Year in Review: Part II
This year, I also kept track of my readings, signings, and appearances. For what it's worth, here they are.
In February, I read with Larry Levy at the Creative Spirit Center in Midland, MI. It's a nice little winter venue with a lit fireplace behind the readers.
In March, I read and then signed books at Schuler Books in Lansing. What a great bookstore!
Also in March I was the keynote speaker at a writers conference at U of M Flint. The lesson I learned? Always keep your books nearby. I didn't have my books in the presentation room and, as a result, I didn't sell many. To get my books, the participants had to go down the hall. Just that little effort, I believe, kept many from browsing. Always keep your books nearby when there's a selling opportunity. Never give people an excuse not to buy.
In April, I read in downtown Bay City at the Jeff Ward studio as a part of the Gallery/Poetry walk. People came into the studio, and I read a few poems each half hour. The audiences were great, and I can only hope that this becomes an annual event. Also in April, I read in Sharon Bernthal's English class. She used my collection, Emergency Stopping, in her course, and so she had me come in as a visiting author to read a story to her students. That's always fun.
In June, I read to Stuart Barbier's literature course. He used my novel, Into the Desperate Country, in the course, and so had me come in under the same auspices that Sharon had had me visit.
In July, I signed books on Mackinac Island. Here's a tip: always make sure that the bookstore validates ferry crossings! Also in July I was invited to teach a two-week fiction workshop in the MFA program at Northern Michigan University. Part of the stint included a reading. The whole two weeks was a grand time.
In August, Josh Maday and I went on the road again. This time, we went to Lexington, MI, where I signed books for the day at the Lexington Booksmith -- a great little independent bookstore. That was a great day with many sales! Of course, the day was made better by Josh Maday's company.
In September, I read in West Branch with Ken Meisel -- always, always a good time. Also in September I read at Kirtland Community College as a part of their visiting writers series.
In October, I met with the book club of the Bay City chaper of the American Association of University Women. They were a fun bunch, and it's always a good time to be in a room full of people that have read your novel and want to discuss it. In additon, in October I read at the Zeitgeist Gallery in Detroit with Ken Meisel. Cool venue.
In November, I read in Plymouth with Ken. We had a good time and sold a few books.
In December, on December 15th to be exact, I signed books at the Sweet Boutique in downtown Bay City. It proves my oft-stated point that if an unknown writer like me wants to sell books, he has to put in the seat time at signings. Granted, I only sold four books, but that's four books I wouldn't have sold otherwise.
Well, that's about it. Do stop back often if you would like to keep posted of appearances I'll be making in 2008.
In February, I read with Larry Levy at the Creative Spirit Center in Midland, MI. It's a nice little winter venue with a lit fireplace behind the readers.
In March, I read and then signed books at Schuler Books in Lansing. What a great bookstore!
Also in March I was the keynote speaker at a writers conference at U of M Flint. The lesson I learned? Always keep your books nearby. I didn't have my books in the presentation room and, as a result, I didn't sell many. To get my books, the participants had to go down the hall. Just that little effort, I believe, kept many from browsing. Always keep your books nearby when there's a selling opportunity. Never give people an excuse not to buy.
In April, I read in downtown Bay City at the Jeff Ward studio as a part of the Gallery/Poetry walk. People came into the studio, and I read a few poems each half hour. The audiences were great, and I can only hope that this becomes an annual event. Also in April, I read in Sharon Bernthal's English class. She used my collection, Emergency Stopping, in her course, and so she had me come in as a visiting author to read a story to her students. That's always fun.
In June, I read to Stuart Barbier's literature course. He used my novel, Into the Desperate Country, in the course, and so had me come in under the same auspices that Sharon had had me visit.
In July, I signed books on Mackinac Island. Here's a tip: always make sure that the bookstore validates ferry crossings! Also in July I was invited to teach a two-week fiction workshop in the MFA program at Northern Michigan University. Part of the stint included a reading. The whole two weeks was a grand time.
In August, Josh Maday and I went on the road again. This time, we went to Lexington, MI, where I signed books for the day at the Lexington Booksmith -- a great little independent bookstore. That was a great day with many sales! Of course, the day was made better by Josh Maday's company.
In September, I read in West Branch with Ken Meisel -- always, always a good time. Also in September I read at Kirtland Community College as a part of their visiting writers series.
In October, I met with the book club of the Bay City chaper of the American Association of University Women. They were a fun bunch, and it's always a good time to be in a room full of people that have read your novel and want to discuss it. In additon, in October I read at the Zeitgeist Gallery in Detroit with Ken Meisel. Cool venue.
In November, I read in Plymouth with Ken. We had a good time and sold a few books.
In December, on December 15th to be exact, I signed books at the Sweet Boutique in downtown Bay City. It proves my oft-stated point that if an unknown writer like me wants to sell books, he has to put in the seat time at signings. Granted, I only sold four books, but that's four books I wouldn't have sold otherwise.
Well, that's about it. Do stop back often if you would like to keep posted of appearances I'll be making in 2008.
posted by Jeff Vande Zande at 9:02 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home