How to Market Your Book

Writing books is one thing...selling them is another! Some authors think selling their books is a lot tougher than writing them. Having your book published with a large publishing house is the best way to have your book marketed. Publishers have several distribution avenues that will benefit you. And, generally, the larger the publishing house, the more distribution channels there are.

Relying on your publisher isn't enough. All authors have to promote themselves and market their books. Prepare press kits and send them out to all major newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations that are relevant to your topic. You might get lucky and get picked up by some of them.

Contact as many bookstores as you can and offer to do author signings, meet and greet events and/or readings. The bookstores will sell more of your books if you are in the store promoting yourself.

Try booking yourself for public speaking engagements where you can also sell your book.

Perhaps there are area festivals or events where you can sell your books. Some are better than others.

Networking is a great marketing tool. Get involved in your community and network with as many people as you can.

Don't forget your website. Everyone should have their name as a website. There are several other websites where you can market your book. Get as many reviews as you can. And don't forget about the importance of social media sites, like twitter and facebook.

Create a monthly newsletter and email it. Remember to have people sign up for your newsletter when you do any of your special events.

Start a blog. Especially if you are an expert in a certain field.

Don't give up. In Canada, once 5,000 copies are sold, your book is considered to be a national bestseller.

Article from Shoreline Week

Tecumseh author releases second book in Greenhouse Kids series
Ghost Walk picks up where Dan Delion's Secret left off

The mysterious adventures of Dan Delion, Holly Hocks, Johnny Jump-ups, and the rest of the Greenhouse Kids continue.

Tecumseh children’s author Shelley Awad recently released Ghost Walk, the second installment in her series.

Picking up where its predecessor, Dan Delion’s Secret, left off, Ghost Walk follows the kids as they try to solve a riddle on the night before Halloween.

We are also introduced to a batch of new characters, including a boy named Snap Dragon and a teacher, Mrs. Glory (known to her students as Morning Glory).

Ghost Walk, which features illustrations by Windsor’s Glen Hawkes, is aimed at young readers ages 8-12 and is available at Indigo and Chapters bookstores.

Copies of Dan Delion’s Secret have already sold out, requiring a second printing run.

Meanwhile, Awad is currently working on her third book in the series, The Greenhouse Kids Dig Deep, which she hopes to release in spring 2011.

In addition to her scheduled book signings, Awad is available for school visits.

Please call 519-979-2041 or visit GreenhouseKids.com for more information.

The Greenhouse Kids, Dan Delion's Secret - Sold Out!

Borealis Press, publisher of The Greenhouse Kids Series of books, contacted us to advise they sold out of the first mysterious adventure, Dan Delion’s Secret. The book has been reprinted. This is very good news, especially for authors who want to become a bestseller (and who doesn’t?). In Canada, a book becomes a bestseller once 5,000 copies are sold. We have not sold that many copies yet, however, we are well on our way to making the bestseller’s list.

Chapters/Indigo & Other Bookstores

Several Chapters and Indigo Bookstores have ordered The Greenhouse Kids books. If your local bookstore does not carry the book on their shelves, they can easily order it for you. Or, you can order direct from www.chapters.indigo.ca www.amazon.com
If you would like to receive a signed copy, please order from www.greenhousekids.com or call 1-800-665-2124.

The Detroit Free Press

Shelley Awad was contacted by The Detroit Free Press and was informed that they would be writing a feature article on The Greenhouse Kids books. They expect the article to be featured in June, and more details will be released as they are known.

Shoreline – Lakeshore, Ontario

Bill England from the Shoreline in Tecumseh, Ontario interviewed Shelley Awad on May 18th. The article should appear in their next edition.

Upcoming Events

May 29th & 30th - Come out to the Garden Tour hosted by Fort Malden Horticultural Society. A book signing will be held at the Garden Fair located in the Amherstburg, Ontario arena, Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

June 5th & 6th - Art in the Park, Willistead Park, Windsor, Ontario. Book signing 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

June 12th - Chapters, 1037 Wellington Road, London, Ontario. Book signing 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

June 13th – Indigo Bookstore, 194 Lakeshore Blvd., Tecumseh, Ontario. Book signing from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

June 14th – Maidstone Central Public School Author Visit and Presentation.

June 18, 19 & 20th - Kids Expo, Victoria Park, London, Ontario. Book signings from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m

July 1st - The Amherstburg Ice Cream Festival, Amherstburg. Book signings from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

July 10th – Chapters, Fairview Mall, 285 Geneva Street, St. Catharines, Ontario. Book signing 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

July 16, 17 & 18th - Sunsplash Festival 2010, Optimist Park, Belle River, Ontario. Book signings and presentations from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. More details to follow.

August 22nd – Indigo, Eaton Centre, Toronto, Ontario. Book readings/signings 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

August 28, 29th - Amherstburg Art by the River, Fort Malden National Historic Site, Amherstburg, Ontario. Book signings 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

September 12th – Niagara Water Festival…details to follow.

September 25th & 26th – Ruthven Apple Festival…details to follow.

Attention Parents and Teachers

I have already been to several schools and I am available for author visits. Please call 1-800-665-2124 for details.

Happy Reading & Gardening!

Shelley Awad
Children’s Author
The Greenhouse Kids, Dan Delion’s Secret
The Greenhouse Kids, Ghost Walk
www.greenhousekids.com
1-800-665-2124
shelley@greenhousekids.com

Selecting a Greenhouse

So, you've always wanted your own greenhouse. With so many choices available in today's market, thoughtful consideration must be given to ensure you will be happy with your purchase.

Here are a few items that you will need to review in making your greenhouse decision.

What material should the greenhouse be made of? As a greenhouse consultant, I always recommend aluminum for the frame. Unlike wood, it is maintenance free and is a product that generally lasts a lifetime. The greenhouse frame is available in white, forest green, dark brown or it can be custom matched to any color.

The greenhouse glazing is important for heat efficiency. Fivewall Polycarbonate is the best, followed by Double Glass, followed by Twinwall Polycarbonate, and lastly, Single Glass.

Consider the size of greenhouse that you will require. Virtually any size is available. The golden rule is to always buy the largest greenhouse that you can afford, because they get filled up quickly. Also consider building the greenhouse on a raised foundation wall if you require additional height for tall plants. This is usually a cheaper option than asking for custom walls to be made higher.

Consider door options. Does the greenhouse need to be wheelchair accessible. We offer wide doors, glass doors, storm doors and double doors.

A location for the greenhouse that offers southern exposure is ideal. Don't worry if you have deciduous trees. They lose their leaves in the winter allowing the sun to filter through.

If you are using the greenhouse during colder months, you will need to get a heater.

For more info on how to choose a greenhouse, please visit http://backyardgreenhouses.com/ecom.asp?pg=select-a-greenhouse-kit

Where Do These Blogs Go?

I started blogging regularly a couple of weeks ago...but where are the blogs? They were here a couple of days ago. One thing a writer never wants to do is start all over again!

The second book in The Greenhouse Kids series, Ghost Walk, has now been released. You can find it on www.amazon.com and www.greenhousekids.com In Canada, you can purchase it at any Chapters or Indigo bookstore. The same is true for the first mysterious adventure in the series, Dan Delion's Secret.

You can view the new book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5huvuy3Lg-s

Ghost Walk is the continues the story of Dan Delion's Secret. For more info, please visit www.greenhousekids.com