I have me some new Author Pics!

I’ve been debating for a year whether to hire a professional photographer to do a whole photo shoot and currently I’m in debt SEVERAL GRAND after last month’s April 15^th Tax Day so I’m feeling quite broke.

 

My Scholastic publicist called last week and said “I need a photo of you right away! The Albuquerque Journal wants to do an article/feature/interview on you!”

Actually, I don’t know exactly what they want to do, but they want a photo NOW. With HIGH resolution which my profile pic on LJ and my website are *not*.  

No time to call a photographer and get shots and proofs made up let alone go shopping for new clothes and a hair highlight touch-up – with only 24 hours, it’s impossible. 

Darling publicist emails back: “Just grab a camera and a family member and take some at home. In fact, go outside and take some shots since your book is set on the bayou.” 

Great idea! So we do exactly that and these are the best ones:

Whaddayathink??

Honesty is the best policy, hee, hee.

NOTE: These have NOT been photo shopped or touched up AT ALL. Thinking about getting my son to take away some of those neck and eye lines . . . 

Do you think I should hire a pro and get some *real* author photos done? Goodness, what will it cost me? Gulp.

Hodge Podge Tuesday - or Publicity Ideas 101

My new book, THE HEALING SPELL, isn't slated for publication until June 2010, but I'm going to be so busy finishing production work on it and then doing revisions and production work for my YA, SECRET RITES OF THE GODDESS, coming out Fall 2010, that I'm thinking way ahead on the publicity stuff. I'm also writing a brand new book tomorrow. Yep, you heard right. Although I'm not writing the ENTIRE book tomorrow, just a few pages a day until I finish - um, hopefully sometime in July!

So . . . . I started three months ago making lists about publicity ideas and contacting people because it will probably take me the next year to get everything in place with all the writing going on.

First, I hired www.swankwebstyle.com to design a new site for me. It's moving forward beautifully! Got my FAQ written last week and off as well as a bunch of other tidbits, like the Welcome Message, my short and long Bio, etc.

Currently reading a GREAT book:




This morning I checked out: Blue Slip Media These gals sound like fun, have a TON of experience and have worked with some of my favorite authors.

Still searching for the right company to design POSTCARDS. I want something better than my last cards . . . Oh, and don't forget bookmarks and business cards. THIS is one of the best postcards I've ever seen. And Brooke - EMAIL ME AND SHARE WHO DESIGNED AND PRINTED THEM!!!





Last week I sent stuff for Teacher's Guides to my sister, the schoolteacher, who is a FAB curriculum writer and way fun!

Yesterday, I worked on a panel proposal for YALSA 2010 Conference which will be RIGHT HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE - WAHOO!!!! How lucky is that?!

I've hired a FILM MAKER who is going to make my book trailers. Very excited about book trailers. I love them!

I finally SIGNED UP FOR FACEBOOK!! Please friend me!

AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING . . .

Parties, contests, blog tours, giveaways, it's all coming!!!!! I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS!!!!!