Writing: On track with 100 pages done on final edits Years of Stone. Still shy one blog post for the week, but that's doable. Working on guest blog by March 15 and beta read by March 20.
Community. So far behind on GoodReads. Did twitter this week. Twittered. Can't make the f2f writers' group today (the very large one), but that's OK. Participate in WIPpet Weds today. Maybe?
Marketing. Had to recategorize and resort my mailing lists (the new Excel didn't save all my work, or I'm not smart enough for this new version). Sent out my first 'personalized' e-mail to first two groups. Wow! What a response to hear from folks I haven't written to for a while. This was really grand, just to share the news of Standing Stones now out there. There's a bounce in my book sales too, though I really didn't expect that. I'm answering e-mails through the week and will catch up by tomorrow for a second targeted e-mailing. I do hate asking people to either buy the book or review the book, but everyone who responded to me seemed excited to learn about the publication -- and didn't see the release on FB or other e-mails. Interesting marketing strategy.
Also going down to a second local bookstore today to drop off books. Pretty straightforward process here, though I'm wondering if most indie bookstores do this for self-published authors -- 40%/60% commission split on commission; check in monthly; now on list for signings.
I'm still wondering if other writers use e-mail as a marketing tool. Will do more research here. I did ask if people wanted to be kept on my mailing list. People said, "Yes!"
About Women's History Month. Not so sure I can find a poem today, but this is the picture I'm remembering from Turkey. This shows the kitchen of a small restaurant we found in Ankara. The day was cold and snowy. We had just walked our feet off at the state museum in Ankara, drooling over Neolithic sculptures (lots of female goddesses). These women welcomed us inside with hot tea and fresh bread (and kindly consented to have their picture taken). What a celebration of Turkish hospitality and culture. Why is this part of women's history? It's what we do -- make beauty out of simple acts.
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| Zenger Pasha (Camp 2004) |
