Booksellers Convention

We just wrapped up a week's worth of book marketing events. My publisher sponsored a dinner Tuesday night (catered by California Pizza Kitchen) where authors were invited to give a short presentation on their book in front of 61 bookstores (potential buyers). The following afternoon, I participated in an "author speed-dating" event which meant I traveled with another author (Tucker Davis, "The Fourth Gift"---a fabulous holiday book) to 15 different tables to give a three minute pitch to prospective buyers. My pitch went something like:

The essential message of "The Christmas Stone" is neighbors helping neighbors. You see this theme represented throughout the book as the characters meet opportunities to serve, lift and to build one another. The stone in the book holds different meaning for each of the characters as they are reminded about love, sacrifice, burdens and inconveniences as well as family.

As far as neighbors helping neighbors, I looked for a way to reach out in my community and decided to donate the entire author royalty to The Primary Children's Medical Center--a value added for customers who not only walk away with a gift for a neighbor, friend or family member, but also made a small donation to a place that helps children and families get healthy again. I hope "The Christmas Stone" starts new family traditions and encourages people to seek out ways to assist and build within their sphere of influence.

Having offered the pitch so often within a short period of time, it is emblazoned in my mind, however the exercise was helpful with narrowing down the book's hook. It was awesome meeting so many different booksellers to give them a better feel of who I am and what the book is about. There's only about one month left until you'll get a chance to read "The Christmas Stone." I'm excited to hear your feedback and for you to recommend the book to a friend.