Praise God for All Things by Laura V. Hilton

This past week I was at International Christian Retail Sales (ICRS) in Cincinnati,

Laura V. Hilton

Ohio. It was a l-o-n-g drive up, almost ten hours! And by the time we arrived it was pretty late at night. It was so good to get to bed and rest, but at the same time kind of scary knowing I had interviews and a book signing to face, plus a three-block walk to the convention center and back, multiple times a day. With hip problems, this worried me. Would I even be standing on my own power by the time of some of the afternoon appointments? I wanted to appear “normal,” not handicapped, but I determined to give it to God and prayed a wheelchair would be available if worst came to worst.

I woke up that next morning, raring to go. Steve had gotten up early and went down for breakfast, but my three girls and I joined him as soon as we were ready. Ah, fresh fruit in the breakfast buffet. Yogurt in fancy little glasses with a topping of granola and fruit. Heaven! Steve joined us for a cup of coffee since he’d already eaten.

We walked over to the convention center and the excitement was in the air. A Starbucks! Wow. Yes, I got myself an iced coffee, but not right then. Later in the day. We went to the main arena where publishers and Christian distributors from across the globe were demonstrating their products and giving away select items. Videos. Books, books, and more books. Water bottles. Balloons. And more!

I got in line at the first book and the author said, “I’m so excited! This is my debut novel!”

“Congratulations,” I reply. “How exciting!”

“What is your capacity?” she asks, peering at my name badge. “I mean, what are you here for?”

“I’m signing my book this afternoon,” I answer.

“Is this your first, too?” she asks.

“Um, no.” And whisper a prayer of thanksgiving to God for using me in the fiction category the way He has.

“What number is it?”

“Um, fifteen.” I mentally counted to be sure. It was if I didn’t count the ones waiting for editors, release, contracts, etc.

“Wow! You are where I want to be!”

I accepted the book and wished her the best, then invited her to my book signing. She said she’d be there but honestly, I have no idea if she was or not. There was a line when I arrived (early) to my table, and it didn’t break until after the signing ended. In fact, I signed longer than my allotted time. I have no idea the capacity that most of the people in my line were in, but I was invited to a bookstore someplace in Ohio for a book signing if I ever get that way.

The blessing was that God held my hand the entire way through: from the heavy traffic (which freaked me out) to the safe trip to the convention where I was able to interact and talk comfortably with people I didn’t know (way out of my comfort zone) to the fact that I was still walking at the end of the day. Admittedly my husband held my hand on my bad hip side and I wobbled a lot, but by the grace of God I was still walking.

Thank you, God, for hearing and answering prayers for little things, prideful things, and major things. And thank you for the courage to face the adventures that life brings. Amen.

About the Author

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and three of their children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Laura also has two adult children.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Lovefollowed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series withWhitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Bird House in September 2015. See below for information on Laura's latest, The Amish Firefighter. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.

Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
visit her blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ &http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton or@Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

Amish Firefighter
by Laura V. Hilton

The Amish Firefighter

A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home
Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she'd never heard about, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She's desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody's making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn't seem willing to help.

A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.

A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross, at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they'll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.

Marketing in the Marketplace: Location, Location, Location by Elaine Marie Cooper

Bookstore booksignings - they are part of the "writer" job description. But, sometimes, they can seem like a waste of time when it comes to sales. Today, author Elaine Marie Cooper gives us a a tip that can enhance our enjoyment and success. -- Sandy

Elaine: Experts say that, when it comes to buying real estate, location means everything.

In my experience as an author, I’ve formed a similar philosophy: Your physical location within the store is a part of your selling success.

The first time I noticed this connection was during Christmas shopping season in 2013. Customers had flooded the small shop in which I’d set up my book display. The holiday was mere days away and shoppers appeared desperate to find gifts.

Anxious to promote my newly released historical, Fields of the Fatherless, I saw an opportunity when the line of customers waiting to check out wound its way next to the table where I displayed my book.

Engaging each customer with a smile, a free bookmark and a few well-timed words about my novel, I sold several books to those waiting to make purchases.

The next Christmas, I was blessed to be scheduled for a book signing at a national chain of large bookstores. I was delighted when the buyer told me he’d ordered 50 copies for me to sell. Delighted—and a bit nervous.

What if I only sell a few? I asked my husband to pray with me that the Lord would bless this book event. I took a deep breath, and entered the Taj Mahal of bookstores.

