Well folks, bookstore shelves are a little more full now that Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, which includes my essay, “Short Distance Romance” on page 227, has arrived. At the Barnes and Noble nearest me, the Braintree, Massachusetts store, the book is in the self-help/relationship section nestled between 10,000 Ways to Say I Love You and 101 Quizzes for Couples.
In the table of contents you’ll find my essay in the “Never Too Late for Love” section. I wasn’t sure how to feel about that at first; It reminded me of not only my age, but how long it took me to find my guy, but now I’m feeling more comfortable with the reference.
Sandra Briggs and me at Braintree Barnes and Noble
My good friend Sandra Briggs, who’s in town from Atlanta met up with me at B and N Braintree for some girl talk and to celebrate my part in Chicken Soup’s latest publication. We made a toast to future publishing endeavors over skinny peppermint mocha latte’s and hot chocolate. I had shown Sandra the essay long before I submitted it to Chicken Soup, when it was just a Word document. To refresh her memory she reread it while we were at Barnes and Noble, chuckling at different parts and beaming when she got to the end.
The Chicken Soup people tell me that the “contributors,” as we writers are called, make public appearances all over the country, doing book signings and talks at bookstores, libraries, and civic group events. I understand that the new volume will get a lot of attention around Valentine’s Day. I’ve told them I’d be happy to hit the literary circuit. If they schedule me for events, I’ll let you know.
Hi Lisa,
Let’s talk on Sunday.
Congratulations!
I’m in this edition too! (p. 363 – “Uncomfortable”) I have already set up a few book signings myself and the local newspapers have done a few articles on me. The Chicken Soup publicist didn’t arrange any of it. I set up one signing myself, and then after the articles were published (which happened just by word of mouth), I was contacted about a few other signing engagements. Don’t wait for Chicken Soup – get out there and set some up yourself! It’s a blast. Congrats! 🙂
Melissa: Thanks for the suggestions. How did you get the bookstores to book you? Did you cold call them? Did you drop them an email? What did you say to them? Any details you can provide would be great. Thanks! Lisa Braxton —————————————————
> Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2013 23:09:13 +0000 > To: lisabraxton@hotmail.com >
Also, Melissa: for the library and bookstore events that you’ve done, how did they get copies of the book for your event. Did they contact the publisher directly? Also, for your author talks, what exactly did you talk about? It seems like talking about the one essay wouldn’t fill much time. Do you ever sell any of the books yourself or do you leave that up to whoever is hosting the event? Thanks! Lisa Braxton —————————————————
From: lisabraxton@hotmail.com To: comment+_ibwvrsignbg9a-yb-in8t-_@comment.wordpress.com; caudillmelissa78@yahoo.com Subject: RE: [Lisa Braxton] Comment: “The inside scoop on “Chicken Soup for the Soul”” Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2013 19:10:21 -0500
Melissa: Thanks for the suggestions. How did you get the bookstores to book you? Did you cold call them? Did you drop them an email? What did you say to them? Any details you can provide would be great. Thanks! Lisa Braxton —————————————————
> Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2013 23:09:13 +0000 > To: lisabraxton@hotmail.com >
Hi again! Well, the only bookstores that we’re ‘allowed’ to contact are just local bookstores. They said to avoid places like Barnes & Noble and Walmart because they are a much bigger circuit. I haven’t done a book signing at an actual bookstore yet, but I have called a few local ones. They told me to bring a copy of the book by to let them review it and they would get back with me. I hadn’t done that yet because I was waiting for the official press release to come out so I could take that as well. I finally got a copy of it from my publicist. If you’ll email yours, she can send you a copy as well (or I’d be glad to forward mine if you’d like – email me at caudillmelissa78@yahoo.com). As for copies of the books – it’s my understanding that if bookstores book you for a signing, they order the books directly from Chicken Soup, but it may vary from store to store. You’ll just have to ask them that. My signings so far have been at a Christmas expo (just a local event – I just contacted the director and asked if I could set up a table) and a local restaurant. The restaurant owners heard about me and called me about it. I have two upcoming library events and I just called them myself and set them up. I purposely set them up in February to keep with the Valentine’s theme. And as for the books – I just ordered a few boxes that we can get at the discount rate and am selling them myself. At first I tried to sell them at the list price, but that didn’t go over so well, so I lowered the price and that seems to have helped. And yes – I have sold them myself at all of the ones I’ve done so far, but again – it may vary depending on the event. The first step is just to call around and pitch the idea and see who takes you up on it! Oh, and do you have a local “arts council” or anything of that nature? There is a small arts council in the area I live where they sell people’s artwork, pottery, etc., and they have agreed to put up a stand of my books as well. They actually sell them at list price and get a small profit from the sale, but it’s still nice to know that autographed copies of my books are out there if anyone wants to drop by and buy them. If you have any other questions, just let me know! And I just read your story – LOVED it!