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Stacy Anderson
Awareness Member
Post Number:
1
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 10:53 am: |   |
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Hello everyone I'm Stacy. I have been cruising the boards and decided to post what I believe would be an interesting discussion. First off I'd like to say I cruise a lot of writers' boards and I find this one the best because everyone here is professional and polite in giving their opinions. Even when you argue sometimes it's still professional and enlightening. So I'd like to say hello to everyone. Now for my questions.
I would love to know your opinion on book signings and book tours from anyone whether you've ever had one or not.
Do you feel it's necessary?
Do you feel that with the technology age you can reach a wider audience without book tours?
Have you ever been on a book tour ( if so )did your experience turn you off or was it worthwhile in terms of book sales and exposure?
I personally think it's a waste of money that could be used to help sell books in better ways. I've been reading articles where well-known authors like John Grisham can't even fill up a bookstore with a signing. With the lagging economy I don't think book tours should be the first thing on every author's agenda. Of course, it's up to each author what they feel is important but I am going to focus on other ways. I don't plan on pushing out thousands of dollars for a tour. Now if my publisher pays then I would do it but as far as putting up money for my own book tour, that's too much of a gamble right now. At least not for the first few books. I think it's smarter to build an audience then try to tour once you've gotten solid readership. One writer told me it doesn't matter if you're known or not, it depends on each writer how well they do. I'm sure that's true to a point. I've seen first-time authors have huge, wonderful signings. Then I've seen well-known's like Grisham who've recently had disappointing ones. For me it's the money factor. If life were fair publishers would pay for everything, but we know that's not how it happens LOL}. Anyway, what do you guys think? I would love to hear all and any opinions! Fire away!
 |
Perry Comer
Unity Member
Post Number:
1277
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 11:21 am: | |
Welcome Stacy
As to book signings and tours. You can't spend what you don't have. I've done a few books signings and I can say if I were getting paid by the hour it is very poor pay. The purpose of a signing is not to sell books but to gain exposure and publicity.
A tour - that is so far in the future I can't contemplate. One day maybe but only at the publishers expense.
http://www.pacwriter.netfirms.com/ |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1050
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 11:22 am: | |
Stacy,
Good questions. Welcome and IF you might feel interested tell us something about you and your book(s).
Now on to the grist. I have done a sort of smallish tour, of 5 bookstores through the central part of California. I had to finance and buy my own books, cause I am with PA, so the money had to come from me upfront. I did have a decent turnout in each of the stores, but mostly because I was on HOME turf, as in, I grew up in the area and my book is sort of a biography and a few of the people who turned out were old friends who wanted to know what had happened to me in the 40 years since high school and my leaving that area. And each of the papers that I submitted a PR package to, (again furnished and done by me) printed up a good full comumn on me, my book, and the fact that I grew up there.
Was it worth it, YES, in terms of people getting to know you again, or newly made friends, YES!!!! in terms of the money I spent, not really. There are lots of ways to get the same number of people interested in your work, I think. But then my book, like I said is sort of a story of my life and the people who would read it mostly are in the same situation as I was in or might love someone who is there. If you can do the publicity thing by joining groups and other places, such as forums where there are like interested people who go to that place for a specific reason, then I think that would be a better way to go about it. But for sheer public notification, and getting some people involved that you might not otherwise have the chance at, a book tour, however big or small, is a good way to go about it. I think a lot of how a book tour gets the reaction depends on what your book is about and why you wrote it. IF there is some specific message that you are trying to convey, then you have to target that specific audience.
How you go about it is, I would think, the biggest dilemma that any of us faces. The best way, as you stated, is for the publisher to pick up the slack and do it for you, but when you are POD, Self-Pub, or PA, it is one of your biggest problems, because none of us have the financial ability or the connectability that we need, because we are not nationally known. In many cases the papers are your best friends, I got some really nice write-ups and also the chain that I went through was very good to me, they have a little publicity brochure that they put out each month for specific things in each area, I was featured front and center in each one for the time that my signing was to be in that town. I worked with Borders BooksStore and the CRM was a really special lady who knew what I wanted to do and why I felt it was important.
Thanks for asking what we feel. And again, welcome to our little home. My book is linked below my name, if you would care to check it out.
Claudia
http://notesfromnobody.homestead.com/book.html |
Gloria Marlow
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
813
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 12:44 pm: | |
I've never done a booksigning, so I'm no expert. I may do a few this summer for my book that will be out in May. Since there are 10 murders that happen in 10 different cities in Florida, I want to especially focus on the stores in those cities. If they want me to do signings, I would be willing, but what I would really like to do is have them order the books, me come by and sign a few of them, and if those few sell, sign a few more.
