My report on my signing

Well here's the low down on the signing. The staff at Borders were very accomodating. They were really polite and just basically let us take up a huge chunk of floor space for the afternoon with tables and our silly selves.

In attendance was myself, Linda Mooney, Emma Sanders, Pearl X Jones, and Evelyn Palfrey. I handed out group information and discs to every single person who came to the table. I haven't counted, but I'm guessing about 15 people (?). A few didn't get them because I didn't get to pounce on them after they spoke to the other authors but that's okay.

There were only a few sales from the group of us, BUT everyone got the information on who we were, info on the books and how to order them, and overall it was a lot of fun.

Borders had run a local ad for the signing, which helped. Several people came because they saw that ad. Since I've made contact with the Borders in South Austin, I'm going to see if I can wing a Saturday date out of them next.

So my advice: Even if you can't sell because you don't have a tangible product, have only e-books, or don't have a lot of promotional savvy, iand f it's feasible, GO! There's now more people out there who will know about e-books if they didn't, and that many more people who now know of the authors who contributed to the group discs. (There's almost 20 authors iirc on the TexasARF.) Some had book trailers to add, chapters, covers, bookmarks to download, just a lot of stuff that went on a single disc. Plus you get to hang out with other writers. Is there a better way to spend a Saturday??

I know getting out there can be hard. I like talking to people, I'm the extrovert in my house. Even with only the e-books, I made sure everyone knew where and how. The other authors had books, I was the only e-book there, but I DIDN'T CARE! heheheee

It was a lot of fun, and I would suggest for a minimum of three if at all possible, or like was mentioned elsewhere, put out "bait". A sign (book thongs here etc), a question, or something catchy. If you have the means, take a player to play videos. Do a short podcast of the first chapter and play it on the speaker.

I was exhausted afterward, on the go from 10am on, but it was well worth it.

Well, once I have a handle on things here, I'm going to do a press release for the local paper, and hopefully the Borders will run an ad like the SA store did. I meant to do one, and didn't get a chance to research it and how to make it look good in time for the signing after conference.

So to all the ladies I got to spend my Saturday with, Thank you! For making my first signing so wonderfully enjoyable! You ladies Rocked!!!

Moments I can brag about

Let me tell you how my day has gone so far.

1) Spent the morning on the phone with Cathy Clamp. Yes, that Cathy. I met her at conference and she's a wonderful lady. Hope my ineptitude with MySpace helped.

2) Am in the process of getting some wicked awesome pins from "Guy". It's kind of hard to explain, but I met him when I was talking to Kim Harrison (Do you need to read that name again? Go ahead. I'll wait. Heh. I know people now! LOL) And he's being a total sweetie and procurring some awesome pins for me. Thanks so much!

3) SRN was contacted by a review blog, and we're in the process of setting up a mutual agreement. Kind of like having an "in house" reviewer for our site. There'll be more details later as this progresses, but it's a totally fantabulous step forward--okay a huge freaking leap--for non-erotic writers on the internet.

4) Met the mom person in town today, and of course, we met at... TA-DA! Borders. Well, I finally remembered to take some bookmarks and introduced myself to the Manager (Like I'm not in there a couple times a month anyway, but I ALWAYS forget.) and I'm going to see about setting up a signing with their store in south Austin. He was totally stoked about the idea! Yay! Diana Scores! hahahahaa

So on the short, I had a very productive day! Yay!

Courtesy of Jodi Picoult @ WD.com

If you're a writer, you know what rejection is. No, not the feeling of being kissed off by a boyfriend, or the fact that you weren't invited to that special summer tea...

This is real, cold, hard, rejection.

They say that failure builds character. Well, it also hurts like hell.

If you've ever felt like giving up is the only thing left to do... Definitely read this. It's sage advice from the trenches and reminds us that we're our own worst enemy.



http://www.writersdigest.com/articles/picoult_trytryagain.asp

Just a reminder

About my signing coming up on Saturday! I'm excited to be doing it. I hope you will come out and see me and the other gals. Here's the details again...

