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Mexican Riviera:    Jan. 23rd 2009.         8 days out of San Diego, Ca.

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  Mexican Rivera out of San Diego, Ca. Jan. 23rd, 2009 $300.00 deposit per person will hold your cabin. Payable in 2 payments!! with 11 months to pay the bal. due.!        So affordable!

Counter top books stand The only way to display your books.

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Letters to the Editor!

What can I do to spice up my book signings?     

Gail

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Dear Gail,

When there is nobody at the table, I get up and walk out in front to meet and greet. I have some treats in a bowl. (I love Hershey kisses). I pass out bookmarks that have my information on one side and a list of popular 1-800 numbers on the other side. I have news release, photos & articles in acrylic stands on the table for visitors to read & look at. (don't block them when you are out front working the guests).

I got a box of tiny stuffed animals at the local dollar store, 50 for $10.00. I give them out to the kids.

Some time I have balloons and give the babies one.

My sons sometimes will pass out flyers at the front door.

In other words I create a "happening" in my area of the store. People are very curious about "happenings" and they will come over to check it out. 

Leon

Bookstore owners/managers love it when they get help from you advertising their store and your book signing

THEN................

When I have confirmed a book signing, I send the bookstore my PR promo pack.

 The “mini-poster” is designed in such a way that you can just change the words to fit the purpose. Your mini-poster should have a picture of your book cover on it. My mini-poster will now have a message type on it to fit the occasion, an announcement for the bookstore, telling customers, “Noah’s Bookstore is proud to announce that Author Leon Mentzer will be here Saturday, the 4^th of February, at 12 noon till 3 p.m. signing copies of his new book.”   

I usually send the bookstore two mini-posters that they can tape up; one for the front door and another for the front counter.  By doing this, I’m helping them sell my book, and they appreciate it. I’m doing the same thing the big boys do.   

• Design a name pin to wear that has your name and a picture of the cover of your book on it with the title “Author” Wear it all the time. People will come up and want to talk to you. Trust me.
• If you are going to a book fair, wear a lanyard with the ID tag. Inside the tag is a cover of my book on one side and name and title (author) on the other side.

Longing for Wholeness by Linda Louise

If you want to contribute a story please contact us for guidelines.

quark480@insightbb.com

My dos for book signing: 

1. Dress professional, unless you’ve written a book on the art of dressing casual.
2. Be on time; in fact, get there early. Get the lay of the store and see where you’ll be sitting.
3. Write out an announcement that can be read every fifteen or thirty minutes on the stores address system to the shopping customers about the signing- give this to the manager.
4. Bring extra books just in case you beat the nation average of four to ten books sold at a book signing.
5. Bring your display(s) with you. I bring an extra foam poster and set this one on the table with the one I sent earlier. It looks very professional. I have my push cards placed in a cardholder beside my business cards. I have an acrylic sign stand that I place a poster or information sheet in. The information states that I’m available for speaking engagements, etc.
6. One successful tip is to have something to eat at your table – homemade cookies, or candies – people will stop just to grab a treat and you can engage.
7. Talk to the people. Don’t wait for them to say anything first… Many people have never been to a book signing.  Reach out to your potential buyers. Add - If no one is buying- get up, move around the store, introduce yourself and offer your push card or info on the book to customers and tell them to please stop by your table for a treat or tell them you would be happy to answer any questions about your book.   
8. After the book signing, thank your host, collect your foam signs (they are too expensive just to leave) unless the store would like one to help promote your book with a display.
9. When you get home, write a formal thank-you card. Handwritten would be nice.
10. Remember that even though you sold a small amount of books, the free publicity is going to work in your favor in the long run.
11. Ask the manager at the end of the signing if they would like you to sign the unsold books. Why? Because all those books you sign can’t be returned. They’re considered sold!

Was Jesus a Black man? What about his disciples? Here is a chance for readers to see the Bible through a new perspective. Let the author present his case to you.

               Highly recommended by CST Staff.

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     WOW! talking to her about her love and passion for what she does will knock you off your feet if you aren't prepared. She works full time and still makes time to do mission work in Africa. She takes her Faith and lives with the natives to be a part of them and thus making her mission of delivering the word very effective. 

     Her book "OOPS! Wrong Family" was first published in English, Then she followed up with it by having it translated into Spanish, opening up a whole new market.

