Behind the Scenes with your host, Jodi McKay

Picture this: There’s a marketing event coming up. Tons of people will be there, looking to buy books and have them signed by the author. You will be that author and you can’t wait to connect with the readers.

But, wait. How did this amazing opportunity come to be?

Cue your friendly SCBWI regional advisors and PAL coordinator!

We work hard to find ways for you to market your books and art and thought you might want a glimpse at what it takes to set up an event. Let’s use the Kerrytown BookFest!

Idea

·      May 2nd- Hey, the Kerrytown BookFest looks like the place to be! We think this will be a great way to market our authors and illustrators.


Research

·      A little web surfing to read about the festival.

·      Email event coordinators to get the details.


Set-up

·      Create a snazzy invitation document to send to SCBWI-MI authors and illustrators.

·      Create a sign-up sheet for shifts.

·      Register for booths.

·      Coordinate with local book store for book sales. Send author list.

·      Collect display books and bio cards. I might have read a few.

·      Create super cool giveaways- pins and book packages!

Emails

·      Emails between Carrie, Leslie and myself.

·      Emails with Kerrytown event coordinator.

·      Emails with Nicola’s event coordinator.

·      Email pictures of sloths to friends to mix it up a bit.

·      Emails with all PALs.

·      Emails addressing author/illustrator participant’s questions or concerns.

·      New info. and reminder emails.

·      Books received emails.

·      Who was tired of receiving emails from me???

Promotions

·      Tweets about each author, their books, and when they will be signing

·      FB event page created

Jeff Jantz, Kathy Higgs-Coulthard, Mary J. Grant, and Peggy House

Day of

·      Sept. 10th- Coffee in hand, not enough warm clothes on, register at 8:00.

Jodi McKay and Jack Cheng

·      Create an eye pleasing set up with the help of friendly volunteers.

·      It’s 10:00, time to rock! Our first shift meets the book fest’s first guests.

·      Switching shifts with a few hiccups, but nothing we can’t handle!

·      Missing books? Nicola’s to the rescue!

·      Book giveaway #1! Happy winners receive awesome books- woo hoo!!

·      Eat? Nah! There’s too much fun to be had with authors and readers.

Shutta Crum and Leslie Helakoski

·      Sit down for a moment and listen in on a great YA panel.

·      Book giveaway #2! No one wants to answer my phone call. Keep trying. Found 2 winners!

·      The bell tolls, 5:00pm. Time to tear down.

·      More fabulous volunteers toss items into the big SUV.


And that was that. It was a wonderful, bright, sunshiny day. We laughed, we signed, and we connected with fellow readers and writers. All of the hard work was well worth it, and I have to say that I am looking forward to the next event. Until then!

Jodi lives in Grosse Pointe, Michigan with her husband, son, and a couple of furry friends. She discovered that she loved to write when she was 8 years old, but decided to finish school before pursuing it full time. Now she is an active member of the incredible kid lit community and is proud to be represented by Linda Epstein at Emerald City Literary Agency. Jodi is the author of the picture book, WHERE ARE THE WORDS? published by Albert Whitman & Co. Learn more at her website (look for the teacher's guide!), and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.








Coming up on the Mitten Blog: In October, Nina Goebel will unveil our new blog banner created by our new Featured Illustrator! But first, we're celebrating our members' good news. Please email your writing/illustrating/publishing news to Patti Richards by Monday, Sept 25th, to be included in our Hugs and Hurrahs next week. We'll also have a recap of our fall conference, A Gathering on the Grand, which took place last weekend. Here's a sneak peek:

Thanks to Mentorship Coordinator, Ann Finkelstein, and congrats to Sara Kendall!