I don't know if it is this way for most first time authors, but for me, time seemed to pass really slowly after the book got accepted. I wanted to do something, but I didn't know what.
Now with just weeks to go before launch day, I suddenly know all I could have been doing. And I'm trying to get it all done!
So I thought I'd tell you what I'm doing. And if you've got a debut coming up, maybe I can help you to put a few things on your list a bit earlier. :o)
1. I'm busy running a Truck Bedtime Drawing Contest for kids! This at least is now nicely off the ground, but I want to let people know about it. So please spread the word! And hope your kids create some super truck drawings!
2. I'm busy planning my online Truck Stop Book Launch. Eek! The general outline is laid out, but there is still a lot of work to do, to turn it into the "party" I envision. (Please stop by my website on May 22nd to see if I pulled it all together. :o))
3. I'm busy finishing up the school visit program I have planned. The first visit is on May 24th to the elementary school I attended as a kid. I am super excited and, as with the party, I have the general outline all laid out. But, from my many years of teaching, I know how very important it is to think through as many details as I can so that things will run smoothly. So I am busy working on details.
4. And did I mention the book trailer? Yes, I've been dreaming of a book trailer for two years. I even wrote the text for it right after I sold the book. So I'm also busy putting that together.
5. And then there are the other events that I'm busy trying to organize-- a Touch a Truck Day and a live bookstore launch.
(And if you're heading up on a debut and looking for things you can work on, other to do items I recently accomplished included: creating a Teacher's Guide for my book, putting together a packet of materials to send out to schools I'm visiting, and printing up postcards to hand out to promote my book.)
Now as a writer, I can't help but notice that the word "busy" is definitely overused in this blog post. But I decided that the repetition of that word captures my current state. It is busy and exciting and wonderful! Just two weeks till publication day! And, while I want time to slow down a little, so I can get everything done, still I can hardly wait!
Congratulations on your new book:-) It's a cute topic that's sure to attract young readers.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Susan
All ^THIS^ in two weeks? You just made me dizzy...
ReplyDeleteGood luck with this lovely book. The cover is wonderful, and I bet what's inside is also.
That's quite a to do list, for a book that you finished two years ago... Exciting and very interesting post Brianna. Good luck and Congratulations. I'll be looking out for it in the bookstore!
ReplyDeleteSusan-- Thanks so much for the congratulations! Definitely hope young readers like it! :o)
ReplyDeleteMirka-- It's making me a bit dizzy too. Thanks so much for the good wishes!
Julie-- I definitely think a lot of this to do list could have been done earlier. I just didn't know what I could be working on (or how to work on it). Now that I know what I'm doing I think I could be much more organized with a second book. (Please let there be a second book. :o) )
Congratulations! And good luck with the launch.
ReplyDeleteBrianna,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and good luck with preparing for your book launch. This is an adorable book and I love your many ideas for promoting it. Some schools have "Truck Day" as a career program. Different trucks are on display and drivers briefly talk about their jobs. Maybe you could let school counselors know that you would like to participate in your local area if any Truck Day events are planned for next school year. Maybe you could read prior to the tour of truck displays.
So exciting!! And yes, that's exactly how time moved for me too: sloooowly after my book sold and then at hyper-speed as the release date got closer. It sounds like you're on top of things, though. Good luck (and try to enjoy it)!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you and for all the Paper Waiters who critiqued Diggers when it was a mss and not a book.
ReplyDeleteI'll be buying a copy for sure!
Have fun checking off all the things on your to-do list.
Brianna - what an exciting time for you and I'm so glad you're sharing it here! I promise to take pictures of DIGGERS in NJ bookstores and send them to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks to all for sharing my excitement on this journey toward publication!
ReplyDeleteKelly-- Thanks so much for the congratulations!
Linda-- Thanks for the suggestion! I am would definitely love to participate in some school truck days!
Anna-- Glad to hear I'm not the only one who time moved like this for! And thanks for saying it sounds like I'm on top of things!!!
Gale-- Thanks to you and all my fellow Paper Waiters for your feedback on this (and so many other) manuscripts! (And it is definitely fun checking off things on my to do list! Though it is not shrinking as fast as I would like. :o) )
J.A.-- Pictures of diggers in NJ bookstores! That will be awesome! (The pictures and the fact that it will be in bookstores! Yay!)
Congratulations, Brianna! It looks so cute! And I agree, these are great ideas for promotion.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ariel! I definitely hope these ideas are going to make a difference. I am certainly having fun! (Did my first school visit yesterday and it was awesome!)
ReplyDelete