8 Ways to Get Kids to Read Your Book

I can't say I'm an expert on selling kids' books, but I do know kids. As a teacher and parent, I've spent a great deal of time with crazy daisies and funny bunnies! I know what they like and what they dislike (probably wouldn't like that I call them crazy daisies and funny bunnies!). No matter the fad of the week or the generation, kids are kids are kids. They love to crow and grow and go.

As an author of MG and YA, kids reading my books is what keeps me going. The feedback I get from my young readers is heartwarming and inspirational. The trouble is, how to get books into those little hands! So here's some advice that works...

How to Get Kids to Read Your Book:

1. Set up a School Visit - You have to go where kids are. Contact schools and offer a presentation or lesson. Schools are the number one promoters of reading. Go motivate those students! If they like you, they'll want your book.
2. Do a Library Visit or Reading - Many libraries are happy to host an author. Donate copies of your book. The more visibility you get, the more folks will want to spread the word to read your stuff!
3. Coordinate a Bookstore Signing with your visits! - Now that you have their interest, tie these visits together with a book signing. The hard part is hoping the kids will remember and persuade their parents to bring them to the signing.
4. Sign up for a Presentation at a Children’s Book Fair - Many book fairs have a special day or section set up just for kids' presentations and activities. I've done many of these and always sell books from them (suggestions for presentations will be another post coming soon!) 
5. Be part of a Family-Friendly Vending Event - And have some candy or fun giveaways to attract kids that go with your book, like these fun hand sanitizers:
   
6. Host a Signing Party - I try to have my release parties at fun places kids will be: like at an ice cream shop or a kids' boutique. I'm thinking of hosting my next party at a pizza parlor.
7. Write an MG SERIES - One book is good, but a series will give kids an easy go to for their next read! A series is a great way to keep your name in the front of readers' minds as they look forward to more from you.
8. Be Funny! - If you can make a kid laugh, you'll capture their heart. They'll see you in a new light. Laughter is a connection. When you make someone laugh, it shows you get them--you know what they like, how they think. And if you can do that, they'll want to laugh some more and read your books!

Bonus - Get to know Children’s Book Reviewers. Reviews are important parts of the publishing and marketing process. Lots of lists are out there, and though many of the book bloggers have extensive reading lists, keep trying!

If you’re lucky, you’ll get an awesome video review like this one from my SHOUT OUT OF THE WEEK:

TONJA DRECKER!

Tonja is AWESOME, isn't she? She's also brilliant! She spent some time in Europe not only devouring chocolate, cheese and wine, but also worked as a freelance translator and a summary writer for a German television station. How lucky am I that she was able to help me translate some German phrases in my latest Beast World novel, WINDY HOLLOW?? She's amazing!

Currently, Tonja resides somewhere in the back woods of the Ozarks and writes away while tending to chickens, cows and her family of six. Her stories have been published in several collections and magazines. A GLOWWORM was published by Black and White Publishing Company (2017). She's an avid book reader, professional children's book reviewer, outdoor addict and always in search of a new adventure (based in reality, the imagination, or otherwise).

But the best part - I happened to catch her right as she's about to be published! Her debut novel MUSIC BOXES is a slightly dark middle grade urban fantasy about a girl and her ballet dreams with hints toward Hansel and Gretel (just as dash) as well as Coraline. It's scheduled to be released on February 5th, 2019 with Dancing Lemur Press!

Congratulations, Tonja!


Summer's been a blast (of hot air!) Hope you all are ready for Fall. I sure am!

Vanished! #IWSG and #WritersLife Survey Results

I want to express heartfelt grief, sending hope and prayers to all those affected by the recent tragedies around the world. Hurricanes and psychotic terrorism are running rampant! But it strengthens my faith in humanity to see so many people working together to help others.


Now, on to less important drivel...

October? Really? Time has vanished again...
Well, I'm working again, so time is flying and I'm overbooked. I keep chugging along and that's fine with me. But I miss blogging around like I used to. I was so happy to be a hostess last month--it forced me to visit, and I so enjoyed it!

This month for IWSG, I'm dealing with change. I don't like change all that much. I deal with it, but I don't really like it. I like sticking with my old phone, my old computer, and all my old ways of doing things (I hate online banking - too many glitches and cyber-thieves!). If it ain't broke... But life moves on and we have to adjust if we want to succeed, whether we like it or not sometimes. The changes in my life are still up in the air too. We are planning to move soon, but we aren't sure where we want to go. Lots of things up in the air. I'm sure we'll be fine, but the stress of it all is starting to wear me down.

Anyone else resistant to change??


Moving on... Here are the results of my Writer's Life Survey #11 - Getting into Character

Who was your first main character?

A Characterful Word Cloud

Do you normally write characters the same gender/sex as you?

Do your characters have backstories?

Do you identify with any of your characters?

Well, I hope you enjoyed the survey results. Can you relate?
And how do you deal with change?

PS - I'm doing a day of class presentations to some 7th graders on Monday about VOICE - Any advice you think I should pass on? And wish me luck!

