This month I’ve been dedicating blocks of time to writing. I still have time for reading, swinging away in my mediocre golf game and picking up the pickle ball racquet, but the “plan” for July was to advance my third novel. I do have a first draft, however in the writing world there’s an expression about that, “the shitty first draft”. While I wouldn’t use that adjective for what I’ve written, for sure there are parts that don’t feel right. But, the beauty about writing is that you can edit. Once it’s all down on the page, another layer of finer story telling can begin. It’s a process and I’m loving the journey!
How does a novel get noticed?
Wandering through Indigo last week, I was struck again by the number of books stacked on the shelves and lying out on tables. There are so many of them! Millions of hours of writing, marketing and dreaming are crammed into that store, and yet it’s just one slice of the huge pie in the universe of books. So how does one novel ever get noticed?
When I look at it all, I’d say the process towards seeking to have a book noticed, is a little like building an ice cream sundae (a salute to summer here). It begins with large scoops from the publisher and the PR team, as they seek to advertise a book’s launch and find opportunities for print and social media exposure. Additional scoops are added from friends and acquaintances, who step forward with ideas and contacts that are incredibly helpful. The ongoing posts on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok feel like the chocolate sauce and sprinkles to me, swirling around and adding more flavour and crunch. And then there is the big red cherry on top. I’d call that luck, and when it shows up, it’s very sweet.
But, I believe, the trick in all of this is to play the long game without having the ice cream sundae melt into one big puddle. If you can last and let the book gain reach, in the end it will be people, individual readers, who will lift up a book and get it noticed. It will be their word of mouth, their posting of good reviews and their creative methods of endorsement that will make a difference.
In the meantime I’m booking Meet the Author events in bookstores, Guest Author appearances at Book Clubs and having fun with making reels to capture book events and related subjects. And I’m enjoying the conversations and outreach from readers. Thank you to all who have approached me with your appreciation of my work. It’s great to know that YOU have noticed the book. That means the world to me!
Trailer for The Acquisition of Elizabeth Grace
Last week RE:BOOKS posted an Instagram video, that pulled the written word off the page & into a short film clip. It was mesmerizing for me to watch my two young characters, Sophie and Olivia, running across a field. And the music chosen was perfect. Huge thanks to Chloe Robinson! Please click here for the Trailer & turn sound on.
Naming the hotel in the story
In The Acquisition of Elizabeth Grace, Sophie & her family spend New Year’s Eve at the “Oaklawn Park Hotel” in Surrey, England. I named the hotel after our home in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Here is a picture of me with my sisters Christina (left) and Katy (right), standing at the front door, under our home’s name. Flowered summer dresses, blazers and boaters were our uniform at St. Maur’s Convent in Weybridge.
Book City at Yonge & St. Clair
This month I visited Book City and was thrilled to see The Acquisition of Elizabeth Grace off the shelf and “on the table”. After I signed all the copies, Chris added the yellow “Autographed by Author” sticker. It’s strange how there are sudden moments when I have to pinch myself because it all seems unreal. This was one of them. Thanks Chris!
TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY POST
This Instagram post popped up last week from the Toronto Public Library Foundation. They were promoting summer reading with books from authors who had attended their Biblio Bash. It was fun to see my book pop out of the bag in this post. (I added the sun for fun just now). A big thanks to the TPL Foundation for all your support!
Back to School this week!
This week I am attending a week long Summer Writing Course at the University of Toronto, as part of my Creative Writing Certificate. Best selling author Joy Fielding is our instructor and I’m looking forward to learning from her and twelve other students. We will be workshopping our novels in development.
2nd Print Run!
Great News! We are preparing for a second print run. Thank you to all who have purchased The Acquisition of Elizabeth Grace, shared it with friends, talked about it, reviewed it, posted about it, hosted me in your home and introduced me to others. I so appreciate your help in lifting this book up. And a big thank you to Rebecca and Chloe at RE:BOOKS. Thanks for believing in me and my story!
Book Signing in Midland
Happy to share I’ve been invited by Georgian Bay Books to their bookstore on August 1st from 12pm to 2pm. If you are up in the Midland area please do drop in. They are located at 247 King St. Thank you to the two Sarah’s for this opportunity to spend time in your lovely bookstore and meet those living and holidaying in your area.
Are you in a Book Club?
If you’re in a Book Club and your club decides to read one of my books, please reach out if you would like me to attend as a Guest Author. Depending on dates and location, this could be by zoom or in person, for some or all of your meeting … whatever works best for you. I can be reached through email at gwen@gwenkharvey.com. Thanks to all who have booked a time. I’m looking forward to our date!
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