Erik Estabrook tells about his first Booksigning

My First Book Signing

Contributed by

Erik Estabrook www.erikestabrook.com

The experience of my first book signing was valuable one. I find it important to note that many poets will never get known unless you hit media outlets or spots where you can have signings, recitals, etc.

I organized my first book signing at Starbucks in Alexandria, Virginia. I was faced with allot of uncertainty in arranging it.

First the possibility of them laughing me out of the building.

Second the fact that you could undersell.

Third the fact that there could be absolutely no interest.

At my first book signing I was approached by a fellow poet who was traveling the country.She was one of the most important contact I've met to this day.She goes by the name the Midnight Writer, and writes stunning poetry. She blogged about me on her site, and we talked throughout the day.

It was at the signing that I learned valuable salesmanship tools. I found that if you ask them to read your book while drinking their coffee and relaxing you just might have a sale, and if you don't you've still met someone.

The Starbucks coffee signing trained me with sales knowledge, people skills, and in the end it just turned out to be a heck of allot of fun. All and all it is not a successful signing if you don't enjoy yourself, enjoy the atmosphere, and the people around you.

ErikEstabrook.com - Homepage

www.erikestabrook.com

Erik Estabrook's Art and Poetry: personal poetry site of published poet Erik Estabrook.

Stay Warm This Winter

Thanks for the guest post by Esteban Vinson


Winter is my favorite season by all! I am happy to see the first snow fall and take long romantic walks with my husband. Now, my husband on the other hand is not a fan of winter. He lives for hot summer days, so keeping him warm during our walks is a top priority. We usually go for walks when the snow stops, which can sometimes be in the middle of the night. It may sound crazy, but being a photographer, I long for the rare opportunities to take unique pictures. I, of course always remember to set my home security alarm from Home-alarm-systems.com/ before leaving for one of our charming walks. A few tips for keeping warm that have worked for me; have as few as possible layers on when inside the home,so that when you layer up to go outside, you will get the best effect and instead of wearing gloves keep your hands in the pocket. I find that keeping my hands in my coat pockets tends to warm them up better then wearing gloves, they are not exposed to cold air as much. Also, remember to walk at a fairly quick pace. The slower you walk in cold weather, the harder it will be for your body to get its temperature up. The faster you go, the warmer you shall be. Hope that helps!

Julia Butterfly presents her poetry at Mendonesia Cafe

This Saturday, January 22, 2011, Julia Butterfly will present her poetry in a very rare appearance at The Mendonesia Cafe in Willits, California. Julia is an activist who loves the earth and its people. Her heart is in her poetry and her writings embrace the experience that made her a heroine and a legend. Julia Butterfly received national attention when she spent 738 days living in a redwood tree. Julia made a powerful statement to encourage people to wake up to the plight of these ancient forests and the earth's environment.

Her perspective about life on this planet fills her writing. If you care about the ancient forests then come to share with Julia as she pours out her heart in words of passion: (excerpt)
"See.....
what we do to the Earth
we do to each other.
And how we treat the Earth
is reflected in how we treat
each other."

Tickets are on sale at the cafe and seating is limited so don't miss this opportunity to share an "intimate evening" with Julia Butterfly. The event runs from 6-10 pm. Get your tickets today at the going price of $20 .

 Call 707-459-1001 or visit The Mendonesia Cafe on the corner of Highway 101 and Commercial street in Willits.

Call this special hotline to get your tickets: 707-354-0994

The Mendonesia Cafe was closed for about one year for reconstruction but has reopened its doors. Musicians are welcome to come play or poets to come recite. Events are in full swing, the coffee is great, the atmosphere is relaxing, the host is friendly and the food is tasty. If you need to use the internet, the Mendonesia Cafe has free wireless for its customers. Entertainment is a big part of this local cafe. Host a private party or a public event. Just call the local number for details and come be part of the small town culture that makes Willits a "must stop" place on your Highway 101 adventure!

