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You Can’t Miss the “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” event.

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Sponsor poster for blog post
Click on photo to get information about the event on 9-26.

See you on 9-26.

  • The Sponsor poster is ready
  • The programs are ready AnthologyProgram_FINAL
  • Authors who’ve published their story in the Anthology get a special name tag, so you can chat with them during the event.

MGS FINAL Cover LARGE

My Gutsy Story® Anthology: True Stories of Love, Courage and Adventure From Around the World

We also want to thank the following for their door prizes.

  • A beautiful print by artist Ilona Werner-Martin called”Two Ladies in Paris” signed by the artist.
  • A Hair Appointment by talented hairdresser Gillian Billetter from luxury Salon Milano in Newport Beach, CA.

To find out more about our “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” event and sign up, please click in box below.

 

This event is free, and you’re invited.

Click here to reserve your seat today.

Name and e-mail required.

Countdown to “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” Event

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 red carpet

Only one week away until we celebrate the:

“Bring Out the Gutsy in You” Anthology launch party.

I ‘m so excited and it feels like I’m planning the Academy Awards ceremony.

The red carpet is being laid out, and we are getting ready for you.

If you’d like to take a look at our Final program, please click below.

“BRING OUT THE GUTSY IN YOU” PROGRAM

SPONSORS POSTER

To learn more about this FREE EVENT on 9-26 in Orange County, please click on this link.

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I thank the 27 supporters for contributing towards my Publsush Campaign.

If you made a donation, and I haven’t seen your name, please let me know as there were a few glitches. I wish to thank each one of you for your help, and shall be sending you the rewards as stated on the Pubslush campaign.

  • Jason Matthews
  • Penelope James
  • Barbara Hammond
  • Laura Holland
  • Madeline Sharples
  • David Porsser
  • Muriel Jacques
  • Kathy Pooler
  • Marla Miller
  • Beccy Hall
  • Tom Cirignano
  • Polly Dunn
  • Linda Myers
  • Jan Marshall
  • Linda Hoenigsberg
  • Larry Jacobson
  • Julie Breitfuss
  • Brooks Sharp
  • Marla Cerise
  • Sue Dykema
  • Belinda Nicoll
  • Rhonda Hayes
  • Mary Gottschalk
  • John DeNizio
  • Susan Williams
  • Lois Joy Hofmann (check sent in mail)
  • Shelley Miller (check sent in mail)

I hope to see you at the event on Thursday, September 26th, from 6-9 p.m. Please click here to reserve your seat.

Thanks.

Winner of the August “My Gutsy Story®”

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Terri Elders
Terri Elders

First of all I wish to congratulate all of you for submitting your “My Gutsy Story®.” I know everyone enjoys reading them and you are all winners in my opinion.

 

1st Place went to Terri Elders who won the August, “My Gutsy Story®” contest.

Terri Elders
Terri Elders

In 2nd Place we have Jan Marshall. Well done for your inspiring story.

Jan Marshall
Jan Marshall
Jan Marshall
Jan Marshall

In 3rd Place, we have Suellen Zima.

 

Suellen Zima
Suellen Zima

 

Suellen Zima
Suellen Zima
Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

NOW is the time to submit your “My Gutsy Story®.” Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here

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You’re invited to our SPECIAL EVENT, “Bring Out the Gutsy in You.”

This event is FREE, and we have some fabulous sponsors. Check out next Monday September 15th to see all our free door prizes.

How To Get Your Book Into Costco

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For unknown indie authors like myself, getting your book into Costco might seem impossible, but let me share my own experience, and motivate you to try this yourself.

As I tell my indie author friends, everything starts with building

  • a relationship

What do I mean?

Well, if you shop at your local Costco, ask to speak to the manager. Introduce yourself, and say that you’re a local author and would like to know how to do a book signing at his/her store.

One Saturday while shopping, I noticed an author selling his books. I asked him how he got into Costco and he mentioned his publisher arranged everything for him. He had a traditional publisher, and wasn’t an indie publisher like myself.

I lucked out when Jeff,  the manager, walked up to the author, and I took the opportunity to remind him that I also wanted to do a book signing. Fortunately, Jeff loves to read and support authors. I asked him for his e-mail, and he told me I had to call the headquarters in Issaquah, WA, and follow their instructions.

