Suzanne Strempek Shea Book Review

I said in my previous entry that I was writing my final words. That was a silly thing to say. I will, of course, continue to update the progress of this book. In fact, it is doing quite well. News of its contents is spreading. All feedback about it has been very positive. The book is getting to those who are meant to read it, and they are sharing it with others.

In this entry I'm including a review by award winning Massachusetts author SUZANNE STREMPEK SHEA who very kindly provided it to me. She says:

"In the Presence of Angels" is exactly where you'll be when you travel with Joyce Hau'oli Carter from Massachusetts to Maui, and through the story of a faith lost and found - and then furthered by some unexpected presences. Wherever you are on your own faith journey, you'll be fascinated by the story of Carter and her angel guides, and you just might want to try to connect with those waiting to make themselves known. Mahalo nui loa - island-sized thanks - to this author for being so open as to not only hear the comforting and inspiring messages she was being told, but to share them with her readers."

Thank you, Suzanne, the your kind words you offered during a very busy time in your life. I am very grateful...

Final Entry

I am about to publish my new book THERE IS NO VEIL, Aloha is Forever, a sequel to my first book, IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS, A Return to Faith Through a Hawaiian Doorway. The Angel Book is doing well both in private sales and in Online sales. If you wish to purchase, you may do so on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. This will be my final entry on this blog for the time being.

New Book Begun

Now that I have accomplished 16 weeks of marketing this book, and have snail mailings and emails set up to go to Massachusetts libraries in a series of seven groupings. I have already sent out one mailing with six more to go at the beginning of the next six months. Now it's time to sit back and reap the harvest, if, indeed, a harvest there may be.

One of the problems associated with independent publishing is that all the marketing is the responsibility of the author. No P.R., no sales. Having to spend so much time on the marketing leaves very little time for writing. No writing means no book.

And so now I have made the time to start the new book. THERE IS NO VEIL, An Aloha Testiment to Faith, begins where the last book left off in March 2002. The purpose of the first book was to promote the tenets of unity, peace, and love, and to show that we can connect to loved ones who have gone on before us. The purpose of the second book is to show that aloha is a way of life. It promotes the premise that we can survive the passing of loved ones and live our lives fully on our own.

I have completed seven chapters and am half way through the eighth. I expect to have between 16 and 18 chapters, so I feel I'm well on my way. Of course, I will have to continue to market, but now I think I can divide my time equally between the creative and the practical sides of writing.

Since I'm working on a new book, I've opened a new blog. Look for new postings on "There Is No Veil on alohaveilbook.

What Are Angels?

I've been working on marketing my book, and during that process I was asked, "Why angels?" The question referred to the book title: "In the Presence of Angels." Most people have believed in angels at some time in their lives, and have experienced an inexplicable, wonderous happening, protection, or direction. There is no other explanation for these phenomena other than that somehow something beyond the norm, whether we call it an angel intervention or not, has occurred. And so I thought, "Why angels, indeed!"

By definition, angels are considered to be etherial, spiriual beings that are seen as the workers or messengers that tell us about the word of God. Angels don't struggle with good and evil as does man, and each angel has a specific and individual mission to carry out. No two angels are given the same task.

Some people see angels as heavenly beings that float around the place we call heaven on a bank of fluffy, white clouds, bright halos shimmering around their heads, wings on their backs, carrying harps or trumpets, and wearing long, flowing robes.

Others think an angel is a loved one, ancient or recent, who has left this dimension for another. They look much as they did in this life so that we will feel comforted by their existance but have no corporal bodies. When we tune into them, and we all can, they seem to be much the same as they were in this life, only wiser, kinder, and more peaceful. Angels have moved beyond human failings, illness, and pain, but they present themselves as we remember them. They do have specific missions, mostly those that steer us from wrong to right.

All these opinions leave us still wondering what angels are. Perhaps it is meant that people simply accept what makes them happy and comfortable on faith. And faith is what it's all about...

Email and Library Campaigns

I wasn't kidding when I said I was busy, as you can see from the date of this blog entry. After sending out the email to Hawaiian Culture Clubs, I concentrated on contacting bookstores in my area via email attachment, informing them about the book "In the Presence of Angels." The next step will be a follow-up by telephone requesting book signings.

My next campaign was notifying libraries. Although Outskirts Press sends my information to Baker & Taylor who, in turn, notify libraries of new books, I've been advised that the "personal touch" of letter writing is better, sending out the same information as the email attachments, requesting that they buy a copy of my book and offering to do book signings and readings. Letter writing takes much longer and is more expensive than email. However, many libraries don't publish their email addresses, and so stamps, envelopes, and paper is the way to go. I've done a mailing to area libraries near to my hometown, and I'm preparing for the next group. I will be mailing out a total of over 200 letters.

Now I wait to see what transpires, and next I will look up spiritual organizations through the U.S. and email or write to them.

Email Campaign

Since I chose to publish my book "In the Presence of Angels" independently, I find that I'm obligated to take the responsibility for its format, content, and distribution. While anyone can now purchase the book online through Amazon.com, a large part of the marketing is left up to me.

In this era of cyberspace, I decided to begin marketing with an email campaign. First, I sent a letter of explanation and an information sheet/order form via attachment to all my friends and relatives. Then I sent to friends and members of the Hawaiian club of which I am a proud member.

Finally I hit the Internet, looking for any and all Hawaiian culture clubs on the U.S. mainland. I found a great site, but the work of finding an email address in each likely listing was daunting. I finally sent the same information to 50 mainland Hawaiian groups.

Within two hours of the mailing, I heard from one huge club in Las Vegas, offering to put my information on their website and in their newsletter. They also requested more order forms. I've heard from other groups since, and I am happily smailing out orders. Next I will email Hawaiian culture clubs in the islands.

In the meantime, I continue to let people around me know that the book has been published, picking up orders through word of mouth. Along with these requests have come a few queries about talks I might deliver to various groups in the Greater Springfield Mass. area.

Soon I will be visiting local book stores and doing book signings. My first appointment is in September when more people will be looking for books. Setting these meetings up usually means articles in local newspaers will begin to appear. Until then, I'll continue the email campaign and prepare for more new opportunities to open up.

Books are Purchased

Wow! I've been so busy, I haven't had a chance to post a comment in this blog.

I received the delivery of 100 books. I thought I'd take some time off to rest, but I wasn't allowed. First I sent several copies to the wonderful people who critiqued the manuscript before mailing it in to be published. I did this in a number of visits to the post office, and since the clerk knew the book in the mailer was mine, we talked about it each time I visited. People overheard the conversations. People purchased the book on the spot.

I had an appointment at the local beauty parlor and brought a copy of the book inside to show the gal who cuts my hair. She didn't buy a copy, but the man beside me who was getting his hair cut as well, did. I went to the bank to open a new business savings account and deposit the funds from these few purchases, and the teller bought a copy.

Fortunately, I'd had the forsight to put some books in the back of my SUV along with a few bills and change. I felt a little indiscrete, selling my book out of the back of my car like a not-quite-legal vender on the streets of New York City. "Hey, lady! Have I got a deal for you!"

But it's also a wonderful feeling to know that people want to read the book and are willing to pay for it. I am very grateful.