How to get a book signing; How YOU can pull in traffic.

    How can you pull in traffic?

    Before pitching a product--or book--to anyone, you need to prove they will benefit from carrying your merchandise.
    I know about this because I used to have a sewing business.  Three years ago it was the fifth largest custom clothing business in the world--isn't that a mouth-full!  But I got there by working hard, being unique and pulling in traffic.  And I found, that's how I got into Barnes and Noble.

    Here are some of my sets from way back when--before I quit sewing to pursue a writing career.

 

 

For now, let's get back to book signings.  My hands are cramping just looking at those pictures--sewing started killing my hands and I'm only twenty-nine!  Making seven to twenty-one outfits a week, well, that's bound to take its toll.
    Everyone has something special to offer, whether you're a writer who can deal a mean deck of cards at night, or a housewife who's a mathematician in training.  Somehow USE your gifts together.   I have a friend who can paint.  He went to different churches and while he talked about God, he'd paint a picture.  People never forget him.  Another friend reads her books to kids and then shows them card tricks.
    Now, before thinking about any of this, I asked for a signing at B & N five times!  They kept saying no.  Then it hit me--they had no reason to say yes.  I wouldn't pull in much traffic at that time.
    So, I set up speaking engagements at many places in the area--schools, groups of home schoolers, churches, adults dealing with loss, writing groups etc.  Anyway, if you follow this blog, you know I was terrified to even talk at an elementary assembly!  I brought my violin and it went so well I was shocked.  
    Here's the link to that video if you haven't seen it:

  EC Stilson Speaking

    After I talked at one place, I called a few bookstores and coffee shops AGAIN.  "I'm speaking at many places in the area.  It's going very well.  I'd love to pass out flyers and advertise if you'd giving me a signing at your store," I said.

    "Where are you speaking?"

    I told them about the University of Phoenix and various other places.  They double checked that my book was approved in their system and . . . yahoo, I got some signings.  I'd finally given them a reason to say yes!

    

    Tomorrow, I'd like to talk about being unique.  Now you know how to get a signing at a nice bookstore, let's talk about making that signing a success. 

How to get a book signing

    I just had my second book signing.  It was my first signing at Barnes and Noble.  I'm sooo excited to tell you, it was such a success that the manager said she'll have me back anytime.  She also gave me her personal number so I can use it as a reference.  One of the employees told me that I sold more copies in that store than any other local author he'd seen!
    So, after I got the book signing, messages started pouring in from other authors.  "How did you get a signing?"  "How did it go?"  "Do you have any advice for me?"
    I'm just starting my journey with all of this, but I'll share what I've discovered.  Here goes.

    Now you have a finished book.  It's been polished to perfection.  You've read it so many times you think your eyes might fall from your face.  All of the typos are gone and several other readers and editors agree that it's ready.  You have an amazing cover and are published, this is the time to think about signings.

#1
    The first step is to get your book into the store you'd like to sign at.  Many places have a customer service number.  Barnes and Noble as well as Costco associates can give you information about submitting your book for review.  It's much like submitting to a publisher. 
   If it's a smaller local place, you might consider making a visit and talking personally with the owner or manager of the bookstore/coffee shop.  Some places might want to buy copies or discuss consignment options.  If you're a very new author, they might talk to you about selling copies only during the signing.

BUT! Before you do all of this, you need to think about something. . . .
    What will motivate the bookstore to work with you?  How will they benefit if you do a signing at their store?  This is business.  If you're a published author, you need to think of yourself as a professional.  They want to make money and pull new customers in.  If you're like me--and not a big name--you'll have to do some extra work to attract those customers.

    I'll write more about this tomorrow.  But I wanted to get you thinking.  How could you personally pull in traffic?  Everyone has something special to offer.  What could make you stand out?  If you'd like to write a book or have written one, who is your primary audience? 

More on this tomorrow, and what I did to show the bookstores I could pull in traffic. . . 

For info about my signing schedule, please go HERE. 
 

Do you need a cover artist?

