Signings Cont'd

Having been approached about my Signing blog requires me to add a few more thoughts. Chapters-Indigo bookstores take 45% of each book you sell. That means, of course, you get 55% of the book's price. Some stores take less but each store does take a percentage. It is not the best deal but you have to start somewhere and it gets you out into the world.

Once you have held a signing, the store will advise you how many copies were sold. You then prepare an invoice which they will send to the head office who ultimately sends you a cheque. This may take a couple of weeks or months.

I love to hear it when someone says that they are buying my book in order to support a local author. That is so generous to hear and I appreciate it so much. Some people even shook my hand congratulating me on my success at publishing a book. Some people are often in shock to learn that I am the author and the smile that appears on their faces is priceless. Makes me feel so proud.

Two Chapters stores: Meadowlands, Ancaster, and Erin Mills Power Centre, have invited me back to sign more copies of my books. Already my September is fully booked.

I have a signing scheduled for Saturday, May 31st, 2014, from 1 to 4 pm at the Chapters store in Burlington on Fairview. I hope if you live close by, you will drop in.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

Bookstore Signings

I've really noticed a great difference between bookstores who host signings for my books. They have all been Chapters-Indigo stores in the area. I have completed five book signings to date (Ancaster, Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington and Erin Mills) and I am coming to a few conclusions. Just because the store is busy, doesn't guarantee sales. Sometimes having a slower store offers better opportunities to chat with people which is always advantageous especially if they have connections allowing further sales.

Achieving the opportunity to attend a signing at a bookstore is really quite easy. All I did was contact the store and find out who handles the signing events and consignment orders. After quickly speaking with that person, I receive their email in which I send them a short description of Locker Rooms along with a media release and photo of the novel.

After a short period of time, I receive an email in return with choice dates for the signing. I approve a date and then send them the information required for a consignment order. Some stores take books on consignment after the signing but not all stores. One store took 20 copies on consignment two weeks before the date of the signing which she will place in a special bookcase reserved for local authors. So my books will be on display for two weeks.

Except for one store, all the staff have been fantastic. They were polite, friendly, smiling, lovely people. All were very helpful and ready for me when I arrived. One store was not prepared at all for my signing which left a bad taste in my mouth. At that store too, the staff were almost rude. I did not enjoy my time there and so I will never return to that store.

I have four more signings scheduled. Please check my Appearances tab at my website for dates and locations which are Chapters Burlington, May 31; Stoney Creek, June 22, Toronto Bay and Bloor, July 5, and Toronto Eaton's Centre, September 13.

I hope you will join me at one of those signings.

Check out the photo below which was taken at my signing today in Erin Mills.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

Kira

How did you adopt your dog? That's a burning question every dog owner loves to answer. Everyone has a story about how they met their new buddies: at the SPCA, at a kennel, from the newspaper, a stray, from a friend, or your child who couldn't look after him any further. No matter how you were lucky enough to come across your new pet, they quickly become part of our lives.

After I had rented a house in Hamilton, I decided it was time to adopt a dog. I had been living in a variety of apartment buildings all my life but, as soon as I had a backyard, a dog was in order. After checking out the SPCA for several weeks, I turned to the newspaper one day while on my lunch break from work.

In one ad, the newspaper announced a puppy for free. As soon as I returned to work, I called the number associated with that ad. Amazingly enough, the puppy was still available. Usually, an ad for a free puppy went at 8:00 a.m.  I couldn't believe my luck. I agreed to meet with the owner after work.

When I arrived at the owner's house, I had to turn my car around to park in front of her house where she was sitting with the free puppy. I was driving a Honda Civic manual and I stalled the car a few times as I turned around causing fear to appear on the face of the dog's owner. But I was in shock by the sweetness of the puppy. It was love at first sight.

The owner knew nothing about dogs. She said Kira (the woman had named her Sheeba but I quickly changed it to Kira who soon learned her new name) was a cross between a poodle and a lab. I was so surprised. She has some lab like qualities in the colour of her fur and its thickness around the neck, but there was no poodle in her. She had a curly tail and a terrier face. She was obviously a mixture of many breeds.

As I approached the woman, the adorable puppy scampered over to greet me warmly. She was a sweet, lovely puppy but on a long, old rope. Again I was surprised when the woman wouldn't allow Kira to approach another dog who was passing by. Then the woman gave Kira a dog cookie made for a much bigger dog. All Kira did was bury it.

I informed the woman that I wished to take Kira for a walk to see what she is like. The woman was surprised. She had never taken Kira for a walk although she was a year old. It seems that Kira was kept tied up in the backyard. She wasn't even housebroken. It took me two days to housebreak her.

Obviously Kira enjoyed going for a walk and smelling new smells. I knew immediately that I couldn't leave Kira with this woman and I had to take her home with me. Kira was terrified after being put in the car, but she soon learned to love it.

Two days after the adoption, I took Kira for an off leash walk in a beautiful wooded area known as Churchill Park in a lovely residential area which leads to the university. The path winds its way around through two towering hills on either side. Perfect place for Kira's first real walk. The poor thing thought she had died and gone to heaven after being allowed to wander around free. The rope that had been around her neck was fitted ever so tightly and it required hard work with scissors to free her of it. She much prefers her new collar.

