{SQT} Book Party, Book Chat, and Book Inspired Food
Eighty copies of my book finally arrived at my house this week! Everyone in the house was excited for me for all of 60 seconds before asking what was for dinner, what were we doing that night, did schoolwork need completed before screen time, etc. It was a nice 60 seconds.
We went down to Ocean City Monday evening to enjoy the boardwalk. I picked up some local goodies to send to Addie and I dominated Edie in air hockey at our favorite arcade. On one hand I feel like I didn’t have time to spend an evening at the beach since I’m woefully behind in so much, but on the other, I feel like if I don’t intentionally plan these things, they’re less likely to happen on their own anymore.
I think I’ve already officially given up on the new math curriculum I selected for Fulton. The problems? Neither of us enjoy the review games, and the “tricks” it teaches for memorizing facts are no easier for Fulton to use, or for me to explain, then him just practicing with flashcards. We’re not starting with the lowest level, but the level we are starting at assumes we know all the unique methods taught in the previous books. Since we don’t, I need to figure everything out and then it’s not really a review lesson for Fulton but something new that needs more practice. Lastly it wanted me to teach Roman numerals with 4 being represented as IIII not IV (the correct way being taught in later lessons) and just…no. So it’s back to Abeka at our own pace and I have more books to list for sale.
Book Signing Party!
In between Logic discussions and Latin arguments (so much fun on both fronts), I’ve started planning some fun book stuff starting with a book signing party at my house that I’m opening up to all my friends and followers! (The introverts in the house are thrilled beyond measure.) I know it may be far for some of you, but to anyone close by or willing to travel, you’re invited to join in the fun. It won’t be the First Things office or the Yale Club (instead we’ll be hanging out on our new patio under, I think, tents? Still hashing out details…) but there’ll be drinks, food, books for sale, and hopefully some fun swag and prizes. I’ll give a short talk or a long toast and hopefully Tony will pick a playlist that doesn’t upset the neighbors. I’ll sign books, pose for selfies, and at some point between now and then come up with a creative hashtag for the event. Buy your ticket in my Shop. I hope some of you come out and help me celebrate! I’d love to meet you!
A Special Event For Those Who Preorder My Book (Updated: now for all!)!
I’d been looking into creating some preorder bonus items, but honestly, I don’t want to wind up mailing a bunch of stickers or temporary tattoos (“Kids come here! Today for physical education we’re licking more envelopes!!”) and with my limited free time the only downloadable items I’ve been able to make time to create are a few bookmarks which are hardly going to sway someone who wasn’t already seriously interested in making the purchase. (“Hmmmm…I don’t know if this book is a good fit for me, and I’m not familiar with this author at all, but it says here if I preorder I could get four hastily designed bookmarks to print on my own printer like a sucker; what am I waiting for!!!”)
That being said, I will be holding a live Q&A session on Thursday, October 7, at 8 p.m. EST with (Updated: EVERYONE!) anyone who has preordered the book! If you’ve preordered Better Than Okay, email me your order number, and you’ll be emailed information on how to submit questions and join in on the 7th. I’m looking forward to reading a bit from the book and answering your questions!
A Copycat Contest!
I’ve also planned a Better Than OK cocktail and recipe contest! I loved the Something Other Than God cocktail contest Jen Fulwiler held years ago, and I wanted to shamelessly copy it. But knowing that not all my readers drink alcohol (looking at you Jenny from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), I thought I would add a recipe option too. The idea is to present a cocktail or food recipe for an item that turned out not just okay, but surprisingly better than okay. I’ll share my favorite recipes in my Quick Takes on Friday, October 1. Winners will get a free, signed copy of my book, and some other goodies. (Lisa Frank stickers anyone???) Submit your recipes to me before UPDATED: before October 4 for consideration. Recipes with hilarious back stories and equally ridiculous photos get bonus points.
Another reason for exclamation marks!!!
On Friday October 8, my Quick Takes post will feature a giveaway of not only my book, but a gift basket of items from other parents of children with disabilities. I’m still actively looking for authors, crafters, and business owners who fit this description to help fill out my basket, so drop me a line if you want to provide an item. If I get enough items, I’ll offer more than one basket.
Keep an eye on Instagram, Facebook, or your inbox for my newsletter with reminders and more details about my book as the release date approaches. IT’S GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN THAT BY OCTOBER 10TH EVERYONE IN MY HOUSE WILL BE TIRED AND ANGRY WITH ME!!!!!! Don’t you want to be able to say you contributed to that??? Sure you do!
While the anticipation builds, you can write down and link up your own Takes below. Be sure to include a link back to this post so your readers can find the rest of the Quick Takes. I look forward to reading your posts!
Yeah, my non-religious alcohol consumption in the last decade equates to maybe half a glass of wine, so I’ll be rocking the recipe option as well. What can I say? I’m a bad Episcopalian. (Episcopalians are sometimes referred to as “Whiskeypalians” because of the alcohol culture. People also joke that where three or four of us are gathered, there is a fifth.)
I’d also totally attend if I could, but it’s at least two flights to get there (mostly because I don’t want to fly out of Seattle).
Congratulations on all of this!
Congratulations, Kelly! I can’t come (from India), sorry :(. But wishing you all the best and all the bestseller lists!