    Before I begin, let me first start off by giving Elisa a big huge fat THANK YOU, for letting me guest post (ramble) on her blog.
Seriously, it is so awesome be on here, so thanks girl!
    You guys may be wondering what I’m doing on here today.
Well, wait no longer! Let me indulge you.
    Today is the LAST DAY before you have to file your taxes (if you haven’t already).
    I hear some groans but hopefully, for most of you, this is going to be a good thing and you are going to get some cash back.
    Now, let me tell you how to spend it.
    Elisa has quite a large reach and audience of blog followers and I noticed that some of you are aspiring authors.
    As a person who does marketing for authors and is also a reviewer, I’m going to give you a few free tips.
    Let me pull out my soap box first….

     Ok, if you’re going to write a book and be successful, your very first line of defense is going to be about presentation.
     By that, I mean you NEED to have your book edited by more than just a friend.
     This is a MUST!
     Even if you are looking to get picked up by a publishing house, you need an edited piece of work that represents the best “you”.
You also need to set up a blog, get a facebook account, start interacting with other people out there to make your presence known.
     There are various things that you can do, but I’m not here to get into all that.
     Well, then what am I going on about?
     YOU NEED A WICKED AWESOME COVER!!!!!
     THIS IS A MUST!
     No, though it seems I’m yelling at you, I assure you I am not.
I’m just trying to express to you how terribly IMPORTANT it is to have a FANTASTIC cover.
     It’s your “best foot forward”, it’s how you are going to stand out, grab attention…DEMAND attention.
     Yeah, I know they say that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover but it sure as heck helps if you have a good one.
     I’ll be honest and say I am a cover coveter.
     That’s right, my name is Jenn and I lust after covers.
You can bet your left arm (let’s be honest, it’s not as good as the right one anyways) that if your cover grabs my eye, I’m gonna grab your book.
    In all honestly, there have been great books that I would’ve normally passed on because their covers did not intrigue me but someone came along and said I would have to read it.
     Word of mouth saved some but great covers saved way more.

     With that being said, let me now put on my pimp hat…..
 


What? Not the hat you were expecting?
Ok, here’s the other one….

Much better.

     Now, I’m here today to tell you about a FANTASTICAL and FANTABULOUS cover artist named Regina Wamba.
     THIS CHICK IS EPIC!!!!
     I could go on all day long about her, her covers, pictures, drawings and just how great of a person she is in general as well.
Which is why I am posting and she is not.
     She is modest and doesn’t brag, so I’m here to do that cause SHE ROCKS MY FACE OFF!!!!
     Seriously, take a look at some of these covers!















     And these are just a select FEW of some of the astounding work that Regina is capable of.
     THESE ARE SHOW STOPPERS.
     THESE will DEMAND attention.

     I know what you are thinking….what will it cost me?
     Don’t worry, no need to auction off kidneys here, Regina is super affordable.
     I’m not gonna lie though, she isn’t cheap and it’s with good reason.
     Her work is flawless, Regina works incredibly hard to make your vision a reality.
     Like most things in life, you get what you pay for and with covers, it’s the same.
     Only, got twenty five bucks to spend, good luck.
     Even, if you are not getting money back this year, you can claim it on this year’s taxes and recoup it next year!
     Regina is also constantly offering specials on her facebook account so you would do well to hit her up there!

     I’m  IMPLORING you to please consider it, save the money if you have too, if you are serious about your work, don’t you WANT the best?

     If you do, you need to hit Regina up because she is awesome and while I run the risk of sounding cheesy, her work is nothing short of majestic.

     Don’t need a cover?
     How about a little photo manipulation?
     Ever wanted to be air brushed?
     She’s EPIC with that as well.
     Wanna see?????


     The first time that I saw this picture, I was floored, speechless and in complete awe.
     This is a pic she took of her daughter and then “manipulated” it.
     Is this not the most gorgeous thing you have ever seen???
     Ever wondered how this type of work is done?
     Lucky you, I made Regina make a video! (time lapsed of course)

Seriously cool right?
Fine, don’t need a manipulation?
How about a web design? Banner? Blog Button?
Yep, she does those, too!
If after all this, you STILL aren’t impressed, then I can’t help you. (but thanks for hangin on)
However, if you ARE you can reach Regina at the following places:
https://www.facebook.com/reginawamba
https://www.facebook.com/MaeIDesignandPhotography
http://www.maeicreateart.com


As  you can tell, I HIGHLY recommend her whether it be for cover art, bookmarks, manipulations, or just general photography, you will not regret it!!!
So, thanks for letting me ramble on in probably the longest post ever and don’t forget to DEMAND ATTENTION!!!!!