     As if this wasn't a fantastic marketing achievement, Debi  then turn the main character of her book, "Roscoe go to the Gym" into a real stuffed possum doll that talks! I have one and it is the greatest marketing tool. YES, I said it talks. Now we all don't have a need for our main characters to come to life and talk......BUT if you're writing a children's book this is something that needs to be looked into. To hear "Roscoe" talk go to  http://www.visionaryministries.org/.  This Roscoe is a rascal. I love the fact that this talking doll is a key element to the marketing of the book. Debi looked on the internet for a company that made stuff toys. Low and behold she found a Canadian company that fit the bill. Now don't think that everybody is going to do this. This is NOT for the faint hearted. The price is very very high.  Debi is marketing just like the big boys. Disney move over and let Debi have some room.

     Please if you have a child or grandbaby look into buying  "Roscoe go to the Gym" and the Roscoe doll. This is an heir loom gift for generations to come. 

     There is a tremendous market need for your book to be translated into a foreign language. For more information about translating your book into Spanish, e-mail me at quark480@insightbb.com.  

Leon Mentzer

Oops! Wrong Family

Debi Toporoff

Based on the author's life story-- The book portrays hope to those who are hurting: whether through abuse, domestic violence, abandonment or even rejection. There is hope for the hurting and freedom to face the future. We can not change our families or history but we can change the history of our hearts. This book will make you laugh, cry and get mad at the same time and delivers a message of hope to readers everywhere.

                                                Book, Oops Wrong Family
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Oops! Wrong Family (Spanish) Debi Toporoff No podemos cambiar la historia, pero podemos cambiar la historia de nuestros corazones... La terrible historia de abuso físico y emocional en la vida de Debi Toporoff está capturada en el libro ¡Ay! La Familia Equivocada. Nacida en una familia que no la quería, Debi Toporoff cuenta la historia de como rodó de casa adoptiva en casa adoptiva y de su madre abusiva que la cegó de un ojo y le fracturó el cráneo a golpes. A la edad de cuatro años, Debi se había convertido en una Cenicienta de la vida real –forzada a hacer todo el trabajo sucio de la casa, mientras soportaba abusos emocionales y físicos que continuaron por muchos años. Aunque el príncipe azul nunca llegó a rescatarla, la Señora Toporoff cuenta de las personas que Dios puso en su camino y que eventualmente la guiaron a Quien ella necesitaba más –el Príncipe de Paz. Los detalles horribles que Debi Toporoff recuerda de su niñez, juventud y adultez son gráficos, más sin embargo muestran una historia clara de redención que está llena de esperanza y perdón. Book, Oops Wrong Family $9.95 + $2.95 s&h Roscoe Goes To The Gym Debi Toporoff Illustrated by Gregory J. Butler What happens when a pudgy little rascal called Roscoe finds out the hard way that he’s a little bit too plump for his own good? In Debi Toporoff’s first foray as author of children’s literature she begins a series of continuing escapades of Roscoe the ‘Possum, the mischievous little varmint who finds his way into and safely out of all sorts of his adventures through the help of his critter friends, Miss Claudia the gym owner, his mother, and the Lord. Containing both English and Spanish text side-by-side, Roscoe Goes to the Gym finds our portly hero needing to lower his weight. He begins a cycle of exercise and nutrition that successfully delivers him back among the healthy. Roscoe Goes to the Gym is a charming, lighthearted adventure that parents can use to help their little ones understand the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise. Book, Roscoe Goes to the Gym $9.95 + $2.95 s&h Roscoe Possum Stuffed Toy designed by Debi Toporoff As if jumping off the pages of the book Roscoe Goes To The Gym, this cute and cuddly stuffed toy please even the biggest fan of the book. Made from high quality plush fur, and stuffed with just the right amount of stuffing to make him perfectly huggable. Guaranteed safe for all ages, this Roscoe Stuffed Toy is available for purchase soon. Roscoe Possum Toy $27.95 + $3.75 s&h Roscoe Possum Stuffed Toy and Book Special Price! designed by Debi Toporoff Order this to receive the plush toy and the book. What better way to get the full experience. Made from high quality plush fur, and stuffed with just the right amount of stuffing to make him perfectly huggable. Guaranteed safe for all ages, this Roscoe Stuffed Toy is available for purchase.   Roscoe Possum Toy and Book $35.95 + $6.95 s&h

