The Blog Market, I've come to learn, is just as important as watching the stock market. Soooo ... I'm jumping into a scheduled blog tour for the month of September for my latest Five Star-Gale release, MEGGIE'S REMAINS.
Partering with Pump Up Your Book Promotion, I'm beginning work today on my posts, beginning with Blogcritics. This should be interesting and fun. My heroine and hero in MEGGIE'S REMAINS, Meggie and Ethan, deserve a bit of internet attention! In addition to hitting the Blog Market, I'm attending the Women Writing the West conference in September where I'll showcase MEGGIE'S REMAINS in their bookstore. The chair of the conference, Harriet Rochlin, is an amazing writer and an all-around great person! In October, I plan to participate in a signing at Barnes & Noble in Encino for MEGGIE'S REMAINS, where I'll sign along with members of Los Angeles Romance Writers. This should also be interesting and fun!
Last week I blogged with you about all of the changes, moving to southern California. Not much has "changed" since that post in that I'm still 63 and tech-challenged, and still watching my adorable, brilliant, 5-month old grandson. Where changes are needed rests on MY SHOULDERS. I'm so priviliged to be a published author and I need to step up to the promo plate and JUST DO IT!
Everyday for me from now on, is a day to learn and a day to lobby for my heroines and heroes!
Can we say, ENERGY, boys and girls!
:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
Five-Star, Gale, Cengage Learning
ISBN: 978 1 59414 788 3
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
HEART 2 HEART ~ "I think I can ... I think I can ..."
Remember THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD? I'm attempting to chug along with the timeless theme from that little, yet oh-so-important children's story.
"I think I can ... I think I can ... I think in can ..." blog on a regular basis, just like most of the Writing World. Why this has been so difficult for me, is for me to figure out and improve on, for sure.
In my defense ... the moment I have something kind-of/sort-of figured out, something else has already come along as replacement. For example, when I finally got onto MySpace, happy as a clam that I have A Few Good Friends, many of you now are on Facebook. And not just Facebook ... but twittering, as well. I'm having to "spark" The Little Engine That Could on this one, too. I have a Facebook site but it does need a bit of tending. Ya think?
As for my blog, I've decided to tell the unfettered, raw truth, week by week, detailing my falling off the writing wagon and then climbing back on. It's a journey that you might find interesting, and during which I might find a kindred spirit or two.
My blog stands alone at the moment, other than being listed on MySpace, or on the website of some wonderful writing friends. My first challenge is to link up with other blogs, connecting and networking on a regular basis. I'll let you know how this goes. The truth of it is that I'm a 63-year-old, techno-challenged lass who is ever intimidated by the Big Bad Internet. Ah well, such if life.
HEART 2 HEART, I want to reveal to you that since my part-time move to California, I've fallen off the Writing Wagon. Separated from old friends, writing contacts, and those bookstores that would have me in for a signing, I feel pretty doggone alone. It's a tough world out here in the Los Angeles area. It's hard to get notice other than for road rage on the 405! Marketing is going "to be a bitch" out here, I'm sure of it. I'll let you know my trials and tribulations. Perhaps some of you will relate.
Next time I'll tell you why I'm out here in LA LA LAND in the first place. Perhaps, over the next weeks and months, we can climb back onto the Writing Wagon together. Stranger things ...
Tweet, Tweet!
:-) Joanne
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
"I think I can ... I think I can ... I think in can ..." blog on a regular basis, just like most of the Writing World. Why this has been so difficult for me, is for me to figure out and improve on, for sure.
In my defense ... the moment I have something kind-of/sort-of figured out, something else has already come along as replacement. For example, when I finally got onto MySpace, happy as a clam that I have A Few Good Friends, many of you now are on Facebook. And not just Facebook ... but twittering, as well. I'm having to "spark" The Little Engine That Could on this one, too. I have a Facebook site but it does need a bit of tending. Ya think?
As for my blog, I've decided to tell the unfettered, raw truth, week by week, detailing my falling off the writing wagon and then climbing back on. It's a journey that you might find interesting, and during which I might find a kindred spirit or two.
