whereisjodi.

Kidding! I just got done reading a blog entry called "I was on Oprah!" and I have to tell you...if I'd been drinking anything at the time I would have spit it out in laughter. ;)

Apparently a gentleman trying to promote his book claimed on his website and to at least one reporter that his book had been chosen for Oprah's book club and was being made into a feature film. Seriously, did he think no one would check on a detail like that? What a crack-up.

Meanwhile, yesterday I continued work on my second novel which, no doubt, will also enjoy an Oprah-free marketing campaign. I got quite a bit of work done between distractions, including:

#411: Oh wow, I should trim my bangs
#613: My but my fingernails are long

If I hadn't been housesitting I could have included favorite distractions #119: clean room and #78: do laundry, but those were absent opportunities sitting in someone else's living room. :p

Posted by authorjodi at 02:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We had a little excitement on the blog yesterday when none other than Mr. Joel Rosenberg himself linked to my Stalking Joel Rosenberg entry from his blog. I wonder how he found out about it? Does he have peeps whose entire job consists of googling his name and seeing what interesting things pop up? Because I'm sure he's too busy writing bestsellers and meeting with political leaders to spend much time surfing...

And I'm not being sarcastic -- the bestsellers are self-evident and I've heard him say a couple different times that he's met with folks at the Pentagon, as well as at least one person representing the leader of a Muslim country. They want to know where he's getting his intel since his books seem to be fiction only until they come true. How cool is it that a genuine man of faith is having those opportunities!

Regardless of how he found it, I know he took the "stalking" reference in the spirit it was intended since he linked to the entry instead of calling the FBI. ;) Thank you sir for the traffic and I'll keep reading your books as per usual.

I did learn one thing from this experience -- I need to follow Mr. Rosenberg's example and link to my book more often in individual posts. That way, in case of another blog explosion that results in people reading only one post, at least they'll have the book in front of them. Towhit, HEY YOU, buy my book from amazon, people tell me it's great. :p

Posted by authorjodi at 09:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by authorjodi at 04:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

I'll certainly be posting more over the following days, but after a morning on the floor and a short drive, I'm ensconsed at a campground outside Atlanta for the weekend. My goal is to spend the entire afternoon and evening vegetating in blissful solitude, then hit the ground running tomorrow, following up on all the contacts made and helpful ideas stolen from others. ;)

I'll have to take a picture of all the books I scored -- I can't even walk around my living room area. Granted, that area is only about three feet square...but it's packed to the gills!

Posted by authorjodi at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

If I believed in karma I'd say today balanced out the universe from yesterday's overabundance of positive energy. ;)

It was just fine, don't get me wrong, but it couldn't hold a candle to all the excitement I wrote about last night. The publishers and all but one of the other VMI authors were gone by noon, joining the mass exodus that left the expo floor rather anemic. I did end up with a stuffed-to-the-gills backpack of free books that I'm planning to use to tempt folks into writing amazon reviews...more on that later.

Continue reading "Day Three: Back Down to Earth." »

Posted by authorjodi at 07:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

First of all, yes...I stalked Joel Rosenberg today. I'd worked up my nerve to go introduce myself to American Family Radio -- some of you may remember I had a contact with them a couple months ago and sent them books. Of course I never heard back, but I gathered my courage and went to find them.

When I arrived they were in the middle of an interview, so I sat down nearby to wait...when lo and behold I see that it's Joel that they're interviewing. Woohoo. I got to listen for about 10 minutes, all the while thinking "do I talk to AFR? do I talk to Joel? do I talk to AFR?...."

Continue reading "Day Two: Stalking Joel Rosenberg" »

Posted by authorjodi at 07:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I heard a southern expression that I think I'll co-opt tonight -- my dogs are barking. Man oh man do my feet hurt. And I'm so tired I almost fell asleep while sitting on the floor during the overcrowded, overhyped Veggie Tale event.

