Lexington Legendary Book Bash 2019

I am fortunate enough to have secured a spot at the Lexington Legendary Book Bash occurring Saturday, March 23, 2019. I was afraid I had let the date slip past to sign up but I was thrilled to be told I can still sign up and participate.

Banners Make the World Go Round! Plus a bonus Giveaway opportunity!

Pick up When a Pachyderm Comes to Visit and Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas in time for Christmas.  The reviews state that children will really enjoy these books.

When a Pachyderm comes to Visit available @ https://t.co/AoHT3d0WHL or get a signed book @ https://t.co/JuZ9lCoXhf #ChildrensBooks pic.twitter.com/nGUvVLxIEd

Here’s my special thank you to Renee Gauthier for making me these incredible banners for Dolcey.  You all know how important these Indie group members on Facebook are to me. This is where I meet amazing people like Renee and my illustrator Zsa-Zsa Venter. I could keep mentioning names on and on like, Nancy, Eva, Stephen, Audrey, Mandy, Cj, and on and on.

BONUS

Since you hung with me this long, I am sharing a chance to get a free signed copy of 31 Days of October Volume 2,  through Goodreads. You must hurry deadline is November 21, 2017.

Click here to Enter

 

All the October News! An update or two on what has been happening!

Last time I spent any time sharing what was happening in my life, I shared that I had been sick.  After 5 weeks of medication, meditation, prayers, positive affirmations, essential oils, and sleep, I can say I am better. I got up early yesterday morning for a very special event in South Africa, then I left the house and attended a book signing. My very first book signing.  I am thrilled with my day. But I will do this in chronological order so as to stay focused.

Book Release

October 10, 2017, was the launch for When a Pachyderm Comes to Visit. The Kindle version has been published and is now available on Amazon in KindleUnlimited or sale for only $.99 until November 7th.

The paperback is available at Lulu.com by clicking here. 

Signed copies can be purchased at a discount price by emailing a request. Include the name you want personalized and the number of copies.  The personalized books will be available for shipment on November 15th.

This is book two in the Dolcey series and the story is one of magic, bullies, dreams, goals, and fears.  When Dolcey the Fairy comes to visit, she brings hope and a new perspective to Michael.  I hope you will embrace Dolcey and Michael.

Here is an excerpt:

Lying in the dark bedroom, Michael heard a noise, clunk, followed by a thud. Was that a Shuffle? Over by the window, he heard that sound, it wasn’t the usual wind on the window noise. Swish.

There he heard it again. He rolled over and looked at the long window with the streetlight shining through.

What’s that? What’s that shape? He pulled his covers over his head and lay very still. When he heard another odd clunk he peeked over the top of the blanket.

Squinting at the window he noticed what looked like a snake climbing into his room. Michael’s heart was pounding in his chest. He felt his knees begin to clack together.

It can’t be a snake, no one ever had a snake climb in their window. That window was shut, how could it get in here?

“Ga ga go away” the whisper was harsh and did not even sound like his voice. Clearing his throat he sat up straighter in his bed and said a little louder. “Go away!”

He heard a faint voice, “So, you’re awake then?” That was when he heard a giggle.

International Book Launch

Johannesburg, South Africa. Skoobs Theatre of Books allowed an indie author to ply her wares through Skype while sitting on their champagne bar.  There was no place I would rather be at 4 AM Eastern Standard Time, than on that champagne bar meeting children and adults via Skype.

I wore my tiara and even brought my fox ears with me in case I had to do a quick change.  I was asked to read from a favorite book as a child so I chose The Gull That Lost the Sea.  A sweet story that I still love to this day.  Both Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas? and When a Pachyderm Comes to Visit were featured and are currently on sale at Skoobs in the paperback version.

While sharing this launch with children, parents and other authors in South Africa, we held a contest and Adiba was the winner.  She was able to choose the child’s name for my next book which is to be titled,  Is there an Owl in the house?

Karen’s Book Barn Trick or Treat Event

Saturday was my very first book signing. I was excited to be seated with Jen Selinsky at Karen’s Book Barn in La Grange, Kentucky during the La Grange Trick or Treat event.  La Grange is 80 miles from my home and after getting up at 1:30 to do the book launch, I might have started to get tired.  That exhaustion passed as quickly as it came when I arrived in La Grange. The entire town showed up dressed up and having a wonderful time. Many parents, grandparents, and children strolled into the bookstore and took a look four of my books. I was happy to have both of the Halloween anthologies, along with The Path of the Child and Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas? all available in paperback. I was thrilled with the turnout and with the response from the customers.  I happily signed for adults and children and a serious young reader that wanted them all. Don’t even get me started on the train that runs straight down Main Street.  What a treat that was!

Special Thanks

There you have it, my October in a nutshell. The main thing I want to convey is that I appreciate everyone for your lovely thoughts, prayers, love, and kindness.  I have the best people in my life, both online and off. I have chosen my friends and family well and have been blessed by those that have chosen to befriend me.  My heart is full.

November Thoughts

Bring on November and a valid attempt at NanoWriMo.  Today I decided to give it a go, win or lose, it is better than not trying at all.  If you have not decided to start, then think it over, what’s to lose?  If you are participating then let me know so we can be writing buddies.  November is going to be another great month.

 

 

 

A Request to Rate the Books You Read

I am borrowing this from author Paul Russell Parker as he said it so much better than I!

