Hmmm

It feels a bit odd that, when I open the publishing mailbox, to think "This is where I look for submissions, supplies, and book proofs."  It is even odder to see that yellow slip of paper telling me to go into the office and get a box of something that was too big to fit, and know "this is that new proof I was waiting on.  It's here."  Odder yet is to go in and say "Hey guys, how's it going?  I do believe you've got a book proof for me to look over."

I handed daughter her mail from our personal box, and I opened the box for work right there in the car in front of the post office.  I like the book from the Createspace printer better than the Lulu.  The paper feels better, and the volume actually is thinner, though the book is the same...  Even the cover has a better feel to the touch.  I can ask lower prices for something that just feels better.  So, though I will keep Lulu as a printer and distributor, it is looking very like this other one is preferable now (despite the entity it is connected with).  Lower prices is more likely to mean more sales.  I even like this ink better that was used, it looks crisper.

*sigh* Migrations though...  However, with this in mind, the new edition of the Dragon Shaman's book one that was intended just for ebook looks very like I will do print as well, then launch that together once Salaiek is done with the recover.

This just feels weird.

It was very nice to be stopped by the neighbor currently reading the first book to be told how much he is enjoying it.  He made me blush when he told me how excited he was that he had learned a new word that he had needed to look up.  It makes me happy to know that my intentions are being met and appreciated.

It's just getting the book to those in the niche.

At the Fiesta

So, Fiesta is over, and I'm BUSHED.

Sales were not as high as I'd hoped, but well enough considering the area, and where our booth was located.  I got to talk to a lot of people and promote not only my books, but the books of the others, including the ones I currently didn't have stock with me for but are available online.  I got to talk to several people about the audiobook opening and the anthology, and passed out flyers on that.  There were also free bookmarks and bumper stickers (I want to clear out current stock of bumper stickers to make way for new ones).  All in all, it was not a bad event for us, all things considered.  I learned some valuable lessons that will help out, and we experimented with table layouts and how they either drew or repelled people.  Sam and I want to save up to go to one of the cons, and are thinking about what would need to be done to organize an art and book expo in this area.

I'm thinking bookboards for next time to display books.  Anyone out there that has gone to expos, cons, etc before to sell/promote their books and wares, tips that worked for you would be welcome so we can try them next time.

Yes Vad, there's going to be a next time.  Sorry dear.  Publisher hat means I've got to wear the Marketing hat too for myself and the other authors with me.  Publisher hat is heavy...

I wish my sister's cake booth had done better, but there are other events.  She was not properly sited, and we don't know why.  She had lots of cake left over at the end which she passed out, so people ended up with free samples and are looking forward to more for next time.  One lady bought almost a whole cake after eating her free slice.  I'm thinking that if there were some way we could do free samples and keep track of who already had some, that might help...

Yesterday was my brother's birthday also.  I still have to get pictures off my phone to the computer (which is a hassle because it's a trackfone phone, and they don't do the internet, and it won't let me email pics to myself...).  He was not enjoying working on his birthday, and I can't blame him.  Working the gas station had to be insane.

At the McCloud Fiesta

A good time was had at the Fiesta, and there are pictures to post later, once I have them off of my phone. Many new people were met, and it was good to talk to everyone about our various books, authors, and cover artists. Flyers about the dragon anthology were also passed out (I'm still accepting submissions) as well as about the audiobook narrator opening.


Also, the main site's information will need updating to include information on Bonnie Brown (editor Faith's daughter) who is one of the artists I will be going to when cover art is needed and our first choice artist has too much on her plate.  Samantha Buckley will also be needing her bio included (our other new artist) as she will be both a cover artist as well, and also doing her manga through us.  Sara Foster is also joining the group, as an independent photographer that will be contacted when a project requires her services.


Our title catalogs are also needing updating, as several titles have been released SINCE the site redesign, and this information will be provided to our very generous webhost once I have had the opportunity to get it all typed and proofed.


Do not forget to look for us on Facebook, and twitter!

McCloud Logger's Fiesta is starting Today

Ok, so here's what's going down at the Park, according to what's posted on the MCCRC Facebook Page.  Time to head off to do preparations stuff.  Look for me (Teresa Garcia), Samantha Buckley with her art, and Elizabeth Buckley with her poetry.  Those interested might even luck out and I might do some reading from one of my titles that I'll have there, or from Selkies' Skins, which I will be bringing with me to work on future episodes during downtime.

