Book Bums

Good Morning,

Usually I will write about what is going on with my book but I had such a great week at Book Bums that I decided that they would be the subject of my writing today.

For those of you who don't know Book Bums is a very cute reading/coffee shop/gathering place in West Chester, Ohio on Cincinnati-Dayton Road, right in front of St. John's Church. The owners are probably two of the nicest people I have ever met, Mike and Christy Williams. They provide a great comfortable space to read, drink coffee, or just play with the kids. There is a lending library and toys and games avaiable for the kids. On Tuesday my son and I spend an hour or so there while waiting for my daughter to finish religion class. We met two teenagers this week, Britnay and Matt who invited Eli to play games with them and then read a book. They were wonderful with him and it has been a very long time since I have seen two teenagers that were so kind and considerate to the people around them.

On Saturdays they have music from local musicians. This week it was Emmaus Road and as I had suspected they were Christian musicians. The music was some original writings and some from other musicians but it was all very enjoyable. We sat and played cards, then Sorry, and then a golf ball game, (it was one of those figure it out things, no same colors touching, but I managed to do it once) while listening to the music and having our cookies and tea. There was another mother there with three children and they ate and then sat and played UNO. It was a lovely evening, very relaxing and so cozy.

They provide a small menu. They have some great cookies, also made by a local woman and they are so delicious. I had the chicken salad on Tuesday and on Saturday I had a strawberry shortcake, both delicious. An array of coffees and drinks are available.

The best part of going there is that they are so welcoming and always have a smile and a pleasant hello.

If you are in need of a space to meet or tutoring I would definitely contact them, you can find the link on my website. There are also book clubs for both children and adults. During the summer Christy, who is a first grade teacher, runs classes for young readers. Eli and Olivia both enjoyed them previously. You will find it comfortable immediately.

I hope you all have an enjoyable week.

Till next time.
Katie

What a wonderful weekend!

Hello all,

I had the most extrodinary weekend full of excitement, information and meeting of new friends. I could not be more happy about how the book signing at my old high school, Mount Notre Dame in Reading, Ohio went. I met a really nice author who used my same publisher, so information exchanged was very important, as well as her parents and husband who were super nice. So supportive and encouraging. It is so nice to meet people who are not all about the competition.

I also got to see some old friends from high school as well as meet their children and had the opportunity to read to them. The donuts were not bad either.

So I came away with a renewed determination to get off the fence and make this book sell!

I really need to thank Alisia from Mount Notre Dame and the school for allowing her to put on this event and remembering me in the process. I cannot say thank you enough.

Sunday was spent selling Girl Scout cookies, and well those things sell themselves, there is not much work to put into that but it went well also, so Thank you Mason Kroger for allowing us to have the opportunity to sell in your store.

It feels like the weather and is breaking, we have officially sprung forward, and it will soon be warmer and lighter during the day.

I hope everyone else had a great weekend as well.

Kristy, I hope you have an easy deliver and a healthy baby. Good Luck, and don't forget to post a picture!

Till next time, take care.

Katie

Re-organization

Ok, well it is time to re-organize. I recently spoke with a marketing agent from my publisher that gave me some good feed back, but it still seems I am pretty much on my own. I have made the decision to participate in a Book Expo in Abu Dhabi in hopes of increasing my sales. If that one produces increased sales I will participate in the children's one in Bologna, Italy.

I recently found a great avenue for hopefully some increased exposure in the form of an Authors Page on Amazon, so if you are so inclined have a look.

Upon my last blogging I was waiting to hear back from Joseph-Beth Book Sellers. I have noticed that they do have it listed on their website but I have yet to confirm it is on the shelf there, but I remain hopeful.

In addition my High School is wanting to do a Children's event with a buffet and some signings and book readings, so if you live near Cincinnati drop me a line and I will e-mail you back the information when it is confirmed.

On a more personal note I started reading a book by Diana Gabaldon; Lord John and the Private Matter. It is a short read and very interesting, pulls some of her other characters from the Outlander series. So check it out if you like to read, its available on Kindle, if you don't have a reader you may want to look into it, you can get the books cheaper and can carry many of them with you at all times. I love my Kindle for iPad.

Till next time. Take care of yourselves.

Katie

Renewed energy

After many disappointments I have a renewed energy for promoting my book. I am still awaiting to hear from Joseph-Beth Booksellers, but am hopeful they will pick it up. I have spent lots of time posting on blogs and Amazon forums in hopes generating interest. I also sent out some initial contacts to many small gift shops at retirement homes and hospitals, anywhere there might be parents or grandparents, family members looking for sibling adjustment books.

I am still hopeful for a good response. I have it in Book Bums in Olde West Chest and have had some sales there. I have also gotten a posting on The Children's Book Review web-site and author pages on Amazon and Promise Angels.

I hope everyone is having a nice fall and will have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Talk at you soon.
Katie

E-book

Hello,

Well I did get some exciting news. My book has successfully been turned into an e-book and can be bought on my existing web site. You can very easily obtain a copy by having adobe reader or a pdf reader on your computer or iPad. It is not quite the same as a paperback but for parents on the go, it can be very handy.

I also was able to schedule my second book signing at a very cute little bookery call Book Bums in Olde West Chester on Cincinnati-Dayton Road. The date is August 28th from 1-3 in the afternoon. I would love to see some of you there. The venue is adorable, they have great coffee and good treats, also a book exchange program and some for sale from local authors. They provide book clubs and children's programs. My children just really love it there and will be very disappointed when we won't be able to go on Monday mornings.

I hope everyone has had a great summer and wish you all the best in the upcoming school year and for the fall.

Till next time. Take care.

Katie

Updates

Hello everyone,

I keep meaning to update this blog more than once a month but things get so busy! I recently had my first book signing in Brookeville, that went okay, a few sales and talked to several other people, but I am not local there so I had not expected a great turn out. I have another possibility in West Chester at Book Bums, so look for more information on that to come. They are also considering carrying my book in their store which I am really excited about.

I plan to hit the hospitals near by that have maternity wards in hopes that they will carry a few. I need to plan a day to go though and finding one when you already own your own business is very difficult. But I will make it happen.

Life in general is going well. I would appreciate it if everyone could keep my cousins son Tony in their prayers, he is fighting a brain tumor for the second time and my friend from high schools daughter Ashley, who had a genetic disorder that has no cure and prognosis is usually not good. The families and these babies need the strength of prayer to help them through. Please remember them as often as you can.

Anyone who reads my blog, which right now is only a few. I would greatly appreciate it if you would request that your local library consider carrying my book. I requested it at the West Chester library and they ordered it right in. I was so excited and hope that it generates some more interest or a few sales.

Post me back some time so I have some time to read from you. I would be greatly interested in what you are up to.

Have a great month. It will probably take me that long to get back to you.

Til next time, happy reading.

Katie

Updates

Well, I have been quite busy since my last post. I have been working hard on my vision board issues. Some are coming along quite nicely and others are going more slowly, but they all are moving in a positive direction.

First off my list is that I have managed to drop 10 pounds in preparation of my up coming vacation. Although that is very exciting it is not the most exciting thing I have to report. I personally find my second item more important. I have managed to secure my first book signing. It is going to be on July 10th at a very charming garden center owned by a friend if the family. Please refer to my Facebook page for the details. AuthorKatieS.

There is also accomplishments on the business front. For those of you who don't know I am also part owner of a property management firm in West Chester, Ohio.

In addition I would ask that any if you reading are of the praying type that you would pray for my friend and my cousin who are looking for miracles for their very ill children. If you could keep Tony and Ashley in your prayers we would be most grateful.

Till next time
Happy reading.
Katie