I took the plunge today and wrote a trifold pamphlet about my books and published short stories using a template on Microsoft Excel. I’d never used a template before and have used Excel very little.
I’m pleased with the final product and plan to have copies made to be distributed at the annual awards banquet of the North Carolina Society of Historians in Mooresville on October 25, 2014.
Since I’m not very savvy when it comes to computers, I was surprised how it worked out and how simple it was.
I had a great time this afternoon at my book launch party for The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina! There were 55-60 people in attendance and I felt so much love from everyone. I was honored that so many people took time out of the middle of a beautiful late summer Sunday afternoon to come out to support me. It was overwhelming to look up from my table and see that long line of people waiting to purchase MY book! It was thrilling to give away the six door prizes. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. It was a wonderful afternoon!
I put the finishing touches on the “script” and the door prize display board today. I have everything together that needs to go to the book launch. After six weeks or more of anticipation, the big day is almost here. If you live within driving distance of Rocky River Presbyterian Church, 7940 Rocky River Road, Concord, NC, please come to my book launch party for The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina at 3:00 pm on Sunday, September 21, 2014.
I am pleased to announce that Unthinkable Choice, by Sampson and Lee Ann Parker was released on September 16, 2014. Sampson’s hand was caught in a piece of farm equipment on September 11, 2007, and he had to make the “unthinkable choice” to try to get free of the machinery as it was catching on fire. He lost his right arm. This book is Sampson and his wife’s story about the accident and its aftermath. Please go to amazon.com or Barnes & Noble and buy their book. Their story will make you realize how precious life is and how your life can turn in a split second.
I had my first author event this evening at the public library in Harrisburg for The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and I didn’t pass out from fright or plummeting blood pressure. That’s a successful event in my book! There were smiling faces in the audience, which helped put me at ease. I probably talked too fast. Suddenly, it was over. People seemed to enjoy watching the slide show of my mountain pictures and some took time to look at the postcards I had on display. I’m not sure anyone took any of the word find puzzles I designed to go with the book, but that’s okay. I was only interrupted once by a freight train passing through. A thunderstorm came out of nowhere at the end and it poured rain. On the way home in the dark, we almost hit a cow that was walking in the road. (Reminded us of an evening drive on the Isle of Skye in Scotland!) We got stopped just in time to miss the cow and then crept along for the next half mile as the cow’s owner guided it home. Traffic backed up as the cow meandered from one side of the road to the other, but the cow didn’t get hurt and nobody got hurt. It was a tense situation that could have had a much different ending if we had been traveling any faster.
It was an eventful several hours.
It was nice to hear from A.J. Mayhew yesterday. A.J. is the author of The Dry Grass of August, a wonderful historical novel set in the segregated South of the mid-20th century. If you haven’t read it, you need to buy a copy. There are characters and scenes from the book that will continue to haunt you long after you finish reading it.
A.J. wrote to congratulate me upon having a book published. She gave me some words of wisdom and encouragement. One thing that she and I share is that we weren’t young when our first books were published. Learning the ins and outs of the ever-changing publishing business at this stage in our lives is a bit challenging. I have learned a lot from A.J. and I value the moral support she gives me.
A.J. is writing her second novel. I will let you know when it is available.
I guess I have truly arrived. Today I discovered that my book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is available as an e-book for Kindle. I bought it and was delighted at the ease with which I could navigate through the book. Every website reference is clickable, as is every page referenced in the index. The postcards are sharp and crisp. I like it!
I am grateful to the sales and marketing staff of Arcadia Publishing for getting my book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, on the shelves of a good number and variety of stores in the mountains last week. As I write thank you letters to the store owners to express my appreciation for their agreeing to sell the book, I am reminded of just how many people it takes to get a book from an author’s hands and into the hands of the reader.
The sales and marketing people at Arcadia Publishing have been hard at work getting my book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, on store shelves. The book is available at the following locations in the North Carolina mountains:
Smoky Mountain Host Visitors Center in Franklin
Books Unlimited in Franklin
Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville
The Gilded Lily by Patra in Blowing Rock
Village Pharmacy in Blowing Rock
University Bookstore at Appalachian State University in Boone
Boone Drug – King Street and New Market in Boone
Lake Junaluska Assembly at Lake Junaluska
Walgreens on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville
Walgreens on S. Tunnel Road in Asheville
Malaprop’s Books and Cafe in Asheville
Asheville Chamber of Commerce
Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in Asheville
Christa’s Country Corner in Newland
Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock
Town Hardware and General Store in Black Mountain
I am thrilled to know my book is being sold at all those locations in the North Carolina mountains! Soon it will be available at Second Look Books in Harrisburg, NC.
I’m scheduled to talk about The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to the Presbyterians who are residents of Aldersgate in Charlotte on October 20 and have a book signing. I look forward to seeing some friends and making new ones that day.
Another door prize has arrived for my Book Launch Party! I received two complimentary adult tickets for Chimney Rock State Park, valued at $30. I have six door prizes for the event. Perhaps more will come before September 21.
I placed copies of my book on consignment yesterday at White Owl Antique Mall and Design Center in Concord, North Carolina. When in Concord, drop by and support this local business.
In my “spare time,” I have put Christmas items on my online craft shop on Etsy.com. Look for Hickory Ridge Crafts on that site to see the things that my sister and I have made.
We are also continuing to organize the history room/church library in the new building at Rocky River Presbyterian Church. The official opening is next weekend.
There’s never a dull moment around here!
Janet's Writing Blog 