Lorilee's Newsletter : December, 2005

An important message to my readers

Hey guys,I want to thank all of you for visiting my website, which I plan to update much more often in the future. Many of you have asked for photos of Phoebe, so I will try and oblige you. Check out the new one of her from the infamous parent/child hockey game, where I was the only mom who laced up skates.I even scored a goal, although technically I was offside the entire game and the dads were feeding me cream puff shots the whole time. It would have been hard to not score a goal under those circumstances!

I did have a little mishap involving my kneecap popping out of the socket about a week later. Coincidence? I don't think so. Was it worth the pain and misery to put on a helmet and skates and go play the game I love, against my hockey-crazed son and his pals? Yes, yes, yes! I will sacrifice my body in a second next year.

Okay, so that was a little bit of a bunny trail. You know how I get when the topic turns to hockey.But we need to talk about my books! Thank you so much for reading them, and especially those of you who have taken a chunk of your precious time to write me a note about how one of my books affected your life.

I almost always write back to anyone who writes me, unless there is some disaster involving computer failure/loss of data/loss of address, but I do want to thank my loyal readers again for reaching out to encourage me!Can I be quite frank? (You're thinking, 'c'mon, lady, you told us all about your sex life already. How much more "frank" can you get?')

Anyway, I need your help in a big way. Why? My books, as fun as I think they are, have never really been blazing best-sellers. "When the Belly Button Pops, the Baby's Done" is my top seller, not including "Just Give Me a Little Piece of Quiet," which went out to 115,000 MOPS members last Fall. But in the magical mathematics of publishing, I really didn't make much at all on that deal, because it was a special sale at a deep discount.

Not that this is all about the money, mind you. The letters I have received as a result of that book have been one of the most satisfying things that has ever happened to me in my writing career. It thrills me that so many moms were exposed to my books through that MOPS box. (See some of my most special emails on this website.)But in stores, the book didn't do so hot, and somehow that's what "counts" to the publisher: bookstore sales.

That's where you guys come in. I need you, my amazing friends and readers (and some of you are both!), to spread the word about my books. How? Let me count the ways:

If you loved JGMALPOQ, you may also get a chuckle and a few pieces of solid take-home advice from my 6 other books! And, speaking of JGMALPOQ, how about buying a copy for a pal or a sister, anyone who needs a pick-me-up in her mommy life?
Yak about the books to your pals in MOPS and other Mommy friends. Word of mouth is a great way to get sales going.
Ask for my books at your local bookstore, and if they don't carry them ask them to do so. In today's market, a book's shelf life is short, so even a few months later a chain store such as "Family Christian Bookstore" might not carry my newest release!

The booksellers are extremely important people in this process. If they are enthused about my books, they will "hand sell" them to their customers, which is so cool!
Consider having me come and speak at your church's moms retreat, or even as part of a larger women's conference. When I speak, I can connect with my readers in a whole new way, and introduce new people to my books.
Think about buying my pregnancy, baby name, and/or baby's first year book as presents for expectant moms, as some of my most devoted readers do!
And, if you really want to be my new best friend :), write a review for one of my books on Amazon.com or Christianbook.com. These reviews are like gold in terms of spreading a positive message to potential readers.

Right now, I really need someone to give a glowing review of "A is for Adam," because the top review on the pile is a negative one. So, anyone out there who likes my little baby name book--take 10 minutes and plunk out a little review, pretty please with Ketchup? I would be so grateful!
Finally, I need your support on "The Wide-Eyed Wonder Years." People have asked me where they should buy it for maximum affect, and my answer is the bookstores and website bookstores.

Those sold in stores "count" the most with publishers. It's really a great little book, if I do say so, and the publisher gave it such a lovin, poppin' cute cover too. It's for moms of 3-5-year-olds, so spread the word at your preschool and other mom gatherings.

I just found out I am going to be on Focus on the Family's "Weekend Magazine" this summer, although it will probably air in early Fall. This is great news, but the book simply won't take off without your support!

I am writing my eighth book, for MOPS (yah!), entitled "Mom and Dad Got it Goin' On." No, girls, it's not about sex. I already wrote that book! It's about all the many ways a wheel can come off in our marriages once we have little ones, because of differences in discipline, arguments over who's getting time off--and who's not--and other sticky wickets that impair one's relationship with the main man.

I am so excited about this book, and think it could be my best one yet and could help lots and lots of moms negotiate these issues with their husbands for a stronger, happier, hotter marriage!

Again, my dear friends, thank you for your emails, for buying my books, for hearing me speak, and for just being fabulous people! :) So many of you have said that when you read my books, it's like sitting down for a latte with a good pal.

I feel the same way about you, and feel so blessed by God to do such soul-satisfying work, and to have the chance to connect with new friends who somehow "get" me and my quirks!

You rock!

Love, Lorilee