I can't stand the anticipation! It feels like Christmas Eve here in my house. I am so anxious to see this huge box fill with my book!!! I will keep you posted on if it actually makes it here or not. According to UPS- scheduled delivery is tomorrow. :) YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!
Now I get to get ready for my book signing on Saturday Jan 8th! I am nervous but I can't wait to use my new pen :)
Dont forget to check out my website! I have added over 300 new products!
www.solidrockchildrensbooks.com
NIGHT NIGHT!!
Ashley :)
Trouble in Paradise
I haven't blogged on the book progress in awhile because I was a bit frustrated and overwhelmed... Add that to Christmas and you know how stress can be!
Let me explain why...
I was originally supposed to have 300 books in my possession before Thanksgiving. A printing glitch came up and so I had to wait to re-approve everything to be submitted. After that was finally taken care of, I was supposed to have all of the books on the Friday that was 2 weeks before Christmas. PLENTY of time for my book signing and for Christmas presents. Many people had ordered copies for presents and I wanted to make sure that I could get them to those people. They didn't come and then they still didn't come! I was getting SO impatient so I called the company. I tried for 3 days to get a hold of them and I could not get in contact with the right person....
To make a REALLY long story short(er) :)
My amazing husband called and talked to the right person. Not only did he get things moving but he took so much stress off of me. He got them to overnight 50 books to me so I was able to get those paid books to the people who needed them right then. The rest of my books will be here Wednesday. I am SO thankful for him!
The funniest part of the whole thing (not that any other part was funny for me) was that he tracked the UPS many down 35 minutes away from our house so that I could get the books sooner. We were leaving to go out of town and I needed to get them in the mail. He is so good to me.....
So now I still wait for the rest of the 250 books that I have ordered. I have moved the book signing to January 8th at the Daily Grind. I can't wait! 2011 is going to be a good year :)
One last thought.... my awesome husband I was talking about. Do you know what my favorite Christmas present was this year? A beautiful ink pen that he found for me... for my book signings :)
Blessings!
Ashley
Let me explain why...
I was originally supposed to have 300 books in my possession before Thanksgiving. A printing glitch came up and so I had to wait to re-approve everything to be submitted. After that was finally taken care of, I was supposed to have all of the books on the Friday that was 2 weeks before Christmas. PLENTY of time for my book signing and for Christmas presents. Many people had ordered copies for presents and I wanted to make sure that I could get them to those people. They didn't come and then they still didn't come! I was getting SO impatient so I called the company. I tried for 3 days to get a hold of them and I could not get in contact with the right person....
To make a REALLY long story short(er) :)
My amazing husband called and talked to the right person. Not only did he get things moving but he took so much stress off of me. He got them to overnight 50 books to me so I was able to get those paid books to the people who needed them right then. The rest of my books will be here Wednesday. I am SO thankful for him!
The funniest part of the whole thing (not that any other part was funny for me) was that he tracked the UPS many down 35 minutes away from our house so that I could get the books sooner. We were leaving to go out of town and I needed to get them in the mail. He is so good to me.....
So now I still wait for the rest of the 250 books that I have ordered. I have moved the book signing to January 8th at the Daily Grind. I can't wait! 2011 is going to be a good year :)
One last thought.... my awesome husband I was talking about. Do you know what my favorite Christmas present was this year? A beautiful ink pen that he found for me... for my book signings :)
Blessings!
Ashley
AWESOMENESS
Awesomeness... is that a word??? Probaly not :) But that is how I feel about seeing my book on websites like Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com!
Check it out!
Barnes and Noble
Amazon.com
I know I shared these links before, but they were not completed. They have the cover illustration up now. It is wild to see something that I did on there. I am excited about all of this for Frank, too. I am hoping that through this people will fall in love with his illustrations and hire him for other books, too! (He doesn't know I am advertising for him haha)
Check it out!