Anyway, that is just a thought I had.
|
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2808
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 01:27 pm: | |
Hi Stacy - I have two published books and have done several signings.
Book signings are like slow suicide to me. I don't do well at them. But if anyone asks me to do a book signing, I show up and do my thing.
I've never done a book tour. Could not afford to do one. But again, if anyone wanted me to do a tour I would try somehow to accommodate.
Personally, I have sold far more books through networking - word of mouth - and that is the strongest tool as an unknown writer in my opinion. |
Stacy Anderson
Awareness Member
Post Number:
2
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 06:37 pm: | |
Thanks so much for the opinions. I always wondered what other authors felt about book tours, especially since they don't seem to be the best part of publicity for many authors anymore.
A little about me:
Pen name: Stacy-Deanne ( Dee-Anne )
I write music biographies that center on minority female singers and I write fiction. I am a fiction writer at heart so that's what I live for. I will have three books released with Amber Communications Group, Inc. ( an award-winning African-American publishing company ) this summer so I am very excited. I am twenty-six and have been writing since I was a child. I started my writing career when I was nineteen. I got a publishing contract with Amber in the summer of 2003. My biography books are a part of a series and they will be presented at Book Expo America in Chicago this May!!! I was jumping for joy when my publisher told me this. The books will be in stores nationally and internationally as well as the internet sometime this summer ( course writers are always the last to know when ). I am also a member of the Author's Guild. Please visit my website if you'd like more information:
www.stacy-deanne.net
My publisher: www.amberbooks.com
Thanks again for welcoming me and sharing your opinions! I wish you all well with your work.
|
Todd Hunter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1347
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 07:46 pm: | |
Welcome, Stacy...
I believe I'm one of the few people around who like to do book signings, so will chime in on this one...
Yes, book signings are mainly for publicity...but there's nothing better that an author can do to display themselves in the public eye. It's one of the two best places where the book-buying public is most likely to find out about you (the other being, in the books section of the newspaper).
However, as you mentioned, it's all in who's footing the bill. If the stores (or the publishers) are supplying the books, and if the trip is being paid for out of another's pocket, then that would be the ideal.
If the stores are supplying the books, and the trip is out of your own pocket, it's a little less than ideal, but still better than it could be (which brings us to our third scenario).
If you're having to supply your own books, and the trip is out of your own pocket, it becomes more hassle than it's worth (in my opinion)...this is how it plays out in my own case, which explains why my own "book tours" end up being a series of signings in the same town...and why I'm still waiting for payment from two stores six months after the fact...
Myself, I would take scenario 1 in a heartbeat...2nd scenario would be tough, but if I had enough vacation days banked at work, and had a little cash stashed away, I'd run with it (if the tour wasn't more than a few states either direction)...
I shall never work with scenario 3 again...
Good luck with your books, Stacy (although if it's what it sounds like -- bookstore stocking -- it's definitely on the right track)...
Laurel, I'm going to have to help you out with your next book signing, so it's not "slow suicide" for you...
www.geocities.com/toddmhunter |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2810
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 08:11 pm: | |
Thanks for the info Stacy. That was an interesting bio.
Todd, if I'm lucky I will never have to DO another book signing.  |
Todd Hunter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1351
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 08:42 pm: | |
You know you enjoyed the one with me selling your books......admit it... :-D
Just think how much better it would be, now that I've read your book... |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2811
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 05:50 am: | |
Here's the deal. This could be a good lesson for all of us.
Todd....you can do my next book signing. I will presign all the copies and stay home in my pjs relaxing while you work the crowds. Sounds like a swell plan to me.
Yes I did enjoy that big River Walk book signing, as long as you were there to do my talking for me.
If we all had an enthusiastic publicist like Todd who works hard for no salary, we would not dread book shignings so much. You are a gem, Todd. |
Bill Nelson
Awareness Member
Post Number:
40
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 07:23 am: | |
Stacy,
I'm going to side with you. I think they are a waste of time and money spent advertising them (etc.) could be better spent in other ways.
Consider that at every single book store in this country, signings are a dime-a-dozen. People who don't know the author are not going to flock to them and those who do know him/her will maybe be there anyway.
I cannot believe it promotes an author's work.
bn |
Victoria Strauss
Awareness Member
Post Number:
35
Registered: 11-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 09:22 am: | |
I totally hate book signings. For me they're like one of those dreams where you realize you're naked in public.
