My Literary Symposium Weekend

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I've written in my blog!

I signed up late for the Literary Symposium in Dayton, but glad I made it on the Speakers Panel. I didn't sell any books. I sent 15 and didn't sell a one. It was a small event, with not many buyers. And the ones that did buy bought from the authors who conducted seminars. A lot of times that's how it is at these events. If the readers haven't already heard of you, and you're not a presenter, then that equals no sales. That doesn't always happen though. Like in Columbus last year, I wasn't a presenter, but still sold out. Although I was on the speakers panel for the symposium that was the last event and no signings were going on after that. BUT... it's all about exposure when you're just getting out there. I kept that in mind and felt a little better. A lot of people who had already bought the books they wanted before meeting me did at least sign my email list, and seemed eager to check my story out later. I will say all in all I had a great time! I especially loved attorney Avalon Gaston! She gave a lot of legal tips and reminded us what to look out for. The Literary Symposium is a great start for aspiring authors, and even new authors because it's an intimate setting, with experts giving you the real deal about the industry.

Now to the really good part! I left 5 books with the symposium coordinator to sell. They have a website and asked if I'd like to leave some books with them. I took my other 10 with me and on Sunday I went with my sister to church. This is the church I grew up in too. Anyway, my sister had a copy that she was giving to a friend of her's. The pastor asked if he could show the copy to the congregation. He asked me to stand up, and gave me the mic to tell about my book and where it's available to purchase. I felt a little funny doing this in church because I always thought that's not the place to solicit. But everyone wanted a copy!!! I was sooo excited. Only.... we didn't bring those 10 copies with us, because as I said we didn't think church was the place to sell. It was okay though because it was after service. My sister had a list of people for me to autograph copies to. She's going to take them with her next Sunday. Some people asked her to bring their copy to bible study this Wednesday. Now, I'm going to run out. I wish I would have had those other 5 copies! I may have to end up shipping some more copies to my sister. God is really good. See how things work out?