“Road To Reviews,” Iggy Loo, Day 5

This morning I headed out to Atlanta, Georgia. Even though Georgia is known as the “peach state” it’s the not the largest producer of peaches. Georgia is know for its largest production of peanuts and  pecans.

Georgia has seven official natural wonders: Amicalola Falls, the Okefenokee Swamp, Providence Canyon, Radium Springs, Stone Mountain, Tallulah Gorge and Warm Springs.

I took in a movie in the world’s largest drive-in called The Varsity. On a busy day they can have over 300,000 people visit. A dose of Happy Feet never gets old.

Afterwards I visited the zoo. Took in a hay ride, ran through a corn maze and picked a pumpkin at Southern Bell Farm.  At The Rock Ranch I took a locomotive train ride, zip lined and walked through a miniature kid town. Perfect for penguins my size.

I ended my time here is Atlanta with listening to my review of Iggy Loo from Amber, www.chinupmom.com, @ChinUpMom

Next stop, Savannah, Georgia.

Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Clear Fork Publishing. Ask for it at your local book store and library.
Hard Cover $16.99
Soft Cover $10.99

“Road To Review,” Iggy loo, Day 4

I made my way to North Carolina home to Nascar’s Hall of Fame. It’s everything you wanted to know about racing. Then I cooled off in Looking Glass Falls. The name “Looking Glass” comes from Looking Glass Rock, where water freezes on its sides in the winter and then glistens in the sunlight like a mirror or looking glass. Then I visited the USS North Carolina Battleship Museum. I even got to steer the ship, start its engines and even fired the guns.

Sad to say my next mommy was not able to review. Stomach bug at their house. I hope their tummies feel better. I thought it was best to finish visiting the sites and not stop at their house. I have too much traveling to do. Come with me on my next stop tomorrow in Georgia to meet my next book reviewer.

Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Clear Fork Publishing. Ask for it at your local book store and library.
Hard Cover $16.99
Soft Cover $10.99

“Road To Reviews,” Iggy Loo, Day 3

I made it to Virginia. They say it’s the state for lovers. Maybe I’ll meet my girlfriend here. You know I had to make my first stop at the Virginia Aquarium. They have hands on exhibits, a nature path and marshlands. I had to have a little fun and ride the Anaconda coaster at Kings Dominion. Whew, what a
ride!

Did you know Virginia has produced more U.S. presidents than any other sate in the United States. The first peanuts grown in the United States were grown in Virginia. And the first Thanksgiving in North America was held in Virginia in 1619.

Before going for a nap I checked in with my next reviewer Jody, @jodycalkins. Check out what she had to say on my new book, Iggy Loo.

Jody writes: Iggy Loo by Maria Ashworth is a heartwarming holiday tale of a little snow globe penguin longing to experience the wonders of life on the other side of the glass. This children’s picture book is wonderfully written and illustrated to capture the heart and longing of this sweet penguin. Children will fall in love with Iggy Loo as they join him on his new journey. Iggy Loo is sure to be a holiday favorite for young children everywhere.

Jody Calkins
Freelance Writer & Editor
Emery Road Writing Services, LLC

Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Clear Fork Publishing. Ask for it at your local book store and library.
Hard Cover $16.99
Soft Cover $10.99

 

“Road To Reviews,” Iggy Loo, Day 2

A good 4 hours to get from NY to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I got to see our symbol for Independence, the Liberty Bell. Did you know the bell cracked on its first test ring! I went to the Please Touch Museum and it was amazing. I flipped everything! You can get messy. There’s fun science experiments. They have a gallery of things they collected like old toys and games. I stopped at the Philadelphia Zoo. Did you know it was the first true zoo in the United States?

Before I leave the state of Independence we get to meet out next reviewer from Emneris from Phildelphia, www.thephillymomdiaries.blogspot.com, @phillymomdiary. She’s going to share her thoughts on my new holiday book, Iggy Loo.

Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Clear Fork Publishing. Ask for it at your local book store and library.
Hard Cover $16.99
Soft Cover $10.99

“Road To Reviews,” Iggy Loo, Day 1

Welcome to the first day of my reviews. We’re here in the Big Apple state. There’s so much to do here. I have already eaten a steamed hot dog. They like to call it frankfurter here. This morning I had a fresh bagel and the bakery person told me eating a New York bagel is equivalent to eating one-quarter to one-half a loaf of bread. Who cares I’m not dieting. My favorite of course was the chocolate Italian ice.

I spent my day in Times Square where the lights never go out. This is where the ball drops every New Years Eve. Boy was it busy. I rode the ferry to see the Stature of Liberty.Then I went all the way to the top of the Empire State building. Did you know it has its own zip code?
And Joseph C. Gayetty invented the toilet paper here in 1857.

After a full day I stopped in Grand Island where Erin, @librarianerin_ graciously gave me a review of my new holiday book, Iggy Loo. Check it out at www.thelikeablelibrarian.com. Enjoy!

Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Clear Fork Publishing. Ask for it at your local book store and library.
Hard Cover $16.99
Soft Cover $10.99

Interview With Iggy Loo

Me: Good afternoon, Iggy. How are you doing?

Iggy: It’s a little warm in here but it’ll do.

ME: Well let’s get right to business. I read your story and I fell in love.

[penguin blushes] Thank you

Me: The illustrations by Sunny Choi were warm and beautiful.

Iggy: She really captured the feeling of the story with her illustrations. She really brought out my eyes.   

Me: You’re name is quite original. How did you get the name Iggy Loo?

Iggy: When the redhead learned to talk she could only say a few words. She had a tough time pronouncing Igloo so every time she tried it would come out Iggy Loo. Every year I thought she was interested in my Igloo but she’d point to me and call me Iggy Loo. The name stuck. I couldn’t see being called anything else.

Me: You and the little girl come from two different worlds.  You live in a glass dome. How did both of you form such a solid relationship while living in two different worlds?

Iggy: In the beginning she would talk through the glass. I couldn’t understand much. Then when she started getting older she would tell me things about her doll, she hated broccoli and she doesn’t like going to bed. Then one day it happened. She said, I wuv you, Iggy Loo.” That was when I felt my heart ache. I knew what love was at that moment.

Me: Why did you want so much to be outside your snow globe?

Iggy: I thought my life would be better outside my globe. Thinking I was missing something. I wanted to find something greater. I thought “things” would make me happy. But nothing compared to being loved by the little redhead.

Me: I read now you found another special friend?

Iggy: Yes. [Iggy smiles] He reminds me so much of the days with the little redhead. Now when he calls my name I fall in love all over again.

Me: I heard you’re going on tour. Can you tell me about it?

Iggy: It’s called “Road To Reviews.” I’m going to be visiting 15 states. One state a day starting November 1^st when my book debuts all over the world. I’ll cross the entire United States in two weeks. I’ll stop in each state and tell the reader something special about my visit. During my stop a mom, dad, librarian or blogger will review my book, Iggy Loo. It’s going to be magnificent.

Me: That sounds like fun! Where will your first visit be?

Iggy: My first stop, the Big Apple!

Me: I look forward to reading more about you and the reviews starting tomorrow. Thank you for stopping by and doing the interview.

Iggy: Did you really think I’d “flake” on you. Ha! Get it?

Would You Invite A Magician

My career as an author kicked off January 2016 when my first book, Step One, Step Two Step Three and Four was born. I found myself hungry. To do anything to get my name out there. For children to h…

Source: Would You Invite A Magician

Would You Invite A Magician

My career as an author kicked off January 2016 when my first book, Step One, Step Two Step Three and Four was born.

I found myself hungry. To do anything to get my name out there. For children to hold one of my books. I applied for everything. I booked myself for my first gig at the Louisiana Book Festival. I thought a hundred dollars for a table was cheap. I’ll make it back, easy. I traveled alone for two and a half hours. I was in a great mood and could feel my box of books being emptied in a few hours.

