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.

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.