Locked in the trunk of a car.

Dear Hearts and Gentle People,

I'm ever so sorry, but Elisa can't be here today. She's taking a little rest -- locked in the trunk of my car. 

You see, I reviewed her book, The Golden Sky, and I wrote a little poem for her. But my blog is private, so very few people were able to read about my unabashed admiration for Elisa. To get the review and the poem out to the world, for today, and today only, I've hijacked The Crazy Life of a Writing Mom. If by some miracle, you find you like me, you really like me, then please send an email to me at dumpedfirstwife@gmail.com to request an invitation to my blog, Janie Junebug's Journal. The first requirement for admittance is that you NOT be my lunatic ex-husband.

Now, that's enough about me. Let's get on with the show. Here's my review of The Golden Sky:

The Golden Sky by E. C. Stilson should be required reading for anyone who might be considering -- even remotely -- the possibility of having sex and getting pregnant. I wish it had been around for me to read when I was 17.

I take this stance because a major theme in this work of non-fiction is that life is not fair and life can be very difficult, and it takes hard work and maturity to get through those tough times.

This book is the journal that E. C. Stilson (Elisa) kept as a young woman. When she was 19 years old, Elisa and her husband Cade had a very young daughter, and Elisa was pregnant. Sadly, their son Zeke had medical problems that resulted in his death. For a time, Elisa and Cade were separated as each sought different methods of dealing with their agony.

It's raw and real. I felt I was with Elisa every step of the way. I must say that if I had been a friend of Elisa's during the time that Cade went off to join a band and smoke pot, I think I would have bitch slapped him but good. That's how strong my feelings were as I read.

I think the sweetest part of the book is when little daughter Ruby wants a helium balloon and then to Elisa's dismay, lets go of the balloon immediately after they leave the store. Ruby then explains in toddlerese that she is sending the balloon to Zeke because they don't have balloons in Heaven. God bless you, Ruby.

Just in case you don't know their story or are not a follower of The Crazy Life of a Writing Mom (Elisa's blog, which you should be following), I'm not going to tell you what happens between Elisa and Cade after they suffer this heartbreaking loss. Read the book so Elisa herself can tell you what happened. Although the death of a child is unimaginable, in the spirit of the poet as "namer" and "sayer," Elisa is able to put these events into words so we have a better idea, a better understanding, of death and bonding and estrangement.

The Golden Sky is a must read. You can purchase it at http://ecwrites.blogspot.com/p/golden-sky-my-journal-about-zeke_02.html. I bought my copies from amazon, where the book has earned five out of five stars.

And I urge you to buy multiple copies. I love to have extra copies of a good book around the house so when a birthday rolls around, I already have a gift. In this case, give The Golden Sky to all the teenagers you know who are old enough to have children, but most likely are not mature enough to deal with the difficulties and the setbacks that can occur. And then give the book to everyone else you know.

E. C. Stilson has also released a Young Adult fantasy entitled The Sword of Senack. I have my copy, and I'm sure I'll review it soon.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

Warning: Once you pick up The Golden Sky, you won't want to put it down.

And here's my poem for Elisa. Even though I wrote it, I get a little teary-eyed when I reread it.

Elisa

Elisa, if I could make a poem for you,

it would not be made of mere words.

The words would be colors floating around you,

even when the words were spoken.

The first color would be red,

as red as a Ruby.

The second color would be blue,

as blue as the Sky.

The third color would be green,

as green as an Elf.

The fourth color would be every color, 

as reflected in a crystal for Indiana Jones.

And every word, every line, every stanza,

would begin and end with your golden love for Zeke,

the boy who had to leave,

the boy who is as Peter Pan,

the boy who will never grow up.

And you, Elisa, you are Wendy,

the mother to lost boys.

Thanks for reading today. I'll let Elisa out of the trunk now. She'll be back tomorrow.

Today's My Signing at Barnes & Noble!!! Yahoo.

