Shameless Plug

ruby+cover
Now that the holidays are over, it’s time for me to get back to business on a few things, one of them being writing (yay!), and I’m not just talking about bloggin’! The three magazine articles which I’ve already gotten assignments for are calling me, and (I’m putting it out in the universe not as a resolution but as a commitment) I plan to send off several queries to some new magazines by this Monday.

The other piece of “business” I need to get back to is promoting my book, Remembering Ruby: For Families Living Beyond the Loss of a Pet. Many of you knew me from my other blog first, but I think some of you might not know about it, so I’m plugging it on this blog (finally!) and asking for some help.

The book is, as you will hopefully guess from the title, about losing a family pet. You can check out my other blog for lots of information about it, including parts of the publishing process, essays about the real Ruby (our late beagle Bijoux), and some of the “ink” I’ve gotten. In fact, I just posted a brand new article today from the newspaper in Tennessee where I went to school.

Some interesting things about the book:

1. The story, though naturally sad in parts because of the subject, ends on an uplifting note because the overall theme is coping and moving on with life as a family after a loss.

2. I used real photos (in black and white) from our family rather than an illustrator. There were several reasons for this strategy, and I’ve been pleased with the feedback: I’ve been told that the photos make the story more “real” and “relatable”.

3. The book is mostly made up of the story itself, but contains (at the back) a short parent guide on helping kids cope with loss. I do not get into any psychological advice because I am not a doctor, but I offer some suggestions on family activities and such. Our long-time veterinarian had some input into this part of the book.

4. The book is mainly geared towards ages 4-10, but it is truly a story for all ages.

5. My sister, Julie/Jules, designed the gorgeous cover and the interior as well. (In fact, if you hold the book open wide right next to your ear, you may be able to hear the sobbing we did while trying to get through the arduous publishing process.)

6. The book is only available online and not in stores. The most popular places to find it would be Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

Here’s where I ask for help. As I am not with a major publishing house and I am definitely not an author as anticipated as, say J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, or Ernest Hemingway (may he rest in peace), I have to promote this book on my own.

If you would be so kind as to do any assortment of the following things I would be such a happy blogger:

1. Obviously Number One would have to be: BUY MY BOOK. Did I have to say that???

2. Please pass the word on to anyone you feel comfortable in doing so, in any way that you feel comfortable doing it: on your blog, via e-mail, via telephone, via conversation at the playground or at the office, etc. (Please refer people to my OTHER blog, the one about the book, silly!)

3. If you do buy my book through Amazon, PLEASE leave a review. (Only if you like it, though! LOL) My most recent review came from Rob, and it is quite a masterpiece. You don’t have to be eloquent or anything like that; if you liked the book, it’d be great if you just said that!

4. Keep my book in the back of your head, in the corner of your brain. Unfortunately, pet loss is a huge part of life today, as so many people have brought those furry (and sometimes feathery, scaley, or whatever) friends into their homes. The book makes a great gift.

If you need any more information, e-mail me! It’s easy: just click the link that says “E-mail Me!” over there on the right.

Thanks for your time and attention!

15 Comments

  • Jules

    Plugs that are shameless are my favorite. YAY for this post and plug!

    You forgot to mention that when they hold the book up to their ear and possibly hear me sobbing from my dealing with the publishing process, that I also whisper the winning lottery numbers!

  • suchsimplepleasures

    hey…i have a real question…my cat died in october and my 4 year old is still asking when she is coming home. does your book deal with how to answer him? because, he is still convinced that she is at the vet and when she gets better she’ll get “undead”…kinda stephen king-ish but, that’s what he truly, in his heart, believes. so, if your book can help me explain it to him…i’m buying it!!!!
    xo

  • Melisa

    Wow, I went to bed at 12:30 and apparently had an explosion of visitors overnight!

    Julie: Uh, yeah. Didn’t know that. Wish you would have told ME earlier. LOL

    Kat & Taj: Thank you!

    SSP/Mel: That’s a tough one to deal with; again, I’m no psychologist so my book wouldn’t tell you exactly WHAT to say/HOW to answer him about that…I think the story could help him to *understand* that the cat is not coming back though, because as I said it’s all about moving on after the loss. It’s meant to open up a conversation, so in that way it could assist you. Hope that helps YOU! LOL

  • Melissa

    LOL Jules!! I’m buying it for sure now. 😉

    I didn’t know you could get it at B&N online I went in the store to buy it. I’ve got a gift card and I’m off to order it now. No really this time. 😉

    I’ll do my best to mention it around to my buddies. Let’s hope this is a big year for you and Remebering Ruby.

  • Melisa

    Melissa: Thanks for ordering!
    And though I am not in the business of pimping out my sister for makeout sessions, she did (on her blog) offer to make out with people who bought the book, right? (or was it just the Transit Map book? I can’t remember.) Regardless, Julie thanks you also and maybe the two of you can work something out. ROFLMAO!

  • Mags

    As you may have noticed, I’m horrible at remembering to post things (like the meme I got tagged with! Darn!!) But I will for sure post something on my blog. Do you have a graphic that I can steal for my sidebar?

  • Andie

    Hey, if you want, give me an html button/link and I”ll put it on my sidebar as an advertisement.

    I haven’t been to amazon in a while, but I’ll buy it asap! 🙂

  • Melissa

    lol, Melisa! Though I thing Jules is a really nice girl and all, well, she’s just not my type, you know, the girl thing and all. Now get the girl a pair of hot pants and maybe we’ll talk (gotta read my blog to get that one).

    Me too on the html button..I swiped the one from Jules site today but didn’t have the time to fiddle with it. Care to share?

    LOL! Word veri….myzip

  • Melisa

    You guys are AWESOME.

    Mags, I e-mailed you the .jpg of the cover.
    If anyone else wants it, just e-mail me!

    Andie and Melissa: I will send you the html code for your blog. Again, if anyone else wants it, let me know!

    Thanks so much…I really, really appreciate you guys and your enthusiasm!

    BTW Melissa, your post about hot pants gave me the giggles. Isn’t it hilarious how something happens in the family and then that person suddenly realizes that it’s not going to stay within the walls? LOL

  • Melisa

    Melissa: Uh-oh, you’re going to have to e-mail me for the link so I can e-mail YOU! Click on “e-mail me” and send me something so I can reply! 🙂