Friday, June 29, 2012

Travel & Planning a Book Launch


Yes, it’s been a little quiet around here for a while, but that doesn’t mean nothing’s been going on! Okay, it’s true—most of my activities take place mentally, but this time it’s been a fair mix of planning and follow-through!

We just returned from our twice-yearly trip to New Hampshire with a detour through Charlottesville, Virginia (what an awesome place—just sayin’) to pick up my sister for our pilgrimage to visit family in New England. In all, I visited with five of my six siblings, but that has nothing to do with my writing...
...speaking of which...since Uncharted, Story for a Shipwright will be released on October 1, and would likely coincide with our autumn trip to NH, and since the story primarily takes place in Maine, I thought New England would be a fitting backdrop for my book launch. I considered someplace coastal, but I wanted something more local to where I spent the larger part of my adult life—the Sunapee Lakes Region. I also wanted something intimate (as in, not some huge chain bookstore) with local appeal and interest in promoting ‘local’ writers and artists. With some recommendations and research, I narrowed down my choices to the MainStreet BookEnds independent bookstore in Warner, New Hampshire. Serendipitously, Warner NH has a well attended Fall Foliage Festival during the first weekend in October (6th and 7th), and the bookstore is a hub of activity! Perfect!

So, I had some business-type cards printed up, announcing 
Uncharted ’s release, rehearsed my ten-second what’s-it-about pitch (“It’s about a reserved New England shipwright and a spear-fishing girl who is either delusional or the missing key to his family’s mysterious past.”) which I didn’t end up using, though I know it will come in handy for the book signing.

Todd accompanied me, nudging me forward as I smoothed my skirt and entered the Colonial house bookstore. After stumbling my way through an introduction, I found the owners of MainStreet BookEnds so very amiable and enthusiastic that I’m actually looking forward to the event (easy to say with it still three months down the road). In fact, the bookstore exceeded my expectations! Meanwhile, I have lots of preparations to keep me busy, in addition to final edits. As long as I keep moving forward and don’t look down, I should be okay.

20 comments:

  1. Maine is only a short drive from NYC. (Okay, a full day.) I'm there!!!

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    1. I think it's about a 5 hour drive from Staten Island to Warner, New Hampshire (yeah, it's in NH, not ME, hehe), but you may have to tack another hour onto that to compensate for NYC traffic! At any rate, it's such a beautiful time of year in New England--you could make a weekend of it and see some of the sights. Have you ever been to NH?

      Would love meet you in person, Charlie! :) You can see me all hopped up on social nerves, first hand, and then a lot of this blog will truly make sense! Ha!

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    2. I spent a weekend in the White Mountains in Northern New Hampshire. It was beautiful beyond words.

      Yes, a fall weekend in N.E. sounds amazing. See you then.
      (I'll bring the rest of my ms. lol)

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    3. Ha! I was wondering how you're coming along with your ms! :)

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  2. I'm very excited for you! I'll keep an eye out for Oct 1...

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    1. Aw, thanks Rick! It's been a long journey--and your query blog played a pivotal role :). Thanks for your ongoing support!

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  3. What a great cover! I like the elegant business card, too. I grew up in Waterville, Maine, so I'll be looking forward to this book! I've been in California for 30 years, and don't want to leave, but every autumn I go through a bout of nostalgia for Maine.

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    1. Waterville is quite a ways up, Anne! It's such a beautiful area, whether coastal or inland--do you ever get back for visits? I have to say, I am looking forward to moving back to New England, especially since the grandbabies are there.

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  4. I bet you're so excited and nervous as you near your launch date. I'm glad you picked an independent bookstore for the event. It sounds like a neat place. I would do the same. Good luck!!!

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    1. Thanks, Yvonne! I'm excited for now, but nervous will kick in as the date draws nearer. In fact, that is one of the reasons I chose to go with a smaller, independent bookstore--it feels more manageable than an unwieldy mega-store. Hopefully it will be a more relaxed setting.

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  5. Yep, it sounds like you've picked the perfect time and place for a launch! And Bridget, you are doing great...where ever your eyes are focused!

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    1. Oh, thanks, Liza! For now, I'm going to focus on the short-term goals and preparations--the rest should take care of itself...except the showing up part, lol--must remember to do that! :)

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  6. Sounds like a great day is planned. I'm sure you'll have great fun.

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    1. Indeed, I am looking forward to it! I'll be happy with pretty darn good, when all is said and done! :)

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  7. Aww, yay for signings!!!! I never use my rehearsed pitch for my books, lol. I just did a signing at B&N this past weekend, and I noticed that I gave a slightly different pitch for my books depending on the person. If it was a man, I focused more on elements I thought a man might like. If it was a woman, I focused more on the elements I thought a woman might like. If it was both standing in front of me, I would look back and forth and say, you might like this part, and your wife might like this. But, overall, it doesn't matter what you say as much as if you look and sound excited when you say it. That's what people remember, I think. I also have to remember that book signings are not to sell books more than they are to connect with others in the community. They are nerve-wracking and wonderful and boring and amazing all at the same time, hehe.

    I cannot wait for your book to come out! If you send me some of your business cards, I'll include them in book packages I send out. :)

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    1. Michelle, you're getting to be a regular pro at book signing! And you never know just who might show up, right?(So cool that you got to meet Davin.)

      I'll have to contact you for a few more pointers. :) Thanks for the encouragement!

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  8. Autumn in New England... sounds absolutely perfect. Congratulations on your upcoming book launch. I LOVE book launches, and I wish I lived close enough to come down and have you sign a copy. What a happy accomplishment; I wish you lots of success!

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    1. Thanks for your happy wishes, Lisa. If only New England wasn't 2500 miles away! It would be so cool to meet you in person...perhaps we'll travel out that way some time...

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  9. This is awesome, Bridget! Congratulations!

    I live about three hours from Warner, NH. I may have to take a trek up there then. :)

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  10. Oh, Craig, that would be awesome! I would love to finally meet you in person. :)

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