Patricia Stoltey

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Getting Serious About Promotion

August 28, 2009 By: Patricia

It was so gorgeous yesterday in my part of Northern Colorado that I set a lawn chair in the shade of my grape vine and ate my yogurt/blueberry/granola lunch outside. Chilled a bit. Still couldn’t go back inside, so I grabbed my book and read out there for thirty whole minutes.

Okay, enough of that “feel good” nonsense for now. Time to get back to work.

I’m finally getting around to setting up local book signings, and look what fell right into my lap. Our public library district is going to sponsor a “Writers’ Block” at the end of September during which local authors and anyone else from the district can participate as we write a community creative story on the sidewalk all around the library block (yep, a whole block, all the way around). In addition, authors can set up a table or booth to talk books, sell books, sign books, pass out freebies, whatever.

I’ve already told you about the two-day Holiday Market right after Thanksgiving that now features an Author’s Nook. I’m expecting to hear back on my application within the week.

And on top of that, check this out. My town has a love affair going with 10-foot-tall rearing horse statues (a smaller version of the giant scary blue one at the Denver airport). One of those horses will be covered with quilt squares created by local authors and artists and will stand outside our Senior Center. Clever, huh?

As authors, it’s important to make sure we’re on the mailing lists of libraries, city recreation departments, writers’ organizations, and bookstores in the area where we live so we don’t miss any of the great opportunities to participate in writerly events such as these.

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Comments

  1. Julee says

    August 30, 2009 at 11:50 am

    Whoa – you’re in Northern Colorado? Awesome! I lived in (and loved) the Greeley area for 8 years, and would LOVE to move back! Good luck with your upcoming promotion, and thanks for stopping by my blog as well!

  2. The Old Silly says

    August 28, 2009 at 6:08 pm

    Good post and that last paragraph said it all SO true.

    Marvin D Wilson

  3. Patricia Stoltey says

    August 28, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    Yes, Galen, it wears me out. And I’m a whole two years older than the last time I did this. I was thinking today that it’s a great ride, but even the planning makes me want to take a nap.

  4. Galen Kindley--Author says

    August 28, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    Well, good for you, Patricia. Sounds like you’re running on all promotional cylinders. Does it wear you out? I’d love to hear a report about how these went and if the outcome, or the event itself was what you anticipated and if it went as you hoped.

    Best Regards, Galen
    Imagineering Fiction Blog

  5. Patricia Stoltey says

    August 28, 2009 at 8:12 am

    This is a great subject to write about because the opportunities vary so much from town to town. If something like this isn’t going on where you live, it might be a good time to get involved in one of these groups and plant some seeds. I am very fortunate to live in Northern Colorado. They treat local artists, and up-and-coming musical groups, and now writers, very well. There are other great events all over the state, and the Wyoming Book Festival as well. I can’t do everything, but everything I do is great fun.

    Karen, if you plan to write more books, the process shouldn’t really stop. By getting involved in some activity related to writing and books, you’ll find more and more comes your way, just because folks know who you are.

  6. Karen Walker says

    August 28, 2009 at 7:37 am

    Patricia, thanks for writing about this. I was just beginning to think my promoting days are nearing an end. I’m having a hard time energizing myself, but you inspire me.
    Karen

  7. Terry Odell says

    August 28, 2009 at 7:10 am

    Looks like you’ve found a great part of the country to live in. Enjoy! And I admire the way you go out and find these things. I tend to spend too much time sequestered at my computer. Sometimes I wonder if I’d have finished my first book if I realized that nobody would come to my door asking if I just happened to have a manuscript for sale.

  8. Stacy S. Jensen says

    August 28, 2009 at 6:43 am

    Our library is very supportive of authors, who want to share their work and sell books. The Writers Block event is a great idea. Sounds like time for a copy event.

  9. Helen Ginger says

    August 28, 2009 at 6:36 am

    Really good advice. And I love that all these opportunities are coming your way. They’re not only good selling opportunities, but great ways to get your name into readers’ minds.

    Helen
    Straight From Hel

  10. alexisgrant says

    August 28, 2009 at 6:19 am

    Love hearing about this part of the process, since it’s next (well, down the road a bit) for me!

  11. Jennifer Shirk says

    August 28, 2009 at 5:39 am

    My library has been GREAT in helping me with promotion, too. 🙂

  12. Elizabeth Spann Craig says

    August 28, 2009 at 4:35 am

    Hope you enjoy your event! It sounds like fun.

    You’re right about getting on the mailing lists of these places. Somehow I’m not, and I’m not sure why.

    Elizabeth
    Mystery Writing is Murder

Meet Patricia

I read, I write, I blog, and sometimes I do the laundry and cook. My 2014 novel, Dead Wrong, was a finalist in the thriller category of the 2015 Colorado Book Awards. Wishing Caswell Dead (Five Star/Cengage, December 20, 2017) is a historical mystery set in 1830s Illinois in the fictitious Village of Sangamon. The novel was a finalist for the 2018 Colorado Book Awards for General Fiction. Read More…

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