My blog stands alone at the moment, other than being listed on MySpace, or on the website of some wonderful writing friends. My first challenge is to link up with other blogs, connecting and networking on a regular basis. I'll let you know how this goes. The truth of it is that I'm a 63-year-old, techno-challenged lass who is ever intimidated by the Big Bad Internet. Ah well, such if life.
HEART 2 HEART, I want to reveal to you that since my part-time move to California, I've fallen off the Writing Wagon. Separated from old friends, writing contacts, and those bookstores that would have me in for a signing, I feel pretty doggone alone. It's a tough world out here in the Los Angeles area. It's hard to get notice other than for road rage on the 405! Marketing is going "to be a bitch" out here, I'm sure of it. I'll let you know my trials and tribulations. Perhaps some of you will relate.
Next time I'll tell you why I'm out here in LA LA LAND in the first place. Perhaps, over the next weeks and months, we can climb back onto the Writing Wagon together. Stranger things ...
Tweet, Tweet!
:-) Joanne
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
Saturday, June 27, 2009
HEART 2 HEART ~ "Virtual Writing"
Yes, I think writing has gone virtual, at least all marketing, promo, and networking is done out there in Internet Land. I know that many books are on the download now, read off the Net, too. So, what's left to do on the actual, factual, printed page?
THE BOOK.
The book, the story, the WIP, is not yet the sole domain of virtual reality. Many aspects of writing have gone virtual, but not "the book," not yet anyway. The moments between the writer and their PC are precious, indeed. The moments where the outside world is just that--outside--are treasured moments where we as writers can refuel and let out creative side go, go, go! Feels good, doesn't it? You bet.
The good side of virtual writing is that in this tough economy where books have also fallen victim, virtual marketing/promo/networking is pretty much FREE. The bad side of virtual writing is that if you're over the age of 50, give or take, you might find yourself caught on the Internet without the Net piece, ie, we senior types are challenged when it comes to ease in finding our way on and off blogs, on and off virtual tours, and on and off this link or that site, this pod cast or that chat group. But, such is life and thank goodness there's no Ugly in all of this. Good and Bad, but no Ugly allowed!
Virtually yours,
:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
Meggie's Remains 7/09
The Quaker and the Confederate series 5/10, 9/10
THE BOOK.
The book, the story, the WIP, is not yet the sole domain of virtual reality. Many aspects of writing have gone virtual, but not "the book," not yet anyway. The moments between the writer and their PC are precious, indeed. The moments where the outside world is just that--outside--are treasured moments where we as writers can refuel and let out creative side go, go, go! Feels good, doesn't it? You bet.
The good side of virtual writing is that in this tough economy where books have also fallen victim, virtual marketing/promo/networking is pretty much FREE. The bad side of virtual writing is that if you're over the age of 50, give or take, you might find yourself caught on the Internet without the Net piece, ie, we senior types are challenged when it comes to ease in finding our way on and off blogs, on and off virtual tours, and on and off this link or that site, this pod cast or that chat group. But, such is life and thank goodness there's no Ugly in all of this. Good and Bad, but no Ugly allowed!
Virtually yours,
:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
Meggie's Remains 7/09
The Quaker and the Confederate series 5/10, 9/10
Sunday, May 17, 2009
HEART 2 HEART ~ "Anyone Else Out There, OVERWHELMED?"
Updating my update (that has to be bad writing), keying in MySpace & Facebook & Twitter, OH MY, wishing GoodReads to all Americans in Oz, I'm feeling the pressure to "choose my site wisely." I love that line from Indiana Jones, don't you? We ever try to choose wisely, do we not? Surely you must have had to choose where you place your internet trust and energy, praying you won't be spammed in the process. Like you, I key on tiptoes most days. Like you, I hate to take a misstep and lose internet ground, not to mention access for days on end!
That being said, I must admit I'm OVERWHELMED by the availability of new sites, coming up frequently, new places to chat and to network and to market. This all sounds well and good but it involves time, time many of us don't have in the first place. I'm not stupid. I know the internet is a wonderful place to "chat and network and market," it's just that I haven't mastered the subtleties of HOW to do this with ease, and HOW to best use my time on the Net for good--for the good of my friends and fellow writers as well as myself. I'm working on it! I'm working on it because I've met wonderful folks on the Net, readers and writers all. A sure incentive to make good choices and choose wisely.