I'm sorry to say I'm going to have to save the extended version for another day because I'm worried a little about how incoherent I'm going to be tonight. :) I'll share a couple things and then hit the hay:

1. I'm actually real proud of myself because I screwed on my courage and went around the tv media area and talked to four or five people, offering myself for an interview if they had an opening. I had a real good chat with one lady that was probably the best connection I made...but I have no idea whether they'll actually call. It sort of depends on someone canceling and I hate to ask God to make some other poor soul have to cancel. ;)

Continue reading "Day One." »

Posted by authorjodi at 06:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Just ran back to Bertha to drop off some books I picked up this morning and grab a few more of mine. Quite an interesting experience walking the floor of the expo for two hours trying to gladhand and pass out bookmarks. I have to be back shortly to work the publisher's booth so I'm taking ten minutes to put my feet up. ;)

Funniest story of the morning: twice I saw this guy who looked vaguely familiar. I was trying to place him, wondering if he was someone I'd run into on my tour like the pastor of a church I'd visited, etc., etc. Sadly, I finally realized it was Jerry Jenkins but it was too late to bust over and introduce myself. Oh well. :p

Posted by authorjodi at 09:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

This week I'll be blogging from the Georgia World Conference Center in Atlanta...specifically from a parking lot where I'm boondocking. For those of you not familiar with RVing lingo, that means I'm paying good money to sit on a slab of concrete with no hookups. I thought it'd be good experience to try to sleep in a sauna so I'll be totally prepared for my trip to Senegal this fall where the locals wear long sleeve shirts and jackets when the temperature falls all the way down to 100. ;)

I just walked back from the schwank dinner put on by my publisher for authors they invited to the show. We had a little speech from a PR company which made me feel slightly better about all the marketing hassles I've experienced -- you're supposed to PAY someone to experience those hassles for you...that was my mistake. :p

Continue reading "The International Christian Retail Show." »

Posted by authorjodi at 06:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by authorjodi at 08:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The I-75 Super Flea was not the greatest sales effort ever attempted by moi. In fact, I sold a grand total of zero books, but boy was it an experience. Let's just say I didn't stumble across my target audience with folks who came looking for U&C (used & cheap). Whether or not they were readers was not the issue, but sandwiched between "antique" farm tools, previously-owned video games and exotic animal adoptions I didn't have much of a chance to stand out. ;)

If I had sold even two books I would have gone back tomorrow, but all I got after literally steaming in the sun for almost six hours was more fodder for my character files. While that makes today totally worthwhile, it doesn't tempt me into a repeat of the experience.

And now we will enter into Participation Saturday. I have a serious question I'm soliciting responses for in my quest to be in the world but not of the world. Or salt and light. Or...you get my drift.

Posted by authorjodi at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I was glad to see NBC refute the report that they were paying Paris $1M for her 'story'. Now if only they would also refute the fact of the interview itself -- maybe devoting the hour instead to the recent sayings of Ahmadinejad or, if they want something a little lighter, how about a show examining the phenomenen of Christian comedy.

I'm spending my Friday night, once again, experiencing extreme gratefulness over the invention of air conditioning. I know someone who will say it was all in my head, but I felt a significant increase in humidity when I crossed into Florida. :p

I've passed so many flea market signs in the south that I'm going to try my hand at vendoring one tomorrow. The bad news is I have to be there at 7:30 to set-up. The good news is, if I don't sell any books I'm only out 20 bucks and some sleep for the experiment. ;)

I'm pretty sure I won't be live blogging from the I-75 Super Flea, but I'll be sure to record my thoughts to share later.

Posted by authorjodi at 07:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok folks, the first as4me e-newsletter is history. In it I talked about the Glenn Beck show and whether or not joining the political arena matters in light of things like the Iranian President trying to nuke us out of existence. Also a question to keep your mind sharp and a couple recommendations. Of course, as it is the first, the links for the rec's didn't work...

If you didn't get it, you didn't sign up. :p

Posted by authorjodi at 01:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "ACL, fini." »

Posted by authorjodi at 07:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

10:02. Two minutes into the official vendor time and I've already decided the trip was a failure. The other tables are swarmed, whereas I'm apparently putting off a toxic odor.

