F³A: Time

I don't have any anymore it seems. None that's free anyway.  I work.   Then I go home and work some more.  I don't think I could possibly have fathomed how much time and energy it takes to release a book.  You write it, get a book deal, and the rest just falls into place, right?  Um, no.

First there's swag.  If you don't know what swag is, it's pretty much a group of promotional items you give away.  Most people would hire someone to design these things for them, but since I have a bit of know-how (a small bit really, but enough not to pay to have it done) I'm designing them myself.  Time.  Yep.  I just ordered buttons yesterday.  I'm designing bookmarks.  I'll probably do some stickers, pencils, and hopefully come up with some other really brilliant ideas.

Once you have the swag, it's time to make connections.  You take them to your local bookstores and libraries and ask them to carry your book.  You give them to LA teachers and school librarians to give to their students.  You send them all over the country to any of your connections that will pass them out for you to their local bookstores and libraries. 

Then there's donation letters.  I'm reaching out to any company I mentioned in the book.  Ford, Starbucks, the Space Needle, etc, and ask if they will donate ANYTHING for giveaways.  I'm still working on this one.

I've booked one release gig.  But I'll need to do at least three or four to include everyone I want to.  And this will require me talking to my local indie store, which I as of now have no relationship whatsoever.

I'm trying to put some of these things in place now because I know the closer it gets to the release, the busier it's going to get.

There's way more than that too. AND I'm also working with the Class of 2k12 on basically the same stuff.  I love it, but it's exhausting.

That's all for today.  Getting sidetracked and feel poopy. Happy Friday and have a great holiday weekend.  Remember all those who gave their lives for your freedom.

I'll leave you with the Friday Nibbles.

Random Pandora Song: Break Even by the Script.  I freakin' love this song and it's so true.

Book of the week: I'm still reading Popular by Alissa Grosso, but let's throw Tension of Opposites in there too.  It's by Kristina McBride.  Just Facebook friended her and we have a mutual friend.

Netfix of the week: The Office Season Six.  Just finished it.  Hilarious

Quote of the week: "When love is not madness, it is not love."  ~Pedro Calderon de la Barca

F³A: America is Crazy. For Realsies.

What am I referring to you ask?  Is it the fact that so many were glued to their sets to watch the royal wedding?  That people are actually paying to go see Charlie Sheen speak?  That Birthers STILL don't believe Obama is American even though he produced his birth certificate?

Bringing sexy back

No.  That is NOT what I'm referring to, though any of the above would make a fantastic blog post *makes notes for next week*  I'm referring the the travesty that took place on national television last night.  Casey Abrams was voted off of Idol last night.

Um, what?

Most of these people suck

Casey was a judge favorite and probably the most talented person to ever set foot on the idol stage.  Disagree with me?  Fine.  He's a singer, songwriter, musician.  You cannot debate the fact that he has an awesome voice.  No matter what he sings (aside from maybe Smells Like Teen Spirit) he has made me swoon.  He brought sexy back to the upright bass.  He scats like mad.  Rough around the edges, sure, but expendable? Not even close.

My idol obsession

He's got more style than Jacob, more versatility than Scotty, more experience than Lauren, and he growls better than Haley (I love Haley too, but not as much as Casey).  And he . . . uh . . . well, comparing him to James would be like comparing apples to oranges. Can't do it. (and now that Casey is gone, James is a shoo in to win.  If he doesn't I may just boycott Idol fooooorrrreeevvvvvverrrrrr)

However, there is no doubt in my mind Casey will get a recording contract.  And I'll be first in line at the iTunes store (figuratively) to buy his stuff.

meh.



 Friday Nibbles:

Random Pandora (iPod is dead) Shuffle Song: In the Waiting Line by Zero 7

Book of the Week: Hard choice, I hit the Borders sale yesterday.  I think I'm going to go with Kristina McBride's, The Tension of Opposites. Been wanting to read it for awhile.

Movie of the Week:  What is a movie? Kidding, let's go with another purchase from Borders, Blood and Chocolate.

Quote of the Week:   "Wouldn't it be much worse if life were fair and all the terrible things that happen to us, come because we actually deserve them?  So now I take comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the Universe."  ~ Marcus Cole

Random Thought (this is new, I'll tell you some of the weird crap that comes from my head):  I dreamt about zombies last night and now I think I'm going to write a zombie book.