I also don't feel they are tremendously effective for a commercially-published writer unless done on a fairly massive scale. A commercial publisher expects sales in the thousands or tens of thousands (depending on publisher, genre, and book format); so even if you sell 20 or 30 books at your signing (which would be a wildly successful signing for the average author), it's a drop in the bucket. If you can do a lot of signings over a wide geographical area and a considerable period of time (say two or three months), if you're able to work well with the bookstore staff and make the events a success, I think it can have an effect--the bookstore may regularly reorder your books and remember you when your next book comes out, and you may help to build word of mouth. Basically, it's a home-made book tour. But four or five signings in your own local area won't make much difference. Since I can't afford the tour, I give myself permission to skip the local signings as well.
If you've published with a smaller publisher, or if you're self-published or have chosen one of the fee-based PODs, I think the considerations are different, since your book probably isn't widely present in stores for readers to browse. In that case, the sales you make at face-to-face events like signings may be a large proportion of your overall sales.
With my current book, I haven't done any signings at all, but have tried to concentrate on strategies that will reach a wider audience. My publisher has done pretty well with reviews in print publications, so I've been focusing on non-print publicity, such as reviews at romance websites (my book is fantasy, but there's a strong love story, so there's some crossover appeal), radio and online interviews, chats, and getting websites and e-zines to run excerpts. Dunno how effective it all is--my profile seems to be as low as it ever was. But at least it doesn't make me throw up ahead of time.
- Victoria
www.victoriastrauss.com
www.writerbeware.com |
Stacy Anderson
Awareness Member
Post Number:
3
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 09:49 am: | |
I can't remember who the author was but their was an article done on her where she talked about being against book tours these days. She said she came up with an idea I thought was very unique. She and her publisher decided to have her autograph some of her books before they were released so that stores and etc., had autograph copies. She said it boosted sales more than a booksigning ever could. I thought that was a great strategy. I believe since authors are all unique individuals many can come up with ways of promoting and selling books without having to go the traditional promotional route like book signings. If it fits the author, more power to them but for so many of us, book signings and tours just don't fit. I do think signings at book festivals are very good because you can meet up to thousands of potential readers. You can greet the public and promote your book and you at once. At least at a book festival you KNOW someone's going to show up. I know that at conferences and festivals booths for authors can be expensive but I think that's when some of the publishers may help and pitch in. There are also other kinds of opportunities where you can sign books such as schools. Some writers who write children's books sign at schools and even hold little assemblies. I agree with the person who said you have to find your audience and that's when a book signing can be a true success. If you wrote a book about fishing, why not try to have a signing at the local fishing competition? LOL, there are a million ways for an author to promote now-a-days. I think as long as we stay positive and believe in our own creativity we will do fine. |
Todd Hunter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1353
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 12:16 pm: | |
Unfortunately, I only have experience with one publisher at this point, so can only draw from that...
When I get picked up by another for a different book, and go through the experience, I may feel vastly different...especially if bookstores nationwide are sitting tens or hundreds of copies on the table at the front of the store (which is doubtful, but one can dream)...
But if I have a good story to get people to read, and a good quality book at a decent price, I still think I'll enjoy telling people about it...
Bill, as far as who will be there...no, people aren't going to flock to the store for an author's signing, but odds are, if you get a good day, the people flocking to the bookstore will be looking to buy a good book...and that's the audience you want to reach, is it not? |
bailey82301 (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 12.45.106.80
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 02:00 pm: | |
My book was published by a small publishing company that has a return policy but no promotional help. Being from a western state with a population of less than 550,000, the three towns I had signings in did have good newspaper articles written about me and the novel. If nothing else, they were fun when there were customers. My first signing in my hometown, the store sold 98 books. Other than the cramped writing hand, a memorable experience. |
William R. Park, Sr.
Awareness Member
Post Number:
19
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 03:41 pm: | |
Bailey. That's the right attitude! 98 books at a signing is outstanding! |
Stacy Anderson
Awareness Member
Post Number:
5
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 11:01 pm: | |
Bailey you should really be proud! All the signings I've seen the authors had about twenty books on the table and many of them were struggling to sell those. I have never heard of anyone selling as many as you have especially since you did the promotion yourself. Good work. I wish you more success in the future. That's the most amount I've heard an author ( least the ones I've read about ) sell at a signing. |
bailey (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 12.45.106.80
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 04:35 am: | |
Thanks, both Bill and Stacy. You have to remember that it's a small western town that I've lived in all my life. My publisher told me about 275 books have been sold since the first of February, though I have to admit my signing last week was a flop - eleven sold, but all to three people.
