Find Your Audience - They Will Want Your Book

When we know who our books appeal to, it is easier to sell our books. Recently some family members held a book party for me in their home. They invited their friends who owned or liked animals. They knew their friends would be interested in  Paws, Claws, Hooves, Feathers and Fins; Family Pets and God's Other Creatures, which is all about animals and the people who love them. 

The party was fun with good food, wine and nice people. For the first 45 minutes, we all got to know each other. We chatted, talked about pets, about my sister Gay's sculpture and drawings and about my paintings hanging on her walls. I remembered names of the people who were close friends of my sister and brother-in-law. That helped with conversation.

When it was time for me to share some of the stories and poems in the book co-authored with my dear friend, Estelle Rice, Gay's husband, Stu gave me the most wonderful introduction. He is a very generous person and a kind person as well.

I stood and read for a half hour, more than I had planned, but the group seemed to be enjoying it so much. When I was done, Stu steered the audience over to the table where a couple of books were wrapped in Christmas bows. I encouraged the purchase of extra copies for Christmas presents and gifts for friends in the hospital. The short pieces are great for times when the reader might not want to get involved in a novel. 

Book signing at the Moring house

The men and women at the party overwhelmed me with compliments on my reading and with their interest in the book. My niece, Lee, sat beside me to help with making change. I was so glad to have her there.

It was the best experience I've had signing books since 2009 when Gay invited her friends to her house for lunch and a reading by me. My poetry chapbook, Now Might as Well be Then,  had been published and I read some poems from it. Although that group was not particularly into poetry, almost all of them bought a book. 

I find that writers have a bit of a mystique with those who do not write. We can answer questions they have always wanted to know or wondered about. 

On Friday of this week, Estelle and I will sign books at the Valley River Humane Society Thrift Store in Murphy, NC. We will be there from 11:30 AM until 3:30 PM. We will donate part of our sales to the animal shelter. We expect to meet animal lovers and others who just come to shop for a bargain. 

Do you have any hints for marketing a book? 

Tips from a publisher: https://netwestwriters.blogspot.com/2013/01/selling-your-work-by-selling-yourself.html

A Rock and a Hard Place by Deanna Klingel

My good friend, Deanna Klingel, is launching a new book this weekend. I look forward to reading it as Deanna's books are all good. If possible, I want to go to this event.

Sunday, March 9, 1:00-4:00 pm
St. Jude Church, 3011 U.S. Highway 64 East, Cashiers
Deanna Klingel will celebrate the release of A Rock and a Hard Place, A Lithuanian Love Story. Lithuanian food, beverage, music, book discussion, reading, signing, and meet the couple about whom the book was written. Bring your friends and family. 

If you can't be there in person, you can still be part of the party. On Friday before the event, go to www.BooksByDeanna.com. Behind the tab "Rock & A Hard Place" you will find recipes to try at home. On Sunday the day of the event, go to Amazon.com and order a book, then send e-mail with your name and address to deannaklingel@yahoo.com. She will send you the signature and bookmark for your book. Monday following the event enjoy photos of the event posted on facebook page Books By Deanna.

Isn't this an interesting way to make us all feel a part of the book party? Deanna will be guest of Coffee with the Poets and Writers on March 12 at Blue Mountain Coffee and Grill, 10:30 a.m. This restaurant is located between Hayesville, NC and Murphy, NC. 

I hope our local writers and poets will come out and meet Deanna who is a delightful person as well as an excellent author. 

I am reading Cracks in the Ice by Deanna at this time on my Kindle. Most all of her books are available in print and as an e-book. 

Book Party for Nadine Justice at Writers Circle

Writers Circle studio was filled with joy, encouragement and congratulations for Nadine Justice, author of I'm a Coal Miner's Daughter, But I Cain't Sang, her memoir on the theme of perseverance and belief in one's self. 

Nadine read a couple of excerpts from the book, answered questions, and talked about how she came to write the book. Friends from her writing group in Georgia as well as friends from her first class with me, at Tri-County Community College, were on hand to honor Nadine on her published book. Several Netwest members came and met the new author.  

Nadine Justice stands beside the cake with the photo cover of her book. It was too pretty to cut, but we finally made the first slice.

Linda Smith, Vicki Dumsford, Ash Rothlein, Liz Rothlein, Maren Mitchell

On left Ash Rothlein and on right, Idell Shook

Cake 

Glenda, Ash and Liz Rothlein, Ginny W

from left, Staci Bell, Linda Smith, Joan Howard and Ginny  Walsh

A very big thank you to Staci and Ginny for all there help, and to Joan Howard.