Recent Goings-On & Whatnot

Hey, blog readers, in case you're thinking I've just been sitting here watching those dang minions jump and shout and scream about my book launch, I'm here to say (finally) that it's not quite true.

First of all, I did have a fantastic book launch party way back on June 23. Junior and senior pirates alike enjoyed swag, food, and yeah, a bunch of books.

freebie pirate swag galore

120 attendees--and some weren't even my personal friends

pirate cookies & book cake were both hits

Check out more photos of this superfun event here.

Shortly after the launch, I took a well-deserved (if I say so myself) break to lovely San Diego, which is fast becoming our family's vacation spot of choice.

Sunset Cliffs--highly recommended if you love sunsets, oceans, cliffs ... you get it.

After that, I was off to Watermark Books & Cafe in Wichita for a book signing and general merriment with my supercool poet mother-in-law, Diane Wahto.

So now I'm settling back in to writing, reading, and blogging, and I hope to keep you up to date on the goings-on, such as they are. For more or less monthly updates, you can always sign up to receive my author newsletter here, which includes fun freebies like kids' activities and newsletter-only giveaways as well as news, photos, and updates. Till next time, then.

Launch Party Deets Are In!

You Are Invited!

Ahoy, maties! Come one, come all to a swashbuckling launch party to celebrate the publication of The Wand & the Sea. This is a FREE, PUBLIC event for anyone who loves pirates, fantasy stories, chocolate doubloons, and/or (of course) The Key & the Flame. 'Cause it's a sequel. You know.

Read more about The Wand & the Sea here.

WHAT IT IS:

a free, superfun, pirate-themed party, featuring:

• pirate-themed food & drink for all
• giveaways
• arts & crafts
• party favors
• brand-new hardcover editions of The Wand & the Sea for purchase & signing
• brand-new paperback editions of The Key & the Flame

WHERE IT IS:

Lackman Library

15345 W. 87th Street Parkway

Lenexa, KS 66219

(913) 826-4600

WHEN IT IS:

June 25, 2015 | 6:00-7:30 pm

WHAT TO DO:

no reservation or purchase necessary to attend,

BUT!

Books do run out (at least, they did at the last party), so please reserve your copy!

Contact our authorized bookseller to reserve:

Mysteryscape Books

(913) 649-0000

or email them at orders@mysteryscape.com

See you there!

 

 

A Fab Launch Party

It has taken me several days, blog readers, to come out of my post-launch daze and post about my party. What a fabulous event! To those of you who were there, thank you so much for coming and filling the house! And for those who couldn't make it, I offer a little snapshot of what went on.

Thanks to the boundless energy of my sister, we set up food and tables at Shawnee Books & Toys bookstore around 5:00. Michelle Ranney, manager extraordinaire, kept things running like clockwork and even hired extra help to handle all the book selling. Sis hung out by the food. We had cheese and fruit for the adults, and cake, cupcakes, cookies, and snack foods for the kids (and ... er ... the adults).

This cake, designed by my local Hy-Vee bakery, not only looked gorgeous, but tasted good too!

 Most folks took our advice and reserved their books. We sold all 125 copies, and then broke into my stash of author copies, for a total of about 140 total sold.

I gave my richly deserved thank-yous to the bookstore, my family, and all the friends who showed up to celebrate with me. Then I read briefly from the book (pp 69-72) and did some Q&A. I was so glad the kids were brave enough to ask questions, because theirs were the best ones.

And of course, what's a book event without free stuff? We raffled off 4 bags of swag, a charm bracelet, and two lovely golden keys in fancy boxes. Shawnee Books & Toys threw in a $25 gift card for the store to sweeten the pot!

That was about it for the entertainment, because we had a lot of people waiting to get books signed. All told, about 140 people attended, 35 of whom were kids. I call that a big success! Thank you, everyone, for supporting me and supporting books. I love you all.

images copyright Shawnee Books & Toys. Used with permission. Visit their page here.