Thanks again,
Bailey |
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
785
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 04:50 am: | |
Bailey...
It surprises a lot of people to learn that the average sale at booksignings is 3-4 books. So any time you can sell more than four, you're cruisin'.
My own opinion of booksignings is that they're therapeutic for me, give me the feeling that I'm personally involved in selling and promoting my books. Of course I'm very comfortable with public speaking. (Shoulda been a stand-up comic)
By far, the most rewarding personal appearances are the group presentations, they also produce healthy sales. I registered at my local chamber of commerce and library system and have been called to do luncheon presentations to organizations like Kiwanas clubs and merchant's groups. They're a little more personal and lots of fun. You usually get a free lunch too. |
Todd Hunter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1363
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 05:35 am: | |
Bailey, if you've sold 275 books since the first of February, I would have to say you're doing well...compared to many of us here...
My book's been out about 2 years, and I just recently passed the 200 mark...
ugh.
You should tell us about your book, Bailey...if people are buying them 3 or 4 at a time (as in the case of your last signing, which by chance, topped any of the sales figures at mine :-P ), it must be a good one, eh?
Dennis, I had a B&N manager tell me the average was even lower than that...
don't know if he meant for his store or not...oddly enough, I hate public speaking, but I really enjoy telling a person face-to-face about my book...so I imagine luncheon presentations probably won't be in my future...
www.geocities.com/toddmhunter |
Nancy Mehl
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1594
Registered: 08-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 08:36 am: | |
Hi, Stacy. So glad you're here!
I hate book signings. Before I was published, I thought a booksigning was a slice of heaven. Imagine, people blessed with the presence of a real celebrity - and I'm the celebrity! I thought it would be an exciting event. But....the reality is much different.
I've had some successful signings and some that stink. But I've come away from the experience thinking that selling water purifiers would be more satisfying!
Todd is good at signings because he is willing to "work the room." I am uncomfortable with trying to "sell" myself. Shoot, if I'd wanted to be a salesperson, I'd have gone into insurance! LOL!
You have a special niche in the market. I would suggest that you go after speaking engagements at large events, etc. Events where lots of people would be attending. You will sell lots of books - AND you will get your name out. In my opinion, this would be a better use of your time and will garner you more attention than sitting at a Barnes and Noble in Timbuktu.
But, what do I know? If I had a publisher who was running 100,000 copies of my book, I'd be in the hospital recovering from a heart attack!
Congrats!
Nancy
www.nancymehlbooks.com |
Stacy Anderson
Awareness Member
Post Number:
7
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 12:56 pm: | |
Thanks Nancy!
I feel the same way you do about being uncomfortable with selling myself. I realize I have to get over that. We all do. The funny thing is I feel weird when I tell people what I do. Everyone I tell becomes so shocked like they can't believe it. I suppose I would be too if someone told me they were a writer. That isn't something you hear everyday. Because of that alone we all should be proud. I am kind of standoffish ( not purposely ) but I've always been very shy. I admire people who can get up and talk up a room but that's not me. At least not at this point. I will work at it until I get comfortable and hopefully then it will be a piece of cake.
Yep, selling yourself is a hard business, even harder than selling our books. That's when the faith comes in where we have to just believe in what we're doing. Believe me when I heard my publisher tell me he was running 100,000 copies I nearly dropped the phone. Course I am always so nervous about everything since this began. LOL, things were going slow when I first began writing now everything is happening fast. But don't get me wrong I am happy and appreciative! Thanks for your nice comments and success to you too, Nancy. To all of you! |
Todd Hunter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1366
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 06:08 pm: | |
'Good' is a relative term, I suppose...
Compared to 98 copies, I'm a drop in the bucket...
However, I believe what I do is not selling myself, but selling the tale...
When I helped out Nancy and Laurel last summer, I did the same thing...sold the tale to the public...matched up the book with someone who would enjoy it...if I bought books based on anything other than the story, I'd probably work signings different...
Now all I need to do is work in the phrase "What do I need to do for you to take this book home today?" into the spiel...
haha.
ugh. |
William R. Park, Sr.