Kira is now 14 years old and below are a couple of pictures. She lives a very good life. She loves to go for walks and rides in the car. I'm home most of the time and I usually take her with me when I go out. She is loved and has blossomed into a wonderful pet.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

Seat Belts

I took part in a telephone survey today conducted by the health department. One question the questioner asked which is reverberating in my head was the discussion over seat belts. Of course, while driving, I always wear my seat belt. And, of course, I always wear my seat belt in the passenger seat. However, I was asked, "Do you wear a seat belt in a taxi?" Amazingly, I answered, "Never."

Do you wear a seat belt while taking a taxi? I took many taxis during my trip in New York City and I remembered being terrified most times as those cab drivers swerved in and out of the traffic and sometimes at such high speeds that I commented to one cabbie who had asked how long was the flight from Toronto to New York and that he would make it faster by car.

And I never wore a seat belt. If we had been in an accident in New York City, I would be dead. I don't take many taxis in my city. Once in a blue moon and one such time occurred a couple of months ago when I had an appointment with a doctor at the downtown hospital. As discussed in an earlier blog (Hospitals), parking is dear and I knew my appointment would be brief. My mother kindly drove me to the appointment and I took a cab home. And no, I didn't wear a seat belt.

After seeing so many horrendous motor vehicle accidents showcased on TV where the occupants refrained from buckling their seat belts. There is proof that you have more of a chance to survive an accident if you are belted in. I will have to rethink that issue of seat belts in taxis.

My book signings have been going well. Last week, I was in the Indigo Burlington store on Brant Street. Really nice store and I had a successful signing. Next week, I will be in Chapters Erin Mills. Check the link for the address. I hope you will come out. I'd love to sign a copy of Locker Rooms for you.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

New York City Photos

On Friday, April 11th, at 6:30 am, I quickly and easily located a taxi to take me to the Port Authority where I would catch the airport bus. Since there wasn't much traffic, we quickly arrived at my destination. Luckily, I only waited for maybe five minutes and that bus arrived driving us to JFK. The airport was basically empty at that hour (7:30 am). Without a problem, I made my way through the ticket counter, security and to the gate where I would catch my plane back to Toronto. A short flight of almost an hour and I was back in Canada. It felt so good to be back.

For my trip, I took both my 35 mm Minolta camera and a digital one. I still prefer using film. Sure I take way too many pictures but I love the results. Below are a few pictures from that camera which I had developed on a disk. Enjoy!


My cousin's apartment building:

Selected pictures of Central Park:

Ferry to Statue of Liberty:

Views from the ferry of New York City skyline:

Time's Square:

New York City cont'd 4 - Empire State Building

My last day in New York City was Thursday, April 10th, and I spent the day going up the Empire State Building and then I walked to Time's Square.

I ordered a taxi to the Empire State Building because it was a little difficult to get there. Once inside,  I waited in line to get through security, waited to get my ticket, waited to get into the first elevator and then waited to get into the second elevator which lead out to the observation desk. I was glad to get outside which released all the tension in the cool fresh air.

The observation deck looked nothing like it is shown in the movie Sleepless in Seattle. I was so disappointed. But, I was able to walk around quite easily. I would have hated being there during the busy tourist season. The place was busy but not suffocating.

Leaving the Empire State building, I walked up Broadway to reach Time's Square. I was told to go there at night because the lights are amazing, but I did so during the day. It was still impressive and chairs were laid around. I sat down on one and watched the people for a while.

Hope I'll see you tomorrow at my signing at Chapters Square One Mississauga from 1 to 4 p.m.

Below are a few pictures from the Empire State observation deck.

have fun,
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

 

New York City con't 3 - Central Park

Wednesday, April 9th began poorly. I had trouble sleeping Tuesday night; didn't fall asleep until 2:30 a.m. I did sleep in a bit and awoke at 9:30 a.m. I was tired and didn't feel like jostling in crowds or dealing with the City so decided to just spend the day walking around Central Park.

Luckily and amazingly, my cousin lives right across the busy street from Central Park so it was just a quick walk across the street to reach the paths around Central Park.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir faced me immediately as I entered the Park. It is a large round lake with a nice cement path all the way around where many joggers, dog walkers and women with strollers can be found. A spurting fountain is centered near one end. Many ducks and geese can be found floating in the water. It is a pleasant, peaceful area.

My goal was to stroll around the Park heading to the south end to reach the Central Park Zoo. I was basically in the middle of the Park and so had to head south. The paths were a little confusing. Many choices were available. I asked a couple of people and followed their directions. The Park is so beautiful with flowing grassy areas and lovely trees just beginning to bud. A few flowers could be seen sprouting up.

As I reached further south, the Park became busier with people walking, biking, eating their lunch, or relaxing in the wonderful areas. I passed many interesting places; such as, the rollercoaster seen in Now Can You See Me, the place to play chess as seen in Independence Day, and the ice rink shown in Serendipity.

Finally, after a couple of hours of walking, I reached the little Zoo. I love zoos. First to be seen were seals being fed and asked to do tricks when they were rewarded with fish. There was a nice crowd of parents with children (I was the only one alone). I could imagine how this small, simple place could become so crowded but now it was just pleasantly packed. I was able to move easily around the Zoo viewing a variety of animals.

I was most excited to see the penguins behind the glass allowing you to view them on the rocks or in the water as shown in the movie: Maid in Manhattan. I enjoy this movie from time to time and part of the movie is shot in Central Park so it was fun seeing these areas for real.

Central Park is magnificent but much larger than I ever imagined. It is one place I would like to return to and spend more time.

Check out my next installment when I go to the Empire State Building and Time's Square.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser