Night Owl

Last night Henry, my little dog, took me out for one last pee (his) before going to bed.  He was a foot away from me in the backyard when the back of my hair flashed up in a sudden burst of wind.  I screamed.  Henry barked.  Both exclamations making their point because the owl which mistook my Chorkie for a rabbit, broke his dive and angled up and away from his prey, shot past the web of madrona and pine, smack into a full moon.

As with the night owl, I am bombarded out of the blue by emails on how to promote Suitcase Filled with Nails,- because I subscribe to blogs or newsletters, with free information that always leads to wanting me to purchase a service or product.

In the morning after the owl encounter, as Henry curled in his bed and I turned on the computer, there are four of these emails which  promise to help me:

• Reach the journalists and bloggers who matter through our 1.4 million–record database
• Engage the public directly through social media and easy online content
• Track and record every interaction, tweet, email, news release and media mention
• Analyze  results with quick and easy reporting

·        Boost my brand by starring in a professionally
produced video series

·        Create  editorial calendars :a master, specific event and spread sheet

·        Build my platform

·        Create a SEO (whatever that is)

·        Generate a bazillion tweets

By late afternoon, at least four more emails from various companies all promise to help me with some form of above.  One of these stood out from the others in its direct simplicity, Drew Gerber’s   askdrew@publicityresults.com  It’s worth a look.

At this point my platform is one simple book.  My calendar cost a $5 donation to the SPCA.  Pictures of puppies and kitties are posted above calendar cells inked with interviews, readings, and signings.

An owl hoots in the madrona now silhouetted by a rising moon.  It is time to turn off the computer and walk the dog on a short leash.