Writing & Publishing Archives - Page 10 of 28 - Sonia Marsh

“Bring Out the Gutsy in You”; A Huge Success

September 30, 2013 by Sonia Marsh 10 Comments

“Bring out the Gutsy in You” Anthology book launch was a huge success.

Larry Poricelli, Manager of the Southern California Regency movie theaters, surprised me with this special marquee.

Just over 100 attended, and Marybeth Bond offered an upbeat, motivational speech about taking risks, being bold, and the advice she received from her mom.

Our panelists, Linda Joy Myers, Jason Matthews and Marla Miller as our moderator, were so inspiring.

Kira Robles, our professional photographer is sending me the photos later this week, so hopefully by my next post on October 3rd, we shall have a ton o photos to share.

PHOTOS and NEWS on October 3rd.

A DVD of the entire event will be available in the next few weeks. I shall let you know more when it’s edited.

A few testimonials:

Congratulations Sonia, for creating a rewarding (and seamless) evening for many lucky people! -Kevin R.

We were honored to have you. I don’t think you realize your worth! You are not only a successful writer, you are a leader, you are luminous and inspiring to others, and your experience is of great value!–Thank you!–Larry P.

Sonia,

You will never run out of willing people to share their “Gutsy” stories… much like the success of the Chicken Soup anthology… pure genius. —Kevin

LOOKING FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR OUR 2nd “My Gutsy Story®”ANTHOLOGY

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

NOW is the time to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” which may be included in our 2nd ANTHOLOGY.

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

Countdown to “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” Event

September 19, 2013 by Sonia Marsh Leave a Comment

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.

A Free Gift For Sharing “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” Event

September 9, 2013 by Sonia Marsh Leave a Comment

1-100_1584 — Please click on me to support my launch party on 9-26.

With 8 days left in my Pubslush campaign I hope you’ll see that it’s not just about me, but it’s about all of us.

My goal is to offer an exciting free event for the public to attend on September 26th, and to help all 64 authors who contributed to our first My Gutsy Story® Anthology: True Stories of Love, Courage and Adventure from Around the World.

We have a keynote speaker: Marybeth Bond
A panel of exciting Gutsy authors
Free Door prizes from our sponsors: restaurants, Laguna Playhouse, Spa, Free membership to IBPA and more.
A % of proceeds are going back to help WomanSage.org

To find out more, please check out this post.

I love turquoise, and I’m offering my favorite Brighton necklace, as an incentive to the first person who can get 5 people to contribute to my Pubslush campaign.

1-100_1591 — My free gift to you from Brighton Jewelry

I have 8 days left to reach my goal, and your 5 supporters will also get rewards, based on their level of “Gutsyness.”

Please note, you will have to e-mail me (sonia@soniamarsh.com) the names of those 5 people, so we can confirm them with Pubslush.

Here are More Fun Entries from the “One Sentence-One Photo About You” which I promised to share on my site, as they could not all fit in my Pubslush video

Jonna Ivin: I want to write and perform a one woman show.

Jonna Ivin

John DeNizio: 10 days and 77 miles later in the outback of New Mexico, with nothing but what’s on my back.

I hope you help all of turn this event into a successful event on 9-26-13.

Please CLICK HERE to help support the event and receive perks in exchange.

Thanks for all your support.

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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.

How To Get Your Book Into Costco

September 5, 2013 by Sonia Marsh 24 Comments

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

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.

Publicity is the Key to Success For All of Us

September 3, 2013 by Sonia Marsh 4 Comments

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

Marybeth Bond– flying out from San Franciso to be our keynote speaker
Linda Joy Myers (NAMW) President- flying out from San Franciso to be our panelist (Check out our interview together about the event.)
Jason Matthews, author and e-book publishing expert. (Check out the fantastic post he wrote about our 9-26-13 event.)
Marla Miller, upbeat and Gutsy moderator, author and founder of “Marketing the Muse” workshops.

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

Please watch my Pubslush video (don’t laugh at me standing on my head!)
Sonia Marsh speaking upside down
Please contribute to the PUBSLUSH Campaign to help support the event, and OFFER YOU REWARDS in exchange.
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?

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.