I’m back, mostly. Exhausted? Very. Writing much? Not a word. I know, I bet some of you thought I was off writing the really really bad thing I mentioned a couple of weeks ago but you know life sometimes gets in the way of what we want to do. Actually I realized I had a major problem with the pivotal scene because there would have to be some legal ramifications dealt with in the book and it wasn’t where I wanted the focus to go. Plus I realized it would probably remove the mom from the story which wasn’t what I wanted to do. But then, in that way that plots do, it all turned on me and it might work after all but I need to talk to a cop and a lawyer to find out what would happen in that particular situation. Is all that about as clear as mud?
I’ve been so busy that there’s not been a lot of time to think about writing. The end of the fiscal year at work meant tons of long days and lots of working with numbers (and you know how much I don’t love numbers.) My husband who never travels for work is now bouncing all over the globe for a week gone, a few days home, then gone again. He just got back from Sydney and left this morning for France. I think it’s Singapore after that. Because he doesn’t usually travel things have gone all topsy turvy around the house.
Then there’s still the publicity stuff which is really a full time job that I can’t work on full time because I already have a full time job. All the brochures and flyers are printed. I’ve almost finished sanitizing the mailing list. My focus was to hit California hard because I figure I need to make a name for myself in my own backyard. I’ve figured out who gets what in their envelopes. Schools that are within an easy driving distance from me get the full packet including my brochure. Bookstores get the Oliver announcement postcard. Ditto the libraries. Schools not within driving distance will probably get the promo stuff plus the traveling Oliver flyer. But wait, there’s more. I got my copies of my new book from Millbrook, Robert Smalls Sails to Freedom which meant that I had to quickly design a new postcard, order it, then go back and refigure who needs to get both postcards. Then I had to factor in new places to send to since the book takes place in South Carolina and Robert Smalls who started life as a slave went on to become a congressman for South Carolina. So back to the mailing list to build up the south and Civil War angles and oh, Black History month. The result is that I am about to start stuffing close to 2,000 envelopes and will send out about 1,000 postcards on their own. It’s exciting having two books come out so close together but it’s a lot of work too. Robert Smalls is out officially in January though it looks like Amazon says they are shipping now. I know the first batch of books have gone out for review and now we’re at the waiting process again. Felicia Marshall, whom I believe lives in Texas, did all the illustrations and I just love them.
Cynthia Leitich Smith posted an interview with me and the illustrator for Oliver’s Must-Do List. I have to say that being interviewed is much harder than it might look. I love the way interview questions really make you think about the process.
Haemi Balgassi sent me a big batch of love when she blogged about reading Oliver with her daughter Lousia and then the divine Miss Princess Hello Kitty blogged about Oliver herself which gave me a wonderful warm fuzzy when I needed it most.
I’m off to start printing mailing labels but in-between I’ll try to catch up on everyone’s life for the last couple of weeks.
Hope the mega-mailing brings in lots of gigs!
Thanks. People are starting to make contact with me from it, so that’s good at least.
Hope the mega-mailing brings in lots of gigs!
I’m exhausted just reading your post. You’re amazing.
I’m exhausted just reading your post. You’re amazing.
I’m just back myself, only I was actually away on vacation, and it sounds like you’ve been wearing yourself ragged on book promotion. I hope it pans out well for you, and congrats on Robert Smalls — sounds like a terrific story!
Thanks, Kelly. It’s hard to come back, isn’t it? Habits… I am such a creature of habits and most of them not good for me.
Nice to see you again! And ooo, I like that cover. It’s intriguing.
Thanks, Dot. I hope teachers and librarians will also be intrigued.
Nice to see you again! And ooo, I like that cover. It’s intriguing.
Susan,
The book cover is striking.
Congrats!
Wish Louisa and I could help you stuff those envelopes :o)
Me too!
Susan,
The book cover is striking.
Congrats!
Wish Louisa and I could help you stuff those envelopes :o)
Me too!
Wow, Susan.
Wow to all of it.
And I too feel tired just reading what you’ve been up to and what there is left to do.
If I lived closer, I would help you stuff envelopes.
*sends you a virtual pair of helping hands*
Yeah. That’s me. I’m a giver.
Hey thanks….I like virtual help too. I don’t feel so lonely then.
It’s fascinating to hear about your post-publication work, and your decisions on how to publicize your books. Thanks for sharing.
Your very welcome. I love to share anything I’ve learned along the way.
It’s fascinating to hear about your post-publication work, and your decisions on how to publicize your books. Thanks for sharing.
Your very welcome. I love to share anything I’ve learned along the way.
Congratulations!! It looks great!
Congratulations!! It looks great!
Wow. Busy lady. Nice cover, btw.
so happy for all your success
so happy for all your success
I love new covers! Yours looks great!! 🙂
thanks. The new covers make everything so real, don’t they?
You and I MUST get together soon for a long coffee and talk about books! 🙂 Emailing you now! 🙂
You and I MUST get together soon for a long coffee and talk about books! 🙂 Emailing you now! 🙂
I’ll tell you!
I’ve got a new little blog that’s actually devoted entirely to force-feeding people great books.
xoLaurelSnyder (a new blog-reader)
http://kidliterary.blogspot.com/
I’ll tell you!
I’ve got a new little blog that’s actually devoted entirely to force-feeding people great books.
xoLaurelSnyder (a new blog-reader)
http://kidliterary.blogspot.com/
Oh, Susan, you’re so wonderful. And it’s good to “hear” from you on your blog–looking forward the update on what you’re doing!
Oh, Susan, you’re so wonderful. And it’s good to “hear” from you on your blog–looking forward the update on what you’re doing!