Salesmanship, Amazon, Contests, and Mama

If blogging has taught me anything at all it’s that I’m really great at forgetting about my blog and not very good at administering contests. Because, unless you’re in radio, it’s probably not the best thing to set time constraints on a giveaway like, “The first three people to call in….” UNLESS you blog on a daily (at the very list biweekly) basis.

SO. My gal pal Lyn is getting a copy of Rosetta Stones because she’s an ANGEL INCARNATE. But I had to create a Plan B for the other two books. Plan B involved regrouping and trying my hand at contesting again at one of those regular-posting cool blog hangouts (Mile High Mamas). Plan B worked because now I have two other winners! YAYYY!! Congrats to Melissa and Melissa.

I’ve been trying to hook up with the public in non-blogging ways and so far this is what I’ve finagled:

I’m gonna participate at a book signing in Chama, New Mexico on May 29th and 30th. It’s the annual Book Fiesta that I love so very much for the awesome scenery, the engaging company, and the late-night parties.

Then on June 27th my local bookstore The Narrow Gauge Newsstand is going to host a book signing for me here in Alamosa, Colorado.

OH!!! And if you were one of those charming human beings that went to Amazon and clicked to pre-order my book DESPITE the fact that the estimated date of delivery said September, you may be pleased to know that, INDEED, they lied. I'm pretty sure my husband was the first person to place his order and he just got the confirmation email that said, in no uncertain terms, that Rosetta Stones is on its way. Can I hear a WOOT WOOT?!?!

Confession: I’m about two shakes away from hiring my mother as my publicist because this “selling yourself” business is EATING MY LUNCH.

AND DINNER.

AND ALL THE SNACKFOOD IN MY TOP LEFTHAND DESK DRAWER.

But I'm working at it. I've sent e-cards to everyone in my address book who hasn't already been harrassed by a pleading phone call. I've made some business cards and bookmarkers and spent two hours at the post office mailing copies to important people. I'm even TWITTERING occasionally!

I still need work with my awesome Webmaster to update and fix stuff at catherinedix.com but, first and foremost, I think I'm gonna go ring Mom.

Happy weekend, everyone.