Once I was through, I returned to the dressing area where three other women sat in their gowns, waiting for their boobfest. After changing into my clothes, I stepped out of the cubicle and asked if any of them were readers. All three nodded. "Romance?" Wide smiles spread, and they chimmed in the affirmative.
(I must stop mid-story to tell you once I recieve my bookcovers, I order regular-sized postcards from Vistaprint. I download my cover for one side and have my blurb printed on the other along with places it can be ordered. I arrange the covers in the order of their release, tie a ribbon around each set, and carry several in the outside pocket of my purse. This makes it easy to whip out a set and give it to someone. Cost? 100 cards--12.49 + download of bookcover--2.49 + color printing backside--4.99 = $19.97. If I can catch the postcard when they're offering them for Free, the cost is even cheaper.)
Back to the tale of my shameless act of self-promotion. I handed each of the ladies a set of postcards. "Maybe you'd enjoy reading one of my books."
"Did you write these?" One lady looked at me in awe. Guess I just don't look like the mental perception of a "hawt" romance writer.
"Yes." I smiled and turned to walk out.
"Wait!" One lady stood. "You...you seem so...so approachable."
Goodness how did she expect me to act? "I'm just a retired woman who fills her days by writing love stories. I'm no different than you." I smiled and waved a hand toward my bust. "Besides, don't you think there's a sisterhood of fallen boobs in the mammogram waiting room?"
They were all laughing as I walked out. "Save the girls," I chimmed as I closed the door, nearly running into the mammogram technician who'd come for her next patient. I was nearly at the end of the hall when the technician called for me to stop.
She was running toward me. "Mrs. Davis, may I have some cards, too?" She gave me the once over, her eyes huge. "I had no idea I was handling the boobs of a writer," she all but oozed. Well, for heaven's sake.
I just checked novel rank and saw I'd sold two copies of each of my books today. So maybe my self-promotion wasn't a complete "bust." Moral of the story: Always be ready to promote, much as you dislike it. Like a Boy Scout, be prepared.
Next month is Breast Cancer Awareness month. If you haven't had a mammogram in the past year or two, please do yourself and your children a favor and schedule yours. Ten minutes of discomfort is a small price to pay.
While I have your attention, I'd like to ask if any of you have faced this terrible disease or have a loved one who has? If so, you should gift yourself or that loved one with a copy of Mackenzie Crowne's story of her battle with breast cancer. It's an uplifting story of hope written by someone who's been there.
AMAZON: http://amzn.to/TDVvL9