    Happy Friday the 13th.  I know I don't normally write on Friday, but today is a HUGE day for me.  I'm marking something off of my bucket list!
    If you're here to visit the lovely Fishducky, please click on this link:

A GENTLEMAN ALWAYS TIPS HIS HAIR TO A LADY

    I just had to tell you about my crazy luck.  
    When I decide to do something, I go all out.  I printed over a 1000 flyers to advertise my signings and vowed to pass them out at the schools I talked at AND bring them every place I could.  That probably raised the odds for strange things happening.
    The point is, this is my first big signing.  I felt like the Barnes and Noble manager took a risk on me since my book is so new and I want to show him that I can do this.  Maybe I won't sell a ton of books, but hopefully more people will come into the store from all of the advertising.  Plus, we're going to have a ball.  I can't wait to talk with the people who come in.  This is about life experience--making my life count--making Zeke's life memorable, even now.
    Well, back to the point, I went everywhere putting up flyers.  Now, if you don't remember, I've run into my ex-boyfriend a couple of times in the last year.  Every time I see him, I freak out and act like I don't remember him.  I know, it's messed up, but it's reflex--or something!
    I really don't know what my problem is.  Once I saw him.  He came up to me and I turned the other direction and walked away.  I need to act like an adult--for once, but I'm having issues instead.
   The last time this happened, I vowed to never do it again.  I'm a nice, social person.  What the Hell is wrong with me?  Next time, I'd be very nice, apologize for the other run-ins and wish him well.  I mean really, I couldn't even remember why I broke up with him.
    So, the other day I waited in my car for the manager of a gym to show up.  I read a few blogs, even if I couldn't comment.  It was still nice catching up.  Anyway, the manager walked inside and as I hurried to the front door--which had a mirror on it--the door opened and full-on hit me!
    I laugh at pain, and the last thing I wanted was for someone to feel bad for hitting me. Instantly I thought of something to say; I'd laugh and spout, 'Wow, they sure make these things hard' or 'that wasn't as bad as I've always imagined.'  Well, I was about to say that, when I looked up.  There stood my ex.  He'd just finished working out.  And he actually looked happy to have hit me!
    "You . . . YOU HIT ME WITH A DOOR!" I accused, not being fun like Pippi Longstocking, not at all.  What was his deal.  I broke his heart, so he wanted to break my face?!
    "Oh my gosh.  I am so sorry.  What are you doing here anyway?"
    So this was my fault?  Because I wanted to post flyers at the gym--that's why he hit me?
    "I'm advertising a book signing."
    He snatched a flyer from my hand--a whole flyer--that klepto!  "Elisa, how have you been do--"
    "Have a nice day!" I interrupted him and burst into the entrance.  He kept the flyer and I fumed.  Normally, I would have said "Elisa?" like I didn't know who that was, but my name was on the flyer--stupid luck!  That was the end of it.  I turned into a beast.  I'm one of the nicest people around and now I know why.  I take all of my pent-up rage and send it toward this poor man.
    "Why did you do that?" Jenn--the pimptrest from Indie Supporter asked.
    "Well . . ."  I thought about it and suddenly remembered why I broke up with the guy!  "Maybe there is a reason."
    "Spill it, Cupcake," she said because she always calls me names of food--since she's EPIC!
    "We sat at this really fancy diner.  He leaned over, grabbed my hand and smiled.  He said something like, 'I have the best time with you, Elisa.  You might not be the prettiest girl I've dated, but you sure are the funnest.'  I told him we needed to break up right after that and he kept asking, 'What did I do wrong?  What did I do?'  Some people are so clueless."
    "What a jerk.  Did you tell him he wasn't the smartest guy you ever dated, and he sure was the dumbest?  Next time you see that man, you should hit HIM with the door."
    I giggled because Jenn is so tough.  One day she's going to train me to be a ninja.  
    As far as the ex goes. . . The truth is, I need to be nice and figure out why I can't be an adult FOR TWO SECONDS.  I might get to rectify the situation soon.  After all, he did take that flyer.


    Oh and since many of you are just like family and you live thousands of miles away, is it silly that I wanted to show you the clothes I got for tonight?
    I normally look terrible, with my hair in a ponytail and makeup just on the one eye I had time to work on.  Well, I got my hair weaved yesterday (for the second time in my life) and now I have a new outfit!  This is all like a dream.  Honestly, I feel like the author, Cinderella, the one who doesn't even need a pumpkin!
    Here's what I'll be wearing tonight:

    Fishducky, we LOVE these masks you gave us.  I just keep them on the wall since the kids like to wear them and put them back where they can see them.  So fun!

 

    Anyway, For more info about my signing schedule, please go HERE.

I hope I'll get to see some of you local Utahns there!

