SCHEA conference - Great weekend

We started out late Thursday (about an hour later than planned) and we arrived to USC-Sumter about 8:30 (supposed to be out of the building around 9) to get our table set up.

Jess and I had the table setup somewhat by about 10 or 15 after 9 and then a few minutes we were kind of pushed out by the cleaning people.

I needed a couple of things so Jess and I headed over to Walmart. Jess found this delightful rug that answers the question "Where will the adventure take you next?" and I decided to buy it, although it was $5 more than I was planning on spending (actually it ended up being half price when, so it was well worth the cost). What do you think?




When we got back to the hotel, we had a hard time getting online and it took forever. I wanted to check my email and do a little plurking or socializing online, but that didn't happen.

Got up and headed back to USC-Sumter to do last minute fixing up of booth and wait for the crowds.

My table, done mostly by Jess:

(Full table view with mat and map)


(first three books plus the passport booklet)


(Passport booklet with books 4, 5 and 6)


I forgot to put out book 7's cover that I had printed off (was hoping that Wilderness's cover had gotten to me before leaving to print out and show everyone the new cover for the re-release but it didn't arrive in my email until I had shut down my computer and didn't even get it until I got to the hotel and got to check my emails Friday night; Heather is working on another cover now so that should be ready to be shared soon). Anyway here is Uncle Beary peaking out from between the Passport booklet and the cover from State of Acceleration; I even had one girl ask me how much he was - lol. I had to let her know that he is just my mascot, but it's all good.




Had four kids in my workshop on Friday afternoon but overall I think it was a successful day. Did sell two copies of State of Successes and one of the Passport booklets on Friday. Went to the Hibachi Grill and Buffet with a couple (Kyra and Dwight, WriteShop representatives) and enjoyed the company.

Saturday was kind of a slow day for everyone as the crowds were low and with half the vendors as compared to last year, we just couldn't compete with the big convention that just occurred in March in the upper part of the state (The Great Homeschool Convention Southeast conference - was supposed to draw folks from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and possibly part of Florida). Dwight had said he was going to buy a couple of books for his nephew to read over the summer and after lunch, he came over to the table and bought a copy of all six books - lol. How is that for a day? All in all, a good weekend (I've not sold 9 books at any conference or event yet; I think the most I've sold at one sitting was 6 or 7 at the Love to Learn conference last August. I also had four or five people who remembered me from last year so that was a nice touch. My biggest thing is getting known and it is slowly coming, so I do consider this successful and we are on the right track.

Next big events that need to be paid for (and wow would I love to have some sponsors or some huge sales right about now - lol) will be the SCCSS and GCSS conferences ($425 and $300 respectively). I know if these are meant to be accomplished the funds will show up. Coming up in August is the school/library visit to Matthews Elementary School in North Carolina, Love to Learn homeschool conference, Mint Hill's Sunday in the Park, and maybe the Williamston Spring Water festival but may not do that one as I haven't heard much from folks about events. See you all in the postings - Ma America & the JGDS :)

Sumter bound for the SCHEA conference

(old cover, awaiting the new one for the rerelease of Wilderness next month)


This weekend, I'm heading to Sumter, SC, for the SCHEA (South Carolina Home Educators Association) conference. Friday will be a fast day since my workshop, Writing Roads, is scheduled for the kids right after lunch at 1:30. I don't know which room I'll be in yet, but am hoping to be in the same building as the exhibitor hall in one of the back classrooms there. My daughter's friend will be going with me again to help out; she's such a good helper.

I have all our maps and information already printed out and have a few surprises for her in the car. We have made plans to eat at a small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant we ate at last year; for a local place the food was very good. I'm looking forward to a new trip. Hoping to be able to show my new cover for State of Wilderness (hurry up Heather and get me the cover so I can show it off - lol) and will have a printed copy of State of Acceleration's cover for display too. I hope we have enough books on hand and hope people are buying. I've checked the vendor/exhibitor list and it doesn't seem there are as many folks this year as there were last year so that could be a disadvantage in that there may not be as many attendees either or it can work to our advantage in that there aren't that many folks to browse from and therefore, we will do very well sales wise. Wish us luck; I'll post after the weekend.

Catching up/Revealing a cover

It's been a whirlwind of a two weeks or so. First as everyone knows, Reservations made it to the printers and finally arrived to me. Also, at the time of printing, Reservations is the last to be published by 4RV in the series. The series will continue though with me self-publishing the remaining books. I've hired an illustrator and she's been busy working behind the scenes lately. Not on the next book in the series but on the predecessor "Train of Clues". She has been busy working on the cover for the booklet with the illustrations and layout coming soon.

Aidana did the event in Memphis the weekend of the 11th-12th and sold one copy of Wilderness. Yay, her! I had an event in Sumter, South Carolina this past weekend and sold two copies of Quarries and one of Reservations, one was book alone and two with study guides to the homeschoolers. Yay, me!!! I talked with the person in charge of vendor workshops at the event and guess what, because I do a workshop geared for the kids, she told me that I would definitely be on the list to do a workshop next year. So I'm definitely going to be in Sumter next June (or possibly May, depending on how many folks want it changed; I totally forgot to fill out my questionnaire) for the SCHEA; I can't wait. I also made some wonderful contacts and got some great ideas for the study guides that will be more homeschool friendly and still maintain the school friendliness I'm going toward eventually. Teachers will like the new ideas as will homeschools, so be on the lookout for some changes with upcoming books.

On the way home from the event, something popped off the car or it sounded like I ran over something. Pulled over and called AAA. Had to be towed 97 miles to home to be safe rather than sorry. Took the car back to the tire place Monday morning and apparently part of the back tire blew off - like a chunk of about 6 inches from one area. Have a temporary, used tire replacing it until payday next week. Thank goodness for AAA 100 miles free towing with our package. This was the only downside to the trip - because the rest was awesome. Of course at the time of this posting, I can barely talk and I'm supposed to do a mini presentation/workshop Thursday. Hopefully my voice will be back then.

From my interviews and being on virtual blog tours, the word should be out that "Train of Clues" was my first ever writing project, submitted to a fan mystery contest and placed second. I've decided to turn that into a booklet - a kind of read the story that started it all thing. So without further ado, the cover for "Train of Clues":

- Drop me a line and let me know what you think. I think it's perfect, colorful, kid-friendly and definitely has a party feel to it.

I will post pictures from the SCHEA event when I get a chance. Enjoy. Mrs. E :) & the JGDS