This was a good day. I've been dealing a bit with the stress of the work I need to do promoting A Firm Place to Stand. Knowing that I need to get the publicity within the first three months means there's a fair amount of pressure on me to get the words out there - to have the book noticed.
I may sound kind of greedy, like I want to be famous or sell a lot of books so I can make money, but that's not it at all. The reason I wrote the book is because I want it to make a difference. I want it to help people dealing with mental illness and I want to educate Christians so that there will be less stigma. I need to get it into a lot of hands if it's going to make that kind of difference.
Yesterday something good happened. 100 Huntley Street, a popular Christian TV show, repeated an interview they did with me, my pastor, and a couple of people from Living Room. Then they announced the new book. Put a picture of it on the screen. National coverage! Wow!!
Today canadianchristianity.com published an excerpt from the book, one of my favorite pieces. It tells of how I saw the kind of love Jesus has for us in the face of a young girl I photographed. If you go to the home page of the website, you will see the picture I write about. It's cropped a bit too much, but you'll get the idea.
Though I have a lot of work to do, today I no longer felt the stress. I've put together a press release, a pitch letter, a bio, and a page of endorsements and comments. Each day I will send out one or two press kits. Everything is under control and I'm having fun. I do enjoy publicity work; I enjoy promoting things I believe strongly in. Every time I promote this book, there's an opportunity to reduce the stigma a bit more. Such worthwhile work to have! I'm very grateful that God has given me this to do.
Today I also finally finished sorting through Mom-in-law's stuff. On Saturday, when the family comes over, we'll see who would like to have what as a keepsake. The rest I'll give away.
And tonight I will play a game with my husband. Time to relax.
Showing posts with label book promotion; A Firm Place to Stand; stress; stigma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book promotion; A Firm Place to Stand; stress; stigma. Show all posts
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
On track
I want to thank PJ, Nancie, Jena, and Susan for your helpful comments and offers for help when I felt so overwhelmed yesterday. It was truly good to have you there.
Yesterday morning I had a great two hour quiet time, journaling, writing yesterday's post, and emailing a friend. Prayer was a big part of it. By the end of that time I felt quite a bit better.
Susan listed several things I needed to do to help me through this busy time. Actually yesterday afternoon I did some of that. After church I came home and - with the help of some books I have on how to promote your book - I made a list of the things I need to prepare to send out to the press. Then I sat down and wrote a press release, the most difficult part of it. I was happy with how it turned out. I also started on some other things. Now I feel that, although I'm still busy, I have things in control. And having control is the most important thing, isn't it?
I do love working on publicity for things I believe in. Have done a lot of it over the years, even selling 4000 copies of a little book I put together, "The Camper's Cookbook." So I think I'd like to keep control over the promotion of A Firm Place. There are so many angles from which I can talk about it. It's news, actually.
Last week there was a series in the Vancouver Sun about the stigma towards mental illness. I was able to pick up on that and talk about the stigma that some Christians still harbour...and considering they are trying to follow Christ who modelled unconditional love! I tried to focus on the tragedy of that and the damage that causes to people who believe in God but are driven away from the church because they feel judged there. A Firm Place to Stand can prompt discussion on a lot of important issues.
Susan also suggested a press release emailing service. I looked this up and found a company I'd like to use. My husband won't be happy with yet another expense, but I think this is important. I very much need to get the word out. Still not totally decided, but it's looking like I'll do that. (Just hope I don't have a divorce over it.:) Thank you, Susan, for letting me know about this opportunity.
Another point Susan made was that I should get some help with Living Room. Actually, I'm happy - and proud - to say that I get lots of help. The members have truly taken ownership and, though I lead it, I'm not alone in the work at all. I have people helping with the food and the phoning. And at the last meeting one of our members had her debut leading the devotional and discussion. I was thrilled with the job she did. Perhaps she'll one day lead a new Living Room somewhere?
Now it's time for a shower; time to get a new day started. Hope you all have a good one.
Yesterday morning I had a great two hour quiet time, journaling, writing yesterday's post, and emailing a friend. Prayer was a big part of it. By the end of that time I felt quite a bit better.
Susan listed several things I needed to do to help me through this busy time. Actually yesterday afternoon I did some of that. After church I came home and - with the help of some books I have on how to promote your book - I made a list of the things I need to prepare to send out to the press. Then I sat down and wrote a press release, the most difficult part of it. I was happy with how it turned out. I also started on some other things. Now I feel that, although I'm still busy, I have things in control. And having control is the most important thing, isn't it?
I do love working on publicity for things I believe in. Have done a lot of it over the years, even selling 4000 copies of a little book I put together, "The Camper's Cookbook." So I think I'd like to keep control over the promotion of A Firm Place. There are so many angles from which I can talk about it. It's news, actually.
