Village Books

I am excited about the official release of "Help! I'm In The Band!" in July. An author presentation is being looked at for Village Books (Fairhaven) in Bellingham during July. Hoping to make it one big party!

New Ideas

I have been coming up with many new scenarios for book two. It just amazes me how many ideas just pop up from everyday life....at least in the life of a teacher. Even though education is of paramount importance in my classroom, the space I teach in sometimes becomes the laboratory for the growth of new ideas. There is no better place to find new concepts and unimagined experiences than in the middle school classroom...especially the "band" room.

For example, my intermediate band was learning a style of music called the tango. Of course, I had to demonstrate the tango while they were playing the piece. Instantly, one of my clarinet players pops out of his chair and wants to tango, too. That made think of ways to keep kids in their seats. I came up with
velcro
contact cement
super glue
bungie cords
and
duct tape.

Instant material for a chapter!

Maybe I missed a better way of securing said student? If you think of one, feel free to comment. Please leave out any dangerous ones :).

The business of publishing

So the book has grossed almost $1,000 and I figure I'm only in the red about $150 after advertising. Who would have figured? All-in-all, some of the people in the business are telling me this is actually a good start. I guess we'll see. I think making a Parachutes Adams fly for fresh water casting might be easier. Or even making a goose call out of a clarinet mouthpiece. I'm hoping the book will pick up in July or else I'll just head to my favorite fishing holes.

Washington and California Journals

If you are a member of Washington or California Music Educators look for the book ad in the summer issue of your journal (Voice magazine for Washington). Getting closer to the July 1 opening in stores!

Coming soon to a store near you...

As a sign of respect, I decided to come down with what is keeping 20% of students out of schools. I hope they appreciate.

It is interesting to note that one can do a lot of writing when one is prone. I guess that's a good thing? Oh, well. I was able to get some business done as well. Three more reviewers are looking at the book and I have come close to locking in the release date for stores.

We are now looking at the official release in stores as a possible July 1, 2012. This will coincide with some of the ads that will be out in late June. The digital release should be about the same time or slightly earlier. I know I was trying to get that going a little quicker but the I guess the promotion machines move a bit slower.

Of course, the hardest thing is getting the word out and maybe the ads in May and June will be a boost. This blog alone has had over 850 hits since it came out a month ago. There I go being optimistic again!

Murphy's Law

A Murphy's Law: 

The amount of writing one does is inversely proportional to the time left before taxes are due.

New Day - New Material

So I have already begun work on book #2. I am having a lot of fun picking on those fictitious characters. Ragweed is back along with Cranky, Blap, Tom, and a whole bunch of the notorious from book #1. Just when I think all of the stories that can be written about Lost Hollow and their infamous band have been written, a new spark emerges. Of course, there are some new characters introduced, and I DO mean characters.

I have been getting quite a few emails and FaceBook messages with good reviews on book#1. Solid Rock Coffee Company says they need more books and Amazon is starting to pick up. Maybe this book just might start moving out of the NorthWest?