Two Book Signings This Saturday!

I'll be taking vitamins as I prepare for two book signings this Saturday, December 3.

8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sequiota Elementary's Holiday Bazaar
Shop for jewelry, candles, Miche purses, holiday decor, and of course, books. Stop by my booth for free bookmarks and coloring pages and an autographed, personalized copy of WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?
(Location: On Ingram Mill south of Battlefield--behind Springfield 8 Theater)

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Alexandria's Cupcake Cottage
I'll be reading my new picture book every half hour. Alexandria's has yummy cupcakes and will provide free hot chocolate!
(Location: Republic Road near Arris' Pizza and Fremont)

I hope to see you at one of these events. Thanks.

P.S. How do you like my fancy schmancy banner?!!

Book Signing Blastoff

Whew. It has been awhile since I've posted. Let me explain.

My new children's picture book, IT ALL CHANGED IN AN INSTANT, was published this fall and I've had a book signing bonanza starting with the grand opening of the Well Fed Neighbor Market on October 1, followed by signings at the Ozark Creative Writers' Conference, Kickapoo High School's holiday show, FruityLand Yogurt and a holiday show at Hickory Hills Country Club. Tomorrow, I'll be at Baglady Boutique.

Some of these were hits and some were misses. I guess that's why writers need to schedule several signings. You never know who will attend and if they're in the market for your genre.

My book sales have ranged from one lonely sale to over 47 books sold in a few hours. At one signing I sold 9 books while I sold 26 books at another! The least I've sold--two books at one signing and only one last night. Hardly worth the trouble to set up and sit there for hours but you just never know. See the wide range? My average sales to date: 17 books per signing. Not bad.

But this really isn't about selling books. Not to me anyway. I've also attended three schools and five classrooms. The feedback from those has touched me immensely. That's why I'm doing this. I can't think of anything more important than children's literature. More about my adorable little fans in another post. I plan to visit several more schools in December.

How many book signings do you schedule for new releases? Were all of yours a success or were your sales similar to mine--hits and misses? Let me hear from you!

Six Words About Fall

Most of you know how much I adore six-word memoirs. It has been awhile since I posted any, so I thought I would start with a few of my favorite fall images and events all condensed to just six words.

Pumpkins for carving. Pie for eating.
Wish I understood football, American pastime.
School back in session. Moms play.
Chilly mornings. Coffee on the deck.
Time to wear boots, sweaters again.
Red, orange and yellow leaves. Picturesque.
Deer, hunters in woods. Challenge begins.
Fall menu includes soup and chili.

Please chime in with a few of your own sixes about fall.

I Have An Author Page!

I now have an official author page on the Mirror Publishing (my publisher's) site at http://www.pagesofwonder.com/carter.html

Check it out. You'll see my picture, a bio (and will probably find out things you never knew), my picture book cover and the synopsis that will appear on the back cover.

So many things to do... I must get new business cards, my own fan page (that sounds weird) on FB, a website, handouts for kids, and much more. Also, I've already started lining up book signings and readings for October and November. Please let me know if you want me to read to your class or have a signing at a book store, coffee shop, boutique, fall festival or, well, anywhere.

Any recommendations for new authors and what is best to do first? I know. Put one foot in front of the other. Take a breath. It gets overwhelming but is seriously FUN.

Book Launch In September!

My picture book, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE? will be released sooner than anticipated. It'll be available by mid-September. Yippee! I'm so excited.

As I've said previously, I wrote this book to instill hopes and dreams in little ones since they hear depressing news daily and most likely have parents or relatives who are unemployed. I want children to be optimistic and think they can achieve anything.

In WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE? the teacher, Mrs. McGee, poses that important question on the first day of school. Students excitedly (and sometimes shyly) answer in verse. Their delightful career aspirations cover the gamut from fireman to dancer to dentist. Some want to be a mommy while others aspire to be the president! Many other professions are mentioned. You'll just have to get the book to see which ones.

The book will be available on Amazon.com, online at Barnes & Noble, plus I'll have a stash for book signings. Hope to see you at a signing or at a school for a reading! Please let me know if you are an elementary school teacher or know one.

Many thanks to Mirror Publishing; the editor, Neal Wooten; and the illustrator, Leo Silva, for making my dream come true!

Meet Mrs. McGee

Meet Mrs. McGee, the teacher in my upcoming children's picture book: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE? Isn't she adorable? I just love her. The illustrator, Leo Silva, did a fabulous job creating Mrs. McGee as well as other characters in my book.

On the first day of school, Mrs. McGee challenges the students with that important question and gets a variety of answers (excitedly and sometimes shyly) including dancer, fireman, baker, mommy, astronaut, and many more careers written in verse. The teacher also emphasizes why learning is so important.

During our economic downturn and high unemployment, children hear dreary news daily and retain more than we give them credit for. My goal in writing this book was to instill hopes and dreams in children that they can be whatever they want to be.

Yesterday, I saw the cover art, which was an exciting day. I'll let you know when I have a release date but it's looking like October or early November--just in time for the holidays! I'll keep you posted.

The Work Begins

Okay, after all that pre-conference pitch talk, it's over. And it was a fantastic conference. Next year, plan to attend the Ozarks Romance Authors' Conference. You'll be glad you did. BTW, it's not just for romance writers.

Agent Louise Fury with L. Perkins gave great advice and was hilarious. Avalon editor Lia Brown was encouraging, warm and also had several publishing gems to share.

Amazingly, I had two pitches. I thought I had only wrangled one. Turns out, I found out about my second pitch at the exact minute it was to occur. Upon discovering this, my eyes bulged, my stomach lurched, and Cecily, the conference chair, asked if I wanted to reschedule. I knew I'd just get nervous so I went, even though that meant showing up a couple of minutes late (and if you only have ten minutes, that's precious time evaporating quickly) so I walked fast to the room.

I knew enough about Avalon that they didn't accept long works, and my women's fiction is 90,000 words. Lia asked if I had anything else. I told her aobut my romantic suspense and she liked the story! Hooray!!! I told her it's about half finished and she asked for a partial whenever it's ready. Yippee. I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and work on it.

My original pitch (the one I knew I had) was with literary agent Louise Fury. I didn't think she represented women's fiction but I still had that pitch in my head (since it's a completed ms), as well as a pitch for a picture book series I'm co-authoring with my daughter. We're about 75 percent finished. Happily, Louise liked my women's fiction premise, asked me to send a partial, AND she wants to see the picture book when it's finished. She also gave me advice about my upcoming project.

That's three separate projects. Plus, I have another one that I haven't yet announced but will soon. Whew. I'm tired just thinking about it but I'm excited, too.

I'm so proud of all my writer friends who got up the courage to pitch. Fingers crossed that many of us will have success. How did your pitch go?