All posts tagged book launch

Launching of A Sure Cure for Witchcraft

Last Saturday was the launch for my brand new middle grade novel, A SURE CURE FOR WITCHCRAFT. The weather was perfect, which is always an added bonus for any event. Things went well as only a few people were allowed in the community centre at one time. It’s always tricky trying to figure out a way to do things safely during this pandemic. I was simply pleased to be able to have an in-person launch this time around. But things went far beyond my expectations. They really did. We didn’t have the crowd that had turned out for previous launches but I knew it wouldn’t be. People are still trying to navigate through this pandemic and keep themselves, and others safe–myself included. No one knew what to expect anymore than I did. I went into this fully aware that this would not be a launch like my other ones. It wasn’t widely advertised and actually came together in less that a week. One of the many reasons for this was, I didn’t want to wait until proof of vaccination was required which was coming in to effect the following Monday. It just seemed as it would make things more complicated and add to the confusion.

But I have a few photos for those of you who were not able to make it.

Here I am with my two cohorts all decked out for the event. Judi and Bonnie lent their talents for the day and were responsible for all the decorations and for actually figuring out a way to make the day safe for everyone. We had all kinds of witchy decorations and I absolutely loved it. Every author should have a Judi and Bonnie in their corner–just saying.

The good people at Nimbus Publishing were on site for the day. Having a launch in a rural place has it’s challenges as many of these small centres do not have Internet access. But things went along smoothly regardless. True professionals!

This beautiful potted Mum was a gift from my son.

The area was petitioned off so that people were able to social distance. They came in, got their book, followed the arrows, stopped off to have their books signed and a quick chat, continued on, grabbed a cookie or brownie along the way and then proceeded out the exit door. Smooth.

Here’s hoping that when my next book comes out in Fall 2022 all this COVID business will be behind us.

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by Laura Best on October 8, 2021  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on October 8, 2021

https://lauraabest.wordpress.com/2021/10/08/launching-of-a-sure-cure-for-witchcraft/

Launch Day

Today is launch day and I just wanted to write a short post. I have no idea what to expect in relation to the pandemic. What I do know is that this will not be like any of my other launches for obvious reasons.

I already know that many won’t be attending as they’ve already indicated and I completely understand that. We also have the added challenge of only being allowed to have a small number inside the community centre at one time. Because of that people can’t hang around talking and mingling. Talking and mingling is really what these events are about. That and getting a signed copy.

I have friends who have decorated the centre. ( I haven’t seen it yet.) I really don’t know what I’d have done without their help. I’ll post some pictures later.

At least it appears as though it will be a gorgeous fall day. Whatever happens I can least be happy about that.

See you on the other side of the launch–hopefully with some photos to share.

Enjoy your day!

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by Laura Best on October 2, 2021  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on October 2, 2021

https://lauraabest.wordpress.com/2021/10/02/launch-day/

It’s a Launch

So happy to be able to announce that after the publishing of three books during this pandemic, I am finally able to have a launch for A Sure Cure for Witchcraft.

Also, everyone is welcome to bring their witch’s hat. (I know you all have one!)

Please feel free to let your friends know. Everyone is welcome.

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by Laura Best on September 27, 2021  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on September 27, 2021

https://lauraabest.wordpress.com/2021/09/27/its-a-launch/

Author in a Small Town

Does that title actually say small town? Okay, so that is a total and complete exaggeration on my part. I remember when the year I went to Toronto when Cammie Takes Flight was nominated for a Silver Birch Award. I was talking to one of the other nominated author who said they were from a small town of only 20,000.

I thought wow, 20,000. That many? I looked at her and said “Try 200.” Yes, I did say 200. Now, that’s not an exact count. I really don’t know what that number would be. It could be a little more or a little less

I’m not really sure how many full-time residents we actually have, but we’re small. No doubt someone out there has that information. Yes, there are plenty of cottagers who are here on a part time basis, some for only a few weeks through the summer. I see their cars go by and on busy weekends my husband often expresses displeasure at seeing three or four cars, unknown to him, go by all at once. Oh the traffic! Traffic in small community is never thought of as a good thing unless there’s an event going on at the community centre. And that’s when you know you live in a small town place.

I finally got my shipment of my new book, THE FAMILY WAY. It was a big order, thanks to all those who ordered through me because they wanted an author signed copy. Being an author in a small town place doesn’t make me specially in anyway, but rather it makes the people who support me special. Many people write books, we see new books being published all the time, but believe me, not all of them have their family, friends and neighbours rally around them each time a new book comes out.

