Finally doing something sort of a little

I am really, really crap at self-promotion.

You might not know this, since I talk about my writing all the frickin' time here on my blog. But in real life, I'm quite bad at it. For example, in spite of the fact that my Rhode Island book is coming out in three weeks, I've done very little in the way of promotion. Granted, neither has my publisher. But this weekend I took my first little step -- got myself signed up for a book signing at Papyri (the local bookshop) on Sept. 15th. Together with the presentation I'm giving in Rhode Island in November, that's now (count 'em) two whole events to promote my book.

I should probably do more. I'm not really sure what though, aside from trying to get review copies to Rhode Island publications. But if I make a list here where everyone can see it, maybe I'll get on the ball. Can't hurt, right?

1) Finish gathering likely review list, get names and addresses to publisher's PR guy done
2) Create posters for booksigning at Papyri.
2a) Make sure both Papyri and I have copies of my book before said signing
3) Set up other booksignings -- find stores of reasonable size in RI. Half-done; I emailed a few, parents are doing legwork to face-to-face with more and I'll email the ones who seem willing
3a) Do I want to try a book signing at Water St. Books in Williamstown? Or is one in North Adams plenty for the few people in the Berkshires who might visit RI? Emailed them to ask anyway, on Josh's advice.
4) Get high-res scan of cover, update my website. Done.
5) Dig through files for emails of people I interviewed for book, send out release to them.
6) Announce book release to all lists.

Hopefully I'll get through a good portion of this by next week.