Little Shepherd VBT - Day 16

Does it seem a bit silly to include your own blog during your virtual book tour? Probably, but I hate empty spots in a tour. They glare at me every time I glance at my schedule, taunting me to do something about it.

I've now been on tour for 16 days. Book promotion is a tough gig--even when you know what you're doing. This year, I decided to tour for two months instead of three. I'm glad I did, because we had that awful snowstorm at the end of October and I was without power for a week. By tomorrow, I think I'll finally be all caught up.

So, what's different about touring this year versus last?

• I'm not checking my Amazon stats. Last year I tracked my stats daily until Christmas. It was fun-especially when Little Shepherd reached their bestsellers list in its category multiple times. It's not that I don't care now, it's just not something I feel is good to focus too much on. I would rather focus on writing.
• I reached out to more reviewers that I didn't know. Luckily, the majority of the feedback on the book remains positive. It's tough to ask a totally objective person to review your work, but it's a necessary part of book promotion.
• I'm not running huge giveaways. Last year I put together gift baskets to raffle off at the end of my tour. I think smaller prizes at the end of each month instead of two large prizes at the end of the entire tour schedule would have made more sense. I didn't find the giveaways increased the number of comments on my blog stops or greatly influenced readers to purchase the book.

I love book promotion, and I love helping spread the word about great books. I think the sheer number of blogs I run and contribute to can attest to that. I hope you enjoy following me along the tour trail. If you've purchased Little Shepherd, I would love to hear your thoughts. You can always reach me at ccmal(at)charter(dot)net.

Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving.

Cheryl

Little Shepherd Returns to the Amazon Bestsellers List for the Seventh Time!

I promise you won't have to hear about this again after Christmas, but I was excited to find that Little Shepherd returned to the Amazon bestsellers list in the Large Print Children's Books category. This is the seventh time since the book came out that it has appeared on the list. Right now it is ranked 26th out of 100. Not bad.

Amazon only lists one copy in stock, so pick it up while you can. The book is also available at Barnes and Noble, but according to their shipping schedule, the book won't make it in time for Christmas. :(

I still have copies I can mail out from here. Email me at cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com if you're interested in an autographed copy.

Thanks for all your support with my first book. It is greatly appreciated.

Little Shepherd is Listed as an Amazon Bestseller for Sixth Time Since its Release

I check my Amazon rankings every day. This is a way for me to judge how the book is selling--or not, as the case may be. I went out to Amazon today to take a look and found that Little Shepherd is listed as number 32 in the Top 100 books in the Large Print Children's Books category. This is the sixth time since the book's release that it has been listed as an Amazon bestseller. I feel truly blessed.

Thanks to everyone who has purchased a copy of Little Shepherd. I hope you remember to email me your proof of purchase by this Sunday so that you can be entered into my drawing for a Christmas gift basket retailing for $97. Full details on both giveawways can be found at http://littleshepherdchildrensbook.blogspot.com/2010/09/giveaways-announced-for-little-shepherd.html.

Amazon added a new feature to Author Central that allows authors to check Sales by Week and Sales by Geography. It's a neat feature. It also states right now that Little Shepherd is ranked as 173,860 out of over 8,000,000 books. Now, that's very cool!

Little Shepherd Ranks As an Amazon Besteller in its Category Fifth Time Since its Release

I was excited to check my Amazon rankings this morning and discover that Little Shepherd was once again listed as an Amazon bestseller in the Large Print Children's Books category. Sales had slacked off a bit and I was getting kind of nervous because it is a seasonal title.

A combination of my virtual book tour picking up again after a week away, a press release I submitted online, and a local news article look like they have had some effect.

Thanks to all who purchased a copy of Little Shepherd. Remember, if you email me your proof of purchase, you'll be entered to win a Christmas gift basket retailing for $97.

Details on both giveaways I am running during my virtual book tour can be found at http://littleshepherdchildrensbook.blogspot.com/2010/09/giveaways-announced-for-little-shepherd.html.

Purchase Autographed Copies of Little Shepherd for Your Little Person

Autographed books make special presents. I hope you’ll consider purchasing a copy of Little Shepherd for your little person this holiday season.

Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem when the angels appear to announce the Savior’s birth. Can he trust that the miracle of the first Christmas will keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?

Read an excerpt!

Off in the distance, a wolf howled. Obed moved closer to his flock, scanning the hills for any sign of a pack that might race in and steal his sheep. His family depended upon the sheep for food and their wool for clothing. No sheep would be lost under his watch.


He shivered inside his cloak. While the days were getting warmer, the nights still chilled him. He walked over to the large fire blazing inside the pit. He rubbed his hands together and held them up to the fire to warm them.


Above him, the sky twinkled with millions of stars. Obed couldn’t remember a night so clear.


Suddenly, a bright light filled the sky.


Obed trembled. “Father, what is happening?”


His father dropped to the ground, his right hand blocking his eyes from the intense light.


Obed pulled the edges of his cloak closer to his face as he squinted up at the mysterious form hovering overhead. He shivered, but this time it was not because of the cold.

Read what critics are saying about Little Shepherd!

“It’s a great book for families during the holidays looking to bring more depth and understanding to the standard nativity story.”

–Christy’s World of Books

“Little Shepherd is a great Christmas story for children between the ages of 4-8 that inspires faith and trust in something that cannot be seen, but can be felt in the heart and in the soul. This book would make a great addition to any Christmas collection as well as in any religious setting.”

