Rachael Ray, Are You Out There?

Well, I did a little detective work and found the contact information for Rachael Ray. I sent her two more books, a fan letter and a pre-stamped, self-addressed postcard. All I'm looking for is a little written endorsement for the michigan sauce recipe in our book. That would be so cool and the press would be great.

Are you out there, Rachael Ray?

We missed the deadline for the North Country Cultural Center For The Arts (NCCCA) newsletter. They send out to 21,000 people. Ouch. So, our "Dream Picnic Book Event" isn't in the newsletter. It's on Saturday, June 30th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. I've been able to get fliers in most of the 3rd-5th grades in the area, about 1100 of them. I also visited the Plattsburgh Public Library and they put up a flier and said they'd order the book. Put some fliers in a few other places. I'm running out of ideas...anyone have ideas for me? I'll look at some books I have for marketing to kids. I sent notices to every single local calendar of events media I could think of.

I've got to get pounding the pavement again this week. The kids will be out of school and can fend for themselves for a day. I really want to get to Tupper Lake and the surrounding area. Something always seems to come up. Like life. Or death. My neighbor and friend, Dot Scott, passed away and I'm brokenhearted about it. The wake is today and her family will be here all weekend. Time to go pay respects. Take care.

Adirondack Nightmare gets Squidoo and del.icio.us and Stumbleupon.com

Well, I'm treading into deeper water, here. I was determined to hit the pavement and sell some books today but my stupid left ankle is too sore.

I couldn't sit around and do nothing. So, I've learned about Squidoo (and their lenses) and del.icio.us. Oh yeah, and Stumbleupon.com. These are fabulous tools to use to help get the word out about a book, web site, just about anything. They're fun, too. Here's the links:

http://www.stumpleupon.com
http://www.squidoo.com
http://del.icio.us

Stumbleupon could be a bit addictive, I think. Maybe too much so but it also "lets you 'channelsurf' the best-reviewed sites on the web. It is a collaborative surfing tool for finding and sharing great sites". I added my site and blog, of course.

Ok, so Squidoo's also a bit addictive. And an awful lot of fun. It "is home to tens of thousands of everyday enthusiasts. Spread your ideas, make yourself known, meet new traffic. (You could even earn a royalty)." Try it out and be sure to invite me to your lens.

On to del.icio.us. I don't really know enough about it yet to say much. I'm pretty sure I posted my web site, though.

So, all-in-all, another productive day. Just not in the way I had expected, is all.
Never give up, never say die.

Will Rachael Ray Endorse Adirondack Nightmare Book?

Today I'm focusing on book endorsements. I've been fortunate enough to get one from Sid Couchey, Gordie Little and John Mitchell. I've been thinking and emailing and asking and I came up with an idea. Why not ask Rachael Ray?

Rachael Ray was born in Glens Falls and grew up in Lake George. Her first job was at the candy counter at Macy's in NYC. (Hey, I worked there when I was in college!) Anyway, she also worked at Mister Brown's Pub at The Sagamore, a very famous hotel on Lake George. Then, she became a buyer at Cowan & Lobel, a gourmet market in suburban Albany. My husband, daughter and I watch her 30 Minute Meals show and love it. My daughter, Amanda, has her book, Cooking Rocks! Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals For Kids, and loves it. Amanda's 10-going-on-11 (as she puts it) and has made meals for us using this book.

I've heard her talk about her working in Upstate NY on her show. She says very clearly that they've helped shape her into the popular TV personality she is today. What an Adirondack success story!

I think the michigan sauce recipe in our book would catch her attention. It's so simple and fast and perfectly delicious. It just might be the type of thing she'd dig. I hope so. I've sent a copy of our book to her office in NYC with a letter and some promotional material. My fingers are crossed.

Ok, now on to try to solicit more endorsements. Have a good one.