• Borders Huebner Oaks Center
  San Antonio, Texas
  July 28th, 1-3p CST.
  Click here for information and directions.

See you there!

Books in landfills?

As many of you know I just went to my very first conference. I have to say it was a phenomenal experience and one I plan on repeating as money and time allows through the years to come.

However, a hot topic just hit the 'net this morning. And I'm a little flabbergasted that after RWA's existence for so long, nothing is really being done to cure the problem.

Sylvia Day posted an insightful blog today at Romancing The Blog and I have to speak up with her. The basis of this post is that the excess books from conferences, not just RWA's annual biggie, but at many of the conferences are BEING THROWN AWAY. It's a travesty.

For the full picture, please read her post.

One Diva suggested have the Local RWA chapters where the conference is being held step up and help the hotels redistribute the books. Not as a hand to hand, but to help communicate from hotel to needy facilities that the books will be available. Remember the call from the libraries after Katrina? What about the libraries affected by the mid western tornadoes last year? Several communities lost entire buildings of books. There's women's shelters, homeless shelters, even booksellers. They can have them if they will stay in circulation and NOT BE TRASHED! It's such an economical waste for one, the paper is rotting in the landfills, not used as mulch or anything of the sort.

The worst part is the cost involved. Money is spent to print those books. Cost of supplies, paper, ink, people's time. And it is being THROWN AWAY. Where is the cost effectiveness of that? Where is the business plan in "planned waste"?

Speak up at your chapters. Don't let good products be trashed. You may not even read romance, but is this "green thinking"? Purposely counting on having a waste of product is not good for the environment or for the industry.

Conference 2007 Pics!

Okay, now that I've figured out how to get a slide pic to show up, I can give you some low down on what went down...

Well, many of you know, but Ms. Thing, Crystal J. sold to Kensington. Lovingly, she is on my most hated list this week until further notice. She's fine with it. LOLOL

Sandy and I totally hit it off as roomies and come Hell or high water, San Fran is going to rock in 2008! I'm already trying to decide what body parts or organs I can sell to go. What's the going rate of a slightly used liver these days? Hrm... Will have to research that...

Okay, I'll put that on the back burner for now. Other good news... I met so many people. Divas, and writers... Oh.. and did I mention Vicki Lewis-Thompson... totally stalked her.... (BG) She's so sweet. And Sherrilyn Kenyon was a wonderful inspiration at the PRO retreat. Sandy was stalking her! LOLOL Lisa Kleypas was one of the key-note speakers and she is as funny as she is a lovely, inside and out. Lisa Jackson was the other speaker and both had such wonderful stories to tell. So much great advice. *sigh*

I'm afraid to name all the people I did meet because I know I'll miss at least half, but the pics give you a good idea of what was happening. The muse is whispering in my ear. What workshops? There were workshops?? *Big innocent looks*

There was the Diva Dinner, which was a blast and such an honor to be included in such a wonderful group of talented, lovely, boisterous ladies.

The agent and editor meetings went well. I met with Angela James and Jennifer Miller of Samhain and they requested the WIP that has been nicknamed Angie: the twit that won't die. Thankfully Angela thought that was funny. :) I also got a partial request from Sha-Shana Crichton, so I have to buckle down and get that syno written. The networking was phenomenal. People all over. The hardest part was deciding who to tackle first! Tawny didn't even need the football pads. I was very reserved... NOT! It was too much fun.... And I am now seriously broke. LOLOL

I'm home!

Exhausted, broke to Nth degree, and too tired to see straight but I'm home.

I just downloaded some pics of me with a ton of people so I'll have those up and ready in a day or two. There was lots of mayhem, some Diva trouble (You knew there had to be *wink*) but it was all good. And I met so many people! I started to hid name overload on Friday, but managed to hold my own pretty well.

Check back soon for the photos and fun! :)

Just for fun

Because I wanted to post something before I leave tomorrow's goodbye post...

