Steampunk Granny's Road Trips through Charters and Clans

                                                           

Did that title grab your attention? Good, because I was definitely a busy bee the past week. When you’ve written your first book in a series and while you’re finishing the second book and outlining what will happen in the third and a possible fourth book, you need to be out there in that big wide world promoting yourself and your book. Steampunk Granny (little ole me) is good at promoting not only myself, but all my friends. I have no intention of climbing that ladder of success alone; it could get very lonely at the top. No, I’m bringing all my friends with me.

                                                                     

I wrote an earlier blog  explaining how selling your book is a little bit like pimping or acting the part of hooker...sans the sex part. But, what I wanted to stress in that blog was how much fun you can have going on book signings. I’m gregarious by nature and can start a conversation with just about anyone, but if you are, by nature, a shy person, then book signings can be devastating hard to do. I recommend the buddy system. I had the opportunity to practice the buddy system when our writers’ group South Jersey Writers’ Group published our first anthology, Tall Tales & Short Stories from South Jersey.

                                                                 

                                                       

My partner and I, Dawn Byrne, hit the book signing trail fresh from the gate and over the last two years our promoting style evolved from two little meek church mice to the Lone Ranger and Tonto rides again. We take turns playing the Lone Ranger with my version of Tonto closer to that of Johnny Depp’s.

                                                                    

Sometimes, I will go on solo book signings, but most of the times Dawn and I ride together and sometimes we have a fellow author ride along. Like I said these past two weeks have been my busiest and it helps to have a sidekick with you.

I love meeting people and I love interviewing them. Because of my insatiable curiosity about the world around me, I have met some very interesting and talented people who share the same interests as me and since I’m an Empath and do ghost investigations and I love everything “Steampunk” and I’m also retired from a prestigious museum, The Academy of Natural Sciences, I have lots to talk about.

                                       Cinsearae, Dawn, and Steampunk Granny                       

This week, I went from selling books at the Landis Farmers' Market in Vineland to the Marconi Senior Center on 15^th & Porter Streets in South Philly to a library in Maple Shade, to Bogart's Book Store in Millville and a historic library in Burlington. In between all the book signings, I 've done several interviews, one which will be posted on Biff Bam Pop. on actress/dancer Dawn Noel.

                                                                    

Dawn is a n amazingly talented South Philly girl from my old neighborhood and who's made a name for herself on stage and television. Dawn has made it possible for me to set up an upcoming interview with Chad Coleman better known as Tyreese from "The Walking Dead."  I'll let you know when it's posted on www.biffbampopcom

                                                                

                                                        

This week, I had the pleasure of selling my books at The Library Company of Burlington and thanks to the library’s Director and Guardian Angel, Sharon Vincz, I sold lots of books. I also take psychic classes every week at the Library which is given by Marti Haines of the Ghost Hunter’s Store. This week, the members of the class attended the celebration of the original charter.

                                                                  

This charter dates back to 1758 by England’s King George the second. The present day British Queen, Elizabeth, wrote a letter congratulating the library on its celebration.

                                                                    

Yesterday, Dawn Byrne, Nanci Rainey and I went to Millville and Bogart’s Bookstore to pimp our books. There was a town wide yard sale and Bogart’s also had live entertainment.

                                                                     

I think the wonderful greengrass original and Celtic Nations folk music of Clan Suibhne (pronounced Sweeney) helped us with our book sales.

                                                                 

Selling your books can be viewed as a monumental task or a Hobbit’s adventure and it starts with the author making the decision to put themselves out there. Don’t be shy and make that first step of the journey by contacting book stores, cafes and libraries and who knows? You might even bump into me and I might want to interview you.

Dogs, Books and Dr. Oz

                                                      

 

This has been quite a week for me. My daughter and her family had gone on a well-deserved get away for a few days, leaving me to take care of little LeLe, one of their dogs. LeLe and my two Chihuahuas, Godzilla and Snowflake got along great and my husband and I enjoyed the antics of the three dogs.

