Sunday, June 8, 2014

* LIVING THE WRITER'S LIFE *

For the past couple of weeks I've mentioned that I have lots of writerly info to share, and now I just hope I can remember a good percentage of it all. REMINDER TO SELF: keep better track of all the info I want to blog about!

For one thing, I've been spending a lot of time online, searching for all the different ways to market my memoir. The websites and blogs are endless and overwhelming, but I've gotten to the point where I get "a feel" right away as to whether I think one has noteworthy information or not. And still, I firmly believe the best way for a book to really take off, is by word of mouth. If enough people love a book and shout it from the rooftops, then it will soar to the top of the bestselling lists. (my dream and my goal)

Because my book is a memoir which women would particularly enjoy, I put on my old
thinking cap to come up with unique places to call on about selling it in their stores. For instance, there's a quaint shop near my home in Old St. Charles, called Thistle & Clover. They specialize in Welsh, Scottish, and Irish gifts, jewelry, clothing, etc...and a few books.

Thistle & Clover
 

I really had to talk myself into going inside that store and speaking to the owner about possibly selling my memoir there, on consignment. The owner, Karen, happened to be there the day I walked in. I showed her my book and explained how I thought it would be a great item to have in her store, since I'm part Welsh. She asked if there was anything in particular in my memoir about Wales or me being Welsh, other than my maiden name, and I hesitated for a split second and said "No!" And we both laughed. Long story short: I left a complimentary copy for her to read, stopped back a month later and she apologized for not having time to read any of it yet. I said, "Oh, I understand. No problem. I'll just check with you again in a few more weeks." I purchased a key ring that had my great-grandmother's maiden name on it: MacPherson. Yes, I'm also part Scottish! A day or two later, she e-mailed me saying she'd actually read a few pages, and that she must have my books in her store. I went to see her the next day, we talked and laughed for about an hour, and she bought six copies....full selling price! She didn't want to go the consignment way. She wanted me to have the money. Can you say New Best Friend?
 
We are definitely kindred spirits and will be meeting for dinner sometime soon. We need more time to talk!
 
That's all for this blog post. I'll be sharing much more information soon about * Living the Writer's Life. *
 
 
Welcome to my newest followers Keith Wynn at Musings of an Unapologetic Dreamer, Vickie Newman at Musing With My Tea, and Phyllis.  I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!
 
 
 
“Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.” -- Alan Alda

34 comments:

  1. Oh, that's awesome, Becky! Hope she sells all 6 in record time and then contacts you for more!

    Marketing is probably 100 times harder than writing the book ever was!

    Oh, by the way, I am of Scottish and Welsh descent as well---English and Irish too.

    Wishing you a great week,
    Patti

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    1. Thanks, Patti! And I haven't had the chance to tell you I'm really glad you're back to writing a "writerly" blog! It's so nice to see your lovely face here, and I promise to do better at commenting on your blog, too! I don't remember ever knowing about your Welsh, Scottish, English, and Irish heritage! That's really neat! ** And BTW, tomorrow I'll mail the copy of my memoir that you won over at Karen Lange's blog!

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  2. Way to promote yourself...and make a new friend! Well done!

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    1. Hey Kim! I'm so happy to see you here!! Thank you very much for your .......as Cathy C. Hall would say...."swell" comment! :)
      We have to remember to meet for lunch!!

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  3. Congratulations. And how wonderful that your scary visit to her store (my heart would have been trying to escape through my ribs) paid dividends. And when she FINISHES your book she will love you even more.

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    1. Hey there, Ms. EC! Your comments always make my day! :)
      Thanks so much for your friendship!

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  4. Well done to you and good luck. Nothing ventured nothing gained and all that. Have a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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    1. Hi Molly the Wally! Thank you...and you're so right, "nothing ventured, nothing gained!" Wishing you a marvelous Monday, too!

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  5. First of all, thank you for the mention :) secondly, how wonderful of Karen to buy 6 books at regular selling price!! New best friend indeed!! :)

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    1. Hi Keith....NOT Kevin! LOL You're very welcome for the "welcome." I try to remember to do that each time I have a new follower....And Yes, I've never heard of a store buying books at the selling price! Wow....she's a really neat lady!

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  6. Congrats on finding another outlet for your book.....

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    1. Thanks, Delores! I'm still waiting to hear back from another store that is REALLY a different outlet! I hope it happens so I can tell y'all ~~

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  7. Don't believe I have been in this one, Becky. Will have to visit! Good for you on the books.

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    1. Hi Claudia! Yes, you'll have to check it out. Karen's husband, the co-owner, sometimes wears a kilt and looks like those guys who can "toss" a tree trunk at those outdoor games! LOL
      And he told me the proper way to pronounce "Mac Pheeeeeeerson" ! :)

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  8. Congratulations on getting your book into another store! I finally ordered your book from your website. Can't wait for it to come. It will be one of my summer reads.

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandy, for the congrats AND for purchasing my book! I'll be sending it asap!

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  9. Networking, networking, networking. Yes! It works, and when the stars align you make that "new best friend," someone who understands and doesn't mind lending a hand. Congrats on having the chutzpah to go into the store and ask for what you wanted, and congrats on making it happen! The very BEST thing is that you and your new friend will probably maintain and grow your new friendship, and that is ALWAYS a wonderful thing. :)

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    1. Lisa, thank you, thank you! What a beautiful comment you've left for me. I like your "when the stars align" thoughts, too, because I was going to title this something about "serendipity" ...and I ALWAYS think of you when I read or hear that word! :)

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  10. Hi Becky....That is wonderful that the store owner bought six books! Fabulous. And it took guts to go in there. You did it! You are a go-getter. Susan

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    1. Hi Susan! Thank you. It did take a bit of courage, that's for sure. I'm getting better at it, though! :)

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  11. Good for you, Becky! Pat yourself on the back.

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    1. Thanks, Carol! One of these days I'm going to write a post about the various places I've either already been to, or plan to call on, about my book.

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  12. Congrats on a new avenue to market your books, Becky! It's all about plugging away...

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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    1. Hi Pat! Thank you! And yep....I'm pluggin' away! :)

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  13. That was a most scathingly brilliant idea!

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    1. Hi Val ~ Oh, thank you, my dear! You know I love that word: scathingly! :)

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  14. That's fabulous, Becky! I just love it -- and well-deserved!

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    1. Thanks, Jeanie! I can be pretty daring when I know I have to be! :)

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  15. Very nice to meet you! I found you through Bonnie from A Writers Kitchen. I am looking forward to getting to know you and to read your new book. It sounds like one that I would thoroughly enjoy.
    Maggie

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    1. Well, hello there Grandma Yellow Hair! It's so nice to meet you, too. I just love it when someone stumbles upon my blog, because that's the way I've found so many of the ones I like, and the wonderful people I've "met" through blogging! Thanks for becoming my follower, too, and I do hope you'll read my memoir! :)

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  16. Way to go, Becky! How cool is that? I love the Thistle & Clover and had heard it was under new management. I'll have to stop in again soon, and how fun it will be to see your cute little pigtails on the shelf.

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    1. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!! I'm so happy to see you here!! You are correct about T&C. Karen and her husband aren't only "new management," they are the new owners. The stars must've been aligned just right for me to meet them! :)
      And awww, please let me know how my books look there. I haven't been back by since the day Karen bought them! :)

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