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Karen Kay/Janet Elaine Smith exchange on the book business
Our "e-discourse" from March, 2006
Hi, Karen,
I got your latest newsletters. It sounds like you are going to be busy! (I know, that's an obvious understatement!)
I'm curious about something. Does Berkley line up your signings, do you have a publicist who does it, do you do it yourself,
or is it a combination of all of the above?
Good luck on the tour. I'll check up here to see if they have your new book
yet. I enjoyed the one you sent me, so definitely want to pick it up.
Janet
Hi Janet,
Yes, it's quite a busy time of year for me and when I get home from tour -- I'll be under very heavy deadline...
I set up my own tours -- Janet, do you also write for Berkley? I couldn't tell from your website. Janet -- I do the tours
not simply to meet fans and promote my book, but as a way to increase my sell through -- otherwise book signings are more
a duty and obligation -- but the way I do them is to actually increase sales -- I believe it helps.
Take care, darlin'.
With love,
Karen Kay
Subject: RE: Your newsletter (from Janet to Karen)
No, my books are from a POD publisher. They have been wonderful to work with. PageFree Publishing. They have fantastic
distribution channels in place (including both Ingram and Baker & Taylor). It's been a long, hard fight, but my books
are now stocked in many bookstores nationwide, both the big chains and independent ones. I am gradually making some headway.
I would love to be able to do a booktour and I have had lots of stores ask me to come. However, I have to limit
my contacts with the bookstores to phoning them (which I do daily) to let them know about my books. My husband lost his leg
about 10 years ago and is pretty much confined to a wheelchair. He does have a prosthesis, but many days his stump is too
swollen to get it on. A gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do, you know? He doesn't travel well, and he stays home alone even
worser! But, it was till death do us part, and for the most part he's not so bad to have around--most day! <g>
Thanks for the info. It's nice to know you "big time authors" have to do the same kind of things us "little gals"
(figuratively speaking, believe me!) have to do. Oh, and thanks for stopping by my website. I usually update it every month,
but somehow March came and almost went without my noticing it. Think I'll just wait till April hits. Check back then, as I
have a fun "April Fool" lined up.
Janet
Hi Janet,
Your website is a very nice one and it's great to know that the POD publishers are getting the books into the
big chains nowadays.
I'm sorry to hear about your husband, Janet. That has to be tough, not only for him -- but for you, too. But yes,
these men are wonderful to have around, aren't they? I've been in Florida for the past 2 1/2 months and my hubby just flew
in to visit (I'm at my church taking a course) and it is SO WONDERFUL to see him. Just wonderful.
Yes, this is not an easy business -- and I hear it doesn't get any easier even once you're on the NYTimes Bestselling
list. Goodness!
Have a great day.!
Love,
Kay
From: janetelaine smith
Sent: 3/18/06 3:17:57 PM
Subject: RE: Your newsletter
Interesting, I'm recently had a gal swear that once you get published with a big NY traditional publisher you
never have to do anything more to make mega bucks and get in the front of every single bookstore in the country. Hmmmmm.
You have a great weekend too, and wherever you are, sell a book or two! They do add up.
Janet
Karen Kay <karenkay.author@earthlink.net> wrote:
It's interesting to me what people say and such. Maybe she knows something I don't. All I know is what I do and
what other authors I know do -- it's a tough business in my consideration.
Love,
Kay
From: janetelaine smith
To: Karen Kay.author
Sent: 3/19/06 8:23:02 PM
Subject: RE: Your newsletter
May I quote you, please? With or without your name, it's your call. Also, how many books have you had published.
I guess I am of the belief that anything that is worth doing is worth working for. I've never won the lottery, but then I've
never bought a ticket either! LOL
Janet
Karen Kay wrote:
Oh, gosh, Janet --your sentiments so much mirror my own -- I've never won either, but then I don't believe in
gambling...
You can quote me...as to how hard I think this business is and the amount of effort it takes to remain in it.
I've written over 12 novels -- 11 for AVON/HarperCollins and 2-3 so far for Berklely/Penguin/Putnam.
Love,
Kay
From: janetelaine smith
To: karenkay.author
Sent: 3/20/06 6:33:03 PM
Subject: RE: Your newsletter
Understood. Yup, there are enough obstacles to overcome in this business without creating more of them.
Thanks. Only one thing I'm not sure I agree with you on, and that's that I think this whole book business is pretty much a
gamble, too. Like the little ant with the rubber tree plant, with a little bit of luck we'll win at this one.<g>
Janet
From: karenkay.author
You know, Janet, maybe you're right. Maybe it is a gamble in a different sort of way. But at least there's a paycheck --
you do your work -- you get paid -- rarely on time -- but at least you get paid...
Love,
Kay
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| Click on cover to order |
TOUR, April, 2006
>
>
TUESDAY, April 4, 2006
SIGNING
Waldenbooks – Edison Mall 1 - 2 PM
4125
Cleveland Ave.
