Color between the lines...in my coloring book!

So I found out a few days ago that my book was the first "real book" that my artist had created. His first was a...coloring book. Yup.

Soooooooooooo...um...yeah.
All my fault because I thought I had researched him well but apparently somethings fell through the crack.

All part of the learning curve.

Teddy Bear love

Even Mr Teddy Bear can't keep his paws off this great book!

Wait a minute, Mr Postman.

I'm doing my best to promote the book. Every other day there is a trip to the Korean post office to ship out one, two even five books. But I need to get the book into a library or bookstore. Ugh!!!!!

Some of my local friends had promised to talk to various libraries or bookstores on my behalf...but these same people have not even purchased a book from me. Not shocked. After living here for almost five years, I hold very low expectations of friendship to both locals and expats.

Oh, well, gotta keep on grinding, right?
Books don't sell themselves.
You can only depend on yourself in this life.

My first book reading!! Woooohoooo!!

I did my first book reading last night with the Gwangyang English Club (GEC).

They are really friendly and made me feel at home. The first part of the meeting was a continuation of their book reading which I participated and enjoyed. Then I did a brief summary of my book before reading it out loud. It was well received and they invited me to come back on February 13th so we can have a full discussion on the questions at the end of the book.

They made me feel so comfortable that I was not nervous at all. Great first experience at a book reading.❤

Update
The second meeting to discuss the book's cultural topics went very well. Great group of people.

Vietnam loves JOHNNY AND JOSHUA

My book is being enjoyed in Vietnam, too!
The story and drawings have captivated these young kids.

No, thanks. Local only, Dude.

So I tried to put my ebook and print book on amazon and was, not rejected, but got lots of pushback because the files are not in the correct format. The problem is, if my illustrator did not save the files in the correct format then I can not put it on that international site unless I get another illustrator to draw the pictures again. That will mean paying a different person for double work. 

The other option is to write the second book and hope it gets picked up by a big company who can pay to get the first book redrawn with the proper files. So basically, right now my book is only available through me in one country. I have about four hundred more books that I need to sell in order to make all my money back. No profit, just to get back all the money I spent on this book project.

My brother was right. Self publishing can seem like a thankless job some days. You have total control but...I'm trying not to be discouraged right now. This is a great book and can make such a difference in this country but ...just how to get it out there is the issue right now. The international route through amazon is shut down at the moment. Sigh.
I will keep pushin' on. 

Selling like hotcakes? Ummmmm....about that...

After you write a book that is when you realize that most of your friends don't give a damn. Not one little damn. 

My book has been published for about a week now and only two friends have ordered and paid for it. The other people have seen my various fb posts and have requested one or two books to be mailed to them. Sigh. Well, after living here for so long, flaky friends do not surprise me. 

I have mailed books out every day this week. It is easier for me because the post office is two blocks from my school. While on vacation, I will use the post office trips as an incentive to walk the two miles and get some much-needed exercise. As long as it is not too cold. 

Black History Month is next month so I'm trying to get a few books signings. There is an event that I've committed to in Seoul in early February. I've also sent an email to WHATTHEBOOK in Seoul to see if they're interested in carrying it. I'm just hoping for a big break. I just have to have the right powerful person see how AMAZING this book series is and then BAM! It will take off! 

So cheers to good luck - preparation meets opportunity. 

Repping Korea and Ghana, babee! Talk about it.

My book shows how Ghanaian and South Korean cultures are similar. I added discussion questions at the end so parents and educators could have a real conversation with their children and students. The diversity conversation needs to be had here. 

It is long overdue. 

Dream realized!

I can't even describe how it felt to open the box with a book that I've published. I feel like dancing on rainbows. Never say never. You can do anything you set your mind to. Visualise it and then do it. 

I still suck at posting videos though, LOL. 

Market research, anyone?

Before the books came and right after delivery, I did market research. Great feedback and enthusiasm for the characters and the story line. This will be a great learning experience. 

The books came!

I woke up this morning and the books have arrived!! Yay!! So excited! It feels so good to have achieved this goal. Now for the hard part. I gotta sell all three boxes. I will create a marketing plan for social media and for book signings. Wish me luck!

I wrote a book, y'all!

I wrote a book, y'all!!
YAY!!

It took me a year of blood, sweat and tears.
I decided to write a children's book last January and no matter what happened in my life, I did NOT give up. Most people document their writing process. I would rather document the marketing of this book. My brother has self published a few books and told me he still has boxes of his books in his garage. 
I don't want that. I want to make an impact with my book. 
Change lives. Is that too much to ask?

I remember reading THE BLUEST EYE by Toni Morrison and feeling different after visualising her words. Her words made me feel connected and sad and mad and so many other emotions. I loved it!

My first book is a children's picture book about an African-American boy who leaves his wonderful home in Ghana (and his best friend, Johnny) to move to a foreign country to reunite with his family. At first he enjoys all the attention of being "different" then he gets homesick for his best friend and his home. The book makes a point to show that Joshua's life was sweet and fun in Ghana. He loved living with his father and being with his pet bird, Johnny. It also shows the ways that Ghana and South Korean culture are similar, including the love of dance and drums. 

Today is Thursday, January 3rd in the new year of 2019. 
The book's posters and business cards came this week. 
I started the fb group last week and started to market on social media. 
It is actually starting to feel real. This book is actually happening!

I better NOT have a heart attack when I open the box next week!

So, I'm trying to push through my anxiety in order to create marketing events, book signings, attend festivals, etc. 

In the book, Joshua's father tells him to "be brave". I'm taking that advice. Promoting this book will take me out of my Korean comfort zone. It will force me into social situations that will require me to step up and take a risk. 
Am I ready for this? Can I do this? Is the message of the book so important that I will take this risk. Yes, yes and hell yes. 

Right now, I just want to close my eyes, put my arms out, and dance while saying to myself, "you wrote a book, girl!" 
I feel so much joy right now.