Since this is my first book endeavor, I have no idea how to measure its success. I had big dreams of instant fame; rising to the NY Times Best Seller list, finding my book among Oprah’s favorite Things, receiving calls from screenwriters, directors and producers begging to turn Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke into a major motion picture, and the granddaddy of them all, being notified that my historical fiction novel has been nominated and chosen as a Pulitzer Prize winner! A girl can dream, right?
Unfortunately, that is not the way it works for most unknown, first-time writers. Being self-published, I have had to undertake the book sales, marketing and promotions pretty much solo. However, I have been blessed with finding the BEST people to support and assist me. I’m thankful that I stumbled upon my Indie publisher, Rick Lite, of Stress-free Publishers. He was an enormous help turning my manuscript into book form, placing it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other digital sites, coordinating with Ingram Sparks to produce on-demand paperback and hardcover books for me to buy and sell, and guiding me on social media and website promotion. He was fast, efficient and strangely calm and patient. He’s like the Jimmy Buffett of the Indie Publishing world– I highly recommend him.
I also met Dave Barrett from the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton. He gave me my first break by inviting me to attend his Irish Festival, just three days in advance, and without having read my book. As chance would have it, a prestigious writer dropped out, and I filled in! This was a launching pad to a succession of Irish Festivals including the invitation to the enormous Milwaukee Irish Festival. Dave’s belief in my book only increased after reading it–he has helped me with promotional events, introductions to Irish organizations—and most importantly of all, helping me create an excellent power point presentation for my author talks. I am thankful for this serendipitous partnership. My last words of gratitude go to my husband Mike who has been supportive of me every step of the way. He is my “silent” partner who is a business genius and a technology guru! Thank goodness for that. I’d be in the dark without him.
As I said, it has been a slow, steady uphill climb for my book since the launch in June.
Here are the highlights of my book promotional tour:
June 2016
Irish Festival—Irish Cultural Centre of New England, Canton, MA
Books are in Andover bookstore and Helen Thomas, Simply Smashing
Book Launch– Andover Village
Press Kit
Irish Central Article
Andover Townsman article .
July 2016
Newbury Public Library, author talk
Boston Irish Reporter article
August 2016
Milwaukee Irish Festival
NPR interview
September 2016
South Shore Irish Festival
Emma Andrews library, Newburyport
Books are in Spirit of 76 Bookstore in Marblehead
Books are in The Book Rack in Newburyport
West Springfield public library
October 2016
Dorchester Irish Festival
Tilton School, Tilton NH author Talk
Boston Book Fair, Copley Square
Writer’s Coffee House, NE
November 2016
Andover Bookstore author talk
UMass Lowell Center for Irish Partnership
League of Women Voters reading, Shawsheen School
Irish Cultural Centre of New England, Author talk
WROL Interview link
December 2016
Book Signing, Helen Thomas
Memorial Hall Library author talk, Andover
The Irish Ancestry Research Association author talk, Brandeis University
My best Christmas gift of all was a warm, encouraging note from famed documentarian Ken Burns! I am very proud of my book’s small achievements, In part two of my blog, I’ll talk about the exciting upcoming events for 2017 and my aspirations for the new year!
Ellen