BTW - If you're interested in helping me spread the word about DISPOSAL - Pop Travel #3 coming out in November, here's a link to the FORM.

Thanks, y'all!!

#WritersLife Survey 7 - How do writers make TIME?

I guess it was time I made a badge for my surveys, eh? This is my desk - it says, "Have fun, but get your work done!"

Well, over in my neck of the galaxy, we only have a couple weeks left of school. This past week, I really enjoyed my temporary classes, and I was able to do my own lesson for some new kids. It was a refreshing change of pace. I love seeing students light up with discovery and letting their own abilities shine through, connecting learning to life.

My regular kids come back Monday. Over this long journey, we've had some good days, some bad days, and some really bad days where I didn't know if I wanted to go back. But I always do. I won't let them get the better of me. Instead, I take these tough times and figure out how to make the next day better. I ask myself, What can I do to help a child who has a rough home life behave better? How can I inspire them to feel good about themselves? And I always PRAY! Sometimes it's not about the schoolwork. Kids won't listen or learn if they need attention or affection. They need to feel safe and important first. They need to know teachers care about them.

Moving on! Though it's been a worthwhile experience and given me many ideas, working so much has really taken a bite out of my writing time. Only two more weeks and I get to ramp it up in the summer! Woo hoo!

Which brings me to this month's survey. How do writers make TIME?



PS - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! My boys took me to see GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY for Mother's Day - I'm a happy Momma!

#marketingstrategy A-L-T-E-R-N-A-T-I-V-E 4

GET CREATIVE - Your Way!

Marketing is a necessary evil. My kids always complain about commercials, but I tell them that's why they get to watch their shows. Nothing is free.

So keep coming up with zany, creative ways to get attention to your books! And keep writing awesome stories to keep them coming back for more once they're hooked!

I leave you with some of the constructive comments I received from this month of marketing tips...

"Julie Kagawa's website because it is sectioned off with images to click where you are taken to each of her book series. I read Talon but I got curious enough to buy two books from another series." from Sheena Kay Graham

There were several on video marketing...

"Maybe I'll have to do one with my kid in it. He's much more of a ham than I am." from Christine Rains

"I'm sometimes tempted to create animated ones to promote my comics." from Heather Holden

"I think I need to hire an actor!" from Yolanda Renee

"Maybe, I should just tape my dog?" from Tyrean Martinson

And a couple on school visits...

"I've done school visits through email." from Alex J. Cavanaugh

"I always enjoy school visits. They are a way to really connect with your readers." from C. Lee McKenzie

Thanks again for your valuable time! Have a great week!

$$ alterNATIVE #marketingstrategy 3 $$

Do a SCHOOL TOUR

This is on my agenda to work on... I've done small talks at schools in classrooms and when I sub, I tell the kids I'm an author and I always have a copy for them to borrow - some do, it's great!

But a guest speaker, that's big. I'm psyching myself up for it. I'm dreaming big, so I have to go for it. I know other authors who have done it and gotten great results. Word of mouth starts with kids telling their parents, because they HAVE to read in school.

So here's my advice, even though I'm still in the process of setting up talks. This is how I'm going about it...

1. Put together a presentation
• I'm a plotter, planner, put-it-down-on-paper person. I highly advise against sending anything to schools without knowing what you're going to say. And having a plan will give you more confidence to present it.
• In the presentation, you must inspire or teach the kids. You have to relate to them, whether through personal experience or future goals.
• It doesn't have to be long, but at least 20-30 min.
• And make sure you make them laugh! Bring on the emotion - don't be a snoozer. They also love to volunteer to come up on stage!
• Practice it!
2. Make a list of schools - Being the ultra-organized person I am (though if you came to my house, you'd have serious doubts about that claim) I put together a spreadsheet of schools, addresses, principals, etc, and a column for "sent" and "response." Keep track of who you've already asked or gone to because you're going to be a big hit!
3. Write a good letter - Introduce yourself, then tell them the gist of your presentation and how it relates to the kids. How will you inspire or encourage them? Why should they let you talk to their captive audience? Don't make it all about your books. (I also include a copy for their library)
4. Mail them - They won't ask if you don't offer. Keep in mind, schools are busy, busy, busy. They plan way ahead, but sometimes need someone in a pinch. And just like a query letter, you may hear crickets, so don't feel bad if no one calls right away.

Some of you know I put together a SURVEY to find out what beast you are - that was always a big hit in the classrooms. For the bigger stage, I've put together a short talk and a skit for volunteers to help with. I'm excited and scared to go forth and do my first school-wide presentation in front of hundreds of sarcastic, judgy teens. Yikes! And yet, I will try. Why not? If I fall on my face, it will be memorable to them...

I've also done a few on-stage performances. So here's my last piece of advice...

On stage, the lights in your eyes dim the audience. Don't worry about them. Remember, you ARE one of the lights! Shine on!

I'll let you know how it works out!
PS - CRADLE ROCK info coming this week!