MY DISCOVERY ZONE CHARITY FUNDRAISER

 

“Not the Usual Suspects” seemed like a good idea for a promotional link between my next book in the Bishop Hill Mystery series and Bouchercon’s chosen charity, The Nashville Public Library Foundation. The idea is a variation on bidding to name a character in an author’s next book. Here I’ve picked two portraits from the collected work of Olof Krans, a Swedish folk artist with extensive ties to the Bishop Hill colony and figured that asking people to vote on their fictional fate with their pocket change would be fun and painless.

I thought of the many positive angles: The Discovery Zone, as a new event, would gain some notice; I’d get some attention for my panel appearance and my books; but the biggest deal for me would be Bishop Hill getting some much-needed attention at a time when Illinois state funding is once again on a downward spiral and state-owned historical buildings are suffering from neglect.

Picking the portraits was easy enough. My husband helped out by choosing Peter Helstrom, a cantankerous looking former schoolteacher. I chose the more mild-mannered visage of Olof E. Krans, the artist’s grandfather, who had the potential to add to a backstory I was working on.

Dreaming up inventive ideas to advertise the whole enterprise was fun … and potentially embarrassing. We made up t-shirts imprinted with our chosen portraits with the caption “SAVE ME” on each, we basically turned ourselves into walking billboards for the three days leading up to The Discovery Zone premiere.

All this is brand new for me, so whatever happens or doesn’t happen will make for an interesting discussion at the Taking Care of Business panel on Sunday morning. It might keep me awake and attentive.

The catch, there’s always one, do people carry pocket change any more?

I’m going to have to explore the donation opportunities of Zettle, my credit card reader. It might become an important resource since Gaylord Opryland advertises it is “cashless.” Just one more prepping step to do before checking in for the Bouchercon Conference next week.

Bouchercon Silent Auction 2024

 

    My Bishop Hill food-themed collection for the Bouchercon Silent Auction uses items that go along with my Bishop Hill Mystery books, well sort of, I must be honest; the t-shirt came first.

    I could not resist the “just here for THE PIE” sentiment because the Bishop Hill Pie Diet was a real thing for my friends and family.

    At one time there were five restaurants in Bishop Hill, and we could count on five variations on Swedish meatballs and rhubarb pie. It was difficult being a shopkeeper on a slow day and staying sharp until the 5pm closing time. Back then when 3pm came around the debate would start with “Where to today?” The Bishop Hill tea rooms stayed open after the lunch crowd left just for that mid-afternoon rush.

    To go with the t-shirt, I chose a handmade basket by Lori Keller Morrissey and began looking for foodie items that would represent the past and present Bishop Hill.

    Bishop Hill began as a communal society in Henry County, Illinois in 1846. Those Swedish immigrants, like German immigrants, liked their beer. Both groups had problems with prohibition. I know that the Swedes made near beer and probably kept the harder stuff on hand for medicinal purposes.

    I included the VASA Cook Book, 1981, for its historical importance. I checked it and found no recipe for near beer. Yes, for Swedish egg coffee and for a couple of drinkable somethings that were yogurt based. It was simply and disappointingly lacking in pie recipes.

    I did find Gevalia coffee and Ligonberries for the basket. That was a victory.

    But still, we newer pioneers will always love our Bishop Hill Pie Diet and will, sadly, make do with whatever is at hand.

Taking Care of Business Panel Prize Pack

 

    Book Marketing Basics: The 5 Ps a book by Jodie Toohey, a local author in my neck of the woods (eastern Iowa & western Illinois). Active in the Midwest Writing Center as a past president and frequent workshop leader, she went back to school for her MBA. I’d be willing to bet that book marketing and promotions were high on her agenda even then.

    Her book came out in February 2019, and I bought my copy in November of that year. I’m sure it was dated even then. The publishing world was changing so fast that keeping up with new platforms and the new possibilities they offered would be impossible for a printed book. Which is why this was the only marketing book on my bookshelf when I went looking for information for the panel “Taking Care of Business.”

    I read through this and saw that basics count as much today as yesterday. This is why I wanted copies of Toohey’s book. Anyone can read through this work for ideas to try, for directions of pursuit, and come away with the encouragement to find innovative solutions in today’s world of global marketing.

    My personal story here involves my first efforts of going out into the field armed with my pitch for placing my first Bishop Hill Mystery book in area stores and shops and being successful. I was quite pleased but unprepared for the business manager’s request for an invoice. She wanted an invoice with duplicates no less. I was caught off guard and had to make wimpy excuses while I desperately tried to think of a way to finish the sale. I drove twelve miles to the nearest town and was lucky enough to find what I needed at a Walmart. I was saved and learned a valuable lesson: Prepare to Succeed. That would be my suggestion for a sixth P should Toohey update her book on marketing basics. I’ve included a pad of invoices with carbonless copies in my prize package for that reason.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

 

“TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS” is the song title of the panel I’ll be part of on the bright, sunny Sunday morning, at 8 am no less, on the last day of the Bouchercon International Writer’s Conference. I’m preparing to get myself and my Bishop Hill Mystery books noticed with the following promotions:

1.                The panel moderator wants prizes for the audience members who can name the band behind the song title. Got that covered with Book Marketing Basics: The 5 Ps by Jodie Toohey. I have a story to tell. Hint: it involves another P.

2.                I’m donating to the Silent Auction. I’ve amassed a food themed collection of Bishop Hill items to go along with my books. I have a story for that one, too. Hint: it involves pie.

3.                My husband and I will turn ourselves into walking billboards advertising my table in The Discovery Zone along with my Bishop Hill related promotion for charity donations. Yet another story. Hint: it calls for cash.

Will any of this work out? Hard to say. I will certainly have things to talk about for my panel. Which will be a huge improvement from my last Bouchercon panel appearance.

ANNIVERSARY 2024

 

I recently celebrated my anniversary. I got a box of dark chocolate buttercreams. A small box for taking small bites. I’m still recovering from dental work.

I’m not writing about candy or how difficult it’s been for me to remember any anniversary let alone the 46^th one. That number, 46, is weird and wonderful all wrapped up in the question of “How in the world did that happen?” No. My topic is math. My father-in-law had a special formula for calculating anniversaries. His method said that every one after the 25^th should be counted twice. So, I get to add an additional 42 years to my 46. The grand total is 88. I haven’t looked it up yet, but I think that puts me in the platinum range for gifts.

The message on the card I bought for my husband says:

“Sometimes

they knew

what the other

was thinking

or feeling or going

to say or do. It

wasn’t magic

or hocus pocus

it was just

one of the

lovely side

effects

of a lifetime

of love.”

I don’t get any expensive jewelry, just a trip to Bouchercon Nashville 2024, a writer’s conference. That will be precious enough.