Good Reads :-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE
~HEARTS DIVIDED~
~HEARTS PERSUADED~
That being said, I must admit I'm OVERWHELMED by the availability of new sites, coming up frequently, new places to chat and to network and to market. This all sounds well and good but it involves time, time many of us don't have in the first place. I'm not stupid. I know the internet is a wonderful place to "chat and network and market," it's just that I haven't mastered the subtleties of HOW to do this with ease, and HOW to best use my time on the Net for good--for the good of my friends and fellow writers as well as myself. I'm working on it! I'm working on it because I've met wonderful folks on the Net, readers and writers all. A sure incentive to make good choices and choose wisely.
Good Reads :-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE
~HEARTS DIVIDED~
~HEARTS PERSUADED~
Monday, March 23, 2009
HEART 2 HEART ~ "Just Do It!"
On many a day, I'm like Scarlett O'Hara from GWTW, putting things off and worrying about them tomorrow. The problem becomes ... those tomorrows can add up and bite us in the YOU KNOW WHAT, and then we can't sit down to write Jack!
More than diving into our next manuscript, I'm talking about the other hat we writers often have to wear: OUR "PROJECT MANAGER GET OUR MARKETING DONE" HAT. For those of us who don't have personal assistants (cough cough) we have to learn to dance and chew gum at the same time. We have to learn to put time toward our current WIP while formulating a plan to market our next release, all the while dealing with any and all issues related to our past releases. Also, we have to keep our all important personal lives in check, as well. Please, in no way do I intend to complain here. I feel extremely fortunate to be published. I'm merely suggesting that we have to make sure we have a good view of all that's on our writing plate, and then make sure we have a good "overview" of the tasks at hand, and then "Just Do It."
We can't afford to be like Scarlett O'Hara and worry about it tomorrow, much as we're tempted. We all know that tomorrow only puts more on our writing plate ... soooo ... we should try to "Just Do It" and handle issues as they arise. This isn't always easy as life has a way of interrupting us ALL OF THE TIME. My latest game plan is to devote a set amount of time each and every morning to marketing tasks, et al, including the care and feeding of any writing organizations to which I'm lucky enough to hold membership, and networking with other writers.
Move over NIKE` ... I'm going to JUST DO IT, too!
:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE ~ Hearts Divided
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE ~ Hearts Persuaded
More than diving into our next manuscript, I'm talking about the other hat we writers often have to wear: OUR "PROJECT MANAGER GET OUR MARKETING DONE" HAT. For those of us who don't have personal assistants (cough cough) we have to learn to dance and chew gum at the same time. We have to learn to put time toward our current WIP while formulating a plan to market our next release, all the while dealing with any and all issues related to our past releases. Also, we have to keep our all important personal lives in check, as well. Please, in no way do I intend to complain here. I feel extremely fortunate to be published. I'm merely suggesting that we have to make sure we have a good view of all that's on our writing plate, and then make sure we have a good "overview" of the tasks at hand, and then "Just Do It."
We can't afford to be like Scarlett O'Hara and worry about it tomorrow, much as we're tempted. We all know that tomorrow only puts more on our writing plate ... soooo ... we should try to "Just Do It" and handle issues as they arise. This isn't always easy as life has a way of interrupting us ALL OF THE TIME. My latest game plan is to devote a set amount of time each and every morning to marketing tasks, et al, including the care and feeding of any writing organizations to which I'm lucky enough to hold membership, and networking with other writers.
Move over NIKE` ... I'm going to JUST DO IT, too!
:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE ~ Hearts Divided
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE ~ Hearts Persuaded
Friday, February 20, 2009
HEART 2 HEART - "The Write Coast"
Stomach in, chest out, and breathe!
In a few days time I'll be crawling into my suburu forester along with my two huskies and two cats and heading west, to southern California. This is a temporary relocation but it's for good reason. My baby girl is going to have a baby boy in a few weeks and I want to understand all the rules and regs to earn the title, Grammy Jo!
