Planning a book tour

Every day brings a new experience. I’m putting together my first book tour in the mountains of North Carolina. I’ve selected nine public libraries to contact. Speaking about my book is going to take me way out of my comfort zone, but I need to do it!

Amy Clipston gave a very interesting presentation on Monday night at Rocky River Presbyterian Church. She told us about how she is able to write Amish fiction without being Amish. She also talked about the journey her family took through the process of kidney transplantation. She is one busy and gracious lady! Check out her books and her website: http://www.amyclipston.com.

Amy Clipston author event tonight!

If you live in the Harrisburg/Concord area, come out tonight for an Amy Clipston speaking engagement hosted by Rocky River Readers Book Club at Rocky River Presbyterian Church, 7940 Rocky River Road, Concord, NC at 7:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Amy is a Christian fiction writer who specializes in writing Amish fiction. Even if you haven’t read any of Amy’s books, come out tonight to hear her speak. She will also have her books for sale.

What are you reading?

I just finished reading A Fighting Chance, by Elizabeth Warren, and The Associate, by John Grisham. I’ve started reading Talkin’ Tar Heel: How Our Voices Tell the Story of North Carolina, by Walt Wolfram and Jeffrey Reaser.

Tell me what you’re reading.

My book arrived!

My complimentary author copies of The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina arrived yesterday. What a thrill to hold in my hands a book with my name on the cover as the author! It will be available to the public on August 25.

A Possible Piedmont NC Postcard Book?

With my deadline met with Arcadia Publishing on Thursday, I breathed a little easier over the weekend. I shopped for some postcards with a couple of future books in mind. Today I organized 230+ postcards for possible inclusion in a book of vintage postcards from the piedmont region of North Carolina.

I also searched the 2014 “Writer’s Market” book for magazines to submit articles to about several history topics I have in mind. It’s not easy to break into the magazine market. It’s discouraging when you pitch a story idea to an in-state magazine, it gets rejected, and then a few months later a regular contributing writer gets an article published on the very subject you pitched. That’s happened to me twice with the same magazine. That makes me a little hesitant to pitch story ideas to magazines.

Another deadline met!

This has been an exciting week! On Tuesday I went for my first head shot. I do not enjoy having my picture made, but Joanna Rogers of Memories by JoannaR put me at ease and made me look pretty good. The session was relatively painless. Thanks, Joanna!

Today I had a sales and marketing (along with head shot) deadline with Arcadia Publishing. It was with great relief and pleasure that I clicked on the “send” button at 4:59 p.m. yesterday. Deadline met!

With that deadline met, I’m one step closer to the August 25 publication of The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Only 38 days, but who’s counting?

Notice for anyone wanting to order any of my three Rocky River Presbyterian Church history booklets: My costs have gone up dramatically since I set the prices listed on my website. Those prices include shipping, so I am now losing money on photocopying, binding, and shipping. Stay tuned for some necessary price increases. I hate to do it, but I can’t afford to lose money on every sale. In the mean time, if you wish to order one of those books, please contact me at Janet@JanetMorrisonBooks.com for pricing information. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Next deadline approaching

The deadline is fast approaching for me to complete the sales and marketing information update form for Arcadia Publishing. I’m still searching the internet for more stores that might sell my book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Each day brings me one day closer to the August 25 publication date!

The final proofreading on mountain book

The final proofreading has been done, and The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina has been sent to the printer! I will be working with the sales and marketing staff of Arcadia Publishing to get publicity for this book of vintage postcards and get it on the shelves of strategic stores throughout the mountains and foothills of North Carolina. Publication is scheduled for August 25, 2014!

Vintage postcard book

This is a red-letter day. I have proofread The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina — my first book of vintage postcards — and returned the proofed pages to Arcadia Publishing this morning. I eagerly await the August 25th publication date.