Monday, September 29, 2008

Overcoming Fear

I'm not afraid of public speaking. I feel totally at ease standing giving a speech at the front of a room filled with strangers. I'm not afraid to pick up the phone to call an editor I've never met, a source I'd like to interview or a writer I'd like to meet. So, I was very surprised to discover that the idea of picking up the phone to call bookstores about scheduling readings gave me a terrible case of the jitters. I've put it off for weeks. I have a list of the bookstores I want to call, I have a page in my notebook filled with talking points and an e-mail inbox filled with words of wisdom from other authors but I haven't been able to force myself to pick up the phone. I decided that today was the day: My goal was to make two phone calls. 

The first call was to a small bookstore just outside of Charlotte. The town hosts a Christmas event in December that coincides with the release of The Green Year and the bookstore is in the center of the action. I talked to the owner who explained that the bookstore only hosted authors who were well-known in the community - which I am not. I understand but I'm still disappointed. The second call was to a chain bookstore near my hometown. The manager promised to find out if he was allowed to schedule events in December. (During the holidays, he explained, shoppers want to get in and out; the store is often to crowded to accommodate author events). He asked me to call back later this afternoon.

My conversation with the second bookstore owner got me thinking: Will it be difficult to schedule signings in December? Setting up for a reading takes up precious space that could be used for extra sales tables. Plus, the stores are crowded, shoppers are frazzled and store clerks are overworked. In a few hours, I'll have a response from the manager. In the meantime, I'm attempting to work up the courage to make a few more calls. I know the success of The Green Year depends, at least in part, on my ability to promote the book - and bookstore signings are part of that. So, I'll continue to make a few calls a day. My goal: to schedule two signings in Charlotte and one in Toronto in December. 

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The Return to Freelancing

It's been almost a month since I submitted the manuscript for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers. The time has flown! I'd planned to take part of September off to recuperate after putting in long hours to finish the book but it didn't happen. I stepped away from the computer for about 10 minutes - just long enough to clean a closet or two, drop off several bags at Goodwill, send some old electronics to the recycling depot and scrub the bathrooms. 

Even though I'm logging a lot of hours in front of the computer, I don't have a lot of work. A big part of freelancing is seeking out work so I'm researching ideas, sending pitches and touching base with editors in the hopes that assignments will start finding their way into my inbox. 

I've started planning the publicity efforts for The Green Year (it'll be on bookstore shelves in just two months)! I'm working with a publicist at Alpha to spread the word about the book. So far, it seems to be working. I've done a few media interviews, had some interest from book reviewers and am working to schedule book signings. I'm also looking into speaking opportunities at schools, home and garden shows and events with an environmental bent. It's a lot of work - more work than I anticipated - but I love tackling a new challenge. I'm still working on getting a website up and running. As soon as it's live, I'll post details. Until then, I have to keep my nose to the grindstone. 

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Back in Business

Drum roll, please: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers is finished. It felt so good to hit "send" on the manuscript. The book required a lot of research and writing in a short period of time but I'm pleased with how it turned out (and initial comments from the editors at Alpha echo that feeling). 

Less than 24 hours after I sent the final half of the book, I was on the road for a long weekend getaway with some girlfriends. We spent four days on St. Simons Island, soaking in the sun, reading and making regular pilgrimages to the ice cream shop. It was a much-needed break after writing non-stop for several months. Now, I'm back home and back at work.

I missed freelancing.

I've been researching article ideas, sending queries and reconnecting with editors and it feels so good. The thrill of the chase is the part of my  job that I love most. For me, there is nothing more gratifying than stumbling upon the perfect story idea, knowing exactly which editor might be interested and getting an assignment. It's not always that easy. Sometimes I think I have a great idea and I'm certain the editor will jump on the chance to assign it and then I get a rejection. So, it's back to the drawing board.

I jotted down all of my article ideas in a notebook while I was writing The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers so I have a huge list of inspiration to draw from. I'm also working from another list titled Book Promotion Ideas. In just a few short months, The Green Year will be hitting store shelves and it's time for me to start promoting it. Right now, the plan includes bookstore signings, book reviews, published excerpts and even a contest. Stay tuned for details. (Now that I'm not scrambling to finish a 232-page manuscript, I should have more time to update).