Farg, didn't get the bookmarks made...

McCloud 65th Annual Lumberjack Fiesta
Schedule of Events
(Some times are subject to change)

Friday July 27th

Vendor Booths Open 6:00pm
Little Miss Fiesta/Little Logger Contest 6:00pm
McClouds own Michael Jackson Impersonator ( Jadan )
Following with a dance contest
age groups-- walking to 4yrs, 5- 8, 9-12 and 13- 16yrs
Papa Anderson Memorial Softball Tournament Begins 6:00pm
Music : WildWoman sounds, Geeia will be digitally
mastering the tunes 8:00pm-Midnight

Saturday July 28th

American Legion Chuela Post #92 Pancake Breakfast
(at the American Legion) 7:00am-11:00am
Vendor Booths Open 8:00am
Papa Anderson Memorial Softball Tournament 8:00am
Parade on Main Street 11:00am
Trophies Immediately Following at Hoo-Hoo Park
Harold Benedict Memorial Horseshoe Tournament (singles) 1:00pm
Junior Axe Throw Sign-Ups 12:00pm
Competition Begins at 1:00pm
Music : WildWoman sounds, Geeia will be digitally
mastering the tunes 8:00pm-Midnight

Sunday July 29th

American Legion Chuela Post #92 Pancake breakfast
(at the American Legion) 7:00am-11:00am
Vendor Booths Open 8:00am
Papa Anderson Memorial Softball Tournament 8:00am
Harold Benedict Memorial Horseshoe Tournament (doubles) 11:00am
Adult Amateur logging show sign-ups 11:00am
Competition Begins at 12:00pm
Powder Puff/Men's/Business Person's/Professional axe throwing,
double and single buck, jack and jill and jill and jill. choker setting.
Watermelon eating contest 1:00 pm
Possible Melodrama ????

Kids activities, Giant waterslides, watermelon eating contest all kids are invited to participate in kids events.
Adults are invited to sign-up to participate in the Horseshoe Tournament, Adult logging show
VOLUNTEERS are most needed at 4-6 pm for clean up on Sunday 29th. We are so tired and want to go home also.

Selkies' Skins and an Audiobook Narrator opening

The webserial "Selkies' Skins" by Teresa Garcia is up to chapter 12.  You can read that either on the dedicated website for her serial stories, or at Dreamwidth or LiveJournal.

I am also looking for a narrator for Dragon Shaman: Taming the Blowing Wind.  Later, I would like to have Dragon Shaman: The Smoky Mirror also converted to audiobook format, as well as the other titles that will be available in the Dragon Shaman series.

Those that are interested in auditioning should stop in at the ACX listing.  All auditions will be listened to promptly.

Question and a Promotional Interlude (or dreaded commercial)

Question is at the bottom.

There are now a total of three stand alone children's short stories in "The Adventures of Lightning the Cat" that I am distributing through Smashwords. Two of them are free, while one is normally a $.99 download. Starting now and until July 31, if you use code SSWIN you will be able to get "Lightning's Job" free, as part of the Smashwords summer sale.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/181520

Q: But T, you've published through Lulu for so long with THG StarDragon Publishing? Why are you starting to put ebooks over on Smashwords?
A: Smashwords makes more formats available than just .pdf or .epub, and different ereaders need different file types. Since I can still get the ebooks into the main publishing channels with this e-printer, and the coupon process is so easy for when I want to do promotion prices, it makes sense.

Q: So... what happens with the ebooks you've go up at Lulu?


A: They will stay there. But revisions I will do at Smashwords, and that way if someone is particularly attached the old version will still be available, since Lulu's ebooks don't keep an old version available if I redo a book there. And for the ebooks already extant, I will get those transferred over and set so that the currently unavailable formats become available.
Q: So... what about print books?
A: You'll still find the print books at Lulu. All my print versions I'll use Lulu as my printer/distributor.

Q: Any plans for audiobooks?
A: Yeah, I've been thinking about it. I've had several people interested in audio version since they do so much driving and want to read my books, but only have the time to be read to. I have to do more research though and figure out how I'd fund it (taking volunteers on readers).

Q: Posting the next segment of Selkies' Skins?
A: Sunday sometime.

Question for the readers:
Do you want the segments short like I have been doing, long, one chapter at a time no matter how long, or does it matter?