Yes, it seems like yesterday to me when I crazily published five picture books within 7 months.
Amazing! Just found the pictures - my first self-published book and the bold step my family and I took renting a stall at Frankfurt book-fair.
Books just arrived -Yippee. I need to do a YouTube video on the lessons learnt as there were a LOT!
Showing off my new books with a full smile. Gosh! the joy of holding my hard-work. Thank you Lord! And thank you family.
Family - don't you just love them. Thanks to the Sekers family in Basel Switzerland who made promotional Bob's blankets.
Little secret - they are one of the finest dealers in gold
So I took a bold step as an individual and rented a stall at Frankfurt Book Fair...here is my pass to show.
Plus paid for a Business Table - the boldness of a novice and I dare to say my vision was - I will be grabbed on day 1!
Lovely yellow passes right?
I love my family - we stick together no matter what - remind me to tell you how we moved to Germany. A story you definitely want to here.
Look at them, my cuties. Excited to pull the wrapping off the items for the stall
Listen up - this is how you fix it
I guess the instructions were boring and something more interesting was happening across the stall.
All setup now - five books proudly displayed reminding me of the song - from Dolly Pattern.
"Coats of many colours my mama made for me, made only from rags but I wear them so proudly. Although we had no money, but I was rich as I could be ...in my coat of many colours, mama made just for me."
Here comes the helpers.....
Imagine! They put us on the same aisle as the German big boys aisle because we are a German registered company.
Ermmmm... you know how that went.
Dedicated!
Make sure the staffs understand the job description
A new job? - I bet that's what she was thinking.
Serious employee - we were told we can hire smilers. Why bother when I have a spouse who keeps smiling. So here is my smiler. So many job titles in this world.
Buy one get one free - Mr Seker are you sure that was the instruction?
Helpers do get tired and need distraction - I guess this was it......
Say cheese......
Boom! we are the cool ones
Story time
Did I ever tell you I started off with the name A Poet's Hearttwist - Oh dear it was a mouthful. Now I'm back to using just my name ...sounds much better. But I still go by the name poetictwist as I do bring a poetic twist to stories.
My publishing journey.......
Arrived Germany August 31st 2014
Self- Published with personal funds no loan taken (God is good) my 1st children picture book - Bob's Blanket 9th March 2015
1000 Hard copies English books
Sold over 300 -400 copies in different countries: Germany, United Kingdom, Dubai, Nigerian even presented in a school at world book day, Netherlands -book signing and many other places.
Donated over 100-200 copies to a Children Hospital in Basel and also to a Children's charity via Reaschule Oberding -Munich Germany
Amazing comments received
The rest in my garage - but I still have faith - as I'm coming out and I want the world to know.......I'm coming!
Plus I also have them as e-books -I'm a busy lady trust me!
Follow up story - Bob forgets his blanket
Story completed
In the pipeline waiting for illustration to be done
get ready - this is a definite for children
1000 Hard copy German books
Sold roughly 10
Donated about 200
The rest in my garage
Don't laugh
The next 4 books self-published September 2015 - launched all 9th October.
300 hard copies for each title
Sold at least 50 to 100 for each title
Popular books
Bible Machine- David and Goliath (Car Series)
Thelma-Polly and the crocodile
Oh yeah! those ones were coooool. Not that the others were not.
Guess what - more titles coming for Bible Machines. Hope you are ready.
You don't go to a book fair without mingling so here we were:
You bring yours and I bring mine - David and Goliath
Let's talk partnering
So it's a wrap
Crash, it doesn't matter where. Ignore the passersby heheh
Nice home and food - a must
You never forget those who help you...Family and friends. After every day at the Book Fair we had a nice friendly welcoming home to chill out. Great food and ambiance in the Kubas' lovely home/restaurant Ada's Buka . Many Thanks to the Kuba - they even celebrated my husband birthday and our anniversary.
One of the finest chef I know Mrs Bridget Robinson-Kuba
Not lying - looking up some of her finest moment
Not only fathers celebrate -let's blow the candle together
Did I tell you my husband is a great print designer for clothes . check him out www.ukomaaddey.com
There you have it. I hope you enjoyed my story.
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