Barnes and Noble
Amazon.com
I know I shared these links before, but they were not completed. They have the cover illustration up now. It is wild to see something that I did on there. I am excited about all of this for Frank, too. I am hoping that through this people will fall in love with his illustrations and hire him for other books, too! (He doesn't know I am advertising for him haha)
My First Book Signing
It is official! My first book signing is scheduled and ready to go! I will be at The Daily Grind in Farmville on Saturday, December 18th from 11-2pm signing books! I am very anxious, nervous and excited about this! It should be a good time! I have no expectations, just looking forward to what lies ahead.
Now, I am just praying that God allows of this to flow smoothly. Getting the books shipped has been a BIG challenge and so now I am just praying for no more road blocks and for everything to flow smoothly! I need those books!!! Having said all of that, I am excited that I now have my first copy in my hands. The company sent me one copy for my first book. Then the rest of the shipment is handled separately. I can't wait to have a huge box sitting in my family room ready to sign. Bring it on.... :) Ready or not!
Now, I am just praying that God allows of this to flow smoothly. Getting the books shipped has been a BIG challenge and so now I am just praying for no more road blocks and for everything to flow smoothly! I need those books!!! Having said all of that, I am excited that I now have my first copy in my hands. The company sent me one copy for my first book. Then the rest of the shipment is handled separately. I can't wait to have a huge box sitting in my family room ready to sign. Bring it on.... :) Ready or not!
HELLOOOO WORLD!
So I finally got the second to go to Amazon.com to see if my book was for sale yet through them.... TA-DA!!!!!
How exciting!!!!!!
Thank you so much to those of you who have pre-ordered :) There was a small glitch which has been worked out so now they can print them all and I should have them next week. Due to Thanksgiving, it may be a few days later than expected. I will be sure to mail them out to those of you who ordered as soon as I get them! You will have them with plenty of time left over for preparing for Christmas presents :)
Also, if you would like to reserve a copy, no problem! Just let me know! The easiest thing to do (especially if you are not in my town and I dont see you regularly) is to go to my website www.solidrockchildrensbooks.com and buy it there. I will send it to you. Otherwise, we can just take care of everything in person :)
So just for fun, humor me, and check out the following sites!
Extra Special on Amazon.com!!!
Extra Special at Barnes and Noble!!!
I am hoping they get an image up soon.....and to add to it, I dont know why they said that Frank was the author as well. Nothing ever goes as planned, I tell ya!!!
Blessings!
Ashley
Solid Rock Children's Books
How exciting!!!!!!
Thank you so much to those of you who have pre-ordered :) There was a small glitch which has been worked out so now they can print them all and I should have them next week. Due to Thanksgiving, it may be a few days later than expected. I will be sure to mail them out to those of you who ordered as soon as I get them! You will have them with plenty of time left over for preparing for Christmas presents :)
Also, if you would like to reserve a copy, no problem! Just let me know! The easiest thing to do (especially if you are not in my town and I dont see you regularly) is to go to my website www.solidrockchildrensbooks.com and buy it there. I will send it to you. Otherwise, we can just take care of everything in person :)
So just for fun, humor me, and check out the following sites!
Extra Special on Amazon.com!!!
Extra Special at Barnes and Noble!!!
I am hoping they get an image up soon.....and to add to it, I dont know why they said that Frank was the author as well. Nothing ever goes as planned, I tell ya!!!
Blessings!
Ashley
Solid Rock Children's Books
Only 2 days left!!!!!
There are only TWO DAYS LEFT for FREE SHIPPING!!!! November 15th is the last day for FREE SHIPPING at Solid Rock Children's Books. Order your copies of Extra Special today, as well as any other books, music or dvd's you wish to order for Christmas! Now is the time to shop!!!
Don't forget to enter coupon code ExtraSpecial upon checkout. :)
Some other products you may be interested in are Veggie Tale DVD's, worship music for children and toddlers, or Max Lucado picture books!
Don't forget to enter coupon code ExtraSpecial upon checkout. :)
Some other products you may be interested in are Veggie Tale DVD's, worship music for children and toddlers, or Max Lucado picture books!
The wait is on!!!
I was told that I should have my book in my hands by Thanksgiving. This was not a promise but an, " I don't know why it wouldn't be..."
