Nearly Christmas!

Well it's nearly Christmas again, I didn't sell as many books at school fairs as I did last year, but then money is tight at the moment. My best Christmas event was a Christmas fair in the furniture shop in Green Hammerton.

The book launch at Borders was by far the best event of the year.

Next year I need to work more on publicity and getting my books out to a wider audience. 3 of my 'Monster' books have sold in Norwich recently direct from Trafford, so that's a step in the right direction.

Merry Christmas to everyone reading my blog, and here's to a successful writing year ahead.

Credit crunch?

The Christmas fair at Green Hammerton went pretty well, but takings are down at school fairs. I've got 2 more fairs to do, 5th Dec Manor CE school (York) and 12th Dec. Scarcroft Primary (York).

With the weather the way it is (snow, turning to rain with gale force winds on the way) What better pastime than reading. Let your mind travel the pages while you stay snug and warm. To order on-line zap over to my website http://www.anne-m-stephenson.com/ (pay no p&p throughout December 2008)

Christmas fairs

I've got my first Christmas fair of the season this Saturday 22nd Nov. at:
The Main Furniture Company, The Green, Green Hammerton, near York.

As well as organising fairs, I've been writing articles. I was asked for a piece on book signings/launches for the Self Publishing magazine, I sent an article and photo in, which were accepted for their spring edition to be on display at London Book Fair!!

I've also done some rewriting on a story. Work is currently been held up by the antics of a kitten who is demanding I throw a rolled up piece of paper for him, as bored kittens find their own mischief. He's such a character he's bound to turn up in one of my books before long.

Top of the charts!

I've been trying to hit the top of the chart on the independant authors book chart, and this month I've done it in style - with all my books - numbers 1,2 & 3
http://www.independentauthors.co.uk/

A successful book launch!

I had a very successful book launch at Borders in York yesterday. I sold my first book within ten minutes of starting, and went on to sell:
25 Lost in the Christmas Post (15 to customers + 10 copies to Borders for their stock).
7 Doodle Mayhem
11 The Monster Under The Bed

The success of the day wasn’t only in the sales figures though; it was lovely to talk to so many people who are interested in my books, and it’s always good to hear from people who have already bought and enjoyed my first two books.
It was a long day; I was there from 11am till 5pm, but far too good an opportunity to cut short, especially on such a busy weekend, being half term. And the time passed surprisingly quickly, though I’ll admit I did nip up to the top floor to the coffee shop half way through.

Nearly there...

• I sent out my press releases last week, by email and post.
• I've added my book launch to a list of local events on the press website.
• I emailed an update to Writers' News, who have contacted me for more info for a feature.
• I've made posters, bookmarks and postcards on my computer to advertise my book.

So now I'm nearly ready for the launch, then it'll be straight into Christmas fair season:

27th Nov. Knavesmire Christmas shopping event - Knavesmnire primary school, York

12th Dec. Scarcroft primary school, York

More will be added as I get confirmation.

Legal deposit

I've posted a free copy of my book to the British Library Legal Deposit Office. this is a legal requirement for all books published in the UK.

It's certainly easy to give books away - I have sold one though! and others are at outlets on sale or return. I'm working on marketing now: press releases, magazine articles, posters and bookmarks to hand out at the book launch on the 25th Oct. Bookings are coming in for Christmas events for book signings, mostly at school fairs.

Sales of my other two books are plodding along nicely, and new stories are bubbling away in my head waiting for me to have time to write them - that's the down side of doing everything myself - it eats into writing time.

Released on the world

Yesterday I released the first batch of Lost in the Christmas Post out into the world, some to family and friends, and some on sale or return to one of my outlets.

Published TODAY!

The waiting is over, I've just been to pick up my new books from the printer
http://www.yps-publishing.co.uk/ I'm delighted with the books. YPS have delivered a friendly and professional service and I look forward to working with them again. But for now I'm just enjoying the moment - one of those BIG GRIN MOMENTS that make everything worth while.

spreading the news...

Lost in the Chrismas Post is already advertised on amazon, and I've now uploaded a book cover image and synopsis, so hopefully they will appear within a few days.

Waiting time...

While my books are being printed I find myself with lots of bits and pieces to be getting on with. I need to write a press release, get some templates made for all the orders that'll be coming in for my new books (did I mention I'm an eternal optimist?) and seek out every way possible to publicise my new book.
As well as... keeping my other two books moving along.
I posted out another 10 copies of each to one of my outlets yesterday http://www.independentauthors.co.uk/ If anyone reading this has published a book and wants an outlet, Gary at independent authors is very good at keeping sales moving along throughout the year. What I need is more outlets, so that I can concentrate on writing

Book launch

I've now signed off my proof copy and ordered 200 copies from the printer. I've organised a book launch at Borders York for Saturday 25th October where I'll be signing books.

Proof copy

I now have my proof copy of Lost in the Christmas Post and it's aleady listed on amazon as a September publication - this happens automatically through the Neilson registration system.
The proof copy looks great - so exciting to hold the book in my hands after all the hard work getting it to this stage. Now I have to check thoroughly to make sure no mistakes have slipped through, then sign it off and have the first print run done.
Next step is marketing, I've got some busy months ahead!

Book cover file

I've been doing more work on my cover file this week. This was the part which caused me problems last time too, but with some help and advice I think it's right now.
Next stage - proof copy! I'm nearly there.

Lost in a Book

Lost in a Book - that's my publishing name, newly registered with Nielsen's. I have my block of 10 ISBN's which is the minimum number that can be purchased.
My first book with Lost in a Book will be:



Lost in the Christmas Post due to be published in September 2008. The book is ready to go to the printers...

yes!!

