An Author Podcast And #SHOPSMALL

On Saturday, I participated in my first ever podcast along with fellow Middle Grade author, Monika Schroeder. Our host was Ken Butcher, and you can listen to us at The Middle of the Air. Here's a picture, with Ken in the middle:

Immediately afterward, Monika and I signed books at Novels And Novelties, (Hendersonville, NC), for Small Business Saturday. My book is RUBY LEE & ME and Monika's is BE LIGHT LIKE A BIRD. Novels And Novelties has  lots of signed copies on hand, so please stop in, and consider giving books for Christmas!

Bluffton Book Festival

Bluffton is the most charming low country town I've ever been to, and I was thrilled to participate in the first ever Bluffton Book Festival. I spoke for half an hour on school integration, the teacher who inspired RUBY LEE AND ME, and the book's journey to publication. Below are some pictures from the event:

SCBWI Book Blast!

When it comes to marketing, it's hard to know what actually moves the needle, but that said, SCBWI's Book Blast is fast and cheap. They provided a template; I filled in the information and paid $25.

At last check, more than fifty people had viewed the Book Blast Page for RUBY LEE AND ME. You can see it too by clicking here: 

Several of my friends also have Book Blast pages. Take a look at BEAUTIFUL by Stacy McAnulty and THE FIRST LAST DAY by Dorian Cirrone.

Do you have a Book Blast Page? If so, post a link in the comments below, and I'll check out your page too!