Day #225: "Camp Omigosh" Featured in Middle Shelf Magazine

I am thankful and proud to be a friend of author/editor Laurisa White Reyes. She not only helped bring Camp Omigosh to life, she has featured it in Middle Shelf magazine, along with a wonderful interview with Matt Easterbrook, the illustrator of the book's cover.

Follow think link to read the magazine -- it's free!

Middle Shelf Magazine 

Day #217: Camp Omigosh Needs Campers

Right now, my book Camp Omigosh isn't selling very many copies. It's my own fault. When the book was first released, lots of friends, family, and a few fans bought hard covers. But a month later I was doing zero publicity, and now it's been out a whole summer and I'm still not doing anything to generate momentum.

The thing is, I've moved onto other projects, mainly my graphic novel "Duck Town." The semester has begun, I've got five classes, and very little free time. I've chosen to use my free time focusing on "Duck Town." I hope this isn't a mistake. Camp Omigosh still needs love. It needs to have more proofreading to weed out the last of the typos. And it needs to have an audience, which means I need to invest time and maybe some money so that the book can gain more attention.

On the plus side, Laurisa White Reyes has featured the cover on Middle Shelf, so that's cool! 

Day #65: Getting Ready for Indigogo

Speaking of Camp Omigosh, the Kickstarter Campaign isn't Kickstarting the way it's supposed to... I've already talked about why in a previous blog, so i won't spend anymore time explaining whhat went wrong.

I want to talk about what will be happening very soon. In less than a week, the Kickstarter campaign will be over. That's when I'll launch a new platform on an Indiegogo page. If you are wondering why we are bothering to try crowdfunding yet again, the reason is simple: At Indigogo you don't need to reach your total in order to receive the funds. That was the main problem with Kickstarter. If we didn't get to 4,500 then we don't receive a penny.

I'll let you know when the new crowdfunding page is up and running. I am determined to make Camp Omigosh happen... even if only one person buys the book! (Thanks, Mom!)

Day #43: Micro-Marketing - 30 Contacts a Day

The Camp Omigosh Kickstarter Campaign has officially begun.  So far, we've got a whopping two backers (and I must say I am eternally grateful!).

It's going to be a challenge generating the goal amount: $4500. We've only got 29 days to meet that goal. And I've probably already pestered all of my Facebook friends way too much. I'm going to need to do some bootstrapping.

Bootstrapping -- if I understand the term correctly -- is when you reach out to individuals and groups that you have connections with, and you basically beg them to support your crazy business idea.

So, that's what I'll be doing -- begging for book sales. I plan to connect with thirty contacts each day. Hopefully that will get the ball rolling.

Day #14: Camp Omigosh Kickstarter Perks?

My friend and fellow author Laurisa White Reyes launched her own publishing company in 2014. We had been discussing how some professional novelists (like ourselves) have wonderful projects that might not be marketable enough to find a home, even though they deserve to be read. Laurisa took this idea and full-on ran with it, and the result is a small publishing powerhouse that is headed for greatness.

(It's called Skyrocket Press - check it out!) 

Last month, I approached her with the idea to help me bring Camp Omigosh to life. I am so grateful that she has agreed to read the book -- and I have my fingers crossed that she falls in love with this quirky middle grade adventure. If she does then we'll proceed with a kickstarter campaign to help pay for editing, marketing, and publishing expenses.

She asked me what kinds of goodies should be offered at the various levels. So far we have talked about the typical items:

Posters
T-Shirts
Bookmarks
Hats
Coffee Mugs

But I'm trying to think of things that are a bit more unique. Maybe things that you would find at camp? Duct Tape Wallets? Friendship Bracelets? Arts and Craft Stuff? What else does one make at summer camp?

I'm also wondering if people would be interested in sponsoring school visits. Oh, and of course we can give copies of the books as well as copies of Omigosh play from Eldridge publishing. Please let me know if you have any ideas about what you'd like to have on the Kickstarter Goodie list.

Challenge Total: $118.62