Happy 1st Birthday to A Reel Cool Summer!

Ah, yes.  I remember it well.  June 21, 2011.  You could fry an egg on the sidewalk that extremely hot day just one short year ago.  (You could fry an egg in a pan, too, but that's beside the point.)  There it was, in all its colorful glory, my first picture book.  7x10" and 5.4 ounces.  Labor had been long (about a year or so) but it was worth it.  As soon as it was published I forgot about the pain and concentrated on the delicate little one I held in my hands.

About two minutes later, reality set in.  I had heard the question before but had pushed it back, way back, in my mind, not wanting to deal with it just yet... How are you going to market your book?  "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I screamed, then decided I was being a bit over-dramatic about the whole thing.

Does anyone have a manual for that? Well, sure, they're out there but who has time to read when you have to market your book?  "Now what?" I wondered.  "Just try everything," I told myself.  "It can't be harder than raising three kids, can it?"  Well, actually, it can!  Sort of.  But I got through that so I knew I could get through this, right?  Right?!

Of course I could.  And here we are, one year later and doing just fine.  Enjoying all the marketing (Twitter, Facebook, blog, etc), thoroughly loving the school visits with the little ones, and just watching my little book grow up.  He (or she, I'm not quite sure) has a little sister (or brother?) called Smell My Feet! and we're starting the process all over again and working on a third one.  We're happy to see our little book family expanding.

So, to celebrate this joyous occasion, the first birthday of A Reel Cool Summer, I'd like to give away (U.S. only) five signed paperback copies to get the kids' summer reading off to a wacky start.  Just leave a comment below.  We'll choose the winners on June 28th.  Tell us about your most memorable summer, ask us a question, or just say hello.  Be sure to invite your family and friends to participate.  The more the merrier!  Oh and don't forget to leave (or email us at martha@readtomepublishingllc.com) your Twitter handle or an email address so we can contact you if you win. 

Sincere thanks to all who have purchased a paperback or Kindle copy of A Reel Cool Summer, all who have reviewed it, and all who have supported and encouraged me throughout this past year.  I am truly grateful.

I hope all the kiddos have a fun and relaxing summer filled with lots of good books to read and wonderful memories to last a lifetime!

Until next time... stay cool!

Martha 

P.S.  Don't forget to stop by our website to watch the very wacky booktrailer, read reviews and more!

Congratulations to our winners!! Fun L., MaryAnn K., Courtney W., Teresa K. and J.R. O.  We hope you enjoy A Reel Cool Summer!