The Joys of Marketing

Before I started marketing my book, I assumed it was going to be a tedius, frustrating process. After all, I don't know much about marketing. And, as an author—whether you are traditionally or self-published—you are usually responsible for doing all of your own marketing. But now that I've started, I'm enjoying it. Who knew?

I did a few book readings of Sophie and Spot this month to several classes of first and second grade students. I was nervous at first and wasn't sure what to expect, but oh my goodness, those kids knocked my socks off! They were smart, engaged, encouraging. They gasped, they oohed and aahed, and they asked fantastic questions.

For one of my first readings, I chose a part of the story where Emery, one of Sophie’s friends, falls into a frog pond. I thought it was a fun part to write, but I was blown away by how many of the kids specifically related to that part. In one class, there must have been four or five kids who had either fallen into a pond, or their brother or cousin fell into a pond or creek. It was great!

Then, at the end of the section I read, Sophie and her family and friends go to the Louisville pet parade, which is a little parade of children and their pets that goes on right before the big Labor Day parade in Louisville. After my reading, I told the children we were going to do our own pet parade around the room, and they could either choose to be a pet, a kid, or a swamp monster like Emery. They all immediately jumped right in and crawled, mooed, and trotted around the room. It was fantastic! In one class, there were a surprising amount of chickens—like five or six of them! That kind of creativity just blows my mind.

Then, about two weeks ago, a friend from my writers group reached out to ask if I'd like to do an interview about my book on Denver 9News. One of her friends is a producer and interviewer there, so I'll be on a short segment called Colorado and Company on January 3rd! Stay tuned—exciting things coming up in the new year!

Happy New Year to you, my dear blog readers!