And as I announced on social media that the books had finally made it to my house, I was thinking how this is so typical of a small community. I really can’t say enough good about all the supportive people in my life. And while I couldn’t have an in-person launch again this time, this really is the second best thing.

So here I am, just your typical author in a small town place, looking over my shipment of books and hoping, so very much, that when my next book comes out in September we’ll be able to have a real small town place book launch. PS: There has been talk about cheesecake. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

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by Laura Best on June 30, 2021  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on June 30, 2021

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Launching The Family Way

Saturday May 22nd is the official launching of THE FAMILY WAY. The event is on the Nimbus Facebook page but anyone on or off Facebook can join us. So, that means even if you aren’t a Facebook user you can tune in.

I’m a bit disappointed not to be having an in-person event this time but there’s not a lot that can done about that. Hopefully, in the fall, when A SURE CURE FOR WITCHCRAFT is launched, things will be different. But that is something we won’t know until fall.

I’m reminded of my very first book launch at the community centre here in East Dalhousie, (HERE) and how different this one will be. But different just means that– different, and all I can hope for is to have the best darn virtual launch I can have. I have no idea what to expect and I don’t consider myself particularly savvy when it comes to this online world we’ve been pushed into thanks to the pandemic. But I’ll do my best. That’s all I can do.

Hopefully, some people will tune in to hear me read and maybe even ask a question or two. I hear there are two free copies of THE FAMILY WAY up for grabs and Nimbus is offering a 15% discount if you order one of my books through them. Sweet!

Guess it’s not proper to say I hope to see you there (because I won’t actually see you)–but you know what I mean. Right?

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by Laura Best on May 20, 2021  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on May 20, 2021

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Good Mothers Don’t Update

Remember me? I’m the author whose book is due to be published in April.

*sigh* 

Normally this would be a happy time for me, with my friends making preparations for my book launch. (You all know who you are!)

We’ve had some amazing book launches here in East Dalhousie which is due to all the wonderfully supportive people who live, not on my community, but in many surrounding communities. Not to mention the many hands that have stepped in to help in the past. You’re all so awesome.

It goes without saying that with every launch there’s a bit of apprehension for the author, wondering if anyone will even show up. In so far as my last three book launches went, I had nothing to worry about. So many people came out to support me and I can’t even describe what that meant to me.

But this time things are different thanks to COVID-19. The community centre won’t be filled with my family and friends. I’ll be home alone with Hubby and my author copies of the book. Maybe I’ll have a glass of wine.

Of course the book can be ordered through those independent bookstores that are still operating, also through Amazon.ca Here and Chapters. ca Here.

or it can also be ordered directly from Nimbus Publishing Here right now they have a special on: free shipping for orders over $50. Make sure that if you’re ordering through them online, there’s a shipping code you need to use that is at the top of the site to get the free shipping.

So while we won’t all be getting together to help launch Good Mothers Don’t into the world, in the meantime you might want to read this lovely, lovely review of my book that my editor sent to me over the Easter weekend. It really helped raise my spirits!

Good Mothers Don’t Review

I will continue to keep you updated if I have anything else to share. And for anyone of you who have ordered or are planning to order my book online in lieu of a book launch I thank you so much!  While these may be very uncertain times right now, and for the foreseeable future, there’s not a whole lot we can do about it. But there are always bright spots along the way, like the publication of my first novel for adults. Now that’s good news!

Please feel free to share your good news in the comments below, big or small or maybe just something positive that happened to you. I’d like to hear about it. Things may not be the greatest right now but we’re going to get through this eventually.

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by Laura Best on April 14, 2020  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on April 14, 2020

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Spring, Writing and Book Launch Photos

Time has certainly been flying by this winter or I should say spring? I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I last wrote a blog post. Here we are near the end of March. While the last time I wrote about how warm and unwinter-like the weather for February was, as we get closer to spring, winter decided to remind us that we needn’t start looking for crocuses and daffodils just yet. But that’s life, isn’t it? Just when we start feeling comfortable about the state of things, thinking maybe we have it all figured out, the rules change on us. In a way, it’s for our own good. I believe we all need for life to challenge us from time to time otherwise we stop growing and expanding as human beings, learning new things and having new experiences. A.K.A BORING.

