My first book signing (small scale)

So, just a few days after moving back to New York, I went to a family reunion, and it turned into a book signing. I only had 3 books, and they were all allocated for specific family members. I still need to get one for my grandma though.

It was a fun to have a group of people that wanted my book. Selling the books was nice too since I haven't made much money yet as a writer.

After the success of that endeavor, I made a contact at the coffee shop down the road. I got an email to talk to someone about doing a book signing there in the future. Maybe that will become something too. We'll have to wait and see.

A book is never truly done

No matter how much you work on your book, it is always going to have points and places that you could make better. I just finished another edit of my first book, Cherry Wood, and now it's a matter of waiting on Create Space to update the files.

It is hard to accept that you didn't get it perfect sometimes, but try to remember that everyone faces the need for revision. Don't take that as a negative, but as an opportunity to make your book even better.

Book Trailers are cool

Book trailers are one of the new ways to promote your book. They can be a great way to convey the mood and story of your book. I 've been wanting to put one together for Cherry Wood, but I haven't had time or the knowledge to make it work for me. Fortunately, I have a friend that is trying to start up a promotional business for writers. She made this trailer for Cherry Wood, and I think it works great to get the message of the story out there.


Check out http://www.puddingtane.com/ if you are interested in getting a trailer made for your book, or other promotional services.

Blog Blitz post by Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo

What is Blog Blitz? Well, a bunch of authors on Goodreads decided to do a blog tour and call it Blog Blitz. I got the opportunity to share a post by Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo. I hope you enjoy what she has to say.

        I was asked to share some of my writing journey, so here goes.  If I was a race horse, you could say I stumbled out of the gate.  Due to some misunderstandings, the first issue of my book came out without the final edits.  Since I was a first time author, I naively thought that once they printed it, it would be perfect.  OOPS!  I did not notice anything wrong until it had been out about a month, (and of course after I send out a ton of review copies) when I got a review that said it was full of errors.  I couldn’t believe it because none of the other reviews mentioned errors.  I decided to soldier on and that reviewer just needed glasses.  Then a friend that I had made online told me very bluntly that I needed to fix my book.  Then I actually looked at it.  I was appalled. I could not believe I had sent that out with my name on it.

     I promptly had it pulled from sales and edited.  That cost a pretty penny with my publisher; I considered it money well spent.  The book is now fixed and we are still trying to replace and recover from our first fiasco.  I feel rather stupid that it happened, but being new, we all make mistakes.  Trust me I have learned from this one.   I set about replacing everyone I had sent out or sold, that was no small task.  Many people just wanted to keep the flawed copies; they seem to think they will be collector’s items.  Nice to know they have that much faith in my success.  Anyway, life goes on, I seem to be on the uphill climb now with my book.

     I still get a review every once in a while that says there are mistakes, but I put them down to people not understanding that the book was written by a horse.  The character is a 38 year old rescued ranch horse and he is not going to speak in the proper Queen’s English.   The editor and I had a few issues there, but I did not want to lose Pie’s voice.  He has a particular way about him and it is consistent throughout the book. 

     Pie An Old Brown Horse, (That Knows What He Is Doing) is a very special book.  It is very similar to Black Beauty and everyone that picks it up and actually reads it, loves it.  He is getting great reviews and has a great message.  It highlights the fact that just because something is a little bent or bruised doesn’t mean it has no value.  Pie has proven that.  It also shows that some parents will do anything to ensure that their children learn valuable lessons in life. The fact that Pie spent years helping autistic children doesn’t hurt either.  The thing I think is the best about the book is that Pie is still with us at the ripe old age of 38.  No sad endings here.  He is alive and well and littering the internet with his short stories and opinions!

     Pie was awarded a five star Readers’ Favorite Review. He has been in January Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, & Focus On The Family.

About the author

Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo is a seventh generation Texan who has her own brick at The Cowgirl Museum. She has taught in alternative education for over twenty years. Ms.Scaramuzzo is a member of the 2012 Strathmore's Who's Who. She has a BA in Criminology and MAedCT. She works in horse, dog, cat and snake rescues. Ms. Scaramuzzo has been a tester observer for therapy dogs for nine years. She ran a therapy horse riding program for autistic children for five years. She has been a recognized animal behaviorist for over 20 years. This is her first book about an exceptional horse. She feels it is important to give back to maintain the balance of a civilized society.

About the book

This five star Readers’ Favorite book is the story of a twenty five year old ranch horse that was injured and pretty much left to die. He was brought to a stable and sold, even though no one really expected him to survive. He was reborn into a merchant of hope. His amazing spirit and calmness have helped many people over the next 13 years as he became the most amazing mentor and therapy horse. This is Pie's story as he tells it about the most amazing second chance at life and his travels through it. You will meet his person, a shy young girl who he helps grow into adulthood. He will introduce you to the other horses and people that helped shape his journey. His influence has known no bounds throughout this last 13 years and he continues to shine his light even at the ripe old age of 38. This is a feel good story about life, love, second chances and giving back.

Win a free copy of Cherry Wood

My news isn't as exciting as it was going to be because I got a better suggestion for later this month, but I do have something for everyone.

I'll be doing a give away of a free copy of Cherry Wood this week. How do you enter? It's very simple:

Sign up for my mailing list by sending a message to lockheed40book@gmail.com.
Wait and see who wins.

It's a simple as that. The winner will receive an email requesting mailing information.