Website Wonder

I think my website designer, Pat, just might be more excited about my new website than I am! She jumped in and hasn't stopped firing ideas and plans and insight my way. Knowledgeable, creative, persistent, not afraid to say she doesn't know something but always eager to learn how to do it, fix it, make it function. I love her!

Here's a sample of her thought process from today's email: "If I can master what I have in mind, your site will be beyond awesome -- not only will it look great, it will have functionality for easy updating on all pages."

Check out Pat at www.sweetsolutions.biz. And in a few weeks, check out my website! I most definitely am excited about it.

New website in the making

I'm working now on a new website for my books. I'll publish the sequel to A Shocking & Unnatural Incident next year. It's called Wixumlee Is My Salvation and has Tess and Beany struggling to survive in Buffalo, New York at the end of the Erie Canal, after August's death on the towpath.

This new site will be colorful and have much more content than my current site (www.historicalfictionbook.net). I'll have character pages, character photos, an expanded author biography, news, reviews, and, of course, a Buy Now button ;).

My dear friend Pat Petro of Sweet Solutions is designing the site and she is full of ideas and expertise. I can't wait to see georgiamullen.com completed.

Changing Google Ads

I've successfully changed my Google Ads. Rewrote all four with "YA" in the title. I don't consider A Shocking & Unnatural Incident a YA novel, but I must do something to get more clicks. So far my search engine marketing has bombed.

Georgia

Progress with Promotion

If I only do one thing each day to promote my book, A Shocking & Unnatural Incident, I'll be doing well.

So far I'll be speaking in Seneca Falls, NY next March for Women's History Month. The Seneca Falls Historical Society will set it all up: speak at the school, Rotary, Senior Citizen event. I especially hope to visit an AP English or AP history class and discuss how modern young women's opportunities have improved over those of Tess, Beany and Lucy.

I'm also hoping to get in on a program for young girls at Pomegranate Books and participate in the Pearl Girls Academy program, both here in Wilmington. Pearl Girls learn how to deal with violence, friendships, self image. My character Tess would be an enlightening model for those issues.

Another successful book signing

Everyone seemed to be having a grand time at my third book signing July 26 at Treehouse Bistro in Carolina Beach. Nice, noisy crowd. Much laughter and smiles. Sold books, which was great! Made new friends from among Bistro customers who heard about the signing and attended. One, Valeria, I hope to look up on my vacation north in August, who lives in Rochester.

Big thanks to my kayaking friends Arlene and Eileen who arranged the event and to my paddling and turtle friends who shared a lively evening with me.

Georgia

Book signings heating up

I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from Kathleen at Pomegranate Books saying she was interested in carrying A Shocking & Unnatural Incident. Someone came in looking for the book and she didn't have it. Didn't know it had been published. So she found me online!

We have a book signing lined up for Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. Kathleen works hard at publicizing her signings and I'm looking forward to an enthusiastic group.

My friends Arlene and Eileen have organized another signing this Sunday, July 26, from 5-7 p.m. at Treehouse Bistro, formerly known as Two Wine Guys at the Grind. They sent invitations to our fellow kayakers and sea turtle project friends, who are always lively and supportive.

My bookmarks are being designed and printed and will be ready to drop strategically at restaurants and restrooms when I visit family and friends up north in August.

Ah, little by little, the word is getting out.

I couldn't put it down

Just returned from an Island Women meeting and am blown away by praise for my book, A Shocking & Unnatural Incident.

"This should be in every library."
"This should be read in schools."
"I couldn't put it down. I'm telling you the truth."
"Someone will surely pick up the second book."

She means a traditional publisher. Well, traditional publishers had enough chances to buy it.

"Important issue."
"Well written."
"Doesn't fit our list."

That's about how it ran.

But I'm thrilled. There is no greater blessing or surge of emotion than when a reader buttonholes an author and repeats how much she enjoyed a book and how much she is looking forward to--can't wait to read!--the next one.

Thank you all!
Georgia