Best Monday Ever: SCBWI Scrivener Workshop
Guess who got to geek out on Scrivener? I don't know what it says about my week that leading a workshop in the basement of my local library was the highlight. But it so was. It helps that I love love love Scrivener. I know I left my beloved for a while, but ultimately I couldn't do without. So when the call went out on the SCBWI listserve for help with Scrivener, I was quick to say, "Me me me! I can help!" Very soon the regional organizer emailed me to see if I'd lead a workshop. Sure! A few weeks later I had my trusty MacBook Pro and a projector all hooked up in the basement of the KDL Plainfield Branch library.
I should say, I had it hooked up thanks to my new SCBWI bff, Dave Stricklen who was beyond amazing. He did all the organization, setting up, PR. Seriously, they should pay this guy.
Anyway, after a tense few moments fearing no one would show (or too many would), and some awkward jokes about mullets, I hit my groove. The cozy audience was engaging and engaged, had great questions, politely laughed at my lame jokes, and (I hope anyway) learned a little something about my perfect wonderful awesome writing love, Scrivener.
Which has kinda inspired me to write a series of Scrivener tutorials. I really hope I do. Though my kids have to quit vomiting first. Because after the release of Monday's event, we were greeted by puke and power outage on Tuesday, and yet more puke on Wednesday, and a great chunky pink puddle of puke today.
The writing life, the mama's life. It's awesome!
My next release, Violet and the Woof, coming October 9th, 2018, has an official cover! And here it is:
I first "met" Karlin when she asked to do an author interview on the release of my first book, Halloween Good Night. Of course I had to follow suit (i.e., steal her excellent idea!) to celebrate the release of her second book, An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth.
It's 2018, the end of January when most New Year's Resolutions are fading into oblivion (it's amazing how busy the gym is in January, and by November it's a wasteland). Why not add a little something new?
What's that?
How *I* promoted my first book, which may not be how you (or anyone else) would promote anything, but just in case you're an author with a book releases looming and you're thinking, "What the heck do I do?" you can glean inspiration from me.
Saturday marked another release event for my first book, Halloween Good Night, and once again, we had amazing fun. Schuler Books in Grand Rapids set up everything from tables with crafts to treat bags to a cup of water for the visiting author (what, for me?!?).
Way back in July I was arranging events to welcome Halloween Good Night into the world, but it didn't occur to me then that all the great plans I made meant I'd actually have to do things and go places. At 32 weeks pregnant, as a homeschooling mama of five already, this doing and going get complicated.
My first book release included another first: the first piece of fan art I've received! After the reading and food and crafts, one sweet girl came to get her book signed, and to show me the ADORABLE picture she'd colored and decorated (one of the coloring pages available here). She agreed to allow me to share it (her mom, too), so here it is!
I did a lot of googling, considering, wondering before I decided to make postcards to go along with my first book's release. I needed to think about time it would take to design, expense to print, ultimate usefulness. Ultimately I decided in favor of postcards, and I'm glad I did. Below discover why!
The release party for my first book happened just over a week ago now, and it was crazy! Crazy busy, crazy fun, crazy full of awesome people. A week (and a bit) later, I'm still glowing.