A GENTLEMAN ALWAYS TIPS HIS HAIR TO A LADY

Here's the famous Fishducky!
Enjoy,
Elisa

    My ears were constantly popping—like when you’re on a plane, but I wasn’t on a plane—so I went to see an ENT.   He said my Eustachian tubes were blocked, cleaned them out & inserted some tubing to keep them open for a while.  He asked me if I smoked & I told him I did.  He said that he had another patient with the same condition.  The doctor said that it wasn’t a good idea, but that the guy won bar bets because of his ear problem.  You’ve heard the expression, “Blow it out your ear”?  Well, he--& I--could!  With our tubes, we just had to inhale some smoke, close our mouth, pinch our nose shut & blow.  Smoke would come out of our ears!  I only tried it once or twice—I HAD to show Bud (& myself) I could really do it.

My dad’s given name was Angel Kiewitsky.  He always went by the name Archie Keyes.  When I was starting college he decided to have it changed legally.  Off went our family to the courthouse.  As I recall, almost the entire conversation between the judge & my father went like this: Judge: “Your name is Angel Kiewitsky?”  AK: “Yes, Your Honor.”  Judge: “And you want it changed to Archie Keyes?”  AK: “Yes, sir.”  Judge: “I don’t blame you.  Granted.”

My son & my son-in-law are very good friends.  Some time ago, they were having a minor argument—more like a difference of opinion.  My son-in-law was going on & on when Blake interrupted him to ask, “I don’t understand.  What is your point?”  My son-in-law answered, “Exactly—I have NO point!”  I think that answer alone makes him eligible to be a member of our family.

Children Are So Literally Minded Dept: The Broadway musical “Beauty and the Beast” was playing in our city.  Our oldest granddaughter was about 4 or 5 at the time & I decided to take her to see it.  She had been to movies but never a stage show.  I wanted her to know what she was going to see.  I told her it would be a lot like a movie, with people singing & dancing.  I said the difference would be that the people were live & real & not on a screen.  I added that EVERYONE would be wearing makeup & costumes.  She was very excited, but also pensive.  She thought for a minute & then said, “I guess I could wear my costume from Halloween—I think it still fits.”

Do you remember the comedians, George Burns & Jack Benny?  They were very close friends.  One year on Benny’s birthday, Burns sent him a beautifully wrapped gift.  It was a turtleneck cashmere sweater.  The only thing that makes that interesting or amusing—it was being worn (yes, inside the box) by a live turtle!

 

We went to an upscale Beverly Hills restaurant to celebrate my son-in-law’s birthday.  An older gentleman (maybe 80-85) was having dinner with his wife.  He was wearing a visor & his thick salt & pepper hair, about 2” long, was sticking up behind the visor.  There was a party of 12 at the table next to him.  The people at the 2 tables were apparently chatting back & forth, because at one point the older man smiled at them, rose & tipped his visor to one of the ladies in a gentlemanly manner.  I couldn’t believe what I saw.  The hair, which was not his, but a part of the visor, came off!  It was part of a baseball cap, with the hair sewn on top so it would look realistic.  He then put it back on his shiny bald head.  With his hair intact, he sat down & resumed eating.  It’s a good thing I was drinking club soda & not red wine.  Everyone within spitting distance would have been wearing merlot.

See you next week----fishducky

Two hilarious side notes

Two funny things happened yesterday. 

Let me explain . . .

I know the last thing anyone wants to read, is about my boob problems--again.  But something happened.  No, I didn't get implants.  No, the miracle grow I've been stuffing in my bra didn't start working.  This crazy thing happened at the store.
    I went shopping at multiple places for a training bra--FOR MY DAUGHTER.  The first cashier asked if I was looking for myself--I didn't buy anything there.  She didn't mean it rude or anything (I hope).  It did make me giggle because when I got home and checked my blog stats, someone found my blog yesterday by searching "size A or boobs in training."  I'm not sure why this made me smile, but it did.  
    Maybe my boobs aren't really smaller than two mosquito bites.  Maybe they're just "in training."  After all, many people tell me that boobs either stretch like pancakes or magically grow with age.  This is gonna be great! I just know it.  Because I don't have an A minus any more.  Some google genius had it right all along--I'm still in training.

