Thursday, June 27, 2013

STILL TRYING

I found a new source for my picture book manuscripts. Check it out: www.meegenius.com.

It's an "app" and I believe the new wave of the future.

In my experience, picture book manuscripts are next to impossible to sell to traditional publishers, so I'm trying this venue.

Wanna know how I'm doing?

First manuscript: They kept for two weeks before rejecting it. Ducks in a Row

Okay, I tell myself, I have more.

Second manuscript: They kept it less than 24 hours before rejecting it. Must have been a really bad one. Mouse and the Tattered Red Umbrella

Third manuscript: I sent it in today. A few hours ago. I'm hoping that the third time is a charm. The Day the Cookies Burned

I feel like I'm throwing spaghetti against the wall and hoping it sticks.

If #3 is rejected -- I have more to send.

Wish me luck.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

SO MANY DECISIONS

Okay, I've had my website for...let's see...a few months. Yesterday I figured out how it works. I know, I know, if I want to sell books I need to get with the program, but sometimes as "techy" as I feel, too much makes me crazy.

There is a blog on the website. I took a tutorial and wrote something. Should I quit this one and use that one? I'm not sure what to do. So many decisions.

http://susanwestley.tateauthor.com

Check it out.

I do have some good news. Tate's marketing department has gotten me a gig!!!! How cool is that.
I have a book signing scheduled for August 17 at a bookstore in Fort Myers - Annette's Book Nook, 7205 Estero Blvd. #701. The only catch is trying to get a ton of people to show up.

Well, I have a couple of months to figure it out. We'll see what happens.

Going to my other website now.

Over and out.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

HAVE PEN WILL TRAVEL

There is a teeny-tiny write up about my book in today's Naples Daily News (Sunday, May 19, 2013) in the TRAVEL section...on the last page. How cool is that!!!

I tried to find it on-line, but no success. Drat. I wanted to post it on Facebook -- oh, well.



Thursday, May 16, 2013

A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

My book, Only Losers Cry, has been out a couple of weeks now. Everyone asks me, "How are sales going?" I haven't a clue.  But, I keep doing everything the marketing department tells me to do and...boy am I ever tired. Who would have thought selling a book could be so exhausting.

I am getting a small write up in the Naples Daily News on Sunday -- in the Travel section under "Local Authors." Cool!

I had a real eye-opening learning experience this past Tuesday. I was invited to a local middle school to give an author talk to the 6th graders. I was there all day...in the library...and OMG. I knew they didn't know my book or me, but I had given one of my books to the teacher and another to the librarian. I even gave them a poster, hoping for a little pre-publicity. Did I get any?

NO!

"Don't worry." the teachers told me, "They will be full of questions."

I did my talk and left time for questions.

"Does anyone have any questions," I asked -- a big smile on my face.

Stares...blank stares...nothing...it was creepy. I looked to the teachers who tried to encourage the children.

But...stares...blank stares...nothing...really creepy.

You know what --The teachers did not even tell the children about me before they came into the library. Nor did they tell them why I was there...why they were there!!!! GREAT.

After the third group -- lunch. At least a break.

By the fourth group, the teachers realized that they needed to prepare the children and the rest of the day went great!!! Lots of enthusiasm and lots of questions.

This may sound like sour grapes, but the principal never stopped by to welcome me to the school. Since I have been in education for several years, I found this unusual. The only welcome and help I received was from the teacher that invited me and the librarian -- wonderful people.

What a learning experience. I know I will have to do this again, but next time I will be better prepared...and hopefully the kids will be, too.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

WRITING PAYS OFF

March 16th was my last blog. Seriously! March 16th. Where the heck have I been? Good question -- I have no excuses for not writing ... lazy, I guess.

Drum roll, please:

My book, Only Losers Cry, has finally been released. How cool is that. Now comes the hard work -- trying to sell it. How in the world does a girl from a small southwest Florida town get the word around?

I even received my first royalty checks -- emphasis on the "s." Oh, yeah!!!

I posted it on Facebook and asked all my friends to post it to their account. That's one way.

I did a lot of "pre-selling" to my neighbors who are now dispersed throughout the U.S. Hopefully, they will spread the word.

I'm doing an author's visit to one of our local middle schools.

One of my kids sent me a link to Amazon in China -- it can be purchased there. That was interesting to see my title in Chinese.

