Blog Archives - Message Rain

New poster to help me publicize "a man wearing a dress!"

11/28/2017

I want to promote my book to more people, so I just introduced an easy way for you to help me! It's a series of promotional items, starting with a poster I just designed, called "What the Doctor Ordered." It's featured on a new page here on this web site, Promotional Items. That page is listed in the family of pages under the menu for the book's title.

All you have to do is go to that page, download the PDF file, print it out, and post it wherever you dare! Or just hand out copies to friends and relatives.

So, why am I asking you to help with this? Well, in promoting my book, I've come to a realization: Most people who write books that become best sellers are already famous for something else before hand. They're a famous actor, athlete, elected official, musician, or other celebrity. Or perhaps they have already written books in the past and built up a reputation as an author in their own right. As soon as they announce a book, bingo! Thousands of copies are sold.

what_the_doctor_ordered.pdf
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For those of us without all that background, it's an uphill battle to get our first book read, reviewed, and become well known. Of course, my life is not only about my book, but the messages within it. That's why I hope to make more personal appearances and produce more materials related to the themes I've introduced in the book, over time.

My page, Appearances & Events lists all upcoming events where I'll be. Check that page often because I am dedicated to keeping it up to date!

Confirmed! I'll be at First Event in January!

11/27/2017

I just added the details to my Appearances & Events Page! I am also attending other events between now and then, so please check it out!

If you missed me, ...

11/20/2017

If you couldn't make it to my Big Book Release Party, fear not! I have other appearances & events lined up and I'm adding more every day. Check my Appearances & Events page frequently for details!

My Big Book Release Party went very well!

11/18/2017

After many hours of publicity work, the day finally arrived. I'm happy to say we had a good crowd (25 to 30 people), sold a good number of books, and I felt good about my presentation. When it was over, many people said they enjoyed it and thought I spoke well. I'm very pleased! Now to prepare for upcoming events in December and January!

Oh, by the way, I sold one T-Shirt there as well. The slogan "I don't blame you." is elucidated in my book.
Wear one if you dare!

I also worked hard to provide healthy finger food choices for guests. I managed to avoid cane sugar and instead have nuts fruit, vegetables, cheeses, and sugar free energy bars for those who had no chance to grab dinner before arriving.

Thanks to Ethan Grant, my son, for taking these photographs.

Tonight's the Night!

11/14/2017

Tonight, (14 November 2017) at 7:00 PM, at the Robbins Library in Arlington, Mass. (700 Mass. Ave.). It's my Big Book Release Party! It's free and the public is invited. I will read passages from my book, sign copies, and answer questions. Refreshments will be served!

Last Minute Notice - Poetry Tonight!

11/6/2017

November 6, 2017 - Newtonville Books (actually in Newton Center - 10 Langley Road). 7:00 - 8:00 PM, at a monthly poetry reading featuring poets who have attended workshops hosted by Barbara Helfgott Hyett. After the two featured poets read, I will read one new poem during the open mic segment, probably around 7:45. So, don't be late! See my Appearances & Events page for more.

My first television interview!!

11/6/2017

Heather Aveson, News Director at ACMI's Arlington Public News interviewed me recently. An edited version of our conversation was cablecast as part of the November 1st news program. You can watch my interview here on YouTube. You also might want to visit the APN web page.

Boston Book Festival and the IPNE Book Awards ... were both great!

11/5/2017

I had a great time at the Boston Book Festival on October 28th. That's Meia Geddes and I at the book signing table, where we faced the crowd of passers by for about an hour.
I actually sold and signed 8 books, more than I expected. Of course, people took many of my post cards and flyers. Later, I got to go out and talk to a number of people in other booths, around the Festival.

The IPNE Annual Book awards on Saturday, the 4th of November were the culmination of hours of work by many volunteers over the Summer. I was the one who opened boxes and inventoried books sent in by the various authors who had signed up. I did not enter my book in the contest as it was not complete by the deadline. So, there's next year! In the photo, below, the audience is just getting settled as we are about to start.

Before the awards were announced and handed out, we had a panel discussion on various aspects of how independent publishing works today. We answered questions from the audience after some initial remarks. Left to right at the table are Eddie Vincent, IPNE Co-president; Susannah Noel, editor at Noel Editorial; Mellissa Sherwin, co-founder of Writers Business School; Glenn C. Koenig (me!), author and owner of Message Rain publishing; and Charlotte Pierce, recent IPNE president and founder of Pierce Press.

Special thanks to the staff of the Robbins Library, and especially Library Director Andrea Nicolay for her help in hosting this event!

One Small Step

11/1/2017

I just got approval to appear at the St. John's Church Crafts Fair on Dec. 2nd (see my Appearances & Events page). OK, it's not national exposure, but every little bit helps, I say. I get to chat with people attending the fair, sell a few books and T-Shirts (maybe), and relax a little. It costs very little, so it's mostly an investment in time and community ties. I'm sharing a table with Charlotte Pierce, a member of the church and a good friend of mine. She is past president of IPNE.