Virtual Launch for A Summer in Oakville

September 20, 2011 Press Release for the John 3:16 Marketing Network For Immediate Release John 3:16 Marketing Network Book Launch Tuesday, September 27,  2011 Amazon 24 hours ONLY Free e-gifts with purchase on launch day    A Summer in Oakville by Lisa Lickel and Shellie Neumeier   Set in Wisconsin, A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is the story of a family reuniting to save the rural life they once cherished. One magical summer in fictional Oakville, Wisconsin, love finds its way through four entwined lives. Tessa's marriage hangs by a thread; her daughter, Lindsay, takes on the local town board and the developer who threatens to steal not only the farm but her heart. Tessa's widowed brother Art hasn't been home in twenty years; how can he send his out-of-control teenage son, Andy, to his aging parents? "We set out to tell the story of the changing landscape in rural Wisconsin," Lickel says. "We wanted to try something unique while using our individual strengths as authors. Shellie writes fiction for young adults, and I write older characters." "Our family, the Hasmers, could be anyone," Neumeier says. "They want to keep their heritage, while at the same time they struggle with the changing times. It's hard to make a living on a family-sized farm, and sometimes you have to make tough decisions."       "In our story, the adult siblings, Tessa and Art, have their own problems but come together in order to help their parents and their children," Lickel adds.       "Their children, Lindsay and Andy, are good kids who are also victims of the tough economic times and peer pressure today. But they have good hearts and learn from their grandparents' and parent's good family and faith values," Neumeier says. Black Lyon Publishing, LLC is an independently owned Oregon-based publishing house producing fiction titles in trade paperback and e-book formats, and the only Romance Writers of America recognized publisher in the state. Black Lyon titles are available at BlackLyonPublishing.com, local bookstores and most major online retailers. Shellie Neumeier  www.ShellieNeumeier.com Best-selling author Shellie Neumeier holds a degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a minor in Psychology, Sociology and Social Studies. A devoted mother of four, Shellie previously worked on staff with Northbrook Church as the King's Kids ministry assistant (serving children in grades 2nd through 5th). She is an active member of SCBWI and ACFW as well as a contributing author for various blogs. Lisa Lickel www.LisaLickel.com   Multi-published author Lisa J. Lickel also enjoys writing and performing radio theater, short story-writing, and is an avid book reviewer and blogger. She enjoys teaching writing workshops and working with new writers. She is the editor of both Wisconsin Writers Association's Creative Wisconsin magazine and Written World Communication's OtherSheep Magazine. She lives in a hundred and sixty-year-old house in Wisconsin filled with books and dragons. Married to a high school biology teacher, she enjoys travel and quilting.  Check out A Summer in Oakville Facebook fan page: Click Here What Others Are Saying "A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is a cleverly-composed novel that addresses issues from the past, affecting four characters' present-day lives. Shellie Neumeier and Lisa Lickel are a dynamic writing duo!" Andrea Boeshaar, author of Seasons of Redemption "Like quills of bittersweet devotion that pierce the heart, yet warm with the matchless comfort of forgiveness-A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is a beautifully woven series of unforgettable novellas." Tessa Stockton, author of The Unforgivable "Four sweet novellas combine to tell the charming story of A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE in Oakville. Saving your heritage, forgiving the past, and uncovering years of family secrets are weaved through four very different romances to create a delightful read that I looked forward to coming back to each day. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy." Cherie Burbach, author of Internet Dating Is Not Like Ordering a Pizza and Working Writers "You'll be hooked from the first page of A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE. This novel grabs the senses and doesn't let go." Carolyn Howard-Johnson, multi award-winning novelist and poet   Instructor for the renowned UCLA Extension Writers' Program Author of the multi award-winning series of HowToDoItFrugally books: The Frugal Book Promoter The Frugal Editor The Great First Impression Book Proposal Great Little Last-Minute Edits

On the Road again--both physically and virtually

Just because I've been published in several media, the final goal--as I keep repeating--is developing a readership. Developing a readership is an ongoing and scary process for me, as it involves talking to people and asking them to buy something from me, something they may not like. And I hate to disappoint people out of their hard-earned cash. I love my stories, but I realize that every reader prefers a particular style, whether fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, or magazines. It's okay. I'm quite an eclectic reader; I have preferences, but the book clubs and review sites I belong to force me to expand my horizons. I learned I don't necessarily care for dog stories, but had a tear at the end of Marley and Me, which I never would have picked up; missed out on reading The Other Wes Moore when the book club last month didn't have a copy and I didn't want to buy one. I still attended and was able to participate in the discussion because I researched the book.

I submitted one of my stories to a small press and got turned down fairly quickly; I submitted to an agent and hope that the fact I didn't get a form reject means something; I'm about to send a project to Black Lyon today after getting an okay from the publisher. See--here is where being published means nothing; in fact it almost hurts my chances of getting more contracts because my sales figures are putrid. So, I'm trying to learn more about helping myself out in that department, but it's excruciating. I'm also writing short stories, and sent another to Harpstring for the May edition; will let you know, and one to ShortStoryAmerica.

And...looks like the kitty escaped the bag--Meander Scar is up for a Grace Award - wasnt' supposed to tell until Monday. Announcements in May. I'm shocked, truly, that I got enough votes, and also learned I'm up against respected friends.

I also met with Darla and Dawn at the Random Lake Library to introduce ourselves and brainstorm about upcoming workshops and sales ops. What are your best tips for selling your books?