It's part of the package!

Self promotion. It's topics like this that make me stop and realize that sometimes I'm a walking paradox. On one hand I am quite the extravert . . . parties, meetings, speaking - I'm all about it. No problem at all. But when it comes to anything that might possibly come across as "hey, look at me, look at me!!" I run amuck. Sooooooo, when it comes to the release of my novel, Whistlin' Dixie In A Nor'easter, this September, I'm going to have to push all of the potential worries of boastfulness aside and concentrate on my innate ability to engage in conversation and enjoy the company of my potential audience. Afterall, I am proud of my book and I hope others can find as much enjoyment reading it as I have had writing it.

Promoting as an author is an essential part of the package!

And here's my new cover design. Maureen suggested I show everyone since I just got it last Thursday and I'm super excited about it!

I've still got a long six months until the pub date, which is toward the end of September. It was to be released in July but the brilliant marketing folks at Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin's Press, decided to wait until the fall to take advantage of the peek season in Vermont. Since the book is set there, makes sense, right? First step in promotion.

As for what I am going to do to promote my novel, I've been thinking about it for years. I look forward to introducing myself to all of the bookstore personnel in my area, and I'm considering dropping off a pre-party favor. Not sure what it is going to be yet, but something that keeps my cover in their memory. Of course, like Maureen, I’ll offer to sign all of the books in stock and try to make an appointment with their marketing person in hopes of setting up a signing, or two, or three!

Also like Maureen, I want to throw the biggest party of my life. Some of my friends have already generously offered to host it, and I can think of nothing else but what I will wear. I'm going to take elements from the story and incorporate them into the party, such as serving peach dacquiris! Because, if nothing else, I’ve worked sooooooo hard for this moment and I am going to enjoy it!

It goes without saying, in this age of the World Wide Web, and “blogging” that I plan on a presence there also. I’m almost ready to upload my website, www.lisapatton.com and I love my Wednesday blog with my new girlfriends here at The Novel Girls. I will also get in my car every weekend and hopefully set up signings at bookstores around the south. I’d love to attend conferences, and speak about the pursuit of dreams at any school that will have me.

Of course, all of this takes time and money. And in this economy . . . well, I refuse to give in to the fear. We, as authors, have put our heart and souls into the realization of our dreams and no stinking bad economy is going to take it from us.

There’s my Scarlett adage for the day. What's yours?