I am getting impatient! So in the meantime, I have been checking my website everyday, sometimes obsessively, to see if there are any new orders. I cannot wait to sit down and ship out all of the books that have been pre ordered! I am so excited!
I am getting impatient! So in the meantime, I have been checking my website everyday, sometimes obsessively, to see if there are any new orders. I cannot wait to sit down and ship out all of the books that have been pre ordered! I am so excited!
FREE SHIPPING
SOLID ROCK CHILDREN'S BOOKS has been offering FREE SHIPPING when you use the coupon code Extra Special. This is getting ready to run out on November 15th! There are only 9 more days to order your copies of Extra Special and get them shipped anywhere in the world for FREE! Order your copies TODAY!
www.solidrockchildrensbooks.com
www.solidrockchildrensbooks.com
PRINTING TIME :)
So about 3 weeks ago (or so) I really thought the book making process was done. I was so wrong. These past few weeks have been pretty stressful because I wanted to make sure things got done and the process kept moving so the books would be in with enough time to have sales before Christmas. So duing this week, I have signed off on the entire book, the cover, and the marketing tools that they will use to try to sell Extra Special for me. WOW!
Then today was a real kicker for me.... I placed an order, let me just say a LARGE order, for copies of Extra Special. Lisa, the marketing director who is working with me, told me that I needed to get my order placed as soon as all of the above things (that happened this week) happened so that the books will get to me sooner. So now I am going to have 300 books sitting in my house. Does anyone want one??? Haha....
I am so excited but yet, so overwhelmed at the same time. I would love to sell all 300 and maybe more before Christmas. I think I am going to try to do at least one book signing here in town before the holidays just to get the ball rolling. If you know anyone interested in a book, let me know!
As always, thank you for your support. My friends and family are truly the best.
-Ashley
www.solidrockchildrensbooks.com
Then today was a real kicker for me.... I placed an order, let me just say a LARGE order, for copies of Extra Special. Lisa, the marketing director who is working with me, told me that I needed to get my order placed as soon as all of the above things (that happened this week) happened so that the books will get to me sooner. So now I am going to have 300 books sitting in my house. Does anyone want one??? Haha....
I am so excited but yet, so overwhelmed at the same time. I would love to sell all 300 and maybe more before Christmas. I think I am going to try to do at least one book signing here in town before the holidays just to get the ball rolling. If you know anyone interested in a book, let me know!
As always, thank you for your support. My friends and family are truly the best.
-Ashley
www.solidrockchildrensbooks.com
What an awesome day!
Today was awesome...
I had to take a half day from work today to take my son to the doctor. That is an entirely different story in itsself...
So, while I was at home I got 2, count them, TWO important calls. The first one was from my new buddy, Sam, who is the guy who has been assigned to me lately for this step of the book making process. I have now faxed over my official signature that everything is ready to go to print. Can I get a WHOOP WHOOP!?!?!?!? So exciting!!!!
Then I get phone call #2 while I am still on cloud 9 from the first call from a girl named Ashley who wants to review my ad with me. :) This is basically the way my book will be presented on amazon.com and barnesandnobles.com once it goes live. It will be on several thousand websites and it will be sent to numerous distributors who will put it in their catalogs etc. Have I said yet that I am excited???????
Now, if you could just say a prayer that people actually want to buy it. I would really appreciate it! I feel like God put this all together and placed it in my lap, so I am truly leaning on him to now help me sell it! He is faithful... no worries here :)
Thanks for sharing this joy and excitement with me. The greatest thing is going to be receiving that first book in the mail. Oh, boy, I can't wait!!!!!
I had to take a half day from work today to take my son to the doctor. That is an entirely different story in itsself...
So, while I was at home I got 2, count them, TWO important calls. The first one was from my new buddy, Sam, who is the guy who has been assigned to me lately for this step of the book making process. I have now faxed over my official signature that everything is ready to go to print. Can I get a WHOOP WHOOP!?!?!?!? So exciting!!!!
Then I get phone call #2 while I am still on cloud 9 from the first call from a girl named Ashley who wants to review my ad with me. :) This is basically the way my book will be presented on amazon.com and barnesandnobles.com once it goes live. It will be on several thousand websites and it will be sent to numerous distributors who will put it in their catalogs etc. Have I said yet that I am excited???????