10:08. Yep, definitely toxic. Eight minutes in and I can hardly get anyone to pause on their way by. I recognize the strategy from my own experience with vendor expos: look straight ahead, quickly scan the table with your peripheral vision, preferably fake a chat with your conference companion...because if you make the mistake of pausing or making eye contact the vendor has a chance to nab you! :p

10:26. My first sale! Also a lovely woman who marched up to my vacant table and said "I'll stand here and look interested," then proceeded to tell two people passing by "this looks really good." Blessings upon her!

10:47. Second sale, also two people who say they'll be back after lunch. We shall see.

10:55. Make that three people who say they'll be back. Although one of them actually pulled out her wallet to prove she didn't have enough cash so she might be on the level. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

You'd think it would get easier to sit behind a vendor table, watching people walk by and peruse you and your offering like the remainders section at the dollar store. Sadly, the vendor time hasn't even  officially begun yet and already I'm sweating and trying to remind myself that it's not me personally they're turning their nose up at. :p

The mouse I use brought on my longest conversation so far, with a polite question about MPA thrown in for the sake of decency. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 05:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Car names make me laugh -- especially SUV names that sound more suited to the outback than running the kids to a soccer game. I just got back from picking up my rental car in Opelika, a Dodge Avenger. I hope it doesn't have to live up to its name... ;)

Something I love about this side of the country: you can drive all day and hit four or five states instead of just one. I'll be crossing Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana before entering Michigan -- for some reason that seems much more profitable than spending the whole day traversing California. :p 

Posted by authorjodi at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Other than the fact that I had to get up at the crack of dawn without enough sleep, I just had a ball with my first TV interview. The station is housed in an old mill and Betty and I arrived about 8:15 to find a couple different sets inside a small studio. I had a short chat with the host, Charles Story, and got some instructions: when you're answering look at this camera, when I'm talking look at me, and etc.

We got started and I very conscientiously looked at the camera when I was answering, though I could feel my eyes darting back to the host every now and then. When he was talking I looked at him and felt very self-conscious that the other camera was basically getting the side of my head nodding, but as there wasn't an audience I couldn't really turn and look that direction. I was trying to remember to sit up straight and not fidget nervously...meanwhile trying to listen to the question and not blather on like an idiot when I answer. All in all, quite an entertaining 15 minutes on my end! :p

Continue reading "TV Debut, Yella Dog Democrats & A Clean Bill of Health" »

Posted by authorjodi at 01:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I'll be on the Lee Davis Show at 8:30 tomorrow morning that, I think, will be rebroadcast at 2:30p and 9:30p as well. If you'd like, you can click here to listen.

I'm also recording an interview with another host to be broadcast at a later date. I'm going to try to get a copy so I can post it, but I'll have to let you know tomorrow whether that happens or not.

Posted by authorjodi at 04:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Which, oddly enough, is painted burnt orange on one wall and light grey on the other. The feature which is my personal favorite at the moment is the incredibly soft leather couch I'm perched on while I wait for my interview. The only problem being, of course, that instead of preparing to speak coherently I might possibly start snoring. ;)

For those of you not in the biz, about 15 minutes ago I discovered what I feel might be the key secret to successful morning radio. I peeked in on one of the studios and saw a host working his way through a 2-liter bottle of Mountain Dew. As I've already downed one can of said nectar and am contemplating another, I feel assured of success. Well, either the Mountain Dew or the prayers...one of those strategies should prove effective. :p

Posted by authorjodi at 06:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One whirl around the station with my advocate netted three pretty solid commitments for interviews. Tomorrow I'll be on 101.1 The Source for the Burt & Kurt Live show. They said to come at 9:30, so if you want to listen you can click here and then click on the 'listen online' button in the upper lefthand corner. There's another gentleman on that station who doesn't do novels, but I'm trying to figure out a way to draw him in. :p

The Ronnie Bruce interview on 93.7 WDJC isn't scheduled yet. He said he wants to finish the book first and, in fact, was almost late to work this morning because he started reading and was drawn right in. I decided to take him at his word, even though I've come to realize radio people are all a bunch of schmoozers. ;) 

Anyway, one for sure tomorrow, and a couple others look like strong possibilities for next week. Consequently, I'll be hanging out in Birmingham for the holiday weekend. Have to say...it's a bit warmer and more humid than Mississippi was so I'll have to keep the AC cranked.