–The Crypto-Capers Review

“Your first reaction may be, oh goodness another story on the birth of Christ. Toss those thoughts away and immerse yourself and your children into the magical arrival of Christ the Lord. Children’s author, Cheryl C. Malandrinos has re-explored and created a beautiful re-enactment of Christ the Lord’s birth in a unique and awe inspiring rendition which surely will become classical reading in Christian religious school studies and home libraries.

The old time illustrations expertly created by illustrator, Eugene Ruble will leave you feeling that you journeyed through the countryside with Obed and his fellow shepherds.”

–Donna McDine, award-winning author of The Golden Pathway

Autographed copies can be ordered by contacting me at cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com. Please place “Little Shepherd” on the subject line. Autographed copies sell for $10 with a flat shipping rate of $3 to ship anywhere in the United States. Additional shipping charges will apply for orders outside of the US.

Can accept PayPal and bank checks or money orders (no personal checks).

Little Shepherd Book Signing Event at Living Gate Community Church

I will be signing copies of my first children's picture book, Little Shepherd, at Living Gate Community Church on Saturday, November 27, 2010.

Living Gate Community Church is holding its annual Country Christmas Craft Bazaar and Tag Sale that day from 9AM to 3PM. In addition to featuring local author, Cheryl Malandrinos, there will be baked goods, craft items, hundreds of tag sales items, and raffle prizes. A light lunch will be provided for a small fee.

Living Gate Community Church is located at 151 Taylor Street in Granby, MA.

Little Shepherd Remains in Amazon's Top 100 Books in Its Category for Second Day in A Row

Though it's climbing down, Little Shepherd, remains on Amazon's list of bestselling books in the Large Print Children's Books category. Now at #97, it will be out of the list by later today or tomorrow, but it's good to see it there from time to time.

Thanks to all my blog hosts and readers who have made this possible.

If you're interested in picking up a copy of Little Shepherd, you'll find them available at:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Guardian Angel Publishing
Indiebound.org

I hope you'll also look for me on Facebook and Twitter.

Little Shepherd Returns to the Ranks of Amazon Bestsellers!

Thank you so much! Little Shepherd returned to the Top 100 Books in its category today. It is listed as #70 in Large Print Children's Books bestsellers.

I hope you all remember that if you purchase Little Shepherd between August 21, 2010 and December 17, 2010 and then send me proof of that purchase, you will be entered in to win a lovely gift basket of prizes retailing for $97!

Here's what's inside:

GIVEAWAY #2 (for those who purchase a copy of Little Shepherd between August 21, 2010 and December 17, 2010)A "Sparkling Angel" scented jar candle from Yankee Candle
An angel gold and silver lid topper for the candle
An angel tea light holder from Yankee Candle
A Little Shepherd sticky note pad
A Jim Shore Nativity Star hanging ornament
A Jim Shore Holy Family hanging ornament
A $25 Amazon.com gift card


You are eligible to win Giveaway #2 if you purchase a copy of Little Shepherd between August 21, 2010 and December 17, 2010 and provide proof of purchase via email, mail, or fax prior to December 19, 2010. Little Shepherd is available at the Guardian Angel Publishing website, Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com, and at indiebound.org.

I would love to give back to my loyal readers, so please take advantage of this great giveaway.

Amazon Has Replenished Stock of Little Shepherd

I'm pleased to let my readers know that Amazon has replenished their stock of Little Shepherd. For the past couple of weeks the stock was low, but now they are listing it as "In Stock". I hope you'll pick up a copy for a child you love or even to donate to your school or church library.

You can purchase a copy of Little Shepherd from these online retailers:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Guardian Angel Publishing
Indiebound.org

Little Shepherd Virtual Book Tour - Day 26

The LITTLE SHEPHERD VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '10 continues this week with two stops for a cold, windy, and slightly snowy November Monday.

My first stop today is at Book Marketing Buzz. This is a blog run by Dorothy Thompson, founder of Pump Up Your Book! My article is titled, "5 Tips for Coordinating Your Virtual Book Tour". You'll find ways to make it easier to coordinate your own VBT, which is something I believe every author should do at least once.

You can read this article at http://bookmarketingbuzz.com/2010/11/07/5-tips-for-coordinating-your-virtual-book-by-cheryl-c-malandrinos/ Unfortunately, you can't leave comments at this blog.

My second stop of the day is at the blog of my dear friend, Linda Weaver Clarke. Though we've never met in person, I feel like I have known Linda all my life. She has been very supportive of my writing, and I hope I have been a source of support and encouragement to her as well.

The best thing about her interviews is that she makes them seem like face-to-face conversations. You can find our interview at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/2010/11/interview-with-childrens-author-cheryl.html  Linda loves comments, so I hope you'll leave some. She also has two series of books you can learn more about by checking out the video trailers in the sidebar of her blog.

I want to thank all my blog hosts and all those readers who have helped to bringing Little Shepherd back into the Amazon bestseller rank for a third time since its release. The book reentered the ranks on Saturday at #40. It's now at #87, but I feel blessed it every broke into the ranks at all.

You can purchase a copy of Little Shepherd at

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Guardian Angel Publishing
Indiebound.org

I hope you'll friend me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1110037692 or follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ccmalandrinos