Now, if you could just say a prayer that people actually want to buy it. I would really appreciate it! I feel like God put this all together and placed it in my lap, so I am truly leaning on him to now help me sell it! He is faithful... no worries here :)
Thanks for sharing this joy and excitement with me. The greatest thing is going to be receiving that first book in the mail. Oh, boy, I can't wait!!!!!
My First Children's Book!!: FREE SHIPPING
My First Children's Book!!: FREE SHIPPING: "FREE SHIPPING still applies if you order 2 or more copies of Extra Special! Enter coupon code ExtraSpecial to receive your savings. This pro..."
FREE SHIPPING
FREE SHIPPING still applies if you order 2 or more copies of Extra Special! Enter coupon code ExtraSpecial to receive your savings. This promotion will only last until November 15th so pre-order your copies today!
PreOrder your copies for only $11.95 each. Retail will be posted at $13.95. Hurry to get your copies, now!
Free Samples!
PreOrder your copies for only $11.95 each. Retail will be posted at $13.95. Hurry to get your copies, now!
Free Samples!
Another piece closer to the final product!
After talking to Sam tonight from Crossbooks Publishing, I was able to get a copy of the cover proof! I am so excited! Every piece they send me gets me ever more and more excited to see the final product! The cover has basically been peeked at already because it mirrors the title page. What is so cool is that I get to see two of the people that I love most on the back cover with me. How awesome! God is so good. What an interesting ride this has been!
Pre Order your copy today!
Thank you again for your support through this whole process! I appreciate each and every one of you!
-Ashley
Pre Order your copy today!
Thank you again for your support through this whole process! I appreciate each and every one of you!
-Ashley
Overwhelmed...
I have to admit, as excited as I am about this endeavor, I am one of those people who does not like to draw attention to themselves. Needless to say, this is all a bit overwhelming!!!! I can not believe the support and excitement that I have been receiving from EXTRA SPECIAL. My family and friends are AMAZING...
You can imagine the joy I felt when I logged into my site, www.solidrockchildrensbooks.com and saw that two people had placed their preorder for my book! WOO HOOO!!! Thank you Catina and Kelly!!!
Life is good.... Now I just can't wait until the end of November to have EXTRA SPECIAL in my hands!!!
You can imagine the joy I felt when I logged into my site, www.solidrockchildrensbooks.com and saw that two people had placed their preorder for my book! WOO HOOO!!! Thank you Catina and Kelly!!!
Life is good.... Now I just can't wait until the end of November to have EXTRA SPECIAL in my hands!!!
The Title Page Sneak Preview :)
So I wanted to give you a little sneak preview of Extra Special. Frank Hailey did an amazing job with the illustrations!
This is going to be the title page. The final review of the cover is being done now, so hopefully I will have that this week!
I hope you like it!
I am currently taking pre-orders. The publishers have set the retail price at $13.95. If you preorder your copy today HERE you can order each copy for only 12.00. PLUS, if you order two or more copies, I will ship them to you for FREE!!!
This is going to be the title page. The final review of the cover is being done now, so hopefully I will have that this week!
I hope you like it!
I am currently taking pre-orders. The publishers have set the retail price at $13.95. If you preorder your copy today HERE you can order each copy for only 12.00. PLUS, if you order two or more copies, I will ship them to you for FREE!!!
New News!!!
This afternoon I got the BEST email... I got the proof to Extra Special!
I am SOO excited! The kind man that I get to work with, Sam, is so patient with me. Poor guy... He is going to call on Friday to go over everything with me. As we stand right now, we have the price tentatively set and it looks like everything should be printed and ready to go by the end of November. This news could not be any better! I was worried that things were going to take much longer putting us too close to Christmas. I'm SO relieved! Needless to say, I am one happy girl!
I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't say: pre-order yours today at Solid Rock Children's Books
Thank you all so much for your support!