I’ve been busy juggling a few stories these past few months, carrying on a love/hate relationship with them. I guess it’s why I juggle in the first place. As soon as I start hating one story, I switch to the other. Sometimes one of the stories will stick in my head and follow me around, sometimes even haunting my dreams or else coming to me late at night. The stories are so different from one another and maybe that’s a good thing. Writing is finding that balance and not sinking into a rut. So, I’ll keep juggling so long as these two stories dictate. Seems it’s rarely the writer who’s in charge of the story anyway.

I finally got around to posting some launch photos. You’ll find them HERE but also under the Cammie Takes Flight tab. There were so many photos taken  that day, I couldn’t possible post them all. I just picked out a few. Maybe you’ll see yourself in some of them.

Easter is in a few days, and although we have plenty of snow here in East Dalhousie, it’s melting away quickly. Today was absolutely gorgeous. Hopefully, it won’t be too many weeks before we see those crocuses and daffodils.

Happy Easter! Oh, and a shout-out to my friend, Gail, whose birthday is today. I’ve been calling but the line’s been busy. Hope you’re reading this and are having a stupendous day!

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by Laura Best on March 29, 2018  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on March 29, 2018

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Book Launch: A Behind the Scenes Look.

The other week as I was going through some book launch photos, I found a few that made me giggle just a little. Most of these were candid shots taken by the lovely Dawn Alexander my official photographer for the day. Dawn showed up the night before while were setting up for the big day and she stayed pretty close by all through launch day. Now that’s dedication!

So, just for fun, I thought I’d post some of the behind the scene photos no one ever gets to see.

Setting up for the launch the night before was great fun. Of course it helps to have a few silly friends to take charge.  I’ll be the first to admit that decorating is not my forte. I’m more about the written word. Therefore, the decorating I leave to those more qualified.

Hard at work. Recreating the book cover was a little tricky since the vision of it only existed in Bonnie’s creative mind prior to setting up. Judi made all the silhouettes. It was a pretty cool idea. Wish I could take the credit but, as I said, I’m more about the words.

The end result kind of speaks for itself. I loved it. So did everyone at the launch. I warned you that I have some talented friends. They added all the extras they knew would make me happy: dark chocolate, Mars, beautiful white roses and my books. The tea pot of flowers was a Mother’s Day gift from my daughter.

There’s always someone in charge of the ironing. All those little details count. Thanks Barbie.

The look on my face suggests surprise, doesn’t it? You’s almost think I was expecting something to jump out of the box when, in fact, I knew there was a cake inside courtesy of the Monday Craft ladies. Seriously, they went above and beyond to make the day special. These ladies know how to show some author love. I don’t know what I’d do without the help and support from my friends and community.

And here’s a much better view. Just so you know it did make it out of the box It was delicious!

Launch Day: I could have told Bonnie it was a little late to be playing shy. Dodging the photographer isn’t as easy as it might seem when you get to be our age. Dawn was relentless in her mission to gets photos, but Bonnie using me as a human shield just doesn’t cut it! Oh Bonnie, oh Bonnie, when will you learn?

When the Nimbus publicist, Jeff Arbeau showed up, author friend Jan Coates offered to help him sell books. I love this photo taken when our MLA Leo Glavine showed up. Now there’s the look of a woman who can hardly wait to get her hands on some money. The next photo in the series (that I decided not to post) shows Jan actually prying the money out of his hands.. Okay, I’m just kidding about that! Seriously, Jeff said Jan was a huge big help!

There you have it, just a few of the candid shots from the launch of “Cammie Takes Flight.” Life is not just about the perfect moments that get capture on camera, it’s more about the moments that go unseen, but it’s all those silly, imperfect moments that create the best memories.

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by Laura Best on June 17, 2017  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on June 17, 2017

https://lauraabest.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/book-launch-a-behind-the-scenes-look/

Cammie Takes Flight: Cover Reveal

At last, after weeks of promising, I’m ready to share the cover for Cammie Takes Flight with the rest of the world. Some of you have already seen a version of the cover because, let’s face it, you’re privileged and you know it!  The release date is April 30th and, for Canadians,  the book is available for pre-order on Amazon.ca  and Chapters.ca right now!