But, as I ponder ways to become the next James Paterson, I'm working on another book. This time it's a dystopian story. I don't know where it came from. I've never considered myself a "sci-fi" kind of writer, but I decided to let the muse go and see where it leads me.

Gosh, I like writing!!! But, selling -- my, oh, my ... it's difficult.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

WAITING


I receive affirmations from Hazelden everyday. I thought this one was great for all of us writers who have sent in manuscripts and are waiting to hear from publishers...

Or

For all of us writers who are anxious to finish that next book...

Or

People in general...

I've started to realize that waiting is an art, that waiting achieves things. Waiting can be very, very powerful. Time is a valuable thing. If you can wait two years, you can sometimes achieve something that you could not achieve today, however hard you worked, however much money you threw up in the air, however many times you banged your head against the wall. . .
--The Courage to Change by Dennis Wholey

The people who are most successful at living and loving are those who can learn to wait successfully. Not many people enjoy waiting or learning patience. Yet, waiting can be a powerful tool that will help us accomplish much good.

We cannot always have what we want when we want it. For different reasons, what we want to do, have, be, or accomplish is not available to us now. But there are things we could not do or have today, no matter what, that we can have in the future. Today, we would make ourselves crazy trying to accomplish what will come naturally and with ease later.

We can trust that all is on schedule. Waiting time is not wasted time. Something is being worked out - in us, in someone else, in the Universe.

We don't have to put our life on hold while we wait. We can direct our attention elsewhere; we can practice acceptance and gratitude in the interim; we can trust that we do have a life to live while we are waiting - then we go about living it.

Deal with your frustration and impatience, but learn how to wait. The old saying, "You can't always get what you want" isn't entirely true. Often, in life, we can get what we want - especially the desires of our heart - if we can learn to wait.

Today, I am willing to learn the art of patience. If I am feeling powerless because I am waiting for something to happen and I am not in control of timing, I will focus on the power available to me by learning to wait.
You are reading from the book:

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

SO I WENT ONTO MY WEBSITE...

So I went onto my website looking for all those messages to the author. After all I published it on my facebook account and my blah, blah, blog.

You know how many I found? Zero. That's right, zero. Did I really expect anything. No, of course not. I'm still not sure how all this works, but I will continue to check -- each and every day to see if someone writes me.

Good news: I have my book in two places of business. One is my beauty salon and they have sold six. Cool! And, yesterday I approached a business in a strip mall near my house. They took five books and told me they would give me a try. Very cool!

So besides checking my website everyday, I'll be sitting by the phone waiting for a call from these two businesses asking for more books.  :)

Monday, March 11, 2013

Blogs and Tweets and Websites

Oh, my goodness, looks like I need to step up my blah, blah, blogging. Tate just sent me my website.
Check it out:

www.susanwestley.tateauthor.com

It looks like I can blog through the website, but holy Harry Potter, it is going to take me a while to figure it out.

Blogs, tweets and websites -- so much to learn.

But, how cool is that!

Friday, February 22, 2013

BOOKS AND NOOKS AND OTHER THINGS



My book is now available on the kindle and nook. How cool is that!

The marketing department associated with Tate has send me all sorts of info to help me promote my book -- not only in my own area, but nationwide. Talk about being out of my comfort zone. Yikes, I feel like a salmon swimming upstream.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. If you can put the word out to your friends and neighbors I'd appreciate it.

So far, the reviews are great! Whew.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

OH YEAH!

I had my first signing party for my book, Only Losers Cry, this past Sunday.

OH YEAH!

And, over 75 people showed up! How cool is that.

Since my book is about homelessness, I took a copy to my local homeless shelter. They have a catering service -- so I used them to cater the party. How smart is that!

It was fun, but try to fit that many people in my condo...I'll bet the fire department would have had a fit if they knew. Ha, ha, ha.



Sunday, February 17, 2013

BOOK SIGNING

I have my first book signing today for my new novel, Only Losers Cry. Of course, I'm playing it safe. I invited my neighbors, my family and my friends.

I thought selling my book would be difficult for me because I am generally a quiet, inverted person, but so far I've found a "new me." The enthusiastic "me" has come out and I'm having a blast (a 60's word for having fun). I hope my new founded self confidence continues to emerge.

In addition, I've had a new surge of energy and am writing again. Even poetry. Where's that coming from? I'm definitely not a poet. Don't understand poetry...but writing it -- how scary is that?