    So, since I'm putting everything out there, let me tell you about another thing that happened.  
     A man got VERY angry with me.  I had a bunch of groceries, and was so busy keeping the babies buckled, staying in line and putting my groceries on the conveyer, I failed to notice the man behind me or the fact that he only held one item.  "You should let me go first!" he accused, pointing at me.
   "Oh."  I stopped mid-smile and looked at him.  "Ummm.  Sure.  I guess.  It looks like you only have one item."
    "Yep.  You're a bright one, you are!"  He pushed past me and after the cashier frowned at Mr. Grump, she beamed in my direction as if she might save the moment.  "Elisa, your big book signing is this week.  Are you excited?"
    "Yeah.  Cade's even paying for me to have my hair done.  I'm getting it colored for the first time in years!  Plus, it'll be a break from the kids.  I don't even know if I'll sell anything, but as long as I get a huge coffee and a few hours of peace, it's gonna be golden!"
    She laughed.  "No joke.  That sounds great.  I hope you'll get a big turn-out."
    At this point The Grump turned to me.  "Signing?" he asked.
    The cashier piped in.  "Elisa's a local author.  You should read her book, The Golden Sky."
    I can't even tell you how funny this is to me, but the man's demeanor changed.  "An author?  Wow.  You know," he paused, "Maybe I should have let you go first.  Sure I only had one item, but you got those kids."  He scratched his chin before paying the cashier.  "A real author," he mumbled.  "When are you doing the signing?"
    "This Friday.  The thirteenth.  I'll be playing my violin and everything."  I winked and couldn't stop wondering if that cranky man would actually come to visit with me.  I bet he's hilarious when you get to know him.  Anyone who can turn on a dime, they're part shape-shifter and that's epic.


    Did anything out of the norm happen to you this week?  

For more info about my signing schedule, please go HERE. 
 

How to Get Out of Trouble

I spoke with Melynda at another school yesterday.  We're really falling into a great groove.  The kids don't seem to be getting bored at all.  We flow from one topic to the next and have the part with the violin planned well.  
    The kids loved it and one even stayed to talk with me afterward.     
    "You're pretty," he said.
    "How sweet.  Thank you."
    "You have nice clothes."
    "Ummm.  Thank you."
    "You have black pants."
    "Yes.  I do."
    "You have big eyes."
    "Well . . . maybe I do, compared to some."  What was this, Little Red Riding Hood?  
    I had no idea where the conversation was going until the kid stared at my socks.  "So, with how nice you look, why do you have two different socks on?"
    I looked down and yes indeed, I had on a green one and a plain white one.  I must have been in such a hurry, I just grabbed what was closest.  But that observant kid wouldn't understand something so mundane.  I had to think quick.  I had to get out of trouble!
    "The socks?" he asked again.  "Did you mean to do that?"
    I'm an adult.  I'm supposed to be this motivational speaker . . . author-person.  I couldn't tell the kid about what a goof I can be.  I suddenly thought of something and motioned for him to come closer.  "Some authors are eccentric," I said.  "That means they do funny things that no one else understands.  Can you keep a secret?"  He nodded.  "I'm just trying to fit in."  Light filled his eyes.  "Plus, that green sock is lucky and the other one like it has a huge hole.  It's hard to admit, but I threw it away last week.  The right one was the luckiest anyway, good thing that wasn't the one to go."
    He grinned.  "That's a great trick even if socks don't have a right or left."
    I raised a brow.  That kid was smart!  He reminded me of Vander in my book "The Sword of Senack."  
    "I had fun listening to you today.  Maybe I'll be a writer someday, too. . . . A writer with a lucky sock."
    "That would be awesome!" I chuckled.  "I bet you'd be amazing.  Good writers know how to pay attention to detail.  And you, well, you're the only person who seemed to notice my socks.  Even the adults didn't say anything!  Nicely done, young man.  Nicely done."
    He went to walk away and I felt so guilty I had to stop him.  Why do I always do this; you know, tell a fib and then have to come clean!  "Actually, I'm not trying to fit in with the sock thing.  I was just in such a hurry to get here, I grabbed the wrong sock."
    He laughed.  "I thought so.  It's a lot harder to fool kids than adults think."
    "But you won't tell the other kids?" I asked.  "Maybe they didn't notice.  I'm supposed to be some fancy author.  They don't want to hear about my sock problems."
   "I already told you, I know how to keep a secret."  He looked at my socks and whispered.  "They do look cool like that though.  If you keep doing that, you might start something.  If authors are as different as you say, you really will fit right in."
    "Maybe," I said.
    He nodded.  "I'm gonna try to come to your book signing on Friday. But only because you told the truth."
   "Yeah?"
    "Yep," he said.  "Most adults wouldn't have, but you did.  You're all right Ms. Hirsch."
    "Thanks," I said and I bet that kid had no idea how much he'd made my day.  Plus, I just learned how to get out of trouble.  All you have to do is tell the truth.