The fact that I'll be trying to write on the west coast and not from my cozy, loft office in the Rocky Mountains ... well, I'm a bit concerned about finding comfort in any "new writing spot." And then there's the other thing ... CA is a huge place and I'm a total unknown in any CA Hood. At least in the Rockies, my friends have ever been supportive of my writing habits, good and bad, and there are always a few friendly faces at signings. I hope the natives in southern CA are friendly!
I hope to hit the ground running (well, how about waddling) and join the local RWA chapter in Los Angeles, and approach many of the local libraries as well as bookstores. Hey, I used to sell Girl Scout Cookies and maybe my skills with mint cookie sales will come in handy. Naaa ... we all know mint cookies sell themselves. I've got it! I'll get myself lasered and lasicked and nail-polished and waxed and made over, and then maybe I'll get a library card or two, for starters.
I'll let you know if the Write Coast is Right for me. Tune in tomorrow ...
:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE-HEARTS DIVIDED
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE-HEARTS PERSUADED
In a few days time I'll be crawling into my suburu forester along with my two huskies and two cats and heading west, to southern California. This is a temporary relocation but it's for good reason. My baby girl is going to have a baby boy in a few weeks and I want to understand all the rules and regs to earn the title, Grammy Jo!
The fact that I'll be trying to write on the west coast and not from my cozy, loft office in the Rocky Mountains ... well, I'm a bit concerned about finding comfort in any "new writing spot." And then there's the other thing ... CA is a huge place and I'm a total unknown in any CA Hood. At least in the Rockies, my friends have ever been supportive of my writing habits, good and bad, and there are always a few friendly faces at signings. I hope the natives in southern CA are friendly!
I hope to hit the ground running (well, how about waddling) and join the local RWA chapter in Los Angeles, and approach many of the local libraries as well as bookstores. Hey, I used to sell Girl Scout Cookies and maybe my skills with mint cookie sales will come in handy. Naaa ... we all know mint cookies sell themselves. I've got it! I'll get myself lasered and lasicked and nail-polished and waxed and made over, and then maybe I'll get a library card or two, for starters.
I'll let you know if the Write Coast is Right for me. Tune in tomorrow ...
:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE-HEARTS DIVIDED
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE-HEARTS PERSUADED
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
HEART 2 HEART - "Going LARGE Isn't So Bad"
I just found out that my 12/08 release, THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, is going into LARGE PRINT with Thorndike Press Historical Fiction, come April 15th! Bigger IS better, tee hee!
The primary market for my books sold to Five Star-Gale, an imprint of Cengage Learning, is the library market (BLESS THEM). If any of our books sold in original hardcover survive the numbers crunch, they have a chance to go into LARGE PRINT. These large print hardcovers (with Thorndike) are sold primarily to the library market as well. Most libraries have large print shelves and I'm sooooo happy that THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER will perhaps go on many of these shelves.
My second Five Star-Gale sale, A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, also went into LARGE PRINT, as a softcover with Wheeler Publishing. It did quite well for which I'm truly grateful. If I may add, the heroine in the book is deaf and I did the majority of my research at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind (CSDB). I happily was able to gift the school with a large print copy of AMELIA as well as donating the wall hanging I had made of The Manual Alphabet. I'm honored the school will display the wall hanging and put copies of AMELIA in their library!!!
So ... you can see why I'm saying that "going LARGE isn't so bad!"
:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
The primary market for my books sold to Five Star-Gale, an imprint of Cengage Learning, is the library market (BLESS THEM). If any of our books sold in original hardcover survive the numbers crunch, they have a chance to go into LARGE PRINT. These large print hardcovers (with Thorndike) are sold primarily to the library market as well. Most libraries have large print shelves and I'm sooooo happy that THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER will perhaps go on many of these shelves.
My second Five Star-Gale sale, A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, also went into LARGE PRINT, as a softcover with Wheeler Publishing. It did quite well for which I'm truly grateful. If I may add, the heroine in the book is deaf and I did the majority of my research at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind (CSDB). I happily was able to gift the school with a large print copy of AMELIA as well as donating the wall hanging I had made of The Manual Alphabet. I'm honored the school will display the wall hanging and put copies of AMELIA in their library!!!
So ... you can see why I'm saying that "going LARGE isn't so bad!"
:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
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