Saturday, February 9, 2013

MARKETING

I'm off and running with the marketing of my book, Only Losers Cry.

Check it out:  http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781625107718

I'm marketing in my area -- a small town in Southwest Florida, but how does one get nationwide exposure? Ellen? Oprah? Yeah, right.

My first book signing is Sunday, February 17 -- I keep telling myself to take a deep breath.

I find that dependence on a power great than myself, taking it one day, one step, one book at a time helps keep panic away.


Thursday, January 31, 2013

DOING THE HAPPY DANCE

TAP, TAP, TAP.

That's the sound of my happy dance.

My book is FOR SALE!!!  RIGHT NOW!!!  On...drum roll please...

www.tatepublishing.com

Go to the on-line bookstore and type in Only Losers Cry.

It's there. MY BOOK!!!  FOR SALE!!!

It took a few years, but it's worth it.

TAP, TAP, TAP.

HOW COOL IS THAT!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

TO MARKETING WE GO

Well, it's off to marketing for Only Losers Cry. I received word today. Now the work begins. The publishing company is giving me my "personal" marketing rep. I wonder if his name will be Phil? Or Phyllis? Wouldn't that be weird!

One thing I must do is set up pre-release parties. Funny for someone who hates parties. Not even sure where to start. Perhaps Phil or Phyllis will be able to direct me.

It's time to "let go and let God" show me the path. There is one universal truth that I believe: God will never take me where the grace of God will not protect me!

  





Monday, January 21, 2013

Next Book

Now that I have signed the final paperwork for Only Losers Cry, my book will be sent to production and marketing will take over. As scary a thought that is to me, it is exciting. PHIL -- HELP!!!!

I have started to pull my other "books-in-progress" and want to get going on one of them. It's good to get away from the editing/revising and back into writing.

I still have some manuscripts out...one in particular...is really good. It's entitled, The Day The Cookies Burned. I keep visualizing the acceptance letter sitting in my e-mail in-box, but so far no go. PHIL -- HELP!!!!

I'm presently in Tampa and today is going to be a good one. I get to actually wash my car by hand. It's a Westley tradition. My Phil would be so happy.

Friday, January 18, 2013

PICK UP THE PACE

I really, really need to start blah, blah, blogging. I've taken on so many jobs that my writing has taken a backseat. Can you tell, since I need to pick up the pace with blogging?

One major reason for not writing is--drum roll, please -- My book, Only Losers Cry, is close to production.

I was soooo sick of looking at the manuscript--editing--revising--making sure there were no mistakes (and it's amazing how many I found). Reading it over and over again!  Gag. Then it came -- THE BOOK. I was sent a copy of the book to proof one last time. How cool is that!!! This time I sat down as a reader not the author and read THE BOOK.  And, you know what, I loved it. I have to love it. If not how could I even begin to sell it (a very scary thought!!! Where are you, Phil, when I need you).

The cover is very cool...the back very cool...the insides...very cool.

I gave it to a friend of mine to read it. She didn't return it right away, so my inner critic took over..."Oh, no she hates it and doesn't want to tell me." Then the doorbell rang and there she stood, book in hand. I took a deep breath. She looked me in the eye and said, "I loved it. I want ten copies."
Exhale.

I said, "Are you just saying that because you're my friend."

"I would tell you if it wasn't good. And, this is really, really good."

Do I believe her? Yep, I do. And I believe in myself and my book. If not why would I put it out there for the world to read (and possibly judge).

I have received some marketing stuff -- not sure how to use it. Once the book is in production, the marketing people are going to call me and let me know what I have to do to sell the book.

PHIL ----- Where are you?????   HELP!!!!!!!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

DOWN FOR THE COUNT

I'm down for the count. My book, Only Losers Cry, should be released in about six weeks if I have my calculations correct.

It's funny I've read the book so many times I can't look at it again. Each time I read it I find errors -- little things -- but errors that should never have been there. How weird is that?

I just finished the final read and sent the final draft to the publishing company. This is it. If there are anymore mistakes -- oh, well.

Wish me luck. Now the hard part comes -- selling it. It will retail for $12.99. I'm a writer not a salesman, so I don't know how this is going to go.

BTW: Remember my brother? The one that eats dirt. Today is his birthday...

Happy Birthday, Dean. I love, love, love you!!!!

He is the author of Signs. It's available at Amazon.