Yes I’ve been writing a new book
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know travel has been very limited.
Heck I hardly even feel like talking about travel. I tried reliving past trips, but that just made me more depressed. I had a hard time scrolling through pictures of beautiful locals without feeling just a little melancholy.
So, with the exception of a handful of camping trips, and even fewer local day trips, I shelved all things travel for the summer.
Can 2020 just go away already?
Rest assured, I have not been idle by any means. In fact things have been quite exciting here.
During my first camping trip up to Black Lake in June I was determined to write yet another draft of my new children’s book in the Beatrice the Little Camper series. I had scrapped three previous drafts so I was looking forward to locking myself away in the northwoods of Wisconsin and not come home until I had an acceptable draft written. I wanted this second book published by the holiday season. Which holiday and what year remained to be seen, but ideally I was aiming for November of 2020.
And so I spent an entire afternoon writing and rewriting. After nearly 2000 words (to be trimmed down later), I felt I was headed in the right direction. I had the basis of my next book complete and the hard work would start when I got home.
That was the start of a whole summer of multiple drafts, input from four (extraordinary) beta readers, editing, illustrating, finding my own printer instead of going through a third party, more edits, formatting, finalizing, and finally uploading files multiple times. Whew, that’s a mouthful isn’t it?
If you self-publish you know it isn’t easy (although easier the second time around) and it involves a whole lot of time.
Then there’s the constant promotion that starts the second you decide to write a book.
I just received and approved the video blueprint of the hardcover copy today. I also just uploaded the softcover version to Amazon this morning and after the preview, had to have Lauren my illustrator make some minor edits to the cover.
Now the real work begins. Promotion, promotion, promotion. Trying to build a launch team. I will not release until I have the hardcover in my possession. Unless I get terribly ansty. I want to build anticipation, take preorders, and make sure everything is right.
Then there is the matter of the first book.
If you remember, Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World the biggest RV dealer on earth (Maybe not the whole earth) bought nearly all my hardcover copies. I had sent a book and a letter to him in February after I discovered I was about to lose my job. I was in debt and had a huge inventory of books that I would lay awake at night worried how I was going to sell them. Most of you know this was a process that started in May with an 11 second voicemail from Marcus. I still have a hard time believing my, Rick, and Megan’s business hero (that the three of us have been fans of since his CNBC show The Profit began) actually called this little old Wisconsin author. I was full of relief on August 7th when a semi came and picked up all 1440 copies. They are now available in Camping World and Gander RV stores across the country and online too. I will always be grateful to Marcus and am hoping one day, I will be able to thank him in person.
In order to build an ongoing relationship with Camping World, the book needs to sell. So I have been sharing on social media and doing lots of Camping World promotion. Last Thursday I made my first trip to the Saukville store, met the manager, and discussed the possibility of having the real Beatrice and I involved in store and community events. They took photos of me signing books to be used for social media nationally and put my book front and center instead of being located with the other books and travel atlases.
I plan on visiting the other Wisconsin locations as well. I have no intention to just sit by idle. I need to fight for this opportunity!
As of last week I sold my last hardcover copy of Beatrice The Little Camper Gets Rescued on Amazon (it’s now only available in softcover and Kindle versions), so Camping World and Gander RV is the only place you will be able to get a hardcover copy besides the few I have left on my website or for in person events. So I’m pleading with you, if you do not have a copy of Beatrice The Little Camper Gets Rescued yet, get in your car, go to Camping World or Gander RV and get a copy! I promise you will not be sorry.
You know Christmas is coming. Then make sure you keep up to date on the release of Beatrice The Little Camper’s Brave New Friend the second book.
I also realized how dedicated I am to my books. I LOVE this whole process and I am really enjoying the people I’m meeting because of the books. I see a whole brand built around Beatrice, the books, and future merchandise. If there is one thing I know, it’s that Beatrice is very popular and adds fans wherever we go. My life has actually began to revolve around Beatrice. Between camping, spending time in her in my backyard, and working on the books, Beatrice takes up a lot of space in my thoughts.
Now we have one other project non book related.
This summer we bought a short bus to add to our collection of project campers. Poppy the Bus (named by Megan) will become Beatrice’s sister. I have wanted to renovate a short school bus (AKA a skoolie) for awhile. Jump in and go. So we have just started the process to turn her into a camper complete with bathroom.
The best thing about this bus project is, the framing and insulation is there and there is no rot in the floor. It’s basically an empty shell just waiting to be made into a dream camper. MY dream camper. No need to worry about the chance of Beatrice getting replaced. That won’t happen. We are just making another character for Beatrice to be friends with.
“Beatrice The Little Camper and Poppy The Bus Take On The World”
What do you think?
So now that you know what the heck I have been up to, You can see that I haven’t been just laying around eating baguettes and macarons while gazing dreamily at visions of faraway lands. It’s been a crazy few months. I only thank goodness that I have something else I am able to shift my focus on.
Read about writing my first book.
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Please subscribe and share.
For more information on my books go to https://lorihelke.com/
Questions? Comments? Share then with me!