Awareness Member
Post Number:
20
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 06:11 pm: | |
Okay everyone, this might sound self-serving, but relevant to the subject at hand. Selling ones-self and product. I was in the position at one time late in my life where I gave four hour presentations to groups of up to over a thousand people at a sitting. Believe me. It's easy if you have complete confidence in your subject. Each of you who are timied about giving a presentation in front of an audience...you know your subject in and out like no one else...our book. Approach the audience, three or three hundred people, with the same feeling of confidence...and I'll promise you...you'll enjoy it and so will the audience. Just do it! |
Stephen Paul
Awareness Member
Post Number:
1
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 07:42 pm: | |
Todd,
I'll paste my story's synopsis below. One thing that helped was a great blurb on the back cover by Larry Wilcox, the actor who played Jon Baker in the TV series, CHiPs, years ago.
The story is about the killing of wild horses on a refuge in contempory Wyoming. Back in the late nineties, there were twenty-three wild horses found shot and killed in the Red Desert. I took that incident and wrote a story where the killings had to do with the plot.
Here's the synopsis from the book. You can also check the publisher's website. www.skyraypublishing.com CAN HORSES CRY?
Bailey Calhoun is an inquisitive man. He wants to know why his marriage is disintegrating, why his career is stalled, why the years are passing him by. But answers to such questions don't come easy.
When twenty-four wild horses are shot dead in Wyoming - no motive, no suspect, no clues - Calhoun feels that this, at least, might be a mystery he can solve. Despite warnings and brush-offs, he starts asking questions.
As Calhoun probes further and more horses die, the vested interests of big business and organized crime recognize Calhoun as a threat. There’s more at stake than the mindless destruction of wildlife.
Calhoun is in danger and in deep. The kind of people who shoot horses wouldn’t think twice about killing an inquisitive man. Or an inquisitive man’s wife.
|
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1066
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 08:32 pm: | |
Stephen Paul,
Sounds like a great story. I live in Nevada and there are lots of wild horses and many are being put into managment areas right now becuase of drought. Some are being sold, some are disappearing, and some are ground up into dogfood. The plight of the wild horse is staggering. That you managed to make it into something other than just a story about the plight of those beautiful creatures and show the other side of their life a bit, I am sure that you broadened out the story to keep the reader, I am proud of you.
I will most definetly check it out. Thanks for visiting us.
Claudia |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1067
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 08:42 pm: | |
BTW, Stephen Paul,
Say hello to Jay for me. He came into PA about the same time I did. I am glad that he has found a way to get his works out other than through PA. I would like to hear from him and please tell him that he is welcome to come here to visit anytime. He will know a lot of us here.
Claudia http://notesfromnobody.homestead.com/book.html |
Stephen Paul
Awareness Member
Post Number:
2
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 08:58 pm: | |
(Message edited by bailey82301 on April 05, 2004) |
Stephen Paul
Awareness Member
Post Number:
3
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 09:24 pm: | |
Hi Claudia,
The picture on the cover is a wild horse caught in a roundup last October. He looks so damn forlorn and seems to realize his loss of freedom - forever. The mountain to the left on the cover has the second largest wild horse population in Wyoming, and the author photo was taken from one of the peaks called Wild Horse Lookout.
Nevada hasn't been that kind to the horses. Lots of them are killed so they won't eat pasture land or drink water designated for livestock. It does't sound like the BLM or state really are concerned that much. Sentencing the crooks when they're caught is comparable to slapping the wrists. Ah...modern man, huh.
I'll pass on to Jay next time I visit him, though you can contact him through his website via skyray's.
Been a pleasure visiting,
Steve
|
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2812
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 05:00 am: | |
That is a grabber of a title Stephen, and loved the synopsis.
Welcome to you, and good luck with the book.} |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1069
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 10:18 am: | |
Stephen,
My daughter lived in Rawlins for about 5 years. Her husband was a truck driver, first with England and later with Pilot, and in-between with that other oil company, I can never remember the name of. She took in foster kids for a while. She now lives in Bushnell, NB. Goes from Rawlins to Green River, then to Bushnell, small to smaller, and then to smallest.....
Oh well, the kids are in good schools.
I have been to Rawlins several times, nice tiny town. I hear you guys got a WalMart there finally. My daughter tried, or wanted to buy that house next to the old church the second or third street up from the main one, that was going to be torn down or had to be moved, but she couldn't swing it at the time. It was a really neat old house.