Last week there was a series in the Vancouver Sun about the stigma towards mental illness. I was able to pick up on that and talk about the stigma that some Christians still harbour...and considering they are trying to follow Christ who modelled unconditional love! I tried to focus on the tragedy of that and the damage that causes to people who believe in God but are driven away from the church because they feel judged there. A Firm Place to Stand can prompt discussion on a lot of important issues.
Susan also suggested a press release emailing service. I looked this up and found a company I'd like to use. My husband won't be happy with yet another expense, but I think this is important. I very much need to get the word out. Still not totally decided, but it's looking like I'll do that. (Just hope I don't have a divorce over it.:) Thank you, Susan, for letting me know about this opportunity.
Another point Susan made was that I should get some help with Living Room. Actually, I'm happy - and proud - to say that I get lots of help. The members have truly taken ownership and, though I lead it, I'm not alone in the work at all. I have people helping with the food and the phoning. And at the last meeting one of our members had her debut leading the devotional and discussion. I was thrilled with the job she did. Perhaps she'll one day lead a new Living Room somewhere?
Now it's time for a shower; time to get a new day started. Hope you all have a good one.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Overwhelmed
I'm healthy, but - I think quite understandably - feeling overwhelmed about all the things I have on my plate. I feel as though I'm trying to live the lives of half a dozen people, all at one time. And I don't know how I'm going to manage to do all I need to do. In fact, I don't think I will manage. What I need to do is figure out what is most important - be efficient with my time. Good thing I've had a holiday and I do have energy. I just wish there were more of me.
I've been studying how to publicize and market books...and wow! All the things I should be doing! No wonder publicists are so costly. They have a huge job to do. And, not being able to afford one, I will have to do that myself. And I need to try to do this as well as I can, because I believe A Firm Place to Stand is a book that will help fight stigma, and that is so very important. I want the book to be out there and read by many people.
The Vancouver Sun had a series of pieces about mental illness last week, pointing out the effects of stigma on the welfare of people with mental illness. It's a terrible situation. This has to change. And I believe my book and the things I have to say can be a building block in helping change come about. I want to speak to the media. I want people to learn more. I want to help compassion grow.
But I also have a 94-year-old mom who needs me. And I have Living Room and its people. Not just my group, but the other groups I'd like to help grow. I want to keep time for the people that come to me for support. I want to write articles. I want to blog.
This will be a busy week. I'm getting ready for a family barbecue at our house. We will be going through some of my mother-in-law's things to divide up the memories of her between us. I still need to go through her boxes. (a huge mess to clean up and organize) I'll need to clean house and cook.
I am overwhelmed with all the things I need to do, especially raising awareness about the need for support of people with mental illness by the church. I know I'm in a position to do some good. I feel the responsibility in a big way. But how can I best do it with the little resources of time I have? Where should I concentrate my efforts?
Please, God, lead me in the best way to go. I know I'm not on my own with this. This is, after all, your work and not my own. I shouldn't worry so much. I should realize that the burden is not all mine to carry. Help me to take aim with my writing tools and publicity in a way that will do the most good.
I've been studying how to publicize and market books...and wow! All the things I should be doing! No wonder publicists are so costly. They have a huge job to do. And, not being able to afford one, I will have to do that myself. And I need to try to do this as well as I can, because I believe A Firm Place to Stand is a book that will help fight stigma, and that is so very important. I want the book to be out there and read by many people.
The Vancouver Sun had a series of pieces about mental illness last week, pointing out the effects of stigma on the welfare of people with mental illness. It's a terrible situation. This has to change. And I believe my book and the things I have to say can be a building block in helping change come about. I want to speak to the media. I want people to learn more. I want to help compassion grow.
But I also have a 94-year-old mom who needs me. And I have Living Room and its people. Not just my group, but the other groups I'd like to help grow. I want to keep time for the people that come to me for support. I want to write articles. I want to blog.
This will be a busy week. I'm getting ready for a family barbecue at our house. We will be going through some of my mother-in-law's things to divide up the memories of her between us. I still need to go through her boxes. (a huge mess to clean up and organize) I'll need to clean house and cook.
I am overwhelmed with all the things I need to do, especially raising awareness about the need for support of people with mental illness by the church. I know I'm in a position to do some good. I feel the responsibility in a big way. But how can I best do it with the little resources of time I have? Where should I concentrate my efforts?
Please, God, lead me in the best way to go. I know I'm not on my own with this. This is, after all, your work and not my own. I shouldn't worry so much. I should realize that the burden is not all mine to carry. Help me to take aim with my writing tools and publicity in a way that will do the most good.
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