Check out this link and play a little. It'll tell you the Rating of your sites, from blogs to myspace and LiveJournal.

http://mingle2.com/blog-rating

BTW, if there's anyone out there concerned about MY content.. Apparently I'm "G" across the board. *wink*

--
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Diana Castilleja
www.DianaCastilleja.com
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/SweeterRomanticNotions
http://www.sweeterromanticnotions.com

Time <2 Days and counting!

It is now Monday some time after sunrise and before sunset... Don't ask... I didn't sleep well. We have a house guest for the week, who has been given my son's bed. That means the 5 year old boxer wanna-be-in-his-sleep is now sleeping with us. Loads of fun! Uh... Yeah...

Anyway, so I've called to see about my dress. I'm going to get it after 5 tonight, and I have to go to the grocery store stock up for the days that I'm gone so the men folk have food that they can make without my intervention. Oven Pizza anyone? LOLOL

So many are already on their way. I'm jealous! I wanna be there! I also want a nap. They're 'bout equal at the moment.

Have I mentioned I'm terrified? No? Then I'm hiding it well.

On top of all of that, and as petty as it sounds, I broke a nail yesterday. Now, mind you. I've never had nails that grew to any length. In the last three years, they have. I'm guessing it was because of the pregnancy. So, I'm like okay, that's cool. But it just sounds so .... whiney... when I say. "I broke a nail"... Heck! I've never had them!

Oh well. I guess I need to get back to my pitch. Haven't thought on it.. Well, that's not exactly true. I've thought on it plenty, just haven't done anything about it. Time to do it. I'm at 45 hours and counting till take off...

Conference is coming! Conference is coming!

X-post blog... :)

Well, today is Friday, and I have FOUR Flippin' days to get my crap together for Dallas next week!  Um... Okay, so I'm mostly organized. I bought a new purse today, mostly because at some point I dropped my busincess card case out of my current one, which has labeled it as evil. If things can fall out of it... NOT GOOD! I spent gobs of money on new Mary Kay (Shhhhh! Don't tell the man.) but my consultant is sweet and gave me gobs for free. That kind of takes away the sting.

I have a box of goody bags full of SRN promo (Thanks everyone!) and my clothes are set aside, and I pretty much know what I'm taking, but does anyone ever really feel "unaffected" by something this stinking big? I mean, really?

There's going to be beaucou authors there, editors, agents, friends and just tons of people. What if I sleep on my hair wrong? What if I forget my underwear!? *deep breath* Okay, so the first is totally possible, the second... I won't even let myself think about it.

I'm nervous, but I'm not, if that makes sense. I'm excited, but not a lot. I think It's too surreal at this point, maybe since it's my first, I have nothing to compare it to, so I have nothing to get excited about. That I'm totally angsting over the amount of money I've spent, not only for the trip but all the side crap (Like the extra clothes, make-up and junk) that I just wouldn't have had to spend if I didn't go. And believe it or not, I've tried to NOT GO. Had a few talks with the man to cancel, but he WANTS me to go. How's that for brownie points? He wants me to go, is working really hard to make sure I can go, and isn't holding anything against me for wanting to go.

So, I've also got a car waiting (Makes me sound so important I know. ) and I'm going to be driving, so if you're on the highway in Texas on Wednesday morning, get outta my way! I'm going to Dallas baby!

I'll be posting pics and stories and stuff as I can when I get home, but they'll probably be all over the place and will make no sense or reason. But that's okay, I rarely make any sense myself.

The Eternal Kiss is a RECOMMENDED READ! WOOT!

I just got my first official review on The Eternal Kiss and I can't say how thrilled I am!

Here's a snip:

The Eternal Kiss is the first in the Shadowed Souls series by Diana Castilleja and this reader is anxiously waiting for the next installment. When you start this, make sure you have plenty of time. You will not want to put it down until you find out what happens to this magical couple and their friends. The heat between Diego and Titania grows with each page and is definitely sizzling, without being gratuitous. Suspense will keep you figuratively turning the next page. I can unreservedly recommend this book whether you are a lover of the vampire genre or not.

Here's the full review!

Smooches to Ms. Judy!


--
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Diana Castilleja
www.DianaCastilleja.com
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/SweeterRomanticNotions
http://www.sweeterromanticnotions.com