The Midnight Writer

Unlike Wine, coffee does not get better with age

I like it hot and fresh. The fresher the coffee, the better the taste. Call me particular and I won't mind. I just love my coffee. Lately, I have experimented with blends like Komodo Dragon, Italian, Starbucks Christmas blend and Espresso roast. My favorite is Komodo Dragon poured as soon as it finishes dripping but I like all coffee even more made pour over style. It just has a rich flavor that nothing surpasses, not even a French press.

Enjoying dinner at Gratzi

Guest post written by Rick Unstead

Gratzi is a wonderful Italian restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While I do not live in Ann Arbor I live just a fifteen minute drive away and rarely eat anything more substantial than quick service food in the city. Last week I finally decided that my girlfriend deserved a real treat. I looked up the menu at Gratzi and found that the food looked extremely unique. I set my new alarm I’d just picked out from some of the home security packages I’d seen online and went to pick my girlfriend up at her apartment. 

We hopped onto  US 23 and drove down to Ann Arbor. The valet parked my car and I tipped him a few dollars. There was no line which was great because I had not made reservations. Our waiter was extremely attentive and made sure we knew what the daily specials were. Our drink orders were relatively simple, just a glass of the house wine for the both of us. The wine arrived extremely fast and our meal order was taken. My girlfriend and I decided that we would split a mixed grill between the two of us. Twenty minutes later it came to the table and was medium rare as we had requested. We were so full after that! The bill came and was surprisingly affordable. I paid and returned my girlfriend home. Overall, I think both my girlfriend and I would enjoy going to Gratzi again.

If I moved to Los Angeles would I like the Coffee Shops?

Recently, my husband Cephas and I contemplated a move to Los Angeles to further some projects and we wondered what it would be like to move to such a big city. I mean, we are coffee fanatics so would we like the coffee shops there? And the whole idea of moving is a little overwhelming but a friend suggested that we call some Los Angeles Movers to handle all the technical aspects of the physical moving. That is a great relief just to think about it.

Find Repair Shops for any Vehicle or Repair

Many makes and models of vehicles inundate the automobile market today so it is increasingly difficult to find auto repair shops that specialize in certain types of vehicles. With the help of a website like Repair Pal, that problem is solved because their all inclusive listings will help you find help for your vehicle at a Los Angeles auto repair or a repair shop located in Brooklyn.

"Scream" martyheartsong

Planning the Perfect Summer Vacation

This is a guest post by Anderson Toms

This year just like every other year I was dreading sitting down for my summer vacation planning! Now that is all done I can honestly say planning may have been the best part, I had a blast looking at all the hotels online, comparing prices and trying to decide exactly where we were going to go!

Unique Opportunity to learn about Forex Strategies

As your host to The Midnight Writer's Cafe, I am striving to provide unique versatile content. Most people visit coffee shops to share a warm or cold beverage, the news, to surf the internet and to share information on everything from burping babies to stock trading. I'll just jump to the far end of that spectrum, mix it up a little and move around the vast topic base that makes visiting a coffee shop so unique. Put on your trader's cap because you are in for a unique opportunity to learn about Forex strategies and betting tips. I'm referring to a site that wants to share his personal experience in this field. Visit HYIP and Forex daily update to learn about Free soccer betting signal.

Girl with a Purpose gives Healthy Eating Advice

I stumbled upon a blog that empowers girls and young women to make better life decisions, according to their subtitle. I believe the author has lived up to its precept. Gillian Campbell lives in Jamaica. Her blog is clean with a white background and lively informative posts. The reading material offers nutrition and health information for well balanced nutrition that includes suggestions for alternatives to meat for obtaining protein. If you are a vegetarian or are considering a diet change, click on over to Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog to find out what she's got cooking on this week's menu. Take a pen and tablet with you because Gillian gives some great information in multiple areas.

Blog Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 20 November 2008

For questions about this blog, contact The MidnightWriter at themidnightwriter1@gmail.com.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.

Learn to Play the Piano Better with Yoke Wong

Yoke Wong is a piano instructor who teaches adults how to play better. Whether you are skilled or mediocre, her instructions are video taped and available on CD so you can follow along easily. In time and with practice, you will become a better piano player using her piano lessons and by practicing the methods that Yoke Wong teaches.