For more info about my signing schedule, please go HERE. 

Words Have Power

    Several years ago I pulled into the drive-thru at a local restaurant.  "W--w--ww---what w--w--w--would you l-l--like today?" the woman asked.  I'd heard the kids in front of me.  They'd made fun of her and it broke my heart.
    "I'd like an order of chicken noodle soup," I said because snow hung in the air.
    "Is--is--is  th--th-that all?" she asked.
    "It sure is.  I'm so excited for that soup.  It's the best reason to come here."
    She stuttered again and told me to pull up to the first window. 

    As I waited there, I tapped on the wheel and sang with the radio.  I did that a lot, but if someone saw me, I'd always act like I was talking on speaker phone or something professional like that.  There's just something crappy about being caught singing in the car.
    So, the woman came to the window.  I'd seen her a million times before.  She was always sweet and kind.  Her hair normally stayed in a ponytail like mine.  She hardly wore any makeup.  But this time, she'd done her makeup beautifully.  Her hair had this amazing glow to it that can't be bought.
   "You look gorgeous!" I said.  
   "R--r--really?" she asked, stuttering again.
   "Yes!" I said.  "Your hair.  Your makeup.  I wish I could do my makeup like that.  You're stunning."
    She talked to me for a while then.  She gave me my soup and we smiled and laughed.  It wasn't until I drove away, that I realized something.  After I told her how stunning she looked, she hadn't stuttered once!
    The whole story reminded me of school, how a positive attitude can often help children far more than a negative one.  People forget how powerful words are.  What you say can really affect someone.  It can build them up and prepare them for great things.  It can pull them down so low they won't want to continue on.
    I talked about this at the University of Phoenix because the class was filled with future teachers.  
    When I first wanted to be a writer--especially in college--a lot of people pulled me down.  They wanted to point out everything I did wrong. It wasn't until people told me what I did right, that I started to learn.  The bad habits began falling away because I wanted to perfect the good things.  
    I still have a lot to learn, but one thing I do know is that positive reinforcement can do wonders.  It can give people courage to pursue their dreams.  It can help others learn what they're doing right so they can avoid what they're doing wrong.  But most of all, it can give people hope.  Whenever I get negative feedback, I remember the kind things people have said--their generosity keeps me going.  I guess that's why I write, for the joy of being read because words have power.


Have you encouraged someone recently?

If you'd like more information about me or my books, please visit my author site: www.ecstilson.com

Bible Girl Will be here soon!

In 2011, The Golden Sky by EC Stilson became one of the hundred best-selling books about loss on Amazon! Wayman Publishing is now excited to announce the release of Bible Girl—the prequel to The Golden Sky. This is the amazing true story of a hilarious girl trying to find her way through the teen years. Bible Girl was just accepted into the Barnes & Noble catalog and will be .99 for a limited time HERE.


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Please join voiceBoks, Giveaway Promote, Good Steward Savers, Terri's Little Haven, and Linkie's Contest Linkies in promoting this wonderful book launch.

Please CLICK HERE Now to Join!

Do you like Celtic music?

A new review just went up for "The Sword of Senack." Here's that link: Live to Read

I'm living in a whirlwind of exciting, exhausting, never-before-dreamed-of moments. I now have five signings lined up for the next four weeks. If these go well, Cade and I have decided that we'll start traveling to other states for signings. Maybe I'll get to meet some of you!

So, the first of these signings is this Friday (from 6-9pm) at Barnes and Noble in Layton, Utah. I'm shocked AND delighted to tell you that Cade and I will be playing Celtic music in the store that night! How awesome is that?! I didn't even know they would allow live music.

And since that seemed like such a great idea, all of the other places are letting us play there as well--even The Read Cat Bookstore!

