About the Author

A few tips for self-published authors…

Tip #1 – Don’t get discouraged
I was rejected many times by agents at traditional publishing houses. They claimed – although they loved my story – there was just no place for first person narratives. But once you start receiving more fan mail than rejection mail, things start to look up ;)

#2 – Learn, learn, learn
You will be the Jack/Jane of all trades by the time you’ve gone the route of self-publishing. You are forced to learn how to do everything on your own: design, marketing, editing, finance, promotion, layout, and more.

#3 – Refrain from giving your gift to everyone
When you’ve written & published a book, of course you want to give a copy to everyone & anyone you know. Afterall, there is no kinder gift of self-expression & sharing! But if people are true friends & family, they will want to support you as a small business. They’ll buy a copy, and not expect a freebie. And don’t expect a thank you. Out of the hundreds (yes hundreds) of copies I gifted, I can’t count on both hands the number of thank-you’s I received. Common class goes a long way, but don’t expect anyone to have it!

#4 – Beware the fame stealers
People love to try and steal the spotlight. It happened to me many times that folks want to claim the book was about them or for them. In reality, the book was *about* my hometown[s] and written *for* my children. If someone wants fame & fortune, then they can write their own book!

#5 – Prepare for expenses
Self-publishing is not cheap. There is no advance, there is no one to pay your way on book tours, there is no book artist that comes included. Be prepared to fork out a lot of money, and be even more prepared for it to take a long time to break even… if you ever even do. But never forget: you wrote a book, and that is priceless.

#6 – Be wary the sour grapes
You know these folks: the ones who don’t want to see anyone succeed, the ones who try to make drama out of even the most wonderful accomplishments. Just avoid them & hope they find their own success. Jealousy is a very bad look, and when those folks want what you have, it can be downright creepy.

#7 – Brace for a few bumps
Remember, you did this all on your own. You didn’t have an editor at a huge publishing house behind you. So it’s ok to have a few mistakes. But try to get them all fixed before the book is complete. For me, the biggest embarrassment was over a hundred copies that were gifted or purchased in the very beginning, that were completely unedited! Like all the aforementioned tips, it’s a learning lesson, and just makes you more prepared for the next novel.

#8 – Be your own main character
When in doubt, or struggling to find a name for the “main cast” – just use your own! No one can claim it was about them, nor can you get sued that way. Trust me, there are people out there who want to stake claim on everything & anything. It’s also very helpful when writing in first person.

#9 – Pen name is the way to go
When using your real name causes too much commotion, make sure your second (and third… and fourth) books are under a pen name, wink wink!

… check back often. More tips to come. In the meantime: good luck everyone & keep writing!!!!

Book tour:

May 29, 2021 – (*Private*) First signing & book after-party at the author’s country home

May 30, 2021 – LBI Foundation of the Arts & Science in Loveladies NJ

May 31, 2021 – Kapler’s Pharmacy in Beach Haven NJ

June 12, 2021 – LBI Book Swap in Beach Haven NJ

June 13, 2021 – Uncle Will’s Pancake House in Beach Haven NJ

June 19, 2021 – LBI Foundation of the Arts & Science in Loveladies NJ

June 20, 2021 – Barnegat Lighthouse (at the gazebo)

June 26, 2021 – Evergreen Dairy Bar in Southampton NJ

June 27, 2021 – Pic-A-Lilli Inn in Shamong NJ

July 10, 2021 – (*Private*) Zoom q&a for a book club on Block Island, RI

August 3, 2021 – Salem County Fair in Woodstown NJ

August 14, 2021 – Lucille’s Luncheonette in Warren Grove NJ

August 31, 2021 – Evergreen Dairy Bar in Southampton NJ

September 5, 2021 – (*Private*) Event at a friend’s house in Tabernacle, NJ

September 11, 2021 – Newtown Bookshop (Bucks County PA)

September 24, 2021 – (*Private*) Signing & book after-party at the author’s island home

October 3, 2021 – LBI Book Swap in Beach Haven NJ

October 8, 2021 – (*Private*) school assembly

October 17, 2021 – Country Living Fair at Batsto Village

November 13, 2021 – (*Private*) Zoom q&a for a book club in Barnstable, MA

December 11, 2021 – Green Trading Post at Pinelands Preservation Alliance in Southampton NJ

January 9, 2022 – (*Private*) Zoom q&a for a book club in Jackson, WY

February 13, 2022 – (*Private*) Zoom event for a friend's book party in Key West, FL

March 13, 2022 – Line on the Pines at Stockton University

April 26, 2022 – Key West Island Bookstore

May 21, 2022 – (*Private*) Zoom Q&A for a women’s club based in Water Mill, NY

July 10, 2022 – (*Private*) Zoom q&a for a friend’s book club in Maine

September 24, 2022 – Whitesbog Village

October 8, 2022 – (*Private*) Zoom for a writer’s group based in Aspen, CO

November 12, 2022 – (*Private*) Event at a friend’s house in Washington Crossing, PA

December 3, 2022 – the PPA Green Trading Post in Southampton, NJ

January 14, 2023 – (*Private*) Party at friend’s house on LBI

February 12, 2023 – (*Private*) Valentine’s romance readers book club zoom in Kennebunkport, ME

March 12, 2023 – Lines on the Pines at Stockton University (final signing!)