Copy received loud and clear!
With the second book submitted, the proof copy arrived a lot quicker this time. I’d thought that as it was quite on top of Christmas, it might take a few days longer. I can only imagine the pressure of Amazon workers at this time of year.
So, I was quite surprised when it arrived as quickly as it did…. Randomly delivered to my neighbours who luckily got to it before their dogs ate it for breakfast, but at least it wasn’t the doorstep drop!
I opened it with the same level of nervousness, excitement and slight dread as before….. what if after all that virtual fighting I had not managed to sort the cover image out? But I shouldn’t have been so worried, the cover looks great. Bright and happy [can a book cover look happy? This one does!]
Now as we were on top of Christmas and I know first-hand the stress and pressure of parents at this time, I did a very quiet launch. I just posted it on my Facebook page and on Instagram and decided to make more of a ‘Tada!’ in the New Year.
This was for several reasons. The aforementioned parental pressure of the festive frenzy and also because my household has been rudely struck by a number of winter germs. I may write and illustrate but first and foremost, I am a mum and a human being. So cold and flu remedies, tissues, hot chocolate and a couple of doctor trips took priority. I put my enthusiasm about the book on hold until we could all breath without green bubbles and spluttering!
In one of my [many] sleepless nights, I realised that one thing I had not done was to create a ‘series link’ on Amazon.
This quickly shows the viewer any other books in the series that they may also like. Obviously, it also shows that it IS part of a series, not just a stand-alone book which can entice people to follow you and be notified when there is a new addition to the series.
I also had the option to place the books in reading order if that is relevant to your work. It’s not for the A Dog Called Bear series, they can be read in any order but for some books, this would be great.
Simple and straightforward, just how we like it when poking around the internet, all at the touch of a button. So that is done and as I create more books, they will also be added to the series.
Now that the second book is out and I have plenty of work to do getting the third book ready, my thoughts turn to promotion…..
Promotion and More
I need to think about promotional aspects. I have the postcards and bookmarks which I happily hand out wherever I go but I need to do more! I need to get my promo head on and start shouting from the rooftops, any ideas are more than welcome! If you have travelled this path and have some tips, please do share them!
In mid-January, I am due to go into a school and read the first book to reception children and year 1. I am very excited [and a tad nervous] about doing this. I want the children to have the best experience, to enjoy the reading and to love the book. Most of all, if I can encourage one child to develop a love of books, to be a tiny part of their journey to open the door to their imagination, I will be a very happy person indeed!
The World of Why Not?
Not all children find the wonder of books on their own. Some need a little encouragement. How incredible is it to have the opportunity to be one of those people who opens that door and says, ‘It’s a beautiful world, step inside’.
As a child, I grew up a world of no mobile phones, no internet [yes, I am that old!] and we walked everywhere. My best friends were stick and mud! My imagination was the key to everything from giving voices to the animals and insects to pretending that I had magic in my fingertips!
Encouraging that in all children is, to me, an incredible thing. I always promised myself that I wouldn’t lose that world where everything is possible. Even as an adult bogged down by bills, daily routines and [sometimes] harsh reality. Never lose sight of that child inside, it needs you!
To help every child to understand that their ideas are amazing, that the world around them is full of wonder is a reward that nothing else can give you.
I’m expecting questions about Bear, where is he, is he at home and so on. Having spoken to the teacher who has arranged this, the best way to deal with this is honesty. Some children will, sadly and tragically, have experienced the loss of a loved one. Whether human or animal, they are still and always will be, loved ones. Explaining in simple terms that Bear got very, very poorly and went to rest in Heaven is how I will tackle this. These books are a way of remembering him and sharing his majesty with everyone. I just hope that I can hold it together when those questions come!
I will of course take the postcards along so that the classes can take one home in their bookbags. If the children are engaged, then taking a postcard home to tell their parents about the book and will continue the lesson. The bookmarks will be handed out too. If they encourage a child to pick up a book, any book and open that door to their imaginations a little further, they will have achieved their purpose.
Until then, I’m creating the illustrations for the third book in the series and also working on something else a little different too……..
And if you have any tips about promoting the books, I’d be happy to hear from you 😊