Jefferson’s Masterpiece is a published book

I am pleased to report that Jefferson’s Masterpiece has been published and is available at Amazon. Beverly and I are both happy and satisfied with how good it looks.

I have altered the original schedule for when to begin marketing Jefferson’s Masterpiece. Since the peak time for book sales during the Christmas holidays begins on November 1, I have decided to start the online marketing of Jefferson’s Masterpiece and Nick & Sadie on November 1.

Thankfully, a number of independent bookstores in North Carolina and Virginia have agreed to carry Nick & Sadie. I have decided that my best venue would be the locally owned, independent bookstores, instead of the bookstore chains. The current list of stores will be published on the updated Nick & Sadie Web site that will be available by the end of this week. The owners/managers were naturally reluctant to commitment to Jefferson’s Masterpiece until they could see a published book. They did, however, express interest. I am in the process of sending books to those owners/managers for them to review.

Five book signings have been arranged for November and December. I invite you to visit me at the ones that are located in your vicinity.

NOVEMBER 6, 2010
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Holiday Bazaar
Highland United Methodist Church
1901 Ridge Road

Raleigh, NC 27607
919-787-4240

NOVEMBER 13, 2010
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Holiday Shopping Spree
Bill Ellis Convention Center
2900 Forest Hill Road
Wilson, NC 27893

NOVEMBER 20, 2010
12:30-5 p.m.
Matthews Holiday Haus
159 North Trade Street
Matthews, NC 28105
704-849-7098

NOVEMBER 26, 2010
6:30-9 p.m.
Literary Bookpost
110 South Main Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
704-630-9788

DECEMBER 2-5, 2010
10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
A Carolina Christmas Show
Raleigh Convention Center
500 South Salisbury Street

Raleigh, NC 27601
919-996-8500

From now until Christmas week, I will devote my time to marketing Jefferson’s Masterpiece and Nick & Sadie. The research I have done and the book marketing webinars I have participated in have taught me that authors are more qualified and motivated to sell their books than anyone else. So it’s up to me to persuade you to purchase one or both of my books. Well . . . are you convinced?

Thanks for sharing this time with me,
Dennis

Marketing Phase for Jefferson’s Masterpiece Accelerates

I have kept busy the past two weeks since I sent Jefferson’s Masterpiece to the publisher.

Beverly and I spent five days traveling across North Carolina, primarily in the mountains, visiting bookstores. Six of the eleven stores we visited agreed to sell Nick & Sadie. The others wanted to read the book before they decided. I also took the opportunity to introduce them to Jefferson’s Masterpiece. Most of the owners/managers said they were interested in the Jefferson book as well. I have been selective in the bookstores that I visit. So far, I am very pleased with the results. The list of stores will be available on the Nick & Sadie Web site.

Updating the Nick & Sadie Web site and book trailer for the Christmas shopping season is almost complete. My plan is to upload them onto the Web as soon as possible.

I was also fortunate to arrange for three book signings for Nick & Sadie; a fourth is in the works. They are: November 13, Holiday Shopping Spree, Wilson, NC; November 20, Matthews Holiday Haus, Matthews, NC; and December 2-5, A Carolina Christmas Show, Raleigh, NC.

This week I expect to receive a proof copy of Jefferson’s Masterpiece from the publisher. I am excited and nervous about seeing the book. It is one thing to see the book on a computer monitor or as a printout on single pages, but to see and hold the actual book is another experience.

Between now and Christmas, I will be dividing my time between marketing Nick & Sadie and Jefferson’s Masterpiece. In December, I will begin work on a teacher’s guide for Jefferson’s Masterpiece. If you have ever used a teacher’s guide or have experience as a middle school teacher, I would appreciate receiving your suggestions on what to include and what not to include. I have already done a little research on the topic.

Since the research, writing, design and layout of Jefferson’s Masterpiece is now complete, I have decided to report my continued progress to you on an irregular schedule.

I sincerely appreciate the time and interest you have shown in the Jefferson book. The emails, phone calls and personal comments I have received have been wonderful and very reassuring.

Please watch your email inbox for my next report.

Thank You,
Dennis