                                                            

My husband is getting used to coming to some of my book signings and people are getting to know the man behind Steampunk Granny. This Thursday night I had a book signing at the Maple Shade Library and on Saturday, Super D (Dawn Byrne), Super N (Nanci Rainey) and I headed over to the Landis Farmers Market in Vineland, New Jersey and the Novel Idea Chapter Two’s second Annual Autumn Author Event.

                                                                      

 

It was hosted by the owner of the Novel Idea Chapter Two Bookstore, Linda Eisenberg with the help of Kristen Battestella Snouffer, author extraordinaire and guardian angel.

                                                          

Linda and Kristen make all the plans and do all the hard work of getting this popular event on tract. There were many authors there and all seemed to be doing a good job of selling their books. One writer, Tom Geden aka Sir Good Knight even put on a show for the children at the market. His link is here. www.sirgoodknight.com

                                                               

Although Kristin was fighting a cold, she braved the sniffles to make sure we all had our spaces ready. Love you Kristin. It was a productive day for all with Dawn selling our South Jersey Writers’ Group’s two anthologies Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey and Reading Glasses and Nanci selling her book, One More Day in the Driver’s Seat.

                                                             

Cinseare Santiago Reiniger and her husband Dan, were there selling their books, jewelry and adorable zombie dolls.

                                                       

I sold several of my books and took a picture of my first sale; a lovely family who bought both Roof Oasis, the first book in my apocalyptic tale with a twist and Chicken Soup for the Soul’s “Touched by an Angel” and I have a story in this edition called Angel on the Footbridge.

                                                                

I was contacted on Friday by the VP of Chicken Soup for the Soul to tell me that the Dr. Oz show is interested in having some of the writers who contributed to “Touched by an Angel on their show and I was one of the people chosen. It’s set for December 4^th. I’ll find out more in a few days. I am so excited. I believe in angels, I believe in miracles and when you believe; good things happen.

                                                       

My daughter and her family are back from their trip and they are preparing to take in Jim’s seriously ill father. They’ve already taken in Jim’s Uncle John who has an Intellectual Disability. Uncle John and Big Jim are in the right hands. My daughter and her husband are such loving and caring people who have put all their energy into making a safe home for both men.   

                                                                

I’m keeping LeLe a bit longer. I insisted. I like that little dog and she likes me and ReRe and Jim need to devote all their attention on the humans for now.

 

Super D and Super G go to Market

                                                                   

Where in the world was the South Jersey Writers Group on October 19th? We were at the Autumn Authors Fair at the Landis Marketplace in Vineland, N.J.

                                                                               

Yep! Super D and Super G packed up the car with copies of Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey and several copies of What to Expect When You’re Dead by John Farquhar, and off we went  with map in hand and GPS plugged into the lighter.

                                                                     

A Novel Idea Chapter Two Bookstore is located inside the Landis Marketplace at 631 East Landis Ave. in Vineland N.J. 08360.

                                                                        

                         Mistress Rae and one of her creepy dolls: mistressrae13.etsy.com
We were joined by two other members, Bob Cook and Amy Hollinger. Most of the authors attending were dressed for Halloween and giving out treats to the little ones who accompanied their parents at the different author’s tables. We sold a lot of books and lots of tote bags.

                                                                        

                                       Authors Kristin Battestella Snouffer and Laura Kaighn

                                                                                 

                                                     Author Ava Jordanna Easterby

The Landis Marketplace features different shops and foods; yummy Amish foods; wholesome Amish foods; organic foods; even pastries. Donuts are organic, right? But who cares, they were good.

                                                                         

                                                                     

If you get the chance, drive on over to the Landis Marketplace and when you’re done shopping, stop at A Novel Idea Chapter Two and say hello to the proprietor, Linda.
                                                                                 

                                           Mention that Steampunk Granny sent you.