Posted by authorjodi at 01:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

LA Reader finally identified herself, so today I'm popping in the mail this lovely silver necklace, handmade in Jordan. Just wanted my illustrious readers to know I was following through so that next time I run a contest you might be persuaded to enter. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I just got off the phone with a gentleman in Birmingham, Alabama. I've got a commitment to be on the Ronnie Bruce Show and he thinks there might be an opportunity to get on a few other programs in their five station network. I'll post more details when I get them, including where and when you can listen live if you're so inclined.

Can I just give a shout out to the One who made this possible? Seriously! Did I not just write a post last night about my sad lack of marketing skills? I know exactly to Whom I am beholden.

Posted by authorjodi at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

All is not right in my world when it's too hot to make coffee at 9 in the morning. That's about the time I got back to Bertha after riding the scooter into downtown Monroe for an interview at 88.7 The Cross. I think it went rather well considering I had no caffeine onboard. The host had a list of questions for me that I was able to peruse before we went live -- that was nice. I found I was able to be a little more concise than I'd been yesterday, so that was nice as well.

The funniest thing that happened was that I almost got on a TV show. The host told me I should call the local Christian broadcaster and see if I could get on. I did, but sadly, never got a call back. However, I was already shuddering at the thought of being on TV so I can't say I was too unhappy. I know I should probably hope for TV spots to sell bazillions of books, but I think radio is a much more comfortable format for me. :p 

I drove about 80 miles into Vicksburg, Miss-ippi <local pronunciation, not bad spelling> where I'll be camping out for the weekend. I plan to visit some Civil War historical sights so maybe I'll have a few interesting pictures to post by the end of the weekend. 

Posted by authorjodi at 09:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Fried Pickles." »

Posted by authorjodi at 05:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by authorjodi at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'll write a good account of my morning's radio activities later tonight, but I just wanted to blog real quick about something very interesting. I called the other Christian radio station in Monroe that I sent a book to just now to follow-up, and as I explained the premise of my book the gentleman said, 'where have I just heard that?'

He said it wasn't The Hill, nor the Moon Griffon Show. Finally, he remembered it was on Bill O'Reilly's program...this morning! I assume since it was in the morning that he meant the radio program as opposed to the Factor -- but apparently they were discussing the Mickey Mouse character teaching Palestinian children to kill the Jews. The idea was brought up that someone should take those poor, innocent children out of that environment. Quickly following...but what if someone decides to classify Christian teachings as a dangerous environment?

Oh how I wish I had the phone number for O'Reilly's producer! ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm scheduled to be on the Moon Griffon Show for 'a few minutes' tomorrow after my interview on The Hill. Supposedly around 10:45 and the show ends at 11...so I imagine a few minutes is what it will be. :)

Of course, I say 'supposedly' because I've done my reading and know that media interviews are flexible until you're actually broadcasting live. I'll be prepared regardless -- or rather, ready as I can be at that hideous hour of the morning... :p

And on a serious note, I think these two interviews are a great example of God's strength working through weakness. I couldn't be worse at self-promotion and I fully recognize that the Lord has been gracious to me providing these opportunities. I trust He is being gracious to you as well today.

Posted by authorjodi at 01:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Snakes & Marketing." »

Posted by authorjodi at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Thanks to those who posted new reviews on Amazon. Not as many as I'd hoped, obviously, but I appreciate the effort it took. I chose the winner very scientifically -- I wrote numbers on little pieces of paper and scrambled them all around before picking one with my eyes closed. ;)

The winner is: LA Reader from Los Angeles. You've won a silver pendant handmade in Jordan. The problem is...I don't know who you are. I'm going to have to rely on the integrity of my readers and ask you to contact me by e-mail at jodi@as4me.com. If I don't hear anything I'll draw another winner in a couple weeks.

Posted by authorjodi at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Next Thursday the Reluctant Marketeer will be making an appearance on the morning show for 100.9 The Hill in W. Monroe, Louisiana. Click here if you'd like to listen live -- it should be starting around 7:20am.