Yes I think I've found a publishing name that nobody else has thought of, I'll announce it once it's registered. I've made a start on filling in my ISBN application form and Nielsen's bookdata information form.
My cover is designed but not formatted yet.

A busy week

I've spent this week formatting my book and doing final checks. I've done my cover design, but still need to write the blurb for the back cover.
As I'm applying for my own ISBN this time I now need to think of a suitable publishing name, easy you might think, but so many are already taken...

A first

Well the fair didn't see many sales on Sunday, but some seemed interested in buying in the future, so hopefully they will look at my books next time they're in York's branch of Borders - where they have signed copies in stock.

I did sell a book to a lady who will be sending it to Australia for her Grandchildren. So that's the first 'The Monster under the Bed' in Australia!

And a bit closer to home - I talked to some printers in York today, and it looks like my next book will be printed in my home town - which will be great!

On a mission

I've been on a mission this week to get all my illustration finished for my next book. They're all done now, and I'm part of the way through formatting, my aim is to have my book ready to print ready PDF stage before the end of the school term.

I'm still not sure whether to buy my own ISBN or go through a self publishing company. I plan to get some quotes next week for printing.

Today I was in York supplying more 'The Monster Under The Bed' books to one of my outlets as they'd nearly run out!

Summer fairs 2008

I've got some summer fairs coming up where I'll be doing book signings:

5th July 12 - 2pm - Knavesmire Primary school summer fair (York)

13th July 2-4pm - Sunday fun day summer fair. - Duriston Drive sports field Stressal (near York)

2nd August from noon - Esrick pre-school playgroup 40th Birthday party celebration. (near York)

It's getting there

The illustrations are coming on well and I'm busy formatting, once that's done I'll know exactly how many pages my book will have so that I can get some print quotes.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Well my story is done and I'm working on illustrations. Looking into current publishing and printing opptions, it's looking like I'll register my own ISBN this time rather than going through one of the many self-publish companies out there.
As it's a Christmas story I'll have to get it published by the autumn or I'll miss the season. - What this space.

Plodding along

I've been bogged down in editing and rewrites for the last few weeks, but hopefully I'll soon see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Website

I've just added a shopping cart to my website, so if anyone would like a personalised, signed, first edition copy of my either of my books, please visit:

http://www.anne-m-stephenson.com

Book event

It was a quiet day on Friday, but I did sell a few books and though the profit was small, I made some good contacts, and it's all good advertising.

Book signing

Tomorrow I've got my first book signing of the year at The Merchant Adventurers Hall, York. It's part of the 'More than a Mum' event. If you're in York tomorrow come down and say hi. I've got to go and pack some books in a bag now, that's the hardest part, I never know how many to take, so usually take as many as I can manage - just in case.

My new website

I've at last managed to set up a website - well actually I was given a really simlpe one for my birthday. It's a work in progress, but I've made a start:
http://www.anne-m-stephenson.com/

Art

I've found the Easter holidays an ideal time for doing art! It's a fun activicty to share in school holidays, as well as getting expert help from my 'arty' daughter.

On a more technical front, I got a website for my birthday this week! So as soon as I've got someting put together on that, I'll add a link to my blog and share it with the world!

I've done a bit of work on a short story for a competition, after getting a story shortlisted last year I'm determined to try for an actual win this year.

Gone for a critique

I've posted my ms off to Cornerstones for a 'general report', and made a good start on the art work. Not specific illustrations yet, but just getting faces right on new characters.

Sales of my books are still plodding along, and I've got a stall booked to do a book signing at the Merchant Adventurers Hall in York on 18th April, as part of the 'More than a Mum' event.

World Book Day

To cellebrate World Book Day, I resisted the temptation to use it as an excuse to sit down and read a book (though I'm sure I'll fit that in before the end of the day), and used the day to do something possitive towards getting my next book published. To that end, it's now ready to go for a critique, and I've sent an email to Cornerstones, as they helped me so much with Doodle Mayhem.

Next I'll get started on the illustrations...

Going well

Work on my book went well today, I've been rewriting the first chapter. It can be a bit tricky working on a follow-up book, there is a need to show a bit of background to the characters and story so far, without over doing it.

Down to work

Well I spent the first half of February on an awesome holiday in Canada, and now I'm back and clean out of excuses, I need to get on with my book. Plus I was in town (York) yesterday and when I called into Borders to see how my books were getting on, I was very excited to see The Monster Under The Bed on a special display with a 'signed copy' sticker on it.

On with the next book

OK so thinking that a 1,000 word short story was going to take a month was a little overly self-indulgent. I made lots of notes (some of which will be used at a future date), made two false starts on the computer; then decided enough was enough. I took my notes and sent myself to the computer, where I spent the morning writing from the heart, after which I had my story. I printed it off and made corrections (which were strangely invisible on the screen, but obvious on paper). Yesterday I printed off my final entry, as well as a new entry form - (one of my cats had kindly signed the first one with a muddy pawprint), and posted it.

Now I'm working on my second doodle book, the story is written, but needs a little tweaking, and the illustrations need doing.

January

With Christmas over along with the pressure of trying to sell books at as many fairs and outlets as possible, it's been quite nice to get back to writing something new, with pen and paper. I've been working on a short story for a competition. It's a cat story, and my only problem is where to start. So I've made lots of notes about the antics of my feline friends, and now have to start funnelling some of it into a 1000 word story.

My deadline is the end of January, which will give me a month out on something completely different, before I get on with illustrating and preparing my next book for publication.

A target reached

I heard from one of my outlets yesterday, they'd sold 2 more Doodle books and helped me to reach my target of selling 100 Doodle Mayhem books before Christmas. I also sold 41 Moster books in the same three and a half month period.

December sales:
Doodle Mayhem 25
The Monster Under the Bed 18