I called them and listened to their instructions about where to send my book, together with my press kit and it specifically said, that they do not want books published by Author House, X-Libris, I-Universe, or CreateSpace as the publisher. You can use CreateSpace for printing, but not as your publisher on record.

Fortunately, I have my own publishing company, “Gutsy Publications” which allows me to offer Costco the same discount bookstores expect from publishers. I offered them a 55% discount.

After waiting several weeks, I heard back from Costco’s, California based wholesaler, which supplies print books on local and regional topics to Costco warehouses nationwide.

I followed their guidelines, and my son helped me with PhotoShop to design two 20″x30″ posters, which Costco printed. I had to pay for them though.

Jeff was kind enough to allow me to place the posters at the front of Costco for a week before my signing, to alert shoppers.

I did all the local advertising and social media to get people to show up, and ended up selling 32 books in total.

On the day of my Costco book signing, several writer friends arrived to support me and some wanted to know how I did it.

DarleneQuinnSoniaCharlaSpence
Darlene Quinn, Sonia, Charla Spence
Assistant Manager of Costco and me.
Assistant Manager of Costco and me.

Sonia far

I wish you all the best, and FYI, if you need help, please e-mail me your specific question and write (Free Question Consultation) in the Subject line and e-mail me at:  sonia@soniamarsh.com.

Sign-up for my newsletter and receive a FREE DOWNLOAD of “How to Get Your Book Into Costco and Other Large Retail Stores” here.

Do you need help with:

  • Pre-publication (Blogging, Branding and Building your platform)
  • Publication (How to publish your book. Pros and cons of publishing options)
  • Marketing (How to sell your books, niche marketing,  unique places to speak and sell your books)

Check out my “Gutsy Coaching” options HERE.

Sign up for your FREE 30-minute consultation with me at: sonia@soniamarsh.com, or call (949) 309-0030.

 

Publicity is the Key to Success For All of Us

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Sonia Marsh speaking upside down
Click on photo to find out why Sonia Marsh is speaking upside down

There comes a time when one person can’t do it alone, and a community makes things happen.

This is the time when I need your help to make the “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” event and the launch of our first: My Gutsy Story® True Stories of Love, Courage and Adventure from Around the World (now on Amazon)

PEOPLE MAKE THIS A SUCCESS

I have so many people to thank for helping with our  SPECIAL EVENT and BOOK LAUNCH

HERE’S WHAT I’M DOING TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESS

  • I’ve rented a movie theater to make this event  special
  • I’ve hired a film crew so footage can be shared and used to promote everyone
  • I’m working with a wonderful publicist, Barbara Kimler, to make things happen
  • The Orange County and Anaheim Convention and Visitors Bureau will send out a media blast to 800 businesses.
  • Producing a DVD of the event
  • I’ve hired a professional photographer
  • I’ve been on PBS-SoCal TV to promote the event (video link)
  • PBS reporters, Maria Hall Brown and Ann Pulice from PBS said they would attend the event
  • I’ve been on local radio shows to promote our event
  • I’m giving back part of the Anthology proceeds to help WomanSage.org a non-profit, helping women in transition (please read Jacene’s story below)
  • I have a wonderful group of smiling volunteers to help make our event special

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

  1. Please watch my Pubslush video (don’t laugh at me standing on my head!)

    Sonia Marsh speaking upside down
    Sonia Marsh speaking upside down
  2. Please contribute to the PUBSLUSH Campaign to help support the event, and OFFER YOU REWARDS in exchange.
  3. Please share this post with your family and friends, as well as on social media.

This is what WomanSage does to help women like Jacene

After surviving cancer 3 times, her 32 yr marriage ending in divorce, and moving to Orange County to take care of her aging parents Jacene faced financial, emotional and personal losses. She used the TM experience to investigate other potential career avenues identified by her career coach. With her renewed vigor, passion and a plan, Jacene chose to continue her work with children in the school district and expand her tutoring service. She is currently an educator at Newport Mesa Unified School District.

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HOW DID I GET MY BOOK INTO COSTCO?

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Come back Thursday, September 5th, to read more.

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Remember to Vote for your favorite August 2013 “My Gutsy Story®.” You have 2 weeks to vote. The winner will be announced on September 12th, and gets to select a prize from our sponsors.

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