Geofest fun

Upon returning from Geofest, I decided to take a nap. That nap time turned into a full night's sleep (at least 8-12 hours, give or take an hour to get up and go to the restroom or readjust my position). I think part of the sleep time was being tired from not sleeping well Friday night and partly due to depression (depressed at how the event went for me).

As events go, this was definitely not one of my better ones but it's all good. Bookmarks were put in several folks' hands and some new contacts were made. No sales this go round. I did something different yesterday - just because I didn't feel like sitting in the room and not having something to do. One of the vendors in the room had a presentation right before lunch, and since it was an area of interest to me and my books in particular, I decided to go sit in on the workshop. I enjoyed it very much and actually walked away with some useful information for my upcoming presentation for teachers at the SCISA teachers' conference in November. The presenter is also a teacher and uses "foldables" in her class all the time. I'm taking the foldable idea and using it as part of my presentation to teachers.

After lunch, I sat in another workshop, put on by sisters, both of whom are teachers, called Fun With Geography - and it was really about keeping the classroom interactive when it comes to geography. Things like "Mystery Cruise" and 20 Questions and "Where Am I?" were introduced and attendees actually participated in the activities.

I'm thinking I need some new signage to show what I'm about but not really sure what it is I need. Sales need to really pick up dramatically for me to continue with the series. I am still hearing the same comments - "that's a great idea" and "wish someone had done something like this when I was growing up" and others on the same lines but they aren't buying books. I've lowered prices for in-person events and yet books aren't selling that well. At this point, I'm open to ideas from my readers to change up something, anything, that will really get folks interested in buying books for classrooms or schools. Any and all suggestions are welcome in the comments section. So what are some of the ideas you all have out there that I can try to implement and change things up a bit? - Mrs. E & the JGDS

Geofest time

So it's Geofest time again. I'm looking forward to this event since I will actually be giving a set of books minus State of Reservations (I'm totally out of copies of this book right now) to the SC Geographic Alliance to be listed in their reference library. I found the reference list quite by accident and contacted Jerry and was told that the list of books that are available through them for teachers to check out. So I will be adding a copy of the five of the six books available in the series this weekend. In February, when the event occurs again, I will be adding the third book (will probably end up getting some more books in the near future since I have events planned and my contract doesn't run out until 2013 for this book) and hopefully the seventh in the series. Twice a year, I'll add the books that are published between times to the collection.

See you all in the postings - Ma America & the JGDs

Geofest update

Here are some pictures of my table and Benjamin - lol.

I think my table turned out pretty good, and yes I'm remembering to take my camera with me to every event.


My table as seen coming around the corner from the classes, stairs and elevators.




























My basic display from book 1 to book 5 and everything in between -










My sign I ordered from vistaprint back in the early fall - I'm thinking the next signage I do will be an up and down one which will be on a stand - Meet the Author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad or something to that affect.




Benjamin - not very spontaneous but he had been reading for most of the day - I just snapped this near the end of the day when he actually was inside - I think he spent a good bit of his time sitting under a tree reading one of his books.

Geofest time

We are back in Columbia this weekend for the SC Geographic Alliance's Geofest. I hope this turns out to be a good one. I'm ready for a turn in the books but then again with few books on hand. Will report when we get home - Mrs. E :) & the JGDS

Geofest and home again

It's hard to determine how well one does at events like this but maybe by Monday I'll know better. Most of the folks that stopped at my table really didn't have any buying power and I met a lot of younguns who haven't even graduated college yet but they are heading in the right direction. I did sell two copies of State of Successes, so that was a good thing but figure that there will be more looksees to the website and possibly orders after teachers return to school Monday.

The one time I forgot my camera and my table really looked good. Oh well, maybe next time I'll remember my camera. There is another event by the same folks in February, so glad the SC Book Festival isn't in February in 2011. Not sure February will be a better time but I think this will be a good event for me the more books we get out.

One good contact came out of today, which is talking with the guy in charge of vendors for the SC Council of Social Studies conference which is in October. Unfortunately, I can't make it that weekend but next year the conference will be in Greenville and he's got my information and will keep me informed. He did tell me I could send him some bookmarks and my sell sheets and he would make sure my stuff gets out. The guy across from me in the area we were displaying our wares is from the same area and they carry books from all kinds of publishers, so I may get my books out there a different way. I'll keep you posted on what transpires with that.

Next weekend is the SCBWI conference in Charlotte and then I have some down time. The Sugarfoot Festival in town the end of October (okay the weekend before the actual end of October) and then Halloween, which is a break and then two wonderful big events, a new one in Charleston and the Savannah Children's Book Festival. More as those approach. Wish I had a few pictures to share with you from today, but I'll do better for the next one - see you all in the postings - E :)

GEOFEST bound (that's in Columbia)

(picture of Reedy River Falls, which is in Greenville County, near the Governor's School for Arts and Humanities, which is where my oldest attended for his final two years of high school; very beautiful area)



I'm heading out of town again this weekend for the SC Geographic Alliance's GEOFEST #40 today. The event is actually tomorrow. Here is the website's brief description of GEOFEST:

Geofest
Every spring and fall SCGA hosts this professional development conference, usually located in Columbia, SC. K-12 educators, pre-service teachers, college instructors, media specialists, curriculum coordinators, and the general public are invited to attend. A typical Geofest offers content lessons presented by USC geography faculty, standards-based teaching strategies for the elementary, middle and high school classroom, and sessions on using the SCGA teaching materials.

I'm really looking forward to this event since it puts me in the middle of the folks who can use my books the most. Hoping to come back with many sales. Will check in either tomorrow evening when I return or Sunday when I get a chance - see you all in the postings - Mrs. E & the JGDS :)

Reading and Writing Celebrations

My friend, Carol Baldwin, has listed a few reading and writing events coming up in the next two months that you don't want to miss. If you are interested, pop over to her blog and check it out.

I have a few to add to the list, which are smaller but probably worth the looksee - next weekend will be the Highlands, NC Celebration of Books festival (this is a first year event, but they are doing a bang up job of advertising and making it known that this event is going on; it is nestled in the mountains of North Carolina and the weather is turning just a bit so shouldn't be too hot up there right now); The SC Geographic Alliance's Geofest in Columbia, SC (geared more towards educators and others who are into the geography aspect of education), a new one in Charleston, SC, this year which has had some good exposure up north in previous years, and of course the Savannah Children's Book Festival in November (this one boasted over 10,000 folks visiting this past November so should be a wonderful turnout this year (hoping the weather is like it was last year)).

Maybe you have a list of festivals in your area that are a book lover's delight. Don't be shy and share with the rest of our readers. You never know who will show up at an event near you - Mrs. E :)