-Ashley
I am SOO excited! The kind man that I get to work with, Sam, is so patient with me. Poor guy... He is going to call on Friday to go over everything with me. As we stand right now, we have the price tentatively set and it looks like everything should be printed and ready to go by the end of November. This news could not be any better! I was worried that things were going to take much longer putting us too close to Christmas. I'm SO relieved! Needless to say, I am one happy girl!
I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't say: pre-order yours today at Solid Rock Children's Books
Thank you all so much for your support!
-Ashley
Get to know me!
I am wife, mother and first grade teacher who loves to read!! I love to spend time with my family. One of my favorite this to do is to sit back and watch my one year old read books to himself. Precious...
I have always wanted to write a book, just for children. But, I never really thought it would be something that I actually would do. This past October I decided it was time to start acting on my dreams. I was sitting in the nursery at our church one Sunday morning and I was reading Home Life magazine. Man, I love that magazine. So, I was sitting there thinking about how I wanted to write. I just did not know how to take ideas and get them published. (There was only one child in the nursery that day, and he was sleeping... just to clarify what I was doing!!) Just as I was saying that to myself, I turned the page, and it was as if God put right in front of me, where to go with my story idea. There in the magazine was a full page ad to Crossbooks Publishing. When we got home from church that day, I looked them up on the internet and filled out the 'contact me' page.
And so there it began....
That was the beginning of a very long process. I had a few, well many, bumps along the road, but that is now old news :)
So, as I still wait on the word that the book is ready for my review on the layout, I am just so joyous that I have come this far! God is so faithful and good. I really would love to make money, of course, but I have to admit that the satisfaction that I am working on something like this, is so much greater. Crossbooks is SO wonderful to work with. I am already thinking as to what the next book is going to be about!
SOLID ROCK CHILDREN'S BOOKS
UPDATE on the process!
As of Monday of this week, I received word that the book is going through the layout process. This is really exciting because I will finally get to see how the words coincide with the illustrations! How exciting! Frank did such an amazing job with the illustrations, I can't wait to see them come alive. I wanted to be able to give you all a little sneak preview but for some reason they do not want to upload.... I guess you will have to wait a little longer!!
I can't wait to hear that we are going to print..... We are getting much closer now!
SOLID ROCK CHILDREN'S BOOKS
I can't wait to hear that we are going to print..... We are getting much closer now!
SOLID ROCK CHILDREN'S BOOKS
BOOK DEBUT!
Welcome to my blog about my, soon to be published, children's book! I have to say, this is one of those things that I always wanted to do, but I never really thought would happen. I am one of those people who tends to get very "comfortable" and I do not venture out to try things that I really want to accomplish. However, here I am, with my first book ready to go to print! I am so excited that you are here to share this journey with me!
Some background about me...
I have been teaching elementary school for the past 8 years and one of my favorite parts about my job is reading to the children. I love to see them swept away in the characters and story. I also love that since I teach first grade, I really get to see, for many children, the defining moment when they learn how to truly read. What an amazing thing it is! These feelings combined, made me want to write a story, with hopefully more to follow, that will not only provide children with another book to read, but hopefully a book that they can relate to on one level or another. In today's society, we all face challenges whether they are physical, mental, emotional or situational. No matter what your challenge is, it belongs to you, and molds you into who you are. I am hoping that through my story, EXTRA SPECIAL, children will realize that they are not alone with their challenges, and that they can be molded in a positive way if they just trust and believe in God, and themselves.
Some background about me...
I have been teaching elementary school for the past 8 years and one of my favorite parts about my job is reading to the children. I love to see them swept away in the characters and story. I also love that since I teach first grade, I really get to see, for many children, the defining moment when they learn how to truly read. What an amazing thing it is! These feelings combined, made me want to write a story, with hopefully more to follow, that will not only provide children with another book to read, but hopefully a book that they can relate to on one level or another. In today's society, we all face challenges whether they are physical, mental, emotional or situational. No matter what your challenge is, it belongs to you, and molds you into who you are. I am hoping that through my story, EXTRA SPECIAL, children will realize that they are not alone with their challenges, and that they can be molded in a positive way if they just trust and believe in God, and themselves.
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