For the past several days I've been in pre-conference high gear. This is where I have to put on my publicity and marketing hats. I've been creating postcards detailing the two new books on one side and my blog and general info on the other; revising business cards; creating bookmarks; printing, printing and printing. Yesterday I spent two hours at Kinkos waiting on what should have been a fifteen-twenty minute job (It's that way at Office Max, I've learned my lesson.) and ended up paying nearly twice what I would at. . . yes, Office Max. Will I ever learn? I created "Booksigning Today" posters (for those who want to know, 11" x 17" and 5"x7") for each book to use at events, book cover flats (8 1/2 x 11 and 5x7), etc. These are created, printed, and then laminated. The bookstores usually use them around the store and on the doors on the day of the signings, and I can use them at events such as conferences and speaking engagements. I think I had about 12 in all. Then I had to hit Office Depot and Office Max, for you know they don't carry exactly the same things, and finished up the buys. I needed stands for the books, for the placards, and a few other things. At Office Max I found these really cool $40 book bag style carriers on rollers by Lucas marked down to clearance for $10. Found a few other "necessary" items. Yes, writers suffer from office supply addiction, and I admit I am an office supply junky.
This afternoon I've been printing business cards for the last hour or so, and all this in between trying to take care of those life-essential things such as paying the mortgage and bills, overnighting my signed insurance papers and the first month's payment (Would believe it's $550 a month for me to continue my health and dental?), and buying that ever-necessary bag of candy to have at the booksellar and booksigning tables. The book sales slips are done, the books are ready to pack, the promo material is nearly done, most of the last-minute duties are finished, and then I can get on to the real job: packing the real stuff such as clothes, etc..
But don't worry. I have been working up posts to appear this week--hope to have the beginnings of an interview with a young writer-blogger--and will be talking of a new feature that I will be doing that will appear here and at Blogcritics.org.
Gotta go now, but stay tuned. I have more to tell you.
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