New adventures in the Book World

People have been asking me how the book sales have been going. Well, for what it is, I'm happy with the sales. Publishing a book  yourself means you have to do the selling, so nice, steady sales will make me happy.

 

I get excited every time I see that I've sold another copy on Amazon.com! I appreciate every one of you who have bought the book, although it doesn't give me any names, only the amount sold.
I would not hate it if anyone would like to leave me a nice positive review on amazon! **hint hint** ha ha

 

I should get a little shipment any day now so I'll have some copies to start selling. I have a show coming up weekend after this and my son Owen is going to sell them while I draw and I can sign them between drawings.

 

After that I plan to start lining up some locations to do book signings. Already, Stacy Orndorff  has agreed to line something up so I can do a book signing at her coffee shop, The Java Hub in Correctionville, IA. Pastor Al Hazelton has said I can do a book signing at his church, First Assembly of God in Harlan, IA. My other ideas are libraries. I'm very excited to get started with that venture!!!

 

Now onto other things...other book ideas. Right at the moment, I have 3 ideas that will not leave me alone. I've got a binder and some folders so I can keep the ideas separate as I work on them and as they begin to emerge, I will complete the one that is headed for the finish line first, so to speak.

I don't want to give everything away, but I will describe the 3 ideas. And with all that I've learned through the first experience, I know how to avoid a lot of potholes I drove into this time around. I also know that when I finish the next one, I will know a lot more about what "not to do" than I know right now.

 

BUT IF YOU DON'T JUST PLOW IN, EXPERIENCE AND FINISH SOMETHING...how will you ever know ANYTHING about the subject? One big thing I'm learning is to quit talking myself out of ideas and just do them. Mess and all. Pick up the pieces later. Criticize yourself later. Take an honest look at what you could've done differently and next time...do it differently.

 

So, one idea I have, which I think will be the most saleable one, actually. Is kind of a far -out adventure type story that grade school kids will probably really like. I have the story idea for that one, loud and clear. With this one, what I need to develop is the story line which may be difficult. The pictures for it, I can envision some of them, the pictures are going to be wildly fun.

 

Idea #2:  This one I kind of had growing in my heart as I did the first book and even started jotting down ideas for the pictures as I was working on the first book. It is coming directly from memories in my heart. I can see the pictures clearly and several clear ideas. I think it will come out very easily. Just not sure of an audience for it

Idea # 3: This idea I have been compiling for about 4 years or so. Definitely it will be done and dedicated to my fellow caricature artists out there in the world that will undoubtedly relate to it. I have ideas each and every time I draw live so I jot them down. I'm almost afraid to "finish" this one, as I don't think there is any end to the ideas and I don't want to leave anything out! I had originally thought of putting it together in a short version and sending it in to Mad Magazine. But I have so many ideas for it now, it will be way too long for a short satire. And  now that I'm interested in this book venue, I think it will be perfect for this!

So that is where my headspace is at right now, for those of you who like to read and are interested!

I'll keep ya posted!