Did you read about the mass killings that took place ahere about 6 years or so ago, with 34 horses killed. When you talk about just a hand slap, that is what the young guys (3 of them) that did that killing got, a very light hand slap. Cause the horses were wild, and several other things. It was absolutely ghastly. I had a small paper then and had an animal rights advocate writing a column for the paper, when it all came down, and she had several protestors to the sentence given standing at a hearing when the verdict was finally rendered. They were appalled. The trial took place in Storey County, which is a small god ole' boys county, and nothing that anyone could do changed the outcome, and the guys walked, pretty much scott free. Yep, Nevada does nothing much to help protect the wild horses in our state, quite sad. Oh, I forgot, there are the horse round-ups that frieghten them, with the helicopters, and the corrals where they hold them until adopted or turned into dog food or transported to somewhere else, like WY. But, they are cared for while in those corrals, and waiting to be adopted. Mostly cause if you really look into those beautiful eyes, who could NOT care for them? Some of the most beautiful horses in the world are the wild ones. If a person has never seen the majesty of a wild horse, I truly recommend it. They are stunning.
Claudia |
Stephen Paul
Awareness Member
Post Number:
4
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 11:47 am: | |
Thank you, Laurel. I appreciate it.
Claudia,
I do remember that incident and that's the one I was refering to in my post.
We never got a Walmart so have to drive to Laramie, Rock Springs or Casper. At least it's Interstate east and west.
The house you're talking about was bought and moved down the street about six blocks. I work with the guy who bought it. He did a nice job of remodeling.
The circuit judge here, who has family ranching ties, wondered why I picked such an ugly horse for the cover. Like kids up for adoption, most want the pretty ones. A friend told me the picture made her want to bring it into her kitchen and give it a bucket of oats.
And yeah, they are something to see, racing across the prairie, tails held high.
Steve |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1071
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 12:03 pm: | |
Stephen,
I didn't think that the horse on the cover was ugly at all. He just looks so sorry for what he is missing in his heart.
That house was a neat place, and I am glad that the person who got it did a bang up job on it. I am an antique lover, myself, so I saw all kinds of possibilities in it. I am surely glad that it has new owners who appreciate it.
I thought that was the incident you were referring to, it was such a shame. Those horses were slaughtered all of them, within about 3 hours, and one pregnant mare gave birth while she was dying. Soooo sad, just makes a person cry.
I love driving out around Dayton and Virginia City and seeing the wild ones running free...... I used to flag and worked on the road up to VC one summer at night and the herd ran through the construction zone all the time. I started bringing carrots and apples to work with me so that when they would come through, I could control them a bit and keep them out of the way of the equipment and off of the highway. They loved the apples and carrots and would always come to me when I neighed at them, after they got used to my orange vest, which scared them at first.
Claudia |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2815
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 12:06 pm: | |
Does your publisher provide review copies, Stephen? I would love to review your book for Midwest Book Review. |
Stephen Paul
Awareness Member
Post Number:
5
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 02:07 pm: | |
I believe he does, Laurel. If you would care to contact him at www.skyraypublishing.com, his name is Ray Clotfelter. I'm sure he'd send one. If you prefer, I can contact him also, though I think it would be better and more professional if you would.
Thanks a bunch.
Steve
Claudia,
Have you ever seen the stacks of stallion poop where they're marking their territory. Huge pyramids where one goes on top of the other. Most be a guy thing, but I don't ever recall doing it. |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1074
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 03:32 pm: | |
Don't think I have ever paid any attention to that. Sorry. But I do know that they mark territories in a bunch of different ways. The most common of which is rubbing up close to the bodies and sides of the female that they want to show interest and possession of her to the other stallions in the group.
And nickering softly all around her. Even horses whisper sweet nothings in the ears of the ladies they are interested in. Their behavior is quite interesting and familiar.
Claudia |
Todd Hunter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1371
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 05:26 am: | |
Stephen,
I just checked out your publisher's website...some interesting stuff. It's good they're so up front about how much assistance they give, and what kinds of expectations to have...
and based out of Manhattan (KS)...I guess I'd better hide my Jayhawk background if I ever contact them...hee hee (just a little Kansas humor)...
Good luck with your book...I have to agree...catchy title and synopsis...
www.geocities.com/toddmhunter |
Stephen Paul
Awareness Member
Post Number:
6
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 08:28 am: | |
Thanks Todd,
He's about as small as you can get but has helped by giving one bookstore a 50% discount and paid for the shipping. I think he gives an average of 42% discount, or that's what the stores get through him and Ingram's. He doesn't seem to have any promotional contacts or experience. Everyone in the writers group I belong to that was going to buy a book, I had order from their local store in hopes they might stock some.
Since we bought a new house and are in the process of moving into it, my promos and everything else) have come to a screeching halt. Hopefully get started again in a week or two.
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