This book is more than a chilling ghost story, it is about the bond between two young women across the span of time and boundaries of death. I enjoyed it very much. This talented author is a force to be reckoned with. Can't wait to read the next one.
- Gwyn Duffy, Screenwriter
It's been a couple of months now since Hunting the Haunting was launched and though sales are way below the level of excitement, I'm still pretty awed by the whole ordeal.
Two months have gone by and I'm working on my next novel - slightly aside from the theme of HTH, but still just as riveting, I promise.
Here's the catch.
I'm itching.
That's right - itching! My mind is spinning faster than I can keep up and I have all sorts of ideas rolling around, gathering momentum and threatening to explode. Doesn't sound so bad, being a writer, does it? Isn't that what is supposed to happen? Yeah, sure, I guess. However not when all those tumbleweeds of ideas conflict with each other. Then it becomes a mayhem. A riotous cacophony of characters, plots, scenes, etc. I have ghosts speaking to me, houses demanding attention and fascinating characters chock full of emotion and troubles.
And I can't scratch a damn one of these itches! There's too many. I'm outnumbered and overwhelmed.
I am making incredible progress on lengthening the short story I wrote a couple of weeks ago - as of yet still untitled. And I love it. Penny Lovewise is a woman who really knows how to tell her story and she's speaking loud and clear.. Oh, oh, oh.. See, now I have even more ideas for that story, which would require revamping the entire thing. UGH!
The life of a writer isn't all easy -breezy- delicacy.
Now, if I was only writing, devoting 8 hours to the craft instead of my day job, well maybe then I could organize the jumble inside my mind, on my post-it idea board and upon all the many pieces of notebook paper floating around like white moths.
At least my mind is working and I'm not in the sink-mud of writer's block. I have to count my blessings when I can....
itch....itch....itch.....
Jo.
Well, the time has come!
I have my first book signing event scheduled for July 11th at Patrick Paperbacks Bookstore in Satellite Beach. I think this will be a great beginning as the store is small and Elva, the owner, is a wonderful, talkative and friendly person and I shouldn't be overwhelmed by any kind of big store rushes. I'm just not ready for that!
I'm hoping that the modest supply of books I plan on having will be enough. As it was said to me, "Well if it's not, that's a very good thing!" How great would it be to sell out and have to send IOU's to people? Then again, would it reflect poorly, as being unprepared? Things like these sink into my brain and churn turmoil. I come from a long line of Worrywarts!
Aside from that, being a shy person, I will undoubtedly be nothing but nerves and jitters for the entire time, but I'm hoping that my natural love of people comes out in full bloom and I find a comfort zone.
Having recently met with and shared some insight with fellow author Wright, I plan on taking his advice and just going with it, be myself.
If anyone is in the central Florida area, Brevard County, please come on down and come say hello!
Happy reading and writing to all,
Jo.
It's been what... three weeks or so since I've published Hunting the Haunting and I still have fleeting moments of excitement, pride, disbelief and utter terror!
I've sold over 15 copies and am now stuck in the rut of pessimistic thinking along the lines of, "OK, fine, now what?!?". Meaning - now how do I branch out and grab people by their ears (and eyes) and get them to buy my book? How do I direct more traffic to Amazon.com and increase my sales there? So far the majority of my sales have been direct. Everyone wants an autographed copy. Sure, this thrills me, despite my lame inscription and sloppy signature.
I can't help but wonder about the differences between sales and "sales". A co-worker buys a book, that's technically a sale, yet at the moment it doesn't hold the same thrill as it would to check my online accounts and see that I made a sale via Amazon. Why is this? A sale is a sale, right? My book has been purchased, it's in the hands of someone who is going to read (and hopefully love) it and from there they will tell someone who will tell someone who will tell.. You get the idea.
And it's not limited to online sales, either. Patrick Paperbacks has copies, too. I haven't received any calls saying more copies are needed, so I'm assuming no sales have been made there. First thought through my mind - Crap!
I made a sale at work this week and instead of directed it to the local bookstore, I sold it myself. Afterwards I thought, "Damn, I should have told her she could get a copy from Patrick Paperbacks, right up the road." But in the heat of the moment I wanted to connect with the possible reader which I succeeded. She wanted a signed copy. This felt good.
But....
And there it is. That inevitable gloomy nagging feeling of the butts of thoughts and emotions. But this, but that, but what!
A sale is a sale. I should be ecstatic that I have sold over 15 copies of my book. I should feel proud that I wrote, edited, and published a book at all! Perhaps it's the heat. Perhaps it's the stress of my recent accident that has me down.
Snap out of it! Grab the bull by the horns and tackle this baby and ride the adventure for all it's worth!
Coming soon - my first book signing event.
Have I mentioned that that idea scares me?
I hope this is just the New Author jitters and I'll soon work my way out of it and become a pro.
Dreaming On....
Jo
Ugh.
I'm falling behind on blogging. I'm just now working out the kinks and strains on the right side - the after-effect of being hit by a car Monday evening on my daily bike ride. The bruises are turning ugly, didn't know bruises could turn such horrible shades of red and burgundy-purple! At least the bruising around my eyes has stopped just short of two shiners. I'm grateful for that. Nothing like going to work where you have to talk face to face with the public while sporting a black eye! I count my blessings every chance I can.
