Greetings from Paradise!

What a week - I was immersed in book events, and I couldn't be happier! I felt in my element, that's for sure.

First up, the second annual Santa Clarita Valley Scholarship Foundation AfterWORDS event (http://www.scvsf.org/)! What an event this was - truly special. Last year, as a Borders person, I helped the organizers kick off the first AfterWORDS in great style. This year, as a freelancer, I worked like crazy to make year two work as well as the first year. And I'm please to say, AfterWORDS 2009 was a fantastic sequel!

Cursed event - that's what my AfterWORDS partner Linda called it. And perhaps, in a way, it was...a bit. Bookended by personal tragedy (not mine, but still - close partner to the event), with not one but two date changes, this plucky little event staunchly kicked off on March 7th, with all the best intentions. And it stood on its own, fun, fabulous and profitable.

Four of the five original authors were there, standing tall, interesting and compelling. My pal Cathy Silvers couldn't make if after all, but my great friend David Lawrence (http://www.chefdavidlawrence.com/) took her place with professionalism, aplomb, and a wonderful sense of fun and mischief. He, as always, sold out; although I was only able to secure about 13 copies, I'm just thrilled we had any at all!

I've done many events like this, but honestly - this one was one to remember. The vibe, the feeling in the room...unmatchable. The audience oozed love and interest and support. The authors were all wonderful and a revelation to the crowd. They all were connected in some way, to each other, as Harley Jane Kozak (www.harleyjanekozak.com)pointed out. And those connections, the fact that all of them had met one or two of the others before (thanks to me!), really made for a casual, easy-going and stressfree event.

On top of which, since I stayed with David over the weekend, I was able to indulge in some wonderful meals at the hands of my good buddy, the professional chef! And many thanks to Allan, who ran my register and took that concern off my mind! Allan - couldn't have done it without you, my love!

I've include some photos here. And the websites:

http://www.joshconviser.com/

http://www.marapurl.com/

http://www.seldenedwards.com/

AfterWORDS group photo.

Josh and David at AfterWORDS.

Another great event in Paradise - K8.

Post-Launch Party Report

Greetings from Paradise!

Yesterday, the Take Me Out to the Book Launch party was, to say the least, a huge success!

We had such a great time at Hollister Brewing Company (http://www.hollisterbrewco.com/)! I got there early - it's easier to be nervous at the venue, rather than nervous at home. But there was no need for nerves.

HBC had the section all set up, and when I arrived, Larry was working the popcorn machine. We started a bit early - two attendees got there about 2:45pm, from Solvang. One woman wanted a signed copy for her new daughter-in-law. Seems her son proposed to her while at a Yankees game, and she thought Jane's book would be a great birthday gift for the She-Fan in her own family!

I was so thrilled to see Tab Hunter striding in at 3pm - he's a delightful, wonderful person, and he was such a huge hit! He chatted with folks, met some new friends, and was supportive of Jane and her book. How funny, to see this Damn Yankee and the She-Fan, together!

Tab was gracious as I "interviewed" him - he said, "I'm really looking forward to reading Jane's book!" Jane, after I introduced her, cheerfully recounted the REAL first time she met Tab Hunter - as a young girl, her mother took her to the legendary Sardi's. There, at the next table, was Tab Hunter - at the time, one of the hottest actors in Hollywood. At her mother's urging, Jane shyly approached her favorite actor with a Sardi's menu for him to sign. Funny...small world, isn't it?

(Jane discusses her book, next to the She-Fan Beer Tasting table.)

All told, in and out for the two hours, I'd say we easily had 100 people there. Bill Pintard, the coach of the 2006 and 2008 champion Santa Barbara Foresters was there, local writers such as Gayle Lynds were there, and of course, fans of all sorts were there. I had a wonderful time, bopping around, chatting with fans, sampling the ballpark snacks served by HBC, and just keeping an eye on everything.

I think it's safe to say that a great time was had by all - mostly because this event was different. It wasn't your usual "booksigning in a bookstore" event, and that's what helped make it unique, interesting and fun.

That, and of course, free beer. What sports fan doesn't love that?

See you at the ballpark - K8.

Holiday Photos

I know, I know - I'm woefully behind on my blogging. I really must put myself on some sort of schedule.

Since returning from Arizona, I've snagged a parttime job (at the SB Region Chamber of Commerce), revved up the Launch Party for my client, Jane Heller, and whipped through a month and a half!

But at this time, in this posting, I really just want to share some photos from the holidays:

Matt waxes poetic about the See's Candies Aunt Kate brought for Christmas:

Mom and Kate get ready to celebrate!

West Coast Schwabs, Christmas at Joe's House:

Kate and Matt get ready to greet the New Year:

Arizona Christmas Tradition, with the Schwab Boys:

And that's all for now, from here - a chilly, overcast day in Paradise.

K8.

It's January, right?

As we stand on the brink of an historic inauguration, I'm a little surprised to raise my head, look around, and find myself in 2009. Not that 2008 wasn't full of surprises, fear, doubt and lots of fun. But wow...2009.

I am, as I told my friend Sue, "nearly 50!" And now, that's enough of that.

Spent the holiday, as I have for the past several years, with my brother John in Arizona. I've been in AZ every Christmas since Brendan was a baby. I told him, "It wouldn't be Christmas if I wasn't here with you guys!"

