With my first book, Pedro’s Pan, coming out this year, it has been a year of ups and downs. Check that, ups and downs isn’t the correct term because it has honestly been all ups, just some greater than others.
I got some great reviews (and a couple of confusing ones) and had a great start with my blog tour. My book launch itself was less of a turn out than I had expected, but my first signing at Barnes and Noble was a sell out.
An event while traveling in Sitka looked to be a bust, but ended with over 20 kids. A similar event in Durango which had been promoted well ended with only 3 kids. While not as big of a turnout as expected, Durango became one of the biggest sellers of my book in the whole country.
We tried to do events in Fairbanks for Golden Days and got very little interest. Did one event with very low numbers. The next day, we did the street fair and had my biggest day of single sales for the year.
Did a couple of events at the State Fair and they were okay. The mining association invited me back to their industry trade show and made many connections and gained some global awareness for my book.
As you can see, they were ups and UPS this year. Some things went well, others went better. I learned a lot and have been working on giving back. I have met some goals and made some new ones.
This week though, I probably got my biggest surprise; Pedro’s Pan made the New York Public Library’s Recommended Book List for 2019. Of the thousands of children’s books (board books through middle grade) that they got this past year, Pedro’s Pan was selected. While I didn’t write this book hoping to get awards or recognition, I am grateful and honored that my book was recognized.
I am grateful to get an amazing illustrator, Jacob Souva, who had as much passion for this book as I have and made it what it is.
Thank you all who have read my book, checked it out of the library, sent me pictures of it from gift shops and airports, for those who have come out and listened to me talk, and those who have supported me.
