As an author in this economy, you have to come up with creative ways to market your self-published book. While book tours are a great way to connect with your readers, they aren’t the most affordable method of promotion. However, technology has made it possible for an alternative.
Take note from self-publishing Outskirts Press author, Andrea Michaels, who is taking her latest book, Reflections of a Successful Wallflower, on tour – a virtual tour, that is. She will be featured on several blogs over the weeks and months ahead so keep your eyes peeled to learn more about her and her book.
Luckily for us, Andrea was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of Reflections of a Successful Wallflower.
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OP: Tell us a little bit about Reflections of a Successful Wallflower. What is it about?
AM: This book is a life lesson, a success road map and a laugh-out-loud look into Andrea Michaels, one of the great business and creative minds working today.” – John Klymshyn, Author of How to Sell Without Being a JERK! and The Ultimate Sales Managers’ Guide.
OP: Why did you decide to write this story?
AM: I wrote the book for personal satisfaction AND because I hope that, in addition to being a fun read, it will inspire young people and women – two distinct populations I am dedicated to educating. Young people need to understand that their own power and internal drive can lead them to thinking creatively and decisively on more levels than tapping the keys on their computers for solutions. And women need to know that there is no “glass ceiling” if they can figure out a way to work around it. They have to believe that they can do anything, including raise a child, enjoy a marriage, run a business (do I sound like a Helen Reddy song?) and do it all successfully and happily without sacrificing any one of these relationships.
My stories are about survival – business survival, and about approaches to challenges and how to overcome them. Business is no more than one element of life, and surviving in business is the same as surviving in life. It’s all about approach and attitude.
OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?
AM: The obvious ones are other professionals in the special events industry and suppliers to that industry; business leaders, particularly women; young people interested in an incredibly creative and challenging career; women who have had challenging relationships in their lives. People who are looking for ways to laugh through the pain of working during difficult times and situations.
OP: What is special about your book? What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
AM: Most books by event producers display gorgeous photos of their events and talk a little bit about them. Others are “how to” books on the subject. My book is different because it reveals the challenges that I had to overcome to actually get the events produced. It intertwines my business and personal life. Each chapter is a story about an event and its challenges and the lessons I learned both professionally and personally, and I relate everything to my personal life. I expose my failures and my successes in an open manner.
OP: Have you published any other books? Do you plan to publish more?
AM: I have never published before, and I do plan to write a sequel to this one.
OP: Thanks for your time, Andrea! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea Michaels, an international meeting and event producer, is the President/Founder of Extraordinary Events and winner of 33 Special Event Gala Awards. She is the first inductee into the Special Event Industry Hall of Fame and a winner of both the SITE Crystal and MPI Global Paragon Awards, among many other recognitions. All of these are for impeccable and innovative meetings and events. Prominent events include the openings of Las Vegas’ Venetian Hotel and that city’s Town Square, Lumiere Place in St. Louis and G.M. Place in Vancouver, and international road shows for The Hong Kong Tourist Board, as well as a variety of clients globally. Additionally her seminars on Creativity, Sustainability, The Profitability of Doing Business and Anatomy of an Event have earned her international kudos. In a few words, she sets the trends; others follow.
For more information or to contact the author, visit www.outskirtspress.com/andreamichaels.
This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road”. Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.
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