Just kidding! After 30 years and 2 attempts I finally got to meet Amy Grant, my favorite Christian artist and probably the one “celebrity” I most wanted to meet since it was her song, “Fairytale” from her Father’s Eyes Album 30 years ago that was the inspiration for my book, The Victor.

I just wish I had not been sweating for 10 hours straight before I did. I looked like a wreck and she looked…well, she looked gorgeous. I think she is one of the most naturally beautiful women I have ever seen. I got to spend just a couple of minutes with her before she went onstage to perform at the end of a very long, hot day. Just enough time to show her the book her song inspired, let her know about our mutual acquaintenace, John Styll (current President of The Gospel Music Association and my former boss at CCM) and the fact that we both had a daughter with the same name. Mine spelled Karina; hers spelled Corrina.

Showing her the book and telling her that it had been her song that inspired it jogged her memory but she admitted that she had not read it yet. I left right after getting the photo. It was 7:30 by that time and all I wanted was to get into a hot shower and clean off.  I found out later that night that had I or any of the other authors stayed longer we would have gotten the opportunity to go aboard her bus for 45 minutes and really get to talk with her and have her sign things for us but it was a last moment decision on her part and most of us had already left having been there all day.

As it would turn out, I found out that since we were not able to do that, that she asked for all of our emails (and also got my home address). I wonder what will come in the mail….?

So my life has come full circle at last, here below is the picture of Amy and I (she’s the tall gorgeous one on the left).

Amy Grant and me

I always thought it was a shame that the Bible had no similar scriptures describing a “Father of Noble Character” like the ones in Proverbs for a wife of noble character and it was this thought that inspired what would be the last Father’s Day Gift given to my wonderful Father In Law, Eliseo Giron.  It was 2006 and he was not doing well. My sister in law, Debbie, the week before Father’s Day commented that she thought this would be the last Father’s Day we would had him with us and it was a sobering thought.  He had lost the ability to eat because of a form of muscular dystrophy, could no longer read and do his puzzles, or paint and walking was very difficult. Father’s Day was approaching and the entire family was getting together to honor him but what do you give a man who needs nothing, can enjoy very little and yet still let him know how very much he has meant to you?  I felt closer to my father in law than my own dad.  Actually, he was the first person I wanted to see when I learned that my own dad had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.  So with 2 hours to go before we were to arrive at his home for what would be our last Father’s Day, the Lord put a “light bulb” over my head.

I got out my Bible, turned to Proverbs and customized it for my beloved Father in law.  We printed it out, rushed to Pottery Barn and framed it, arriving in time.  I then stood before him and read it aloud and with tears in his eyes he responded that he would treasure it always.  The next time I read it aloud was 3 months later at his funeral.  Here below is my version of a Father of Noble Character; feel free to copy it and customize it for your dad; he will treasure it always.

A father of noble character who can find?  He is worth far more than gold.
His wife and children have security, shelter and protection and lack nothing of value.
He teaches them right from wrong, the value of sacrifice and a good work ethic and is a role model for them
all the days of their lives.
He spares not the paddle (which broketh upon Greg’s backside) and
extends a hand of mercy to those who are penitent for bad behavior.
He is like a strong fortress, and a shield against the worries and trials of everyday life
so his wife and children can live happy, carefree lives.
He gets up while it is still dark; drives to Huntington Beach to teach the children of others
to provide food for his family and is welcomed by his children and spouse at the end of a long day.
He considered a safer home in Fountain Valley and bought it; and out of his earnings, he planted tomatoes, avocados, and chili peppers and maketh play areas for his children to delight in and fixes all their broken toys.
He sets about his work vigorously at the Barbershop; and cuts his son’s hair into funny bowl shapes.
He sees that his career as a teacher is profitable, but still switches off all the light fixtures at the end of the day.
In his left hand he holds the rake and the hoe and in the other he grasps
the spatula to flip over his children’s favorite buttermilk pancakes.
He opens his home to the foreign exchange students and provides research assistance to apologetic ministries.
When it snows, he takes his wife and kids to the mountains for sledding and
snowball fights and bandages up their bumps and bruises with bandaids.
He causes his children to sit upon his lap and give him numerous besos upon his cheeks.
His children have all grown up to become responsible parents with children of
their own and who pass on the legacy of love and faith he has left to them.
He speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction has ever been on his tongue.
He presides over the affairs of his household and has never eaten the bread of idleness.
His children arise and call him blessed; his wife also, and she praises him:
“Many husbands and fathers have done noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Wealth is deceptive, and youth is fleeting; but a father who fears the LORD is priceless.
Give him the reward he has earned, and let his works bring him praise at heaven’s gates.

Today I went to my local Renaissance Faire for the third time in my life and the first time in costume. It was so much fun to watch “knights” joust and sword fight and hurl insults at one another and the costumes were so cool.  I met a new friend there who I ran into at the LA Times Book Festival (she also happened to intern as a teacher at my daughter’s school years ago). She is really into colonial reenactments and just got done with a stint at the Reagan Library over Mother’s Day weekend.

Enjoy the photos!

