What do you think of my pink flamingo? I earned that flamingo, and I am very proud of it, or I wouldn’t have placed it in my garden by the pink bleeding hearts, yellow pansies and hydrangea. I introduced the dogs to the flamingo. They sniffed it and watched as I put it together. That way, when I positioned it in the garden, they wouldn’t bark, thinking it’s a strange new wildlife trespassing on their property.
How, did I earn that flamingo? I was a presenter at a CWC workshop last weekend in Nanaimo at Literacy Central Vancouver Island, which also includes the bookstore, Well Read Books—Nanaimo’s best kept secret.
I spoke about the differences between marketing and publicity, which also includes merchandising and networking. As always, 24 hours prior to the workshop, I was full of doubt. My spouse told me, “Jo, do your thing like when you instructed fitness classes. Don’t tell your participants to do ten burpees though.” He was right (and I didn’t mention burpees). Once I arrived, and got myself set up, like a flick of a switch, I was “on.” I shared my experiences and tips with respect to marketing and publicity, and making yourself “known,” while maintaining balance. What is the best value of your time? An interview, or writing? Only you can decide. One point I mentioned was that email marketing, i.e., your newsletter, reaches more people than X and FB combined. (This may not be the case for everyone.) I know my newsletter open rate. I have yet to get that many “likes” or “comments” on any social media post. If a social media platform changes its policies, and you decide to shut down your account, no worries, you still have your subscribers. I was happy to see participants scribbling notes and asking questions. I had a great time, because I forgot about the time.
Paulette McCarthy, the author of The Final Hours of John Doe, Truth and Reconciliation, spoke about the partnership of selling yourself and your books.
Winona Kent spoke about the CWC and many other worthy writing organizations. Winona Kent did a lot of work organizing the workshop, and if you haven’t had a chance to check out her Jason Davey series, here is her website . Jason Davey is a professional musician in the Figgis Green band and an amateur sleuth.
Being VP of Memberships for SinC-CW, I met authors whom I’ve corresponded with, such as author Kim Bannerman. In the spirit of paying it forward I’ve included Kim’s website. Kim loves books, dogs, birds and the art of Ancient Egypt, and Crème brûlée with rhubarb. I’ve just ordered her historical novel, Truly The Devil’s Work, which is set in Esquimalt.
Yesterday, I published a new podcast episode, E183 - No Beatles Reunion. I’m reading my nonfiction short story No Beatles Reunion. I share what it was like working in the prosecutor’s office. It was a treat to read that story, because I was zoomed back to a previous time in my life—the power of words.
If you have a short story, or a first chapter you would like me to read on the podcast, please let me know. Stay healthy everyone.
Joanna
Always enjoy your newsletter. Love that flamingo. Hope it doesn’t scare Bunny FooFoo😊
Love the flamingo, Joanna. Glad to hear your event went well!!