Hello, readers and fans! Remember, you don’t have to purchase my books from Amazon to leave a rating or review. If you were gifted any one of my books, downloaded them for free, bought them, found them in a Little Library, found them at a rest area, at a mall, some other random place, etc… You can still leave a rating. I encourage and ask that you do so, regardless of how you received any copies. If you really enjoyed my books, let me know. My main concern is how well you liked my stories, not how much I can make.

Ratings and reviews really help. It helps other readers know that they are getting a good read, and it also helps me, the Author. When I see how much someone enjoyed one of my books, it reminds me why I’m doing this in the first place. I want you to have a new literary universe that you can lose yourself in after you had a long, frustrating, or busy day.

So, go ahead and leave a rating or review at Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, etc. You don’t have to post much more than two or three words if you don’t want to. Even just a star rating will do. After that, you can follow me on my many social media platforms.  Thanks, and I appreciate the time you spent reading my books and reading this post.

 

Delicious Amazon Reviews for Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas?

Almost one month ago today, I released Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas?  It was my first real children’s book and I had been working on this dream since my granddaughter, Raevyndaun asked me to write a book she could read.

This month has brought in 10 reviews for the book. Most verified and thrilled to say that. Most have been 5-star reviews. Even the 4 stars have been so amazingly beautiful to me. Thankfully, no one has had a negative word to say about Dolcey or my writing.

I can’t describe how wonderful that feels. It is like a month of birthday cake without the guilt and weight gain.  That’s about the best I can describe it.

I am so thankful to everyone that has reviewed so far and I am going to call out your reviewer name in thanks.

I will start with the 2 Amazon reviewers.  🙂

Amazon Reviewer 1 

Janet Balletta             Blog post (check out the post! It is amazing!!!)

Chris

Sherrie Marshall      Blog post! (Check out the post It was wonderful!!)

Cathy A. Christmas

Leigh Holland          Blog Interview  (This was so fun. Check out her blog!)

Amazon Reviewer 2

Bob Richley              Blog post (Check this out, It is a great post!)

Aunt Bee

Sian  Claven               Blog Post (Check out the beautiful post from tbbmaniacs!)

Amazon.co.uk by Robbie Cheadle  Blog post (Special post is fantastic!)

So this is a monthly recap. This is an exciting month in paperback sales as well. I have been mailing out several books a week to readers that want a signed copy for their children and grandchildren. I appreciate every request and make sure the turn around time is quick. If you want your child to meet Docley and have a signed book, just write me or comment below. I sell them for the paperback Price of $9.20 and $3.00 shipping.

Thanks to, Gloria, Martha, Cindy and Maci,  Jacinthe, Laura, Beverly, Betty,  Cindy E, Tensley and Willow, Wilson, Elliot, Brynlea and Lulee.  I will not mention all the family’s books I have sent out. All I can say is when I walk into the post office, they call out, “MEDIA MAIL, right?”

So I am thrilled to be sharing this with you. I love to promote marketing ideas and Indie authors. I wanted you to see, I believe my marketing is paying off.  I am following as many posts, newsletters, and live events as I can to learn more.  Always willing to learn more tips if you have them.

Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas? is #118 in her genre right now.  She has been as low as 75 so I still hope to see her dropping toward #1. Even the top 100 is fine with me.

The first live book signing event takes place on August 26 and 27, 2017. I have books available or bring your own. I will happily sign a copy. I am also writing a prequel to Dolcey’s story for a live reading during the event.

There will be a children’s reading corner and I am going to read this new story. Yikes, I volunteer for so many things I am just not prepared for. So I have to race and get prepared.  Join us in August. 

We’re STILL ACCEPTING authors who are seeking signing opportunities to participate in the Bluegrass Book Bash 2017 event. It’s taking place Aug 26-27 in Corbin, Kentucky and we still have several tables left to fill! Authors of all genres and locations are welcome, and there will activities for kids during the event. If you’re interested, please join this group to get the full info on table prices, payments, etc. We’d love to have you join us!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1071527046287989 and on the web at Form of Interest

 

Share some feedback! I am curious as to how my little numbers are for a new indie author.

 

A Special Day with Many Faces, Come Share Today With Me.

Today is June 2, 2017, and for everyone else, this might be a mundane Friday, for me, I am doing more than the Friday dance, I am in full celebratory dancing mode. Why you ask?  I will tell you!

Exciting New Cover Reveal: Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas? by Sojourner McConnell

Today is a special day. Today is the reveal for the cover of Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas? This children’s chapter book is filled with colorful illustrations created by Ellie Barrett. I will be sharing more about Ellie as she has agreed to be the illustrator for the entire series.

What that means is that she has forgiven me for being overprotective of my characters and bossy about colors and such. If she can overlook my newbie tendencies, we are going to work together well.

So let me introduce you to Dolcey and Emily.  These two girls are featured in book one of the Dolcey series. I hope you and your children will find them amusing, fun and insightful. Emily has a problem and she doesn’t know what to do. She is miserable and in turn, she is being frightful. When Dolcey is called into action, she appears at Emily’s house as a cat. From there, lessons are learned, magic occurs, and amazing things happen.

When the wind brings the cries of children to her ears, Dolcey is spurred into action. Comforting and aiding children in need are her main focus. Welcome to Dolcey’s world. Welcome to a world of magic and endless possibilities. When Emily has a big problem, her family tries to help, but some problems need something special to make things right. In Emily’s case, the special treatment is a visitor named Dolcey.

I hope you enjoy Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas? The release date is June 2, 2017, on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Let me know what you think of the cover, I am so excited to see Dolcey in living color.  I hope you find her as adorable as I do. I am happy to say, everything is on schedule.