So many self-publishing houses; so many empty promises…

                In the past year since my own self-published book, The Victor, was released, I have met many authors who have gone the self-publishing route and have learned many important things that they should have given thought to but didn’t even know to ask and are now kind of “stuck” after having spent A LOT of money. There are good companies to self-publish with and some horrible ones, so “buyer beware”!  There are quite a few important things you need to ask and consider before deciding on which company to go with to publish your book. Of course, it goes without being said but should be stressed again: READ YOUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS WORD FOR WORD and with your spouse or trusted friend before signing anything. Here are some other questions to ask:

1)      Who owns the rights to the final edited AND unedited manuscript versions of your book? Who owns the cover art? Who owns the copyright? You or the company that published you? Does it cost extra? Does it expire? Who owns the copyright to your book’s characters? If you cancel your agreement and you don’t own the cover image of your book, you will have to remove it from every place it has been posted.

2)      Price Control of Your finished product. Who controls the pricing of your book? Are you unknowingly granting exclusivity on price? See if you can find out ahead of time what they would price your book at to sell before you sign anything. If a book is priced too high it isn’t going to sell and if your cost isn’t much lower than the retail price you don’t have much discount room even if you sell it yourself. Who controls the price – you or the publisher?

3)      Can the company edit your book without your permission? Again, read your terms and conditions carefully. If you aren’t sure, then take it to an attorney and have him/her go over it; it will be worth every penny!

4)      Does the company charge for editing? If so, how much per hour? Get all the details ahead of time. Someone I know paid $900 to have her book edited. The going rate is anywhere between $25 an hour to $45 an hour, or you can negotiate a flat rate. Be sure to proofread the entire manuscript BEFORE it goes to the printer, too. It is your responsibility.

5)      Is the book discounted to bookstores? Many bookstores will refuse to carry a book they can’t get at a significant discount (40%).

6)      Is the book returnable? This one is VERY important. Bookstores will not carry books that are not returnable. Sometimes the publisher will make the books returnable if you pay them a small ransom (several hundred dollars). If the book is returned, can Amazon then turn around and make money off the resale without paying you the author? You best be sure.

7)      Is your book available through a major distribution channel?  Like Ingram/Spring Arbor? Will it be available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.? Does that service cost extra?

8)      Marketing Services: What does the publisher charge for its marketing services and what types of services are offered? Ad campaigns, mass mailings, etc., are a big waste of money, so don’t go there. Does the publisher offer book trailers? If so, how much does a trailer cost and who owns the rights to it … you or the company? Same thing for a building you a website. Get a few examples of trailers/websites the publisher has produced before signing on the dotted line.

9)      Kindle: Is there a charge to have the book made available on Kindle format? If so, how much $$$?

10)   Review Copies: Will your publisher send out free review copies or do you have to do it yourself or pay for them?

11) How will the books be sold and distributed?

Publishing your book is only 1/3 the battle. The next thing you have to think about is how you are going to market your book. How are you going to get the word out? Did you know that 5,000+ new books are released every month? How are you going to let the reading public know about yours?

Too many authors think that if they can only get their book into print that a miracle will occur and it will fly off the shelves. Not so. Even if you publish traditionally you still have to do a lot of the networking and marketing yourself or you will only end up selling perhaps 100-200 books to family and friends. Chances are you won’t come close to breaking even on the money you have spent.

You need to find a good book marketing company – one that doesn’t promise the world and make grandiose claims. Again: BUYER BEWARE. Word of mouth is still the best way to sell books but how do you create “word of mouth?” Answer: Social media! Facebook, MySpace, Shelfari, Goodreads, Blog reviews.  It takes A LOT of work. My book has been out for little over a year and I still have new opportunities coming my way because I am constantly working at it; networking on social media has become my second job.  It didn’t hurt either that I also found a great book promo company (www.bookcandystudios.com) that helped me to build a large audience base on the social media sites. The rest was up to me and I can honestly tell you that I have 700 more “friends” than I did a year ago;  at least 100 of which I am VERY good friends  with and who have been telling their friends about MY book, The Victor. Word of mouth at its’ best!

This is the young lady who I would like to play the lead role of Llyonesse!! I met her and her wonderful mom at the Messianic Jewish Club in Laguna Woods two weeks ago when I gave a presentation about The Victor.  I took one look at her and said: “Your’e Llyonesse!”.

It just so happens she is also an actress and just the right age. Now if only the screenwriter (Jason – are you reading this???), movie producers (hello out there John Ware) and directors would get their act together, option the book and start pre-production!!!

Kaily Teeter

I will send you a personally autographed copy of my book, The Victor, if you will email me proof of a $100 donation to any charity helping the victims of flooding in Tennessee. The date of your donation has to be dated on or after May 13th, 2010 and emailed to me along with your mailing address.

I have up to 50 books that will go towards this effort.

email: thevictorbook@sbcglobal.net

This weekend for the first time, I was a participating author in the LA Times Book Fair held at the gorgeous UCLA campus.

I shared a tent with other authors from Premiere Writers, a Ning Social Network site for authors.  All of them were simply great people; very warm and engaging.  We worked in shifts (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) and in our free time I walked around the campus with my hubby, attracting a lot of attention with my medieval costume.

On several occasions I had complete strangers (mostly college age students) come up to me in groups and ask to take a photo with me. It was so fun! It was the next best thing to being a Disney Princess!

The weather could not have been more gorgeous and though I am exhausted and my house is a mess, it was a really neat experience to take part in. It wasn’t too bad having a picture taken with “William Shakespeare” either!

The view from the "hill"

Me and Bill Shakespeare