, the manager introduced me to a customer who was an avid reader. "By the way, are you part of a book club?" I asked. I proceeded to give the woman enough bookmarks for all her book club members. I can visit any book club any where via Skype and I'm excited about trying that.

* Bookmarks with ribbons. I have to say that despite all the pain in the bottom work that goes into adding the ribbons to my bookmarks, it surely makes a difference. I've had readers linger over deciding which color ribbon to choose. It's so hard to know which of your marketing efforts is worthwhile, but I'm going to keep tying on ribbons as long as my achy-crampy hand will allow it.

* Signings this weekend:
** Friday, June 19, 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Ladue
** Saturday, June 20, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at Barnes & Noble in MidRivers
** Sunday, June 21 (My birthday!), 1 to 3 p.m. at Borders on Manchester

How can I sign on my birthday? It's easy. There's nothing I'd rather do than make a new fan. Okay, nothing except write. So it's my present to myself.

* Online chat:
** Thursday, June 18, at 7 PST with the Fiskateers

* Class:
** Tuesday, June 16, 6:30 p.m., Edwardsville campus of Lewis & Clark Community College, I'll be teaching "How to Get Published"

* Blog appearances:
** I'll be on Amy Alessio's Vintage Cookbooks blog on Tuesday, June 16http://vintagecookbooks.blogspot.com/
** Pop Syndicate blog on Wednesday, June 17 http://www.popsyndicate.com/

NOTE TO SELF: Joanna, you simply must wear comfortable shoes to signings. This wincing with pain is not good!

A Promotion with a Local Library That Really Worked!

I loved all the responses to Chester Campbell's blog post. Thanks to all of you who participated. There was a common thread: How do we know what works?

Well, I've got a goodie for you. A proven promotional idea, and one that will do well for you. I know because we just tried it this weekend.

We called it "Mystery Go Round" and pitched the idea to a local library. Jim Moses of the Buder Branch thought it a good idea. Here's how he publicized it:

Mystery Go Round

Join us for a Special Breakfast with Mystery Authors. Meet some old favorites and some new faces in local mystery authors at this special program. You'll hear about their books and have the chance to ask questions of five different authors at one event! Space is limited, so call to sign up!

**
Jim graciously promoted this through his library channels, supplied the room, and the treats. He also moderated the presentations.

We authors spent ten minutes at each table, chatting and answering questions. Vicki Erwin of Main Street Books was kind enough to come sell books--and she moved books!

The attendees were incredibly enthusiastic. They loved being able to talk with us in an intimate setting. We all brought bookmarks. (Unfortunately two of our scheduled authors weren't able to attend, but Julie Earhardt, Angie Fox, Shirl Henke and I had a blast!)

Have you tried anything like this with your local library? I'd love to hear your results.