Another sunny summer morning! I hope you’ve got a cuppa java or your favorite AM liquid mojo and you’re settling into a day of writing.
As promised, here are the two winners for debut author Maria Gianferrari’s PENNY & JELLY book and critique giveaway!
Book Winner:
DAVID ROBERTSON!
Critique Winner:
HEATHER HATCH!
Congratulations! I’ll be emailing you shortly!
Now, onto some shenanigans…
This week I did a bookstore appearance.
Now, I debated if I should post this publicly. It doesn’t look so good for me, does it? It’s downright embarrassing!
But I wanted to let aspiring authors know that THESE THINGS HAPPEN. Sometimes, on a sunny Monday afternoon in the summer (or a crisp autumn Saturday, or a frigid winter morning, or an ordinary Wednesday evening) people just don’t show up.
Every author has had this happen to them at one time or another. You laugh it off. And you go on.
But you also remember that once you have a book published, it doesn’t mean people will come rushing to see you. Most people don’t know who you are. And they probably don’t care. You MUST have another reason, besides having a published book, for appearing at a bookstore. A book is not enough to bring people in to see you. Offer something you know your readers will want. Add value. Add other authors. Add games, activities, a writing workshop, SOMETHING.
I posted this picture on my Facebook timeline this week and received over a hundred responses, mostly from other authors and illustrators saying, “Been there, done that.” You see, IT HAPPENS. (It’s like a break-up cliché: “It’s not you; it’s them.”)
Also on Facebook this week, PiBoIdMo participants suggested adding writing prompt videos to this year’s challenge, so I’m seriously thinking about it!
If you have suggestions for this year’s PiBoIdMo, I hope you’ll share them in the comments.
In the meantime, here’s a Kidlit.TV video that I filmed on Monday, the HOTTEST day of the year. OUTSIDE. (What was I thinking?) It contains behind-the-scenes secrets about I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BEAR BOOK, which releases in 12 days, not that I’m counting or anything. LOL.
Enjoy your summer weekend, everyone. And stay tuned because more giveaways are happening very soon!
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 
36 comments
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July 23, 2015 at 10:14 am
nicole snitselaar
Strange ! I am all about fun too ! 🙂 Even more since I have been, am sick. 😉
July 23, 2015 at 11:51 am
Tara Lazar
It’s even more important to focus on fun once you’re chronically ill. You must live in the moment!
July 23, 2015 at 10:19 am
lindamartinandersen
Sorry about the book signing turn out. They just didn’t know what they were missing!
July 23, 2015 at 10:32 am
Michelle R. Eastman
Loved the video-hope you had some lemonade nearby after!
July 23, 2015 at 10:36 am
Kathy Grupe
If I was closer, I would have been there! My passion is finding new picture books to share with my teachers and students in my school library. I always share with my fellow librarians in my District. I have both your new books on preorder. Can’t wait to add them to my school library n
July 23, 2015 at 10:40 am
Tara Lazar
Thanks so much, Kathy!
July 23, 2015 at 10:38 am
Maria Bostian
Love the video idea for PiBoIdMo! 🙂
July 23, 2015 at 10:39 am
Ali Pichardo
Tara you need your own show! I enjoy this video so much. I can’t wait until August 4 to buy your book. I look forward to meeting you sometime soon. You have motivated me with PiBoIdMo and your positive outlook! Thank you for All you do for this community!
July 23, 2015 at 10:43 am
Tara Lazar
Thanks, Ali!
And I’ve heard that some people have already spotted ITTWABB out in the wild.
(Wow, that’s a bad title acronym. Ittwabb.)
July 23, 2015 at 11:05 am
Lee
Great interview, Tara with KidLitTV. I also love the book, That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown! 😀 looking forward to yours. The countdown is on!
July 23, 2015 at 11:05 am
mariagianferrari
I would have been there too!
I think ITWABB has a nice ring to it ;). You’re so funny, Tara! I enjoyed the video and behind-the-scenes info on ITWABB!
And thanks for again for hosting me for the Penny & Jelly blog tour! Congrats to you David & Heather.
July 23, 2015 at 11:51 am
Tara Lazar
Thank you, Maria! I’m so excited for you and your many upcoming titles!
July 23, 2015 at 11:21 am
danielledufayet
Thanks for sharing your book signing experience. It was a real eye opener.
I can’t wait to read your new bear book! Thank you for all you do for the kidlit community:)
July 23, 2015 at 11:38 am
amyleetai
Thanks for being so real in your posts. And in your video — hilarious! It’s like stand-up kidlit comedy. I look forward to reading your books — I bet they’re as funny as you are!