When I got there the school seemed a bit small but no biggie. The area was active with people. I was set up across from a woman who could sell a stinky sock. She was good. Too good. Reeling them in like a fish. She had crowns and dolls and gift bags. The gal to the left of me was from the area. She had a handful of books. I sat there with my one soft cover. So in four hours I sold three. I was devastated. The gal to the left saw the look on my face. She said, “Don’t let this get you down.” How could I not? I drove 2.5 hours one way. Not to mention my time.

Did I learn my lesson? No. I wanted more. I split a booth with some writers for the TLA conference. I didn’t think it was bad since it was a double split. I could make it up. I sold enough to pay for my booth. It didn’t cover parking, lunch, tolls and gas. I made connections but didn’t get school visits out of it. I did find my publisher through it though!

I signed with a publisher for My Big Tree. Now I had two books to sell. I went to events where I was lucky I was covering my gas. Some instances I made 2.00 and hour. My 19 yo daughter was making more than me waiting tables. Did I learn my lesson? Nope not yet.

I had a gig that offered free booth space. Did I say free? That was my ticket. I’ll score big. Thirty minutes into my three hour drive I thought, what am I doing.  Next exit I was turning back. Then I realized I was speaking at this event. No, not paid. They got me for free. I arrived. The scenery was beautiful in the hill country. I set up my two books. Texas Authors set up their display across from me. It looked like they opened up a book store. I thought this wouldn’t be so bad. It would draw customers in. People listened to my plug on my books. I sold 15. It would’ve been a good day if I was in my territory not three hours away from home. I cursed myself on the drive home. What was I thinking?

I’m working weekends now which I said I’d never do. My family says i’m never home. Something had to change. I felt I was doing this all wrong. Then I started thinking. My time is valuable. It’s worth something. I decided I had to be VERY selective on my choices where and when I promoted my books.

I recently gave up a gig I enjoyed but it killed two hours of my day, without pay and some days without a sale. It didn’t make good business sense. The business had me for free and I had to work to sell a book which wasn’t happening often. Also, a friend of a friend asked me to entertain children with my books. I could’ve done the gig with the chance I’d sell a book. A Saturday night, away from my family and the possibility of selling my books. I had follow through with change.  I gave my fees for my time. She was surprised I’d be asking for a fee. I wanted to write back, “Would you invite a magician to a party and not pay them for their time?”

School Visits

Weeks before I was sweating bullets about the all day visit to an elementary school in Houston area. I felt like I do when I know I’m going to the dentist. It’s not so much being in front of the kids or reading my books. Someone was now paying me to speak. To talk about a subject that would entertain each grade level for an hour. Could I do it? Could I do it for an hour? What if I sucked? Teachers talk. Schools talk? I’m doomed. 

I got up and I still had a lot of worry. What if the kids started yawning in my face? What if they announced they’re bored? Eek! I got some caffeine in my system and a muffin for endurance. I got to the school and was welcomed by the staff. The librarian positioned me in the music room. My schedule was back to back classes from K-5th grade. The teacher said, “No bathroom breaks. It is literally back to back classes. Go now.” All of a sudden I have bladder issues.

Once the fifth graders came in, three classes worth, my nerves disappeared. I felt like I was back home. Back to my teaching days. One class after the other. Boom, boom, boom. I had so much material I had to run through some of my items. 

While the thought of a looming check was coming my way it wasn’t what drove me through my day six hours. I LOVED being in front of the kids. I loved inspiring them. I loved the look in their eyes. If I inspired one of them I did my job. Before I left the teacher said, “This was awesome.” I scratched doomed off my credentials.

Book Store Visits, You Never Know

I love them! I arrived to find my picture poster plastered in the children’s section of the store. I couldn’t believe it. Me, in Barnes & Noble.I felt like a movie star with the red…

Source: Book Store Visits, You Never Know