My books are shipping out today for the book fair at the RNConvention in Las Vegas. I’m a little freaked out because I realized I didn’t have enough copies. So I ordered more from CreateSpace. I hope they get here in time for me to ship those out, too, before the deadline. I also shipped out a raffle basket for the convention. 😦 I will be really embarrassed if no one puts their raffle tickets in for my basket. Here is a picture of what I sent. I decided to get a mini trunk rather than an actual basket.
And here it is closed.
My trunk has five of my print books, a $25 Amazon gift card, and a necklace and earring set like the one in my book Soul of a Vampire. So, if you were at a convention and saw this, would you put one of your raffle tickets in for this prize? There are raffle tickets in everyone’s convention bag, so everyone will have several tickets that they don’t have to buy. I hope I picked items people would want.
I’m having my costume made for the costume ball, so I hope that turns out well. I’m going with my late best friend’s mother (who is making the dress) tonight to get material and whatever else we need. I wanted something a little more elaborate, but then I would have had to bring an extra suitcase. LOL.
Now, what to wear for the party on the first night and for the RONE awards. Sigh.
One of the things I’m most nervous about is…what if I don’t sell my books? What if I sit there at the book fair, and no one buys them? 1) I will have to pay to have them shipped home. I’ve already had to pay to ship them there. 2) I will have spent a lot of money that I can’t afford on buying my books. If I don’t sell all of them, I might have to have a big sale on my website when I get back. LOL
What happens this year will determine if I go back next year. If it is profitable (book sales, new readers, learning a lot in the classes), I will. But if not, I’m not paying that much to go next year. I know it’s an investment and you have to spend money to make money. I have to be practical, though. I think I’ll be able to tell if it’s worth it or not. We shall see.
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Don’t stress over it too much. Your trunk looks wonderful. I’m sure you’ll get lots of tickets for it. And you’ll sell lots of books too! 😉
I hope so, Anya. At least I know you and I will have fun.
I’d love to take that trunk home!
Joe Konrath’s blog post yesterday included an extensive listing of all he went through to sell books in the early days of his career. It was definitely an eye opener. We’re lucky to live in the times we live in, with the ebook revolution having opened those doors so much wider.
You’re going to have a great time, and remember that it’s an investment in your name recognition, in networking and learning — you’ll get far more out of it than book sales. And it’ll be so much FUN!!!
I’m glad you like the trunk. 🙂 I think it would be easier to ship than a basket and it’s a little different.
I need to check out that blog. I haven’t been to Konrath’s blog in a while. It IS great to live in the era of ebooks. The downside is that there are so many now that it’s hard for readers to wade through them.
I agree. If the classes are very good, and I expect them to be because Jimmy Thomas always demands the best, then that would probably be worth the cost right there. And the cost for what we’re getting is much less than most conventions. Hotel room, classes, parties, and ALL food is included.
Oh yeah, it’s going to be FUN.
I can’t wait to hear about your trip… and I love your trunk! You will sell your books. I have no doubt. Have a great time!!
Thanks, Tiffany, for having confidence in my book selling ability. 🙂 And I’m glad you like the trunk. I’m sure I will have lots to tell and, hopefully, lots of pictures when I get back.
That’s a gorgeous set up for the trunk. Very eye catching. I’d put a ticket in. 😀
One thing I’ve noticed from watching my friend sell her books in person is that she’ll engage people as they walk by. She’ll smile at them and say hi and then ask what type of books they like to read. Maybe if you ask people what kind of romances they enjoy or if they like paranormals, that would help open up a dialogue. It takes a lot of guts to approach book selling like that, but she does really well when it comes to selling books in person. I suck at it because I have a hard time doing that method, but when I have done it, I sold books. So talking and getting people involved does work. It’s stressful and hard to do though, at least for an introvert like me. 😀
Good luck. Let us know how it goes!
Thanks, Ruth, I was hoping people would like the trunk.
I’m okay with engaging people, but there’s a fine line between being friendly and making people feel uncomfortable, like you expect them to buy something. When my best friend and I used to have our business, we would go to craft shows, and some people wouldn’t get really close because they were afraid you would talk to them and they would be embarrassed if they didn’t buy anything. Sometimes, though, you can tell which people to talk to and which people to just smile at and say hi. LOL
I forgot you did the craft shows. So you already know all about it. I’m sorry.
It reminds me of a pirate’s chest. I’d definitely want to win it. Have a brilliant time and enjoy the costume ball – sounds like a lot of fun.
It reminds me of a pirate’s chest, too. That’s one of the reasons I liked it. 🙂 I think the events will all be a lot of fun. Jimmy says there will be Vegas entertainment at every event. And the classes all look really interesting, too. I hope the ones I want to attend won’t conflict with each other.
Love the chest display! Book signings can be challenging. For my first one at a writer’s conference, I was stuck in the back and paired at a table with a Civil War author (an elder gentleman who was a seasoned veteran at selling his series and easily spoke to people who came by). Then, they’d glance over at my zombie apocalypse book and make a face and keep going. LOL. The few books I sold that day were to people that I’d made friends with earlier in the conference, because the mostly older, female attendees just weren’t the right audience for my genre. That being said, I think you’re going to do well with your books, because there will be more readers there that are into your genre and your mah-velous raffle display will give you some name recognition before they hit the book sale. Best of luck…I know you’re going to have a BLAST!
Thanks so much for your encouraging words, Michelle. I’m looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time.
Why in the world would they pair you with a Civil War author? How many authors were there? The two of you definitely wouldn’t attract the same audience!
It will be a good experience for you. There’s nothing like sitting at a table peddling your books to give you a true author vibe 🙂 It’s also nice to meet some readers face-to-face.
The pairing was a fluke. Although, I had turned in the form to be a part of the book sale, I somehow didn’t get on the list. They had to stick me wherever they could find space, and the authors were distributed randomly, not separated into genres.
I’m so excited for you! If I was there I would totally want your trunk of goodies! It’s so hard to put yourself out there, but you’re going for it! Live with no regrets or what-if’s. Wishing you much success and enjoyment! Can’t wait to hear how everything goes!
Thanks, Shannon! I was hoping people would like the trunk. Although, I hope they would really like to receive my books, too. LOL
LOVE the trunk, its rustic and avant garde compared to a boring ol’ basket. I’d put a raffle ticket in for it (and the stuff inside too). Just keep thinking positive thoughts–visulize–and everything will be better than you imagine it will be.
Thanks, Chris! I really like hearing a guy’s point of view on it. I fell in love with the trunk when I saw it and was hoping others would see it the same way I did. 🙂
That looks gorgeous! I’d want to win that for sure. WOW. Love it.
Thanks, Sandra!