1. If you want a book signing at a Barnes & Noble, you need to talk to the “Community Relations Manager, CRM)” not the manager. The “community relations manager” is in charge of things that are community related, like local authors.
2.  
3. Bookstore manager are rude to authors, but if they receive a letter from you before you call, it makes things easier.
4.  
5. Don’t waste the store manager’s time. Be quick, professional, and get right to the point. “I want a book signing there, please.”
6.  
7. Most bookstores do their own thing when it comes to scheduling authors for book signings. I found that it is best to ask what the rules are and who you have to get to know. Believe me, it is who you know.
8.  
9. Design your press release letter so that it has your marketing rep’s information listed first and your personal contact information second.
10.  
11. Get to know these contact people at the bookstores very well.
12.  
13. Send a thank-you card after the book signing.
14.  
15. Keep detailed records of who, what, when, where, and how many books sold.
16.  
17. Offer mini-posters two weeks before the book signing and after if they want to design a display.
18.  
19.  It is very frustrating to deal with bookstores. Have patience. Remember who you’re dealing with. If it is the manager, expect a short conversation. You need to move up the ladder. Stay the course, don’t give up.  

 DON'T STOP THERE!  Call the TV station (s) and ask if they would be interested in doing a news item, followed by the newspaper and ask if they’d like to do a story. Promote yourself. You can also design a letter announcing the release of your book and letting the reader know that they can call or contact you if they would be interested in scheduling an interview.   

Grace Livingston’s life seemed perfect.  She had a loving home.  Her father, a successful man in the town of Crossroads was also a respected and admired elder at Crossroads Church.  Then Grace went away to college and her perfect life began to come apart at the seams.  The choices she made caused her family to experience devastating consequences.  The church’s harsh of rejection and unforgiveness caused the family to seek another home away from the stinging words and innuendoes.  Thirty years later and exciting new Pastor comes to Crossroads Church.  He has secrets of his own and the past meets the present as the truth is revealed.  The Holy Spirit convicts and hardened hearts melt as the congregation is confronted with a surprising revelation.  More than a good read, Victorious Grace is a realistic novel with memorable characters; it is also a heart-warming novel about repentance, hope, and restoration-that’s Victorious Grace.

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"A story of perseverance against overwhelming odds—Author Matthew Gregory weaves the tale of A Land Divided, which represents extraordinary heroism and the universal desire for peace and preservation from that which may destroy it. When the king of Purthia dies and the land erupts into chaotic fighting, the wicked Montavius Felton emerges to spread his doom across the land while he connives his way within reach of the much coveted crown. From amidst the anarchy, however, three warriors suddenly appear to stand in his way. While the chaos strips the land of any direction, the three warriors begin a quest to seek a unified stand against the very evil that threatens to swallow the land entirely. But as they traverse the broken land, they soon find that their task is seemingly impossible, for Purthia itself has violently become. . . A Land Divided. "

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"'You've got to be kidding! What do you mean everything I'll ever do or say, or every place I'll ever go, has already been planned, predestined, and my predetermined end cannot be altered? I don't stand a chance.' This is the most common reactive thought among those who have ever taken the time to contemplate their existence according to the typical understanding of the relationship between the all-knowing God and his intentional, predestined creation, Man.

Author Bruce Brown, after having pondered this seemly paradox-ridden biblical enigma from his teenage years, could no longer keep the answers he found to himself and is confident you will find yourself in these pages.

Presented honestly and straight forward, My Predestined Life examines the most pervasive questions on the subject of predestination in light of biblical truth. What happens when God's will and the free will he gave man intersect? My Predestined Life sheds new light on this complex issue. "

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Beyond the Garden Arbor

Did your imagination ever take you to a secret place that no one else had ever been? This would make wonderful Christmas gift for any girl (or woman!) that loves to read.

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“I Fell on My Angel” is a sweet exchange between a Mom and her son. Once again, Mom had to remind Bradley to put his toys away. And, once again, Bradley got too busy and forgot. But this time was different. Mom didn’t notice the toys Bradley left on the floor. Just wait till you see what happens when Mom trips in “I Fell on My Angel”.