And it's not just blogging I'm falling behind in. I haven't written a word all week, haven't worked on any type of marketing. Nothing. A true procrastinator, if ever one was born. Sure, I have an excuse. Kind of hard to focus on any one thing when I'm half unconscious from the muscle relaxer that only works as long as I lay perfectly still.
Ugh, again.
Time to wake up, stretch these torn muscles and get back on the figurative pony and go for another ride!
Besides, it could have been worse.
Jo.
I'm a tiny bit excited.
I made my first book store sale yesterday and it felt good!
Patrick Paper Backs is a tiny Independent Bookstore on A1A here in Satellite Beach, Florida. One of the few small bookstores to sell new and used copies. The owner, Elva, is a wonderful lady who just really showed me the brighter side to being an author. She was more excited than I was! Not that I wasn't excited, just that a slight case of nervousness set it.. Call it.... a kind of stage fright.
Elva is a very active lady in the book world. A member of Indie Bound, an online community for independent bookstores across the country, she seemed ready and willing to help spread the word. And so will I, in return - word of mouth goes a long way.
So, if any of you are near Satellite Beach and want to buy a good paperback book, stop by Patrick PaperBacks and say hello to Elva, pick up a copy of Hunting the Haunting, and feel satisfied!
I must say though, that it felt great to watch Elva write out a check. I stood there, thinking, "Wow, this is kind of cool." No, it isn't about the money. It's about transforming from a little writer with a dream to a grownup Author with opportunity. Elva mentioned how one can never know if their destiny is to become great. The future is uncertain, making it scary and thrilling at the same time.
I do not want such fame as to be eaten alive. I simply want to create a fan base. To have my books circulating and enjoyed. I won't lie, I'd love to quit my day job so that I can give 110% of my time to writing. But writing should be about writing and the love affair with words and creation. That's what I'm about. Creating so much, painting worlds and people, emotions and visions with words.
I made my very first entrance as an Author into a bookstore. That's encouragement enough for me. Now off to write my next novel!
Cheers,
Jo.
Having sold 4 copies online with 10 on reserve, hoping each of those sales falls through, I'm beginning to realize how much work is facing me.
Marketing has never been a strong point for me. Even though I've worked in retail pharmacy for most of my working life and have learned great customer service, I was never one to be an aggressive salesman. I don't have the grit necessary for the in-your-face - you-gotta-have-this persona.
So. Here I am with a novel to sell. It's rather daunting to think about.
Book signings.
Aggressive representation.
Pitches.
Rejection.
Of the four words in that list, one strikes fear into my heart the most... Rejection. I've tasted a few rejection letters from agents and publishers already. They're bitter, and though most were sugar coated with business politeness, they still stank.
Barnes And Noble is going to be a tough goal. They've already showed disinterest, but I'm not giving up. I love Barnes And Noble and think that having my book on their shelf is absolutely magical! But there's going to be a lot of work there.
Two of the prospective buyers are local, privately owned bookstores. If they pull through and buy the 3 copies each they've reserved, I will be extremely happy. It shows great community skills to take on a local writer and help them showcase their work and I will be grateful for this opportunity.
Now, what about the bigger picture? Outside of the community and the small, tight ring of family and friends? Word of mouth is still a top of the line marketing tool. It's human nature to talk about people, places and things. I want to be one of those people and things they talk about. In a good way. I'd love to find out that the title of my book is being passed along in general conversation, especially if it follows along the lines of, "Have you read this new book? It's great!"
If, by some chance, a scout or agent, editor or publisher is reading this and is thinking, "This girl has no backbone," this is true... To an extent. I have a powerful drive to be the best I can be and to work diligently, with dedication and purpose.
I'm still just walking through the door of my future as an author. So much to do, so much to learn.....
Jo.
It's official!
Hunting the Haunting went on sale today and I've already made my first sale. Talk about exciting!
My nerves are all a-jumble with the prospects of this book. I have great expectations but am keeping myself grounded, as well, knowing that it's going to take a lot of work to really get this ship sailing.
Marketing is my biggest fear. How am I going to do it? What will it take to get myself noticed? Of course, the real fear is book-signing events. I'm actually very shy and not that out-going, so the idea of presenting myself and my book to a crowd of strangers sends chills up my spine and makes my stomach swirl. I know it's part-n-parcel to real life authorship, but it doesn't lessen the jitters any.
Oh what fun is on the way!
Get your copy now! Shop Amazon.com or directly via the link here on this site. And of course, I'd be more than happy to personalize your copy!
Cheers,
Jo.
Hello friends, family, fans and fellow book enthusiasts!
My goal is to keep you up to date with the latest progress of Hunting the Haunting, tidbits and snippets of forthcoming novels and projects in process.
As I get this site under way I will add more about myself and my dreams and goals. I whole heartedly encourage everyone to use the forums to get to know each other, to share stories, ask questions.
Have a Happy Day,
Jo.
