Katie Schulze-Bahn
Author of “Sugar Sand Road”
Contact info:
Cell – ***-***-7409
Email – Jersey Mermaid 1982 [at] gmail [dot] com
Author page – https://store.bookbaby.com/profile/SugarSandRoad
Novel page – https://store.bookbaby.com/book/sugar-sand-road
Social page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585221519902
Are you a fan of Nicholas Sparks, Charlotte’s Web, or Where the Crawdads Sing? Do you love the NJ Pines Barrens, Long Beach Island NJ, Key West, Maine, New England, and the Rockies? Then this novel is a must-read for ages 12-100!
**ATTENTION LITERARY AGENTS! This novel is self-published and looking for a home! If you’d like to represent this author and novel, please contact her directly.
In the Media:
https://thesunpapers.com/2021/04/19/new-novel-is-a-love-letter-to-the-pine-barrens/
Family, Friends, and Fans Ordering info:
Best way to support the author as a small business is to buy right here through the publisher at https://store.bookbaby.com/book/sugar-sand-road, or through a local bookstore (see below for a list of shops that carry). Of course you can find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, or any major book retailer etc. as well.
Business owners ordering info:
Sugar Sand Road is available for wholesale including Ingram, Baker & Taylor, IPG, and many more. If you are unable to purchase wholesale, or supply reads “0” or “sold out” – please contact the author directly.
Host a signing, assembly, book party, or schedule an interview:
For more details, please contact the author directly @ JerseyMermaid1982 [at] gmail [dot] com
Businesses that carry/carried the novel:
Books & Books in Key West, FL
Bookstacks Bookstore in Bucksport, Maine
Farley’s Bookshop in New Hope, PA
Gifted by the Sea on LBI, NJ
Hands Store on LBI, NJ
Kapler’s Pharmacy on LBI, NJ
Key West Island Bookstore
Nantucket Bookworks
Newtown Bookshop in Newtown (Bucks County), PA
NJ Maritime Museum on LBI, NJ
Pinelands Preservation Alliance in Southampton, NJ
Shamong Diner in Shamong, NJ
Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop in Damariscotta, Maine
Sunset Hill Farm in Edgecomb, Maine
Surf City 5 & 10 on LBI, NJ
The Bywatyr Shop on LBI, NJ
The Seagull Gift Shop in New Harbor, Maine
Things Adrift on LBI, NJ
Whitesbog General Store in Browns Mills, NJ
Donation Recipients:
Newtown Library Co. – Newtown, PA (Bucks Co.)
NJ Farmers Against Hunger
Princeton National Rowing Association
Sally Stretch Keen Library – Vincentown, NJ
Sunset Hill Farm, Edgecomb, Maine
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. Keep at it!
#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.
#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 and earn it themselves.
#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 my friend 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. Just walk away.
#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 if you chose that route like I did.
#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!
#10 – Your business is no one else’s:
When you become a public figure of sorts, and offer something that anyone in the world can buy, everyone wants to know: what’s next, are you writing something new, is there a sequel, etc. Although most people come from a good place, and simple curiosity – it’s no one’s business. And – quite frankly – it is [literally] your business that you run. Do you ask about other people’s business? What they do at their job? Details of how they run their office? Then they shouldn’t ask about yours. Plain & simple. Be gracious, but don’t feel like you owe anyone details of things that are not theirs.
#11 – Use your place of fame & fortune to help others:
Kids, animals, disabled, those in need, and the elderly are often at greatest risk for being unheard. There is nothing in the world that will make you feel better than sticking up for others, and there is no greater form of selfless love than to do so. Find a way to use your power & money to help these beings, and perhaps even start a charity or foundation.
#12 – Don’t feel like a failure:
Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t reach your goals. Sure, we can set goals all we want, but – if we fall short or fail – just try again, or set a more reasonable goal. Failing doesn’t mean you are a failure. It just means you need to try again, or in a different way.
#13 – Be open about your struggles:
Let’s be honest: self-publishing, and just writing in itself, are no easy tasks. It takes patience and will-power to an entirely different level. It tests you, and sometimes pushes you to your breaking point. You may even want to give up at times. But share about this with others. It is such a great form of compassion to be open to another human being, and show that – you too – are just like them. We are all in this life together after all, so why not try to make the road a little smoother for others if you have the chance.
#14 – Don’t compare yourself to others or other’s writing:
Everyone is different for a reason. It’s what gives color to the world. Be happy for who you are, and what you have to offer. Just like you may have respect for or attraction to someone else, someone has that for you too. Perhaps you just don’t know it yet.
#15 – Write your own stuff:
If you hire a writer, you did not write a book. To be a true writer/author, you have to write it yourself.
#16 – Keep writing all the time:
You don’t necessarily need to be writing the next novel 24/7, but just take time everyday to keep your mind fresh, write down notes & new ideas, and just keep being creative.
#17 – Leave out many thank-you’s:
Unless someone directly helped you with, or influenced, your book – there is no reason to thank them on the acknowledgements page. There are people on my page who I would certainly remove, if it didn’t mean going back & re-doing the whole layout for another edition. Don’t make the same mistake I did, and think very clearly before you give your shout-outs.
… check back often. More tips to come. In the meantime: good luck everyone & keep writing!!!!
