Category Archives: juvenile fiction

Signal Hill Indigo, Here I Come!

For years and years, I worked in my solitary state as an author, dreaming of the chance to walk into a store and see my book on the shelf. It is a lonely process but we authors keep doing it because we hold a secret and long to share it with the world.

223374_209211492442476_6200014_nOn February 20th, I will finally walk into my local Indigo store and see my book there on a shelf in its rightful place. Imagine my emotions!

The process of actually publishing a book isn’t easy and now, once it is a tangible thing, I am faced with the promotion of it. Long gone are the days when an author was “picked up” by a publisher and all the promotion was done by them. Thankfully, my background in advertising makes it a fun challenge. I am not selling myself, but a product I believe in. The whole reason why I wrote the book was to share life lessons to anyone who wants a hand in believing in themselves. How can I not love promoting it?

These days, I love to surround myself with people who are gifted. We have a common bond of the secrets we hold inside and champion each other when we share them. There is a certain vulnerability to exposing yourself to the world. For someone who has always been sensitive to judgment, this is a huge undertaking for me. Embracing situations that take you out of your comfort zone only make you grow. Well, I have grown a lot these days.

IMG_1642       I picked up this  beautiful bracelet today. It was made by a friend who is very talented. I placed it on my book and just took this picture. I guess it embodies much of what has been on my mind recently.

The possibilities that have grown from the publication of “Gifts of the Crysnix” are amazing. I could not have imagined how much fun it would be to promote this beautiful, uplifting story. I will be presenting at a women’s conference, participating in other launches and visiting several fantastic schools – all of which you will hear about in later posts.

Very soon, though, I will have the honour of walking into my favourite local Indigo store and selling my books there. It is an incredible possibility that begun, years ago, with my imagination.

Please join me on Saturday, February 20th 11 am -4 pm at Indigo Signal Hill, Calgary.

https://www.facebook.com/events/225069617831522/

Help me celebrate finally getting out from behind my computer and joining the real world again! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vicki O Art Sip ‘n’ Shop

A few weeks before Christmas is the perfect time to gather with friends at a dear friend’s home, grab a glass of wine, a nibble or two and … wander around and shop for gifts … What? All under one roof? Yes, it really happened and it was beautiful!

Vicki1Vicki is a talented artist and it is always spectacular when she gathers many of her pieces together for a sale. It is almost too much to take in at once! Multi media cacti, flowers, forests, happy dancing boots and flying hearts pour out endearing messages to create a collage of emotions.

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Along with the many original works of art that range in all sizes, there were teeny, tiny round rocks that have been painted with love and adorable tree ornaments (or bottle ornaments – great hostess gift!) that are miniature paintings adorned with a little bell or metal heart. Vicki also shares her images on phone cases, tote bags and lovely greeting cards.

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Joining us was Charis Lyons, from Blue Shark Diva Designs, a jewelry artist with a depth to her talent as well. An array of beautiful hand-wrought metal bracelets and earrings, touched with crystals, pearls, semi-precious stones and lotus seeds were a fantastic addition to the gifts that were on display.

 

I was so fortunate to be asked to sell my books there. It was a successful night for me in sales, but what excited me the most was that my friends were going to read my book. It’s hard to promote to your friends and I was overwhelmed at their enthusiasm.

Thank you, Vicki, for inviting me and many thanks to my friends who supported me.

Please visit Vicki and Charis at their websites below.

Cheers to all. xoxoxo

vickiOart.com and www.bluesharkdiva.com

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The Calgary Book Launch

 

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This week I had my first Calgary launch party at Self Connection Books. The store has a private event room and the facilities to webcast so I was able to connect with my readers in person and through the web. It was so cool to know I was reading to people across the United States and Canada.

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Of course, I made too much food but I had to provide a feast! I printed out excerpts from a couple of feasts from the book and displayed them on the tables along with the food.

 

 

And who could forget the purple frosted sparkly cupcakes and the shortbread cookies with the fancy purple “C” from the cover? Ok, I get a little crazy when there is a chance to decorate with icing as my friends and family can attest …

 

The day was really fun and, as always, it is such a treat for me to share bits and pieces from the book. For my reading, I chose the scene where Princess Amethyst is interpreting the Laws of Light in her Volare Solus ceremony.

As I began, Princess Amethyst took the podium and cleared her throat… I smiled to myself and read on.

The reading began on page 180 and included the first five Laws:

‘know thyself’

‘be a vessel of harmony’

‘live in a state of gratitude’

‘leave the world in a better state’

‘never forget our purpose’

During the Volare Solus, which is a coming of age ceremony, the young adult Crysnix demonstrates his or her maturity by not only reciting all the Laws, but offering a personal interpretation of them.

How would you explain them apply them to your life?

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Thanks so much to everyone who joined us in person and through the webcast. I really appreciate your ongoing support.