Tomorrow I'll tell you about my speech at the University of Phoenix, but today I thought it would be fun to show you our music if you haven't heard it before. This is how Cade and I made a living when we were homeless street musicians in Hawaii.



For more info about my signing schedule, please go HERE.

What to do for Mother's Day?

All mothers deserve the best. That's why this year, voiceBoks, Planet Weidknecht, Good Steward Savers, Terri's Little Haven, and About a Mom Blog are throwing a BIG Mother’s Day Bash Event! together to help you celebrate the special day with yours truly.



This year’s Event features 3 Prizes!



1) The First Place Prize is a $600 Paypal CASH Prize for you to splurge on your mom.

2) The Second Place Prize will be a Spa Perfect Relax & Rejuvinate Tote worth over $100 from
Bea's Gift Baskets and Gifts

3) The Third Place Prize will be a 3D Family Portrait on Canvas made by Emsheldesigns.



3 WINNERS FOR 3 CHANCES TO WIN!
There are plenty of points and opportunities below to win the big prize!

Good Luck!



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This giveaway was made possible by the following sponsors:



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A LONG POST, BUT SO MUCH TO REMEMBER Part II

Fishducky is back for Part 2! 

Lee bought a house on the beach in Malibu.  It was on a cliff & you had to go down (& then back up!) almost 100 stairs to use the beach.  Lee had a cable car installed.  Gus Grissom, who was America’s 2nd man in space, came out to see Lee.  He had already made his space flight, but he looked at the cable car & told Lee it was too dangerous for him.  He used the stairs.

A friend was going on a business trip to Hawaii & Lee drove him to the airport.  The friend asked, “Lee, why don’t you come with me?”  Lee answered, “How can I go with you?  I don’t even have a toothbrush.”  His friend reminded him that they sell toothbrushes in Hawaii.  Lee thought for a minute & said, “You’re right!”--& he went.

Uncle Lee had an “eyebrow” system for setting fees.  Bud claims it was just a joke, but with Uncle Lee, I’m not so sure.  This is how it worked: Lee would discuss the case with his client, who would then ask him what the fee would be.  Lee would say, “$5,000” & watch the client’s eyebrows.  If his eyebrows went up, he would say, “That’s my normal fee, but for you it will only be $4,000.”  If the client’s eyebrows stayed stationary, he’d say, “Of course, you understand that’s only the

retainer.  There’ll be additional fees & costs as the trial progresses.”        

My uncle used to work for a bookie.  Before Bud & I knew each other, his uncle defended my uncle--& got him off.  After one of his cases (the guy was probably guilty & I’m sure Lee got him a reduced sentence) he received a letter his client had written him from prison.  It went something like this: “Dear Mr. ------, I want you to know how proud I am of you.  When the judge sentenced me to 20 years, you stood tall & took it like a man, while I almost passed out on the floor….”

He was a true renaissance man.  He was a raconteur, he played the guitar & sang & he even made jewelry with tiny shells & starfish embedded inside.  He sometimes wore a bolo (string) tie to court, with a homemade slide.  One judge chastised him for having such a casual appearance.  He told the judge (lawyers are NOT under oath) that he was some kind of big mucky-muck in an Indian tribe.  He said that the tie & slide WERE formal dress—actually, they were a badge of honor.  The judge apologized to him in open court.  

When the courts ordered castration as a condition of probation in sex cases, he wrote this poem:

AW, NUTS!

With respect for our great nation   

Built upon the firm foundation

Of brotherly love and toleration

Concerning a Municipal Corporation

Wherein in criminal litigation

Sanctioned by the administration

The Court does order castration

As a condition of probation

In lieu of incarceration

In a penal habitation

    WHICH I THINK’S THE NUTS!

It taxes one’s imagination

That American civilization

Should permit emasculation

By judicial declaration

Which causes great humiliation

Permanent physical desecration

Destroys God’s gift of germination

Is contrary to all legislation

Passed to prohibit copulation

Or other forms of fornication

By those who suffer from frustration

    WHICH I THINK’S THE NUTS!

There should be investigation

Concerning human degradation

Of this sex abomination

Then those who fear effemination

Resulting from cohabitation

May face again the population

Without danger of discrimination.

To stop this dreadful violation

This ode is written in protestation

And tho I suffer accusation

    ALL I CAN SAY IS “NUTS”!

----fishducky