Wearing the PR Hat

Hello World.

It's me, Tanjlisa Marie. So, update on the CODENAME FAIRY GODMOTHER: REASSIGNED book launch: My schedule is flowing smoothly so far. We have the venue for the party, we have several confirmed guests attending, decorations are taken care of, ordering party favors this weekend, and sent out invites to the press. That is where I need help, the PR department.

I've been reading blogs and articles on how to successfully launch your book. I don't think I've done enough to get the word out so I will have to step it up a notch. This weekend I will gather addresses for all libraries, bookstores, and publicized book clubs in the central Arkansas area and mail them an invitation to my book launching party. I will solicit the help of my Facebook and Twitter eFriends (as I like to call them) for getting the word out about my book launch date. I will also have to concentrate some of my efforts in the Chicagoland area. I will send out press kits to the newspapers and media outlets here also. I will litter the college campus areas with fliers. And I will hand out items in front of the bookstores downtown. I can start this campaign next week since I will have finished my book edits and sent it to the printing house for final approval.

I have to remember to keep a positive attitude and not let any doubt enter my mind. This will be a successful book launch. Especially if my eFriends help me spread the word (that's you!).

No one said realizing your dream would be easy or cheap. I am so close. I cannot give up now! Starting next week, I will have to PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE the heck out of my book!

Wearing the Marketing Hat

Hello World:

It's me, Tanjlisa Marie. In the world of self-publishing, a writer has to be more than the writer. The writer is also the promoter, public relations rep, admin, legal department, researcher, and finally the marketing department. (You guys can chime in with other titles that I missed.)

This weekend I had on my writer and marketing hats. While going through my CODENAME FAIRY GODMOTHER: REASSIGNED proof correcting mistakes, I also had to figure out ways to get the word out about my book. I was a Twitter-tornado! *Shout out to all my Twitter followers!* It's a full time job alone just Tweeting, reading Tweets, re-Tweeting, etc. I was exhausted! Next, was Facebook. *Shout out to all of my Facebook like-ers!* I put out an ad on Facebook and while some may not like the Pay Per Click method, I like the stats the Facebook Aps page shows. Over 50k people has seen my add so far and I've had it up since 9/8/2012. That's 50k potential buyers!

Last, I just placed an order for 250 bookmarks. This is a great promotional tool. I ride the subway to and from work Monday through Friday. So I've started asking young adults (YA) to look at my book, read the synopsis, and tell me if they would be interested in buying the book. So far, all positive responses! The flaming fairy godmother on the front just really draws their attention. Right now, I'm handing them my business card telling them the book releases on Halloween. But when I get the bookmarks, I think my marketing ploy will go even better. Plus, I can hand the bookmarks out without jamming a 584-page book in peoples' hands. The front of the bookmark is like the front cover of CODENAME FAIRY GODMOTHER: REASSIGNED. The back has the release date, and all of my social contact info: Tanjlisa Marie, website, etc. You can't really get a clear view but here's what they will look like. Tell me what you think . . .

As always, I hope this info has been useful!

Book Proof/Party Update

Hello World:

It's me, Tanjlisa Marie. I received my proof this week for CODENAME FAIRY GODMOTHER: REASSIGNED and I have to report . . . no other feeling compared to opening the package and seeing my book. It was beautiful! See for yourself . . .

I've already went through the book once to look at formatting issues. I found a lot of mistakes and corrected them already. Now, my editor and I are going through the book one more time (hopefully) for grammar and whatnot. My deadline is next Friday. I have to make corrections and resubmit to the website so they can approve my newest draft. Hopefully, the website will not find any mistakes and approve my manuscript before October 1st. That is when I will have to order 100 copies for my book launching party in time for a no-later-than October 30th delivery date. WHEW!

As for the book launching party itself. Here is an update on my To Do list.

