Talking on the radio

We're taking a lunch break during our school day and I've already finished my sandwich, so I thought I'd pop by to say hello while the girls finish eating and rocking out the Hannah Montana Movie soundtrack. (BTW, I love that Butterfly song!)

Today's been a good day so far--much better than yesterday. Don't know what was up, but I felt off all day. Mostly I was frustrated with myself. I had expectations for starting the week and didn't live up to my expectations of myself.

And I didn't get showered and dressed and put together until sometime around 3. Silly, but true: If I don't get myself together, I have a hard time feeling ready for the day. Yes, there are pajama/sweats/workout clothes days. Days when I'm cleaning or bumming. And somehow that's okay. But a normal day when I feel the need to be productive? It helps if I get up and get myself ready before the day starts.

All that to say I got up when the alarm when off this morning, had a nice, long quiet time, worked out, got showered, dressed, and made-up before we started school around 9.

My big plans today? I have a radio interview at 3:00 with American Family Living. We're talking about Misplacing God. It'll be taped and then broken down into a series of programs. 

I love doing interviews and think they are a lot of fun. The thing I'm not so good at? Promoting my books myself. It's my least favorite part of writing books. Yes, I love to talk about my books--but only when asked. I'm uncomfortable saying "Hey you! I wrote books! Buy my books!"

And yet I worked hard on them, I poured myself into them, and I don't want to see them just sit on a shelf. Books are meant to be read!

It's not about making money. Because unless you're Nora Roberts or Clive Cussler or someone like that, you're not making enough to live on. Enough to go out to dinner? Yes. Enough to put a little away for a rainy day? Yes.

But a vacation home or a new car or a trip around the world? Not so much.

Publicity and promotion--even promoting my books myself--is necessary. And we've already covered the fact that I struggle with that.

And there's the rub. Because if no one buys them, they don't sell, and I'm a lot less likely to get the opportunity to write another one.

Not that I'm working on anything specific right now--homeschooling has my focus right now. But there are always ideas rolling around for what's next.

I know a bunch of you took me up on my offer for a free book in exchange for a book review on your blog. If you've not done it yet, please do. (There! I must be making progress!) And if I've forgotten to put your post's link on this page, let me know (because I know I've missed a bunch). Send me the review link and I'll get it up as fast as I can.

(Oh, and you can always leave a review or a link to a review in the comments on that page too. And a review on Amazon. There--look at me--asking away!)

And if you have brilliant publicity ideas/opportunities for me, I sure wouldn't mind hearing them. :)

Comments

[Holly @ Crownlaiddown]

I did a review...let me find the link.

Ok, here it is!
http://crownlaiddown.com/?p=616

[Helen at A Work of Heart]

Hey Joanne,

Happy chatting on the radio!

I wrote a review on amazon this summer...I didn't do a review on my blog because I been kind of in hibernation mode...but once I blog more regularly and feel like someone other than those related to me are reading it...I will do a review.

Here is the link for the amazon review...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1XYBVAV673420/ref=cm_pdp_rev_more?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview#RV1FZO8O0E87K

[stephanie]

Hey Joanne! I did a review and it's right here:

http://herdofsteph.blogspot.com/2009/04/misplacing-god.html

[Peggy]

Joanne,
I love ya girl as a lady in Christ:-) I have your blog on my sidebar listed under "Journals of Substance and Faith) and will again mention this wonderful book! I have read it 2 times through and skimmed on parts here again just recently. Will give a heads up! I think a pic of the book might be nice as well.

[Shane]

Do you read Mary DeMuth's blog? She mentioned the other day about marketing... hm... let me find the link for you... Here we go - don't know if it'll help but it can't hurt!!!

http://relevantblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/connecting-my-secret-to-marketing.html

[Kristy]

I would love to, though I would feel guilty since you are trying to SELL them! But really, I would love to.

[Kristy]

Oh, I forgot, I wanted to say that I feel the same way - about getting ready. If I don't get myself presentable and dressed first thing in the morning - my whole day is off. I feel like I am waisting time. Everything gets put off, and I don't get ready until much later. It's best for me to do that first thing in the morning (and good for everyone who has to look at me!!).

[Michelle]

I must have missed your post about the book giveaway/exchange for a review. If you are still offering that I would love to read your book and review it on my blog...Amazon, as well. I've got you on my list of good reads in the sidebar of my blog...hopefully that provides a little traffic.

I never was able to join in this recent bible study...Spiritual Mothering. I couldn't find the book locally and then our finances got so ugly I didn't feel justified buying the book at that particular time. But if you do another bible study...I am so in!

[Tammy]

I posted my review with a giveaway I did with your book. Here's the link...

http://wonbyone92.blogspot.com/2009/05/im-gonna-give-it-trya-giveaway.html

[Nikki]

I just got the book from Amazon... and it's the next read on my list! Can't wait! :)

[Maureen]

I'm really a lurker but would love to review your book. I adored Living Simply so much! You have so much wisdom to share!
I would buy your book though....so I feel guilty posting on here.