Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Kevin Coolidge at the Card Carrying Books & Gifts In Corning New York



On Saturday, February 9th, from 4PM to 6PM at Card Carrying Books & Gifts in Corning NY will be hosting local author Kevin Coolidge. The event is free and open to the public.

Author Kevin Coolidge will be signing his children's series "The Totally Ninja Raccoons" for children. The book is written for youngsters and enjoyed by people of all ages.

"The Totally Ninja Raccoons" is a new children's series for second to fourth graders. It is specifically for reluctant readers. "eight books have been published in the series with more to come," Coolidge said.

Kevin will also be reading from "Operation Ragnarok" The book is about a group of friends who decide to steal...I mean pilfer a Viking longship from a museum, and unleash Ragnarok, the end of the world, Norse Mythology style. "Operation Ragnarok" has scenes from around the Twin Tiers, including Corning's Rockwell Museum, and The Arnot Mall in Bigflats.

For more information or to purchase his books call Card Carrying Books & Gifts at (607) 684-6114


Kevin Pictured Next to the Viking longship, the Draken Harald Hårfagre

Monday, January 21, 2019

Writing a Press Release



Your book is done. It's time to let the world know. A press release can be the quickest and easiest way to get free publicity. What is a press release? A press release is a short, factual news story written in the third person and given to the media to encourage the media to feature the story in publications and programs.

If done correctly, a press release can result in several published articles about your book and you, and that means more readers wanting to buy your book. Press releases are cost effective. If the release results in an article, that article is more likely to interest readers than a paid advertisement.

A poorly-written press release won't accomplish this. Nobody will read it, and a badly-written press release can make you look clueless. What can you do to increase the chances of having your press release read?

1.You need to have something important to say: Find your angle. Every good news story has an angle. Why would people be interested in your book?

2. Target your demographic: You wrote your book with an audience in mind. A press release is written for the media and you tailor it the readership of that publication or program.

3. Answer the six W questions: Who, what, where, when, why and how (OK, 5 Ws and one H)
Let's use my latest book as an example.

Who: Kevin Coolidge
What: Molly the Dog with Diabetes
Where: From My Shelf Books in Wellsboro
When: Friday August 3rd from 5 to 7PM
Why: Writing about what a dog with diabetes goes through would show children they can live a normal life if they take care of themselves.

How: Kevin raised funds to pay an illustrator with a crowdfunding campaign. He hit his $1,000 goal on May 12. Those that contributed $10 will get a free autographed copy. We are holding a book release party. Molly will be there. You can pre-order the book by calling 570-724-5793.

4. Use the reverse pyramid to write the press release: Now present the most important information first. You use this because the media doesn't have a lot of time. They want to know if your book is of interest to their audience. This method makes it easy to edit. Simply cut from the bottom paragraph upwards.

5. Write a newsworthy headline: The headline is your sales pitch to the media. If it doesn't grab their attention, they'll delete it without reading it. Don't be ambigious or clever. Be clear what the story is about.

6. Check your grammar: Proofread your press release. Even a single mistake can dissuade a reporter from taking you seriously.

7. Include contact information: A lack of contact information can render a press release ineffective. A reporter may want to follow up. Include an email address and phone number.

8. Keep it short: One page is best. I usually limit my press releases to 400 words.

9. Include a quote whenever possible: A good quote gives a human element to the press release, as well as being a source of information.

Press releases are an essential part of your public relation strategy. These short compelling articles can detail book releases, event announcements and other newsworthy items. You wrote that book, now make sure someone knows about it, and reads it.










Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Small Town. Strong Town



Wellsboro, a small town nestled in the hills of Pennsylvania. I've lived here all my life...well, not yet anyway. I did the big city thing, but home and hearth called me back. I opened a little bookstore with my wife.

It just seemed natural to write a book. I choose to write for children, because if a child doesn't read when they are young, they aren't going to read when they are older.

I've written several children's books. My most recent is "Molly, the Dog with Diabetes" about a local dog. It's the story of how Molly lives a happy and healthy life even though she has diabetes.

During our busy Christmas season, we often have visitors from out of state. Some of our regular customers from Mansfield PA, a nearby small town, were finishing up Christmas shopping.

They shopped, chatted, got their purchases wrapped and left, but their visitor noticed a poster in our window of when I did a signing in a nearby city at a Barnes & Noble.

"Oh, you have a children's author in Wellsboro," said the visitor.

"Yes, you've probably already met him when we were in the store," replied our regular customer.

I had indeed helped this woman while she was shopping. It turned out she was one of the librarians at the Marantz Picturebook Collection for the Study of Picturebook Art in the Reinburger Children's Library Center at Kent State University, and she purchased both of my picture books for the collection: "Hobo Finds a Home" and "Molly, the Dog with Diabetes."

Would this librarian have found these books if she hadn't come into the store in our small town of Wellsboro? The reason to shop local and keep our towns strong is about more than keeping a strong economic base, but also strong in the sense of discovery. Strong in the sense of the arts.


Sunday, January 6, 2019

Molly Goes to the Marantz Collection



I love to write, but my artistic talent is still at 5th grade level. I have several talented artists that have worked with me on my books.

I love to see them get the attention they deserve. Stephanie Webb is my illustrator for "Molly, the Dog with Diabetes" This book was recently purchased by a representative of Kent State University for the Marantz Picturebook Collection for the Study of Picturebook Art.

The librarian that was cataloging the book reached out to Stephanie so she could include in the catalog record the medium/media used to create the artwork. This is Stephanie's first book, and she was thrilled to be contacted.

For those that wish to know, "Molly" was illustrated old school with water colour, prisma colours and ink. You can contact her and check her artwork out on "Genre of Stubby" on Facebook. Give her a like and keep her in mind for your artistic needs.


Saturday, January 5, 2019

FROM MY SHELF BOOKS ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ITS WIN A CLASSROOM VISIT BY A CHILDREN'S AUTHOR



On Jan. 5, Kevin Coolidge has announced the winners of his Win a Classroom Visit by a Children's Author Contest. Coolidge is the author of the Totally Ninja Raccoon series and two children's picture books and the owner From My Shelf Books and Gifts at 7 East Avenue in Wellsboro.

The three winners are: Pam Collin, a reading teacher at the W.R. Croman Primary School in Troy; Linda Plummer of Galeton who has not yet nominated a recipient and the James V. Brown Library in Williamsport.

Between now and Dec. 31, 2019, Coolidge will visit each winner's choice of a library or classroom to present a signed and personalized copy of one of his books to up to 30 children, a $500 value.

To enter the contest, the winners each had to buy a set of the eight books in Coolidge's Totally Ninja Raccoon series. The three winners could each designate the classroom or library to receive a free author visit valued at $500 at the time they entered the contest or after learning he or she had won.

Friday, January 4, 2019

Civil War Woodworking: 17 Authentic Projects for Woodworkers and Reenactors



Ranging from fairly easy to moderately difficult, this woodworking manual furnishes accurate reproductions of Civil War-era objects. Historical information about manufacturing and woodworking in the 19th century complements a discussion on standards, offering interested craftspeople all the relevant information to produce authentic replicas in the modern shop. Step-by-step instructions present a variety of projects--such as an officer's field desk, an ammunition box, a folding camp table, a lantern, and a camp chest--and a detailed history accompanies each item. With period photographs of the original items as well as modern images of re-enactors using the reproductions, this reference will appeal to both the woodworker and history buff.