• Budget - so far so good. Have not overspent; still in range.
• Venue - We reserved the Chopsticks International Events Center in Jacksonville, Arkansas for a reasonable price. The place is perfect because it is already stylishly decorated so that means I can move money from the decorating budget to something else.
• Guest List/Invitations - So far I have 17 confirmed guest from my Facebook efforts. I'm really trying to install in my friends a sense of urgency because I have to have my guest count by Monday so my promoters can offer the remaining seats to the general public.
• Decorations - we only have to decorate the tables.
• Press Kits - I emailed over 60 Arkansas media personnel. Hopefully, I will get a response from some. I only have 25 slots reserved for media/blogger types so it will be first come, first serve.
• I put out two Craigslist ads looking for Arkansas bloggers, no hits yet.
• Program/Events at the Party - My promoter and I had a meeting Friday. The program looks exciting and filling. I don't want to give anything away, but rest assure there will be plenty of photos and video footage to share later on.
• Party Favors - So far we are giving away pens, magnets, and book markers.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Hello, World:

It's me, Tanjlisa Marie.

One month to write the story.
Two years of going through revision after revision.
One more step away from finishing the process in order to order my proof . . . priceless!

I cannot believe I am so close to seeing my manuscript, CODENAME FAIRY GODMOTHER: REASSIGNED, as an actual, professional book. Wow! All I have to say, is no matter what stage you are at in your project--keep going. You will thank yourself once you reach your goal.

I have had the pleasure of working with some fantastic people in realizing my dream!

I hope the world will enjoy the fruits of my hard labor.

Check out my YA urban fantasy novel's debut, HALLOWEEN 2012.

What do you get when you splice TOMB RAIDER's Laura Croft with Tinker Bell?
Meet Agent Thunder, a kick-butt Huntress with the Fairy Godmother Organization (FGO).
Find out what happens when the FGO’s #1 bounty hunter encounters Earth’s most infamous villain and gets REASSIGNED for her own protection . . .

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CODENAME FAIRY GODMOTHER: REASSIGED

Check out my website for more info: www.TanjlisaMarie.com

Halloween Book Release Party 2012

Hello World,

It's me, Tanjlisa Marie. As my release date deadline for CODENAME FAIRY GODMOTHER: REASSIGNED approaches, I'm finishing several projects simultaneously: editing, formatting, and planning the book release party. 

Blogs really are helpful since I had to consult a couple to find out about throwing a release party.  So I've broken down the task into several categories: budget, venue, guest list/invitations, decorations, press kits, program/events at party, and party favors.

Budget - I've set money aside to buy 100 books for the party. I plan on using the price of the book as the entry fee for the party so the guest will each have a book and I didn't necessarily have to give it away for free. I also have money (but am also looking for donators) for decorations, door prizes, refreshments, etc.

Venue - My promoter has already approached a bookstore in Little Rock to see if we can have the event there.  The book owner gave her approval, but there were stipulations so we will have to work through those before committing.

Guest List/Invitations - I already created an event in Facebook to invite all my friends. As soon as I secure the venue, I will send out Save the Date cards. I am researching bloggers and journalists in the area to send out invitations to them.

Decorations - I kind of cheated since my party will be on Halloween.  Decorations will be a simple task. There will also be a costume contest, encouraging people to dress up as fantasy-based characters.

Press Kits - As stated earlier, I am researching bloggers and journalists in the area to decide who to invite. I will send them a press kit once I narrow the choices down.

Program/Events at the Party - We are stepping things up a notch in this category. From my research, it appeared not much happened at regular book launching parties. Well, not for Tanjlisa Marie. We will have door prizes, a costume contest, live music, and a few surprises I don't want to give away.

Party Favors - Money left over will determine what I will give the guests as party favors.

If you are in the Little Rock, Arkansas area during Halloween, email infotanjlisamarie.com for an invite. Also, check out my website www.TanjlisaMarie.com.

New Bookcover

Hello world,

I am excited!  Kennbaker.com just finished my bookcover and I love it!  I also finished my website tanjisamarie.com.

 

 

Busy, busy, busy.

I'm working on the book formatting for Createspace.com.  They have a template so that makes it a little easier.  Wow!  No one said realizing your dream was easy but the thought of seeing my book in print keeps me going!