John, Stephanie and I put together our Annual Schwab Family Holiday Puzzle - a Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass artwork. As I watched John, time and time again, reach across the puzzle, from the opposite side of the table, to the pile of pieces in front of me, pluck one out and place it without hesitation into the puzzle, I wondered if this skill of "puzzle-ing" is hereditary.

For my answer, I only had to look over to Brendan on the family room floor, meticulously piecing together a huge pile of Legos, into a Star Wars spacecraft. Or to Matt, moving his Thomas the Tank Engine trains on the track, murmuring to himself, giving voice to Thomas or Bertie or Jack, as they race or haul, or whatever it is those trains do.

It was a great Christmas. A wonderful way to end 2008.

I'm glad it's over, though. Bring on 2009!

Greetings!

On this magical Sunday before Christmas, I finally feel like I have a moment or two to write! "Finally," indeed - it's been a month since my last entry!

Today, by the way, is not a day off - I'm working my final day at The Granada. After today's matinee performance of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge & Marley, I'm hosting the Book Group Reception.

It was my idea, I'm proud to say - after the show, several actors and the director will return to the stage and have a short discussion, a la "Inside the Actors Studio." After the discussion, Book Group members are invited to the gorgeous Founders Room, for a casual meet-n-greet, and some food, provided by local restaurant, The Chase. We've promoted this, albeit perhaps a bit late, in my mind. But I have about 25 people from book groups, coming to this show, for this event, and I'm thrilled! There may be more - who knows what groups finally read the Book Group Reception info in Thursday's Independent, or Friday's Daily Sound.

As I told my friend Irene, the Director of the SB Library - anything that has the word "Book" in it, with my name on it, I want to be a success."

And speaking of success!

Starshine and Cupcakes!, on Tuesday, December 9th, was a HUGE success! I arrived at Sullivan Goss early, to set up with Grant, who helped me immensely by running the register and handling all the book sales - about 165 sold that evening! We had a few very minor scares, before the 7pm start time, but nothing horrible, and the evening went off without a hitch.

Did I mention "success?" We had, in-and-out that evening, about 300 people at the party! Unbelieveable! I wanted this to be big, not just for me, but mostly for Starshine - and it was! She started signing books a bit before 7pm, and I had to cut the line and escort her to the microphone, about 10 minutes after our planned "event part" start time. Jerry Roberts was fantastic - he did a great intro, with some jokes and teasing, but very heartfelt support.

Starshine spoke a bit, read a bit, took some questions, and then back to the signing table. As I predicted (and hoped!), both lines were huge - to buy books and to get them signed. We planned the details quite well, I thought. John Roshell was invaluable to me - he got a "sound guy," who brought great sound equipment; that helped keep the audience's attention while Starshine spoke. Also, we all learned a valuable lesson after the last event we attended at this location - the speaker needs to up, on a platform, or a "stage." That way, all attention is focused on the speaker. John's makeshift platform worked like a charm!

We had a such a great time and it was such a wonderful and delightful surprise to see the turnout, to hear the happy and excited chatter of the crowd - they all seemed thrilled to be a part of what really felt like a fabulous and successful evening! The cupcakes were amazing! And Jen Malkin from the Independent was a fantastic partner, setting up "supplemental" food and pouring wine - all compliments of the Independent.

I've included a few photos here: John and Starshine, Starshine signing a book for Councilwoman Helene Schneider, and Starshine holding her "Star of Balloons." Another fantastic partner - Georgette Owens, of Festivities. Her balloon contribution was amazing and huge and was the frosting on the cake that evening - or perhaps I should say "frosting on the CUPcake!" This photo, by the way, appeared in the December 15th issue of Publishers Weekly. Guess who?!? :-)

Remember, you can purchase your copy of Keep Your Skirt On at local stores, Amazon.com, and http://www.keepyourskirton.com/.

As for plans for my next Launch Party - I've added a photo of my next client, Jane Heller (http://www.janeheller.com/). Clear your calendars for the Launch Party for Jane's book, Confessions of a She-Fan, February 28th, at Hollister Brewing Company, in Goleta (http://www.holllisterbrewco.com/).

Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!

K8.

Welcome to the Weekend

Another week gone, with lots of work done. Between Thursday night and Friday morning, I added three potential clients! "Yippee!" as my Mom says.

I sent my email blast for Starshine & Cupcakes, including the link to this blog. We'll see if anyone clicks and checks it out.

And the job at The Granada is getting more interesting.

Now, for a weekend off. You know, it took a bit of "work" to get used to being off on the weekends. When at Borders, I was often traveling or handling an event, or logged on to work on newsletters or press releases on the weekends. In fact, Sundays were pretty much given over to Borders DMM work - I would even go to the store and work there on Sundays.

But now that I'm no longer with Borders, I find myself with the weekends stretching before me, in what seems like a huge amount of time OFF. Today, I planned to spend all day cleaning my condo. All Day. Instead, even with my A.D.D. method of cleaning, I was done by 10:30am!

So now, I hit the road to run some errands! What a great thing a weekend off is.

K8.

Wednesday at Work

Good afternoon!

I'm working at my Granada job, trying to get inspired. What group or groups can I reach out to next, for tickets to A Christmas Carol? It's not easy, this group ticket sales world.

In my other life, I've added a new client, Erik O'Dowd, author of Gaviota, a novel. And planning Starshine Roshell's Launch Party, "Starshine & Cupcakes!" That will be a blast, I think, but a lot of work. Still - looking forward to it. Today, when I'm back in the home office, I intend to send out the email-invite, to my email list. "Presented by Great Books Literary Services." How cool is that?!?

K8.