Inside, I met the manager who set my table up in what seemed like a practical location, just to the right of the main door. Because the store was huge, I stood and greeted customers, offering free bookmarks. I sold several books, but not as many as I’d hoped.

I suggested a change of location to the store manager. “How about along that crowded checkout line, where the customers have to stand and wait?” He was dubious, but agreed with my idea.

“Happy Holidays!” I said to each customer. My greeting was highlighted with a smile as I pitched a short statement about my book. If they looked away, I kept on grinning and spoke to the next one in line.

“Would you like a bookmark? It’s free.” If they read it and seemed at all interested, I gave my brief pitch again. “You can look at my book if you like.”

As they flipped through the pages, several seemed engaged in the story. “If you’d like to purchase it today, I can sign it for you.”

Frequently, the customers smiled and bought a signed copy. I gave away lots of bookmarks—and sold many books.

Two hours later, the manager’s jaw dropped as I handed him a small handful of leftovers. “This is great!” he said. “I never thought that location would work!”

I was ecstatic. Between the Lord and location, my book sales were a success.

Perhaps selling 43 books would seem like a paltry sum to a writer like Francine Rivers. But for this lesser-known author, it felt like a million.

Do you have tips for us from your bookstore experiences? 

~~~~~~ 

 

Elaine Marie Cooper is the author of Bethany’s Calendar (nonfiction memoir) and Fields of the Fatherless (historical fiction). Her work has appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies, including Prayer Connect, Splickety Prime and Fighting Fear -Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves For Battle by Edie Melson. www.elainemariecooper.com

The Value of Booksignings for the Published and Unpublished by Sandra Ardoin

Booksigning.

The word can strike fear into the hearts of those of us who would rather blend into the wallpaper than hawk our wares to strangers. So is it worth it to sit at a table for a couple of hours while people walk past, trying not to see you? (Come on, you know you’ve been one of those people, too.)

Unless you’re J. K. Rowling or the lastest New York Times bestseller, if you ask most writers, they’ll tell you that booksignings result in few sales. I know that from a pure “get rid of the copies you brought” standpoint, it’s tough to make enough money to feel spending the time and gasoline are worthwhile. Yet we all do it because we believe it’s expected of us.

Rather than take the attitude that you’ll slog to the nearest bookstore to sit in a corner and watch the world pass by, why not consider the time and money as a chance for some cheap advertising?

A couple of weeks ago the singles in my church had their annual yard sale to raise funds for various missions they support during the year. This time they added a whole room for vendors, so I shared a space with two author friends from church, and we set up our displays. While I sold zero copies of the children’s collection in which I have a short story, I achieved my main purpose and had fun while doing so.

With my novella releasing in October, my goal for the hours I spent was to hand out bookmarks I’d created for the occasion, introduce people to my upcoming release (especially those in my church who don’t know I write), and gain addresses for my email list. I accomplished all of those.

I’m not an old pro at booksignings, but  each time I do one, I learn something new or discover something I’d like to do next time. For instance, I should have handed out bookmarks to the other vendors, something I’d planned to do, but never seemed to get around to doing before it was over. Maybe I could have done better in my email signups if I’d had a little basket of goodies to give away in a drawing. Instead, I gave out a copy of a recipe to those who signed up. Even so, I was satisfied.

Think about the following when it comes to booksignings: 

(L-R: Phyllis Keels, Susan King, Sandra Ardoin)

• When possible, do a booksigning with others. You’ll get more traffic and interest. 

• Try to share a table with those who write in a different fiction genre than you do, or those who write non-fiction. Variety attracts more people.

• If you’re not published and you have the opportunity, participate anyway. Add to your email list and tell others what you write. Hand out your business card and let them know how they can follow your publishing progress on your blog and on the social media sites.

Honestly, it’s hard to feel like you’re some monkey on display at the zoo, but look for those opportunities to tell others you are a writer. Swing from that booksigning tree! Well, maybe not, but have fun. :)

What nuggets of wisdom will you share with us about your booksigning experiences so we can make ours better? What have you learned that helps you with these events? Do you have a fun/inspiring/odd story about a booksigning you participated in?

~~~~

Sandra Ardoin is a multi-published author. A fan of old westerns growing up, it’s only natural that she sets stories in the days of the horse and buggy. She’s the married mother of a young adult and lives in North Carolina. Her Christmas novella, The Yuletide Angel, releases in October 2014. The print copy is on Amazon for pre-order.

Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest.