More on My PR Efforts

Hello, World:

It's me, Tanjlisa Marie. Update on my PR efforts for my YA urban fantasy novel, CODENAME FAIRY GODMOTHER: REASSIGNED. I received my bookmarks in the mail and they turned out GREAT!! Every time I handed one to someone, their reaction was the same...they simply love the bookcover picture as much as I do! (Thanks again Kenn Baker). So, I've been handing those out downtown Chicago in the bookstores and just walking around. I will step up my efforts next week and go to the college campuses.

I sent CODENAME FAIRY GODMOTHER: REASSIGNED book launch party flier invitations to the libraries around the central Arkansas area. I also sent flier invitations to the English departments to twelve schools in the same vicinity. I wrote a short note explaining how teachers are under-appreciated and they should come out to celebrate the written word and literacy. I used PRweb and created a press release. You can check it out on Yahoo News. Last, I sent my press release to the 20 media email addresses that I already sent a book launching party invite to. I haven't received any email traffic from any of these efforts, but I will not let that discourage me! If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to leave comments. Us self-published authors have to stick together!

I created an author profile on Goodreads.com. I have two ladies who seem really interested in the book and agreed to send them a preview copy next week. I also signed up for a give-away contest. I will give away five copies of my book to people in the US, Australia, UK, and/or Canada. The contest is open from Wednesday, October 10th through Wednesday, October 24th.

Next week, I will decide how many reviewer copies I plan to send the media and start to compile that list.

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.

Project Update

Hello world,

I took somewhat of a hiatus for the summer but I am back!  I found an editor via Craig's List to take on my project and she went through my manuscript once.  I made the corrections and sent it back to her for the second edit.  I'm pretty excited about the progress.

I am redoing my book cover.  After conferring with several people and researching YA book covers, I don't feel the one I currently have fits with the genre.  I worked with Kenn Baker (http://www.kennbaker.com/illustration.html) and I am satisfied with my new picture.  I loved working with him.  He was professional, accommodating, and talented.  I will share it with you all soon. 

My targeted launch date is October 31, 2012.  I will meet with my promoter next week to ascertain if this is a realistic date. 

More to come.