Edison Mall
Ft. Myers, FL 33901
(239)
936-5117
>
PERSONAL APPEARANCE – 4 PM
Paper Pad
2811 K. Tamiami Tr.
LaPlaya Plaza
Port
Charlotte, FL 33952
(941) 627-0440
>
SIGNING – 5-7 PM
Books-A-Million
1825 Tamiami Trail
Port
Charlotte, FL 33948
(941) 629-0340
>
WEDNESDAY, April 5th
SIGNING 1-2 PM
Circle Books
– Eric
478 John Ringling Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 388-2850
>
PERSONAL
APPEARANCE – afternoon
Bee Ridge Books
Dot Youngblood
4104 Bee Ridge Rd.
Sarasota,
VL 34232
(941) 922-8564
>
THURSDAY, April 6th
SIGNING 1-2 PM
Books-A-Million
4225 14th St. West
Bradenton,
FL 34205
(941) 748-3911
>
FRIDAY, April 7th
SIGNING 2-3 PM
Waldenbooks
Gulf View Square Mall
9409
US Hwy. 19 S
Port Richey, FL 34668
(727) 842-6151
>
SATURDAY, April 8th
SIGNING
– 12 -2 PM
Waldenbooks
345 W. Shorre Mall
W. Shore Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33609-1812
(813)
286-8096
>
SIGNING – 4 - 6PM
Barnes & Noble
11802 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
Tampa,
FL 33618
(813) 962-8097
>
SUNDAY, April 9th
PERSONAL APPEARANCE – 11AM
Waldenbooks
Lakeland Square
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 859-6875
>
SIGNING – 2 - 4 PM
Waldenbooks
9401
W. Colonial Dr., Suite 524
Ocoee, FL 34761
(407) 291-6687
>
MONDAY, April 10th
SIGNING – 12 - 2 PM
Waldenbooks
3105
W. Vine Street
Kissimmee, FL 34741
(407) 847-3393
>
TUESDAY, April 11th
SIGNING – 12 - 2 PM
Waldenbooks
Orlando Fashion Square
Orlando, FL
(407) 896-3982
>
WEDNESDAY, April 12th
SIGNING
– 10 - 1 PM
Raintree Books
312 County Rd. 25
Lady Lake, FL 32159
(352) 751-5444
>
SIGNING
- 2 - 4 PM
Raintree Books
432 N. Eustis Street
Eustis, FL 32727
(352) 357-7145
>
THURSDAY,
April 13th
SIGNING 2 - 4 PM
Waldenbooks
1700 International Speedway Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386)
258-5791
>
FRIDAY, April 14th
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Peb's Books
1537 Cesery Blvd.
Jacksonville,
FL 32211
(904) 743-2778
>
SATURDAY, April 15th
SIGNING
Books-A-Million – 12- 2 PM
738 Marsh Landing
Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32250
(904) 273-8055
>
SiIGNING
Books-A-Million – 4 -
6 PM
1910 Wells Road
Orange Park, FL 32073
(904) 215-2300
>
SUNDAY, April
16th
SIGNING 1-3 PM
B. Dalton
9501 Arlington Expy. St.
Jacksonville, FL 32225
(904) 720-1781
>
WEDNESDAY,
April 19th
SIGNING – 2PM - 4:30 PM
Books-A-Million
2115 Eisenhower Pkwy.
Macon,
GA 31206
(478) 755-8885
>
SIGNING – 6-9 PM
Barnes & Noble
265
Tom Hill Sr. Blvd.
Macon, GA 31210
(478) 757-2216
>
THURSDAY, April 20th
PERSONAL
APPEARANCE – about 1-1:30 PM
Books Galore
1011 Stonebridge Parkway
Watkinsville, GA 30677-6011
(706)
769-1443\
SIGNING – 4 - 5:30 PM
Tattersall's Books
902 Center St.
Conyers, GA 30207
(770) 922-1536
FRIDAY, April 21st
SIGNING – 2 - 4 PM
Waldenbooks
3993 Peachtree Rd. NE #191
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404)
261-2781
>
SATURDAY, April 22nd
SIGNING – 2 - 4 PM
Barnes & Noble
3333 Buford Dr.
Buford,
GA 30419
(618) 482-4150
>
SUNDAY, April 23rd
Waldenbooks – 1 - 3 PM or 2 -
4 PM
North Point Mall
Atlanta, GA 30303
(770) 740-8341
>
MONDAY, April 24th
SIGNING
– 6-8PM
Books-A-Million
5287 Highway 280 S. #221
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-5181
>
TUESDAY,
April 25th
SIGNING – 7 - 9 PM
Barnes & Noble
171 Main St.
Hoover, AL 35244
(205) 682-4467
>
THURSDAY,
April 27th
SIGNING – 7 - 9 PM
Barnes & Noble
11500 Financial Center Pkwy.
Little Rock, AR 72211
(501)
954-7646
>
SATURDAY, May 6th
SIGNING - 1 - 3 PM
Barnes & Noble – Temecula
40570 W. Winchester
Rd.
Temecula, CA 92592
(909) 296-0253
>
TUESDAY, May 9th
SIGNING
Borders – 7 PM – lecture/booksigning
125 W. Thousand
Oaks
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 497-8159
SATURDAY, May 13th
SIGNING – 1 - 3 PM
Sunshine Books
4931 Lincoln Ave.
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 761-1562
So that's it for this year book's tour. Hope to
see you
there.
FROM KAREN TO YOU--WITH LOVE
With the release of my new book, THE SPIRIT OF THE WOLF, comes a new
contest. And here it is:
In Karen's new
book, THE SPIRIT OF THE WOLF, there is a fictional/cartoon
type of place mentioned. Name that place and be qualified to
WIN! Clue: The
hero's name is Grey Coyote.
First place prize: Native American made earrings
Second place prize: A copy of the book, THE PRINCESS AND THE WOLF
Third & Fourth place:prize: A copy of the book,
WAR CLOUD'S PASSION.
Names will be placed in a hat or similar object and drawn on May 15th and
will be posted on my website shortly after
the drawing.
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