Posted by authorjodi at 01:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I've got ants again. It must be the result of sitting in one place for too long -- the last time I was swarmed by ants was when I sat for a couple weeks in Southern California. I don't know if Texas ants are somehow heartier, but they sure are crunchier when I squish them. ;)

I just returned from meeting Tim Baker, the youth pastor at my aunt and uncle's church. He's authored 15 books and graciously talked to me for about an hour during their car wash/garage sale youth fundraiser. Sweat dripped down my back as I took notes and tried to soak up as much as possible. The best <and worst> part -- he affirmed my frustration and the fact that I'm not alone in feeling totally alone trying to market myself.

Continue reading "Ants." »

Posted by authorjodi at 02:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by authorjodi at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Next Wednesday I head out for my grand Middle Eastern adventure: Israel, Jordan, Egypt and a country to be named later. Since I hate marketing so much, I'm going to take this opportunity to present you with an offer. Anyone who posts a review of my book to amazon between now and when I return will be entered into a drawing for a lovely prize that I'll purchase while over there. If more than ten people add reviews, after I pick myself up off the floor from the shock, I'll draw one winner per ten.

So...in summary. To enter the contest for a lovely Middle Eastern chatchke, go to amazon and write a review for my book <click on the link on the right>. You can then either come back here and comment, or e-mail me directly so I can get in touch with you if you win.

Posted by authorjodi at 01:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Welcome to the party! I'm supposed to give a brief introduction of my blog, so those of you who read already just close your eyes for a minute or two. ;)

I'm a first-time author traveling around the country in a 30-foot behemoth, trying to promote my novel and create what my publisher calls "buzz." As I'm more happy sitting in my pajamas in my house, I've found this whole marketing thing quite painful. This blog chronicles my travels and the pitfalls of being a self-promoter, as well as issues relating to the theme of my book -- the reality that it's getting more and more difficult for Christians to live out their faith in the public square.

Thanks for joining me and don't forget to sign up for a prize!

Posted by authorjodi at 01:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

All the marketing materials I read talk about the first step of marketing which is using your circle of influence. I've decided I need to get over the problem I have with this idea, thinking it's somehow mercenary...so here goes. 

I'd like to ask those of you reading this to consider sending a few e-mails to family and friends who might be interested in my book. You can include any number of links, such as:

1. Link to the main MPA website which will give them the overview of the book, as well as some reader comments. They can also read the first chapter there.
2. Link to a website where they can listen to the first chapter in an audio file, read by yours truly.
3. Link to the amazon page where they can purchase the book.
4. Link to my podcast if you think they might be interested in the reality behind some of the themes in the book.

In sum, I'd appreciate any e-mails or word-of-mouth you feel led to undertake. Phew. Now I can cross that chore off my 1001 dread-marketing-duties list! On a positive note, I sold nine books today which is a world record for this author's tour.

Posted by authorjodi at 09:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

The interview I recorded a couple weeks ago for the Home Schooling Radio Show is going to be aired on Monday. You can listen to it after 10am (Central) by clicking on the link and hitting listen now. I'll update this post on Tuesday when I find where it will be permanently housed.

UPDATE: The interview is permanently housed here. Scroll down and look for the February 12th episode.

Posted by authorjodi at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Just got off the phone after doing my first interview with the Home Schooling Radio Show. I'll let you know when they post it, but man am I glad it's over with! That's not to say that the hosts weren't exceedingly kind -- they were wonderful -- but it was nerve-wracking in the extreme to know someone out there was recording me and I wouldn't have any do-overs like I have when I do my own podcast. ;)

I got up this morning and prayed through Isaiah 40, reminding myself that the God who created the Grand Canyon can certainly help me speak semi-intelligibly for a few minutes. I think it went alright but we'll have to see once they post it. At least I'm not going to be surprised at the sound of my recorded voice like some people are -- I got over that shock long ago. :p

It snowed for about an hour this morning, but now seems to have stopped. That's my sign to get on the road, so next time I post should be from my uncle's RV slab in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

Posted by authorjodi at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)