Ahhhhhh, time to relax!

After I realized how crazy busy my next two weeks would be, I decided to take a day off from my full-time job to relax a bit before the madness starts. I do fully understand that when I get to work Monday morning, I might not be able to see my desk, but I need a mental day. I have 3 events this weekend, and a few other plans.

I'm excited for Friday- the Braham Pie Festival. From what I've found online, the town is only about 1,800 people, and the festival brings in over five thousand people. That's a huge event for the town. Of course, at some point in the day, I will have to get a piece of pie. It is the pie festival for a reason. I'll be sharing a booth with another North Star Press author who I haven't met yet, but do know she writes mysteries.

Saturday is looking to be my longest day. I start in the morning at the Clearwater Craft & Flea Market, then head to Willmar for an author round table in the afternoon, and that evening is the Watkins Kraut and Wurst where I will be volunteering with our fire department. I'm not sure if we are in the food or beer stand this year, but both are a good time with friends.

So far, I have sold about a third of the books I purchased upfront from the publisher. I feel pretty good about that number, and hope this weekend gives me a nice boost. I have started to look for more events this fall and winter since after mid-August, I only have 2 events planned. It will be nice to have a little break too, since we have to get ready for back to school and hopefully have a house warming party- only about a year late.

New Ideas

Last weekend, I did a two day event at Millner Heritage Winery in Kimball. It was nice and close, and the price was right. Saturday I had one other author with me, and Sunday two different ladies joined me. I've got to say, they gave me a lot to think about and some very useful information on where to sell, who to talk to, and ideas for things I hadn't thought about.

My sales were pretty decent too. The people purchasing came as a surprise in some cases, like the older gentleman who was once a Minneapolis fireman. He even had me personalize it with his name, so I know it wasn't a gift.

I've been busy at home outside, so there hasn't been a lot of spare time to write or work on lining up more events for this fall, but I am hoping to get more of both done in the next week. August 1-13 I have 6 book events, and several other personal and family items on the calendar. I have a feeling life will be a blur.

Summer finally here?

It's sad when on July 1st, I was working in my garden wearing pants and a sweatshirt. The weather sure has been strange this year, but it's beginning to finally feel like summer, and not a moment too soon.

I hadn't paid much attention, but my July events all have something to do with alcohol. July 10th, I am at Glacial Ridge Winery for their summer concert series. July 17th, I am doing what I call a Wine and Sign at Payless Liquor in St. Cloud. They are going to have wine samples that afternoon while I sign my books. And then the last thing I have scheduled is at Millner Heritage Winery just south of Kimball July 19-20th. They have their annual celebration- free music and wine samples. I think they also do tours those days. There will be other authors with me both days, so that is an added bonus.

Oh yeah, and my blog has reached 1,500 views! Thanks to everyone for checking in on my posts. I hope everyone had a great and safe 4th and continue to enjoy the weekend.

Book Events

I have a little break until my next event, and I'm trying to get a few things caught up before then. The next thing on my schedule is on July 10th at Glacial Ridge Winery. I'm excited to see what the winery is like, I've never been to that one before. In the meantime, I want to add some info to my bookmarks, trim my banner, and send info out to some libraries or other venues so I can start adding events to my fall schedule.

This last weekend, I was up in Park Rapids at the Sister Wolf Bookstore. Well, actually it was Dorset, but if you blink driving through, you would miss the whole place. The store was great, and they had brought in close to a total of 30 authors for the day. I enjoyed talking with the customers and the authors. It's amazing what others have created, and the work they have poured into their books. I'm also amazed at the number of people who attend events and are authors. One older gentleman and his wife were talking about his writing to me, and she said she can't throw out any papers in fear there is something he jotted down on the piece. I don't think I could handle that. I would lose something.

I did learn some useful information from another romance author at the event. Her name is Deb Jensen, and I have to admit, I want to get her book after meeting her and hearing about the story. She gave me some tips on events and offered suggestions on a few awards to apply for. It would be really cool to have an award-winning novel....

Last week I also submitted my first book review through 2 indie girls. You can read more about the novel I reviewed at their website: http://2indiegirls.weebly.com/book-reviews.html or on their Facebook page.

Park Rapids

I am looking forward to my event today. Park Rapids has a festival of Artists and Authors, and I managed to get in. The part I'm not as excited for: the drive. It should be an easy drive, but I will be spending more time in the car than at the event. Hopefully, my Pandora stays connected, and I have decent music the whole time.

Events like today work different than say a vendor fair. In a way, today is a breeze for me. The bookstore handles the sales, and all I have to do is show up and sign my book. Since the store takes care of the money, I will only get royalties, and see them at my bi-annual payout. A vendor fair is different because I do all the work, but also get paid for it right away. Either way, people get my book and get to chat with me.

I feel like I need to work on my small talk skills. I've spent a lot of time at work away from people, and now going to events I have a harder time thinking about what to talk about. The weather is always one thing to start with. Maybe what they like to read or the last book they purchased. I guess that's something I can think about in the car :)

Survived My first Vendor show

Yesterday was my first vendor show. I think had the weather been rainy or cold, there would have been a whole lot more people out. I can't say I blame them. I would have loved to be outside as well instead of inside the mall. I did sell a few books, so it wasn't a total loss.

I've also had many people congratulate me on the article published by my local paper. They had a few pictures and a very nice write-up about me and my first book. My dad had to get a few copies to show off. I think he's a little proud :)

As if I don't already have enough to do, I decided to volunteer myself to be a romance book reviewer for 2 indie girls. They have a Facebook page (I suggest following them if you're into that sort of thing) and a blog, from what I understand. I'm excited to find out what they will have me read first.

Off to enjoy the rest of my night!

Second Event

Last night was the St. Cloud Art Crawl. Books Revisited was nice enough to ask my publisher to invite some authors to their store for book signings during the crawl. It was a beautiful night, and 8 authors were there from North Star Press. I got to talk to a few of the authors at length, and found myself sitting next to Karlajean Kirk Becvar, who has written about the great Hinkley fire. She has 2 printed in the 4 book series, with the third book coming out in September.

The four hours we sat there went rather fast. It was what has been coined a night for 'exposure'. In other words, I didn't sell any books, but there were plenty of people looking at the book and took my cards. There were also photographers out and about so my cover or myself might show up somewhere.

Next weekend I will head to Hutchinson for a vendor show at the mall. I'm excited to go to Hutch since that is where the story takes place. I might also get to see people I used to work with, and that would also be nice.

I've been trying to do a little more writing again. I've decided to let the third book to this first series sit for a while and start a whole new book. The next characters are Molly and Drew. I haven't quite decided what town to center around, but have the general story sorted out in my head.

Happy early father's day to all the dads.