The launch for the book will likely take place in May but things are in the very early stages of planning so there’s nothing definite at the moment. As more info on the launch etc. come up I’ll be sure to share either here or on Facebook, possibly both.  The book launch is open to the public so anyone and everyone can come. Make sure to spread the word far and wide. No special invitation required. The more the merrier–that’s how we do things here in East Dalhousie.  For anyone flying in from out of the country, I’ll reserve you a room at the hotel here in East Dalhousie. (Okay that’s a bit of joke since we don’t have a hotel here, but I’m sure we can make some arrangements!)  I’d love to have the Prime Minister attend, but he’ll probably be too busy. Still, perhaps if I  sent out a special invite and if he’s flying by that day, maybe he’ll give a little wave. It would be cool if the Queen could come too, and I’d be really impressed if Margaret Atwood put in an appearance… but….Oh well, as Cammie loves to dream so do I.  Dream big; fly high-words to live by. The truth is I’ll be pleased to have my family, friends and community come out to help celebrate with me as Cammie finally takes flight.

And because all books have a front and a back cover, I’ll share the back cover as well. Love the quote they used on the back. It was a bit of a surprise to me, but a pleasant one , especially when I realized I was acquainted with the author of this review written for The Children’s Writers’ Guild. Thanks Darlene Foster– I thought this was kind of cool.

So finally, all the hard work of writing and revising and editing is  about to pay off and my book, my baby, will be going off to the printer very soon.  One day in the coming weeks I’ll receive a notice in my mailbox that a parcel has arrived with my complimentary copies. It’s been a long and exciting journey. But it doesn’t stop here. It is the hope of every author that their words will make a lasting impression on their readers. Now that would be a dream come true–for me and for Cammie!

 

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by Laura Best on March 6, 2017  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on March 6, 2017

https://lauraabest.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/cammie-takes-flight-cover-reveal/

Dinosaurs, Crowns and Twins

I just got to the point where I’d had enough. I was completely fed up. And so, a week ago I decided to slay the dinosaur in my house—yes, I did say dinosaur. Yes, I did say slay. Let me explain.

She was simply taking up too much room with her slow, uncontrolled, unpredictable moves. Not to mention all the grumbling that was left in her wake. As far as dinosaurs go, she wasn’t really so bad, not like your run-of-the-mill T-rex or even stegosaurus which I venture to guess would be next to impossible to cohabitate with. My dinosaur was clunky and pre-historic but I brought her home when she was newly hatched. We bonded. I knew her every clunk, thump and grind. I wasn’t always appreciative of her. (You know how you tend to take all those dinosaurs in your life for granted.) She allowed me to check email, and Facebook, but she wasn’t so nice to me when I visited my friends in blogland. Sometimes she simply refused to budge. She didn’t want me to *like* any of you, and she didn’t want me to make any comments on your posts. Sometimes, she even forced me to go to the local c@p site to upload photos to my own blog. Imagine that.

Power can go to a dinosaur’s head.

Overtime, she became too independent for her own good. We were becoming disconnected. Yet, I resisted…and resisted. Even though I grumbled and complained. Finally, I just had enough. I mean, how long can you cohabitate with a dinosaur and be happy?

Life’s too short not to be happy with your dinosaur.

So, she’s gone, put to rest, retired, withdrawn, given the boot.

My life will be a bit easier.

Saturday was the launching of Jan Coate’s brand new picture book, The King of Keji at The Box of Delights in Wolfville. Can you imagine a better name for a bookstore? I had a great time. The book’s illustrator, Patsy MacKinnon was also at the launch. Crowns were made for the kids which was pretty cool. Did I get a crown? You bet. In fact, I got two for the little people in my life. I didn’t want to push it by asking for one for myself. Seriously, the crown-making was a big hit with the kids and worked in well with the picture book. Jan read the story which many of you know is set at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Park right here in Nova Scotia. Patsy explained a bit about how she creates the illustrations. I believe she said she worked on them for about six months. I love the colours she used.

While he didn't make the book launch, Levi was happy with his crown and book!

While he didn’t make the book launch, Levi was happy with his crown and book!

When you get married and have twins;
Don’t come to me for safety pins.

Speaking of dinosaurs, how out-dated is that verse? Perhaps as out-dated as autograph books which I’m writing into my next story. Does anyone use safety pins or cloth diapers these days? Autograph books?

While on the subject of twins… Some of you already know that we’re about to be blessed with twins this time around. Master Levi is going to be a big brother at the ripe old age of 22 months. There’s no quicker way for a child to grow up then to become an older sibling. I know a mom and dad who are going to be BUSY in the future; September, or so we’re told. Hard to say with twins. We’re all so excited. Being a nanny and guppy is pretty darn cool.

So, that’s my news for now. What’s news in your corner?

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by Laura Best on June 9, 2015  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on June 9, 2015

https://lauraabest.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/dinosaurs-crowns-and-twins/

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