July 23, 2015 at 11:41 am
Lori Alexander
I did a signing on a rainy Saturday and only sold two books. One was to the sales guy at B&N, who felt bad no one showed up 🙂
July 23, 2015 at 11:53 am
Tara Lazar
I’ve sat there for hours and sold nothing. But you know what? I enjoy getting up and hand-selling books to the patrons! I saw a confused grandmother shopping and helped her find the perfect book. That felt good.
July 23, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Lori Alexander
Indeed! Love your video. Hope we get to hear more about that last line change, once we’ve all read ITTWABB. Cool you got to switch it, even after the F&G stage.
July 23, 2015 at 12:29 pm
diedre
Positively engaging! I’ve totally enjoyed the post and your video! You helping the grandma find the perfect book was outstanding.
July 23, 2015 at 1:14 pm
jennifer mook-sang
thanks for sharing the picture of your empty chairs. it’s actually quite comforting to know that this is writer normal 🙂
July 23, 2015 at 3:11 pm
Sonja Anderson
Thanks for your courage in posting those all-too empty chairs! Love it. My first kids’ novel (Sophie’s Quest) was just released in June, so I’m basking in the glow of the first events where everyone I’ve ever known who loves me has come to support me, so I needed this AWESOME reminder that this is a long road up ahead. You’ve helped me gain some much-needed perspective :).
July 23, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Tara Lazar
Congratulations on your book, Sonja!
July 23, 2015 at 4:05 pm
Mary Warth
Thanks for sharing this experience Tara. You always bring such a positive attitude to your posts- it’s inspiring! Congrats on your new title!!
July 23, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Marty McCormick
Can’t wait to read that last line!
July 23, 2015 at 6:56 pm
Carol Jones
Thanks for introducing me to KidLit TV!
July 23, 2015 at 7:11 pm
Rebecca E. Guzinsk
Tara, you are so honest, open, and HUMAN. You are always so willing to share your experiences which are so insightful. I also LOVE that you have continued sending these posts via e-mail. It keeps my writing from taking a hiatus.
July 23, 2015 at 7:18 pm
Carrie Finison
Can’t wait to read! Once it comes out, will you tell us what that last line was?
I’m glad you got the chance to revise until you felt comfortable with it. It’s a great reminder that kids deserve our absolute best.
July 23, 2015 at 9:04 pm
Tara Lazar
Yes, I will reveal the original last line after the book is out. It wasn’t very good!
July 23, 2015 at 11:26 pm
Karen J Moore
Thanks for your extremely entertaining video. It always helps to hear that other authors also reach a point of total frustration.
July 24, 2015 at 6:25 am
Ali Pfautz
Thank you for sharing!! Oh my!! As a storyteller, I have had similar times during bookstore performances where only two or three kids show up and I have to entertain them. UGH! That can be a challenge and it’s kind of embarrassing! Now that I have two indie books, I mix my storytelling with signings and it’s a great combo, but I still get nervous about how many folks will show up. These days you’re not just putting your writing out there, you’re putting YOU out there to help sell your books and it’s nerve-wracking! Love your energy in the video! So fun, Tara!
July 24, 2015 at 9:35 am
aliciaminor
With your suggestions, those empty chairs should fill up one day. Any story ideas on empty chairs ,anyone? I enjoyed watching your funny video. Congrats to the winners!
July 24, 2015 at 10:40 am
Sheri Rad
Loved the chairs, new title; When you hear crickets you know…” Will have to go back and find the video.
July 25, 2015 at 11:09 am
Dorothy Wiese
Thanks, Tara, for sharing your empty chair pic. Getting rejected isn’t the only unhappy event, but we pick ourselves up and keep writing!
I love your THIS ISN’T A BEAR BOOK preview. The story and illustrations are wonderful. I look forward to reading it
Dorothy Wiese
July 26, 2015 at 11:10 am
Tara Lazar
Exactly, Dorothy. There can be many disappointments in this industry, so we need to brush them aside and focus on what we love: creating stories. That makes it all worthwhile!
July 25, 2015 at 11:38 am
Penny Parker Klostermann
I have bookstore appearances coming up and have heard that empty chairs may stare back at me. Thanks so much for sharing this. It will help when it happens to me.
Love the video!!!!
July 27, 2015 at 7:57 pm
Lane Fredrickson
If you watch the JK Rowling quasi-bio, her first book signing was a little sparse as well. Awesome that you have a sense of humor about it.
August 18, 2015 at 5:14 pm
Back to School and What? « A Writer's Playground
[…] Combining things that aren’t usually associated together can create an interesting story. Tara Lazar’s recent blog post speaks of this tactic: https://taralazar.com/2015/07/23/two-winners-plus-a-hot-video/ […]